The All Purpose Advice Thread

Thinking about trying something closer to endgame for all my Senns (580,600,650,800).

Looking probably around $1k, buying used is 100% okay and probably necessary.

Ideas I've been considering:
Torpedo III
Black Widow
??
??

Not a big amount of experience in this price range area. Currently running a Valhalla 2 from my Bifrost.

Also considering just getting a Laconic NBM, maybe all I need is a flavor change from my Val2.

My Bifrost is the 4490 version. I am already planning to upgrade it to multibit at some point, probably waiting to see what Schiit has up their sleeve early next year.

 

I was thinking on getting the Jotunheim + Modi Multibit combo for my HD650 + TH-X00 Ebony but I've just seen the Gustard A20H that has been recently released.

It looks very promising so I'm holding fire. Does anyone have any views on it?

 

With a lot of amps, people tend to feel the need to modify the 650- do you think you'd be up for trying that? I've found that with my Jot, I have no real issues (especially balanced) with my 650, but through my Vali 2, I can definitely hear why folks want to modify- the highs seem too muted, detail gets lost.

I know @Hands speaks highly of the Vali 2/Modi Multibit/HD650M combo, and so far he seems to have a pretty good ear, so maybe that might be worth thinking about, it's an inexpensive option with an EH 6CG7. I'll be honest and say that I haven't heard the original Vali, but people around here seem to think the Vali 2 is a worthwhile upgrade to it. It certainly puts out enough power to drive the HD650 sensibly, anyway.

 

From a pure technical standpoint, the Gustard is a fair bit more pricey, and I'd only really consider it if you were using the powered speaker outs from it. The Jotunheim appears to output marginally more power for both outputs, and "MOAR DAC CHIPS" is commonly recognized as not necessarily better. It's also $900 USD, versus the $400 Jotunheim ($650 if you get the Modi Multibit too). And people here originated the "Jotun + 6xx = awesome" formula which is now spreading all over the internet, so you know you're getting a really, really solid deal combining those two.

And if you already have a DAC, I'm sure there are probably some better amplifiers (speaker and/or headphones) you can find for $900 combined, since a lot of the price of the A20H is gonna be baked into those saber chips.

I'd probably hold out and see if the A20H ends up being another game changer, but the Jotunheim made waves, so if you were making a purchase very soon I'd go with the Jot.

 

For the 800S and modded 650, and basically end-game amp with a Gungnir Multibit, how would you guys rate these amps? Just as-is, no upgrades. I have a Vali 2 on order to hold me over as I just got the Gungnir Multibit but in the end I'd like to keep one amp in mind, either new or used.

T3
BH Mainline
Liquid Carbon
EC ZDS
EC BW

 

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Thanks a lot for the feedback! I will almost certainly be modding the 6XX.

 

Will do! Been searching quite a lot but I haven't come across a direct comparison with all of those in one sport, kind of scattered ones with all high praise. They all seem like good options with those HP from what I've read but unfortunately don't have the ability to listen to any of them without purchasing.

 

You have to know what kind of sound that you are looking for first, and then figure out if one of those amps align with what you like.

 

here's my personal take based on some longer and some shorter listening sessions and some ownership mixed in, for the headphones you mention:

ZDS >= T3 > BW > Carbon

Caveats: 1) Never heard a BH Mainline; 2) the above refers to a T3 with most/all of the mods/upgrades, which you can order from beezar last i checked and is in the same ballpark pricewise as a BW; 3) need to spend more time with ZDS, which i deeply love, but to me the modded T3 sounds in a similar ballpark as ZDS, just different; 4) BW is highly flexible in that you can throw lots of other phones at it and they'll still sound really good, which is a huge plus; 5) and if you're gonna go Carbon just go Jotunheim with the 650 but burn your hd800.

 

Appreciate the suggestions fellas!

The Mrs has asked about Christmas gifts and I'm thinking of asking for the Valhalla 2. Is a small increase in soundstage really the only noticeable difference between that and the Vali 2?

She loves me but not enough for a Mjo or ZDS haha....

 

This thread goes into a fair bit of depth, but I'll try to summarize the important bits for you
http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...compendium-what-schiit-amp-should-i-get.3058/

Valhalla 2 - slightly warm / dry treble
Vali 2 - slightly laid-back

Valhalla 2 - lacks ultimate extension in bass
Vali 2 - lacks ultimate extension at extremes

Ontop of the soundstage, Valhalla 2 appears to have better ratings for microdynamics and "plankton", so think better fine-details capability. Your mileage may vary though.

Unlisted pro of the Vali 2 is that it only has the one tube, compared to the Valhalla's 2x2. This means decently cheaper tube rolling, as you only need to buy one tube, and you don't need to worry about matched pairs.

 

The valhalla 2 is not warm with the stock tubes, it's more neutral/bright. I wouldn't say that it lacks bass extension, but it is definitely on the soft side when it comes to impact. Tube rolling for the power tubes (the ones on the back) don't seem to make much of a difference, so you won't have to worry about that.

Edit: this is with modded hd650s btw, which already lack subbass extension.

 

Thanks guys.

Saw there was a B-stock Valhalla 2 available for $299. So I bought myself one - early christmas I suppose. I think I accidentally wrote I had a Vali 2 somewhere but it's the first version. I assume this will be a nice upgrade with the Senn HDs I have and interesting with the K7xx. Gungnir Multibit dac. I'm sure I'll look into reasonably priced tubes if it's too boring/neutral sounding.

 

Oh yeah, the Valhalla 2 will be a significant upg over the Vali 1 no doubt. @Wilson can tell you all about it LOL.

 

@Hiflight Glad to see you on SBAF! I always appreciated your help and reflections on HF. Quick question: Do you think the Plenue D hits right at its price point or does it play above it? I keep seeing that gold one for around $200... Any problems with hiss?

 

Anyone have issues with balanced headphones & the new Cavalli Carbon 2? Seems when I connect my balanced Elear it breaks. Basically what happens, one of the channels goes out and the amp gets gimped. I had to send it in 3 times. Also when plugging in my akg k7xx it started blinking like this:

I changed the power cable and all the other cabling and still had the same issue. I'm wondering if its the balanced cables? Just wondering if anyone is having this issue and if you did, was it the cables or the unit itself?

Thanks!

 

Did, can't figure it out.