The All Purpose Advice Thread

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

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  1. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    This is the thread for people to ask for help when it comes to recommending gear and whatnot. Be as specific as possible: your budget, preferences, pre-existing gear, whatevs might be important. Don't just ask generic "what's good?" questions. That you can find out by browsing around.

    Go nuts.
     
  2. DrForBin

    DrForBin Friend

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    hello,

    thanks for the "Go nuts." pace MuppetFace.
     
  3. lm4der

    lm4der A very good sport - Friend

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    Yes, I am rooting for the nuts too. Go nuts!
     
  4. RazrLeaf

    RazrLeaf New

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    I'll christen this incarnation of this thread with its first question:
    I own a HD 650, with the stock SE cable, and can mod a second stock cable for balanced use. From a bang-for-the-buck perspective, is the Schiit Mjolnir 2 worth its premium over a Lyr 2? I'd outfit both with LISST and the stock 6BZ7 tubes, and I do not have any amps at the moment. And before other amps are suggested, I really want one of those 2 as they give me the option for tubes and full solid-state.

    And Deez Nuts for President of the US?
     
    Last edited: Sep 27, 2015
  5. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    I am leaning towards the Lyr 2 with HD650's - but that is just my opinion.
     
  6. JoelT

    JoelT Friend

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    What do you have for a DAC?
     
  7. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    On the same line of what Joel said. Make sure you have a DAC good enough to take advantage of what the Mjolnir 2 can do.

    As whether it would be worth it, you are starting to get into diminishing returns. If you like the HD650 with the Lyr 2, you will probably like the HD650 with the Mjolnir 2. Both Lyr 2 and Mjolnir 2 have a similar warm sound. The Mjolnir 2 is more resolving and more lively sounding, something the HD650 will pick up on.

    At the Schiit show, I easily prefered the Mjolnir 2 / Gungnir 2 combination over the Lyr 2 / Bifrost with the HD650 that I brought.
     
  8. RazrLeaf

    RazrLeaf New

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    On the question of DAC, I'd pair Gungnir Multibit with Mojo 2, and Bifrost with Lyr 2. I like the stacking. So I guess my question become is the balanced stack worth the ~grand premium over the SE stack? I'm currently just running off the integrated DAC/amp of my motherboard.

    But thanks for the perspective that Mojo 2 is only the beginning of diminishing returns. I'm hoping to own whatever DAC/Amp combo for at least 5 years (if not longer).

    And side question: Were you bringing your modded 650, Marvey?
     
    Last edited: Sep 27, 2015
  9. aufmerksam

    aufmerksam Friend

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    After much wriggling, I have actually settled into this exact stack. Gungnir Multibit>mojo2>balanced 650. Once I had a mighty ragnarok and an HD800; I might have them again sometime, but this is a pretty sweet rig for the moment. When realigning my setup I wanted to keep balanced as an option for a couple reasons: schiit balanced implementation is quite good, and speakers. I have nothing bad to say about the Lyr 2, but if you view this as a stepping off point to future exploration, Mojo 2 gives you more options while still providing excellent implementation.
     
  10. FlySweep

    FlySweep Friend

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    I need a cheap (<$150) but capable, not-huge desktop amp for the 560 to tide me over until the LC and/or GOv2+ Infinity gets delivered. DAC will be the GO450.

    Vali, Magni2U come to mind first. Other suggestions welcome.

    How did the Vali pair with the HE-560? I think the 560's slightly dry mids could use some of the Vali's tube wetness.. but I'm worried it might deter resolving ability. The 560 is, rightly, sensitive to tube amps.. even hybrids (that can possess mid-level OI) cause the 560 to sound a bit soft/fuzzy, IME (this seems to be a thing with HFM orthos, right?). 560 likes current (I find good, healthy amts of current with the 560 bring better depth and focus to the soundstage).. that has me leaning towards the Mag2U..
     
