The All Purpose Advice Thread

I use locking banana plugs from Blue Jeans Cable, available here for $7.25 a pair. Very well made, wire contact and connection is very sturdy, locking / unlocking from amps and speakers is quick and easy.

And of course, coat your bare wire in vaseline before inserting it into the plugs.

 

I'm a bit lost with what to get as an amp...

I was initially going to purchase the Asgard 3 but was advised it would be a waste and to look at the Magni3+/Heresy line up instead. I nearly bought the IEMagni for the extra circuit protection after reading about some heresy going pop.

I've since looked at the L30 topping, JDS Atom and pretty much every other budget amp and think I'm more confused on what to get than ever.

I won't be using it for IEM's, Just regular headphones (DT990 250ohms, AKG K702, HD58X etc) but looking at upgrading headphones soon that may require further power than what I currently have. I currently power my headphones from a soundblaster G6.

For me to purchase the Asgard 3 in the UK works out around $360.

I mainly use my audio equipment for music (most genres) and gaming if that makes much difference.

I don't mind spending around the Asgard price if it means getting a better product over the budget end.

 

Pinna gain is the 2 - 4khz range. How is that range on the MH755?

 

What headphones are you considering as an upgrade? "Needing more power" can sometimes be overblown and synergy is important.

Early in your amp journey, I would not worry as much about getting THE RIGHT ONE. Getting your ears on more gear is going to help you narrow down your taste and preferences, if possible attend meets. Otherwise, be prepared to potentially need to sell or return gear when it doesn't suit your preferences or lacks synergy with your headphones. In either case, reading up ahead of time is very helpful to narrow down what you should try. It appears you are doing this already which is good.

I haven't heard a lot of what you mentioned, I was surprised at the tone of the Magni3+ in a good way. It still lacks the detail, air, etc you could get from more expensive options but I haven't heard the Asgard so I don't know how much of an improvement you could expect. From what I can tell, your sound blaster doesn't have RCA outs so you probably need a DAC too. If you don't want to start at the bottom, another option is to save up longer and possibly get something like a Modi Multibit and the Asgard or a similarly priced combo. I'm partial to the Modi Multibit, especially in that price range, but it's warm tone isn't for everyone.

 

Hi loadexfa, Thanks for taking the time to get back to me with some pointers.

I do agree as all I've every used is the G6 and never even set eyes/ears on any other audio equipment.
I'm unsure if there are any sort of meets in my area. None that I have heard of anyway. We did have high end audio equipment stores in the city but as far as I'm aware, They have since shutdown.

My concern was that I would be buying equipment way above what I actually need or buying something that would be a side step to the G6.
I believe the G6 has a line out so would require a 3.5mm to RCA split cable. I can use it as a DAC and have read that the DAC is actually fairly decent. This is why I was going to opt for an amp first then get a DAC at a later stage if I was going for a more expensive setup.

I've yet to wear the DT990 and decided to get them to see how I am with bright headphones. I may venture into the higher end Beyers if the sit OK with me such as DT1990 or higher end Sennheiser.

 

It is clear and articulate unlike a lot of bassier iems which tend to have a scoop or recess in this area, eg. Westone. The Sony is not the perfect iem but I have enjoyed them and I have had lots of iems over the years and ones that were a lot more expensive up to 20X their cost.

 

Ahh, I saw your sound blaster has an "opt out" which I interpreted as "optical". Perhaps they mean "optional". Yes, upgrading in pieces is a good idea. Compared with more expensive DACs, I remember finding the Sound Blaster on the more sterile end of the spectrum. Still, the amp is more important at this stage, your focus is correct, DACs are more subtle in terms of how they change the sound.

I haven't heard the Heresy but my understanding it was created to appease the "measurements over ALL" crowd (they even prioritize measurements over sound) and was disliked by people here.

If you decide to go up the Sennheiser chain, I'd recommend either the 6XX or 600 as your next one. 6XX has very similar tone and tuning as the 58X with more detail and clarity. If you'd rather go with the tuning tilted less warm and even more clarity (at least for me it was perceived clarity, could have simply been the tuning), I'd suggest the 600. I didn't like the Beyer sound so I have no useful info for you there. But for any of these upgrades, you should be fine with a Magni 3+ in terms of power.

I had the X7 and didn't find it that good after hearing other options, pretty dry and sterile. Your taste may disagree though and an unintentional downgrade or sidegrade is always a risk. Audio is weird, sometimes we like gear better even when it's WAY cheaper, here and here are recent examples. Other times super expensive stuff sounds amazing. I'm not sure what you mean by "need", perhaps you don't want more power than your headphones need? In many cases, too much / too little power aren't the issue. In my experience, synergy and catering to your taste are what you're seeking to get that "better" sound. Unfortunately numbers don't tell you those things, only your ears.

 

I actually like a recess there. Do you perhaps know other IEMs in the $50 price range, that have a scoop there, with full lower mids and full bass?

 

I believe it is either optical or analogue out, A sort of hybrid.
I think this may be my best option for now and getting an amp first. Then I can upgrade the DAC.

I'm a bit unsure if I should opt for something in the $100 range per item such as the Magni range and Modi to make a stack or go with my original plan and just get the Asgard 3 now then decide on the DAC in a month or so. One thing I have noticed though is that Schiit USA offer a 5 year warranty for the Asgard 3 where as Schiit UK only offers 2 year. Thats if they ever get stock. The EU/UK is dry and has been for a long time so I will have to import.

I'm yet to hear the Beyer sound but I bought them as new for £80 so if they don't work out, I will just re-sell on.

