The All Purpose Advice Thread

@Btdk34 - he doesn’t post below 200hz because those are subject to room modes. I’ve seen measurements go down to 50hz, but that’s nearfield. They are bookshelf speakers so it’s always going to be limited with smaller woofers. If you want bookshelves with better bass extension you’ll need larger woofers, 6”-8”. Consider the fusion-8 in that case.

 

@Cspirou - Good point, I hadn't realized that! Learn something new every day. I'll plan on picking up a pair of OSMTMs then, since the Fusion 8 would be too large for the space I have. Thanks for the feedback everyone!

I've read in multiple places here that a good hold-over amp is the JLH69 amp, like this one: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/201...Stereo-10Wx2-Audio-Amplifier/32801134484.html. However, that's rated for 8 ohms, and OSMTMs state they need an amp capable of driving 6 ohms. Perhaps the Emotiva A-100 might be a better fit for now? (https://emotiva.com/product/a-100/)

 

Sorry I posted this in the DAP Talk thread before I realized there was an advice thread.

About DAPs...

I've been bouncing back and forth between either a ZX100 or a ZX2, but I really want streaming so it's probably going to be a ZX2.
The prices though for even used are at the very edge of what I want to spend right now, so I was looking at the ZX1 as well.

Anyone know how much of an improvement the ZX2 or even ZX100 is over the ZX1?
Are there just very small incremental improvements, or is it not even worth it to consider the ZX1 at it's current prices?

 

Gungnir Multibit owners. I just screwed up. Was moving my laptop. I forgot to turn the Gungnir Multibit back on. Been off about 18 hours. Anybody know how long before it reaches optimal temperature again?

 

If you've had it on for some time, I think about 12 hours and it's pretty much settled in.

 

Thanks @cskippy. It was on since the first week in September, so I should be good to go by midnight. I need to put a post-it on it so I don’t do that again. Good thing my Eitr/Modi Multibit is still on! Saturday is music day, especially on a 3 day weekend.

 

Would a GO450 still be the best bet for a sub $100 USB DAC/Amp stick for low to mid fi IEMs? Shure SE215s for now maybe Massdrop Plus on a later run. I have a Fulla 2 in the office that does well, but it is bulkier than I want to take with me when I am working out of the office. My laptop headphone out makes terrible noise when the laptop heats up.

 

Hey Guys

After a couple months with my Audio-GD Master 9, I'm thinking about moving on to something else. I've enjoyed it for what it is, but it just isn't...."right"? The great amp search continues I suppose. One amp I am seriously considering giving a try is the iFi iCAN PRO. Does anyone here have experience with both? I don't want to downgrade in terms of fidelity, but a side grade to a different sound, or an upgrade all round would be what I'm hoping for. I haven't been able to figure out what it is about the Master 9 that isn't doing it for me, but the iCAN PRO seems promising after reading impressions here from those with experience.

For reference, my headphones are the Abyss Phi, LCD-4, and Utopia. I'd like something with a lot of power to deal with the first two.

Thanks for any help!

 

I have a GO450 I use with my DT-1350’s at work. Very nice sound. Haven’t tried any IEM’s as they bug my ears. The 1350’s are 80 ohms. The GO450 does get warm after a while.

 

That's kind of an odd mix of headphones to match one perfect amp for. I might suggest to reset your expectations a bit and target one amp for the planers and one amp for the Utopia.

For the planars, I've found that they do best with just huge power clean headphone amps that kinda get out of the way. If I would suggest one in particular, I would go for the SPL Phonitor - using balanced. It lets these guys sing and as a bonus you can dial in the headstage. Careful with experimenting with crossfeed though, I've found once you have one amp with it, it's really really hard to let go.

For the Utopia, I would suggest a low noise OTC tube amp to get the most out of it. If you can, try it with the SPL. The gobs of clean power might be enough, but to maximize enjoyment, you might want to consider something from Feliks Audio or the Icon HP8 signature version, or something along those lines.

