The All Purpose Advice Thread

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

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  1. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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    What do you want to do with the sound? To introduce a 'BBC dip', try shallow pads like the stock T50RP3 ones. To ease bass, try something not leather (velour or hybrid) or perforated.

    Here are 3 different pads on modded T50RP3s (mods described here):

    [​IMG]

    Shure pads fit ok, are available in various materials and aren't too expensive in Canada (eg https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B002Z9JWZS ; the other SRH-model pads will fit the same).

    So far (since yesterday) I'm liking the cheap slant ones I tried, https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07BKSW8GF , but they don't fit very well so I had to cut off the skirts and stick them on with double-sided tape. I have some which should fit better on order from Brainwavz, but due to Covid they're not shipping out of HK at the moment so who knows when they'll arrive (didn't stop them taking the money up front though). Geekria might be a better bet currently.

    Drop is currently selling the Dekoni T50s (deep, in protein leather and sheepskin): https://drop.com/buy/dekoni-premium-earpads-for-fostex-th-x00

    Some other suggestions and links here: https://www.headphonesty.com/2019/07/how-to-mod-the-fostex-t50rp-mk3/#sound-mod . See also the T50MKIII thread, probably also LFF threads (haven't searched those ones myself).

    Have fun!
     
  2. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    Don't know about sound synergy, but ZMF still sells pads of very nice quality that would fit the T50RP body. https://www.zmfheadphones.com/pads-and-cables/zmf-oval-earpads
     
  3. murphythecat

    murphythecat GRU-powered uniformed trumpkin

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    probably id like slightly less bass and less mid recession.
    which pads would be best for this? thx!
     
  4. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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    Maybe something velour or hybrid for less bass and deep with a large opening for more (upper) mids - but note what others have said, how these will work on LFFs might not match what people have found with stock or differently-modded T50s.

    These look like they'd fit:

    https://www.amazon.ca/comfortable-replacement-headphones-PU-Velour/dp/B073NTTPPD

    Or maybe Shure 940 or 1840, but the openings on the Shures are a bit smaller:

    https://www.amazon.ca/Shure-HPAEC1540-Replacement-Alcantara-Headphones/dp/B005OM06RG
     
  5. kee7a

    kee7a New

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    Hey, I currently have a pair of LS50W and was considering adding a sub. Anyone have opinions on this? Would it make meaningful improvement? I've heard mixed opinions on this one. If it is something I should consider, any recommendations? I'm trying to stay around 500 and was looking at the SVS SB-1000. I generally like bright / analytical sounding systems and am not a bass head, but want to give a sub a try if that helps. Thanks!
     
  6. zonto

    zonto Friend

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    @kee7a I don't have experience with the LS50W, but have heard the LS50 on a couple occasions and definitely think a subwoofer would be helpful.

    A few ideas/resources:
    • https://us.kef.com/blog/ls50w-active-music-system-subwoofer-integration. Looks like the app gives you the option to high-pass the LS50W, which is worth trying out once you add the sub. Would remove the strain on the speakers from trying to reproduce bass frequencies they have no business reproducing.
    • Per the above link, KEF recommends their own KUBE-2 sub, which seems to be discontinued. Maybe replaced by the KEF KUBE10b. There is also a 12" option. I'd imagine the SVS/Rhythmik are superior.
    • When I was looking for budget subs, the SVS was also recommended to me. I ended up going with a Rhythmik L12 because I've always wanted to try their servo tech. I use that in my office system with a pair of Vanatoo T0 to great effect.
    • If you're a stickler on looks and have the gloss black LS50W, it appears the SVS and KEF are available in gloss black, but the L12 is not. You'd have to move up to the F12SE for that, which is around $1,000. The L12 has a matte black option or the black veneer. The L12 is available in gloss white though, so if you have the white LS50W that would look nice.
    • I'd consider a Blue Jeans LC-1 RCA cable to connect your sub. Cheap, but well-constructed and shielded, which is important in this application.
     
  7. corzendonk

    corzendonk New

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    Hi all,

    I'm in the market for a headphone amp that I could also use as a pre-amp for my speakers, preferably sub $1k. I was eyeing up the Topping A90 because it seemed to have great features and sound for the price, but I saw on a thread from a week or two ago that a lot of the senior members here were highly skeptical of the A90.

    So what other amps are out there that can do what the A90 can for the price? I think one of the obvious answers is the Schiit Jotunheim, but a lot of reviewers I trust put the A90 well above the Jotunheim in terms of performance.

    Anyone have any insight?
     
  8. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    Are your speakers active or passive? If active, I assume 3 pin XLR connections are desired? Or just RCA?

    A Modi/Modius and Saga+ combo gets you there for under $1000.

    A pre-owned RME ADI-2 DAC fs does too.
     
