The All Purpose Advice Thread

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

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  1. Metro

    Metro Friend

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    Inline mic on TRRS earphones is supported on FiiO BTR5 and Qudelix 5K bluetooth transceivers.
     
  2. Audiophile

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    Any recommendations on a dac(under 300$) that pairs well with both hd600 and HD800(amp is Valhalla 2)?
     
    Last edited: Nov 28, 2020
  3. Accrued

    Accrued Friend

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    I see you're in India, does the 300 include shipping? If not there are a couple of bifrost's being sold on Head-fi for around that price point.
     
  4. Audiophile

    Audiophile New

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    No, the 300$ doesn't include shipping but I can't buy used since this is my first time buying a high end headphone (hd800), I want to be affirmed before I go more upstream with amps and dacs.
     
  5. ksat90

    ksat90 Acquaintance

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    I'm in Europe, so Schiit availability is kinda shit.
    Any thoughts on a clearance Jot + Multibit (480 GBP) vs a Modi Multibit/Modius + Magni 3+ (330 GBP, though much more limited availability)?
    Current headphones are HD650, HD58x, Focal Clear.
    Personal preference: laid-back/microdetails over aggressive/dynamic/bite/glare
     
  6. dematted

    dematted Friend

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    I personally enjoy my Soekris 1321. It can be had used for around $350. To my ears, it has a softer, more rounded sound, which I think would work well with HD600/800 + valhalla 2. Other option that comes to mind is the schiit stuff - modi multibit and modius - though I can't comment on how well they'll pair with your setup.

    If your personal preference is for a more laid-back sound that emphasizes microdetails more than dynamics, I don't think you'd particularly enjoy either of the combos you listed. The Jot is known for being a more incisive amp, and though I wouldn't necessarily describe the 3+ as incisive, it still has a more forward sound that emphasizes big macrodynamic swings over microdetails, at least in my experience. I'd think as far as amps go, the old vali 2 (not +) might be more to your taste, or, if you're looking to spend more money, perhaps a Lyr 3 with a warmer tube like the RCA grey-glass.

    Though I don't know if you'll be able to find either of them given problems with Schiit availability in Europe!
     
    Last edited: Nov 29, 2020
  7. ksat90

    ksat90 Acquaintance

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    Thanks!

    I think Schiit Audio UK only has the Magni 3+, Vali 2+, Modius coming up in stock, and Jot in clearance, that's why I'm asking specifically between these.

    I think it's likely any of them will be better than my current options, which are my MBP and PC headphone out, or GSX1000, all of which have problems of their own. I did think of the old vali2 (not available), but I'm guessing the vali2+ with more neutrality/extension will still be smoother than the Magni 3+ or Jot?

    Another option around the 300-500 price range, I gathered from lurking and reading here for could be Drop Grace Design SDAC + Cavalli Liquid Carbon?
     
    Last edited: Nov 29, 2020
  8. Baten

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    Vali 2 was known to be quite smooth/warm, Vali2+ looks to be a lot more neutral and less tubey, perhaps in between vali2 and magni3+.
     
  9. Tom R

    Tom R Acquaintance

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    DAC3 HGC Shit the bed.

    I was just using it as an HPA driven by my Yggdrasil. I'll probably get it fixed by BM and sell it.

    I'm looking for another AIO if possible or just an amp if I can't get something that sounds really good in an AIO.

    I have Audeze LCD-4's and Westone 4 IEM's and just ordered the Focal Elex. I use a Surface Pro 3 for my digital front end.

    f it helps, I really do like my Yggdrasil. I also have a BM DAC1 (no usb), a Topping D50 that sounded ok at first. But I've come to hate their tizzy and over-etched high end so those are a no-go. Haven't listened to an AKM based dac.

    Suggestions?
     
  10. JellyRhino

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    Should I get an iFi iEMatch to use the Verum One (about 8 ohm, maybe 12-16 ohm with cable) with the SW50+ (27 ohm LoZ according to @atomicbob 's measurements) ? Can I damage the amp or the headphones without it?
     
  11. crenca

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    What sort of cables adds that much resistance?
     
  12. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

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    Ahhh...lousy ones?
     
  13. Armaegis

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    If you really like the Yggdrasil, why not just get one of the Schiit amps then? or try one of their AIO models. Seems like the answer is half in front of you.
     
  14. Tom R

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    I like the Yggdrasil probably because it is multi-bit, but there may be other goodness happening there. So I'm looking also at he Soekris dac2541 or maybe a Bifrost / Magnius combo. For the Schiit AIO's, what to you leave behind with their "True Multi-Bit" add-in board compared to their more dedicated DAC's in the like of Bifrost, Gungnir Multibit, and Yggdrasil? Looks like with the AIO's you don't get the Unison USB circuit, and fewer dac chips, and maybe a less capable power supply. Anything else?
     
  15. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

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    Non-usb inputs.
     
  16. magicscreen

    magicscreen New

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    Is there any recommended headphones for listening to only metal music?
    death/thrash/grindcore/black/heavy

    I have an Sennheiser HD6XX, but that is totally unacceptable for this genres. Btw HD6XX is great phone for other music.
    The most important for me is the sounds of the guitars. The thick, raw, full of energy, powerful sound.
    On the HD6XX the bass is the most dominant, the guitars at the background, thin and muffled.

    Max $350
     
  17. YtseJammer

    YtseJammer Almost "Made"

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    Bump your budget to $420 and go with the Grado Hemp. Trust me, they are great with Metal music. I tried them with Opeth, Dream Theater, Enslaved, Insomnium, Epica, Dimmu Borgir, Paradise Lost, Dark Tranquillity, The Ocean, etc and they haven't failed to impress me so far.
     
  18. RedFuneral

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    Audio-Technica R70x is a good choice for metal under $250. Its one if the more thick & propulsive headphones I've owned which worked wonders for low production value metal. Its fast enough for blast beats & has enough meat for the other thicker sounding genres.

    Its also gear agnostic which may be a plus if you're on a budget. Its big downside is that it's not especially detailed and a bit grainy(hence why it blurs the difference between gear & lower-higher production value music.) Still I'd recommend it for your taste in music & desire to avoid thin boring sound.
     
  19. ofilippov

    ofilippov Acquaintance

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    I'd rather stay away from Jot with such preferences. It leans more to the second part, but no glare. Didn't like it much.

    Check Asgard and probably Lyr. I've got the Asgard with Sennheiser 6XX/Shure SE535 and very happy with it. The amp scales quite well with better DACs and headphones. And it's signature seem to correspond to your preferences. Not my main system and still budged one of course. But it's a really cool amp!

    I didn't hear the Lyr but read a lot about it when considered buying it. From what people write, it also seems to correspond to your preferences. Check the HP compatibility though. Also, from my experience with Saga, you'll probably need to change the tube to get better resolution and microdetails. For Saga, I ended up with Psvane UK series. Much better than stock.
     
  20. ksat90

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    Thanks for the rec. Schiit UK had some pretty limited stock, so I went with what I could get - Modi/Magni 3 stack for now. I would upgrade to the Modius + some other balanced amp/preamp in the future. Vali/Lyr is definitely on the list, but I need a baseline to compare to and I guess the Modi/Magni is what everyone has and is easier for me to compare in the future.
    Look forward to some impressions soon!
     
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