The All Purpose Advice Thread

Would be nice to get some more ears on that unit - of course Torq's recommendation is pretty convincing already.

 

In addition to that thread, this one might be a bit more appropriate ... although it's not really going to tell you anything you haven't read here already:

Easily Lost: "Portable" DAC/amp Comparisons.​

If you really want no hiss at all, then either the iFi Micro iDSD BL, which is big, but highly functional (it'll even work as a reasonable DDC for a desktop setup, though I wouldn't buy it JUST for that purpose). Or you can add either an iFi iEMatch (which sometimes works beautifully, and sometimes kills the life of the music, depending on the combination of gear involved), or a simple inline attenuator to pretty much anything and it'll typically clobber the hiss issue.

 

That thing is no DAP, and too fiddly - like they couldn't decide what sounded good - the last time I tried it.

 

The DAC section isn't anything special, but the Leckerton UHA6S.mkii is dead quiet with all IEMs. If you write it in the notes when you order it, Nick will make it for IEMs which switches the switchable gain levels to -12 and 0 dB (from stock 0 dB and +18 dB). SBAF link

 

Why is everybody ignoring my humble question ;(

 

Ignoring the EX1000 for a second, @Torq has been reporting good results with FiiO's latest X5iii, which seems to be in your budget:
http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...d-gen-fiio-x5iii-soc-impressions-review.4128/

You may also wish to check out this thread:
http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/dap-talk-formerly-best-daps-2015.174/

 

My hd 650 pads have gotten flatten, is there some way i can get them back up again or do i have to buy replacement pads?

 

I was wondering what would a good hybrid tube amp for HE 560's, K612's and some HP50's for 400€ or less be? DIY is only okay if I can get a PCB inside EU

 

A light washing with some laundry soap *might* help bring some volume back, but most likely you'll have to get new pads.

 

Anyone have experience using a chromebook as usb transport for digital music? For many reasons that are irrelevant here I will be in possession of one soon, and find myself wondering if its even worth it to load any substantial amount of music onto the chromebook (or some poor microSD card). It will be feeding into my modimbo or gov2+. Any insight welcome.

 

I think the problem might be that there aren't many who have experienced the MDR EX-1000 with all of those DAPs. You might try your question in the general DAP thread, or in @shotgunshane's IEM extravaganza. There is also an EX-1000 thread, but it looks a little stale; still might have some useful info.

 

Currently using Etymotic ER4PTs with my QP1R when I travel. Considering getting custom molds for more comfort in those 12h flights between the West Coast and Europe, but before making the audiologist appointment and paying for that and the customs, it occurred to me that with that expense and hassle I should at least check that there isn't another IEM that 1) takes custom sleeves, and 2) is fairly neutral, and 3) beats the ER4PTs hands down. I know, I know, tastes are difficult to transfer and I should demo but unfortunately demoing IEMs seems to me really hard because I found that even different universal tips make a big difference, so comparing like with like is much harder for me than with other audio gear.

 

Can anyone tried using a Gungnir Multibit or Yggdrasil for gaming? I have a Modi Multibit-Mjolnir 2 Solid state RCA cable-Balanced Ether Flow curious if the extra $1000 is worth it from a PC gaming perspective. I use a Soundblaster card for virtual surround

I am very curious if the extra detail retrieval will be available from the Yggdrasil for PC gaming compared to a Gungnir Multibit and if it is worth it for another $1000

 

So Gungnir Multibit then I'm good to go?

What would be your reasoning as I haven't been able to find anything on high end DACs and PC gaming

 

His reasoning is likely that your current setup is already massive overkill. The Realtek chip on your motherboard is already capable of resolving everything the compressed audio in video games has to offer. If you aren't shopping to listen to music, save your money.

 

If all you're doing is just gaming, I would stay with Modi Multibit. Game audio quality is usually pretty bad.

 

Certain games have very high quality. Battlefield franchise you can tell the difference between the Modi Multibit and my onboard audio. So was curious since the Yggdrasil seems to add almost another layer, but I'll definitely save the $1000 thanks guys

 

How do you define high quality? What's the DR? Game explosion/dialogues etc. are heavily compressed sound, i.e. only occupying a small range of the frequency spectrum. Not worth spending on DACs at all. Higher end headphones do help slightly, but I'd rather spend money on the best possible CPU/GPU/screen. If you think you have the best PC already, it can always be better. Go 4k, 8k, 12k, or whatever is SOTA.