System Synergy - Special Sound

536
@bixby

@Elnrik

It's fixed. Turns out I had Foobar file buffer set to zero so it was constantly pulling data over the network when the Ethernet switch sent a blast of images from the web to the main desktop, it overwhelmed tcpip for a few seconds causing a few drops. All is fine now that I have the buffer in place. No Drops at all.

Better yet, experimenting with Foobars RamDisk component has brought some benefits to the sound as well.

thanks
bixby, Mar 18, 2018

 

537
@gaspasser

Carlos CPA said: ↑
"Thanks very much for this newest post, @atomicbob!
What are your thoughts on how this amp/DAC pairing would sound with the LCD2C?
I am currently over the moon with my black Saga/Joti/Bifrost Multibit rig hooked up to the LCD2C. For listening to EDM and rock, this system has demonstrated tremendous synergy.
However, I want to move the Saga/Joti/Bifrost Multibit to my home office and buy a PMx2 to use with this rig. I would move my BW2/Yggdrasil to the living room and use my modded HD800 and the PMx2 there.
Thus, I would keep the LCD2C at my workplace office. Would these headphones work well with the CTH/Modi Multibit/Eitr? Or will I be disappointed by this pairing after hearing the LCD2C through Saga/Joti/Bifrost Multibit? If I recall correctly, @purr1n said that the CTH could color the sound too much with the LCD2C, and that an amp should ideally be very neutral to pair well with the LCD2C.
Rather than the CTH, should I instead be considering getting the Cavalli Liquid Carbon v2.0 or the MassDrop x Alex Cavalli Liquid Carbon X to use with the LCD2C? Or is there another neutral amp that I should be considering?

Click to expand...

I am listening to LCD-2C with a Magni3/Bifrost Multibit/Eitr via a variation of Atomic Bob's IVS. I got CanOpener in lieu of Waves NX because it was on sale last week and I liked the effect alot. JRMC23/Reveal/CanOpener through LCD-2C really sounds great and fixes many of the shortcomings of this headphone. If you have the ability to try out IVS, I would strongly recommend it. Before IVS, I really enjoyed LCD-2C through Gungnir Multibit/Loki/Magni3. Marv said somewhere that Magni 3 is a good budget match for LCD-2C. I think it is much better than either Torpedo 3 or Vali 2 (both hybrids) with LCD-2C. Additionally, I ordered a CTH and I should get it soon, so I will be able to fully answer your original question next week.

Gaspasser, Mar 18, 2018

 

538
@Changeling

Gaspasser said: ↑
"I had this issue in Windows 10 with CanOpener in 64-bit JRMC and after some google-fu, I found out the culprit was my antivirus program was scanning the music files as they are being used. This bogs down the processor and causes the dropouts. I changed the settings of the antivirus program and no dropouts now."

Thanks for reporting back on this. I can't remember if I managed to solve this with the latest version of CanOpener.

Changeling, Mar 19, 2018

 

539
StefanAC

Gaspasser said: ↑
"I am listening to LCD-2C with a Magni3/Bifrost Multibit/Eitr via a variation of Atomic Bob's IVS. I got CanOpener in lieu of Waves NX because it was on sale last week and I liked the effect alot. JRMC23/Reveal/CanOpener through LCD-2C really sounds great and fixes many of the shortcomings of this headphone. If you have the ability to try out IVS, I would strongly recommend it. Before IVS, I really enjoyed LCD-2C through Gungnir Multibit/Loki/Magni3. Marv said somewhere that Magni 3 is a good budget match for LCD-2C. I think it is much better than either Torpedo 3 or Vali 2 (both hybrids) with LCD-2C. Additionally, I ordered a CTH and I should get it soon, so I will be able to fully answer your original question next week."

I haven’t heard the LCD-2C yet, but strongly prefer the MCTH over the Magni 3 with my LCD-2.2F. So much so that I‘ve already sold the Magni 3. The MCTH is more engaging, has better sound staging and resolution - and better slam despite the Schiit being more powerful.

StefanAC, Mar 19, 2018

 

540
@Cryptowolf

I'm by no means as experienced or capable of describing my system as others, but I thought I would contribute.

