Section 1.1: Aurorus Australis

Source Chain: Peachtree Audio XI > Dangerous CONVERT-2 > Bryston BHA-1

The Aurorus Australis delivers a vibrant, "live" sound experience. Its upper treble can be overwhelming, resulting in a tinsel-like quality to cymbals. Male vocals had a somewhat echoing effect, yet they were rich and full-bodied, while bass guitars exhibited an assertive growl. However, the electric guitars came across as slightly muffled.

Section 1.2: Aurorus Borealis

Source Chain: Peachtree Audio XI > Dangerous CONVERT-2 > Bryston BHA-1

In comparison, the Borealis presents a brighter upper midrange than the Australis, enhancing the clarity and presence of electric guitars while reducing the tinsel effect in the treble. Overall, it offers a more natural sound without losing the lively quality of music playback, boasting improved microdynamics as well. Personally, I found the Borealis to be my preferred option of the two.

Section 1.3: Fiio M11 Plus

The M11 Plus is a robust digital audio player (DAP) that boasts a much more fluid and responsive interface compared to many Android-based DAPs. Although I wasn’t familiar with the music loaded on it, its build quality and user experience were striking.

Section 1.4: Sennheiser HD580

The HD580 is a solid all-around over-ear headphone. Its tonal balance is commendable across the frequency spectrum, though its technical aspects lag behind newer, pricier models. The soundstage felt somewhat compressed, and the drums lacked a bit of punch.

Section 1.5: Denon 5200 (Modified)

Source Chain: Chord Hugo > RAAL Requisite

Featuring Fostex biodynamic drivers, the modified Denon 5200 produces impressive slam. Listening to it reminded me of how much I miss my E-MU Teak. Female vocals came through cleanly, though the lower treble was slightly excessive for my taste.

Section 1.6: Quad ERA-1

Source Chain: E1DA 9038D > Micro ZOTL

The ERA-1 is a bright headphone with commendable detail retrieval. However, it struggled with bass texture and dynamics, especially in percussion-heavy tracks, leading to a somewhat flat overall presentation.

Section 1.7: Meze Advar

Source Chain: E1DA 9038D

The Advar IEMs are notably bass-heavy, delivering an impressive yet potentially fatiguing slam. They maintain a suitable balance in the upper mids but possess more lower mids than I typically prefer. While they offer adequate detail for their price, they lack upper treble extension, though their timbre feels quite natural.

Section 1.8: 64 Audio U12t

Source Chain: E1DA 9038D

The U12t IEMs excel in resolution, showcasing excellent treble micro-detail. Their bass performance is also strong, providing great body and dynamics for an all-BA design, although the clarity in the midrange didn’t impress me as much.

Section 1.9: Dan Clark Audio Stealth

Despite my preference for Harman-like sound signatures, the Stealth may have taken it too far. Its upper midrange felt excessively bright and thin, lacking both bass impact and body in the lower midrange. While the bass that was present was agile, it didn’t provide the texture I was hoping for, resulting in a flattened dynamic range. Therefore, I cannot recommend it at its price point.

Section 1.10: Stax SRX-9000

Source Chain: HeadAmp Blue Hawaii Special Edition

The highlight of my day was undoubtedly the SRX-9000. These headphones offer an unparalleled listening experience with a neutral bright tuning. What truly sets them apart is their exceptional instrument separation and detail retrieval. While listening to "Pure Hatred" by Chimaira, I noticed subtle effects that I had never detected before, despite years of familiarity with the track. The SRX-9000 provides remarkable clarity for both rapid bass drum hits and the intricate chugging of electric guitars.

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