The All Purpose Advice Thread

I just want to say thanks to everyone that offered suggestions to me a few weeks ago. After the advice here, I replaced my Mac Mini with an Allo DigiOne Signature / Uptone LPS1.2. I wasn't expecting much, but it ended up being a nice surprise. I found that the noise floor was substantially lowered and the resolution/imaging got better. I didn't even bother spending a lot of time with an A/B comparison because it was such a clear improvement.

I'm not sure how much of this might be due to the Adagio performing better with an SPDIF input, or if the DigiOne is a much better transport than the Mac Mini, but either way I'm happy with the end result. I'm guessing it's a combination of the two factors.

Thanks again for the help!

 

Have you tried the age old trick of taping a few pieces of toilet paper in front of the tweeter? It works wonders and costs virtually nothing to try.

 

I’ve found most of the Schiit DACs to be forward sounding. At least to my ears.

I have tried the Bifrost, Bifrost MB, Gungnir, Gungnir MB and Modi MB. I’ve also spent a few hours with an Yggdrasil. I would describe all of those as a lil forward. Especially the Multibit DACs.

Maybe a diff DAC from a diff brand would help. I quite like my PS Audio Directstream. I think it very much has the “smoother” or more “analog” or more “liquid” or whichever adjective you are looking for.

I replaced the Gungnir MB with the PS in my primary 2 Chan setup with specifically the same goals you are describing. I would strongly suggest you look at the Directstream Senior or Junior.

 

Existing gear:

• HE500
• Lyr 3
• Bifrost MB
• Dynalo
• HD650

I love the HD650's with the Dynalo and the Lyr 3. My biggest contention is the brigtness of the HE500's. I lpve the space, it they can be harsh and fatiguing after awhile. I am trying some NOS tubes, but just not doing it total justice, even with the new peoduction Tung-Sol, which actually sounds more mid-centric than NOS tubes.

Debating to chuck the Lyr 3 for a more lush amp,,or chuck the HE500's for LCD2C's.

Budget around $550 since sale of either amp or phones would only need a little more to make up the difference.

Basically are the HE500's with keeping around?

And yes, I have the hybrid slanted pads.

 

So...

I got a used Shunyata Research Guardian 2 HTAV. I had originally intended to use it on my source components (Gungnir MB, Bryston BDP-1 and Lyngdorf DPA-1).

It was a bit more convenient to start it off on my Odyssey Stratos monos. I haven't compared dynamics but the clarity whenn used used there did seem to improve. I could hear a bit more detail in various pieces of music and reverb was clearer.

I then did try it on the Gungnir and DPA-1 (after a day or two) and the sound took a hit. It got a bit foggier, softer. I put the Shunyata back on the amps and the clarity came back.

My assumption going in was that the Shunyata would make more difference on sources but it was quite the opposite.

Is my experience flying in the face of common experience?

 

Does it need to do more than play CD's? https://www.ebay.com/c/1124605138
Fancier with usb playback: https://www.amazon.com/Teac-301-Player-Tuner-USB/dp/B018AJRWDA/

 

Can anyone recommend a good place to get inexpensive, high-quality headphone cables? I need to recable my girlfriend's K553 since the cat decided her cable was a chew toy, and my previous go-to cable vendor (ImpactAudioCables) seems to have permanently closed up shop. When I say inexpensive, I just mean it doesn't need to be a fancy audiophile cable costing $$$ -- we're talking about a mid-fi headphone being driven straight out of a Macbook Pro from back when they had headphone jacks -- but I'd still like something that's well made.

 

Any decent toslink to coax converts that won't break the bank? Is that even something that should be attempted (avoid massive amounts of shitsmear/fuckery)?

 

Would something like the Pioneer DVD-V7400 fit the bill? I don't own one, but I think @sheldaze does. Pretty compact, can be had on flea bay for about $50-60.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mogami-289...utrik-Gold-Minixlr-3-5-Miniklink/143126773907 No experience with the seller, but the parts look to be good.

 

Back in the day I wanted one of these so bad.. Denon UD-M30.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Denon-CD-Receiver-UD-M30-Compact-Disc-CD-Receiver-Amplifier/254327012595

 

There's a head-fi thread on small transports: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/small-cd-transport.593498/
It's an old thread and many items mentioned have been discontinued, but you can check eBay.

Here's a spendy one:
https://www.amazon.com/Olasonic-nanocompo-NANO-CD1-Transport-Platinum/dp/B00D0H54OM/
https://www.amazon.com/Olasonic-NANO-COMPO-transport-black-NANO-CD1B/dp/B00GOJA58I/

 

It may feel intimidating when you read from members here who have years of expertise, but before you give up on Sol, watch the setup video and see if it is actually more than you want to deal with.

 

Very newbie question. I'm getting an amp and headphones in before my DAC arrives. Any issues connecting my amp to the following sources?

1. PC lineout
2. ZX300 line out
3. Geekout V2A line out

edit: Found an answer - with firmware 2.1 on the GO, volume all the way up activates the lineout (indicated by green light).

 

May be i asked wrongly at another thread so i am just seeking help again.
Is there a headphone that is close to the B&K target curve without the need
of physical mods or EQ?
From a little search i have done the HD650 is close but lacking in bass.

 

Any of the Regas would be good. I have a Rega P6, which I love. Is about $2k. I also have a Jolida JD9 mkii phono stage which I believe is about $700. It’s a great combo.

Also, I think the Rega phonostages are supposed to be good, but I’ve never owned one.