ECP DSHA3F Ravenswood 3F

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by purr1n, Jan 22, 2019.

  1. dasman66

    dasman66 Self proclaimed lazy ass - friend

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    FWIW, unless I'm mistaken, I'm reading this exchange as you can't use the 3f itself as a preamp. That's different than putting a preamp in front of the 3f (like a freya)
     
  2. atomicbob

    atomicbob dScope Yoda

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    Use the DSHA-3F as an headphone amp only, final active component in the chain, with balanced 4-wire headphones only. Do NOT use the DSHA-3F as a preamp.

    20190808 preamp - DSHA-3F - HD800 - OK.jpg

    20190808 preamp - DSHA-3F - HD800 - NO.jpg
     
  3. ChaChaRealSmooth

    ChaChaRealSmooth SBAF's Mr. Bean

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    And for the love of everything holy do NOT plug the DSHA-3F into speakers.
     
  4. dsavitsk

    dsavitsk Friend

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    The input of the 3F is pretty indestructible, so you can plug almost anything into it. The output is for balanced phones only.

    Fwiw, I am in the middle of working on a version to drive speakers, though I probably won't have any time to do much more on it until September ...
     
  5. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    Hope someday we can see DSHA-3R (R meaning Raal) ..

    Just wondering. Will it be possible to use your unique approach (transformer-gain) to directly drive super-low impedance ribbon transducer (load consisting 0.18 ohm cable and 0.02 ohm ribbon; ribbon sensitivity around 85 db spl per mw)?
     
  6. Phantaminum

    Phantaminum Friend

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    @Vtory recently let me borrow his ECP Ravenwood. I didn't have enough time to really get into the amp but I want to say that I'm very impressed with what I heard.

    Few things to note:
    • It was said before and needs to be said again - the amp has an effortless sound.
    • It's neutral, fast, clear, liquid, and resolving.
    • Great air between instruments. It handles busy passages without breaking a sweat. Matter of fact, it's more of a stroll in the park for it.
    • Great body and note texture. One of my issues with the SS amps is they sound too lean for my tastes. Mostly with high-z headphones. This strikes a great balance between lean and warm. Almost perfect.
    • Tonality and timbre were spot on.
    • It did great with pretty much all of my headphones. Favorite pairing was with the Auteurs. It presented this velvety smooth, addicting sound.
    • If you're looking for a SS amp to replace tube amps. Or you don't want to roll tubes but enjoy a tubey sound this is a great option. It won't sound too warm or like mush. You don't have to roll top $$$ tubes to get to a good spot.
    I'm as impressed with the Auteur pairing on the 3F as I was with the HD650 out of the Feliks Euforia. The amp is well worth the asking price.
     
  7. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

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    I'm disappointed the timing didn't work out for me to be able to try the Auteur with the 3F. Owning it now, and it being an excellent match with my T3, I can imagine that translating well to the 3F based on what I heard.
     
  8. A Child of the Jago

    A Child of the Jago Facebook Friend

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    Wasn’t sure whether to post this on the general thread or here but as it has Doug’s input on DACs for the 3F I felt that maybe here was the best place to post it – happy to move it if it’s incongruous.

    I have a 3F arriving soon and wanted to get your collective thoughts on a DAC to pair with it – I have a Modi Multibit via an Eitr and I think it’s fantastic – is this combination doing a disservice to the 3F? Another way to put it might be: has anyone found a noticeable synergy between a DAC and the 3F at around the $1K mark? Or which DACs should be avoided. Or, does it not make that much of a difference?

    I asked more-or-less the same question to Doug and his response is here and posted with his permission:

    I am probably not the best person to ask as I am not familiar with many commercially available DACs. I use one of my own designs.

    …the things that could cause issues are those that use a too-small output cap, those with a high output impedance, those with any DC offset, or those that have too high of an output signal. None of those things will damage the amp, but they can cause the input transformers to perform suboptimally. That said, I am not aware of anyone having problems from anything in particular, so I would not worry hugely about any of those issues
    .”
     
  9. AdvanTech

    AdvanTech Friend

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    You have a wonderful DAC. Start by enjoying it with the 3F, yeah? You probably don't need to rush to spend more money, but if you like what you're hearing from Schiit maybe think about saving up for a Gungnir Multibit in the future.
     