System notes:

iMac running Audirvana Plus with the Waves F6 plugin and the Redline Monitor crossfeed.

The plugins are what ultimately helped me pull together the entire system. The EQ came with some decent pre-configured profiles that I then tweaked to please my admittedly damaged hearing. (Stay away from explosives and other loud noises, kids). Redline monitor is the best crossfeed for my needs because it is subtle and really easy to set. I can't begin to tell you how many hours I spent trying to get TB Isone to sound good. Isone just has too many options. These components play well together and reveal many subtle details in the source recordings.

I use USB out to a Modi gen 1 and then to a Sys run backwards (volume maxed) to switch to either of my two amps:

Amps:

TTVJ FET-A Headphone Amp - this is a Pete Millett designed amp. I believe only 10 or so were made and sold exclusively through TTVJ. I enjoy this amp for critical listening and it also drives my M-audio monitors. It is a great solid state amp and plays well with all my headphones. I consider it an upgrade over the Headroom Maxx (original) and Asgard I.

Cavalli Tube Hybrid Amp - I really enjoy just listening to music with this amp. It's enchanting, especially with the other components of my set up.

Headphones:

Beyer DT880 250 ohm modified and re-cabled by Headroom. I know others may not be a fan of these cans for several sound reasons. They were my first step into mid-fi and sound great to my aging ears with the plugins I have. I prefer these for classical, country, acoustic, or indie music.

Mad Dog Pro. Comfortable, closed headphones that have a surprisingly good sound for a mid-fi can. I bought these several years ago off Headfi and they have a balanced connector. I prefer these for rock, metal, industrial, or other bass heavy music.

Closing Notes:

I hope my notes and impressions are helpful. Please feel free to ask any questions and I'll respond as best as I can. I've been on this headphone journey since the first days of Headroom when I started with a Bithead Plus and Sennheiser earbuds. Thanks.



Cryptowolf, Mar 24, 2018

 

CAN'T FIND: PAGE 28

CONTINUING WITH PAGE 29:

 

562
@batriq

Yeah, I saw. I was hoping to buy the Gungnir Multibit with Analog2 if/when it comes out.

Here's a pic BTW


batriq, Apr 15, 2018

 

563
@slankoe

For what it's worth I find Modi Multibit to be very excellent with SEX 3.0 and my cans, and yet Gungnir Multibit with that combo is even more excellent. Both of them I consider pretty sweet devices, particularly the latter which originally opened my eyes (ears) to the multibit sound. Many thanks to the kind local enthusiast who loaned me his personal unit!

Eventually I bought the Modi MB - but given enough time I went and got myself a Gungnir Multibit of my own. I am very pleased with the result, it is a solid upgrade. Modi Multibit does amazingly well for it's price, but it sounds somewhat lesser in comparison to it's big brother. The manner in which Gungnir Multibit readily serves up low-level detail and microdynamics on a smooth, and spacious stage is just addicting as hell.

slankoe, Apr 15, 2018

 

564
@batriq

Thanks @slankoe. It's great to hear that the SEX scales with the Gungnir Multibit. BTW, I put in my L-pad, which allows me to use more of the volume pot. Here are the instructions (it's been a while so I think my images were taken down(?): https://bottlehead.com/smf/index.php?topic=7252.0

batriq, Apr 15, 2018

 

565
@atomicbob

Grahad2 said: ↑
"No mousepad below the Lyr 3? Is this bob or has evilbob taken over?"

I was in a hurry and didn't create the mousepad cutouts necessary to avoid blocking ventilation holes on the dac1421. Result after brief photo session was black rubber marks on the dac1421 top surface. Took awhile to clean off. Custom cut mouse pad separators now created.

atomicbob, Apr 16, 2018

 

566
@atomicbob

Hammy said: ↑
"That tube does look cool. Makes me wonder if that bottle tube will fit in a Liquid Glass amp. It looks like it won't. Or if it does it would be a very close fit."

