The All Purpose Advice Thread

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

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  1. Bitter

    Bitter Acquaintance

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    Any advice on decent cheap Spdif coax cable for Europe (France ) ?My computer USB port sucks and I'd like to test whether the coax port sucks less before going Eitr route or something...
     
  2. imackler

    imackler Key Lime Pie Infected Aberdeen Wings Spy

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    What solution would you use if you don't have enough space on your work computer for your music library but you don't want to compress your files? I've tried some searching and can't really find much help. MicroSD or Portable drive to Foobar? DAP as source with digital out to Modi 3? (FYI, I've got my own office where I'm able to have a decent set-up, just the size of my SSD is a limitation.) Thanks!

    And thanks as well for the help about hearing differences between FLAC/320kbps. I totally left out of my thinking mastering, compression and genre.
     
    Last edited: Oct 30, 2018
  3. RedLipstick

    RedLipstick Acquaintance

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    I'm looking for a Dac to pair with HD650/Focal elex/LCD-X around the 500-600$. Currently using a modi1 and would something considerable bette.

    I have been looking at the soekris dac1321 and the Chord Qute EX at 500$. Would you recommend this, or something else for the money ?
     
  4. Metro

    Metro Friend

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    Galaxy S9+ and Fiio A5 have 3.5mm jacks, and the cable included with HE-500 has a 1/4" (6.3mm) plug. You'd need a 6.3mm female to 3.5mm male adapter.
     
    Last edited: Oct 30, 2018
  5. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    I use the pevious model of that. It's good.
     
  6. Case

    Case Anxious Head (Formerly Wilson)

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    I use a Fiio X3 to Modi Multibit. I like the versatility of using a DAP, it gets heavy use at home, work and car. I carry a portable speaker in my backpack just in case music is needed in a pinch. I'm using 128 GB card, with mostly FLAC and WAV, and generally have more music than I need.
     
  7. imackler

    imackler Key Lime Pie Infected Aberdeen Wings Spy

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    Thanks for the recommendations!

    Thanks for the recommendation! Do you use Foobar? Do you have to add the folders from the ssd to foobar every time you hook it up?

    Do you know which generation of X3 do you use? What kind of input cable do you use to the Modi Multibit? (I could really use an all purpose dap anyways.)
     
  8. Case

    Case Anxious Head (Formerly Wilson)

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    @imackler , I'm using a 2nd Generation X3. Fiio makes an RCA digital coax, the L21. The DAP itself is running about 90 bucks used. It comes with a silicon case. I've dropped it several times and it's fine. I've owned it about two years now.
     
  9. Skyline

    Skyline Double-blindly done with this hobby

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    You can put a portable installation of foobar on the hard drive with your music. Hook it up to any PC and you've got instant music with the software built in.

    This is what I do with my work laptop and it works wonderfully.
     
  10. imackler

    imackler Key Lime Pie Infected Aberdeen Wings Spy

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    This is fascinating. I had no idea this could be done. I'm so curious! I'll have to read up.
     
  11. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    I use JRiver Media Center. If I add music to my library at home, I just take the drive home and synch the library, and everything updates for me. Files, folders, player settings, etc.
     
  12. Alexander

    Alexander Acquaintance

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    Hey all, been a while since I've posted here.

    Looking to buy an AMP and DAC sometime soon. It seems Schiit is pretty go-to for AMP and DACs nowadays unless you need something specialized (like electrostatic amps, or have specific tastes in tube amps).

    I'm just wondering what would be better between a Magni 3 + Modi 3 stack, or a Joutunheim 2-in-1? Has anyone tried both? The Jotunheim is a combined device, but costs double what the Magni-Modi stack costs. I'm just wondering if there's a quality difference or if the only difference is that it has more ports and stuff (like the XLR).

    You're free to suggest a different AMP+DAC combo that exists within this pricerange as well, if a better one exists.

    Thanks.

    Edit: Oh, I forgot there's an "Advice Threads" subforum under the General Discussion forum. Move this there if you need to - sorry, like I said this is my first time posting in a few months so I kinda forgot the structure of this place.
     
  13. Bitter

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    Well I tried spdif coax (with a very bad cable I had at home) instead of USB and It's even worse, apparently that's not a USB problem but probably a ground loop (I get the high pitch noise when I move my mouse, and get noises simply by touching the case of the computer with the cable )
    Is toslink an option to provide galvanic isolation and stop the problem ? are there other simple ways to solve ground loops ?
     
