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The All Purpose Advice Thread

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

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  1. AllanMarcus

    AllanMarcus Friend

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    hello,

    I already have passive speakers I really like, so I'm looking for a small 2 channel amp that works well with auto-sensing power. The Emotiva A-100 fits the bill pretty well, but I'm working if anyone knows of any alternatives. Requirements are simple: 2 channel, relatively small (preferably smaller than the A-100), and power auto-sensing.

    Thanks.
     
    AllanMarcus, Jun 17, 2016
    #1521
  2. mawk

    mawk Acquaintance

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    I'm in the market for a new DAC, problem is that I can really only do USB power at the moment...

    Currently I'm using a Fiio E10k as my DAC, does anyone think it's worthwhile to upgrade to another USB DAC or should I not bother? I've been thinking a GO1000 or Dragonfly if they could offer a real upgrade.

    Also, does anyone have any opinions on HifiMe? Their sabre DACs seem excellently priced: http://hifimediy.com/DACs/ready-made-dacs/Sabre-9018-DAC
     
    mawk, Jun 18, 2016
    #1522
  3. Jun

    Jun Friend

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    Get the Geek Out V2, there are impressions on this forum.
     
    Jun, Jun 18, 2016
    #1523
  4. AStupidHippo

    AStupidHippo New

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    Sorry my bad.

    1. She'll usually use an android phone (I think she's buying the new HTC something)
    2. She doesn't listen to music with much bass.
    3. She lives in NY so she spends a lot of time on the subway. I don't expect her to use them while travelling but when she's home (that's why I chose two open and two closed not sure what to do).
    4. She probably can.
     
    AStupidHippo, Jun 18, 2016
    #1524
  5. LibiSC

    LibiSC New

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    Headphone under 400 bucks close to neutral but still fun, with huuuge soundstage... The advice is appreciated
     
    Last edited: Jun 18, 2016
    LibiSC, Jun 18, 2016
    #1525
  6. Riotvan

    Riotvan Snoofer in the Woofer

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    The big fat font is not appreciated.
     
    Riotvan, Jun 18, 2016
    #1526
  7. JoshMorr

    JoshMorr Friend

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    Answer is Hd650 and regular font.
     
    JoshMorr, Jun 18, 2016
    #1527
  8. LibiSC

    LibiSC New

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    Sorry about the font i copied the title from a thread that i shouldnt have created... I read somewhere the hd 650 has rolled off treble... how true is that? also the uha-6s-mkii can drive it (it's the only amp i own)
     
    LibiSC, Jun 18, 2016
    #1528
  9. Riotvan

    Riotvan Snoofer in the Woofer

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    HD650 needs mods to truly shine, coin mod improves treble considerably. Also the other mods are worthwhile, I would not use a stock HD650 as a daily driver.

    You need the latest Rev with the latest pads and the mods and you have an endgame headphone.
     
    Riotvan, Jun 18, 2016
    #1529
  10. LibiSC

    LibiSC New

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    They told me akg k7xx my be a better option... what you think about that? Also 400 bucks on amazon is a good price?
     
    LibiSC, Jun 18, 2016
    #1530
  11. Riotvan

    Riotvan Snoofer in the Woofer

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    I haven't heard the AKG, perhaps others can comment on that. I'm not familiar with US prices.
     
    Riotvan, Jun 18, 2016
    #1531
  12. Serious

    Serious Inquisitive Frequency Response Plot

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    I would not take the K712 over the HD650. The K7XX is probably very similar. Tonality and resolution is far superior on HD650. K7XX may have larger soundstage but I really doubt that you would prefer it on sound overall. If possible audition both.
    For huge soundstage you either need a totl (tube) amp or speakers.
     
    Serious, Jun 18, 2016
    #1532
  13. Ash1412

    Ash1412 Friend

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    The coin mod actually made the least difference IME. The ones that made more of a difference were, in order from most to least, the rear foam mod, then the spider removal mod and then dynamat.
     
    Ash1412, Jun 18, 2016
    #1533
  14. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    Hmm, that's tough. The HD650 after mods is about as damn neutral as you can get in the mids and treble, or at least balanced and even, plus has some extra mid-bass to make it a bit fun. A good tube amp can not only tweak its characteristics to your liking but can expand the stage. Downside is that it does not have the largest stage around.

