The All Purpose Advice Thread

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

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  1. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I was getting the buzz in little short blips before I installed the switcher and the lcx is plugged into the same switcher and doesn’t have it. I confirmed by unplugging from the 789 while the buzz was happening, plugging into the lcx, it was gone, plugged back into the 789 and it was there again.

    for some reason adding the Loki to the chain before the 789 has turned the short spurts of buzz into it an ongoing buzz for long periods of time. Then it goes away for long periods of time.

    thanks for thinking about it and your response!
     
  2. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    I would consider using what you have and getting a new stylus for your Shure if you like that cart. If you aren’t satisfied with 2M Blue I would experiment with your setup since SL-1200 is easily adjustable. Don’t get me wrong, I like the Denon DL103 a lot but it easily sounded more open and clear on my VPI Classic versus SL-1210GR. Which Mani do you have?
     
  3. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    The Shure is okay. Just seems to be deeper soundstage, especially in the mids. I think my 2M stylus is finally wearing out and not sounding as quite as dynamic and more grey. Not terrible by any means, just does not grab me like it used to. I just did not know if getting a new stylus was worth it for the Shure or a new cart since the only way to get a Shure stylus anymore is either NOS or Jico or the cheapo that I have. Although there could be some alignment issues with the Shure ATM.

    The things I did like about the 2M Blue were the low noise, and detail retriever. Never sounded flat or dull (until now). I still think it was missing a width and the top end could sound strained at times, although that is more pronounced on the 2M Red.

    I know some like the Denon DL-110 better on their SL-1200. Not sure if that has any more compliance.

    I have the original Mani, not the silently updated one.
     
  4. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    If I was in your shoes, I would strongly consider just getting a new stylus for 2M Blue and grabbing an updated Mani or building a Frankenphono. I don’t know anything about that budget Iphono iZen whatever. There are some B-stock Mani available now. It is a sizeable upgrade in clarity over the OG Mani.
     
  5. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

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    I am looking for possible alternatives to Yggdrasil A2. Not because there is anything wrong with the DAC but because the area I live (Austin, TX) has occasional power outages due to storms. Not often, but often enough for me to have recently purchased a battery backup power supply. The problem is that this thing compromises the sound of the Yggdrasil and I don't want a DAC that needs extended warmup that is vulnerable to power outages. Bifrost 2, while excellent, is too much of a downgrade. NOS DACs I'm not interested in because of what I've read about their handling of imaging/soundstage. Any DACs in Yggdrasil price range with a similar level of performance, especially for classical/exceptional rending of spatial cues/plankton/all the usual TOTL suspects for acoustic music?
     
  6. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Semi-serious, but has anyone ever used a small electric pad to warm up the Yggdrasil or other dacs? I mean, it's like $10-15 from walmart for those little neck warmer things in the pharmacy section, and they're small enough to slide under the Yggdrasil without much issue.

    edit: something like this https://www.walmart.com/ip/Greensen...th-Neck-Warmer-Electric-Heating-Pad/796958645
    edit 2: actually that one looks kinda sketchy and runs off usb which is weird, but you know what I mean.
     
  7. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Is it literally temperature that people are waiting for the Schiit DACs to achieve? I thought it was something more complex. Otherwise you could just put electric heating pads under and over it and blamoh. Warm.

    edit: ahh I see that’s what you’re talking about. You can buy bigger ones. I have a cheap one that would cover the whole top or bottom of the gungnir.
     
  8. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Something something thermal equilibrium?
    Some people feel like the equipment needs days and days before it reaches peak performance. I figure you'll get 90-95% of the way there in the first hour assuming it didn't come in from a cold truck during a Canadian winter.

    Fancy clocks in the pro world have temperature control in them. I'm frankly surprised this hasn't become a thing in audiophile dacs yet.
     
  9. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    i don’t know I thought it was something about having electricity running through it for a period of time or something. Literally heating up seems too simple like you’re saying, someone would have come up with an easy solution for that already. It’s super easy to heat up a DAC if that’s what it needs, it’s plugged into the wall.
     
  10. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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    The 110 is more compliant than the 103, but is also a lot lighter, so tradeoff. The 110 is also not the great deal that it used to be since its price went up a couple of years back - the 103 is now actually cheaper and the 103R is only $100 more.

    You know those compliance figures are stated at 100 Hz rather than 10 Hz, right, so have to be multiplied by 1.5-2x to be used in everybody's mass-vs-compliance resonant frequency charts? Doing that puts the 103 into the 'acceptable' resonance window for the Technics arm, but experience being better than specifications with this stuff I'd bear @Gaspasser 's in mind.

