The All Purpose Advice Thread

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

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. iDesign

    iDesign Almost "Made"

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    230
    Trophy Points:
    63
    I wanted to do a heat check for opinions on what is the best, most measured/technically accurate CIEM available at any price?

    Although the Shure KSE1200 is not a CIEM, it is the only non-custom IEM I am strongly considering.
     
  2. Zhanming057

    Zhanming057 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2018
    Likes Received:
    1,033
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    NYC
    KSE1200/1500, as you mentioned. The A18t is fairly neutral, although a bit mechanical in its presentation. Hybrids are rarely designed for studio neutral tuning and all tend to have some degree of coherence problem, which can be a feature if you think that it's part of the flavor.

    Two other more exotic nominations: the Fitear 335DWSR which uses extra-rigorous driver matching and a solid shell to achieve a high degree of coherency with an all-BA design, with extremely good sub-bass coming from the acrylic fill. There's also the QDC Anole VX which, in its default switch setup, is a bit bland in a designed-by-committee way but very technically accomplished.
     
  3. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    7,467
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Winnipeg
    Just go crazy and go down the rabbit hole of ethernet audio (Dante for example) and wire up the whole house. Now you can sources and dacs wherever the heck you like.
     
  4. bixby

    bixby Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,988
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Northern Colorado
    Anyone running digione sig as standalone player but NOT Roon endpoint? Either with networked storage over ethernet or via usb external storage? May try this with HP setup.

    I did have very good results using Roon endpoint SW on my HP desktop and even via wifi. Really stable and just a smidge better sounding than running the desktop with Jriver.

    I suppose I will eventually end up with Roon for speaker setup so may just use desktop in HP setup (already owned and paid for). Until I try a digione with dac. anyone in Denver with one they want to bring over?
     
  5. StageOne

    StageOne Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2018
    Likes Received:
    1,121
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    US
    Volume is decent for a standalone system, but if you have Roon, Ropiee is the way to go. Easy setup and config, takes less than 10 mins to have Roon running.
     
  6. allegro

    allegro Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2017
    Likes Received:
    637
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Florida
    I'm using custom Deca IEMs from Perfect Seal right now and I feel comfortable telling you the frequency response to my ears is very close to the unmodified HD800S with two exceptions 1) which is good, the Decas have more bass slam than the HD800S. I have to use a Loki to boost 20 Hz when listening to the Senns and 2) not so good the Decas do not have as much air around instruments and voices as the HD800S. Timbre on both is very close. The Decas are a very neutral CIEM @shotgunshane said in another thread they are what the Ultimate Ears Reference Remastered should have been. Hope this helps.
     
  7. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

    Staff Member Pyrate Flathead IEMW
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    6,304
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Clear, clear water
    Looking for an audio source a/b switcher, made with solid build quality, for some dac and amp testing. Any recommendations? I’m assuming, as passives with no volume control, they are all pretty much the same inside and price differences come down to build quality/aesthetics. Is this a fair assumption?
     
  8. ergopower

    ergopower Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2018
    Likes Received:
    815
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    South Central PA
    The Jabras work pretty well. I measured my mower at 85 dB. The Jabras attenuate that somewhat, maybe -15 dB w/foam tips? I set the volume of the headphones before the mower is on, then start it and off I go. I can hear the music well enough above the mower, and the headphones are really secure, no way these are coming off. So yeah, it's a good solution for < $20.
    Just for shits and giggles, I took them with me to the gym. Sat outside the Zumba room; instructor/music were 82 dB avg, 92 dB peak. Same deal, I could tune them out and listen to my music.
    I'm sure there are much better isolation/higher fidelity solutions out there, but not disposable like these are. I might go ahead and get another pair just to have a backup.
     
  9. penguins

    penguins Friend, formerly known as fp627

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2018
    Likes Received:
    3,451
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    SouthernCA
    Kind of a dumb question but I can't be the only one with this problem - anyone have any small and quiet desk fans that they use? I'm in a warm enough area and strongly prefer a cooler environment when relaxing or listening to music, I'm sure others here do too.

    Looking for a small desk fan that:
    1. Quiet + suitable for use with listening. Most fans and central AC too loud and kind of get in way of listening.
    2. Moves enough air, not a small 3-4" USB fan type thing.
    3. Has a small base (5" or less), small enough to fit on a window sill (so it can suck cool air in at night) or my bedside desk. - not mandatory, but nice.
    4. Is not a $300 Dyson circular fan - there are other better solutions at this point. Preferably under $100ish.

    Recent trips to usual suspects such as Costco, Target, Walmart, etc did not yield anything suitable.
     
    Last edited: Jul 14, 2019
  10. Mike_WI

    Mike_WI New

    Contributor
    Joined:
    May 5, 2018
    Likes Received:
    32
    Trophy Points:
    13
    Location:
    WI

    Big, but adjustable fan levels, etc. w/ remote:
    $100 - Ozeri 3x Tower Fan (44") with Passive Noise Reduction Technology
    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VZBM9IE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
    Used in a corner of an office for summer days.

