The All Purpose Advice Thread

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

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  1. KalleVasa

    KalleVasa New

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    Hey everyone, this is my first post, but I've been reading for a few years now. I am a little stuck and would appreciate some suggestions on 'improving' my current listening situation: I used to have a Modi 1 connected to my work HP laptop, run through a Liquid Spark using mid-tier IEMs (mainly FLC8s, Flare R2a). Now work has upgraded my computer to a new MacBook Pro, which (I have since gave the Modi 1 to a friend, thinking I would get the Modi Multibit) when I use the headphone jack cable out to the LS, the LS doesnt add any dynamics, soundstage, or 'nuance' to just listening to the MBP straight up (like the Modi/LS improved the HP). I enjoy classical symphonies and concertos, soundtracks, jazz, vocal religious music, some ambient, enjoying depth and separation of stage as well as timbre. I was thinking of getting a Modi Multibit, but they've been back ordered now since October and keep getting pushed back. Would an Asgard 3 provide a 'step up' in soundstage and timbre, or a Vali 2+? Or should I wait on the Modi Multibit (if it ever comes back?). Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
     
  2. Cooper32

    Cooper32 Facebook Friend

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    My second post on SBAF so take my reply with a grain of salt.

    I came across the thread in the link below for how to divide your budget between headphones, amp, DAC, and source.
    https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...dget-among-headphones-amps-and-dac-source.57/

    If the IEMs are what you want to keep long term, I'd say you're at "don't bother with a DAC, unless you can score one for cheap" stage. Maybe think about a cheap DAC (Modi 3, for instance). I have never heard the Modi 3 paired with Liquid Spark and IEMs but, to me, the Modi 3 was a noticeable step up compared to using my laptop's onboard DAC. More clear bass (less muddy) and wider soundstage are the gains I remember the most.
     
  3. señorhifi

    señorhifi Friend

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    In reply to KalleVasa I will say that I have personally never heard a whole lot of improvement when listening through an amp with something as efficient as an IEM. I personally see these entry level amps as something one would get as an necessity, rather than for gains in audio reproduction. Let me explain that a little though. When I had a 6XX, my little K5 from FiiO improved it drastically, but mainly because the headphone needs more power, not because the amp does some kind of magic (it still does, but only to a certain point). This was quickly confirmed by me listening to lower and lower impedance headphones to it (DT770 80Ohms, M40X and finally a Blon BL03). The lower I went, the less of an improvement it made. It was still there with the Blons, but minimal compared to the 6XX and totally not worth the money (149€ is what the K5 costs here, same goes for Magni 3). I would say, sell the Liquid Spark and invest the money into a DAC/AMP combo unit. Get an iFi Zen DAC. I am saying this because no matter what headphones I used, the improvements of the DAC were always audible. There's just twice as much stuff going on in my music over a good DAC compared to my onboard Realtek chip from the PC. The iFi also looks cute as all heck next to a nice lappy like the one you mentioned and has an amplifier (not really powerful for a 6XX, but at the same time totally overpowered for your IEMs) so you get much less clutter on your desk.
     
  4. KalleVasa

    KalleVasa New

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    Thanks SenorHifi and Cooper32 for your input. Interesting, SenorHifi, you mention the HD6xx and the Blon because I had a Senn 650, but was unable to use open backed because of my listening environment; and I do have the Blon B8 which for a closed back I enjoy (still leaks too much though); and I do have the Bl-03s which do sound better amped (I have an Oppo Ha-2 dac/amp). I found the Oppo to be OK for the desktop, but less of an 'audiophile' experience than the Modi/LS. Interestingly I find the Macbook pro's internal DAC actually to sound better than the Oppo -- and this is what is surprising me and I am wondering if I can even improve it without going beyond my meagre budget. I will check out the Ifi Zen DAC. Thanks again for the response!
     
  5. Empyah

    Empyah Facebook Friend

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    Hi guys and gals, need your advice on this one...

    Bought two Psvane ACME 2A3's from an Ebay seller. One is rattling inside and hissing when turned on.
    It is obiously broken and I contacted the seller to negotiate, told him whats wrong and that I want a replacement.
    He asked me to check if the good tube is working right and to send him pictures of the packaging,
    I followed his instructions and so far so good...
    But now it gets weird and I am not sure how to proceed:

    "Hi friend, thank you for testing the tubes, so we just need to take replacement for 1 damaged tube, now I need you take another 2 pictures for ACME2A3, 1st picture shows the good matched tube include the data card and serial number on tube's body. 2nd picture break the damaged tube, then take a picture shows broken tube(need to see the serial number also). It's factory's replacement policy, they need to see the broken tube before sending new one, I attached 2 pictures, please check the sample pictures. Regards, Paul"

    He actually wants me to hammer the faulty tube. What would you do and why?
    He obviously knows from our previous messages that the faulty tube is not physically broken.
     
