The All Purpose Advice Thread

@Mystic wrote this great comparison review that might help you: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...teur-an-open-back-zmf.5088/page-6#post-177222

But it’s always better to hear these things yourself. If you’re open to used cans, you could always try to pick up a few in the running on HF and flip the ones you don’t like.

 

I listen to all sorts of rock, including most of the bands you've mentioned. I haven't really found better headphones for my taste than HD600. Modern HD650 variants are close enough, you can apply some damping to the back of the driver and cut a small hole in the front foam to get it closer to HD600. I would suggest getting an amp that wakes them up a bit. Tubes are the way to go IMO.

HD800 don't cut it for rock with me. The presence region suck-out leaves guitar riffs and power chords too distant and synthetic. I have not tried a heavily modded pair though. LCD2 might be your taste but it's difficult to recommend when no two units sound the same.

 

Thanks for your input. Interestingly enough I've never tried an HD600. I'm planning on buying a tube amp in the next 2 weeks, and kind of settling on the BH Mainline (that I will build). My budget allows to go up to the 3K for an EC or Stratus, but not sure yet if I'm willing to spend that kind of money on an amp.

I think I've seen that you sold your Stratus lately.. which tube amps would you recommend then?

 

The Stratus is killer but I am setting up speakers in another room and what little listening time I have will be spent there. I have tried, in no particular order: Valhalla 2, Dragon Inspire IHA-1, ECP T3, EC ZDS, EC AF, DNA Stratus, Liquid Crimson.

Out of those, I was really only pleased with the Valhalla, the Crimson and the Stratus. The Stratus is a pretty all-out DHT amp and I think perhaps overkill for the HD6X0. It is so agreeable and technically adept I think it suites those who have a wide range of cans and want one amp to rule them all. The LC was super fun, engaging and euphonic but sadly unobtainable. This leaves the Valhalla, which I keep coming back to because it suites my preferences and is cheap. For rock I can really only complain that it's slightly dry and limp when it comes to big dynamics.

I don't have much experience with Bottlehead stuff. I haven't heard much bad about the Mainline, it should be good and provide value in kit form. The good thing about the Mainline is it is known to work with the HD800s should you still go that route later. It's a shame the ECP T4 is not available as a kit, the built price of $2,200 seems ridiculous for the topology and what's inside it.

 

@kixx has good advice, grab a $20 PCIE 2 port usb 3.0 card and hear what it does. If that fails, spend $200 on a decent used desktop and dedicate it to music. I have 2 setups like this and have no need for spdif, totally silent.

 

I own both.. the sound is fairly similar however I feel the Jot is a bit warmer/thicker and the Magni is looser in the bass department. The Jot has a better grip on 6XX's as well. As far as DAC goes you can do the internal 4490 or the external Modi 3 with plenty of inputs for the same price so I'd probably recommend the 3. Multibit if you can afford a bit more esp if using 6XX's.

 

I'm very happy with a cable from Forza AudioWorks (Claire HPC Mk2). Simple good copper, not big enough to be a train power cable, etc. Good flexibility, not microphonic, etc.

 

Suggestions for a cheap DAP (<$200) with a clean digital output (USB or coax)? Emphasis on clean digital output, I could care less about on-board sound. To be used as a transport for Chord Mojo and as source for speaker system with a dedicated DAC. I don't mind buying used.

 

What? using a mojo in front of a dedicated dac? Do not understand, unfortunately.

Sorry, now I get it, two different use cases for the "dap", nevermind.

 

Yeah, a source for my speakers DAC and as a transport for Mojo. As long as it's cheap with a clean USB/coax output. Android does a decent job with Mojo, but not ideal. And Chromecast Audio does an admirable job with my speakers, but sometimes I want full FLAC quality (when I don't have it on vinyl)

 

Chromecast Audio supports up to 24 bit / 96 kHz.
https://www.computeraudiophile.com/...t-Perfect-Testing-Of-The-35-Chromecast-Audio/

 

Ah! Well, that solves that problem I suppose... now to figure out how to cast from MusicBee (edit: not possible, using Plex instead). And here I'd just been using it to stream from spotify...

I'm still in the market for a good transport for Mojo, though. People on head-fi seem to really like Hiby R3 and Hidizs AP60, I've also seen people using Shanling M* and older gen FiiO X3-5 with success... but comparisons are rare. I like that there's a 3d printable case that couples Hiby R3 and Mojo together, since my employer has free 3d printing (even for personal projects--the joys of working for a university), but it's slightly out of my budget for the time being. In the meantime, if anyone has any thoughts on any of those as digital transports, I'd appreciate them.

 

I don't want a dedicated music player, my tablet isn't nosy already. I want my main computer to work. I have to buy a new multiple socket with lightning arrestors anyway so, I'll try one with a suppression filter see if this works before going the pci card route.

 

Ok, I thought I had everything figured out with regards to cleaning pins on tubes, but I have a Sylv bad boy that's particularly corroded on 3 pins (and I really want to use this tube...) that scraping, alcohol, and scotchbrite abrasive pads just isn't getting clean. How do you clean your pins?

 

@Elnrik
Are you able to carefully dip the pins into CLR or hot vinegar?

 

Yep. I can do that. Here is a pic if that helps.

 

You can also try the aluminum foil +baking soda trick: https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-clean-silver-131048

 

I'm worried about CLR and solder on the pins. This is all right?

 

Vinegar on a Q-tip or similar object does wonders for removing corrosion. I use it all the time on electronics where the batteries have leaked and it's more effective than sandpaper or scotchbrite. Plus it's easier to control that just dunking it in solution.

 

A local dealer has one pair of brand new HD800's left and then they're gone for good. I can get them at a cheap price but not sure if I should. Personally, I prefer the sound of the Clear. I will unfortunately need to start using headphones more than my speakers in the not too distant future and don't want to miss out on the HD800. I like them and find them extremely comfortable but I don't love them. A little analytical and not balanced enough for my tastes. Never heard them modded though and not a huge fan of the HD800S. Not sure what to do. Risk missing out on ever owning them or just foget them and go for the Clear? Such a hard decision.