The All Purpose Advice Thread

I'm in Taiwan and a colleague bought a box of these.
https://www.amazon.com/3M-Disposable-Particulate-Respirator-50-count/dp/B0076HIPCU

He gave me some to try and I've been wearing it in the underground parking lot at work as there are lots of scooters spewing exhaust. It doesn't do much for the gases as I can still smell the fumes (though they smell different), but at least I feel better about inhaling particulates. I drive everywhere, but if I walked a lot outside I'd be wearing it all the time.

The straps are tight and go over your head which is a bit of a PITA, but I've modded it so they hook over the ears and the fit is almost as snug. The convenience means I use it more often. I keep one in a zip lock bag in the pocket of my backpack.

 

I'm trying to find a cheap HD650 XLR cable. Unfortunatly, shipping and the exchange rate makes Periapt quite expensive to Aus ($120AUD). What do people think of the specs on this one from Aliexpress?

The other option is a basic one from Venture Electronics, although they got pretty bad reviews when the sold some through Drop:
Customized Cable
Connector Type : For HD6X0 2PIN
Plug Type : 4Pin XLR(Male)
Cable Model : VE Basic Black litz;
Braiding Method : wire*4;
Sleeve : No Sleeve; S
Length : 1.5M / 5FT ;
35.0 USD * 1 35.0 USD

 

The VE Litz cable is too cumbersome for me. Too stiff and somewhat low quality. Why not buy a spare Sennheiser cable and have it reterminated to XLR locally or DIY? I believe the spare original cable is around $20 on amazon.

 

I don't have the skills and don't know anyone local who does. They had some like that on eBay but they were expensive. But looks like I've found one at a good price from eBay Europe.

 

Hello! I'm the proud owner of a Focal Elex and I'm thinking about upgrading my amp. For reference, I currently own a Schiit Magni 3 and JDS atom, as well as a topping D10 dac. I'm looking for something that will smooth out the sound a bit, bring vocals forward somewhat, and increase the bass quantity. I'm considering the following amps:

Asgard 3
Cavalli Tube Hybrid
Vali 2
Valhalla 2
Liquid Carbon X
Lyr 3

My budget is 300 dollars, and I'm very willing to look at used items! I'm especially interested in the Asgard 3 after reading through most of the thread about it here, but I'm not sure whether it will pair well with the Elex. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

This topic has been discussed before, including in this thread. Here’s my last response, which includes links to other resources that may be helpful: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...purpose-advice-thread.19/page-419#post-272729.

 

THanks, I haven't seen that yet, and I suppose I didn't do adequate research. Thank you very much.

 

A very newbie question, I have one DAC and 2 amps, I notice when switching the RCA cables from one amp to the other that the rca jacks are starting to show a bit of wear. Is it advised to get a couple of RCA adapters to use or are there other preferred methods to link 1 dac to 2 amps? Thanks in advance

 

Cheapo route is Y cables: https://www.amazon.com/Mediabridge-ULTRA-RCA-Y-Adapter-Inches/dp/B005DL2OVE

More expensive route is a preamp, lots of price points and choices there, see

https://www.schiit.com/products/sys
https://www.goldpt.com/sa2.html
https://www.schiit.com/products/freya-s

and look at some of the threads around here.

 

I'm building a second rig for my office. I want to run my thinking by you all to see if you think it's reasonable.
At home I have Modi 3 > Asgard 3. Headphones are currently HD650k and Aeon Flow Open. I'm currently considering selling the AFO and trying the Focal Elex but don't know that will happen.

I have a Topping D30 DAC in the office. I will upgrade that down the track (Airest R2R or Modi Multibit) but need an amp first. I want it to be balanced (want to try balanced and have a cable for the HD650 ow) and SS (don't want to mess with tubes and want to leave it on all the time). I also want it give me the flexibility to work with new headphones down the track.

The options I'm considering are:
> THX789 (a bit above my preferred budget new and scarce down here used, would have to wait to find)
> SMSL SP200 (less nice esthetics/build and potentially reliability and support)
> Jotunheim (more prevalent used, nice build/aesthetics)

I'm leaning towards the Jot and getting a post-revision one. I feel like it's warmth will make it a bit more flexible and they come up used reasonabley often.

Does this sound reasonable? Should I hold off and wait for a used 789? Any other options I've not considered?

 

I would try the Focal Elex before selling the AFO. I love the Elex, but it has a very particular sound signature, and I think it's love or hate for a lot of people. It has a very aggressive, forward, punchy sound signature, and I can find it fatiguing in long listening sessions. But when you want to hear something 'fun' and 'lively', it's a great headphone.

 

I found the same thing comparing the Elear (I believe Elex is Elear with Clear pads) and the AFO. The Elear was very in-your-face, screaming for attention, and I immediately thought it would be fatiguing long-term. The AFO was much more laid back, but there are many people who call it "boring" as a result.

If you like the AFO, the Elex might be so different it may not be to your taste.

 

Yeah I am aware the Elex is very different. I enjoy both signatures but figured I have laid back covered with the HD650.

 

Well you need a passive or active preamp ideally. Sys is two inputs one output, reverse of what you need. Take a look at the passive Tisbury. I evaluated one and liked it ... good value. I did prefer the Saga tube stage though. I don't know of a lower cost good option than the Tisbury if Saga is too expensive. You could look for a used Saga.

 

You need to tell us a little more. How are you currently controlling the volume? Are you already using a preamp of some kind, or does the DAC have an integrated preamp with volume control?

The simple solution is Y cables as @ogodei suggested (turn off the amp that isn't in use). Another solution is an RCA switch box:
https://vetco.net/products/2-way-stereo-audio-rca-switch-box
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071ZDGVG2/

 

Could you recommend a "next step" headphone amp for the Sennheiser HD6XX?
Which one is a way better than the Atom/Loxjie P20?
Is there any option for 300$?
I know about the Bottlehead Crack but do not want to build that myself.

 

If you can find one used, a Schiit Valhalla 2 will get you a $300 option. Not sure what the prices are for a new Valhalla 2 in Hungary, might be $50 or so more.

If you don't want a Schiit amp, then I'm not sure what to recommend. But I would advise you to stick with a tube amplifier with the 6XX as its better than lower priced solid state in my experience.

 

If you don't mind buying 2nd handed, they (crack) appear every now and then for sale. The problem is that they usually go higher than 300€.

Have you tried a Vali 2?

 

A Crack is pretty simple to build, don't let that scare you away. If you really don't want to spend an evening building it I would also recommend a Valhalla 2.

 

I'm not sure if it will cost more than $300 to purchase it in Hungary but the Massdrop Cavalli Tube Hybrid is another nice option, although I can't comment on it vs. the Valhalla 2. See here and, in particular, the review by @Hands: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/massdrop-cavalli-tube-hybrid-amp.4866/. The ZDT Jr. is arguably better, if you can find a used one that doesn't have the problem with the hum. Given your location, perhaps you might consider the "Shortest Way" amp: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...test-way-amp-impressions-simple-set-amp.8042/? Again, see what @Hands has to say: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...test-way-amp-impressions-simple-set-amp.8042/