As an owner of the RME, it’s absolutely worth the $$$ for things like auto ref and loudness features on top of the very capable EQ settings.

Very well said my friend, and I would agree. If you have very resolving headphones, you’ll be able to appreciate the differences of the chain in my experience.

All my respect my friend! 🫡

Agreed 100%. Shit happens and we purchase these things to use them and enjoy them, worrying about it sucks and would preoccupy my already crazy OCD about keeping things very well taken care of lol. Comfort and build quality are way up the checklist for me with cans. It’s a bummer because they are legendary headphones for soundstage from all accounts. Still, for the 20 or so times we’ve seen this over the years, there are thousands of pairs that we don’t hear about working as designed I’m sure.

I feel that lol

Yup, same and what holds me back pretty much. It’s too much money to feel like they need to be babied like that.

Although the Hifiman ef400 of mine had a light issue and I moved on to the RME, the ef400 sound was incredibly musical and awesome to listen to. I’ve got an eye on the ef600 which will come out in a couple weeks too. The R2R sound is awesome

Meze Elites, and I’ve tried a bunch!

Same here, right now running the Elites with a cheaper ef400 setup and it really is just getting better and better as both break in! I auditioned many of the same as well.