The All Purpose Advice Thread

Hello there everyone.
This is my first post, and I’m looking for some advice from you. Already did my introduction but btw, I’m Ezequiel.

Before starting I’d like to say that I read tons of reviews, user opinions, threads and the compendiums.

I bought the Sennheiser HD6XX. I’ll be trying them next month since I’m in my home country and I sent them to my gf’s house.

So, I’ve been reading and reading and reading and still can’t decide for an DAC/Amp combo.
Some people I read said that it’s better to do a good investment in a great amp and then maybe in a second purchase go ahead with a DAC, I could live with this running a 3.5mm to RCA from my thunderbolt dock.

Well, I’m kinda lost really. My budget is $500, I could push more if there’s enough reason.
I’d like something to really appreciate the soundstage, being detail but not harsh at all, if possible something in the warm side.

Finally I’d like to preserve aesthetic, like Schiit does in their lineup. Talking about Schiit I can’t even decide simple things like Magni 3 or Vali 2, even Modi vs Modi Multibit. I have read so many and contrary opinions that I don’t know what to think anymore.


Thanks a lot as usually and happy new year!

 

DACs : Modi 3, D10, D30, D50, March Audio DAC1, Massdrop x Grace SDAC, SMSL SU-8 V2, JDS EL DAC
Amps: Magni 3, JDS Atom, Massdrop THX AAA 789, Jotunheim, Objective2 (from many different vendors, if you want something with batteries),

or

DAC Amp Combos: DX3 Pro, DX7S, NX4 DSD, Jotunheim w/ AK4490 DAC (but I'd rather get a Jot / Modi 3 stack instead)

 

My choice at +/-$500would be used modi/Eitr/vali2 stack with a decent tube. I like the new manufacture Gold Lion and the NOS Tungsram PCC88 / 7dj8 (upscale has them for about$60). I’ve had that stack about 3 times. I sell it because I don’t need it, and want a new something or other. I buy it again because even though I don’t need it, I like it, and somebody I trust is selling it.....

 

Is the Eitr that really needed? I must say that although I never heard it before, I never had a problem about noise through USB. What really turns me down or against it is that for a bit more I have a Bitfrost all in one unit if it’s really worth it, plus I could get it with Multibit although I really don’t know till now if there’s a benefit.

On the other hand, I saw that a lot of people recommends the Vali 2, what’s the benefit of the of it next to, say Valhalla 2, Vyr 3? (I know Vyr 3 is DAC/Amp).

Thanks for your answer and btw, tell me the price of the combo at least to know. It should be shipped to Montreal.

 

If using USB, I think it makes th $130 or so difference if you buy a used one. The Bifrost MB is also a great choice if it has gen5 usb. I had it and the modi/Eitr at the same time. Almost indiscernible between the two. I still like the vali2 a lot regardless.

 

El Dac (not stock filter) and Magni 3 combo is good. d30, atom, jott w/4490 subpar.

read Marv's sticky post about schiit amps in the amp forum. He does a great job of pointing out the sonic differences he hears from the schiit amps. I mostly agree, fwiw

 

Yes sir, I did read it and I consider it was an outstanding job.

What I still don’t understand are things like Eitr, the difference between Modi and Modi Multibit (There seems to be several opinions around) and if going just head amp for the moment what would be the best option.

I want to buy something decent and future proof. I don’t want to be selling and buying. Now if you tell me Vali 2 it’s an amp that to get a significant different ahead you need to spend $1000+ ok I will take it, but given Valhallla 2 or Lyr 3 I don’t know.

I haven’t found opinions about soundstage about them but I didn’t find several between Vali 2 and Magni 3

Edit: gonna read again the sticky

 

A lot of it comes down to taste, I owned the Vali 2 and Magni 3, I liked the Magni a bit better with my 650s feeling the mid bass was a bit too thick on the vali, but many folks feel just the opposite.

Use the search function or just dive into the magni 3 and vali 2 threads, there are tons of opinions on how they sound!

forget "future proof", You will die of paralysis if you try to "figure everything out" Just get something and listen! We are not talking big bucks here. eg. vali and magni. There is no such thing as "best" so get that word out of your skull, haha.

And forget the eitr or anything else like it, get a dac that implements usb well, money will be better spent on a better dac or amp and not trying to fix someones cheap ass usb solution.

 

Hahahahaha okey okey, I want to clarify that I meant best for the moment, for the money, not best overall, or the best piece, this is endless xD

Agree 200% about the Eitr, it’s more or less what I thought, you made an excellent point there. About the DAC, can you tell me if the difference between the Sigma and Multibit is really that significant?

Now about the amp, I think I’m leaning towards something hybrid or tubes, but I’m really lost about which one, Vyr 3 didn’t find any comparison, Vali 2 ok found a lot but not directly comparisons in detail with Valhalla 2 or either Vyr 3.
Joy was something interesting to me but everyone complains about the DAC, still didn’t find out exactly the what except for being a little bright, finally mjolnir 2, nothing at all I read.

I’d love to wait one month and being able to try something before buying, but it’s not a possibility that I’ll have, which would be the best. That’s why I’m trying to find out what’s the « best » for me before buying, I repeat not the best DAC or amp, just the best option among those.

 

Found this ! Finally something. Narrowing the options now.

Dealing with Vali 2, Lyr 3, Valhalla 2 and Mjolnir 2 (I don’t really know if it’s worth it, I like balance to say “I have a balance connection (?)” but I’m not running a 100mt cable along a studio)

Further reading led me to this and I must say that I’m lost about this statement:

 

I was in your shoes about a year ago. Had the HD6XX incoming and no idea about gear to feed them with.

