The All Purpose Advice Thread

Discussion in 'Advice Threads' started by purr1n, Sep 26, 2015.

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  1. Brad Tombaugh

    Brad Tombaugh Facebook Friend

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    You didn’t mention what software you were using for playback. I would recommend something more sophisticated than iTunes, such as VOX or Roon, which can control the DAC in Exclusive mode, and will adjust the sample rate and bit depth to match the source.

    If you are using iTunes, there are several add-ins which can provide better control of the output, such as Audirvana or Amarra. I don’t have any firsthand experience with these, but if you search for the names here I’m certain that you’ll find more information.
     
    Last edited: Jun 14, 2018
  2. cwall64

    cwall64 New

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    Interesting, i was wondering that, but Schiit did tell me:

    "I always set mine on MAC and PC to the highest bitdepth and bitrate setting. Then in my playback software, I set playback to each file's native Bitrate and Bitdepth. If your playback software does not have that option, then you can set your MAC to the highest setting if you would like. "​

    But, that is why I asked here!
     
  3. cwall64

    cwall64 New

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    Mostly Using Tidal with the "Master" subscription. I do have all my personal music ripped in iTunes in Apple Lossless format. I'll look at Vox and Roon this evening. Thanks for the suggestions.
     
  4. lm4der

    lm4der A very good sport - Friend

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    That's just wrong. Who told you that? The correct answer is to match the source file's bitrate, _always_.

    Edit: Well, the only time it doesn't matter is if your audio app supports CoreAudio (or WASAPI on Windows), then it bypasses those settings and uses source file bitrate. This is the preferred way to do it. JRiver for Mac and Windows both support this direct api.
     
    Last edited: Jun 15, 2018
  5. cwall64

    cwall64 New

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    I believe his name was Tom.
     
  6. Ardacer

    Ardacer Friend

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    Im4der is, ofc, correct. If you can, bitperfect playback or nonresapling eq playback is the best ways to go. However there are times it's just not possible to achive that (gaming, youtube, etc etc). I believe linux does a far better job of resampling than windows, but lately windows isn't that bad at all really (so says the memory of some measurements online).
     
  7. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

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    Looking for a down and dirty (not too dirty) answer to this. Modi Multibit./EITR vs Bifrost gen5...which is better?
     
  8. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    I can barely tell the difference between the two, so I choose from convenience.

    Bifrost Multibit is one less box and no wall warts so that's what I use.
     
  9. aamefford

    aamefford Nothing like chamberpot coffee

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    ^^^
    This. Exactly. I had both at the same time, and it boils down to box size, quantity and desire for a wall wart. Bifrost Multibit is upgradable if that matters. I could barely tell them apart as well. I arguably like Modi Multibit better. Or not.
     
  10. aamefford

    aamefford Nothing like chamberpot coffee

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    Hah, in fact, the Modi Multibit/Eitr used to be yours.....
     
  11. bixby

    bixby Friend

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    Just a point of clarity, Audirvana Plus is standalone and has no interaction with itunes. At least it didn't for the many years I used it when in the Mac universe. Nice sounding player, imho.

    And for the months I spent experimenting with upsampling, my takeaway is you cannot create more goodness out of a digital file, unless you use the upsampling followed by some filter to take away some offending data (and that may be a valid point with some dacs). As for it sounding different than the original, YUP, better with my dacs, nope!
     
  12. RiddleyWalker

    RiddleyWalker Friend

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    Is there a sensible way to convert a balanced DAC output to single-ended without losing volume?
     
  13. Mystic

    Mystic Mystique's Spiritual Advisor

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  14. RiddleyWalker

    RiddleyWalker Friend

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  15. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    Given that Emotiva doesn’t seem to make the CMX-2 anymore, could anyone recommend an equivalent?
     
  16. buonassi

    buonassi New

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    Can't seem to make up my mind about amp topology and next purchase - budget of $1,000 to $2,000 USD.

    Here's my chain:
    Mac > iFi nano iUSB3.0 > Schiit Eitr > Metrum Amethyst > Arcam rHead > Focal Elear (for now)

    It is also important to note:
    that I use ProQ2 to combat high frequency peaks/nulls (so I'm not a purist).

    Here's what I value in sound characteristics:
    • tight bass, with somewhat dry and fast decay
    • good macrodynamics (slam factor) - not compressed
    • detail - I don't want to miss out on any of the music (can't be smoothed over too much)
    • stage envelopment (depth) - this is new for me since upgrading to Amethyst, but I like it.
    I can go one of two ways as I see it:
    1. Stick with Elear and try to find a suitable solid state or hybrid amp that will bring me up a notch.
    2. Get and HD800 and start looking into the exotic tube amps.
    My intentions are to climb the ladder into the next SQ level. I feel as though I may be topping out if I stick with solid state - but that is purely a guess on my part. Is there any truth to that? Is it time to tube?
     
  17. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    Discontinued eh? Crap. Are you sure you have a DC offset issue? Any chance you can eliminate the offender on your line causing the issue?
     
  18. alubis

    alubis Acquaintance

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  19. willsw

    willsw Friend

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    You will lose volume without using an input transformer. 600:600 Ohm or 10k:600 or whatever. I've only used a 10k:600 and it was louder than an XLR>RCA cable. I eventually just used an XLR>RCA cable because it was simpler.
     
  20. Ice-man

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    My suggestion would be to go with the hd800 or the Clear.

    hd800: while the hd800 certainly needs a tube amp, it doesn't have to cost $2k-$3k. Mid fi amps are getting better and better. The hd800 on the lyr3 with a good NOS tube (Ken Rad for me) sounds pretty damn good. EQ and or SDR will get you even closer to the promised land. Some folks might steer you toward the 800 S instead. I don't agree, especially given your stated preferences about bass. I think that the hd800 original is the better way to go and better sounding headphone. hd800 is tried and true and goes for around $750 used in like new condition pretty regularly. That's an incredible buy.

    https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/fs-hd800-stock.6470/

    I have only auditioned the Clear, so I'm not nearly as familiar with it. But it does seem to fit the description of what you're asking for and certainly worth a good look.

    As always source is very important at this level. I have not owned your DAC, so I can not comment.

    Best case is to audition these headphones before the purchase. Not always easy to do. But the Clear is on the loaner program here.
     
    Last edited: Jun 20, 2018
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