The All Purpose Advice Thread

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

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  1. Martin_W

    Martin_W New

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  2. E_Schaaf

    E_Schaaf MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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    For 300 my recommendation would be to keep your headphones and get a schiit stack (modi + vali or magni).

    Nothing wrong with the 598. The stack will be a substantial step up and you can continue to use it even if you upgrade headphones down the line.

    Money's better spent there than on a different headphone in this price range.
     
  3. Baten

    Baten Friend

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    Read the disclaimer.

    "Note: This item is in stock and will ship within 1 business day with standard shipping. Expedited shipping in the contiguous US is available at checkout. Your payment method will be charged 2 hours after joining. Cancellations are accepted until that time. The drop will launch and end each day to collect purchases."

    They're just lazy and like that people think in-stock drops are ending and are mentally pressured into buying before it's gone, so they haven't bothered to change how it works on their site.

    Like @E_Schaaf says, I would get a Modi 3 and personally, a liquid spark from monoprice. Once you have those, save up for a new headphone :)
     
  4. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    I will agree that there is nothing wrong with the 598. I would also agree that upgrading from the E10K would be greatly desired. With all of that said, if the goal is to just get something that sounds different, the most effective way to do that is to change your headphone.

    The HD650 (or HD600) is a good starting point, and is practically the benchmark headphone at SBAF and for good reason. It gets better when you pair it with better DACs and amps, and it can be modded a bit to suit your tastes - but I wouldn't call it ideal for EDM as most fans of that genre of music generally prefer a very strong bass signature. It will be a great headphone for classical and alternative, or anything else really. You can ignore that concern if you aren't worried about shaking some fillings loose from your teeth - the HD6-- line does bass fine, it's just not over emphasized.

    Most of my recommendations for EDM would be closed back headphones, such as the Fostex TR-X00 or E-Mu Teak, which sadly is beyond the $300 budget. An interesting compromise would be the ZMF Classic, which does fit the budget and I would call it a jack of all trades, but it is closed back.

    One thing I would recommend is to buy from a place that will let you return the product - like Amazon - so that if you end up not liking what you hear, it won't hurt your wallet. Heck, buy used from Amazon. You still get a 30-day money-back guarantee in most cases, and you're not creating an open box used item for a vendor if you decide you don't like it. (I'm not advocating you abuse the return system to demo headphones, mind you. Try to get it right the first time.)

    Also - we usually focus on and highly recommend equipment synergy. What this means is that the entire audio chain is responsible for the sound you hear, and plugging amazing headphones into horrible amps and DACs is like wiping you ass and then taking a dump. Sure, you could, but the results won't be pretty. So, please consider upgrading from the E10K asap. The Vali 2 + Modi 3 would be a fantastic pairing with the HD6-- line if you want to aim for a complete system down the road.
     
    Last edited: Oct 11, 2018
  5. loki993

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    If he is willing to go used he should be able to find something for that price. Ive seen the TH-X00 Mahogany's for as little as 240 , @Amadeus , the TH-X00 is the exact same headphone as the TR-X00 except it doesn't have a detachable cable...
     
  6. Biodegraded

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    Good advice above for @Amadeus ; here's a variation.

    Modi+Magni = $200; and presuming your HD598s are the open version, keep them for classical & pop and pick up something closed like HD598Cs, HD569, or NAD HP50 for EDM. Prices for these on Amazon will bring the total above your budget by $50-$70, but you could probably find them cheaper or used.
     
  7. northernLights

    northernLights New

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    58x or 6xx for classical, especially piano and orchestra? I plan to get Modi 3 and Liquid Spark later on. Considering that, which one is better for my use cases, 58x or 6xx?
     
  8. Baten

    Baten Friend

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    I would say 6xx, just for the wonderful timbre on classical (and jazz <3).
     
  9. Hogcryat

    Hogcryat New

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    Does anyone hear a slight tizzy-ness/roughness in the highs with the 6XX? I am not sure it is the headphone resolving the audio compression or it is just weird treble quality. It has to be noted though that the severeness of the phenomenon varies song to song.
     
  10. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    I have 650's and my friend has a newer pair, but yes.

    What you are describing to me is what I call the grain or grittyness in the 650's. Different amps or sources can vary the effect. On the same rig, I don't hear with my planars.

    I think it has to do with the damping and the amp reacting to the reactive load of the driver. Better amps are better with this. Same thing happens with some speakers, like Yamaha NS-10's on certain amps.
     