 

The OSMTs sound terrible with the JLH69. it just doesn’t have enough power. My OSMTs really came alive when I️ started using a crown x1000 to drive them.

 

All right, all purpose advice thread, this might not work but tired of chasing the dragon. I own coin modded Senn hd650, Shure SRH1540, magic non-driver failure Audeze LCD2 revision 1, Aeon Flow Closed, Massdrop TH-x00 and various IEMs. My absolute favorite transducer by far is the Andromeda, in concerns to sound signature. The problem is, and I've been fighting it for years, my right ear physically hurts after using IEMs for more than 30 mins and that doesn't even get through an album. Doesn't matter what kind of tips I use. I've tried treating this with alcohol, not rubbing, the kind you ingest…and then it does get better after a while but my liver can't take that every day.

Now, with my full size cans I keep ending up with ringing ears from turning them up to loud trying to get them to sound like the Andromeda. As an example, I think the Aeon Flow is the perfect headphone comfort-wise…not too tight, not too loose, can move about the house with it, just stellar…high build quality too, but I want more bass quantity and the mids for me sound artificial so I keep turning it up and dicking with the eq and my ears ring(not good I know).

I don't seem to be very affected by treble…if it's a little rolled I'm good…a little sibilant…I can detect that but not a deal breaker. Don't think I am a bass head, but if quantity is lacking I keep turning the volume up. Mids are the most important though, even if the bass quantity/quality is right if the singer, male or female, doesn't sound right I can't get into it. Do any of the new full size headphones match this criteria? ZMF Atticus, Focal Whatever, Klipsch HP3? Associated equipment doesn't matter much, regretfully I am starting to think the smart thing to do is start with the headphone or speaker, mostly a two channel guy, and then build the rest of the system. Does not need to be portable. I mostly listen to vinyl cause I'm too cheap to spring for anything above the multi bifrost for digital. At this point my physical library is larger than my digital one.

So full size Andro? If I sold all my full size cans today I would only keep the Senn and even then I prefer the Andro overall.

 

on a side note. I just realized I basically just said the Andromeda is my favorite but i don't care about treble. That specifically could come off as very contradictory. Ignore that part. I think for myself that part of the spectrum helps me with spatial cues more than anything else, not sure that is a very good explanation.

 

Thanks for the info! I read that the OSMTs sounded underpowered from the JLH69 somewhere else here after more digging, so I opted for the Emotiva BasX A-100. Not sure how it compares sound-wise to the JLH, but at least it's a Class A/B amp. I'm hoping that 80W @4ohms will be enough power!

 

You have never had a set of custom in ear monitors made for you (like Ultimate Ears) that require an impression of the ear canals? I have a set of UE Pros that are going on ten years old that still work fine. I have worn the custom IEMs for eight hours without discomfort. When I bought the UEs there were not many companies offering custom inner ear monitors but you have a wide choice now. When I need to shut out the outside world they are great but the sound quality does not compare to my HD 800s.

 

Audeze it’s pre sellling their lcd 2 classic. Maybe it would be a nice basics return. Hope the quality control awakes from their neurological coma!

 

^^^ But that's pure speculation. Let the guiana pigs test the LCD-2C before recommending...

 

Have the same issues with universal tips, but am perfectly fine with customs. Maybe consider custom tips?

 

Snugs can make custom tips to fit many IEMs they just need an impression of your ear canal from an audiologist. They are in UK and the cost is 200 British pounds. The money might be better spent toward a new pair of fully custom IEMs from someone like Ultimate Ears or Empire Ears. Why pay $1000 for IEMs with one size fits all silicone tips when you can get a set custom made for your ears for less money?

 

Thanks guys. Frankly I am afraid to go the custom route. I've always heard that weight changes can change the way customs fit and I recently realized I need to drop more than a little weight. Went ahead and ordered a ZMF Atticus after reading a lot of impressions.