    I haven't heard the Mani, but I really like the Ifi Zen Phono vs my Hagerman and the phono stage in my Rega (both low gain/high load) - but really for the technicalities vs euphony, so I'm not sure how it'd go with a cart on the more analytical side (AT). For $149, why not try that with the 2M Blue and Shure first?
     
  11. ogodei

    ogodei MOT: Austin AudioWorks

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    You said it out loud, now we're all doomed.

    Presumably though this feature would try to cool the chip rather than speeding the heat-up process. How would that be done other than with fans, which I presume audiophiles would hesitate to use? Its OK on pro gear in the closet but I think audio nervosa would kick in at a possible noise source.

    Any DACs out there now that use fans?
     
  12. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    You know...I just did some quick YouTube demos, and I know it hard to tell with that, even with headphones, but I think I can get an idea.

    It seems I probably don't have the record collection to really enjoy the DL-103 or any MC cart for that manner. Maybe like 1% or about 10-15 records. So my limitation is more likely my collection, and I guess there is a compliance issue, so I get that as well. I am too hooked on the quick H-4 bayonet mount. I thought about getting an RB tonearm upgrade, but switching carts is such a PITA. Sometimes I want to play my old 45's, or just for casual listening and not wear down my good stylus.

    I am with you guys on the phono pre. The new Mani has a better final output op-amp (or input, I can't remember). Anyway, a couple of those op-amps are certainly better. I will consider the iFi or something or a new Magni. I will keep my eye out for something good.

    Until then, I think I may pick up an AT-540ML. I am particularly sensitive to IGD and I have always was kind of upset I never picked up a 440MLa or even a 440MLb, and I take it the 540ML is now the direct replacement.

    I think I am just glad to hear no one say to get a replacement stylus for the M97xE, lol.
     
  13. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    anyone? It’s starting to drive me crazy. Maybe I need to start a thread but I’m reluctant to do that.
     
  14. monacelli

    monacelli Friend

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  15. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    Sounds like a common ground loop issue. Check to make sure your equipment is all plugged into the same outlet. You are doing the right things by going through and systematically trying to isolate the issue. Also check your cables and swap them out as well.

    I have had issues with certain equipment sitting on top or near equipment, but that was more or less noise from my phone or my Pi that was nearby, not what you are describing.
     
  16. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Thanks! It’s all plugged into one power strip which goes to one outlet.
     
  17. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    I'm pretty sure they are just heating circuits used to hold the crystal clocks within a very narrow temperature range. Precision cooling in general is much harder to do than heating.
     
  18. yotacowboy

    yotacowboy McRibs Kind of Guy

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    I picked up a revised Mani after my Cambridge Audio 640 popped a cap in the power supply section and I didn't feel like repairing it. And, I replaced it with an iFi ZEN Phono shortly thereafter. Setup is SL1200 + DL-103r plus Funk Achromat. Mani was kind of flat, which seems to be a bit of the Schiit house sound, but in the case of the Mani it was flat in the tonal contrast and macrodynamic sense, not the soundstage front-to-back sense. Mani was just kind of boring and dull even though it was a little "boom-tizz" - not sure how well I can square that circle since it seems incongruent, but overall I thought the Mani was a touch grating while at the same time flat.

    The iFi has a better "jump factor" and midrange bloom, and seems to present the tonal differences and microdynamic content in a way that fits a little better with the SL1200+DL-103r, at least in my limited experience with cheapo TT stuff. TT's are a giant f'ing PITA since you're balancing the inherent weaknesses of 3 different systems: 2 being largely mechanical, and 1 being largely electrical, with strange interdependencies. It's like a three-legged potato sack race that ends up being more enjoyable to watch than any other respectable track and field event with TAG Heuer event timing down to the 0.001.
     
  19. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    I appreciate that. The iFi Zen gets some good praise. It is a hard deal to pass up at the price.

    I upgraded to the Mani from the Cambridge 540. It depends on the gain setting on the Mani which one sounds more lively. 1 off and 2 on I think, at least for MM carts. It is too bad you need both for MC carts.

    And I can fix your Cambridge if you need. I am guess I got lucky and sold mine before the caps went boom.
     
  20. RanocchiO

    RanocchiO Acquaintance

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    Hi all,
    I would like an advice on bluetooth audio:

    I'm currently using a pair of JBL Live 200bt while I'm at work or driving.
    I receive many calls during the day and also like to listen some music while I'm in quiet environments.
    I'm not very satisfied right now because the audio quality is poor and also the mic is not very good.

    Can someone recommend another neckband iem or a bt transceiver that can work with trrs iems (I'd like to use the in line mic)?

    Thanks
     
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