The All Purpose Advice Thread

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

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  1. yotacowboy

    yotacowboy McRibs Kind of Guy

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    If you can tolerate the quirks of the iFi Nano BL it's a pretty clear step up from my Leckerton UHA-6S. It isn't the most resolving with HD600 compared to a big boy desktop/rack solution (or SW51, even), but it does surprisingly well with Focal Elex and Andro OG. The iFi Nano BL gets the midrange and especially the upper midrange really right with a bit warmish tonal tilt, but it lacks sub-40Hz muscle. The line out (not surprisingly) keeps much of the sound signature, so I think a lot of its sound is inherent to the DAC/filters. Using it (just for fun) in my speaker rig with mid-centric AN speakers, it was a little too warm and gooey vs. Yggdrasil A2. But more caramel sauce gooey than chocolate sauce gooey. Anyhow, for a portable USB DAC/amp that'll at least keep me happy if I'm traveling or on the go with the above HPs, I'd say the iFi is worth auditioning. PM me as I might be inclined to send mine out if you want to take a listen, since the little fella has been sitting unused for the last little while.
     
  2. econaut

    econaut Almost "Made"

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    Thanks for the quick reply. I ordered a Vovox AES cable with 110Ω now, to play it safe. Who knows, maybe it sounds even better then.
     
  3. DrForBin

    DrForBin Friend

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    hello,
    two things, or maybe three.
    1) i am concluding that i will not be able to build cables in this lifetime. i am, nearly, "terribly strange to be seventy." i think if i try, i will solder my fingers together.
    2) does anyone here have an opinion of these folks? https://hartaudiocables.com i like that their products are modular. the ability to mix and match is very appealing. i could solve a lot of my cable CDO with this approach.
    3) does anyone know what happened (is happening) with Brian Gotto and BTG Audio? i enjoyed his site, his self-effacement , his commitment to US parts, and the fact that he was willing, (for a while), to convert AKG's to balanced.
    thanks all!
     
  4. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    It appears Brian Goto just decided to shutter immediately after he graduated from college in 2019. Unfortunately, according to HF threads, it seems he just left orders in-completed after taking money and people having had shipped headphones to him. I always liked Brian; it’s a real shame BTG Audio ended this way.
     
  5. Climber

    Climber Facebook Friend

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    I had a Hart Audio cable with my Beyer DT 177X GO. Didn't care for the headphone, but really liked the cable. Very nice build quality and easier to maneuver/manipulate than the Periapt cable I use with my Argons (thinner and more flexible.) I rarely took advantage of the modular terminations, but was really nice to have the options occasionally.
     
  6. Coldplayer

    Coldplayer New

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    Hi guys, wondering if anyone here's heard the 230HAD, i've got an opportunity to buy one used for about 850 USD, wondering how it'd be compared to if i got a modius + magnus or modius + asgard 3.
    Will be running HD800S's off them. I couldn't find many reviews putting them against any modern stuff.

    Cheers,
     
  7. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I don't think many folks have heard the Moon Audio stuff, namely because of their high retail price points - folks end up getting the more exotic stuff from the boutique vendors here. I have heard good things about Moon Audio amps, but I have not heard one myself. The virus thing has only made this more difficult.
     
  8. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    I heard the 230HAD before the lockdown with some LCD-XC's and it was a good match. Meaning, it likely would not be a good match for HD800's. The amp and presentation was a bit on the bright side and very peaky. Which helped with the low end the LCD-XC's could provide. On some LCD-3's, that low end went away and just sounded etchy. Simaudio is one of those ORFAS, meaning you are not getting much bang for your buck. I think the casing cost more than what's inside.

    I'd think an Asgard 3 with a Modi 3+ has a TON of value and would be a better match. Check the updated HD800 amp thread for more: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/best-amps-for-hd800-2021-edition.10330/

    PS - ORFAS = Old Ritch Farts Audio Society
     
  9. ohshitgorillas

    ohshitgorillas Friend

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    I posted something similar a while back and didn't get much response so I'll try again here, being more concise this time

    In the very near future, I'm going to be taking a job that will have me traveling about half of the year. I'd really like a pair of custom IEMs, but I'm nervous because I'm extremely picky about IEM sound quality.

    I want something that is...
    • smooth, especially up top. anything that can be described as bright, hard, peaky, aggressive, etc. with respect to treble or upper mids is a non-starter. dark, rolled treble with no extension is almost as bad. I want something that has extension and clarity without harshness.
    • coherent, I listen to a lot of metal and so maintaining detail and separation during very busy, chaotic passages is critical
    • natural, organic, realistic timbre
    • I will stab anyone who recommends IEMs with recessed mids. the sound of recessed mids drives me crazy, it's so bad. mid-forward sound isn't much better, but at least it's not offensive to my sensibilities.
    • I'm not super picky about bass, as long as it doesn't suck and has decent extension/texture and is at least even with the midrange, with no bleed/bloat, I'll be ok. a tasteful bass boost above the mids is ok, neutral is ok too.
    • it bears mentioning again that it's really important these headphones maintain their coherence in the face of really intense, chaotic music

    IEMs I've owned and didn't hate:
    • Etymotics ER4S - my pair have a busted right barrel, but I miss them. I got the ER4XR and they're good, but don't quite scratch the itch. not exactly the sound I'm going for, but I appreciate them for their transparency, honesty, and speed.
    • Moondrop KXXS - these are great in so many areas, but what gets me about them is the boosted upper mids. during really busy passages with lots of crashes and hi-hats, I get some breakup in the upper mids/lower treble that drives me crazy. otherwise, I'd praise these for having smooth treble, and good detail retrieval, if a bit thin sounding.
    • Aurisonics ASG-1+ - Almost neutral, slightly rolled treble and slightly boosted bass with full mids. sort of like an IEM version of the OG LCD2, which I was a fan of. I like the way that these are tuned, but they leave some to be desired when it comes to clarity and resolve.

