The All Purpose Advice Thread

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

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  1. kapanak

    kapanak Canucklehead - Friend

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    As far as I understand, Lyr 2 has a significantly brighter sound with with HD600/650/800, to the point of unbearable with the HD800. However, it is designed to deliver GOBS of power, and especially suited for inefficient low impedance orthodynamics, like the HE-6.

    Valhalla 2 is an OTL amp, designed to drive 150 ohm and above headphones real nicely, with lots of voltage that they need.
     
  2. Friday

    Friday Friend

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    Would it then be suitable for a k7xx, given that the k7xx is only 62 ohms?
     
  3. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

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    I have saved USD$2k to spend on my first desktop headphone setup. After 'climbing the ladder' of IEMs, which was enjoyable but expensive, I am pretty keen just to shoot for endgame (within my budget and space constraints, that is)

    For reference UERM and Noble 4 are my preferred kind of sig (after buying a number of hyped TOTL monitors along the way...)

    I would prefer to avoid second hand if possible, as I have been burnt once before.

    I can buy a new HD800 locally for USD$950 and I am looking pretty hard at a multibifrost and valhalla stack to drive it.

    Money well spent, or am I on the wrong track entirely?

    Thanks pyrates friends.
     
  4. kapanak

    kapanak Canucklehead - Friend

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    Probably the best starter pack for HD800. Acquire the headphones first, run it on your current systems (it CAN be driven even by a phone). Then buy Valhalla 2 and compare difference, and make Bifrost Multibit purchase your last purchase, wait for the drivers kinks to be worked out.
     
  5. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    I heard a Lyr2 + HD650 for the first time yesterday, and I want to say it was actually warmer, thicker, and more relaxed sounding than my Val2 + HD650.
     
  6. blackships

    blackships Friend

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    I'm looking to spend between $300 and $400 for open-back headphones, currently to be run out of a GOV2 and a UHA-6S.MKII. I've narrowed things down to HD650 or HE400S, but am very torn. Here are the pros and cons as I see them:

    HD650:
    Pros
    -Scales forever
    -I already have a balanced cable wired up for the GOV2
    -Build quality
    -Should fit my huge head

    Cons
    -Costs more than the HE400s
    -Harder to drive, possibly underdriven by my current sources
    -Could be a long time before I upgrade to a powerful desktop amp
    -Bass quality

    HE400S:
    Pros
    -Less expensive, although upgrading the pads and buying a cable brings the price in line with the HD650
    -Easier to drive, particularly by my current sources
    -Bass quality with Focus pads

    Cons
    -Build quality (I've had very poor experiences with HiFiMan's build quality in the past)
    -I'm not certain these will fit my head, but I could just return them if they don't fit
    -Will need to upgrade pads
    -Will need to purchase balanced cable
    -Won't scale as well as the HD650


    I'm leaning towards the HD650, but still hesitant. It seems like the HE400S might work better with my current sources, but I'm uncertain. Maybe the HD650 will be fine. Marv seems to like the HD650 with the GOV2 and I've read that the Leck can drive the HD650, although I'm skeptical.

    What say you?
     
  7. Eric_C

    Eric_C Friend

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    blackships:
    Perhaps consider another angle on the HD650, namely its resaleability. Of course you don't buy something intending to sell it, but its wide popularity in the secondhand market makes it a lower risk purchase.
     
  8. rayfalkner

    rayfalkner Not to be confused with Roy Fokker - Friend

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    I wonder if HDVA600 is worthy enough to be the (kind of) endgame SS amp for HD800. I could pick it up at $1380 firm, brand new from a local dealer.
    Ragnarok is out of my league and I don't plan on delving into speakers either in any foreseeable future;
    EC Black Widow is highly tempting but will definitely explodes with the additional cost of international shipping + import tax + customs and whatsoever;

    ... perhaps Mjolnir 2 + LISST is the better deal overall hmm? (counting even all the additional s/h fees)

    Edit: Hmm, just found one HDVA600 on eBay for perhaps even a lower total cost.
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/SENNHEISER-...-BILANCIATO-/311416604287?hash=item4881e0467f
     
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2015
  9. Judeus

    Judeus Facebook Friend

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    hdva/hdvd are jokes

    they are using $2 TI amp chips spend your money on something worth the cost
     
  10. rayfalkner

    rayfalkner Not to be confused with Roy Fokker - Friend

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    ... Such as?

