The All Purpose Advice Thread

My friends are not wrong. Everybody has their own priorities in life, and theirs is not audio. When i told them i spent almost 450$ on a pair of headphones ... they laughed. I also laughed when one of them told me he spent 100$ on a haircut and 180$ on a perfume.

I was thinking it more along the lines that good audio gear is expensive, and so are watches (my other "fetish", which i totally haven't told you about, so you couldn't have known ......). So many options are available in these categories, with (almost guaranteed) raging arguments between camps, sometimes it's hard to pick something. They don't have to go through that ordeal. That's why i consider their ignorance of such hobbies, a "bliss".


Should have phrased that differently

 

Should I insist on stereo summing to mono for the 2.1 subwoofer below 100hz, or is feeding it a single channel (r or l) enough? Pretty sure most regular music has mono below 100 anyway, not so sure about classical/games.

 

Thanks! I couldn't find vanatoo's other than original big ones in Europe so I decided to just diy it. Also that tip about timbre matching the centre to l and r saved me around 150 usd, so thanks again.

 

Hi guys, I’m thinking about making a step-change “best for me” upgrade to my headphones, and I thought I’d throw it out there to the community and see if anyone wants to steer me a certain direction or chime in with a thought/idea/suggestion that I hadn’t come up with on my own…

These headphones will primarily be driven by my Schiit Jotenheim (with built-in D/S dac, which I went with over the MB option at the suggestion/advice of this community) in my 4-season sunroom (with a side-car of either hot coffee or cold beer, depending on which side of lunch we’re on). I currently own:

1) Sennheiser HD-6XX’s - When on the Jot, these are pretty much “my favorite headphones for everything except Rock and Hip-Hop”. If I’m listening to Norah Jones, Natalie Merchant, Straight No Chaser, John Mayer, James Taylor, Lucy Rose, Chanticleer, etc, these are my go-to. For this type of music (which is probably what I listen to the most when in the Sunroom) I think they sound cleaner, crisper, and more detailed than anything else I own. I think they also sound more open and image better than anything else I currently have, too…

2) HiFiMan HE4XX - I often will turn to these over the HD-6XX’s if I’m going to listen to some harder/heavier Rock/Rap (typically either something 90’s-ish like Soundgarden or AIC, something a little more modern like Seether or Kyng, or some early/mid 90’s hip-hop from my youth). I like the punchier bass presence for this sort of music. I still think the 6XX’s do some things better, even with this kind of music, but I’m often willing to make those sacrifices in the name of big clean pounding bass for this. One note: I don’t really care for the pads on these things; they’re not TERRIBLE, but if I have them on for any extended length of time (more than a half an hour), I think they get a little bit hot and the fabric/material on the outer edge feels a little itchy/irritating to me). In comparison, I don’t love the comfort/feel of the HD-6XX’s, but in an A-to-B comparison I definitely give the comfort nod to my 6XX’s.

3) My Fostex TR-X00 Mahogany’s mostly live/stay at work, and rarely make the trip home to see my Jotenheim - For my purposes/uses at work, these seem to be near-perfect, for me, at least for this specific application. I absolutely love the ear pads; super comfortable, even with my glasses on. And I love the aesthetic of these too, which I admittedly care about more when it comes to wearing them at work with my coworkers around than I do in the privacy (or semi-privacy, when I’m in the sunroom) of my own home.
My (minor) gripes with the Fostex’s would include how thick and long that absurd cable. And, for what I paid for them ($420), I really did expect a little bit more from them, sound-quality wise. It’s certainly plenty-fine for in-the-office use, when I’m streaming lossy Google Play Music and focusing more on my work than I am the music (not much “critical listening” happening here). But when I do take them home to the sunroom and try to critically listen with them, I always feel like they perform subpar relative to their $420 pricepoint. I’m very happy with them in the office setting, though, where I’m mostly just streaming GPM while I focus on my work, and am wearing these pads for 6-8 hours a day.