They are 5.5 cm in diameter. Need to leave a minimum of 0.5 cm between them. It might be too close for your wonderful sounding Liquid Glass.

atomicbob, Apr 16, 2018

 

567
Hammy

atomicbob said: ↑
"They are 5.5 cm in diameter. Need to leave a minimum of 0.5 cm between them. It might be too close for your wonderful sounding Liquid Glass."

Those Psvane 6SN7-SE tubes aren't going to fit. Not enough space behind and to the sides for them to fit. Negative clearance. Unless I find some 6 cm high tube socket risers...

I have been thinking about trying the Psvane CV181 tubes.

Hammy, Apr 16, 2018

 

568
@atomicbob

Cspirou said: ↑
"Schiit! That tube!
Are there Lyr 3 measurements coming?"

Sorry @Cspirou , I somehow missed this. Yes, there will be measurements sometime. Not sure they will happen before my multi-week break.

atomicbob, Apr 21, 2018

 

569
@Cspirou

atomicbob said: ↑
"Sorry @Cspirou , I somehow missed this. Yes, there will be measurements sometime. Not sure they will happen before my multi-week break."

No prob Bob. I just like knowing what's in the measurement queue no matter where it's prioritized.

Cspirou, Apr 21, 2018

 

570
@atomicbob
atomicbob's nuclear schiit

Listening to this system for several weeks. Was demonstrated at the Seattle Summer Can Meet.
Important to note Modi MB is v2 firmware in this system.


Hardware block diagram:


IVS setup for this system:


Digital flutter management (jitter):


Digital wow management (wander):


Expanded y-axis view of LiveClock with - without - with Rubidium reference disciplining:


All that can be measured during FS725 disciplining of LiveClock (before and after) is HP 5384 LSB toggle. Middle section is LiveClock running on internal clock alone. Not too shabby but not as good as with FS725 engaged. HP5384 frequency counter time reference was obtained from a Jackson Labs Fury GPSDO with Allan Deviation an order of magnitude more precise than the Rubidium time reference.

This fellow is doing something similar in the world of karts - a visual analogy.


For those with a burning desire to know system BOM:


The proof is in the listening. I've been very pleased with the results of this system's synergy.

Before anyone contemplates replicating this system, I can justify the FS-725 Rubidium time reference for lab frequency counters, Antelope LiveClock provides house clock to project studio as needed, and the MC-3+ was already in lab inventory.

Consider the Eitr, Modi MB v2 firmware, Lyr3 + PS Vane 6SN7-UK, HD800 modded to suit personal preferences and my IVS will deliver a high percentage of this system's performance.

atomicbob, Aug 13, 2018

 

571
johnjen

Those short term vs long term comparisons of the signal stability are most intriguing.
It makes me wonder what identifiable acoustic aspects result from those series of tweaks.

And the Fury reference master clock is intriguing to contemplate as well.

Thanks for that in depth look see.

JJ
johnjen, Aug 13, 2018

 

572
@batriq
I have been more and more pleased with the combination of Gungnir Multibit (recent purchase, with Gen5), SEX 2.1 that I built, and stock HD650. I no longer feel the need to tweak or change my headphone setup. Most recently my son kicked me off the listening chair:

The little dongule is a voltage divider I built since the SEX is too powerful.

ATTACHED FILES:

batriq, Sep 14, 2018

 

573
@atomicbob

atomic unicorn


BOM


Clock wander updated - measured with
Keysight 53220A + Jackson Labs Fury time reference (stratum 1 ref)


Clock wander zoom for Antelope Live Clock vs FS725 rubidium time reference


Clock wander - Mutec MC-3+ internal clock after 4 hrs warmup


A transparent, engaging system. With such great time references I seem to lose track of time during recreational listening sessions with this combination.

atomicbob, Oct 11, 2018

 

574
@atomicbob

Nuclear ZDT Jr.


BOM


System Architecture Diagram


Now that I have the residual hum below audible thresholds, ZDT Jr. joins the illustrious headphone amp collection worthy of the atomic treatment. When I am really wanting to lose track of time, putting the final icing on the cake, I substitute yggdrasil A2 for the Modi MB v2.
atomicbob, Oct 17, 2018