The All Purpose Advice Thread

I can offer my experience with the following 2 products, one of which is only an amp, from CyberLabs and I recommend It. The other is the Oppo AMP/DAC combo, which I don't recommend for your use. But I hope the comparison helps, and you will know at least what not to get and why.

The CyberLabs Picollo was a very good with sensitive CIEMs, as well as full size headphones
Multiple gain stages, decently drive HD650 but not quite enough for Hifiman HE-560 unless low volume is fine for you.
The best part for me was that you could have the volume very very low and no channel imbalance even on the most sensitive IEMs.
The battery is fantastic, lasts all day and then some. Probably 20 hours at least.
The output impedance is less than 1 ohm.
Goes well with anything that has a headphone jack
Sound is on warm side of neutral and sound is very clean. Background black as can be.

Another product I have used for a couple years and still own is the Oppo HA-2SE. I use it for full size headphones when im out of town. Foudn it to be an excellent match with the new Focal Clear.
Just enough power for the HD650 but not enough for the HE-560 IMO.
Bad for CIEMs - audible hiss
The benefit is that it has a DAC which can be used standalone (there's a line out jack) or it can be used as a standalone amplifier. DAC is based on Sabre chip and its good as far as my ears can tell. Pretty neutral sound with the full treble, good match with HD650 but doesnt give you tons of headroom.
Not recommended for your intended use, but a good unit for other uses.

 

Since you mentioned the Crack, I wonder if maybe the S.E.X. is more your thing. I bought the S.E.X. and its my favourite amp for the HD650, they are great together as S.E.X. is very neutral and offers plenty of detail but it is never in your face. I recommend this amp, especially if you like building. Instructions are very clear. The soundstage it makes with both unmodded and modded HD650 (KISS) is pretty good. It also sounded great with both HD700 (short trial only) and HD800 (SDR mod) which I got to hear recently for a few hours. That's pretty awesome considering how different these headphones sound from HD650. Goes well with Focal Clear also.
Seems like the perfect all rounder amp.
I will say that as low volume channel imbalance is present but you can upgrade the pot pretty easily, and I plan to. Also, get the C4S upgrade kit if you get the S.E.X. It's very simple but it helps a lot!

 

Not a bad idea! I'll look into that thanks!

 

Does anyone have any experience comparing a Modi Multibit to a geek out v2? One available in canada for a decent price and I'm wondering if I should go for it.

 

I'm trying to decide which headphone I'm getting next to pair with my Jotunheim and iFi iDSD Black Label, which I'll use as a DAC.

I listen to a lot of rock, metal, orchestral and hip-hop. I also game on ps4. I'm flexible with sound signature as long as the bass is tight, the mid-range isn't super warm and the treble isn't too hot. I've enjoyed the EMU Teaks, ZMF Ori Blackwoods, Hifiman HE560 and MrSpeakers Aeon closed in the past.

Here are some headphones I'm considering. What does the group think will be a good fit for me? I'm looking to pick up something used, $500-700. But some of the ones on my list (Clear, Auteur, Eikon) will definitely run more. Can anyone argue why I should (or should not) go over my limit to get one of these more expensive headphones?

• Atticus (I hear both ZMF headphones sound better with tubes)
• Eikon (see above; also, more than I want to spend)
• Clear (sound like something I'd like, but more than I want to spend)
• Auteur (see note above)
• Aeon Open (I hear this one isn't super resolving. Is that just relative to $1500+ headphones?
• Aeon Closed (I'm worried this might be too bright in this chain)
• Elear (I'm thinking they'll sound good in my chain, and they're going for $500-$550 used now, but I know some people have complained their mids are wonky, which is a huge problem)
• Elex (I'm going to grab a pair of these for sure on the classifieds, but that won't be for a while)

What other ones should I be looking at?

 

Consider the iFi iDSD Black. Output impedance varies with iEMatch setting, but is generally low. There is a firmware version that allows zero USB power draw if powered on before connecting to source. Form factor is a bit clunky, but is borderline stackable. Not sure if it's considered "high performance", but I and several others here find it sounds decent.

Note 3 on iDSD Silver



With my home-made custom cable.

 

Hi!
Got one in the past. I sold it because it was drawing power from my phone but if "there is a firmware version that allows zero USB power draw if powered on before connecting to source" then I might consider to get one again

 

How important are audiophile feet/pads for amps or dacs? Noticed one of the feet on my Bifrost Multibit has peeled off and now considering buying a set to replace. Not sure if the audiophile stuff is clever marketing/snake oil. Probably going to buy at officeworks if no convincing argument.