    * Which is a solid state and not Ragnarok.

    ** Really, no intentional hate or anything out of Rag; just the high price tag combined with the fact that Schiit has no authorized dealer here.
     
  11. Judeus

    Judeus Facebook Friend

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    eddie current bw is loved around here, never heard myself though

    mjlonir two would be good option too
     
  12. dark_energy

    dark_energy Friend

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    HDVA is a medicore/above average amp for HD800. Good but not great. Overpriced. It has a dry, lifeless sound. Has 'digitus' grain on midrange. It resolves well, but isn't what HD800 needs imo. DIY Cavalli EHHA totally outclasses HDVA600 and it costs [Edit.]450-500$ to build.

    I would look for impressions on Black Widow or Cavalli Liquid Carbon. They seem to be good value. At innerfidelity Big Sound 2015, many liked BW.
     
    Last edited: Oct 7, 2015
  13. rayfalkner

    rayfalkner Not to be confused with Roy Fokker - Friend

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    Thank you, both of you.
    Been really considering Mjolnir2 with LISST though, maybe I'll wait for more impressions and stuffs about that 'solid tube' before calling the shot.

    In the meanwhile I'll make Black Widow into #1 priority.
     
  14. Eric_C

    Eric_C Friend

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    rayfalkner: I'm hoping to score a HD800 myself, and a BW is in my wishlist too--but like you, the price of American amps can be high for me (I live in Singapore).

    I recall reading on Changstar that HDVD 600/800 are good, smooth, but impart their own sound signature. (says Marv and Priidik)
    If you're still interested in the Ragnarok, Singapore has a distributor called SLT Technologies. Maybe they can ship to you at a more reasonable price? Nevermind. I just checked Schiit's dealer page and they're not on it; maybe they've stopped distributing Schiit products.
     
  15. rayfalkner

    rayfalkner Not to be confused with Roy Fokker - Friend

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    Ah right, Singapore!
    I kind of hoped that Jaben will start carrying Schiit products now that their amps and DACs are even getting more popular; doesn't seems like it though.

    The thing that worries me about importing high value stuffs into Indonesia is how craptastic the customs officers here are. They charge extra fees just as how they like it, and the way they perform security check on your package is just way too far from professional; slashed open packaging, knife/scissor nicks on the contents, some accessories could even be missing, etc.

    Just the 3rd world country thingy...
     
  16. Eric_C

    Eric_C Friend

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    Yeah, no such luck. Various retailers here have carried Schiit, but only temporarily it seems.
    Customs situation sounds pretty bad in Jakarta. Maybe a better idea for you to buy a product overseas and carry it in yourself, or just buy from the Jakartan retailers?
     
  17. Friday

    Friday Friend

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    It seems that it might be Red Fusion One now, since Treoo is carrying some Schiit. Haven't heard much good stuff about their service in general though. I'm hoping E1 Personal Audio gets its restock soon
     
  18. Ryu

    Ryu Friend

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    Hi friends. I am looking to purchase a pair of MrSpeakers Alpha Dogs. Would there be a better alternative to this purchase at the same price point that meets the criteria of closed and neutral sounding? Another question, should I upgrade my stack? Will it make a noticeable difference? I enjoy a wide variaty of music and I would hate to be limited to one genre to get the 100% from my setup. My current setup is SoundMagic HP 150's through the Magni/Modi stack and then to my Chromebook.
     
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2015
  19. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

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    Thanks. HD800 had been ordered\/
     
  20. kapanak

    kapanak Canucklehead - Friend

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    Welcome to the club! :D
     
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