written by Davie2000 on 24/03/2013
I first met [name removed] at HiFi Lounge by chance. I was interested in auditioning a certain pair of headphones and I was put in touch with [name removed] who had them on demo.
As I only live 30 miles away I made an appointment to meet [name removed]. After originally getting lost I arrived at his superb premises which are situated in a granary building on a farm! And what a building! Four demo rooms full up with fantastic kit!
The Headphone Room is something else! A row of 15+ pairs of headphones on a shelf in a lovely room with a large comfy leather chair! And just in case you didn't take your own music, a Naim Streamer was on hand together with amps by Bryston and Heed.
What I really liked about [name removed] the first time I met him is that he is a really genuine person. There was no rush, no 'sales pressure' but good advice.
The headphones I went to listen to were superb but very, very heavy and uncomfortable. I took my MacBook with my iTunes library with me together with external headphone amps/DACs being a CEntrance DACPort & an Audioquest Dragonfly.
I then arranged to come back the next day and also took my wife along! [name removed] was again very accommodating and not at all pushy. His tea is also very good indeed!
I was still finding the headphones I liked to be very uncomfortable, but although [name removed] had suggested that I listened also to the HiFiMan HE-500s when I did I couldn't hear what all the fuss was about. Then [name removed] suggested that I listened through a Heed Canamp. All of a sudden the HE-500s came alive! I had read that another pair of headphones I had at home sounded great through the Heed Canamp and I arranged with [name removed] to come back yet again with my AKGs.
[name removed] then suggested that I waited a week and listened through the Heed Canamp together with the Heed Dactilus 3 + separate power supply unit. Already I was over my original budget but I agreed to come back when the PSU demo unit had arrived.
The Headphone Room had by now been re-named David's Room! I went back and listened to my original choice and then the HE-500s (plus a few others!) through the Heed Canamp and Dactilus 3. The HE-500s were still a bit 'lifeless'. Then I connected the separate power supply unit (PSU) to the Dactilus 3. Wow!! I was literally blown away. So much in fact that I'm writing this review at home with a pair of HE-500s on my head plugged into a Heed Canamp which is linked to a Heed Dactilus 3 + PSU. What did it all cost? Don't ask - I just know it was well over my budget but was worth it.
Incidentally, the Heed Canamp was out of stock and [name removed] kindly lent me his so I could start listening as soon as possible, which was a really nice touch. I told [name removed] that a USB cable I had at home improved the sound quality and he asked if I would bring it along when I collected my Canamp. I thought he was going to listen to it through heasdphones. Instead, he took me into a room where we listened via a pair of speakers costing £16,100 and two monoblock amps costing £10,000 each!!
And, you know what? We both agreed that a £60 USB cable improved the sound quality of a £30,000 system!
I cannot recommend HiFi Lounge highly enough. I have dealt with some good hi-fi dealers over many years and whilst most have been very good there is something special about [name removed] at HiFi Lounge. But don't just take my word for it - give [name removed] a call and pay him a visit. But don't forget your wallet!!