The All Purpose Advice Thread - Part 2

Not exactly the same, but I have a pair of Sony WF-1000XM3 earbuds that were terrible on windows. A lot of stuttering and rapid cutting in/out of the signal. I ended up having to buy a Bluetooth dongle, and that fixed the problem, and they're my go-to for when there's a lot of noise around. For $20 dollars or so, and the option to return, it might be a cheaper thing to try first.

...unless, you're looking for an excuse to upgrade, in which case, carry on.

 

If you simply like the Beyer house sound, why not the DT1770 or an Amiron Wireless?

 

Another closed to consider is the Ollo closed - neutral sound and maybe a little bass light compared to the mini-C. I also found the mini-C warmer than the Ollo. Personally, I generally preferred the Mini-C sound signature, but I found the isolation very lacking... more like a semi-open than a closed set of cans... and my use case needed the isolation so I ended up with the Ollo's (paired with a modded modi multibit 1 and a piety).

 

Anyone have any portable-ish dac+amp combo suggestions in the ~300-500 price range? I'm looking for a unit to schlep back and forth to the office. Can't leave anything there that isn't bolted down so will be plugging/unplugging daily and taking home daily.

- usb input
- preferably a combo unit since I'm lazy and don't want to plug things in and out a bunch
- small desktop unit/stack or portable
- travel friendly (e.g. no exposed tubes)
- driving a pair of LFF Enigmas, not terribly difficult to drive, but dont mind more power for future flexibility

Considering maybe something like a Schiit hel, jds atom stack, iFi Gryphon (or stretching budget for a used diablo?).

Curious if anyone here has impressions on the most recent JDS Element 3s and/or the power-boosted variant. From search I see people here weren't a fan of the earlier iteration

 

iFi portables get good reviews here. I have a Micro Black Label that does very well for me using either HD6XX or Elex. Being battery powered, you wouldn't need to plug it in; it will last more than a work day, recharge it at home. There is now a signature version, plus Diablo and I think another one (or more). Micro Black Label you might find used for $250-ish

 

My 6XX's right cup is dying intermittent cutoffs. It's 100% the 6XX as I've changed headphone cables, swapped dac sides (swapped l/r), and changed amps. The 6XX is from the original first drop. Is there anything else that I should consider at around the same price range (currently $199 at drop) or should I just get another pair? I was quite happy with them.

 

I'd start by troubleshooting the socket/jack on the cup and carefully checking continuity between the jack and the flying voice coil leads and springs in the capsule. You can also check the voice coil itself for correct impedance and continuity with a multimeter. If replacement capsules or drivers are available, perhaps reach out to Drop, or Senn US, or www.audiosanctuary.co.uk.

 

I would like to get a tube amp at under $1,000 -- something that pairs well with both HD6XX/HD800S and with the HE1000SE. Besides the Quicksilver Headphone Amp and the Woo WA6SE, anything else I should be considering? And if you have thoughts on those two, I'd welcome those as well.

 

Lyr+. Shortest Way 51+ should do very well with the Senns, you'd need to ask around about the HE1000SE's. I've seen people using it with other Hifiman's, but not those.

 

For my Bathys, I want to buy a Lightning to USB-C cable that is about 1-1.5m/3-5ft long and includes whatever chip is required so that don’t have to use the Apple camera adapter.

Any hints on where to buy such a thing (preferably in Europe if possible)? Internet searches only reveal thousands of charging or data cables that are not suitable for connecting a DAC, or very short cables like the one I bought at Cayin for the RU6.

 

My current desk DAC/amp setup is a Gungnir Multibit, Unison USB, hooked up to a Mjolnir 2. I like the way it sounds. The Gungnir Multibit to me is more important to the sound I like than the Mjolnir 2, since I don't actually spend a lot of time listening with headphones lately and mostly use my LSR305, which are volume controlled through a JBL Nano Patch to avoid needing to have the Mjolnir 2 on just to work as a preamp. When the Mjolnir 2 is driving headphones, it's either my HD800S or HD600.

