The All Purpose Advice Thread

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

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  1. Jinxy245

    Jinxy245 Vegan Puss

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    Wow, that's honestly a surprise to me.

    The couple of times I've met him at meets, he's been very friendly and helpful.

    I can only hope he was having a bad day.
     
  2. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

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    PM sent.
     
  3. Ardacer

    Ardacer Friend

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    I'd really like to try them both, and hd820 too. All the closed cans I've tried so far have left me sad. Some excel in comfort, but none in sound.
     
  4. aamefford

    aamefford Nothing like chamberpot coffee

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    Mr. Speakers conversation moved to PM’s. Sorry for the noise. My experiences are more like @Jinxy245 We should stop here, and get back to advice per the thread purpose.

    Move along, just a large water buffalo hit by a truck, nothing to see here.......
     
  5. abisai2

    abisai2 Friend

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    Hello everyone,

    I'm in the process of streamlining my office gear and could use some advice regarding IEM's. For starters, my main rig consists of a Raspberry PI3 > Gungnir Multibit > BW2 > HD650/LCD-2C/Focal Clears. The system is used exclusively with Roon.

    I recently bought a Hiby R6 DAP for use as a secondary/office/travel system and have been using it with Mee Audio Pinnacle P1's. While the P1's are nice I can't see myself enjoying these long term considering what I use as a main rig.

    What I'm looking for is a nice pair of IEM's that would be used primarily with my DAP and if possible with my main rig. I've been looking at the Campfire Andromeda. I understand that an IFI iEMatch would be needed to deal with the impedance issues.

    With that said, what other alternative IEMs I should consider? Ideally I would like to keep pricing between $500-$1000.

    Thanks in advance!
     
  6. imackler

    imackler Key Lime Pie Infected Aberdeen Wings Spy

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    I'm loving the Massdrop Plus. Super comfortable, pleasantly neutral, without being either neuteted or ocd analytical. Great buy as well.
     
  7. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Here's an oddball one for you guys: A friend of mine is looking for a powered speaker that has a built-in phono preamp. The only one I know off the top of my head is the Klipsch R-15PM. Are there any other options? His budget is <$400usd.
     
  8. supertransformingdhruv

    supertransformingdhruv Almost "Made"

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    The Kanto YU4 might be a decent option? I haven't heard them, but positive reviews seem to keep popping up and they do have the built-in phono.
     
  9. penguins

    penguins Friend, formerly known as fp627

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    Given that I have only gotten back into the hobby lately would it be better to try a few extra DAC/AMP to help me experience and understand more/different sounds or just audition "higher" level gear and start saving for what I really like?

    Don't have any one sound I prefer or not (sometimes I'll use different headphones and equipment to listen to the same songs but with a different sound), but what irritates me with gear is too much of any one sound (ex way too much mid bass or high treble), fatiguing, or highly sibilant sound signatures. Listen to a wide variety of music.

    Currently:
    DACs: ifi nano ione, sdac, and mojo, all run via usb with no decrapifiers for source.
    AMPs: MCTH, Arcam rhead, and Corda rock ff for amps, all connected via rca cables to DACs. Will also build a Bottlehead Crack (w/ mainline) soon.
    OTHER: Also have surge protectors with built in noise reduction. compared to running off the wall, I hear a small difference but probably wouldn't be able to blind a/b which protector i'm using. Could probably blind a/b if I'm running a protector at all though.
    Headphones and c/iem in signature, plan on adding a MrSpeakers Ether Flow but probably not anytime soon unless a really great deal comes along.

    Stuff I'm contemplating but would be OK skipping for now.
    DACs: Schitt Modi Multibit, soekris 1321
    AMPs: Cayin HA-1A mk2, Cavalli Liquid Platnium when it comes out, EDIT: maybe massdrop x eddie current zdt jr when/if available again
    Decrapifiers / similar: Schitt Eitr or Topping DAC (use as a pass through), Linear power supply and cables to connect to amps above/below (btw if anyone has any cable power supply recommendations for everything, please share), and just maybe an isolation transformer (my current understanding is this would make a very minimal if any audible difference in my setup right now).
     