    Another fan. Smaller. high/low fan speed and stationary or moving:
    $26 - Lasko 4000 Air Stik Ultra-Slim Oscillating Fan

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MFAOPY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
     
  11. penguins

    penguins Friend, formerly known as fp627

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2018
    Likes Received:
    3,451
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    SouthernCA
    Getting a 396a to 6DJ8/6922/ECC88 adapter. Does anyone have a specific recommendation for/against any particular one? I know in theory it should all be really simple and not really matter... but reality sometimes says otherwise.

    edit: "...sneezed solder inside..." thanks for notice aamefford. If anyone else is looking, Garage1217 had 396a to 6922 adapters.
     
    Last edited: Jul 15, 2019
  12. aamefford

    aamefford Nothing like chamberpot coffee

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,092
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Between SF and Sac
    I had a cheap one. I had occasion to disassemble it. It looked like someone sneezed solder inside. Go for a nicely made one. I think tubemonger or someone like that makes ‘em.
     
  13. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2015
    Likes Received:
    5,085
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Chicago, IL
  14. StageOne

    StageOne Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2018
    Likes Received:
    1,121
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    US
  15. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

    Pyrate Banned
    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,455
    Trophy Points:
    113
    I've never had any issues on my setup with noise, pops or clicks. And now out of nowhere I have subtle and occasions pops and clicks. I have a custom PC build with a very good psu and mobo. The pc and all audio gear is plugged into a Cyberpower 1500 with Sinewave.

    I'm pretty sure that this is a power issue in my home. But we are only going to be here for another six months so I'm really not willing to have it fixed. I'm using Modi Multibit as DAC with usb. Would an EITR or Wyrd possibly help? Or should I be looking at some power conditioner?
     
  16. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2017
    Likes Received:
    3,026
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Rapallo, Italy
    Do you have another usb source you could use to test, something that can run on a battery?

    Cause you need to figure out if it's dirty power going straight into the Modi or a USB problem.

    That aside, Jason said the eitrs and wyrds on sale right now are made with the last stock they have and they ain't making more, so maybe its worth picking an eitr up anyway.

    You could also try *not* hooking up your audio gear to the same ups as your pc, that should cut down on any power noise made the PC getting into your audio gear.
     
  17. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

    Pyrate Banned
    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,455
    Trophy Points:
    113
    I'll a little out of the loop. Why are they not making any more of these devices?
     
  18. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2015
    Likes Received:
    5,085
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Chicago, IL
    I'd assume because their new USB solution is around the corner (apparently once Windows 7 officially dies). I hope an updated Eitr is made and that Unison isn't just a card to be installed.
     
  19. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2017
    Likes Received:
    3,026
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Rapallo, Italy
    We'll see what happens.

    One of the goals with unison was so Mike could have an actually good usb solution that could be made small enough to fit in the small chassis products which currently can't - hence eitr.

    So if they manage that there's a good chance of no more products like that, esp since Jason said after the initial spile sales of eitr were kinda meh.
     
  20. DoubleY

    DoubleY New

    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2019
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Bulgaria
    Hi fellas!

    First post here for a new Valhalla 2 owner. Got my unit used and it came with some russian 6N6P and 6N1P tubes installed (not the stock ones). I'm totally new in the tube amp stuff, so please tell me if I'm wrong, but I think the tubes need replacing, cause I'm getting a distortion on higher volumes, which I didn't get on my old Magni 2 amp. Waited for the tubes to warm up (2-3 hours even), but the distortion doesn't go away. It's mainly present on low impedance headphones (DT770 32Ohm) and not that noticeable on high impedance ones (HD650). Again, no distortion whatsoever on either of these pairs of headphones on my Magni 2. So first question is - am I right by thinking the problem comes from the tubes and if yes, do I need to change both, or just the 6N1P pair?

    And now about tubes... from the little time going through some topics in different forums, searching for consensus about tubes that are liked by the majority of people who tried them, it seems that the JJ E88CC Gold Pins, or Genalex Gold Lion E88CC are some pretty decent options. I'm definitely planning to upgrade the russian ones that the unit came with, but am pretty low on budget, so getting a single decent pair would be enough for now. Here are some specific questions about the tubes in general:

    • Do I need to change both 6N6P and 6N1P to hear a noticeable difference in sound, or swapping the 6N1P only would be enough?
    • When buying a pair of tubes, is it necessary for them to be matched?
    • Does gold pins make a huge difference compared to regular ones on a same model tubes?
    • Is it advisable to buy NOS tubes, or it's better to find used ones? If used, what should I look for (how much time should they've been used at most)?
    • Definitely subjective, but if you were able to buy a single pair of Input tubes (budget ones), which do you think work best with the Valhalla 2 and bring the best out of the HD650 and HD800S (planning on buying those in the future lol)
    Thanks for reading and hopefully someone will reply to this wall of text :)

    P.S. Anyone selling a decent cheap pair of tubes in Europe? Bit broke atm, but would try to save up some funds for a buy.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.

Share This Page