The All Purpose Advice Thread

Did you mean a phone with powerful built-in amp? If so, I heard those cans really hard to drive, a phone probably won't do it. You can get a Fiio amp for now, I have an old E11 that works with Porta Pros. Maybe see if someone can loan you a Leckerton. I wasted a lot of money buying cheap audio as a college student...

 

Yeah. My phone (lg g4) powers them on max volume in a quiet environment. So anything more powerful would be nice.

I might just Jerry rig a thing with my go450 I'm getting and a battery bank.

 

The GO450 is Windows based, sorry! Still happy to give you it as promised of course. It really shines as a DAC.

 

Yeah, I was thinking it probably wouldn't work for that, but still nice for laptop use.

 

Personally, I'd look for some decent good-value IEMs or similar for mobile use. Those aren't fully closed, and they're quite hard to drive, so a poor choice for that application.

 

Mine are fully closed now with just a tiny bass port. They actually isolate really well. My phone drivers them on max volume, but if it's a loud environment, it's harder. And I like them. I have modded them to fit my (I think) favorite sound signature.

 

Mmm, you're probably looking at spending far more than those headphones are worth to drive them decently from a mobile device, though- I think it's a bad question. Sometimes discretion is the better part of valour

 

I haven't heard TH900s, but I own TH-X00. If you like big bottom, then TH-X00s got 'em. If the two Fostex have comparable bass then I think you're going to have to look pretty hard to get another headphone with that hits the full bass monkey-bone like the Fostex.

I own HD-650s and really like them. But for different reasons than the Fostex. Unless the Jotunheim works some magic on the HD-650 bass, I don't think the HD-650 is gonna do it for you. However, I haven't modded mine so maybe the mods + Jotunheim will get you there. Others that have both should probably jump in now to clarify.

 

Alright, $ 999 fetches you an Elear or the Campfire Audio Dorado. Between these two only and solely based on an immersive music experience, which one would be preferred?

 

@crazychile Thanks bro for the advice. I do want to clarify one small thing. I'm not looking for another basshead set of cans, I think I have the best basshead cans, other than Abyss. I'm not sure about the Abyss, some swear by it (most I should say), some don't.

Anyway, I was thinking about the 650s because they have a bit more punch than the 800s. I've heard the 800s on 2 separate occasions and I truly enjoyed them. I was shocked at how much bass there was as I was expecting something anemic.

 

If I may add to what @crazychile said, to me the combination of the TH X00 and the Cavalli Liquid Carbon is close to being a bass boombox. Solid, feel-it-in-your bones bass. But definitely not muddy at all. The Fostex TH cans are known for the V-shaped sound and a bit of recessed midrange which does not bother me (I have not heard the TH 600 but have owned the TH 900).

The 650 is not that visceral in comparison. I run it balanced out of the Jotunheim and the net effect of the combination is an SQ which actually lifts the veil on the top end while sacrificing nothing on the bass. I have the 650 modded with the SBAF mods.

Trust this helps.

 

Yes, very much. Thank you. I was looking for a different sound signature, so the 650s seem like a good fit.

Now, mentioning the LC...that sounds very good as well. Might just do something like that for now.

 

Following Marvey's advice I have sold my K7XX, I'm going to get HD6XX. I currently have a Vali 1 and I'm going to try to acquire a Modi Multibit in the next couple months. I was really pleased with the Vali 1 through the K7XX but I haven't had any other real headphone amp experiences.

So on the budget end should I stick with the Vali and Modi Multibit with the HD6XX? I have said it before but I MUST be able to easily switch the amp and dac over to 220 volts as I'm moving to Asia in a year or so. Either of the Valis and the Modi Multibit meet this criteria thanks to wall warts and the Jotunheim is out because of it. It's also a little more than I want to spend.

What do you think?

 

I don't have a lot of experience with it, the 650s, but it sounds great out of my P1. It definitely could use more power, sounds better with my mojo. I think the Vali has enough power, but I'm guessing. I'm sure someone more familiar will offer better advice.

 

I have this exact combo except w/ the hd600, and from my broke, mid-if (at best) perspective, it is the best sound I have been able to coax from my own gear. The form factor is nice too, especially if your place in Asia will be typically small. I rarely get much over 1 o clock on the volume, and I listen loud (major hearing loss, definitely a chicken/egg problem). My opinions are not valued much around here though, (IDGAF, but you might), so ymmv. Good luck.

 

So I have a Valhalla 1 coming in the mail on Monday/Tuesday (if Canada post can sort their mailing addresses out...), and I've read through a fair bit of material at this point. It seems like the Valhalla 1 is slightly warmer than the Valhalla 2, but beyond that there's a bit of a gap on information available. Some people say you can tube roll with the Valhalla 1, Schiit says you can't/shouldn't, and then other people say that Schiit has unofficially said that you can technically do it.

I've asked for advice here before, but it didn't really go anywhere, so I thought I may as well ask again.

1) Can anybody more experienced/knowledgable comment on any sound differences between the Valhalla 1/2?
2) Can I tube roll with the Valhalla 1? If so, I'm probably gonna see if I can nab a pair of Amprex OG's for them.

 

Thinking about what headphone to own besides the Utopia to coexist with it. I currently have a Master9 + Yggdrasil + HD800(sdr) + LCD3F(2016) + L700(w/SRD7 energizer) and I wanna sell the 3 cans to buy a Utopia... I just feel kind of skittish with the idea of owning just 1 headphone so I'd like to get a companion for it though I have no idea which one. For me, personally I feel like the Utopia replaces the HD800/3F in terms of detail and presence as well. I was thinking of trading up the L700 with the SR007 mk1 then saving up for a KGSSHV though that would be the most expensive option too so I'm thinking if there are other choices to look into.

I'd love any sort of input anyone can give me. If the SR007 mk1 + KGSSHV ends up being worth it then I'll probably spring for it.

 

@FallingObjects , I wish I could offer you more. I have a Valhalla 2 with Amperex OG tubes and they sound excellent. The tubes seem to have an excellent reputation, I'm thinking it would be hard to go wrong with them. The other piece of advice I have seen here is not to go crazy spending money on tubes. There's a thread on HF about tube rolling with the Valhalla 1, so there may some cogent information there if you dig.

 

Yeah, the thread there showed a lot of positive feedback on the Amperex OG's. May have to see if there are any for sale in Canada. Thanks!

 

Alright, update on the Moby, it turned out mine was damaged, when I went to put the feet on I could hear something rolling around inside. I don't know if it really effected the sound or not but the replacement seems to sound much better to me. I don't have much time on the replacement yet but so far I concur, its a big step up from the D100, timbre, soundstage focus and depth, and instrument weight are all improved. I'm enjoying it so far.