 

You want 5.0B. Turning it on before connecting stops it from drawing current. Connecting with it turned off will allow it to draw current.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/ifi...ws-and-comments.728236/page-292#post-11850614

 

I can't directly comment - mine haven't been here long - but reading the impressions/reviews here this is the ZMF Original that does best with an ever-so-slightly-bright amp.

 

I've purchased some LCD-2C's recently and I am thinking of selling off a couple DAC/AMP's(Currently own Benchmark DAC 1 USB and TEAC UD-301) to replace them and I'd be interested if anyone has any thoughts on a possible replacement. I've been down a few rabbit holes in discussion threads for planar's as well as the many amazing DAC reviews here.

TL;DR Warmer, More resolution, is this pairing a crazy idea?

Basically what I'm looking for is a NOS DAC that gets me close to a Holo Spring without the need to sell a kidney. Around $1500 is what I'm looking to spend for the DAC and AMP I think. Which could change if my options are slim. I've not heard one but I'd like to check one out and worse thing that could happen is I'll have to resell it if I hate it.

A single unit would be nice if possible but I realize that may not be, and I haven't had as much time yet to dig deep into my amp choices. Though I found speaker amp + banana plugs option an interesting choice for my headphone. That being said, any amp suggestions for this headphone would be good to hear. Currently leaning towards a restored Pioneer M-22 on ebay at a later date when I can afford it but something cheaper will be incoming for now I imagine.

I know I'm a newb and I've tried to do as much research as I can before posting. Please don't flame me! But a simple do more search response is fine as well

 

Any recommendations for a high end CIEM with the following sound signature:

Midrange: Clear and full bodied with vocals the focus which sound emotional. Female vocals are more important, but ideally male vocals would also sound good.

Treble: Lots of treble energy and sparkle. I am not sensitive to treble.

Bass: Probably the least important, as I am not a basshead but I would like to avoid bass which is not completely flat or weak.

The reason I said in the first line I'm looking for something high end is I mostly listen to music while commuting, but I would also like something that can replace the headphones I use at home with my computer and hifi. I prefer IEMs to headphones. Thanks.

 

Since you mentioned the Holo, they do have a new Cyan model with a built in headphone amp which falls in your price range. There is also the Metrum Amethyst. Zero experience with either but you'll find a fair bit of talk running them both through the search.

 

My take on vibration control:
For speakers - quite important
For tube amps - subtle but noticeable
SS amps or DACs - I didn't perceive any observable effect

That said, if you want to borrow some herbies tenderfeet to try out, hit me on the PM.

 

@Garns Would you take tenderfeet over sorbothane domes?

We bought a new place and its wonderful, we're on the coast with a wonderful view, only small issue the trains on the coastal railway also get a wonderful view, and they pass in a tunnel under the hill we're on.

Including high speed and cargo trains.

You can't hear them on the 4th floor we got, but here on the 1st where I'm renting while we renovate, I can most definitely feel them.

Cargo trains in particular are a low-amplitude earthquake ... I would prefer not to massage my tubes with it ...

 

I just Google Imaged Rapallo, Italy. ...Wow

 

In my opinion you should go with the new LCD-2C. They sound great with the music that you like and you can buy them for $599 but I think that the deal is ending today.

https://www.audeze.com/products/lcd-collection/lcd2-classic

 

If this is short term due to renovations, put the tubes away. Yes the sorbothane will reduce vibrations, but if you're dealing with trains that will rattle the dishes on your shelves, that's not a fight you're going to win without isolating the rack in addition to putting feet under your tubes.

 

Not short term.

The place we're renovating is 3 floors up, in the same building, it just doesn't feel it quite as strongly.

There can be no floor rack - they'll share space on desk with my pc because I just won't have that much space.

If there's something that can sit on a table, fit a mjolnir 2 on it and a Gungnir Multibit underneath and helps with isolation I'd love to know.

Never needed to look into it before - buildings in venice are isolators by design - so any help is greatly appreciated.

 

Hey, how've you been?

I ended up picking up an Aeon Flow Open with a balanced cable. I was a big fan of the Aeon closed, and the open seems to be tuned even more in line with my preferences.

Audeze stuff goes on sale in the US all the time, so I'll keep an eye out for a deal on the LCD-2C.