The All Purpose Advice Thread

Lol! Well, seeing as it's a combo DAC/amp I could probably sell the iDSD at a slight loss to make up for the combo's being $100 over budget, haha.

I will admit my curiosity is piqued though. Anyone have any experience with this unit? I might miss having a transportable combo around, but if it's really that much better I won't mind


Edit:
Okay, it's got a PCM1792A chip, so does that mean the dual-config 1793 in the iDSD is superior? Ehhhh the Modi Multibit is looking more attractive now, haha. (Yes I'm aware it's not so much the chip that dictates performance so much as it is the implementation; the above was a weak attempt at a joke).

 

@Lyer25 Haha it was just a half-serious suggestion, though a combo unit would cut down on cabling clutter. There's a thread over at head-fi. For pure dac performance, the Modi Multibit is probably a good bet (personally I wasn't a fan, but many others love it). Or sell the iDSD and get the Bifrost multibit.

I wouldn't get too hung up on 1792 vs 1793; there are far too many other variables in play.

 

Yeah sure how does BA compare? I've heard they can sometimes have timing issues.

Thanks for all the help so far!

 

Yep, was kidding when I was worried over the chip number, modified my prev post because I knew someone was bound to point it out, haha.

The $600 for the Bifrost Multibit is a bit hard to swallow just now thanks to a variety of reasons (including pen repairs— some nibs are too damn fragile), so I'll probably just get the Modi Multibit and keep the iDSD on as a carry-around all-in-one. Was just wondering how the Modi Multibit stacked up against the GO2A since a good many others seem to like it. Kicking myself for missing the one up for sale with the lightning-something cable a little while back, agh.

Hmm, I'll mull it over. Could just save up for a few months or a couple years and go for Gungnir Multibit, though then I'd almost have to get a better amp and pair of cans to justify that and... sigh.

Thanks for the advice @Armaegis !

 

Schiit Vali 2 arrived today. Hooked it up with the stock tube and using the RCA connection from my CD-player.

This small tube amplifier sounds big. My HD600 sounds powerful and lively.

I have found it quite pleasant that my HD600 tended to sound neutral-ish and flat. When it sounds powerful and lively like this I am about to freak out. I am silently freaking out, still. Everything has more impact, more sparkle more "get off your arse and dance" to it. Animals As Leaders' debut album is playing.

I am having way to much fun here. Highly recommended

 

Huh... So that's how you do it.

 

Anyone have ideas of what a clear upgrade to the massdrop RE-00? It is lean but the bass detail is impressive. Actually shocking. Quite enjoyable overall. The mids have some lushness and treble is present, though didn't strike me as detailed.

 

Looking For: Headphone advice and amp pairing advice

Considering: LCD 2 non fazor with aune x7s with centrance dacport slim

Currently has: Fiio e17k, centrance dacport slim

Trying to avoid: exceeding $1000

Preferred sound sig: Warm and dark, Mids with body and quality bass, very emotional and intimate soundstage

I did not like the HD 600 and 650 out of the mojo, it felt veiled and treble was lacking. Both these headphones were too relaxed for me and it did not have the wow factor where the music was presented emotionally and intimate

 

The non Fazor'd LCD2 I tried had good body, but will lack the excitement I think your looking for ... Honestly I might shoot for a Schiit Jotenhium with Dac, I've not heard it but reports say it's a bit hard or harsh, that kinda of harshness will pair nice with the rather dark LCD 2 your looking for. I've also not heard the newest Fazor'd Drivers, but apparently they aren't too shabby. Again LCD 2 non Fazor Rev 2 I tried wasn't exciting... it was rather laid back and a bit smoky. Good intimacy, but lacking quite a bit of presence for my tastes. I actually enjoy'd the HD 650 and HD 6XX more upon my first listen. The LCD 2 non Fazor sounds really odd in the upper mids... but I've not heard the newest revision

