The All Purpose Advice Thread

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

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  1. aamefford

    aamefford Nothing like chamberpot coffee

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  2. Lawrence

    Lawrence New

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    @aamefford

    1) your comment somewhat matches the impression HD800 gave me 5 years ago. I had a chance to try it but literally couldn’t withstand half of a song due to its extremely piercing treble. I was so surprised when reading reviews of the modded version.Quite difficult to believe it can improve so much. But after all these years It catches my attentions again though it is basically discontinued and I find nowhere provide samples for audition anymore..

    2) I mostly buy from eBay or local online platforms (where sellers and buyers do face-to-face trades) for used gears. As far as I know HF and SBAF for folks seldom ship things overseas.

    The thread you linked is a long one. I read the first ten pages last week but stopped eventually. Overwhelmed by the information in it.
     
  3. Metro

    Metro Friend

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    Have you taken your Crack to the dealer and tried it yourself? Compare it with the amp at the dealer, where the combo impressed you.
     
  4. bongshanks

    bongshanks New

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    I bought a used LCD4 about a year ago and it's been the most immersive headphone I've ever heard. Before buying the LCD4, I had a Sen 650 stock, a Hifiman 400i, and some monoprice planars that caused physical pain. The only con I can say about the LCD4 is the fact that you are tied to powerful amp. I ruined a Jotenheim's SE inputs due to high current flow. This headphone requires a TON of juice to become enjoyable and that means you will need to invest in something like a Ragnorak or higher to really enjoy it.

    Think I'm wrong? Look at Audeze's KingII amplifier. That amp pushes out 6 watts at 32 ohms.

    It's a bassy headphone, but it's a clean bass. Probably the cleanest bass in existence. It's NOT an analytical headphone. You're not going to use it to hear exaggerated or pronounced details that an 800 will produce.
     
    Last edited: Mar 16, 2019
  5. Lawrence

    Lawrence New

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    @Metro

    I haven’t and probably won’t be able to.
    It is a small & crowded store.
     
    Last edited: Mar 17, 2019
  6. Lawrence

    Lawrence New

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    @bongshanks
    It is the first time I hear about ruining an amp with a headphone! Usually it is the other round, isn’t it?
    So which amp do use to drive the lcd4 now?
     
  7. bongshanks

    bongshanks New

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    The balanced inputs/outputs of the Jot are fine. I ruined the SE inputs -> balanced output. I would NOT recommend a Jot for this headphone.

    I use a Mjolnir now (all balanced) and it's fine. I'll probably move to the Ragnorak2 later this year. The king II is out of stock and at $4500, .. jesus thats rough for ONE headphone.

    The point i'm trying to make is that you're not going to use something like a DNA Stratus with this headphone. You should be fine with a Audeze 4z (it's more efficient) but the regular LCD4 needs at least 5 -8 watts to get the most out of it and that really limits your choices.
     
  8. Metro

    Metro Friend

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    This is very interesting. Do you mean that you were using SE inputs normally, and it got ruined when you cranked up the volume on the Jot? It may be covered under warranty if you take it up with Schiit.
     
  9. bongshanks

    bongshanks New

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    Yes, it was under warranty. I shipped it to the manufacture, and got the amplifier fixed. This is a quote from support:

    The output resistors on the positive phase only of both channels are fried -- something was pulling A LOT of current, but only on one phase of each channel.

    So I replaced the balanced cable for my LCD4 with a cable from a different manufacturer and hooked it up. Everything worked fine for a couple hours and then one channel went bad.. again, and by "bad" I mean a static sound like the music was sent through a bitcrusher.

    Before anyone complains, this is MY fault. I should have realized that the SE inputs and outputs are built for more efficient headphones/lower power/etc.

    Now that everything through the Jot/Mjolnir is balanced, I've had no issues.
     
  10. RobS

    RobS RobS? More like RobDiarrhea.

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    @monacelli and @allegro so I put the order in for the T2s and the Vidar/SYS. I would like to get the Saga and Modi Multibit down the road. Anymore suggestions for my chain I would appreciate.

    I think my chain might finally end up looking like this when all said and done:
    Onkyo CD player -> Modi Multibit -> Saga -> Vidar -> Airmotiv T2 tower speakers

    Gungir Multibit and a 2nd Vidar (seems like total overkill though) maybe next year.

