The All Purpose Advice Thread

Sadly, no. It's a raised ceiling and there's no way to insulate from the noise. It's not horrible, but certainly noticeable.

Thanks for the suggestion!

 

Do you work by yourself or far away from other people? I'd thinking blasting music above hvac noise would really irritate coworkers, and sound from thumpy subs can travel a good distance in a building.

 

Does anyone have any experience with the MiniDSP NanoAVR DL?

Or MiniDSP/Dirac Live in general?

I’m replacing the Yamaha AVR in my home theater with a Rotel that has no room correction built in. I’m thinking of adding it via MiniDSP.
Any thoughts or experience would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Nick

 

Running this stuff:
- Zu Audio Omen DW
- Schiit Ragnarok 2
- Schiit Bifrost 2
(- Grado RS2e (not a large focus here))

I think it is a bit dry and I don't necessarily need more to the bass rather than treble side. I want more liquidness and some more warmth. The speakers are staying.

I read a review on Aegir, and it was described as having "a burnished glow and warmth." That sounds like a quality I'm looking for. I've also used Gungnir A2, and even though that is brighter and more neutral than Bifrost 2, I would think that it has more of that liquidness to it, which I hear is especially prominent in Yggdrasil A2. The overall sound of Bifrost 2 > Gungnir A2 for me, so that part of it is fine.

How would I get those two parts, warmth and liquidity? I'm betting amp on warmth. For practical reasons I'd rather not go tube, but if it'll REALLY get me what I'm talking about, then fine. Liquidity I'm guessing DAC?

 

How do most people clean tube pins? Main concern is not damaging tubes / not making them go microphonic, shrinking pins which results in poor contact, etc.

I'm thinking of scraping big chunks of oxidation/"junk" off with the back side of an exacto knife if applicable. Use silicone polishing bits (medium to fine) for jewelry and with dremel at low speed (<3-4k rpm). Use deoxit and a medium firmness toothbrush afterwards. If absolutely needed, use rubbing alcohol and cotton swabs for final wipedown. Wear latex gloves and wrap tube with microfiber towel during the entire process to keep silk screening from rubbing off.

 

I rather like @Garns' advice in the Vali 2 thread [link to post]:

"I would avoid scraping with a knife as it could remove the outer metal coating of the pins. If there is visible oxidation then either a brass wire brush or 0000 steel wool wrapped around a q-tip shaft work well and are much gentler. If you use 0000 steel wool then use a bulb air blower afterwards to ensure there are no conductive fibres left behind on the pins."

 

Do you have a dremel tool? Because if you do the buffing wheel tip is excellent for cleaning tube pins! Get's them bright and shiny like new!

 

I'm looking for a handful of 4.4mm TRRRS female to 3.5mm TRS male adapters -- for connecting 4.4mm TRRRS headphones to 3.5mm TRS sources.

I've found adapters for $100+, but that's way more than I'm willing to spend. At more reasonable prices, so far I've only found adapters from Plussound that are $75 and a month away, and adapters of very questionable quality from Amazon/Ebay/Ali/etc.

Can anyone recommend a source of good quality adapters that are available more or less immediately, preferably for $50 or less?

 

@Forza AudioWorks did a similar one for me - 4pin XLR into TRRS for my iFi xDSD - for like 50 euro and I know he has pentaconn male jacks, but I don't know if he's got any female ones on hand.

 

I have used this one in copper-platinum https://www.amazon.com/Female-Balanced-Output-Adapter-Weaving/dp/B07DFH9V9M/ and while not of incredibly quality, it works absolutely fine and doesn't cost you $50+

If you want a quality cable for life though, I agree @Forza AudioWorks is the better choice.

 

This Fiio adapter is supposed to be half decent.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32946910909.html

 

Aftermarket sockets aren't reliable, I had to learn it the hard way and that's how I ended with originals by Sony. They're available.

Thanks!

 

I have the equivalent FiiO version with 2.5mm balanced instead of 4.4mm connector, and the quality is good. I got mine from Amazon, but unfortunately the 4.4mm version seems to be only at Chinese vendors: https://www.google.com/search?as_q=FiiO&as_epq=LL-4.4M&as_eq=LB, and many businesses are shutting down for holiday.

 

Thanks, all. Looks like I'll be contacting Forza AudioWorks, and maybe buying one or two Amazon-sourced adapters as a stopgap while I wait for delivery.

 

Dear All,

In spring, I bought myself Zu Audio Event power cable for my DAC during the manufacturer's sale on eBay and enjoy it immensely. But I bite my nails that I bought only one as I need two of those for my amps, the sale is over now...

So I decided to ask if anyone knows the power cable able to match Event's sound quality but within a reasonable price range, like 200 USD for a used item. Any suggestions?

 

Have you tried contacting Zu directly? Maybe they still have some units left not yet listed. Worth a shot IMO.

 

I'm aking for a friend, if anyone can help: Over-ear, closed back for under $50? He listens to lots of 80's/90's rock. Anything I thought of was at least a $100... I don't think he wants on-ear...

 

Check Empirical Design ED 316. It's decent one and you can get it around $200 on sale.
https://www.empiricaldesign.net/power-cords.html
I'm using it with my DSHA -3F. Not sure if it has any impact on sound signature but the cable is well built and can take good load.

 

I haven't used them personally but based on some online reviews and comment below may be some options
1. Creative Aurvana Live - they go out of stock pretty soon.
2. Sony 7506

 

'nother vote for some Sony 7506. Budget stretch for ATH-M50s, used.