4) I use Sennheiser HD1 on-ears for wireless/travel/on-the-go. These get the least amount of use of the four pairs. I don’t travel much for work. And I use the whole home audio most of the time when I’m at home and not in the sunroom. But I mention them for completeness. Although they are overpriced underperformers compared to the other 3 models I own, I generally find them comfortable to wear, I like the way they look, and I think there are times/applications for which smaller, lighter, and wireless really is convenient, so having something like this is nice, IMO.

I’m looking for a new pair/upgrade for at-home use, to pair with my Jotenheim. What I think I’m looking for is:

• No “need” to limit myself to closed back for privacy; open back probably preferred but willing to hear any/all suggestions.
• $1000 or under budget
• The openness/accuracy/clarity/imaging of my HD-6XX’s (or better, if possible) for Straight No Chaser/Norah Jones
• The bass extension and presence/punch of my HE4XX’s (or hopefully better/bigger) when called upon for Rock/Hip-Hop.
• The comfort (if not also the aesthetic) that I like so much of my TR-X00’s.
• What I *think* I like is a little bit (“mildly so”, perhaps) of a darker headphone (slightly boosted lower end), and also a warmer (“moderately so”) headphone (rolled off higher end). I simultaneously want it to be neutral/flat enough to make Straight No Chaser still *sing* and sound great, but with lots of big-boom for RATM, all without a fatiguing high end (which I know I’m sensitive too).
• I wouldn’t hate the idea of being able to take advantage of the balanced XLR output connection of my Jot, since I have that available to me...

What I think I want is either an Audeze LCD 2 (new/fazor’d) or an Audeze LCD 2 Classic. From what I’ve read here and seen on Youtube videos, I think both of those do about as good of a job of checking as many/all of those boxes to about as full an extent as anything else I’ve looked into/considered (Aeon Flows, Focal Elear, etc). And I’m probably leaning towards the Classic over the Fazor, currently, but at this price point/expense, I’m really trying to do my due diligence, which is why I am posting this. Any thoughts/input/suggestions anyone might have are being actively solicited. Please feel free to let me know what you think or might recommend...

 

It's the top end of your budget, but consider the ZMF Aeolus available at $999 preorder price.

 

Have you modded your 6xx yet? It's not going to give you planar bass, but there's a good amount of room for improvement still.

 

I have not. I am admittedly a bit hesitant and don't have a lot of confidence in myself with these sorts of things. I have a select few skills and abilities, but "DIYer" was never much my thing, but the thought has crossed my mind... maybe something I need to "just get over and try".

I've been a long(er) time 2-channel music and 5.1-channel HT enthusiast than I have personal (headphone) music.

Very cool recommendation. Thank you. I've never heard of these, but that website/link is very intriguing. I will definitely add these to my short list and look for as many reviews/insights on them as I can about the way they sound/perform. I really like the way they look... and their description reads like what I think I'm looking for...

 

I would say it's not extraordinarily difficult to do as long as you don't care how ugly the end result ends up being. No tools are required to open up the 6xx and you only need a pair of scissors to work with the Dynamat.

 

hello,

my name is Dino and I am total audio newb but in the last few weeks, I have been trying to learn as much as possible via HF mostly (and some redd.it). Then I stumbled upon this site so I thought I would preface my introduction with the newbsauce status bit...in the hope you will go easy on me for my lack of knowledge

My current gear is:

DAP:
Cayin N3

Full-size HP:
Audio Technica ATH-M50
KRK KNS-8400

Wireless HP:
Sony MDRZX770BT

IEM:
Campfire Audio Orion
Tin Audio T2

Portable Amp:
Fiio E6

Ear tips:
Symbio W (L)

Other:
iFi IEMatch
Ultimate Ears Buffer Jack
Penon Audio 20ohm impedance adapter


* I am currently using the Cayin N3 with my newly acquired Orion and I was wondering if much like the Andromeda, the Orion will sound better (supposedly) with higher output impedance (~2-3ohm - at least that seems to be the consensus)... While I do understand it's all subjective, my goal is to exhaust all possible scenarios (within financial reason ) to get the best possible experience with my setup, so I'm looking for other people's tips/experiences.

* I have tried using different tips and have settled on Symbio W (L) w/out the foam (I can't get a seal otherwise).

