The All Purpose Advice Thread

Done. PM'ed.

 

Crap, I forgot about that thread. Thanks, @k4rstar!

 

So I've been enjoying my Modi Multibit+Neve RNHP combo for the past few months but I suffer from a severe case of upgrade-itis. I broke up with my girlfriend so guess what? More money for audio gear.

I'm looking to get into the $1k amp bracket but I am willing to go up to $1500. I've listened to tube gear (nothing super high end) and I think I prefer solid state but again, I'm willing to consider tube options.

So far I'm looking at the following options:

Burson Conductor V2: https://www.bursonaudio.com/products/conductor-v2/
Violectric V200: http://violectric-usa.com/headphone-amplifiers/hpa-v200
Lake People RS 08: http://violectric-usa.com/headphone-amplifiers/rs-08
Cayin IHA6: http://en.cayin.cn/products_info?itemid=91

Anything else I'm foolish for not considering?

DAC will most likely be the Bifrost Multibit (unless its really not much of an upgrade over the Modi Multibit).

 

What headphones do you plan on having?
At that level, you pretty much should be seriously considering getting a Gungnir Multibit for the DAC, which will play very nicely with all types of amplifiers.

 

Based on the consensus here I think the Mjolnir 2 should be your top option. It gives you the option of tubes and SS as well.

I've owned the amp and it was incredible with my HD650. I regret selling it .

 

I've been reading reviews, and getting user input on these two "tube" amps, but I keep going back and forth in my mind.

http://www.apexhifi.com/Sangaku.htm
https://www.moon-audio.com/dragon-inspire-iha-1-tube-headphone-amp.html


Sangaku uses Nutube http://korgnutube.com/en/'
IHA-1 uses 6sn7 and variants (great tube)

Both have preamp outs (IHA-1 you have to check the option)
Both have 6.3mm and xlr out.
Both relatively the same price.

Sangaku would probably be more reliable.
IHA-1 would allow me to roll tubes, for tailored sound flavor
Sangaku is smaller, lighter, less heat.

Can't decide....

 

Hi @Comzee, I'm not familiar with either amp, but have you seen our dedicated Sangaku thread? You may be able to find helpful impressions there.

As to the IHA-1, I don't see much content about it here either. @Rotijon mentioned it here. There's an Absolute Sound review and a couple Head-Fi threads.

More information about your gear, musical tastes, etc. would be helpful. More generally, it may be helpful to peruse these threads:

• http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...erbaf-cheap-tube-amp-guide-1200-or-less.2796/
  
• http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...ompendium-guide-to-schiit-amps-headamps.3058/
  
• http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...s-for-the-sennheiser-hd800-2017-edition.3408/

Good luck in your search and welcome to the forum!

 

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for a hard-shell IEM case. Something like a small pelican case or a round case like what the Nobel X comes with. It needs to be padded on all sides though. Any recommendations?

 

Noble sends their ciems in a Pelican 1010. It's rugged and has a rubber type inside lining. Locks shut firmly. I like it pretty well, although may be just a hair bigger than necessary for storing most universals

https://www.amazon.com/Pelican-1010-Micro-Case-Black/dp/B001CNK6SA

Edit. These are cheaper idk why https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001CCZF6E

 

There are also dolfin cases, but more pertinent: http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/unspoken-1-aftermarket-iem-case.1848/

 

Do you use a foam insert with the Pelican? Seems like the best and cheapest option so far.

I just stumbled across this guy...

https://www.campfireaudio.com/shop/raw-leather-case/

Pretty but I don't think I can justify $50 for an IEM case

 

That's the exact one that came with my jupiter. They have cheaper ones with a different outer material, but either way if I was paying for it I'd do the pelican 1010 easily. The inside of the pelican is a rubber that almost feels like a firm but squishy foam. IMO it's enough, but I'm not super particular plus Noble includes a felt baggie too so I've never thought about it much.

 

I personally just roll up the cable and chuck it into my backpack's sunglass slot/one of my slingbag's pockets.

But the X already comes with a carrying case? Like this

 

I had a poor experience with the IHA-1 at Canjam SOCAL a couple of years ago. Moon Audio had one as part of their demo setup being fed by a Chord Hugo (I didn't have any say in the DAC choice). I tried listening to it with the LCD-3 they had available. Unfortunately it was clipping the signal like crazy and required the pot to be turned almost all the way up to get to a decent listening level. I asked Drew of Moon Audio why it was clipping and he dropped the gain from the Hugo down a notch, at which point it no longer overtly clipped, but exacerbated the apparent lack of power, as there wasn't enough volume on tap get close to adequate volume even at max. He didn't seem to have any idea what was going on when I relayed the situation and looked like a deer staring in to headlights. He simply told me that it was being fed by his best DAC at the show, implying that somehow I was the one with an issue (I'm far from a loud listener, though it was noisy and required more than I would normally listen at).

All that stupidity aside, I recall that the bass was soft and there was a general lack of attack, I certainly wasn't engaged. I don't know if this was simply a result of being improperly set up, or if the amp truly has no gain headroom. Strange experience. I would strongly recommend against buying one blind at the very the least and would tread carefully.

 

Thanks for the impressions. I own one of Had's inspire amps already, but sold by him directly. It's a speaker amp, although I've used it with headphones after making an adapter. Not exactly the same design, but similar. I couldn't gauge the power issue, because the version I have is meant for speakers. It outputs more then enough for the hd800/lcd3 listening I did on it. Although that was just to try, I run it as intended with some Omega Alnico Compact speakers.

I own a fully tweaked Torpedo III right now, with (imo) best in class ge 5 star tubes. I was looking to add a second "tube" amp to my collection.
I was going to get the Sangaku, but @JoshMorr gave me some pros/cons that had me thinking otherwise.

Sangaku promo ($200 off) is ending this week, and I'm not sure which direction to go. Hmm.

Also greetings fellow MN'er

 

I'm a complete noob when it comes to amplification. I can understand some headphones need more "juice", but why do headphones with lower impedances still need/benefit amps? Why would a pre-amp work?

Is there any good articles here or from another reputable source on this?

 

So one of my ears hears slightly better then the other. I am curious what is the best way to balance my entire system. Like is there a cheap device with a balance control I can buy and stick between my DAC and amp?

 

If you're using window's sound, you can adjust LR channel balance by right clicking on the sound icon and going to Playback Devices > DAC Properties > Levels > Balance. Then adjust sound on good ear to balance out bad ear. This method relies on using window's sound though.

 

On my Windows 10 laptop with Modi Multibit that has no effect.

 

Short answer: Google "rca attenuators".
I have a similar imbalance problem problem and made my own by soldering resistors into RCA connectors.
You first need to estimate the approximate dB difference, possibly by @Yeskey's method (which may be a suitable solution in itself, if you only play from PC). I say "approximate dB" because the imbalance will most likely be more at some frequencies and less at others. Test using pink noise.