The All Purpose Advice Thread

Speaking from experience, that way lies madness. You'd have to be a masochist to lug around a hundred pound speaker amp for headphones...

 

Pfffffft. Nonsense. Unless he was asking for a portable recommendation. He wasn't, was he?

 

No, but I did say that I'm iffy on hifiman and he-6 because of quality issues and Ragnaroks ability to drive it well. Also, I'm not interested in modding anything, so modded 650 isn't an option.

What's the primary issue with it in stock form?

 

QC issues with the HE-6? First I've heard of it.

My Project Ember drives them well enough. What's the power output like on the Rag?

 

Yep, as well as general build quality issues with the HEK and HEX lend to an overall sense that hifiman isn't up to Sennheiser or Sony (or even Schiit) QC standards, and for something that expensive, that matters.

from the product page:

From IEMs to Loudspeakers
Go ahead. Plug in your sensitive headphones and set Ragnarok’s gain to 1. You’ll enjoy a silent background, and the fine control that a 64-step attenuator can provide. Or run it with the most power-hungry orthos you know. With gain set at 20, and 15W RMS into 32 ohms, you’re ready for an amazing performance. Speakers? No problem. With 60W per channel into 8 ohms, Ragnarok delivers amazing performance with most popular speakers.

As I said, I base my impression on one thing that Marv said in one of the HE-6 threads.

I appreciate that everyone's recommending the thing that they love. I'm looking for a greater sense of consensus without spending all the time and money myself. I know, I'm being selfish.

 

Sounds like you've narrowed yourself down to the HD-650 then.

 

i haven't modded my hd650 yet because it's so great already, but am planning to mod it soon. it sounds like, with the right chain, the 650 scales super high and possesses many of the qualities you seek. i'm still feeding mine with a liquid carbon but i'm in the midst of searching for an upgrade to raise the ceiling higher.

 

Doesn't exist.

 

Good point

I've decided to try to get used to the weight and comfort now because I love the Omni sound and can't really picture giving it up... for now, haha.

Instead, I'm now considering upgrading my IEMs. I've been traveling to Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand and SK for the last month and I used the Dunu Titans almost exclusively (hard to bring out the PM-3s when dealing with a crying 1 year old on the plane!). I enjoy the Titans but they are definitely a downgrade from my PM-3, much less my Omni. I've heard that I can great sound quality from custom IEMs, but I'd rather not go that route.

I've read many promising things about the Campfire Audio Jupiter UIEMs. Would these fit my needs? And if so, what's a good price used for them? Thanks!

 

I have a set of k10 which I really like, but if you're looking for a more fun signature, I just got a pair of the new jh13pro v2 which has adjustable bass. I use those at work. At max it has more bass than the k10. It lacks a tad of the air of the k10 but I still like it a lot (rarely running past half on bass).

I think I may have one of the first sets since I ordered the jh13pro before the v2 was available and the called to ask which I would like; original or the new v2.

Rob

 

I'd second the jh13, esp over the layla or the angie, the latter two I felt were TOTL priced for less than TOTL sound. Yes I guess you could consider them smooth, but I felt it was to the point of being veiled.

Although, none of them impressed me enough to draw out my wallet even though I had no iems, having lost them since last Sept/Oct.

 

@imac2much good call, the omnis are killer. The weight doesn't much bother me, the suspension strap does a great job at distribution so there aren't any high pressure spots (kind of the opposite as the he500 etc which are terrible for this reason). Do you have the strap or the pilot cushy pad? I've only ever used the strap which works wonders.

 

Yep... I guess I have to rely on the leaderboard.

 

Okay, I ordered an HE-6. I will hold you ALL personally responsible if I don't eargasm first time I put them on.

I will come for you.

Wow. Pun.

Anyway, we'll see.

 

I'm going to order the Bifrost MB. Still can't decide on Lyr 2 vs V200 or something else as a best match for the HE-560.

 

Nice! I never expected you to listen to me. Such weight on my shoulders...I don't know that I can take it. Thank goodness for modern day return policies.

Your main objection will likely be comfort, but it can be improved. Audeze Vegan pads and a padded headband go a long way for many. That said, the comfort has never been an issue for me, personally.

The HE planars tend to love hybrid tube amps. Plenty of power to drive them and a touch of sweetness from the tube magic. I use the Project Ember and feel like it's absolute magic with my HE-500.

 

Yeah I ordered Audeze pads to go with it. Should all be here tomorrow.

 

just checking in here - I need some portables that don't isolate too much, and I can't stand in-ears or on-ears.
so I was thinking earbuds, as they also take up much less space.

how bad is the current state of earbuddery though? I haven't tried any that I liked other than the Yuin Pk2 (somewhat... still not great) and that was a very long time ago so I could hate them now for all I know, haha.
budget? not sure, I would like to see all the options and such first - assuming there are any viable ones.