The All Purpose Advice Thread - Part 2

Discussion in 'Advice Threads' started by shotgunshane, Mar 27, 2022.

  1. TamHo

    TamHo New

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    Hello guys,
    I don’t know if this is the right place to ask and it is maybe a silly question. How can I know if one amp/dac/headphone has a compressed kind of sound just based on its measurements? It is something like many Schiit amps’ sounding characteristic. Some planar headphones have that wall of sound too. I don’t say that sound is bad. Many may enjoy it but I can’t stand. And it is not something I can find out after a short period of listening. So if there is a way to detect it before my audio gear purchase it will be nice. Tks
     
  2. Caryking

    Caryking New

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    Let me start out by saying that I didn’t find a topic in the search, so, I decided to ask…

    This past weekend, I went to Audio Advice Live, in Raleigh, NC. The show was really nice with great ttendance. I went into the HP room to listen to a few HP’s. BTW, I am a complete novice and have started my venture into HP’s recently. Suffice to say, I’m certainly not qualified to write a review, using terminology, used to describe HP’s. I am a two-channel person and describe my listening impressions fairly good.

    At the show, they had several brands; however, I only listened to Audeze. They included: LCD-XC, LCD-2, LCD-3, LCD-5, and the MM-500. I also listened to the Meze 99 Classic. All this leads to my question…

    What’s up with the LCD-2 sound?

    The mids were so different from the rest of the line. They were big, closed in, warm, and really so different than everything else. My main test track was Curtis Fuller’s “ A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening” off “The Opener” album. Everything was played, using Quboz, from my IPhone, through a Chord Mojo 2. In summary, the same source was used on all HP’s.

    I don’t want to get into the differences with the whole Audeze line; rather, more about LCD-2 specifically. I do not think these were the Classics, as the had a wood surround, very similar to the LCD-3. Also, my assumption is that these were the house Test units at Audio Advice and we’re fully broken in…
     
  3. Tchoupitoulas

    Tchoupitoulas Friend

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    I'm not sure this warrants its own thread - the question could have gone in the all-purpose advice thread - but it might be a good idea to have an Audeze headphones compendium.

    Audeze now seems to have two house sounds. Until recently, their headphones could be described as warm or dark (depending on one's point of view) and were characterized by a distinctive recession in the upper mids. Some loved this house sound, others not so much. The headphones tuned like this include the original LCD-2 (pre-fazor), the subsequent LCD-2s, including the Classic, the older version of the LCD-X, the LCD-3, and the LCD-4. (I've not heard the LCD-3). The LCD-R also shares a family resemblance to this tuning.

    [edit: Audeze releases EQ presets for its headphones, which some say are essential to improving the sound; as far as the LCD-2 Classic and the LCD-4 go, I prefer using these presets. They don't fundamentally change the sound but they tighten it up and make it a bit more coherent].

    In the last few years, Audeze has started making headphones with quite a different tuning, one that doesn't have the upper-mid dip. These new headphones seem to be aiming for a kind of studio reference neutrality. I heard this with the new LCD-XC, and my understanding from others' impressions is that the MM-500 and the new version of the LCD-X also share this tuning. If anything, the LCD-5 and the CRBN have something of an emphasis in upper-mid region, if my impressions from brief auditions at CanJam are accurate.

    Another consideration is the efficiency and sensitivity of the headphones. The LCD-2 Classic and the LCD-4 need lots of juice to sound right. My understanding is that the newer Audezes are easier to drive.

    I'll let others correct any of the above and add more detailed commentary.
     
    Last edited: Aug 25, 2022
  4. dasman66

    dasman66 Self proclaimed lazy ass - friend

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  5. TamHo

    TamHo New

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    I once tried to upgrade my Lcd2 rev2 to a more expensive Audeze lineup . After hearing some recent models I didn't like any and gave up. Just different not better. The biggest difference is the high mids becoming more articulate. So I could easily hear what the singers were singing instead of the rather defused high mids that was on my Lcd2 rev2.
    And they all sounded strained as well. It seemed like no depth. And many had sibilant s sh..
     
  6. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I'm not sure I understand the question. But @Tchoupitoulas does a good job breaking things down.

    The LCD-2 and LCD-3 are their warmest headphones, the LCD-3 being an improved LCD-2 to my ears.

    The LCD-X is better technically than both the LCD-2 and LCD-3, it just has a better driver.

    The LCD-4 is their most capable driver in terms of ultimate resolution and refinement, but the stock acoustics hold it way back.

    The LCD-4z is a faster, but less resolving version of the 4

    The LCD-5 is not as good, though I have heard they have revised it and it may sound better now I don't know.

    I haven't heard the MM-500 but I'm also not very interested because it doesn't seem like it could be as good as the LCD-5 and I think the LCD-4/4z drivers have more potential than the 5.

    NOTE: I've moved these posts into the all purpose advice thread here.
     
  7. bixby

    bixby Friend

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    Dirt Cheap Zoom stuff - recs needed.

    I tried my laptop with it's built in cam and was not too bad, but using the built in speaker and mic is a joke.

