The All Purpose Advice Thread

Monoprice or Pig Hog (come with a lifetime warranty) for a little cheaper. Blue Jeans if you really want to make sure it has the highest quality build and parts with those nice Neutrik connectors

 

Thank you batriq for your recommendation. I should have probably included a price range...
i would be more comfortable around ~$50 considering system is sub $1000.

 

Got it. How about: http://www.amazon.com/Niles-Black-FG00002-Auxiliary-Selector/dp/B00006I5J0

 

Anyone know of some decent OTG cables? I need one for my Samsung Galaxy S5 to plug in to my Audio-GD Master-11.

Perfect world would be Micro USB 3.0 -> USB B, but any Micro to USB A or B would be fine if it's good quality.

 

Bestintheverse cables have their site back up for anyone who wants to get custom colours and such. I'm skeptical on cables, but they use Canare starquad mic cable, so I doubt it's any kind of bad.

 

Dear thegunner100,

Thank you for the advise.

Can you tell more details about how vintage DAC like this Parasound differ sound-wise from modern multibit DAC?

I talked to the owner and he told me that power supply and analogue stage play a larger part in overall sound than the digital stage itself.

Regards,
Jeremiah

 

Sorry... I don't have much more to offer than that. I only briefly compared the parasound to the Yggdrasil and the Yggdrasil was better in just about every regard. I think the parasound is a good buy if you dont have easy access to Schiit dacs.

 

Hello, HD600 owner looking for advice. My current chain is GO 450 -> Schiit Vali -> HD600. I definitely want to keep the headphones, but I'm looking to upgrade to another amp or DAC. My main priorities are pulling more details and a bigger soundstage. Is there any way of doing that for under $500? Or do I just need to keep saving my money?

 

I had a bestintheverse cable, it was really high quality build-wise and very fairly priced. It's actually what got me started in making my own (my finishing skills are quite up to his yet).

 

Valhalla 2 is what you're looking for. Huge upgrade from vali/magni 2 uber imo. But if you save a bit more money, you can get an even bigger upgrade

 

Alternatively you can consider Project Ember II

 

I bought a schiit asgard 2. Wondering if i should pair it with GO 450 line out and save money for Gungnir Multibit. Or should i buy a modi 2 and a wyrd right now.

 

Thanks for the responses! I'm considering Valhalla 2, and I'll have to look more into the Project Ember II.

What would you have in mind for a bit more money?

 

My Guess... used HD800.

 

I currently own the Valhalla 2, Ember 2 (well, Ember 1 with the 2 upgrades), and the HD580 (HD600) and I find the Valhalla 2 does a better job with instrument separation and detail while the Ember punches a little harder. I've found that tube changes on Ember can adjust warmth/brightness and dynamics (punch) but I haven't been able to achieve the level of detail as the stock Valhalla 2 tubes (haven't tube rolled on the Valhalla).

 

A used hd800 will get you the most in terms of soundstaging and detail if you want to make the switch. I wish I could comment more on better amps but I honestly havent tried that many. The typical upgrades from the valhalla 2 onwards would be a Liquid Carbon, Mjolnir 2, Torpedo III (DIY), Black Widow.

 

Didn't know where to make a thread so I posted here instead. I think I might have damaged my HD650 drivers.

When I went out today, I accidentally turned off the power supply going into my O2 amp and had left it on with the HD650s still connected. I know from before that the O2 tends to create this loud popping noise for who knows how long when it runs out of battery, I'm now really worried since I came home with the O2 out of battery (although the HD650 wasn't making any noises anymore).

If it really did cause a problem, its a fairly subtle one since but I do detect some difference from how I remember hearing some of my most-listened tracks (not enough for me to say it's not placebo).

Can anyone tell me if I really did damage the drivers and if so, whether I can have this fixed through warranty?

 

Any recommendations for an IEM with good isolation and inline mic and controls for iPhones that is under $80? Friend needs it for running and protection from hearing damage.

 

Hi,

I know exactly what you are talking about. I owned the O2 and did the same thing, coming home to hear the popping noise on the HD650s, and my drivers are fine.