    K7XX has a wider stage, but is maybe more on a 2D, left-to-right plane. It's a bit warmer sounding throughout the bass and mids but has much brighter and much less even treble. Mods can alleviate this. Note that in terms of technical abilities, such as resolution and detail retrieval, the HD650 is superior and will continue to get better with better gear. the K7XX doesn't scale as much.

    MDR-MA900 is probably the closest stage-wise you'll get to speakers short of the HD800. Well, perhaps there are other headphones with larger stages, but they usually sound funky or bad. Downsides to the MA900 include a slightly less balanced response than the HD650 and a lack of sub-bass.

    Fidelio X2...this is tough. It is certainly "fun" in that it has a shit ton of mid-bass and some large treble spikes, but it does staging rather well, believe it or not. I personally found it too U-shaped, started to fatigue me, but it had positive characteristics.

    The original Alpha Dog (not Prime) with a bit of front damping tweaks can be surprisingly good with staging. Be warned about the T50RP's inherent limitations. Driver isn't as good as many of the headphones listed above.

    LFF's (Enigmatic Audio) Slant, if you can find one used, has a surprisingly good stage as well with a tasteful, somewhat bassy, somewhat fun sound. Nice blend of neutral and fun. Like I said, the T50RP has limitations, but this is probably the best mod you can find, along with Paradox, for getting the most out of the driver to the point it's actually a strong contender against other mid-fi headphones.

    Kind of an oddball, but the HE-500, and I'm sure some of the other HFM headphones, with something like alpha pads on it has a surprisingly large stage but is going to be more "neutral" than "fun."
     
    Hands, Jun 18, 2016
    #1534
  15. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    K7XX is a good option if you never plan on upgrading your DAC or amp. Otherwise HD600. Consider HD650, but as you said, it's more laid back. A modded HD650 is somewhere in between an HD600 and HD650 with technicalities getting close to HD800. The biggest weakness of the Sennheiser H6X0 is bass which tends to be muddy. K7XX has marginally better quality bass, but uneven frequency response, bump in the treble, dip in the upper mids, which annoy some people. To me, the HD6X0 headphones are end-game traditional driver headphones, particularly with tube amps, some not all that expensive.

    Questions are what headphones do you currently like? What kinds of music do you listen to? What are your current amps and DACs? Do you plan on upgrading your great in the next 12 months. Answers to these will give us a better idea what we think will suit you best, and even then is there no doubt your preferences and priorities will change over time.
     
    purr1n, Jun 18, 2016
    #1535
  16. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    I'm a broken record here, but anytime someone suggests the K7## family, just get the K612 instead. Better sound at half the cost.
     
    Armaegis, Jun 18, 2016
    #1536
  17. LibiSC

    LibiSC New

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    Thanks for your answers guys... i usually just do my research and buy but im more like an iem guy.... I own an etymotic er4s, dunu dn 2000 and flc 8... I really like dunu sound and flc 8 it's my last purchase so use them more.... my etys went to the drawer after a year,they are so clear and crisp... but the bass lacks a bit compared to bigger drivers..

    I listen to EDM, trance, indie rock/pop and alternative... also some reggaeton and ocassionally the tunes are popular just to be updated... I'm not from the US, a relative is traveling there so I like to buy some full size to try the other world of sound (i ordered some entry level speakers 2.0 too) so I wont purchase anything in a year

    What do you think after this info... again thanks for your time....
     
    LibiSC, Jun 18, 2016
    #1537
  18. LibiSC

    LibiSC New

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    Edit: i want them to be open back cause i think closed back will be too similar to iems
     
    LibiSC, Jun 18, 2016
    #1538
  19. Riotvan

    Riotvan Snoofer in the Woofer

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    Well to my ears the coin mod boosted the treble and the other mods just refined everything from top to bottom.
     
    Riotvan, Jun 18, 2016
    #1539
  20. AStupidHippo

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    I'm thinking of buying a pair of T50 Mark 3s. I know they need a lot to power them. Is a Magni 2 good enough?
     
    AStupidHippo, Jun 19, 2016
    #1540
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