I totally agree, Even trying different settings others recommend in games for specific headphones can sound good or terrible.

So if I were to aim for the $100-$250 price range per item, Which brands should I be aiming for and avoiding? It seems Schiit is recommended.

 

Hmm, an "avoid" list may be too long/difficult to come up with. Budget gear that I've liked:

• Schiit
  
• Drop MCTH (not sure if this is available in Europe but has fantastic synergy with Sennheisers)
• iFi (I've only heard the iDSD BL but I like their house sound and they are often liked in the budget category)
• Chord Mojo (hesitant recommendation here, Chord tends to be overpriced and the Mojo is known to have battery issues but I did like the sound when I tried it)
• Drop SDAC (minimal coloration, possibly on the boring end of the spectrum but excellent value for the price similar to Modi which I also found boring until I upgraded to the Modi Multibit)

 

Oh I forgot to mention, there is some consensus on this forum to avoid Topping but I can't say that from personal experience, only heresay.

 

Ok thanks, Worth looking out for. I think I'll likely opt for some Schiit gear for my first setup. At least to give it go anyway. I'll have to do some further digging.

Yes, I had heard that and read that they used a DAC with 3V input to inflate the figures. I had also read that the amp sound pretty lifeless.

 

I made the grand mistake of buying a Topping D10S after reading Archimago's review... I immediately returned and exchanged it towards a Topping E30 and subsequently returned that. Lifeless is an understatement, they were both like vampires sucking the very life and soul out of the music. I honestly believe that either my Khadas "Tone Board" or old FiiO K3 sound better!

 

Well, After reading that on most reviews across the majority of websites, They pretty much all stated the same thing. I guess I can scratch the Topping off the list of potentials.

 

@michty_me

Why not the Magnius then if don't plan on any of the dac modules of the Asgard. It's cheaper, and offers you the option of balanced if you ever get a balanced source or balanced headphone cables.

Assuming the 1880/1990 follow the same sonic relationship as the 880/990, I'd recommend you try the 1880 instead if you're following that upgrade path.

In my opinion the K612pro is actually the upgrade from the K7## series.

The "big three" back in the day were the Senn HD580/600, Beyer DT880, and AKG K701 (though again many felt the the 6## family was better) so you're already on a good track to know all the classics. I'd say next up would be to try some planars.

 

Well, loadexfa has already raised many important general points, but maybe I can add a bit specifically concerning the Magni 3+ and Asgard 3 since I have and use both on a daily basis (Magni for the last 1.5 years, Asgard for the last 8 months). Usually Magni 3+ is in the office with an old Arcam RDAC (WM8741-based and sounds surprisingly good for it's age) and Asgard 3 is at home with a Modius, though have compared both with the Modius as source. Headphones are HD6XX and Drop/Fostex TR-X00 in both cases, so unfortunately no overlap with yours. I did have K701 10+ years ago, but that is going back too far for memory to be reliable...

Oh, one caveat is that until the start of last year I had been out of the hobby for about 10 years, so I have not had a chance to hear the other amps in that range (including the Heresy).

I like the Magni 3+ a lot - my main criticism is that it can get a little congested at times and that layering/separation and soundstage is not great. Outside of that, I think it's really sins of omission rather than commission, which is perhaps easy to ignore when it's a first amp. Tonality and musicality are good and it's a fun amp to listen to.

For me however the Asgard 3 is the better amp. Macrodynamics and slam are actually perhaps a touch behind the Magni (though I don't find it to be sleepy warmpoo as some others here do), bass extension is probably a tie (though bass presentation is somewhat different - more detailed/textured but more rounded on the Asgard), but outside of that I find the Asgard to be superior. Microdynamics, detail and soundstage are clearly better on the Asgard, but I find the biggest improvement to be timbre/texture, layering and separation, especially in the midrange.

These characteristics are extremely important for me when listening (partly due to the genres I listen to most) and so for me this improvement is definitely worth 2x (or now 2.5x I think) the price of the Magni. However, the same may not be true for you depending on your musical preferences and the rest of your chain. I did a shitload of lurking and reading before settling on my the Asgard (and indeed the rest of my setup) to try and understand if it was the best component within my (limited) budget to match my personal preferences and chain.

As much as I like my Asgard, I get the feeling it is a slightly divisive amp around here and my guess is that the Magni 3+ (plus a suitable DAC) would likely be a better (and substantially cheaper) first amp to work out what is important for you and what you want going forward. You can always stick it on eBay or use it in a second system like I do if you get the urge to upgrade.

 

I certainly would consider getting the Magnius eventually. I would use my G6 dac for now.
I'm a little unsure of the sonic relationships to be exact but I believe they are. I never even knew an 1880 existed to be honest. I've only ever seen the 1770 or 1990 mentioned.

I've briefly looked at planars but not delved too much into looking at them.

Thank you for the detailed input and always good to hear from someone who has both items!
I have been recommended the Asgard over the Magni line up a couple of times now but I'm now sort of jumping between the two in my decision.

My train of thought is get the budget end to see how I get on with it then the next I'm thinking of just bypassing the budget end and getting the Asgard.

 

I had both Asgard 3 and Magnius at the same time. Magnius I sold within a couple weeks of getting it; Asgard 3 I had for over a year before I upgraded to Jotunheim 2. I thought the Asgard was much better than Magnius.

 

Ok thanks! It certainly reads that the Asgard is a good performer anyway. I think thats why I initially wanted to order it.
I did have it in my basket last week, Decided to leave it a day or so then the price went up $50 the next day. Damn!

 

I have not used these but I've got them bookmarked for my next cable build:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/401026980213