The All Purpose Advice Thread

@The Alchemist

The Koss Pro DJ 100 is one of my favorite entry level closed backs there's also the Superlux HD 681 EVO

If your looking at going down the Low-Fi path, I'd recommend getting anything that can support rock box, the Parametric EQ built into it is phenomenal, I can understand where your coming from as well, I've had to contemplate selling everything I own a few times over the years. An if I reach that point again, my 668B a Pro DJ 100, Behringer UCA 202 an HM 601 are what I'd keep.

 

Shure SE535 maybe? They sit flush in the ear, you can pretty much sleep in them. The stock cable is very sturdy too.

(Maybe SE215 would be cheaper, if that's a consideration.. but I can't remember how flush they fit. I have a pair somewhere, maybe I should try to dig them out.)

Failing that, Sennheiser HD-25-1 II. On-ear headphones. They feel flimsy, but that's because they're flexible. Every damned part is available as a sensibly-priced spare. They're workhorses, often thrown in location audio kits exactly because of how robust they are.

 

Has anyone used Beresford switches? I'm looking at both types as they could be really handy devices when auditioning new gear.

http://www.homehifi.co.uk/S/selector.htm

 

I have Jotunheim with DAC in the office and thinking about adding a Bifrost Multibit Gen5.

Unfortunately, I can only use Tidal in Firefox for listening to music, which means 320kbps MP3 and DirectSound. Admins won't install any software for me.

Concerning Bifrost Multibit: Waste of money or YOLO?

 

I have the TC7240. Build is solid, as is the switch feel, leaving an impression of good quality. I've reverted to long term listening tests rather than A/B so I haven't worked this unit much recently, but I recall no issues with sound quality.

Of course with sensitive IEMs (I tested some portable DACs using Andromeda and RCA-->3.5mm stereo jack) the impedance messes with things.

This seemed the best value deal vs GoldPoint for casual use. No regrets here.

 

Nah, go for it. Jot deserves much better dac than the built in one.

 

Thanks for the info!

I also asked on Canuck Audio and someone suggested to look at a small Canadian company called Maple Tree Audio. Funny enough it was a local fellow that let me borrow his Saga and also mentioned this company last week. Seems he's been doing this side stuff for awhile.

Anyways while looking through the site, he also offers three different headphone tube amps. Some of you know a lot more about component quality than I do but I do know that Hammond transformers are good stuff and Alps/DACT as well. Seems like the rest of it could have good innerards despite the old-man exterior. All at a price-point that isn't vomit-inducing.

https://hollowstate.netfirms.com/#headphone amps

 

I have a crazy question...

This thing is terrible, right...?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Finished-Im...185932?hash=item3d3ae6718c:g:o0IAAOSw74FXOgWV


I mean for that price it has to be, doesn't it? Or does it? The KAS5 is excellent and, to my understanding it only uses resistors and transistors in the signal path: no caps etc so the parts quality, provided they are to spec *shouldn't* matter much if all. Or am I missing something? Has one tried one of these? The curiosity may get the better of me here.

 

Thanks for all that information. I just got my mic (Dayton Audio UMM-6) and got this (just SPL at 1/48th octave):



I can see the bass response below below 70Hz tails off fast and I assume that is the speakers. Is my room really bad?

I did nothing but download the mic calibration file and install it. I have not calibrated the system to the speakers if that is even possible. I guess it's time to start educating myself on this room measuring topic!

 

Where was the measurement taken? At listening position in the center mic pointing in between the speakers? I'm impressed that there aren't really any nulls!

Do you mind doing y axis of 70dB or 100dB range and 1/12 octave smoothing?

 

This?:



Measurements were taken from the listening position with the mic aiming between the two speakers.

 

Or this:

 

Second one gives a better overall perspective. Definitely bass heavy. Make sure you line up with the tweeters if possible, otherwise looks like a very warm sound, not a bad thing, just personal preference at that point.

 

Here is one with my wife holding the mic at exactly the right height:

 

Man, that looks great to me! Mostly follow the B and K curve with some extra warmth a la HD650 around 100Hz and more treble roll off which makes for easy going listening. If it sounds good to you, I wouldn't change a thing.

 

It sounds great to me! The speakers have about 40 hours on them now and are sounding better than I had hoped.

 

I Am not sure where to ask this question, but which headphones are better these Massdrop x HIFIMAN HE4XX or
Massdrop x AKG K7XX Red Edition? https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-akg-k7xx-red-edition

 

Not to be a dick, but you already posted in the HE4XX thread and got a great answer. Just get the HE4XX since it is less expensive and the hot thing right now.

 

@Gaspasser yes I did post in the other thread as well, that was my fault. I deleted the post in that thread and just posted it here. Thank you for bringing that to my attention.

 

!! New avatar! Schill alert!!