  14. kixx

    kixx Acquaintance

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    I had a similar problem and i tried the ifi i purifier. That worked, but it had it's own issues. You could try a powered usb hub (that has some filters and offers some isolation from the pc), or an usb add on board on the pci slot (if you have any). I got a cheapo usb card and 's all fine now. Or you could consider the more expensive solution, a schiit eitr (usb in-coax out).
     
  15. Bitter

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    Thanks, the PCI card option is tempting because it's very cheap but I don't understand : How is it suppose to provide galvanic isolation ?
     
    Last edited: Nov 2, 2018
  16. kixx

    kixx Acquaintance

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    Usb ports are not independent. They are connected to the usb controller in hubs, and that's what's causing the interference (feeding multiple inputs/outputs through one hub). In theory, galvanic isolation should fix the problem, as the usb cable doesn't feed a signal, but a bit perfect data package. The usb power line is the one that is corrupted. I, for one, was able to fix the issue without such isolation.

    The noise issue i had is similar to yours (mouse pointer noise, fan noise, hdd noise, cpu full load noise, keyboard typing noise), and i solved it by trying a different usb slot. None on the back of the motherboard worked, but the one that requires the pci daughter board extension, did. That connection being lower on the motherboard, i think, uses a different usb hub and a different power line.

    [​IMG]


    I eventually bought a cheapo pci usb card, just to be sure, and that works like a treat as well. Try first a different usb plug. If all of them show the same issues, try a better cable (like one that has ferules on it). I found it worked better than my triple isolated graphene whatever the hell cable. If those don't work, get a cheapo powered usb hub (it's like 20-30$) or a usb pci card. Those most of the time require a 4 pin molex straight from the power supply (such is mine), and they are also in the 30$ price range.

    A galvanic isolator (such as the ifi one) is in the 500$ price range ... waaaaaaaaaaayy to expensive.
     
  17. Bitter

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    Well my MB has two different USB controller, I tried both (I even tried to plug only the dac on each controller) and unfortunately they're both noisy. Surprisingly the less noisy are the front ones...

    Thanks for the infos, I'll try to figure out what I wanna try.
     
  18. itsikhefez

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    Hey friends, looking to get some insight into what my next purchase should be.
    When I first had the HD650, I liked the tone and bass was sufficient but they were "boring" and not engaging for me.
    I've made alot of sideways moves looking for a more exciting sound, but ultimately landed back on the HD650.
    Went from HD650->DT880->DT990->HD700 and now back to HD650.

    I realize that my original impressions had to do with the electronics because with my current gear I'm finding them extremely enjoyable.
    Both amp and DAC are DIY, Twisted Pear Audio Buffalo3 9038Pro and RJM Sapphire v4.

    I was pretty locked on the HD800s, because I like the Sennheiser sound and they seem like an obvious upgrade/companion to the 650. The reason why I have doubts is because I listen to mostly all types of Rock, so maybe something like an LCD2 could be a better match? Some examples of bands I enjoy are Smiths, Beirut, Arctic Monkeys, Soundgarden, PJ, Queen etc.
    I've only had brief listening sessions with LCD2 and HD800s, and not sure I'll have enough time to audition further since I'm counting on some mid-November deals on either.

    Amp will likely be replaced by either a Mainline or the upcoming EC Studio Jr, depending budget, so amplification should be sufficient in both cases.

    Would love to hear your thoughts on this.
    Thanks!
     
  19. Josh83

    Josh83 Friend

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    Can you explain a little more about what sound you like, given your cyclical 650 experience and concerns about the 800s? I’m not a big LCD2 fan, but there are lots of choices for cans with more bass if your price range includes the HD800. Clears or Atticus/Eikon/Auteur come to mind. The best choice for you really depends on how much slam you’re looking for and what qualities of the Senns you like.
     
    Last edited: Nov 3, 2018
  20. itsikhefez

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    I like the balance of the HD650, especially the mids when it comes to vocals and acoustic music. When the music is more complicated, I feel like things are mushed together and would like better instrument separation and imaging. I would also like a bit more bass slam. Want to have atleast the soundstage of the HD650, not less.
    My only concerns with the HD800s is if they would sound too lean and clinical with this type of music.
    Not too familiar with the ZMF's and how they compare to the HD800s in respect to the above. Thanks for the help!
     
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