The All Purpose Advice Thread - Part 2

Discussion in 'Advice Threads' started by shotgunshane, Mar 27, 2022.

  1. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    @dasman66
    As others have mentioned, a lot of devices with smps power supplies can typically handle 220V and just need a plug adapter rather than power transformer. Look on the chargers themselves and find the fine print, there's usually an input and output section. If the input says 110-120V 60Hz, then you need to get a transformer. If the input says 110-220V 50-60Hz, then you're fine

    A lot of things like phones chargers are just usb which then isn't terribly relevant in this conversation unless you also need the little plug adapters too, but see paragraph above. If the Mac is powered by usb-c, I would say get a single GAN charging squid, something like this:
    https://www.amazon.com/Charger-Hyphen-X-Charging-Laptops-Compatible/dp/B08X42DRMR/
    and as long as you have the right plug adapter then you're fine.
     
  2. Wobbletits

    Wobbletits Facebook Friend

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    I would NOT use that as it is likely to short your cold outputs together which may or may not damage the Decware.
     
  3. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    If the Decware has only that 4-pin headphone output and no single ended output, and you don't know for certain that the Decware has a shared ground on the negatives... I would veer on the cautious side and say no, do not use that adapter. While the adapter may technically keep the negatives separate, once you connect that to an amp it will short the negatives together and you could damage your toys.

    As a general rule, single ended hacked into balanced is ok, but balanced hacked into single-ended runs risks.

    The transformer box is to deal with the conversion from balanced to unbalanced. "Line level" is just controlled from your own volume pot on the Taboo.
     
  4. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    I figured that was probably the case based on the previous discussions about going from balanced to SE outputs on a DAC, but thought I would check.

    Anyone aware of any adapters/solutions to do this? Would love to try using the Taboo as a preamp. The only other outputs would be the speaker level, but that seems potentially silly to use those to feed into another power amp (and unfortunately the speaker outs don’t have enough power for my current speakers).
     
    Last edited: May 20, 2022
  5. Metro

    Metro Friend

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    I haven't seen PowerBook mentioned in over a decade :D

    [​IMG]
     
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  6. dasman66

    dasman66 Self proclaimed lazy ass - friend

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    as you can probably tell... I'm not a mac guy and don't know anything about them. She is the only mac user in the house (I guess that comes with her being a music major and everyone else being sciency types...):rolleyes:
     
  7. schnesim

    schnesim New

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    Thanks, I bought a pair of Anker Liberty Air 2s in the meantime. They sound surprisingly balanced for the money and I'm quite happy with the fit. I had the XM3s for a day a while ago and sent them back because a) the fit was terrible and hurt my ears b) terrible wind noise (was a windy day though).
     
  8. Riotvan

    Riotvan Snoofer in the Woofer

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    Looking for an amp below 500 ish with balanced inputs(and se output). Due to long cable run and no unbalanced outputs available. Preferably on the smooth and slightly warm side of neutral or plain neutral. Cans are the LCD-XC 2021.

    How shit is that monoprice thx 887? It’s on sale atm for almost half price. Dac will be an Yggdrasil A2.
    Seems to be a bit clinical? How about the Gustard H16?

    Not looking for the utmost performance it’s for general pc use, right now using a groove which works fine but push buttons for volume is annoying i just want a dial. Yes I’m weird but a creature of comfort.

    Edit forgot about magnius…
     
    Last edited: May 24, 2022
  9. RenEH

    RenEH Facebook Friend

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    Please recommend me a true OTL tube amp. I currently have a a 600, 6xx and a 6xx kiss on hand to pair with it.

    I want tubey distorted goodness. Emotional engagement and musicality is top priority. Accuracy is unimportant.

    My current shortlist is a used bottlehead crack, a used darkvoice or a new Eufonika amp. Would like to spend less than 500 CAD, but could stretch the budget. Affordable tube options for long term ownership would be a big plus. I’m up for DIY. Thanks!
     
  10. RenEH

    RenEH Facebook Friend

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    Anything THX would be a waste of money IMO.
     
  11. Riotvan

    Riotvan Snoofer in the Woofer

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    Yeah i got my eyes on Singxer SA-1 now, seems to tick all the boxes. Positive impressions here and elsewhere.
     
  12. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    For DIY, the Bottlehead stuff is really hard to beat. Great manuals, and very good service on their forums as well.

    If you'd like to buy Canadian you can look into Mapletree Audio or Wolf Ear Audio. The former you might be able to stretch into budget.
     
  13. RenEH

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    Thanks, I’ve looked in to Mapletree, but their cheapest amp is $900 USD + shipping
     
  14. zottel

    zottel Friend

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    What about a Jotunheim 2?
     
  15. Riotvan

    Riotvan Snoofer in the Woofer

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    Takes a month to be delivered. Besides i've decided to keep the groove for now and ordered a usb volume dial.
     
  16. RenEH

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    I bought a brand new HD6xx back in December of 2021. I found it had a a sharp upper mid range, but I have no way of measuring them. I have since bought a used HD6xx that I've refurbished with new pads and head band from a brand new 58x. The refurbished 6xx is missing the sharp upper mid range, but it also comes off as a little more distant. Is this unit variation? Difference in break in? Pads and headbands are new on both. I much prefer the refurbished distant sounding set. Any way I can make the first set sound like the second?
     
  17. EagleWings

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    We have certainly found variations between units. In your case though, there is also the possibility of the variation between the earpads, despite both sets being brand new. Unless you swap the same earpad and cable on either units and compare, it may be hard to conclude the difference is due to unit variation of the headphone.
     
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  18. RenEH

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    Both are using the same cables I've made by hand. I've swapped them back and forth as well. I will try switching the pads tonight.
     
  19. JonCharles

    JonCharles Friend

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    Has anyone heard both the Audio Zenith PMx2 and the ZMF Auteur? I'm looking for a very versatile "neutral" headphone that really nails tonality. I listen to acoustic music all the time, so I tend to be pretty picky about this. It would be quite an investment, so I would appreciate if anyone has opinions or comparisons to give.
     
  20. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

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    I've heard both. The Auteur is one of the more neutral ZMF's, but still has the "organic" ZMF sound while the Zenith is more "flat" sounding, almost boring because it has very little character. But it's extremely neutral if you want little to no coloration. Auteur is bassier, thicker, more organic but doesnt overdo it, is pretty balanced. Honestly for acoustic Auteur is extremely compelling but it's an interpretation..more "flavor" if you will.
     

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