The All Purpose Advice Thread

@YMO, what headphone(s)?

 

Maybe still dibbling in Senns and some ZMF. Dunno, I'm still pretty open to things about life....

 

In addition to BHA-1, HeadAmp GS-X mini (not GS-X mkii), which is in a similar price range. Top notch solid state with a hint of warmth. There are also the Phonitor X and Benchmark HPA-4, which are more divisive here. If I didn’t own a 3F, I would be looking seriously into the mini.

 

@YMO , McIntosh MHA100/150. This one does have XLR in. But it is a SE amp. It has impedance settings, so it can work with high-Z dynamics and you can take advantage of the speaker taps for running planars.

- You probably have this on your shortlist already, the ECP DSHA-3.

- Then you have the Vioelectric V281. Violectric has a high-end brand called the Niimbus, and they have an amp icalled the US 4.

- Then you have Bal amps from Mass Kobo. They make some really good shit. They released a new model called the 393 for around $2.7k. Their other models are quite expensive. The next model in their line-up 394, runs for about $5.7k. Then there is their flagship 406 coming in at $19k, and the special edition of the same for $27k.

- Luxman P-750u is good if you could find one for around $2.5k.

- One of the guys I know, owns a Bakoon amp and uses it for his headphones. But I have never asked him about it, but you could look it up.

 

Any suggestion for a good power strip that doesn’t cost $2000? I don’t need anything large, three to six outlets would be fine.

 

Idk if it is "audiophile" enough but I use one of these

https://www.amazon.com/Belkin-12-Ou...HP0KSCTZXRR&psc=1&refRID=EMNSWVTNQHP0KSCTZXRR

 

http://www.cullencable.com/gold-series-power-box-6-outlet-receptacle-strip/

I have two of these. no filtering/MOV inside, just copper wire to pass&seymour receptacles. you can probably ask him to make it for you with a regular power cable if you don't want the fancy audiophile one

 

this is great, thank you. If He can make one with an angled three prong plug It’ll be perfect.

 

+1 for no surge protection.

Gonna get the 4 outlet one, thanks man! There was another office surplus strip I think @philipmorgan recommended a long time ago but I can't find the post. Oh well.

 

These do have balanced inputs.

 

@rlow Hegel H120 arrived yesterday and I’m very happy with it so far. For a desktop system it’s exactly what I was looking for. It’s compact, runs cool, and sounds great. Right now I have the Bifrost 2 connected to it but I’ll try the DAC and streaming features this weekend.

It does have a hint of warmth, but compared to the Yamaha it’s neutral. Super clean with no veil, even with the warmer sounding bifrost 2 connected. Makes me curious about their higher end products.

 

When you get a chance, you should post some impressions over in the power amp thread (including any thoughts compared to the Yamaha):

https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/solid-state-power-amp-adventures.3789/

 

You did say strip not conditioner!

Here is what I use for two monoblock Pass amps. No crappy movs, no cheap ass chokes, no electronic readout boards to add noise, just multiple sockets to draw clean uncompressed power from the wall. Keep the circuit clean and you are good to go.

https://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-Outlet-Office-PS6/dp/B00006B83E

 

I have been very happy with my Brickwall Surge Protector / Filter: https://www.brickwall.com/collectio...v/products/eight-outlet-audio-surge-protector

After a night of listening tests with my setup plugged straight into the wall and then the Brickwall, I detected no damage to sound quality. Having surge protection helps me sleep at night.

 

500$
https://www.adorama.com/ifipowersion.html

 

Have you used it? It seems a bit pricy for what it is.

 

no I dont need a power strip, but the the guys asked for a powerstrip that doesnt cost 2000$. clearly the im sure the ifi powerblock does everything nedded in a power bar

 

Hello. Has anyone compared the original Schiit Mani as a moving coil preamp with the latest rev? I just received a Denon DL-103D and am using it with the original.....I also have a 750 frankenphono which works well with my Denon DL-110 and Dynavector 10x5, but with resistance loading (100 ohm) and using it with the 103 doesn't sound as crisp as my Mani. Wondering if the new mani is an improvement.......thanks.

 

Dear everyone,

I would like to improve my desktop setup with first buying a new DAC (currently I have a Topping D30). I prefer musicality, non-analitic music with rich and fast and punchy deeps. I usually listen to EDM.

My requirements:

• max. 1100 EUR, can be purchased within the EU
• Works with Linux like a charm
• It has USB HID (digital) volume control
• I only need a DAC (if it has headphone amp too fine but I have dedicated HP amp: as of now an Alex Cavalli Liquid Carbon X, in the far future probably I'll pursuade myself to buy a nice Woo Audio tube amp)
• Fully Balanced, XLR outputs to my HP amp
• RCA outputs to my power amp
• nice to have: similar funcionality/customizability as the RME ADI-2

I would have already bought an RME ADI-2 DAC fs but it does not provides USB HID volume control which is a deal breaker for me. Mytek Brooklyn dac+ would be good but it is way too expensive.

Would you give me a few recommendation?

 

I could use someone to set me straight.

Okay, so... I have the RME Babyface Pro FS. Its TotalMix software, drivers, and latency are incredible. It has been 100% rock solid for me. No dropouts, no driver issues, no power issues, etc.

But I don't love how it sounds. It sounds good, but not top shelf. My IEMs are nigh unlistenable from the 3.5mm jack (grainy and thin). I temporarily have an AK4493 ADI-2 DAC and I like how my IEMs sound from it (and the speakers, but to a slightly lesser extent).

I don't want to pay so much for a the ADI-2 x for an IEM output and remote control over my Dynaudio monitors.

The MOTU UltraLite-mk4 seems like it might do most of what I want in a single package.

Here are my needs:

• Low latency guitar interface
• Decent mic preamp with 48V
• Very good sound as a DAC in front of powered monitors or a headphone amp
• Preferable: Good headphone out for IEMs. Not mandatory.

My budget is definitely under $2k, preferably under $1k. If it meets my needs in totality, I'd offload my Babyface Pro FS, thus recovering a good chunk of change to apply toward an all-in-one solution.

Have any thoughts? I'm willing to grab the MOTU if only to compare if it's a solid option.