The All Purpose Advice Thread

Discussion in 'Advice Threads' started by purr1n, Sep 26, 2015.

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  1. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

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  2. captkirk

    captkirk Khan's BFF

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    Agree with @Senorx12562 ,if you could swing it, I'd recommend Modi Multibit at the least, then add an Eitr when possible. Modi Multibit, relative to other DACs in it's class, layers better and the HD6x0s just eat it up. Banger combo.

    If budget is of a concern, I'd agree with @Taverius that the added flexibility of the Uber is worth it.

    Also, Schiit's not the be-all end-all in affordable DACs. You may want to check out the SDAC. If you search around here, you'll find a number of comments comparing these budget DACs.
     
  3. monacelli

    monacelli Friend

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    Hi, guys. I have been running an SMSL-SA50 class D amp paired with my Pioneer BS-22s for about a year now. I've gotten a ton of enjoyment out of that combo, but now that I have a Vali 2/HD 600 headphone rig I'm starting to hear the shortcomings of my 2-channel system. My gut feeling is the amp is holding back the speakers and that it's time to graduate from class D.

    So I'm looking for suggestions on a class AB power amp (or integrated amp) that delivers at least 75 wpc into 8 ohms. Budget is between $250-350 and unfortunately does not stretch into Vidar territory. Here's my short list so far:

    - Crown XLi-800
    - Emotiva BasX A-150
    - Onkyo A-9050
    - Onkyo M-5010

    Do any of you guys have experience with any of the amps listed above? If so, what are your thoughts? Are there other offerings in this price range I should consider too? Many thanks-
     
  4. shuto

    shuto Acquaintance

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    I didn't really think this one through... I just traded my iFi idsd Black Label for a headphone. So now I need recommendations to pair with a Jotunheim, since I don't have a dac anymore.

    I'm thinking about the Cayin iDac-6, but I'm not sure if I want to spend that much. (Currently $700 new on Amazon.)

    Does anyone have anything decent they're looking to move?
     
  5. Thenewerguy009

    Thenewerguy009 Friend

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    Any recommendation on what's the best bang for your buck?
    Cones, spikes, wood blocks, platforms, rubber, metal etc...

    Like Stillpoints sells a single isolation foot for $700. So $2,800 for a full set.
    https://www.musicdirect.com/vibration-control/stillpoints-ultra-5-isolation-feet

    Unless it's made out of diamonds, I don't see how it's worth the money over something that can be had for under a $100.
     
  6. bixby

    bixby Friend

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    I have used many materials over the years, all have an effect. I went down the high street years ago and learned over time, price does not mean didly squat!

    I had the Stillpoints rack, bunches of stillpoints, Michael Green cones, etc.

    Today I use a combo of things depending on the component and includes bamboo cutting boards, Herbies tenderfeet, wood blocks, sandwiched wood blocks with dynamat and even cork neoprene blocks for computers.

    You can play around with all sorts of material, they will all have an effect. My advice is to try the cheap stuff and see where it takes you.

    I would never go back down the high street again.

    Pssst- Free footers you can try include, samples of cork backed laminate fake wood flooring tiles from Home Depot, or small wood blocks made from scrap 1x2 for example to use directly coupled to chassis bottoms rather than the standard feet.
     
  7. kn19h7

    kn19h7 New

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    Personally I just stack a few pieces of something like these together, cheap and good enough for me.
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/soft-1-24P...Slip-Rug-Felt-Pads-Anti-Slip-Mat/331807201329
     
  8. wormcycle

    wormcycle Friend

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    Help me make a decision please. Need an inexpensive balanced DAC for my two Nuforce HA-200. I tested Hifiberry XLR DAC and it works pretty well, there is a little hum but I think it is from power supply. The cost of the XLR DAC bundle with the steel case is around $150, $200 with iPower.
    But recently I found Cambridge DacMagic for $200 in very good condition, and cannot decide. I listened to DacMagic in the past, liked the sound but Cambridge is notorious for their poor build quality.
    The DAC is for a vacation home just not to have to carry DC-1 from home every time. So.. what do I do?
     
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2018
  9. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    A nice inexpensive place to start is still a sheet of sorbothane, with a thin rectangular bamboo plate on top to spread the weight. A cheap wooden chopping board does the trick too.
     
  10. aamefford

    aamefford Nothing like chamberpot coffee

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    Here’s my thoughts: I’ve had a bunch of midfi dacs over the last 10 years, including the dacmagic . If I was considering spending $200 on a used one, I’d rather add the $50 and get a Schiit Modi MB. I have one, and also a Bifrost MB. They are almost indistinguishable in sound, and are the best dacs I’ve owned. In their respective price ranges, I have not heard anything better.
     
  11. Decomo

    Decomo Almost "Made"

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    Never tried Tube stereo amp and keen to try one but not sure where to start and what to look for. :(

    Do not want to spend 4 figures so want to purchase one used or Chi-Fi tube integrated amp for my bookshelf. My preference would be EL34 tube Push-Pull based amp with at least 30wpc at 8ohm. If anyone does know good ones under $1000, please shed me a light on this. I could not figure out which one to look out for so a bit lost where to start and look for.. Thank you.. :)
     
  12. Neal

    Neal Facebook Friend

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    If you can stretch your budget a bit there is a used Nuforce STA200 for $439 on Amazon. Really nice amp.
     
  13. wormcycle

    wormcycle Friend

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    Yes, but I need XLR to use dual mono Nuforce HA-200. How was DacMagic SQ comparing Modi MB?
     
  14. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

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    Not sure I would place as much emphasis on "balanced" operation, but it is apparently important to @wormcycle. Agree with your recommendation otherwise though. I personally would trade balanced for the sq i've gotten from schiit's mb dacs, but then I am currently running my Gungnir Multibit unbalanced just to have it where I want it (no balanced cables long enough) so clearly that functionality isn't that important to me. Shrugs.
     
  15. wormcycle

    wormcycle Friend

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    The question was not what is a good inexpensive DAC. We all know what it is: I am just looking at the DAC in my desk setup and it's... Modi Multibit.
    The point was that I need to feed two monoblock amps that support XLR input only. Going from Modi Multibit to two HA200 would require an impedance transformer. That why I need a DAC with XLR out, and Gungnir Multibit is not exactly inexpensive.
    Please read and understand the question before you answer it. Otherwise the title of this thread does not make sense anymore.
     
  16. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

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    Sorry. Won't attempt again. Consider me suitably chastened.
     
  17. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

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    And forgive my lack of ability to psychically glean from your post that the amps referred to are xlr only. Mea culpa again.
     
  18. Riotvan

    Riotvan Snoofer in the Woofer

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    Don't worry about it, i doubt he'll get much help now with that attitude.
     
  19. wormcycle

    wormcycle Friend

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    Sorry I overreacted and maybe was not entirely clear in my first question. mea culpa
     
  20. Thenewerguy009

    Thenewerguy009 Friend

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    I honestly can't think of anything super cheap that has XLR connections. All the decent ones (Audio-GD, Emotiva) are around $500+
     
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