The All Purpose Advice Thread

I am looking for a pre-amplifier with a headphone output. It is going to be used with MSB Analog DAC. Only one input and output are required, remote is not essential. As MSB is not a true balanced device, having XLR-connectors is not mandatory. Priority is to have line-outs that color the sound as little as possible. Good headphone output is a secondary thing.

I have no idea how much a good device like this costs, but the optional volume control for MSB costs about 1000€. So maybe with a budget of 1500€ I could get a satisfying external device?

 

I've read this a few times around here but it all seems like a lot of speculation...Not that I'm complaining, I'd love to send mine down for an upgrade but the rumour mill is getting a bit much without anything firm from Schiit...

 

I touched this topic already (but my post was long and not that consistent ) - I value a warranty with my items so generally I tend to avoid second hand goods (I have few bad experiences). However, if the item can be found in the EU and the seller is reputable (subjective), I may reconsider.

So if you have a recommendation for used gear I am interested in it and will appreciate it but the chance I will be able to buy such item(s) is lower.

Thank you for your advice! I am aware of the new Gen5 Schiits and if I choose to go their way I would certainly prefer a new one over used one.

I get the updated Bifrost Multibit is probably a year away. That is really unfortunate as I can wait until the end of 2017... but one whole year is too long for me. The upgrade option is not really interesting for me as I dont know how it works in EU (probably will be possible to send to one of the distributors but didnt check that - will do).

I am tempted by Gungnir Multibit but it is not really question of what money I have on hand - from my position I do not see it reasonable to spend so much on audio gear (diminishing returns).*

Yeah, I read Marvey's take on BAL vs. SE and I am not pushing BAL hard. The only benefit I see is that BAL usually has more power than SE but if I find SE amp that will suit my needs I will be absolutely happy.

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*Maybe one day a will come back to this sentence and amuse myself heavily

 

Consider something cheap like a Fulla 2, used GOV2 or Nobsound Douk that will keep you happy while you audition more expensive gear. You should be able to resell them or repurpose them (work rig) when you upgrade. They would also give you a better reference point to help you decide what you really want.

This thread has some discussion of starting points and some gear recommendations: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...-of-the-noob-your-two-cents.4877/#post-156366 .

 

NEED SOME HELP!
So I have begun working out pretty consistently now. At least in compared to any other attempts at it. I need some work out headphones. I was going to just get some shures like some buds recommended BUT. I cannot do in ears. I SWEAT SO MUCH that the sweat seeps past the ear tips and blocks the noise coming out. They were falling out so I know I have a crappy pair but even when they were in securely the sweat just ruined it.

Needs:
Focused, deep, and punchy bass
Open mids
Chill treble (or at least not boosted)
Not a stupid long chord

Not sure about IEMs and if there are some that can fit so well that it blocks the sweat out or what... Help this portable noob with his man boobs.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

 

Don't know about their sound quality, but how about waterproof headphones? Some of them are even intended to use while swimming.

https://www.google.com/search?q=waterproof+headphones

 

well
etymotic tips sure wont let any sweat in. as a plus, if your in a gym, it will block entirely any shitty music playing on their PA system

their etymotic mk5 are good enough for training. i use it for my bike rides so to block any air sound

 

Gbeast preparing for his Akuma transformation. (I guess it's more Ichibe from Bleach though)

Not sure if etys are going to give deep punchy bass, but I don't think I've heard the mk5. I'm more fond of earbuds (something like the Vsonic monks) for exercise since hearing some of the ambient sounds keeps me feeling safer since you never know when a knob is going to swing something.

 

Sennheiser also has a couple different "sport" models with different hook designs: https://en-us.sennheiser.com/sports-headphones

 

I use ER4Ps with red filters at the gym (with MUC-M2BT BT necklace). Bass is tight and punchy, but needs a bit of EQ to really rock. Stock cable is a bit long and incredibly microbionic, but you can get MMCX adapters and use whatever cable you want. @deafdoorknob's cable cock ring trick should help keep sweat out of the connectors.

I don't sweat that much, but the triple-flange tips ought to be pretty sweat proof.

Blocking out the crap music at my gym is a major priority for me.

 

I felt a little silly yesterday, at a small event with plenty of headphones around. A person borrowed my LCD-4, which at the moment had the 4-pin XLR cable attached. He needed the 1/4" phono. So I headed to my case to connect the factory 1/4" phono cable. Then the question of why did I need to use the cables that came with the LCD-4 popped up - there being other Audeze headphones lying around with the standard LCD cable. I didn't know.

Why does Audeze charge $600 for their LCD-4 cables and $150 for their standard LCD cables? Is there a build or impedance difference? I'm having a little trouble to sift through the chaff, and would appreciate a link to any discussion.

Thanks!

 

hi I am in the middle of buying new IEMs, I have basically narrowed it down to ER4SR or ER4XR, I have heard the ER4SR's and I liked them a lot, but that was in a quiet room and I will mainly be using these IEMs on the go, the only difference between these two models is the bass. The extra bass would help to counteract environment sounds, but then when I am in a quiet room it might be too much, we are talking a 5-6 dB boost at around 25Hz and around 120Hz and up they basically have the same frequency response.
I really like how my K612's sound, the same for my HE 560's and then ofc the HD800.

 

I know we have a dedicated DAP thread, but it's all over the place and focuses largely on more expensive solutions.

I need recommendations for the best sub $200 DAP. To be paired with my Pinnacle P1s. My LG V10 has been getting the job done for the past couple of years, but my new Google Pixel just doesn't get the job done amp-wise. Not to mention it is lean on storage.

 

Sennheiser PX-100
Koss KSC-35 or KSC-75

Cheap pad replacements for all of those.

 

The Plenue D sounded good when I listened to it.

 

Wish it had BT for the car. Looks like a nice option otherwise.

The Cayin N3 has my attention but reliable reviews are scarce.

 

I've heard offerings from FiiO in this space, and I don't mind the original X3 (with the Wolfson chip). The interface sucks, though. The newer X3ii has a more forward treble (possibly harsh?) depending on what you're driving, although I don't know how much you can really worry about synergy at this price point.

But if you're looking for Bluetooth, you might want to check out the Shanling M1. Plenty of connectivity options, somewhat mixed reviews regarding its effectiveness as a transport though.

 

Thanks for the response. Unfortunately it actually didn't work. I think it may have something to do with Roon having an exclusive mode along with bit perfect output or something... I'm still messing around with settings but idk... Tidal was still identifiable went I had my friend blind test me.

 

If you need isolation and don't mind on ears, sennheiser amperiors (or whatever they call them now) might work. I think they more or less fit the sound you're looking for.