The All Purpose Advice Thread

Was curious are there many Tube/Hybrid amps balanced and under $1k?

 

Schiit Mjolnir 2?

Also soon the Monoprice Monolith Alex Cavalli Liquid Platinum.

I can't think of pure tube sub 1k balanced amps right now, but I'm sure they exist?

I'd rather have a good single ended amp than a bad balanced one though, and I saying this as someone who only ever buys amps with XLR outputs for paranoia reasons*.

* I don't trust 1/4" plugs. It's not rational, but "irrational fear" is part of the definition here.

 

Since you have a Pixel 2, I highly recommend you get a Sony BT necklace so you have LDAC support. With Andros out of MUC-M2BT, I can hear a significant improvment going from aptX to LDAC sources. With Redbook flac files, it basically sounds "lossless" to me.

Assume you've already been through this thread: https://superbestaudiofriends.org/i...ony-muc-m2bt-and-campfire-andromeda-iem.4644/

 

Looking for those with experience with the Dekoni replacement pads for 6xx. Are any of them worth buying?

 

I have, yeah; just wanted to know if there were other options, but I'm open to buying the LDAC neckband. Thanks!

 

I mean, you could buy a small LDAC-capable dap, that's also an option, but the Sony neck is confirmed to sound pretty good on Andros, anything else you're kinda on your own ...

 

Depends on which senn 6 you want to apply to..

Dekoni fenestrated sheepskin pads work very well with (stock) 600 but a bit off with (modded) 6xx. BillP reported 580 worked well, too.

In general, the pads (at least which I own now) do the followings:
1. Reduce middle-high bass slightly (by 1-2 db?) - fixes bass humps
2. Reduce entire treble a lot (by 3-5db?) - sounds dark
3. Increase 6-8khz a bit (2-3db) - adds some definitions and edges

I like 600+dekoni very much, particularly without front damping.

 

Which is the front damping? You mean, you took the whole thing out?

Can you share your EQ setting for the LCD2C? Thanks.

 

Yes, entire foam out.
Look at the below:



This additionally gives me slightly more open sounding which often lacks compared to focals.

For LCD2C, please refer to this: http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...c-great-expectations.5202/page-11#post-190267
(I occasionally changes tiny bits, but almost the same)

 

An alternative is a Bluetooth receiver which you can use with a regular headphone cable. The Radsone EarStudio ES-100 is good. Doesn't have LDAC, but it has aptX HD. Enough power to drive most full size headphones, and has both 3.5mm and balanced 2.5mm TRRS output.

https://www.ear-studio.com/
https://www.amazon.com/EarStudio-ES100-High-Resolution-Bluetooth-Headphone/dp/B078H4YD2L​

 

I've been down that route with the NW-A35. Due to Andro sensitivity, you'll need a source that has volume control over the BT output signal. Otherwise you have no useful granularity on the volume control on the MUC necklace. I sold my A35 precisely because of this drawback.

An Android phone running Oreo is perfect for this, using either the built-in volume control, or the possibly better one on a 3rd party player like UAPP. I have to use UAPP on ZX2 for BT volume control as the native player only outputs "full signal" to Bluetooth, regardless of the volume settings. I'm waiting until I can justify buying a new phone so I only have to carry my phone to get LDAC capability.

 

Anyone have any experience with JBL CM202 powered monitors? Seems to only be available in Asia from what little I can find. Looking at it as a budget set of speakers for my PC.

https://m.intl.taobao.com/detail/de...2f5e992c&sid=3bc34b5ade4bd0448ad8b2978a5b0fe7

 

@gixxerwimp I meant as in stream BT from phone to dap

 

@Taverius Hmm ... I don't know of a DAP that can receive LDAC BT. If you're streaming to the DAP with any other profile (other than maybe aptX HD), there will be significant loss of audio quality.

 

Hey, first time posting here, I'm looking for 'fun' sounding, highly portable headphones

Just for context, my main headphones that I use at home is a pair of ATH-M50s with velour ear-pads, and when i'm on the go, I usually bring Rock Zircons with me (with Tinaudio T2s,Dzat DF-10s and TRN V20s coming in the mail). Since I travel a lot, and my m50s are pretty bulky to bring in small bags, I was looking for a pair of headphones to use on the go (to keep in a schoolbag, on planes, when on vacation).

By fun sounding, my M50s do have a relatively coloured sound, but the highs are too harsh when listening to some songs (for example, "These walls" by Kendrick Lamar have a sparkle sound that is very grating with these headphones). So I am looking for something that does not sound analytical and has some colour and life to it, but I don't want anything that is particularly muddy or unclear.Also considering I will be out and about while using them open backed cans are out of the question, and I'll also mostly be using a smartphone (xiaomi A1) and macbook air

For reference I mostly listen to emo, rap, experimental (predominantly glitch), low fi acoustic and folk, alt rock etc.

The budget I have is about 270 USD

One set of cans I keep coming into are the V-Moda Crossfade M100, while I have also heard the Crossfade 2 wireless are better sounding, the retail as well as used market is just too steep a price for me, and at that steep a price I would look for a replacement of my daily drivers.
I can get a pair of used M100s for about 200 USD here (Singapore) that comes with XL pads.

Are there any other headphones that around that price that have a better sound or should I just get the used pair? I'd also consider getting a replacement for my daily drivers if they were vastly superior.

 

I know you said no open backed headphones, but you should at least try a pair of Koss KSC-75 headphones and add a cheap headphone band from Parts Express. In the US this will run you <$20. They sound great and if you lose them it's no great financial loss. Or you could do Koss Porta Pros for about 2.5x the price. I actually prefer the KSC-75s. I'd start here until you figure out what you really like.

BTW, I still have an old pair of AT ATH-M50s and prefer the Koss' in most cases. The ATs don't get much use any more except when one of my kids borrows them.

Oh, and welcome to SBAF. Please go introduce yourself here:
http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/new-members-introduce-yourself.17/

 

The new Shanling M0 can for sure.

I'm not certain about the Fiio M7 or others, though I know Fiio is working on a MkII of their BT-only portable DAC/amp that has LDAC support.

 

They do sound like a good deal on amazon but I fear the KSC-75s ear clip won't work to my dumbo sized and shaped ears. I can get the porta pro clasics for 45USD here and the porta pro x for 53,but I'd have to ship all the stuff for the KSC-75 from the states, so I would probably go with the porta pros. The thing I would probably use it outside and in library type environments so I worry about sound leakage.

 

The replacement 6BZ7 tube I bought from Schiit only has "2D01239" printed on it vertically along the side in small text. All the photos I've seen have GE labeling. Do I have the same NOS tube as everyone else?

 

I owned the V-Moda M100 and just sold them recently. IMO, the M100 perform best with EDM, and probably some modern hiphop (autotune trap shit). Acoustic and rock is... listenable i guess.

The treble is rolloff enough to make "These Walls" not sound rattled and harsh, but it lack ultimate resolution. The biggest problem is lackluster seperation and layering that make "These Walls" (and many other songs on TPAB) sound like a mess, and midrange also quite laid back for my taste.

Overall, i won't recommend M100 based on your genres preference.