* After reading through several forums/threads on here, HF and redd.it, I decided to purchase a few things that would allow me to do some testing - namely, the iFi IEMatch, the UE Buffer Jack along with a 20ohm impedance adapter (I also have a Fiio L17 since this adapter is not L-shaped) and I only got them because they were inexpensive enough.

Now, in all honesty, I realize I may not need them all or perhaps even at all (I get no hiss/noise floor from a straight connection to the N3).

With all that said, I am looking to engage anyone who either has a similar setup or would be willing to help guide me through the testing process.

The extent of my testing has been with either of the IEMatch (High) and UE Buffer Jack; which actually seem to worsen the sound quality to my ears-at least (they seem to not sound as open if that makes sense). Overall, I enjoy the sound of the Orion (I only have about 10 hours on them tops) and although I don't mind the leaner sub-bass, I do find that the highs could use bump.

I am trying to determine the optimal target OI for my setup that will not compromise sound quality so as my first step, I looked to the Cayin site to find the N3's OI specifications and it is listed as <= 1ohm, however, I'm not sure if that is accurate (there seem to be other specifications on the site)...so I am not even sure how I would begin doing the math with the adapters, etc.).

Again, my goal is to figure out if I have the right setup to get the most out of the Orion. Am I on the right track or should I move on to a different DAP, DAC/amp combo or introduce any other device(s)/adapter(s) into the setup.

I take no offense to criticism at all so if you believe I am way off track, I would actually prefer it

Any help would be immensely appreciated.

It is nice to meet you all & Thank you !

 

Hello Dino, nice to see you in here. I have no experience with your gear. I did try andromeda and cayin N6 (maybe it has the same sound signature as n3?) for a couple of weeks in a friend’s house. The combo was very very good. IMHO you don’t need those crap adaptors or iem match for Orion. Maybe you could sell Orion, T2 and those adaptors and buy Andromeda. There was a b-stock sale for 750-700. The fun of andromeda, it sounds good from several devices. You can buy linum cable with 0.75 ohm or 1.5 ohm if you want to get crazy and experiment something different. Your dap will be good for now, and in the future you could try a hi end dap... almost forgot. I demoed Orion in a meeting, and didn’t like it. Very boring, no air, compressed “soundstage”, again imho

 

thank you for your help and input! I really wish the Andromeda were more affordable (certainly not for me )... balanced sound signature is important to me for critical listening... having slightly forward mids is pretty nice (prog rock is my main genre).

I read that the Andromeda responds differently to OI changes...and that seems desirable for someone who listens to different genres... maybe some day

 

Any recommendations for a shorter, lighter replacement for the stock Utopia cable? I’m not looking to change any characteristics of the sound, and Utopias are so sensitive to the chain that I’m nervous to make any changes. I’d appreciate any help.

 

Needing advice on a CD Player/Transport. I'm rapidly getting into "you're seriously overthinking this" territory.

DAC will be a Yggdrasil Analog 2 (or whatever its current nickname is), and I'd really prefer to use an AES/EBU which limits my choices but I think, leaves nothing to chance as far as transmission goes. Again - overthinking it.

So I really want a CEC transport. With just buying Yggdrasil, the budget isn't there. I'll get one, just not at the moment.

So I'm thinking a Marantz or TASCAM rack mount. ~$200, not expecting miracles, but can't imagine one of these as a transport with AES out is going to be a poor choice.

Any other ideas?

Thank you!

 

I have a black widow 1.2m toxic cable. It’s neutral and the price is not a rape. But it ships from UK. Never used the original cable again

 

Found a TASCAM CD-500b on the 'bay for $189, supposedly used < 10 hours. We'll see, but at that price I'm not finding anything remotely close to what it does. It does have AES out. Now to make a list of CDs to go hunt down that I can't get on vinyl but want a physical copy of.

 

Is it possible for me to use a 2.5 male to 3.5 female balanced adapter cable (one of the really small ones; sorry but I cannot get pics or links to them to post for some reason) with say, my Galaxy S9+, Fiio A5, and over-the-ear headphones such as the HE-500s?

Or am I better off just getting a 2.5 male to 3.5 female headphone jack adapter?

 

Has anyone here experienced Aune X1S Anniversary Edition + Aune X7S + Focal Clear?