The All Purpose Advice Thread

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

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  1. RedFuneral

    RedFuneral Facebook Friend

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    I'll keep an eye on the used market, might be I can trade my R70x into a pair of 650s/6xx.

    I got the Rag in a trade, I agree on the forward and grating mids. It was tolerable when I had the Sundara & a balanced cable. I actually have a Conrad-Johnson preamp that I've put in front of the Rag/Atom, it subtlety smooths the treble but ultimately I don't find that much difference with or without it. Combined with the Rag its a more mild dose of the Apex Sangaku in that it beautifies the sound a bit but ultimately remained somewhat sterile/unforgiving. I was on the Apex Teton loaner tour back when that launched; the Teton has the smoothness & large stage I'm after but its not affordable and the experience may not have been representative because I used it with 32ohm headphones & didn't have enough time to thoroughly test it. My singular experience with transformer coupled tubes was annoyingly rich sounding.

    Brings me full circle back to why I'm considering the Edition XX. The big Hifimans supposedly have the ethereal/floaty sound of my old stats and the sensitivity to allow experimenting with OTL. Perhaps the HFM + 650 would be two good headphones to compare with similar enough amp compatibility?
     
  2. Thenewerguy009

    Thenewerguy009 Friend

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    If I want to use a the balanced inputs of my DAC to a single ended amplifier, would a converter box be better than just going for a RCA to XLR cable? I hear the biggest problem with a cable is that there will be a impedance mismatch.

    Decarware & ampsandsound sell these type of XLR to RCA converters boxes ($600+), as well as ISO Max XLR/RCA converters ($275), but I was hoping to get something cheaper.

    Would these be a good buy? I'm not good at reading specs
    https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Nob...l-Converter-Amp-Switcher-Pre/33003913197.html

    This is also cheaper & seems close to the ISO Max converter in design, but would it be worse than the above item?
    https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Nob...o-XLR-XLR-to-RCA-Inspired-by/33005295840.html

    If I do order the cheaper option above, the correct one to order would be the XLR to RCA & not the other way around?
     
  3. skem

    skem Friend

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    For balanced dac *output* to single-ended amp input, usually recommend Neutrik NA2FPMF-UW. This is what Lavry Engineering does and it seems to be just fine. Works with most pro audio.

    BUT you have Pavane, which I think is fully balanced. That connector will send (-) to ground, which may not be ideal. Double check to see if your dac can handle that.

    Xformers will color the sound. Even the very good ones have roll off and other issues. See, for example, here.

    The real question is, why do this if your DAC has SE out? Almost any discount option will likely sound worse.

    EDIT: see also @dBel84’d post here. https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/hardly-diy-se-to-balanced-converter.6560/
     
    Last edited: Jun 4, 2019
  4. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    NEVER use xlr to rca cable without transformer unless you EXACTLY know (1) xlr pin configuration, (2) cable internal connections (which pin on one end to which pin on the other end..), and (3) how hot-cold-ground signals are internally generated and assigned to xlr output pins.

    General recommendation is to use BOTH (1) 1:1 transformer (xlr in, xlr out) AND (2) XLRf to RCAm cable.

    Couldn't find @atomicbob 's great guideline.. hope someone would paste the link :)

    That said, DO NOT ASSUME you can make it under $300-ish unless you go for used ones or DIYs.
     
    Last edited: Jun 3, 2019
  5. damaged-goods

    damaged-goods Acquaintance

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    I've reently buoght a pair of HD660 and like these quite a lot. I've had them when they were released and back then they sucked but this new pair has excellent smooth treble and sounds very good and dynamic. It's less mid centric than the HD650 (or you could say it's a bit muffled (edit: muted would be the better word) compared to the HD650) and is very fatigue free. I got used to them very fast and enjoy them a lot.
    I own all four of the classic Senns right now, HD580, HD600, HD650 and HD660. They're all great.
    Might be worth to give them a try.
     
    Last edited: Jun 4, 2019
  6. RedFuneral

    RedFuneral Facebook Friend

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    I wanted to thank you guys for the advice given on finding a forgiving pair of headphones. Keeping the recommendations for the LCD2C & 650 in mind I decided to split the difference with a used Aeon Open. Comes with tweaking pads and the option to nab a Senn and compare a closely alligned planar & dynamic.
     