    Last edited: Sep 27, 2018
  10. Josh83

    Josh83 Friend

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    Hey @fp627, the only thing I would say is that — unless you’re using the Mojo as a portable option or just otherwise really want multiple DACs — it would definitely make sense to sell your DACs and try to move as high up the Schiit multibit ladder as you can. Right now, you have three DACs that are all arguably lateral to each other, whereas the combined price could definitely buy a clear upgrade.
     
  11. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    @fp627
    For amps, I'd actually suggest the iFi iCAN Pro since you seem to like tweaking sound profiles and you'll have plenty of options to play with there.
     
  12. penguins

    penguins Friend, formerly known as fp627

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    Thank you both.

    @Josh83
    Agree on selling DACs (or holding off on more purchases until more $) although I don't know how much I'd actually get for everything if I sold. Assuming I get ~60% after shipping, etc. I'd still be at ~$500, not quite enough for Gungnir Multibit or Yggdrasil (in my limited experience with Bifrost Multibit, it's lateral but different from mojo). That and I do use the Mojo or ifi+meier sometimes at the office or when traveling.

    @Armaegis
    Funny, I actually thought the same thing. Sadly tried the ifi iCAN Pro wanting to buy one but somehow it didn't quite do it for me - ended up with ifi nano ione instead. Granted this was only 20-30 min at a somewhat busy store on a day off while traveling + jet lagged... may need to try again when I get the chance.
     
    Last edited: Sep 27, 2018
  13. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    I actually wasn't a fan of the iCAN Pro... I would have been ok with it at half the price and none of the extra features, but as it is I only think it's worthwhile for someone who wants to play with all the knobs. I'll admit I'm intrigued by how it hooks up to the iESL, but then you're going down the expensive stax rabbit hole.
     
  14. Priidik

    Priidik MOT: Estelon

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    At this point forget the decrapifiers, power filters and cables.
    Get a good dac and amp, lots of info scattered on the site here.

    Your current dacs don't cut it with the likes of HD6xx and you might want to aim higher than Crack, esp when you want to use anything that's below 300 ohms.
     
  15. aamefford

    aamefford Nothing like chamberpot coffee

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    My thoughts - I’ve owned both, and I heartily disagree. I found the Bifrost Multibit a pretty big step up from Mojo. Just my experience though. Saving for a Gungnir Multibit is the even better option of course. Gungnir Multibit is where I’ve leveled out for now.
     
  16. Rustin Cohle

    Rustin Cohle FKA jazztherapist

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    I run my Yggdrasil A2 through a recently acquired, fully optioned Mogwai SE into an HD800. It sounds amazing via 300ohm and the 8 ohm speaker taps. It's a very visceral, tone-rich, hefty sound. Prepare to sleep less.
     
  17. Josh83

    Josh83 Friend

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    You might want to think about a used Gungnir Multibit for home and an iDSD Nano BL (which in my experience owning both is essentially equal to the Mojo at less than half the price) for portable listening.
     
  18. Hogcryat

    Hogcryat New

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    Well heck, am I mistaken that any cable that fits the T1 will fit in the Amiron? I got a balanced cable originally for T1 for my Amiron and the connector does not fit.
     
  19. penguins

    penguins Friend, formerly known as fp627

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    Looks like it's time to start auditioning new gear and save up for a new amp and DAC.

    DAC: edit: moved to gear specific thread.

    AMPs:
    Several amps I want to try but I have no idea where I can A/B these back to back (have only heard them briefly + individually before). If anyone knows of a place where I can try even 2 or 3 of these together that'd be much appreciated:
    1) DNA Stratus 2) various EC amps 3) ampandsound Mogwai and Kenzie 4) Pathos Aurium

    And some I have not been able to try at all but they catch my eye on paper (I also imagine the below would not be at most/any dealers/stores in the US):
    1) ECP torpedo 3 or upcoming T4 2) Cayin HA-1A mk2 as mentioned above 3) Feliks Elise or Euforia 4) Bottlehead Mainline.

    Also it seems like there shouldn't be a need to keep one OTL and one with a transformer correct?
     
    Last edited: Sep 30, 2018
  20. Koth Ganesh

    Koth Ganesh Friend

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    I am using a Lynx AES16e into the Yggdrasil. Which device should I use a master clock ? I am currently using the Lynx as the clock source and get occasional pops, clicks and drop outs. Should I be using the Yggdrasil instead? Thanks.
     
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