    Last edited: Nov 21, 2020
  6. Empyah

    Empyah Facebook Friend

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    Just talked to an Ebay representative, he told me to not destroy the faulty tube in any case, and if the seller insists he is forfeiting the negotiations and the case will automatically be decided in my favor.
    So I played dumb and asked the following question:

    "Hello Paul,
    just want to make sure I understood you correctly, do you want me to physically brake the glass of the faulty the tube and send you a picture?
    Thanks for your help.

    Best regards,

    Marijan "

    Never had a case like this, I honestly hope that it was just a mistranslation and that I will get the tube replaced without further complications.
     
  7. Baten

    Baten Friend

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    It's strange but some amazon sellers insist on you showing proof of breaking an item before giving a replacement or refund. It's some back-asswards way of making sure you can't salvage it.
     
  8. Metro

    Metro Friend

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    I've seen people mention this requirement from vendors on AliExpress. In cases where it isn't worth shipping the item back to the seller for exchange, they want to prevent customers from simply claiming a defective item and get a free extra product sent to them. It may feel weird that they don't trust you to be an honest customer, but there are always people trying to game the system.
     
  9. Empyah

    Empyah Facebook Friend

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    Thanks for your advice guys.

    Took the faulty one out for some smashing, to my surprise this time glass shards were rattling inside, and
    stuck to the shiny and chrome parts. I made pictures of the clearly visible debris inside.
    I believe this should be enough proof from my side?
     
  10. Metro

    Metro Friend

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    It might be enough, but it will be handled by a customer service person who is following rules. It could potentially cause an extra back and forth, and if you want to avoid that, then just do as they told you.
     
  11. Jokko

    Jokko Friend

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  12. sheldaze

    sheldaze Friend

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  13. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    Pay $180 for an NOS Shure N97xE stylus or just get a new cart?

    The original one broke (clumsy hands) and the cheap Pfanstiehl replacent has sybalance like crazy.

    Other carts considered:
    • Denon DL-103
    • AT AT-F2
    • AT VM540ML
    I have Ortofon 2M Blue, just not getting the width and separation I think I should be getting.
     
  14. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    What’s your max budget?
    Denon DL-103 too heavy me thinks for SL-1200 (at least in my experience).
     
  15. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I’m getting an intermittent low pitch buzz from what seems to be my 789 amp. Not a hiss or static sound, a real electric sounding buzz like a guitar amp can make when - well I’m not sure when but maybe when the guitar is unplugged? I’ve heard a similar sound from an electric guitar amp anyways.

    I comes and goes and I have no idea what could be the culprit. Interestingly adding the Schiit Loki before the 789 made it worse. Before the Loki I’d get little blips of the sound sometimes like interference, usually coming multiple in a row and then nothing for a long time. Adding the Loki turned it into a constant buzz instead of blips but then sometimes it’s gone for long periods. Also when it’s there, if I flip the Loki’s bypass switch the noise goes away completely.

    I know it’s related to the 789 because once when it was happening I switched to my lcx which is plugged into the same switcher and DAC and the noise wasn’t there.

    my power should be pretty good it was all redone in this room ten years ago and each outlet goes straight to the street so I can plug in a lot of shit without worry.

    any ideas?
     
  16. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    Ok, wow. I knew the 1200 has a medium compliance tonearm. Did not think the DL-103 was so low compliance.

    I'd like to stay in the $200-$300 range if I could. $300 would still be pushing it.
     
  17. je2a3

    je2a3 Almost "Made"

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    Having been a DL103 user since the mid 90s, I'd say go for it. It's a classic!

    I think there's an accessory weight that can be added to the main counterweight of a Technics tonearm to accommodate the additional weight.

    You might need a step up transformer if your present preamp doesn't have an MC input. Anyway, IME a good transformer always performed better than an active MC pre-preamp.

    Good luck!
     
  18. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    Thank you. I have a Schiit Mani, so MC is no issue.

    And I am sure step up transformers sound nice, but man are they pricy and all over the place. Maybe something to consider if I do get an MC.
     
  19. je2a3

    je2a3 Almost "Made"

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    If you can DIY, consider these Shure mic transformers. Those were $30-$40/pr. a couple of years ago. To my ears, they are as good as the Sony HA-T10 which actually sound quite decent, but not worth the $200-250/pr. asking price. For that amount, go for an Altec/Peerless 15095 or modern Cinemag equivalents.
     
  20. fastfwd

    fastfwd Friend

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    I haven't been paying close attention, but weren't you talking about switchboxes or splitters or something recently? If you've changed any of your cabling -- especially if the change involves XLR/RCA conversion, but even if it doesn't -- you may have caused a grounding problem. Change it back and see whether the buzz goes away.
     
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