  7. MLegend

    MLegend Friend

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    Is it possible to damage your headphones by unplugging the connectors from the headphone cups while the volume knob is turned up, but without music playing?
     
  8. Thenewerguy009

    Thenewerguy009 Friend

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    More the amplifier than the headphones, as long as you are using a single ended TRS connection. A lot of amps can be fried by that.
     
  9. MLegend

    MLegend Friend

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    The amplifier outputs are 2 3-pin balanced.
     
    Last edited: Jun 5, 2019
  10. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    If the plugs on the cup are shorting - ie minijacks - and the amp doesn't have adequate shorting protection, yes.

    Although usually the amp dies first.
     
  11. sherm137

    sherm137 New

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    Hi all,

    Long time lurker, not many time poster. I am having troubles finding the right headphone for me (probably because I'm too damn picky and my budget isn't high enough). I have searched many a forum only to be confused by subjective, contradictory reviews more times than I care to admit. So I thought, let's go straight to the expert amateurs for no nonsense recommendation.

    I currently own the Focal Elex. Love it...except for the clipping issue, which is really bothering me, especially for a $700 headphone. I have made the decision to sell it. I am looking for something similar in sound signature (close-ish to neutral and does everything well) to the Elex but hopefully with a wider soundstage while keeping the detail retrieval. My budget is a firm $800.

    I am open to planar or dynamic. I will be pairing it with a JDS Labs Atom amp and a Topping D10 DAC.

    Just for reference, I have also owned the following headphones:

    Hifiman HE400i - my first headphone and enjoyed it a lot until the right driver failed...yay Hifiman QC!
    Monoprice M1060c - modded to open-back. solid but too warm for my tastes and not nearly enough soundstage or detail
    HD58x Jubilee - enjoyed it for what it is
    T20RP Mk3 - still have and thinking about sending to Zach to turn into a ZMF Classic
     
  12. songmic

    songmic Gear cycler East Asia edition

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    Verum 1 and CTH, that'll get you both headphones and a decent pairing amp for less than $700 (throw in a little more for CTH + SDAC and it's still within your budget).

    The Verum 1 is close to neutral, does everything well, has a larger soundstage than Elex, and better than any of the planars you've tried. The HD58X/6XX may outperform it if you use a $$$ DHT SET amp like the offerings from DNA or EC, but given your budget restriction I doubt it's what you're going for.
     
  13. sherm137

    sherm137 New

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    Thanks for the response. If I can use the whole budget on a headphone, would you still recommend the Verum 1?
     
  14. songmic

    songmic Gear cycler East Asia edition

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    Depends on the amp you're using, but Verum 1 is hard to beat for any headphone within the sub-$1K category.
     
  15. sherm137

    sherm137 New

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    Any headphone I buy would be driven off the JDS Atom with a Topping D10 DAC.

    How is the soundstage on the Verum 1? I have heard it is somewhat narrow. Is that accurate?
     
    Last edited: Jun 5, 2019
  16. scotto541

    scotto541 New

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    Are there more than one version of the Schiit Modi Multibit? I see a feww on ebay but they don't say Modi 2 Multibit or Modi 3 Multibit, is that because there's only been one so far? Is the Modi MB worth $200 or so used compared to a new Modi 3 at $100?
     
  17. JustAnotherRando

    JustAnotherRando My other bike is a Ferrari

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    There is the Modi 2, the Modi 3, and the Modi Multibit (without a number designation).

    Whether the Modi3 or the Modi Multibit is preferable depends on whether you want multibit DAC or not, impossible to tell without you listening. Downsides of the Ebay option though:
    - I personally don't consider it worth saving $49 to drop a 2 year warranty.
    - There's a recent firmware revision for the Mulitbit, which you'll get on a new unit. No idea whether it would come with one off Ebay though.

    Edited for clarity.
     
    Last edited: Jun 6, 2019
  18. songmic

    songmic Gear cycler East Asia edition

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    It's no HD800, but the soundstage is fairly decent for its price. Besides, the Focals aren't really known for their soundstage.
     
  19. ergopower

    ergopower Friend

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    Agree with @JustAnotherRando but want to add - the Modi Multibit is occasionally available from Schiit as a closeout for $200. You'll get the latest version and the warranty, hard to beat.
     
  20. lm4der

    lm4der A very good sport - Friend

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    Write back with some impressions!
     
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