Bascially there's a big limit to how much you can 'listen' via reading on the internet and you're going to have to just jump right in and do your own trial and error, and calibrate via real listening to different bits of gear. "Best" for you can't be defined by other people's opinions if you haven't established your own preferences.

I also obsessed over the budget end multibit vs SD choice, to recently discover that it really doesn't matter to me. I just can't hear that much (if any) difference. A lot of the people here have very well trained hearing, some are professionally involved with music. You need to figure out how much of what they can hear is going to be audible to you.

The good thing about buying Schiit gear (or probably El DAC or anything popular) is that resale value remains puzzlingly high- 80-90% as it seems that buyers place close to zero value on warranties.

You just have to jump in. If you decide to change around later, it costs you very little if you sell off the old gear.

 

You are 100%. It’s really really hard this way and takes me too much time to find the answer or opinions that I’m looking for. The last two messages I quote were after more than a thousand I read (No joke)

I believe I’m between Valhalla 2, Mjolnir 2 but completely lost about Vyr 3. Nothing about the DAC yet.

 

I don't think there's much of a difference in technicalities between Mjo2 and Lyr3. Mjo just slams really really hard.

Well, Mjo2 has balanced inputs, which is an advantage if you pair it with a Gungnir or Yggdrasil since their balanced outs are better than their se outs, but also its SE out sounds like ass so you have to buy a balanced cable from periapt or forza.

Val2 is a totally different beast - pure toob style atmosphere, but somewhat dry and very low in power, it can only really pair well with classical high impendance dynamics.

Since you can't really know what you want quite yet, KISS. If you want something that can do anything, get the Lyr, otherwise the Val.

As for DACs, I personally think the latest (as in, buy new) Bifrost Multibit might even sound slightly better than Modi Multibit, and I think its worth it if you're going to drive it via USB, to have the upgradeable interface built-in.

But I personally value the MB sound a lot, and that's not universal, we have plenty of members who are not firmly in either camp and a few who prefer the DS Gungnir to the MB one.

Since you're getting a whole new headphone and amp, you won't really be able to do DAC comparison for a while due to everything else being new. Ultimately you'll just have to dive in.

As a note, synergy-wise I would not pair a Valhalla with a soekris DAC1321. I haven't heard the El DAC myself.

My suggestion is Bifrost Multibit and Valhalla 2, but there you go.

My DAC choice will get shot down by a lot of members here, largely because the Bifrost Multibit was for a long time worse than the Modi Multibit, but some also don't think it's worth the extra cost for upgradeability, a choice that we find mutually inexplicable.

 

@priamXus , be aware that getting US-purchased stuff to Canada means you'll be hit with not only shipping costs but also taxes (5% GST on the Canadian dollar value) and brokerage fees (the money charged for the privilege of paying the taxes ) as well as by the awful exchange rate.

Given all the permutations you're considering it might be better to wait to buy least one component second-hand after you get here. Then if you find you don't like it, you can re-sell it with minimal loss. Start looking at Canuck Audio Mart to get a feel for local pricing.

https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/

 

Superb !!!

Thanks tons for the anwer really! I should then decide between Val 2 and Lyr 3. Regarding the former one, is it a bad choice to get it with the MB module as the Jot ? Should I always choose external DAC?

On the other hand I agree about the Bitfrost if you consider the USB interface. It’s a no brainer, I have to think about this, if I want the Eatr I would go straight to Bifrost Multibit, otherwise Modi Multibit.

Agree ! Already registered and found a Val 2. Thanks tons !

Regarding that for me it’s a paradise, although if I can save then like you suggested it’s always a good idea. My savings are in US and I pay more than 50% in taxes yearly here in Argentina (That bad is the financial situation in my home country)

If buying un USA I have to consider shipping, taxes and that’s it. For the moment....

 

The internal DAC modules are OK, for something like a setup at work where package size trumps quality.

By all accounts the DS module is the better of the two? The separates are quite a bit better, anyway.

 

Hi guys, I'm trying to find a high value speaker amp/receiver to use with my he 6. My current chain is topping D50 > emotiva's mini x a 100 > he 6.

I'm exclusively looking for used products, I want to maximize the bang for my buck. My maximum total budget for changing my system is probably around ~$1600, but I would prefer to stay on the lower end unless it is a high value deal.


I listen to a lot of Metal, Electronic, classic rock, Talking heads, Beastie Boys, some jazz (more afro-cuban style), and a bit of classical.


Deep, detailed bass, and an overall engaging sound with tactile percussion is important to me.

I'm browsing several different used audio gear forums but am having a hard time separating the good from the bad. It seems like every amp on sale has great reviews when I look them up.

 

You've already asked this question, and received a variety of advice.

Maybe it's time you just go listen to some gear locally and see what you like?

Spoiler: Advice already received on HE-6 thread.

 

Atom seems to get lots of glowing reviews.

Any difference between Jot w/ 4490 and Jot + Modi 3 stack?

 

Re: Atom, not a bad amp just not great. And the reviews are typically from folks without a lot of experience. It is what it is, pretty good for $99. I would take the Magni 3 over it even with it's compression and some glare. Would maybe even take the Vali 2 with the right can provided the volume control was a good sample. Vali 2 with 650 was a bit thick.

I spent some time w/ the Jot w/4490 at a Denver micro meet, but did not like the signature at all with the 650s. I am firmly in the camp that says, you really need to separate the dac and amp. Not many all in ones sound as good to me as separates, especially in the moderate price range. May have a lot to do with power supplies, and rfi. Still though on the under $150 budget for both, I have lived with and heard a few dac/amp combos that were not too gimped.