    Some have said that my cell phone with some Android app (not sure how the signal gets to my pc, since I have no wireless) is going to be way better picture than any moderate priced webcam (are they really as poor as my laptop?) yes, no, other ideas?

    As for mic and sound, will this work? Senn PC 8 USB headset for $23? link is here

    Other possible ideas?
     
  8. philipmorgan

    philipmorgan Member of the month

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    The PC8 is a surprising jump up in SQ over a laptop built-in mic. I can confirm it has worked with Zoom in the past. Havent' tried it lately, but I doubt anything has changed that would render it unusable w/Zoom.

    The trick with this mic is to swing the boom arm down to below your mouth hole, because it's sensitive to plosives, and those are greatly reduced by putting the mic element out of the direct line of fire from your mouth.

    Here is a podcast where the guest used a PC8: https://www.porcelanosa-usa.com/healthcare-interior-design-2-0-roderic-walton/ (I know because my wife hosts the podcast and I'm the "tech guy")
     
  9. bixby

    bixby Friend

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    I love it. Plosives! Will check out the podcast. I knew I could count on the fine folk here. I figured this would be better than similar priced Logitech, Plantronics or Koss.

    Now I need to figure the camera part out.
     
    Last edited: Aug 25, 2022
  10. atomicbob

    atomicbob dScope Yoda

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    I have tried numerous inexpensive cameras. They were all about the same level of mediocrity. Eventually spent the necessary amount on a logitech Brio. No contest. This camera works almost as well as my big system using ATEM Mini Pro and AviPas PTZ cameras (hint, a LOT more money.)

    The mic in the Brio is also pretty good dealing with room reverb. Not quite as good as using a short shotgun such as AT875R, but pretty solid performance.
     
  11. Caryking

    Caryking New

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    Thanks for the feedback. I think I’m more interested in understanding the soundstage presentation; rather than the tonal signature. Perhaps the tonal signature affects the soundstage presentation (I’m new to headphones); however, something about the soundstage presentation on the 2’s was so different than the other Audeze I listened too.. like I said, it was almost bloated sounding, throughout the mids, that is made them be large and close to my head within the soundstage.

    I really wanted to like the 2’s. I actually kept coming back to them; however, the soundstage presentation was so different, I kept putting them down, then I would try them again, put them down. The 2’s were the headphones I rotated through the most, at the same time, put down the most, because of the soundstage presentation…

    Based on the HP’s, at the show, the 2’s and the 3’s had a completely different sound, almost as if they were from different manufacturers.

    BTW, I’m not a fan of clinical/analytical sound and much prefer a more musical sound.
     
  12. Insomnium

    Insomnium New

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    Hey guys I'm planning my next rig upgrade, I would like some DAC recommendations to go with the STAX L700mk2 system and my budget is around 1500$ max. I'm currently shortlisting Bifrost 2 or Soekris DAC2541 but not sure how they will pair with Stax and if there is anything else I should look into. Thanks!
     
  13. Caryking

    Caryking New

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    Consider a R2R DAC. I personally use a Denafrips Ares 2. I haven’t spent the money to go up the price chain, within their line; however, I wish someone like Schiit would create one as I do like their company and what they represent.
     
  14. zottel

    zottel Friend

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    Schiit’s Multibit DACs use a kind of R2R architecture, and the Bifrost 2 (not 2/64?) @Insomnium is thinking about is a Multibit DAC.
     
    Last edited: Aug 29, 2022
  15. karas

    karas New

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    Hi guys,

    I mostly listen to my 2c system : Naim ND5xs > Naim Nap90/Nac92/Flatcap > Proad D18.

    My ND5Xs just broke, I plan to buy a PI2AES as a source.

    I am looking for recommandations for a DAC a maybye an amplifier.

    Budget is not really set, but DAC should be in 1-2 k range, same for amplifier.

    Thanks for your help.
     
  16. Caryking

    Caryking New

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    when I bought the Ares 2, I was looking at the Bifrost 2. It really wasn’t what I wanted, so, I went with the Ares 2. That said, I thought I heard an interview with the Schiit guys, at one point, saying they might explore making a true R2R DAC. Until then, I’m going to use what I have…
     
  17. PoochZag

    PoochZag The Shadow knows - Friend

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    I'm working from home more now, needing to use my work laptop instead of my personal desktop rig. The USB on my original Gungnir Multibit sucks and I was wondering if there is an easy way to connect to the RCA Coaxial SPDIF or the Optical SPIDF? (I'm already using BNC for my desktop). My work laptop just has USB-C and a traditional USB-A port.
     
  18. Mdkaler

    Mdkaler Friend

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    @PoochZag What about an Eitr? Or check out Douk audio U2 or U2 pro, it takes USB and has coaxial RCA out.
     
  19. PoochZag

    PoochZag The Shadow knows - Friend

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    Thank you, I had no idea what was out there. May try the Douk, the Eitr seems dinscontinued and for the price of a used one I could probably just get the USB upgraded
     
  20. TamHo

    TamHo New

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    Try ifi's products for usb purifier . It may help
     

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