The All Purpose Advice Thread

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

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  1. aufmerksam

    aufmerksam Friend

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    If I were hypothetically going to be shopping for a house in the near future, and I wanted a room that could one day be devoted to a proper listening room for real grown up speakers, what kind of a space would I be looking for? I am mostly wondering about ideal dimensions, minimums or maximums.
     
  2. GTABeancounter

    GTABeancounter Friend

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    I had this same issue a few years ago and did a decent amount of research. I did come across some conflicting information with respect to listening position, speaker positioning etc. BUT the one area of consensus seemed to be the ratio of room dimensions.

    In simple terms a perfect cube would be a worst case but having two of three dimensions being close to each other is also undesirable. Generally, a rectangular shaped room with the speakers placed in front of the shorter wall is desirable.

    If you are fortunate and can build to any dimension this is the golden ratio...
    1 x 1.6 x 2.56
    H x W x L

    Edited to add... The listening position is critical and your overall room size may have to be adjusted to your needs. I understand that a traditional set up would be to have your speakers located a few feet from the front wall with the MLP at least 1/3rd of the way into the room (ahead of the rear wall), in this case you really can't expect to do much more in the room besides 2 channel listening. In my case, I had a long rectangular room (man cave :) ) to work with but I also really wanted a pool table. My current set up with the pool table occupying the rear half of the long room and my MLP just over 1/3rd of the distance from the FRONT wall is a good compromise.
     
    Last edited: Jan 10, 2017
  3. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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  4. Thomas Crown

    Thomas Crown New

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    Hi,
    I've been using a ps3 or a ps4 to play my music (cd 45%, spotify 55%) connected to the dac, but I recently reorganized my audio/video corner, so now my dac is sitting far from my telly and I needs a new source. At the moment I recycled an old audioengine b1, so that I can use at least spotify using my phone as source, but I need a cd player as well: so I've found this on sale this on my local store: https://www.rubbermonkey.co.nz/Tascam-CD-200BT-Rackmount-CD-Player-With-Bluetooth-Receiver.On the paper seems perfect for my needs, but I wanted to know if anyone has any experience with it and if the bluetooth can be used in the same way as my audioengine.

    Thanks!
     
  5. nickwin

    nickwin Acquaintance

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    Im seeking advice on an easy to drive sealed (isolating) headphone under $400. I currently own HE500s which I use at home with a desktop rig, ER4s pretty much for flying and RE400s as my daily driver portables. Both IEMS are used pretty much solely with an AK Jr, neither perform well of my iPhone or non audio quality focused DAPs. Im looking for something that will bridge the gap between the HE500s and the 2 IEMs I currently have and also meet the following criteria.
    • Sound decent off an iPhone and optimal off an AK Jr
    • Isolate relatively well (doesn't have to be super isolating)
    • A neutral-ish tonality with a tasteful bass bump (something with more bass than what I currently have)
    • <$400
    Im considering going two totally different routes, a sealed full sized headphone or a multi-driver IEM. Both seem to have a lot of candidates in the price range. The Oppo PM3 and Noble x Massdrop IEMs are both on my radar, but there are plenty of options. I realize these are two very different things, but from an ergonomics/practicality standpoint it makes no difference to me whether they are full sized or IEMS but Im wondering which will perform better sonically, $ for $?

    My IEMs are are older, relatively inexpensive and single driver, so I have no idea what to expect from a higher end modern multi driver IEM. As far as sealed full sizer's I own Mad Dog 3.2s formally and liked them, although they where definitely more dark than natural, also not super easy to drive, or currently available...

    What do you guys think?
     
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2017
  6. nonverbal

    nonverbal New

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    Hi everyone,finally come to this thread.
    I recently encount two problem:
    1.I want to build a desktop rig,but my desk is really small(110cmX50cm,and I cant throw my desk away and get a new one now since I dont have enough space to fit in my room)and I have to put my laptop(Lenovo X201i,now in its sixth year) on it for everyday work,I have a rather limited choice to build a desktop rig.
    I'll use HD600 as my main headphone,can anyone recommend anything that fit my condition?
    2.I use westone um30pro as my portable rig(portable chain:iphone6s>mobile foobar>um pro30),and I think um pro30 is really a fun earphone for my taste(I usually listen prog rock/metal,speed metal,J-pop,chamber music,Brit-pop...ok I know my list is a bit too long,I almost listen to any genre I think,including death metal and new age music),it's not bad,but I think sometimes a bit bassy for me(and I just bought it a month ago,what a tragedy).
    If I want a all-rounder earphone,budget up to $1200 dollar,should I go universal(like Andromeda)or custom(like UERR?These two almost priced the same in my country)?

    Thanks!
     
    Last edited: Jan 13, 2017
  7. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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    Not sure about IEM recommendations but a Modi Multibit and Vali 2 or Valhalla 2 would be a great pairing and won't take up much space at all.
     
  8. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    I heard both and the UERR was too warm for me and didn't have the clarity and technical abilities of the Andromeda. A universal will be easier to resell than a custom.

    Go down to Earzone at Syntrend and try the Andromeda to see if it fits your ears. They're a touch tight for me but worth it for the sound quality. The bass response will be a bit boosted with a Z-out=0 ohm source and more neutral if the source is 1~2 ohm. Check out the Andromeda thread for more info. http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...w-holy-cow-this-is-a-dream-awesomesauce.2075/
     
  9. nonverbal

    nonverbal New

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    Thanks,I've read a lot about schiit gear but never realize that Modi Multibit and vali2 are this small!Thanks,I'll check them out.