If your open to a closed back headphone thought, the ZMF Atticus is pretty much what your looking for, beautiful intimate vocals, romantic warm mid range, quality bass and good presence up top. Sound stage is very wide, but you'll always have an intimate mid range. You can get one used for around $800, with Mas Drops X7s that's right at $1000, the Focal Elear is also around $700 second hand but... it's like a "super" HD 600/650, though it's worth hearing. You may like it and find it more exciting than the HD 6XX series, it's similar to the Atticus but a little smoother up top

 

The LCD 2 non fazor are quite variable in their sound. I have heard some that sound like what you are looking for, some that are a bit too laid back, and others that are in between. Plus, they can change over time. I have a pair that went from intimate and exciting to laid back and lacking in sparkle. Still use them, but they changed into something different.

 

What would be the best way to connect up a Modi Multibit and a Jotunheim together. RCA>RCA or RCA>XLR (I realise Modi Multibit isn't balanced, would there difference with an adaptor cable)

 

RCA>RCA. Let Jot do the conversion, it knows what to do.

 

It is possible that Mojo may not provide optimal amplification for the HD650. There've been many reports here that Jotunheim synergizes well with the HD650, and that it "pushes through the veil". The other option that is often suggested is the Valhalla 2:

When it comes to the HD650, see also the KISS mod:
http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/hd650-kiss-mod.3440/


All these options are well within your budget.

 

Experimenting with T5p 2gen pads: the stock pads not very isolating of comfortable, then Brainwavz sheepskin, not really good, bloated bass.
I used the Brainwavz hybrids for some time and was pretty happy after cutting out the inside driver cover. Then I put on the Bayerdynamic T1 velour pads and got entirely new headphones. Way faster, more resolving, with wider, but natural sound stage. Impressive separation. I would say they sound flatter than with any other pads, but also much brighter. Are there any other options? The only thing I have not tried is using the foam driver covers that come with T1 pads. The stock T5p pads do not have driver cover.
I would like to keep the T1 pads but need a touch less treble.

 

I'm considering making the HD650 plunge. I've just picked up GO 2A from a member here. I need to make the decision quickly as I'm moving abroad next weekend where shipping and customs are daunting.

Here are some associated, assorted and naive questions:

- I've never had open back headphones before. How different a listening experience are they from iems? Big enough in a positive way to justify the space disparity when moving light?

- I probably won't get a decent stereo for a while. Are open backs a pretty good substitute for listening alone?

- Does the GO 2A get them close-ish to their potential?

- Is getting a balanced cable for the GO 2A a must?

- Which cable can I get from Amazon (or similar fast shipper) on the cheap?

 

Open-backs are an absolute no-go when on the move. Outside you will hear everything that happens around you, whether it is cars, dogs, flies or airplane engines. Then you have two choices: Either raise volume to decidedly unsafe levels and damage hearing in less time than it takes to finish an album, or alternatively not hear much if anything. With open-backs I can even hear my cat purring at home, or the fridge in the other room. So only for quiet environments to begin with.

If the intended usage is outside, e.g. when commuting, open-backs are a poor choice.

 

Apart from commuting, one of the first things I disliked about headphones was the isolation. Using open-back headphones, you are not at all cut off from the world around you. You can hear the door bell, the dog barking, the baby crying. For home use, I find this greatly preferable. It all depends on your environment and whether or not you want/need to hear it.

I won't attempt to comment on differences between open/closed 'phones: I just mostly avoided 'phones altogether until I discovered open!

I see you are moving country. Climate? I live in a humid corner of the tropics: no way I could wear HD6xx without the Airconditioning on, and even then, I need to "vent" my ears occasionally. In every other way, though, once I had got the position right, I find the very comfortable.

 

I need advice on no nonsense portable DAC/amp preferably PCM only around $300. My iBasso DX80 is going to China (no battery replacement in NA, how stupid is that) and I will need something to strap to my phone. There are just too many choices.