What I don't like is how large the desktop footprint is, and I have to admit, aesthetically, I'd prefer black colored gear over the silver gear I have now. I see that Schiit has released a lot of new stuff now, but I haven't really kept up with the details of everything, and I know there's other stuff out there, too.

So my question is, is there something with a smaller footprint that would achieve a comparable sound, with more emphasis on the Schiit multibit DAC sound than the Mjolnir 2's contributions? Price range would ideally be in the range of what I could get by selling the Gungnir Multibit/Mjolnir 2 at maximum.

 

I’ve got a Gungnir MB A1 and a Bifrost 2 OG, and can barely tell a difference between the two, so Bifrost might be the way to go. Used, the my can be found around $500. If you have a Gungnir A2, the Bifrost 2 OG may be a bit warmer than you’re used to, though. I personally use a Modi MB (original, not the 2) on my desk, and like it, but it’s got a different, rounder and more diffuse presentation than either of the other two. Can’t say how a Bifrost 2/64 or Modi Multibit 2 would compare.

 

BF2 on the DAC side. Amp side you wont find anything with a smaller footprint that has the qualities of the MJ2 IMO. But Lyr 3 might be close enough.

 

interested in getting bf2 og as backup DAC, loved my former gungnir a1, can you describe the slight differences you do hear?

 

The Gungnir Multibit A1 for me is just less engaging than Bifrost. I felt like the Bifrost punched just a little bit harder, had slightly more dynamic transients, and a little more oomph and texture in the bass, but I can’t really say that with certainty. Otherwise, they both have the same wide/deep Schiit multi it sound, and the clean and warm presentation. Only thing I know is with the Bifrost, I wanted to sit and listen, and could get lost for hours. With Gungnir, I usually wanted to turn it off after half an hour, even after it was on and running for weeks. The Gungnir is just a little sleepy, while the Bifrost 2 has a bit of energy and gumption.

Gungnir Multibit did that to me in both my speaker systems - one is balanced, so it gave Gungnir Multibit a fair shake to shine. Now Gungnir Multibit is with a Liquid Platinum/LCD-2 and I like it, but I’ve also found I don’t hear differences in sources on headphones like I do on speakers.

 

Yeah, it's Analog 1, so that sounds perfect.
I have a Modi Multibit too, currently unused, that I used to use at my desk at work. It sounds different for sure; still good, but not as good to me as the Gungnir Multibit.

Good to hear another vote for the new Bifrost. That's looking like a really solid option.

Thanks for the replies! I'll have to do some more research on amps it seems. Size-wise it seems that the current Jot, Magnius, Valhalla, & Lyr would all stack well with the Bifrost. Valhalla is out because I'm not looking to go OTL.

 

Can I leave my headphones plugged into my Eddie Current Balancing Act while turning it on or powering it down? I've been doing the thing where you plug them in after powering on and unplug before powering off, but am I just needlessly wearing out the 4-pin XLR jack?

Craig hates being emailed, but I know there are many Eddie Current amp owners here, so I figure someone just knows.

 

Oh boy, not only CAN you, but you SHOULD have a load (your hp) plugged into a tube amp BEFORE plugging it into the mains or flipping the power switch.

This is both best practice today for the safety of your amp & conventional wisdom going back over 70 years now...

 

Thank you. I will try with cheaper headphones first just to be sure...

I had an original Schiit lyr back in the day that could literally break sensitive headphones left plugged into it. I talked about this on changstar before and anaxilus was like, "well, it's just headphones 101 that they should be unplugged". Fast-forward to today, and my Schiit Jotunheim 2 has temp-controlled relays to prevent the issues the lyr had, so please understand my confusion!

Edit:
I should have included this before: I also own a shortest way 51+ I use with grado's. Does anyone here with a similar setup just leave their cans plugged in?