Thought I’d make a full thread of yearly highlights we could post for each consecutive year. So, once the current year ends we could use this same thread and just change the title. Sort of like a yearly journal we can always look back to…
You may post more than one if you’d like, but I would challenge everybody to pick just ONE defining moment of the year. It can be anything audio related that has either satisfied you personally, or put a smile on your face.
Knock yourselves out!!
2023
For me, I think most people on here would be able to guess it (I wrote an entire article on it), and that would be the Yamaha yh-5000. It matches my tastes to a T, and I’ve never been this satisfied with a HP before, enough to where I’m contemplating selling all my other hps. It has been almost a year, and its effect has not worn out on me. It’s also one of the more divisive things to come out in a while but, at this point, 
. It took a lot of work to get there though, these are picky AF with all the optimizations I had to go through. But, at the end of the day, it makes my music and I smile, so that’s all I really care about.
I have spent the year tweaking my setup. Started off with my Dac, going from my Denafrips Pontus 2 to The Aqua La Voce and now to a Rockna. Headphone wise I jumped to the Abyss DV2 and as a source my Roon Nucleus. I have been gathering music and doing as much listening as possible. It has been a great year for every bit of the journey. Extremely happy with all the smiles it has given me.
I’ve been out of audio for 2.5 years until last month. I visited the Schiitr one afternoon and had a conversation using audiophile terminology and vocabulary I haven’t used in a long time. I had to assemble myself something after that visit. I ended up grabbing a Diana V2 and a Burson 3XR w/SC. These are kind of repurchases I got at an extreme discount, although I don’t think I’ve had both of these at the same time.
Man 2023 was just a roller coaster for me with a lot of ups and downs. I never made so much upgrades in my life before and honestly thanks to this forum for putting out really good information out there.
I wanted to list the highlights just to go over what happen to me in 2023 in terms of audio:
Getting Roon. I really like the UI and features.
Got the Allnic HPA-5000XL and found out an amplifier really do matter in an audio chain and how it can really let your headphone show off great potential. (Everything matter in the audio chain to be honest).
Isolating my computer using a DDC and made me realize that my computer sucks and was holding back my listening session this entire time.
Getting completely out of my computer for main listening session and got an actual streamer. This one blew my mind from memory and remembered being so amazed how 1 little difference can really impact a listening session.
Bought speaker stands and was blown away on how good my speakers sounded on a stand vs them being on the floor. Made me realize the importance of speaker placement and how drastically different they can sound on a bad placement.
Got the Supratek and realize what a nice preamp can add to an audio chain. Still wouldn’t recommend it for dedicated headphone chain, but if you can do it, it just makes the chain overall better of course if the synergy is good.
Upgrading to the B4B 21 DAC version. It made me realize that the performance jump is still there even after how much money I already spent lol.
Listening Shang Sr. On Grand Cayman at CanJam.
Listening Stax X9000 On RSA B-21 Raider at CanJam.
Listening Sony MDR R10 on a RSA tube amp at CanJam.
Listening Sennheiser HE-1 at CanJam.
Listen to the Onkyo A800 on the Viva 845 Tube Amp at CanJam (that amp will make all your favorite headphones 10x more fun).
So overall got a taste of Summit-Fi CanJam Chicago
Bought a Mysphere 3.2 on my main setup (got me believing that headphones can actually sound natural/real). I actually was starting to give up on headphones because I honestly didn’t care about 90% at CanJam because most of the headphones I actually liked were summit-fi prices which I thought wasn’t worth it for me. Getting the Mysphere 3.2 for $2500 and plugging it to my system to get my mind blown away was a nice surprise.
Hearing the Susvara for probably 100 hours later and found that “holy crap, this headphone is actually really amazing” kind of feeling.
I probably have more, but that’s what I can remember from the top of my head. But man 2023 felt so long to me because there was so much happening. I definitely want to take it slow in 2024 lol. Choosing 1 highlight is going to tough, but I guess I could try.
If I had to pick 1 highlight it would be this
Reason I would choose this because it made me realize how every little thing in an audio chain really matter. Either the difference is big or small, it will affect how enjoyable my listening session will be. In this case, it was big for me. It made me really open my mind on how I view audio now and gave me a wake up call that bottlenecks are real even straight to the source. And if you ignore those bottlenecks, you will just be holding back your overall listening experience. Garbage in and garbage out. If you want the best experience, always gotta make sure the source is looking good or at least a really good DDC which was my first “WOW” moment when I first enter this forum.
2023 was a good year for me as I reached my goal of not making a significant purchase. I have been saving up for my next purchase, but nothing has really interested me. I am interested in a few headphones, but the used market has dried up a bit (at least for the things I am interested in).
My goal for next year is to stay disciplined and only make a purchase once I am confident that the price is right and it is something that complements my collection.
I’d like to buy another DAC to pair with my Quicksilver. Im currently using my Bifrost 2, but I’d like to keep the BF2 dedicated to my BHC. I also am looking for a headphone to complement my Diana V2 and give me the things my DV2 doesn’t (soundstage width, warmth, laid back sound signature).