  11. dave_k

    dave_k New

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    Hi everyone. I have a bizzare volume problem in my system.
    My setup is HD58X + Magni2U/Modi2U stack, running from USB.
    My foobar2k is set up like this: Volume - max/unchaged, ReplayGain: track + prevent clipping, WASAPI (event).
    On low gain, i am able to max the amp all the way.
    On high gain, i am able to crank it all the way to 3 o'clock before the real pain starts. No audible distortion though. The HD58X is supposed to max out at 8.5Vrms (500mW into 150ohm, the M2U has like 9.8Vrms (600 mW into 150ohm) max
    Now the problem is that my ears have basically developed a condition when they get used to loud sounds quickly, really quickly (not to confuse with hearing problems, i hear fine and up to 20khz).
    I would like to have a little bit more volume on low gain. Is there any easy way to achieve this? Maybe some kind of a pre-amp?
    Thanks a lot!
    Dave
     
  12. Baten

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    It would make more sense to set up a negative pre-amp on the high gain mode. Very trivial to set up in something like Equalizer APO (system-wide EQ).
     
  13. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    First of all, why not just leave it on high gain?

    Secondly, have you had your ears checked by a doctor? Do you have a malfunctioning stapedius reflex? Getting accustomed to loud sounds makes me a bit worried that something else may be at play which you should have looked into. Health first, music second.
     
  14. gyarufollower

    gyarufollower New

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    Hello, I was recently recommended ZX300 for DAPs. however I failed from the moment I didn't identify what headphones I will use.

    Its a DT-48 5ohm, I'm able to make it 25ohm.

    From researching about what works with DT-48, I alluded it to the ER4S which is said to sound similar. People have said AMP3 module sounded good with ER4S.

    So I'm assuming neutrality is DT48's game. If there is any explanation from a DT48, ER4S user, please tell me about how this will work.

    From my understanding in a totally non-scientific fashion. The characteristics of the headphone creates a physical and psychological imitation of music but at the cost of forming inaccuracy of how real life should sound. It needs those characteristics to create its own "right sounding" pressure, as its better to be consistently wrong than to be inconsistent. Mods exist to improve the signature and lesser attention to the physical design of the housing.

    The headphones compensated by sources and amplifiers, eventually becomes a form of a response to the used equipment at hand. Audio engineers do a logical approach by using analog equipment and changing headphones all the time. Correct me in the wrong parts.

    The consumer is not going to switch their gear all the time, the consumer is going into the market then out with the most simplified way without overbearing rationale about perfecting how the music should sound with different sets of analytical equipment.

    I have read from a couple audio engineers, who basically give up on the physical part and told me to use digital EQ'ing and filters. As those may be the future of typologically effecient DAPs.
     
  15. dave_k

    dave_k New

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    If i have, I don't know. I never had any hearing problems, also, before I got into headphone audio, I have never noticed this condition. Guess i'll book an appointment.
     
  16. dave_k

    dave_k New

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    That's a great idea, thanks a lot!
     
  17. Baten

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    No problem it's what I do with my AD2000 which are very sensitive. -12dB preamp gain in equalizer APO, and my amp is suddenly just the right sensitivity :)
     
  18. Noah

    Noah New

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    Hello! I'm looking for some advice on my setup and my next upgrade:

    My main daily driver is Hifiman HE400i, I also use a DT770 250 ohm occasionally
    Source is Micca Origen G2 Line Out -> Cayin C5 (decently powerful chi-fi portable amp)
    I play mostly 320 kbps and FLAC out from Musicbee

    I feel like I'm wasting money on porta-amps and dacs. I want to take my first step into desktop gear. I was almost completely sold on the NFB 11.28 but after reading impressions of Audio-GD stuff on here I'm having second thoughts.

    My budget is about 300USD. I'm a student so I'd prefer a not-too enormous stack or unit.

    I'm also studying in Singapore so shipping can sometimes screw me over.

    I listen to mostly electronic, rock/alternative, hip hop, folk

    Thank you in advance for your help!

    EDIT: Forgot a word and added listening tastes
     
    Last edited: Oct 16, 2018
  19. Baard

    Baard New

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    Hi everyone, I'm not an experienced headphone listener, but I love listening to music in high quality. I've recently started producing music and I'd like to have a reference setup. I'm thinking about getting the Focal Clear headphones in combination with the Jotunheim with the balanced DAC module. The Clears come with a balanced XLR cable, so the entire setup would be balanced. What do you think about this setup? I've read that the original balanced DAC module for the Jot was not that great, but they have silently replaced it with a better iteration. Why wouldn't they clearly state there has been an upgrade?

    Or would you recommend getting the Modi 3 + Magni 3, or Modi Multibit + Magni 3, or Modi 3 + Jotunheim, or Modi Multibit + Jotunheim or something else completely with the Clears?
     
  20. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    Jotunheim + Modi MB.

    Also, to my knowledge, they have only had one MB add-in card for these. It was released around the time the Lyr 3 came out. It was their DS card that got the upgrade, and they were pretty transparent about it.

    Also, I'm not a fan of the Clear / Utopia / whatever, but if you like it, go for it. You have heard them, right?
     
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