    Last edited: Sep 28, 2015
  11. Eric_C

    Eric_C Friend

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    My memory on this pairing is fuzzy, so please bear that in mind: Vali with 560 felt very average, which was at odds with the praise I'd read about the 560's soundstage and bass. IIRC Vali was always known as limiting soundstage. At any rate, I found the Asgard 2 to be better, and it seems that Mag2U is touted as being awfully close to it.
     
  12. Rthomas

    Rthomas Friend

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    Hello Everyone,

    I need some advice on putting together a sub $3000 home headphone set-up; my first high-end one . I'll try to give you a short history of what I've owned and liked before (I'm new to the hobby so it's not very extensive)

    Like: Alessandro MS-1 (first decent can); OPPO PM3 (nice midrange and bass, treble too laid back for my taste); Grado SR225e (Sounded good till I heard the PM3)
    Dislike: Beyer T90 (too much treble, thin bass and mids like listening out of a tin can, sold in 2 days) NAD Viso HP50 ( sounded flat and boring to me)

    I'm trying to decide between the following cans:
    1.Fostex TH900 ( can buy for $970) 2. MrSpeakers Ether C ( I prefer the C as I've read that the bass is better than the Ether) 3. Sennheiser HD800.

    Musical Preferences: Anything except classical and Jazz which makes me think that I should rule out the HD800.

    Not interested in buying the following: Audezes, Grados, Beyers,AKG,Oppos,Hifiman.

    I would also appreciate Amp and Dac or AMP/DAC combo recommendations below $2000.

    Thank you very much!
     
  13. shipsupt

    shipsupt Admin

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    Is there a reason you're leaning towards closed headphones as your first two choices? What importance do you place on space and soundstage?

    AMP/DAC recommendations to follow after can selection.
     
  14. Rthomas

    Rthomas Friend

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    Hi

    Open headphones are fine as well, soundstage is not my main priority . I'm only interested in SS amps at the moment.
     
    Last edited: Sep 29, 2015
  15. CEE TEE

    CEE TEE MOT: NITSCH

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    Flysweep- I'm away at the moment, but I have an early Vali that rings a bit that I will just lend you until you get your stack. I can put some dynamat in it, I just didn't have the motivation as I had two Valis at one point and lots of other amps.
     
  16. shipsupt

    shipsupt Admin

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    Rag, Gung. Save a little more to pay for the headphones.

    You can upgrade the Gung later to multibit.

    Since you are new to the hobby the Rag will handle any headphone you throw at it as you explore, which you will.

    That's one option anyway...

    I don't have any experience with the Ether so it's hard for me to give any advice about it compared to the TH-900.
     
  17. mickeyvortex

    mickeyvortex Friend

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    Hello pyrates. Anyone have an opinion on Jan Meier's PCStep (and Quickstep) portable gear in comparison to other products in that category. He has a sale going on where the PCStep is $190 to use with my LG G3 and occasionally a laptop. A lot of people seem to like his stuff but I wanted some pyrates to weigh in before I made a decision.
    I found a few references at the old Changstar but there was very little info. about his portable gear. Thanks in advance
     
  18. Rthomas

    Rthomas Friend

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    Thanks for the recommendations! I would also appreciate No Schiit suggestions because I'm in the UK and Schiit here is 50 to 60% more than in the US so it is not as great a value proposition as in the US. I'm also trying to limit my search to balanced amps & dacs as I don't want to have to upgrade later.

    The Bryston BHA1 and the Violectric V281 are two that I can think of at the moment which are in my price range.....
     
  19. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Yes, I had my tweaked HD650.

    Personally, I would not be happy with Lyr 2 / Bifrost. While that combination is a good sweet spot for a reasonable person, I have been spoiled with good gear and would choose Gungnir Multibit / Mojo 2 at a minimum for a serious system. Listen to Auf's words. It's really hard do better than the Gungnir Multibit/ Mojo 2 or a similar sonically equivalent setup, but to do so would require exponential increase in expenditure.
     
  20. shipsupt

    shipsupt Admin

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    "I'm in the UK and Schiit here is 50 to 60% more than in the US so it is not as great a value proposition as in the US."

    Well, about 35% if you purchase from Electromod, but having lived in the UK I get your point.
     
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