    Last edited: Aug 22, 2019
  10. Roman

    Roman Facebook Friend

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    The only thing that needs to be taken into account is that 3F accepts balanced inputs only whereas Modi Multibit has single ended outputs only so some SE to BAL cables are needed.
     
  11. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    I can't think of any reason of disservice due to Modi multibit. Don't rush and listen first.

    DAC's output level may matter but this doesn't apply to Modi MB. That was my primary concern because at the time of placing an order, I owned the dac with very hot (18-24 dbu) xlr outs. Doug recommended me to use high input transformer. Now I am using a dac with 16 dbu output though -- I believe my choice of transformer still helps. Most dacs' RCA unbalanced outs won't have any such issues at all.

    On the dac 'upgrade' front, that's totally different issue from 'disservice'. Depending on your tastes, needs, and moods, you may move up to something better (and significantly more expensive than modi mb) in the future. DSHA-3F would deserve to any upgrade. But even if so, again, don't rush.
     
    Last edited: Aug 22, 2019
  12. lcmusiclover

    lcmusiclover Friend

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    I've received a couple updates from Doug regarding progress on the next 3F batch. Apparently there was a bit of a hold-up due to problems with the supplier for the metal plates. That seems to be cleared up and Doug thinks he might start shipping some amps next week.

    Yay!!!

    I could say that I can't wait, but obviously I can. I just don't like waiting :)
     
  13. atomicbob

    atomicbob dScope Yoda

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    I think rather highly of the Modi MB and demonstrate here how well it begins and how far it can be hot rodded.
     
  14. lcmusiclover

    lcmusiclover Friend

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    FedEx says my amp is 'IN FEDEX POSSESSION' with expected delivery on 10/03/2019.

    Yay!!!

    Doug has indicated that all amps from Batch #3 are shipping this week or next.
     
    Last edited: Sep 26, 2019
  15. philipmorgan

    philipmorgan Member of the month

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    Thank you for sharing this very important information with the forum.
     
  16. tommytakis

    tommytakis MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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    Doug just sent me a sneak-peek of my amp being built :headbang:Time cannot go any slower for me right now, but this picture will keep me sane for the week. Low-key, I'm about to make this my desktop wallpaper LOL

    [​IMG]

    **EDIT: photolink fixed**
     
    Last edited: Sep 27, 2019
  17. Ksaurav402

    Ksaurav402 Friend

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    Got the delivery of this Amp today from batch#3. Came well packed. Really surprised how desk friendly and lightweight it is. It is even smaller then my Metrum Onyx.Wood is Padauk and I opted for warmer Nickel transformer. Doug suggested Amorphous if you listen to complex music and like lot of detail in music. However to add body and warmth he suggested to go for Nickel.


    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Sep 27, 2019
  18. earnmyturns

    earnmyturns Smartest friend

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    Interesting... The Onyx (I think I know that Onyx ;)) NOS character already leans towards body and a slight warmth that (for me) complemented well the amps I used with it (Lyr 3, Apex Peak, Phonitor XE).
     
  19. Ksaurav402

    Ksaurav402 Friend

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    That’s true...when I ordered this amp that time I had Chord Qutest and I thought nickel will go well with thin sound signature of chord but then I realized this amp takes balanced input and got Onyx. However so far I really like the synergy but then I enjoy warm sound signature and couldn’t thank you more for Onyx.
    Doug shared below link with me to get to know the transformer
    https://www.lundahltransformers.com...een-mu-metal-and-amorphous-core-transformers/
     
  20. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    Exit stage left....
    with Yggdrasil A2 USB Unison, and having the 3F for awhile with Nickel installed a majority of the time-
    yet also rolling in the Amorphous for a couple weeks the difference is slightly noticeable with Auteur blackwood.
    not a night vs day transformer roll and perhaps no headphone outside of an HD800 or some dark-muck-thick headphone would truly "wake up" or "change up" with either transformer exchange.

    IME both transformers are equally resolving in detail and delivery. perhaps fringe difference in bass body or treble sharpness which may or may not manifest itself in certain headphones.
     

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