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2020
  9. ChaChaRealSmooth

    ChaChaRealSmooth SBAF's Mr. Bean

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    If you need the XLR-outs and don't mind having multiple boxes around, I'd recommend a pile of Schiit:
    • DAC: Your choice of Modi 3, Modi MB, or Modius
    • Preamp: Freya S if you need the balanced out. A Jotunheim also works as a one-box option for headphone-out/pre-out.
    • Amp: If you don't need the balnaced out, then get something like Asgard 3, which has SE pre outs and a headphone out. If you needed the XLR-out, see my recommendation for preamp and then get a headphone amp of your choice.
    Edit: for some reason didn't see @Elnrik's post.
     
  10. corzendonk

    corzendonk New

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    Thanks for the reply, I have an old pair of KEF speakers and a BK ST-202 power amp, I only really need RCA for those, but XLR may help in the future.

    The RME looks killer, but I kinda wish it had a 4-pin headphone jack. I also have a pretty decent DAC already (Cambridge DACmagic plus), so I'm more looking for a dedicated headphone amp instead of a DAC/amp combo.
     
  11. corzendonk

    corzendonk New

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    Seems to be a lot of love for Schiit around here, not that it's a bad thing...

    I appreciate the recommendations, but except for the Jotunheim, they don't really fit what I'm looking for. The Topping A90 is fully balanced and has pre-outs, obviously the Jotunheim has these as well, which is why I'm really asking what the differences are, and why the Jotunheim seems to be recommended more here, but the Topping seems to be recommended more elsewhere.
     
  12. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    The DAC magic plus has preamp capability. Why aren't you just using that then? I'm confused.
     
  13. corzendonk

    corzendonk New

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    You're right, it does have preamp capabilities. Honestly, I like the DAC section, but the preamp and headphone amp cababilities leave a bit to be desired. I got a chance to plug in my Sennheiser HD 598 (which I've been using exclusively for years) to a much more expensive rig and it showed the limitations of my current equipment. I'm confident that a better headphone amp will make a big improvement.

    Your next question will be "why do you need balanced if your 598s aren't balanced?"
    It's because they're long due for an upgrade, and I'm getting balanced cans next.
     
  14. farbinator

    farbinator Facebook Friend

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    $500 list for a mass produced zero innovation chi-fi amp is steep in my book. There's also an entire thread on the subject here:

    https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/topping-a90-or-topping-part-deux.9583/
     
  15. zonto

    zonto Friend

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    @corzendonk you're asking for a lot of product for under $1,000. Most people here with experience with Topping gear don't like it because even though it measures well it sounds like crap. You also need to decide whether you care more about the preamp functionality or headphone amp functionality.

    If you don't want Schiit, then consider something like a used Bryston BHA-1. They hang out around the $1,000 mark. TMR has one now for more: https://tmraudio.com/personal-audio...a-1-balanced-headphone-amplifier-silver-bha1/. Your next complaint will be "but it doesn't have a remote", in which case: too bad. Not happening for under $1,000.
     
  16. wadec22

    wadec22 Almost "Made"

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    i'm looking for a different amp. right now i feed my motu ulmk4 to a 887. i like the functionality of the three gain settings and three different output types. is there something under $1k that has a really nice pot, sounds great and retains most if not all of that flexibility? i kind of prefer to avoid tubes with three small boys and a minimalist desktop where i can stack, but if i need to go that route to check the other boxes i would
     
  17. Metro

    Metro Friend

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    A practical consideration for the Jotunheim is that all outputs are active all the time, and you'll need a convenient way to turn off the speakers when you listen to headphones.
     
  18. corzendonk

    corzendonk New

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    It's really not that I don't want Schiit, I'm more just curious as to what the differences in sound would be between the Jotunheim and the A90 since the features are mostly the same. I'm seeing conflicting messages between people elsewhere saying the Topping is clearly better, and people here saying the Jotunheim is clearly better, just trying to get more info.

    Definitely care more about the headphone amp section, but since there are clearly options that can do both, and since I need to upgrade both, I figure why get two separate pieces of equipment? I guess if it comes down to it, I could ditch the preamp requirement, but I don't see why I would have to?

    And wow, that Bryston is really tempting me to break my budget......
     
  19. corzendonk

    corzendonk New

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    Not a big deal for me but definitely a good point, thanks.
     
  20. zonto

    zonto Friend

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    I just meant that most pieces you’re looking at are designed to (1) function primarily as a preamp and provide token headphone functionality or (2) function primarily as a headphone amp and provide token preamp functionality (and typically no remote). As Jason Stoddard has said: “Preamps are preamps, not headphone amps.” (source)

    Seems like both the Jotunheim and BHA-1 fall into category #2.
     
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