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Comparison DAC/amp review... coming up.

Discussion in 'Random Thoughts' started by purr1n, Oct 29, 2015.

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  1. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I don't remember who, but I remember someone mentioning how they like comparison reviews like in the car magazines. Well, how does comparison this sound?

    Grace m9xx
    Schiit Magni 2 + Modi 2
    LH Labs Geek Out 2+
    iFi iDSD Nano (maybe, a big maybe)
     
    purr1n, Oct 29, 2015
    #1
  2. TomNC

    TomNC Friend

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    Haha. It is me. Looking forward to reading your perspectives. And please do this for amps, especially tube amps as well for the future.
     
    TomNC, Oct 29, 2015
    #2
  3. drfindley

    drfindley Secretly lives in the Analog Room - Friend

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    Yes please. Actually, I've noticed a lot of questions on the forums have to do with comparisons to like things. Some other comparisons that might be interesting:

    - TOTL Solid State amps.
    - DIY Tube amps
    - TOTL Tube amps
    - Surprisingly affordable speakers
     
    drfindley, Oct 29, 2015
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  4. spoony

    spoony Spooky

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    Yes! Of interest there's also the DACport Slim and the JPS The Element.
     
    spoony, Oct 29, 2015
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  5. lm4der

    lm4der A very good sport - Friend

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    I would like to hear about DACs that can compete with the Schiit MB dacs - like is there a D/S that can keep up with Gungnir Multibit, or Bifrost Multibit. Can Gungnir D/S really be as good as Bifrost Multibit? Maybe this has been discussed a lot, but I value your perspective. I also like items you listed in your original post for comparison..
     
    lm4der, Oct 29, 2015
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  6. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    having owned modi 2 uber, LH GOv1, GOV2+Infinity, iFi iDSD nano and iFi DSD micro:
    vote to exclude the nano as it's not in the same league.

    replace with iFi micro iDSD if you need a fourth.
     
    jexby, Oct 29, 2015
    #6
  7. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I want to get the JDS in, but don't know if I can do it in time. I am certain I can follow up when the Grace circles back from folks up north.
     
    purr1n, Oct 29, 2015
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  8. spoony

    spoony Spooky

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    Thanks purrin.
     
    spoony, Oct 29, 2015
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  9. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Agreed. That's why I was maybe? with the nano. I'll just do Magni2/Modi2, GOV2+, and m9XX for now to not overburden myself, and will follow up with the JDS a few weeks later. And I promise I won't use the word craptastic or the phrase POS.
     
    purr1n, Oct 29, 2015
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  10. Psalmanazar

    Psalmanazar Most improved member; A+

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    Are you going to separate DAC from amp or just review them as combos? Also may you compare the Element to the ODAC+O2 combo on good USB power when you get it?
     
    Psalmanazar, Oct 29, 2015
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  11. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I'll try. Too many combos! I am thinking DAC/amp combos for this run. Maybe how they perform as a DAC with a TOTL type amp.

    I plan on using HD650s, Sony MA100, and HD800Z28. Most listening will be done with HD650s.
     
    purr1n, Oct 29, 2015
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  12. DrForBin

    DrForBin Friend

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    hello,

    something along the lines of a comparison of amps at various price points that are jack-of-all-trades, master of none would be helpful.

    i.e. what are the best entry level amps that will drive a variety of headphones, what are the best amps at $300 to $500 which work well with a variety of cans (select able gain being an asset, perhaps) and what TOTL amps work with a variety of cans (planers, dynamics, high impedance, low impedance, etc.)

    i would think that there are folks in the lower end of the spending spectrum who could benefit from this sort of group review.

    that is, those of us in mid-fi purgatory who would rather collect headphones based on use scenario then amps to achieve that "perfect" match with a specific pair and not anything else.

    but then i may be farting in church.
     
    DrForBin, Oct 29, 2015
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  13. lm4der

    lm4der A very good sport - Friend

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    Yeah I'm pretty sure
     
    lm4der, Oct 29, 2015
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  14. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I agree that focus on the lower end would be more helpful. Taking suggestions on amps from $300 to $500.
     
    purr1n, Oct 29, 2015
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  15. lm4der

    lm4der A very good sport - Friend

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    Valhalla 2
    Bottle crack
    Proj Ember
    That Sunrise
     
    lm4der, Oct 29, 2015
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  16. kapanak

    kapanak Canucklehead - Friend

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    Amps in the mid-fi purgatory:

    Schiit: Asgard 2, Valhalla 2, Lyr 2.

    Garage 1217: Project Ember II, Project Polaris.
     
    kapanak, Oct 29, 2015
    #16
  17. CEE TEE

    CEE TEE MOT: NITSCH

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    I can check with jazzfan...he set up two iDSD rigs for a USB Regen shoot-out. (One with, one without.)

    My guess is that he can donate one iDSD unit for this shootout. o_O
     
    CEE TEE, Oct 29, 2015
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  18. spoony

    spoony Spooky

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    Crustard H10?
     
    spoony, Oct 29, 2015
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  19. MLegend

    MLegend Friend

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    H10 FTW!
     
    MLegend, Oct 30, 2015
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  20. numbercube

    numbercube Acquaintance

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    Meier Corda Jazz-ff
     
    numbercube, Oct 30, 2015
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