Meeting @dB_Cooper in person for a DAC hand-off courtesy of @Souldriver, and the insistence to do the same with @NickMimi for another hand-off.
Thank you John, this was life-changing and I mean that in the truest sense 
That must have been one hell of a DAC. 
Fun to read all those different, personal stories…thx a lot!
My 2023 Highlights:
)Cheers!
Hello,
my personal highlights started early in 2023.
My Deltasigma Dac was replaced by the Gustard R26.
That was exactly what I needed.
In March, Zmf released the Atrium Bocote, which I ordered and was also the right choice.
In April I became aware of the Mcchanson Ultimate, which was only available as a mini version.
I waited and in May a junior version came out which was irresistible.
I ordered it at the end of May and received it in mid-July.
The amplifier swallows a lot of tubes including tubes for little money like EL81,6k6,6F6 and many more.
It has a switch where you can control 2 different caps.
After burn in and small conversion from the Russian caps to Vcap CuTf, the other is Mundorf Silver/Gold oil.
This is the best highlight of the year.
The amplifier quickly won my heart and also harmonises very well with Zmf headphones.
I added a Vh Audio XLR to Rca cable and am very happy with it.
And tube consumption has also increased because many things are very cheap.
I found many good tubes for it.
My Feliks Euforia has hardly had any playing time since then.
It was a hell of DAC , hopping down the East Coast like a 
I thought this was about “One” highlight, then realized many were posting a series of highlights. I would be remiss to not mention another deeply personal highlight, and while it technically falls under audio related, it was also life changing as my previous example.
Capital Audiofest (CAF) was over Veterans Day weekend here in DC, and not one, not two, but five close friends came in from out of town to visit for the weekend. They took Planes, Trains, and Automobiles from Minnesota, Illinois, Alabama, and Pennsylvania. This was deeply impactful for me, and it was not audio related at all. Yes, the premise was audio related given it was CAF, and we enjoyed three long days of audio indulgences capped off by a sort of impromptu mini Canjam at my place.
It meant a lot to me personally, for reasons I won’t bore the forum with. That weekend was a wonderful time bonding with friends around our shared audio hobby, and went beyond the hobby as it goes with those who are close friends. I will cherish it and deeply grateful for their friendship 
It can be a lonely hobby, It’s great when we can have those shared experiences!
Bumping this in case anyone wants to share something before the year ends…
These little lightweight, fairly cheaply built, slightly noisy Alan Eaton mono-block 1.75 wpc 45’s…The circuit design performs many leagues above their cost, build quality, and weight Gotta give credit where it is due 
@NickMimi I was almost about to pull trigger on these for my O/96s today but I’m not sure if the power is enough. I usually don’t listen at very high volume and at night often around 54-58dB. Plus these wouldn’t be my mains but rather a different flavor. What do you think?
Only you can decide in your space with your particular equipment how much pleasure or value they provide you despite their shortcomings. Having said this and being clear on the fact that they’re NOT perfect, i am one of many people who genuinely appreciate their abilities and sound character. Compared to other pieces which have similar capabilities these are an amplifier i recommend for a seasoned and experienced low power aficionado to try, if you can appreciate what they do compared to the cost you too may decide these are a genuine hidden gem in the community.
The 096 speakers sound character comes off as a bit bottom heavy (not in a bad way, just my perception of them) to my own ear, thus if you already appreciate their character Alan’s design may please and surprise you despite the diminutive power output. I’m currently such a fan of the 45’s sound character compared to other DHT tubes that my opinion is absolutely biased and Alan’s amps just give that 1 WATT something special within its limitations. 
I cannot see you getting stuck with them if you find they are not to your taste preference, they are not a particularly quick sale but they do have a solid and enthusiastic fan base.
Lastly, 96 db sensitivity is enough for great dynamics and low level listening pleasure. I’ve used them with speakers as low as 93 db sensitivity. It’s not all that goes in the equation but enough to warrant the experience and expenditure
Thanks Nick for sharing your thoughts, much appreciated as always. My concern was mainly on the dynamics, especially as I listen to a lot of jazz.
I think I’m just itching for some variety and tune rolling isn’t cutting it. I think I’m going to wait a little to see what else pops up.
Hifi highlights for this year
Viva Egoista 845, currently my favorite amp
Pacific 2 Upgrade
Total DAC D1 Unity
One of those I had planned to buy or at least some variant there of, the other 2 were just spur of the moment decisions.
Still need to try the Viva on the Pacific 2.
More power always works well try the 300B that’s also a great tube and usually 3-8wpc. I have listened to the Devore on Shindo amps. I assure you they are capable of dynamic output with 3 WPC.
Check out this blog, many GREAT recommendations for very obscure items you may enjoy!
In no particular order
The pass labs I had wanted for a long time so it was no surprise that I loved it.
The other 3 I came across by chance and they really stood out, my first mass kobo made me a huge fan of the brand.
Also my first steps into great value cables added a very unexpected high amout of upgrade to my system.