    Preferably below $800 but can stretch to $1200 if necessary.

    Cheers, and thanks in advance to anyone who has recommendations!
     
  10. lcmusiclover

    lcmusiclover Friend

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    To be clear, you want recommendations for Custom, not Universal IEMs, correct?

    Penon Volt is offered as a Universal or Custom, and Custom is only $80 more ($880 vs $800).

    I'm actually quite intrigued by the Volt. I might get a Universal unit, and then, if I love the sound, sell and replace with a custom unit. Waiting to see how much I love my IT07 when it arrives (eventually, as USPS seems to be taking it on a tour of all 50 states (New Jersey ==> Florida ==> Ohio ==> ??? where next ???).

    There are companies who will re-shell many Universal IEM models -- you might look into that if you have a Universal IEM you like the sound of but want the custom fit. Caveat is that I have no idea how re-shelling affects the original sound of the IEM -- probably depends on the IEM and the re-sheller.

    I think you'll find your 'below $800' will limit your choices. The two 'low-end-ist' UE customs come in under that. The rest are higher/much higher. Same with Audio64. Empire Ears and JHA have a few models in that price range, but again, their top models are much higher.

    GLTY!
     
  11. lcmusiclover

    lcmusiclover Friend

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    Forgot to mention that Westone has several CIEM models in your price range.
     
  12. FlySweep

    FlySweep Friend

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    Unsure if you're limiting your search to domestics.. but I've had my eye on these for a while..

    PEARS SH-3
    https://www.p-ear-s.ch/shop/sh-3/
     
  13. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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    UERM? If @BrettMatthews still has his customs, you should be able to get them re-shelled and still be way under budget...

    https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/fs-uerm’s.9744/
     
  14. Coldplayer

    Coldplayer New

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    Thanks for the reply mate, just wondering if the modi 3+ or modius would be better to stack with the asgard?

    Cheers
     
  15. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    Modius SE output is exactly the same as Modi 3+. Modius adds balanced output which Asgard does not use. So Modi 3+.
     
  16. PipHelix

    PipHelix New

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    Back in October, I pulled the proverbial trigger and bought what I thought would be some endgame stuff from Schiit: Freya+, Aegir, Bifrost. Unfortunately, I still haven’t received my order from them and that has gotten me wondering: is that really the gear I need or would other Schiit gear suit my context better?

    From an old system, all I’m keeping is a pair of Omega Super Alnico floor standers with an advertised 94.5db sensitivity and I want to build around them.

    Would a Saga+ and a Vidar be a good match for these speakers? Or would Aegir be better? Also, which Schiit DAC to complete the trio?

    My listening room is 10’x15’ with a 10’ ceiling. I live in an old building with millions of sound leaks, and I have an 11 month old in the house so loud listening isn’t a priority or an option. However, clarity and good bass and all that other fun stuff is.
     
  17. ohshitgorillas

    ohshitgorillas Friend

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    Thanks (and to everyone else who replied), I think I will just wait until I can make the budget more like $2k, I should be getting a fat starting bonus sooner than later. I also know I'll be traveling to Beijing for a while sometime this year, I'm sure there will be somewhere I can try a whole range of universals in person. I might pick up a $300-400 universal in the meantime...
     
  18. jaker782

    jaker782 Friend

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    I'd second the Penon Volt recommendation. I think it checks all of your boxes. I own the universal version and it has really curbed my desire to upgrade or try something else. Best mids I've heard in an iem combined with a non-fatiguing but well extended treble and punchy bass. It has a natural, organic, euphoric tonality that makes you listen to the music and not the iem.

    In the $400 range I'd pick up a used Sony IER-M7. Great mids, non-fatiguing treble, very comfortable, light weight shells good for long listening sessions.
     
  19. jnak00

    jnak00 Friend

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    With both my wife and I working from home for the foreseeable future, we bought a small desk for one of us to use. It's small enough that I've had to pull out my old pair of Bowers and Wilkins MM-1 computer speakers to use - they are very compact and space is at a premium on this desk. They sound reasonably good, although overly processed, with music. However, with phone calls/Teams/Zoom, they are terrible. Voices sound muffled and we have to crank the volume on them to try and understand what people are saying. Our shitty laptop speakers handle voice much better than these! Any thoughts on why this might be?
     
  20. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    I have about the same issue with my B&W DM601 S3's connected to my TV. Music sounds great, but voices get lost. I had them downstairs hanging on the wall next to the TV above the fireplace. I thought it was because they were positioned incorrectly and perpendicular with the wall and much too high. So I put them in the bedroom where they would be more at ear level, and that did not help. Still, wonderfull bass for a small speaker and the depth is amazing with music, but voices get lost. Like there is a hole in the midrange. I am about to sell them and get something else, I just don't know with what yet myself - maybe some Minimus 7's.

    Shitty laptop speakers are essentially in the voice range, which is why they stand out. Kind of like a bright AM radio, but it works.
     
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