The All Purpose Advice Thread

I concur with @PoochZag on MSR7, it doesn't strike me as neutral but bright, although resolution certainly seems good.
Tonally, I think HP50 is a safer and more neutral-warm choice. Having said that, I place tone above resolution.
Haven't heard the PM3 but it gets recommended so much that it's worth an audition at least.

 

I would recommend auditioning the Audio Technica ESW990H and ES770H. These are pretty portable and I feel it sounds much better than the MSR7 $ for $.

 

Oooo, those are smex. Very stylish in a much more Japanese way. Wasn't aware of them. I've had my ears on the MSR7's for portables at some point, but I may have to reconsider when I get back on that road. How do the two compare tonally?

 

Anyone know a quality but afforadable custom speaker stand manufacturer? I know Sound Anchors but I don't feel like spending $600 for stands.

 

Here's my post from the 4 way portable dap thread:

http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...ootout-w-andromeda-iem.2252/page-5#post-65876

Addining to the above:

ES770(more neutral) is not inferior to ESW990H(warmer), it just a different sound signature, both have the same fun bass, sweet silky vocal reproduction but just the ES770 has more air while the ESW990H has more timbre presentation. On the internet forums, it seems Audio Technica is renoun for vocal reproduction, but in my own listening, I find that not all Audio Technica has excellent vocal reproduction, but in the case of ES770 & ESW990H, they do indeed have excellent vocal reproduction(especially female).

 

Hi SBAF
any recommendation to upgrade from a Lyr 2 to drive Audeze LCDs? Would Mjo2 be a significant step forward or should I keep my money to get something "really better"? Budget limit is 1,5K.
I can get a good deal on a Cavalli Crimson but I'm not sure my ears will approve the 700€ price difference vs. a new Mjo 2 or 1200€ vs. Lyr 2
Really tempted by EC BW too but seems to be difficult to get.
DAC is Mojo.
No golden ears here.
Thanks a bunch

 

What do you find lacking about the Lyr 2? I found it lacked microdynamics, sounded a bit muddy in the mids, but had great slam and power depending on tube combos. Mjo2 is balanced, which won't benefit you right away, but should also provide more clarity and detail over the Lyr 2. Haven't heard the cavalli, but resale value seems to hold better on schiit products. Plus you could get the Mjo / mojo combo and confuse the hell out of everyone when talking about either.

 

Deleted.

 

Asgard 2 developed slight transformer hum from my listening position a few feet away but then I noticed a couple wall warts were humming but only when I put my ear up to them. How do I determine if it's my place or a bad transformer in the amp?

 

So evil...

 

Anyone aware of a standalone DAC with balanced XLR outs, USB and Toslink inputs, and a relatively small footprint (around the size of Bifrost or smaller)? I don't have the space for a Gungnir, and it's overkill for my setup anyways (currently have Magni 1 and stock Crack from a Magni 2U 4396, considering getting a Matrix M-Stage HPA-3B).

 

The Emotive DC-1 is right up your alley: good Gungnir level sound, AES/USB/TOSLINK inputs, XLR outs at pro levels, and RCA outs at consumer ones for only 400-500 bucks. Not gonna beat that.

 

Looks pretty solid, not a lot of positive feedback on the built in headphone amp, so I'll keep an eye out for it at $400 to prevent feeling like I'm spending money on functionality I won't be using, but the rest of the feature set is exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks!

 

Pick up a trip lite isobar for starters, its not that expensive and worth having one anyway. Can tackle a lot of low level power goofiness. If it doesn't fix, next level triage involves a multimeter and a/b-ing outlets on different circuits in your place.

In the alternative, email schiit: I am pretty sure that for an amp as popular as asgard2 they have a standard list of triage questions for everyone that says "hey, this ain't right!"

 

This was a known problem with earlier units. How old is yours? New or used?

 

Guys, I am looking for a standalone DAC for my HD650 and Lake People G103-P.
I am currently debating between:

Audioengine D3 (120€)
ODAC Rev B. XL (130€)
Musical Fidelity V90 DAC (135€)
Schiit Modi 2 Uber (200€)

How would you rank these in order? Is the Modi 2U worth the additonal money?

 

I've been using this thing due to the long cord: https://www.amazon.com/Furman-SS6B-Plug-Surge-Protector/dp/B0002D017M
Do the isobars clean it up even more? That would be disappointing to buy one and have it be even worse.

My outlets are between 115-120 AC volts and the one has about 0-200 mV of DC on it according to my red Chinese multimeter.

Brand new and only about a month old.

 

Oh and I forgot to mention my fridge/air conditioning/UFO occasionally sounds like a god damn tractor beam.

 

So I mod a second hand HD650 (that I still deeply hate stock...) and tried on my set up. Conclusion : I will sell my LCD3F when it will be back from Audeze.

A deep thanks to the community for this mod and help me to gain 900€

 

I'm going to buy the Emotiva CMX-2 and see if it fixes my problem. If not, I will just return it.