    I almost forgot that Mr.gixxerwimp you live in Taipei now!Actually I havent go to Syntrend for quite a long time(I think Earzone is on the fifth floor?) ,I'll go there and give Andromeda a try,thanks!

     
  10. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    @nonverbal The UE distributor had a UERR universal demo at the audio show at the Howard Plaza in December. I'm not sure where you can hear it, but you know the local pricing so I assume you know where to buy it and hopefully try it.

    Unfortunately hifi.com.tw doesn't have the Modi Multibit or Vali 2, but they have a Modi, Vali 1 and Valhalla 2. You can go down and try them out. If you like the sound, then you can order the newer models directly from Schiit since I don't think they sell the Modi Multibit or Vali 2 as they're not listed on their website.

    Another option instead of Modi Multibit + Vali/Valhalla 2 is the Jot with DAC module. Try the Jotunheim if you go to hifi. I'm not sure if they have the DAC module for demo but you can feed it with the Bifrost they have and I'm sure you'll be pretty amazed at the sound. I think the Jot is a much more capable amp than either of the Vals though it may be a bit forward with the HD600s - people seem to agree that the HD650s are a better pairing. The DAC module probably isn't as good a DAC as the Modi Multibit, but it would be a tidy package for your desktop and only a bit more $ than the Modi Multibit+Vali2, and cheaper than Modi Multibit+Valhalla2.

    Edit: Just googled and the UEs are available at http://www.my-ear.com.tw in the Guanghua Digital Plaza next to Syntrend, so they should have the demo there. Convenient for a comparison with the Andro.
     
    Last edited: Jan 13, 2017
  11. nonverbal

    nonverbal New

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    Wow,a lot of information!

    I didnt attend the audio show at Howard Plaza in December(I'm on a business trip that time),and one of my friend had went there and tried out UE 900s or anything like that(And I asked him for other UE items ,he wasnt interested in them so I didnt get any information from him....)I remembered that JM-Plus(which located near NTU) demoed UE lines,but I didnt remember that they have UERR universal or not,I simply find UERR price on their facebook webpage.I even dont know that my-ear have opened a store in Taipei!They are famous for their earphone product.

    I havent been to HIFI for years I think,I have heard that their Yggdrasil is out of stock for quite a long time,and from your description they still dont have the whole schiit line,strange strategy .

    I just skimmed through Schiit website, and Jotunheim with DAC module seems to be compact and reasonbly priced(schiit products seem never become popular in Taiwan...)It's dissappointed that HIFI doesnt sell Modi Multibit since it has so many positive review here,I'm really eager to give it a try...

    Thanks for your detailed information!

     
  12. aufmerksam

    aufmerksam Friend

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    For the HD600 you should also look at the LH Labs Geek Out V2 (or V2+) since space seems like a major consideration. One of the few truly portable amps that can drive the HD6x0 satisfactorily when used in balanced. If the Modi Multibit + vali2 (or whatever) isn't too big, it will probably be the better bet, but I also have no idea what availability is like for LH or Schiit in Taiwan.
     
  13. nonverbal

    nonverbal New

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    Uh,I have no idea too,but I know I can easily find Schiit products in Taipei...
    It seems that there is a store in Taipei have some Geekout V2 for demo,but I dont know they're in stock or not.
    Geekout V2 seems compact(I just read the whole thread here in SBAF about Geekout V2),but the delivery schedule seems to be unstable,so if I have demoed Schiit products tday and ahve a good result,I wont consider Geekout series.
    Thanks for your recommedation.

     
  14. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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  15. nonverbal

    nonverbal New

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    @gixxerwimp That's interesting for me too,cause I've known pincha's boss for quite a long time(He crazily loves Grado headphone,and I've ever bought SR60 and some speaker rig for my father from him long ago)I think he knows me that I can directly go there for audition without hesitation.
    Pincha seems to be the only one headphone store that carried LH labs products in Taipei,but I wonder if they knows the new version of Geekout 2A is ready for sale or not(Or if they have some other product from LHlabs).
    I might go for audition before Chinese New Year comes.
     
  16. Grahad

    Grahad Guest

    To be fair I quite like the UERR, it's a more smooth relaxing sound and much easier to pair relative to the Andromeda, which is quite picky about source. Customs have a comfort in day to day use that universals cannot match.
     
  17. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

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    Hi. So I ended up having to get a new wall wart for my Modi multibit from Schiit, as it was humming somewhat loudly from a distance. I've just gotten the new wall wart, but I still hear a hum, it is slightly more faint, but I can still hear it. Especially if I get close to the wall wart itself. I am now wondering if something is wrong with the Modi causing it to do this.
     
  18. a44100Hz

    a44100Hz Friend

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    Have you tried changing circuits in your home? Move it to a different side of the house and see if it still hums.
     
  19. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

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    Just plugged it into three different outlets, one in the bathroom, living room and kitchen. Same hum on all of them. I can hear it when I put my ear to the wall wart itself and when I put my ear to the wall near where it is plugged into.
     
  20. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    OK, that sounds seriously irritating- probably time to bother Nick or whoever, at Schiit, for advice again. That'd drive me nuts.
     
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