    I also ended up parting with my headphone rig. I hardly use the 650s anymore as my budget speakers are all I listen to for music at home. I prefer speakers now over phones, mostly because I get the soundstage I crave.
     
  11. Richgard

    Richgard Friend

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    I am planing to upgrade my DAC to a Gungnir Multibit and my Amp to a
    Mjolnir 2, I am a bit tight on money with my first child arriving this year.
    So my question is wich one should I get first the Gungnir Multibit or the Mjonir.

    At the moment I have the Valhalla 2 (wich I like very much) but I feel like the sound of my system could use a bit more slam and all the other things Friends here have reported the Mjolnir especially with my musical preferences.

    On the otherhand I feel like Gugnir Multibit would also be a significant upgrade to my Modi Multibit (wich I also like very much) and might make my system more resolving.

    Or do you feel like I should save up for a longer time and get them both at the same time.

     
  12. sheldaze

    sheldaze Friend

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    @Richgard

    It has been suggested that the next Gungnir update will be released when Windows 7 reaches end-of-life. That is, the next significant update for Gungnir would include both analog changes and changes to the digital chain, via USB. However that USB update would require Windows 10 - no support from Schiit for the ancient OSes. Once Windows 7 ends, in January of next year, we might see a new Gungnir.

    I only mention this because of support, from Munich, for future updates. It could be done, as Schiit will support all Bifrost, Gungnir, and Yggdrasil updates. However, if you are in no rush, you might be best to wait for this to be released direct from the factory. You would have the latest version of Gungnir, and need not ship it back for an update.

    As far as your purchase order (1) Gungnir, (2) Mjolnir, or (3) wait for both - these all make sense, in my opinion. Only I would wait for the Gungnir based on release time-frame, and your distance for shipping Gungnir back for updates. Really not clear on how updates work for Europe?
     
  13. Richgard

    Richgard Friend

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    @sheldaze

    Thank you for the Information it honestly helps me with my decision

    While we get the same support and warranty from Schiit as you US guys availability is not as good as in the US i figure this goes for upgrades as well . I think the upgrades are done in Europe btw.
     
  14. StageOne

    StageOne Friend

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    I recently upgraded from a Bifrost and various amps to a Gungnir MB and Mjnolir. While the DAC made a difference, the amp was a far great upgrade to me. I'd recommend upgrading to the Mjolnir and see how you like it with the Modi. You might be able to stop right there. I'd also recommend a balanced headphone connection, that does make a significant difference over SE.
     
  15. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

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    I could've sworn I read somewhere that Schiit was no longer concerned with end of Windows 7 and that Unison USB would be released sooner.
     
  16. Richgard

    Richgard Friend

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    @StageOne

    I think this might be a smart solution for my dilemma.

    Does it make sense going for a balanced headphone connection if your DAC out is SE and you go into the Mjolnir SE. Because it is internally balanced and I do not know if I will get all benifits of the balanced out when going in SE in.

    Have you tried going in SE, how does it compare to going in balanced?
     
  17. StageOne

    StageOne Friend

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    I have tried both the SE and Balanced IN, and I don't think the difference is that great, it matters much more that the OUT is balanced. There were a few posts in the Mjolnir thread about this with the same consensus. And if you only have SE headphones it might be worth looking at a Lyr 3 instead.
     
  18. Richgard

    Richgard Friend

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    Thank you again for your answere it helps me a lot
     
  19. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    Ok guys, I need some help here. I have 2 devices - a headphone amp and studio monitors - that require 3 pin XLR inputs. I don't need or want to drive both at the same time, but I don't want to plug / unplug between these devices just to swap between them either. The Gungnir only has one set of XLR outputs.

    Is there a easy, audibly transparent solution to route / switch the DAC output between the two? I've tried searching for xlr distribution amplifier, xlr preamp, xlr switch, etc. Nothing seems like it's meant to do this, or if it is, it is some stupidly expensive proaudio kit that costs more than the Gungnir Multibit. I have a low opinion of splitters, and will try to avoid those like the plague.

    I could run RCA to the TRS balanced input on the monitors, but last time I did this I had a severe hum I couldn't eliminate. Seems like a fool errand to try that again.

    Thanks in advance.
     
  20. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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    Simple answer is no. I tried y splitters, big nope. Best thing you can hope for is a pass through from your headphone amp to the studio monitors IMO. This is what I've found trying to do the same thing. If there is something out there that works that would be awesome!
     
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