The All Purpose Advice Thread

I "need" a better DAP. My current work setup is either my LG V20, a Rockboxed iPod Classic with FiiO Q1 or a Zishan Z2.

I was considering either the bit Opus #1. Didn't know if anyone had a better suggestion? Willing to shop used but looking to spend around $300. Could make stretch a little further.

 

Great! Thanks for the sensible advice @winders!! Genuinely think I'll have to keep them out of the amp, except for after bedtime when I'm listening, at least for a few months until the kid forgets about them

Yes, I agree - really enjoyed them the few times I got to listen before 'The Incident', using EITR>Gungnir Multibit>MJO2>HD800S's. Very very nice tubes indeed

Cheers buddy!

 

It would help to know what headphones, listening conditions, formats (streaming etc.) volume of content etc.

 

Sorry that would help. Right now my main earbuds are Cypherus Campfred2s. I mostly use earbuds for the office and occasionally IEMs for travel. It may also be used with my Grado SR80s at the house. I mostly want the DAP for work and travel. Basically entirely .FLACs. I can't stream at work because I have no wifi access so streaming is not a big deal for me on this device.

Sound and battery life are my main two concerns and I would like a balanced out. A decent amount of power would be nice as some of the better earbuds can get higher impedance and I'd like to be able to drive them without needing to stack a Amp.

 

Probably not what you want to hear, but IMO you'll get a better result spending on better headphones than on a new DAP. The V20 is pretty damn decent, especially for travel and work type of environments. Gains on a $300 DAP will be incremental.

 

Interesting, I'd love to know what kind of mods can be done on LCD2s... speaking of which, how much of a risk is the drivers dying out on them? I've heard they die because the pads put pressure on them, and I have a pretty big head so I'm sure I'm putting more pressure than most. Would we expect Audeze to keep servicing them for a smaller fee in cases of failure into the future?

 

Usually my desktop PC. Uh... is that the question you're asking? </noob>

The only other headphones I own are PSB M4U2s for when I'm out in public or need isolation/quiet. I usually don't care too much about sound quality in situations like those. Either I care A LOT, or else sound is serving a secondary purpose to isolating and canceling anyway. So I'm exclusively using these on my desktop.

 

I agree with you on better headphones is a better way to spend money but the Campfred2s are pretty much TOTL for earbuds and I prefer earbuds to IEMs. I have found earbuds are my preferred method of listening to music at work (over closed headphones or IEMs).

Honestly I am not looking for "gains" from the V20. It is more that using the V20 to listen to music #1 eats the battery and #2 I get annoyed with notifications. So I would like to separate my music from my phone while at work. That is my number one reason to get a DAP. Probably should have stated that to start with. I mean I guess I could stay with my current devices but the whole screenless aspect of the Zishan is cool for putting in random new music but a little annoying sometimes and the iPod means I have a stack as I think the amp section of the iPod isn't great and with a stack I now have to remember to charge two devices. So basically I am looking for something that can separate my music from my phone, play my FLAC files on micro SD cards and sounds good with good battery life (need it to last at least a whole work day). I am more concerned with convenience then getting better sound to be honest but that wouldn't hurt.

I may step down to something like the Cayin N3 and save the money for different headphones for home (currently have HD600s, modified Yamaha HP1s and Grado SR80s as my main ones).

I tend to go in level of importance headphones>amp>DAC>source>cables.

 

I should have been more specific. I wanted ask if you were using a USB, toslink, or spdif connection. I'm going to assuming you're using USB.

I know you are asking about headphone, and amp upgrades, but after going through my own series of upgrades, one of the biggest improvements for me was using a DDC (digital to digital converter) like the Schiit Eitr. I know you're asking about headphones, and amps, but after going through my own desktop system I'm a firm believer in some sort of USB isolation. The Eitr is Spdif output only so it might be worth upgrading the dac if your current dac is not compatible. Modi Multibit/Eitr is under $500, and Schiit has a return policy if you feel like it doesn't offer any improvement.

I have never listened to the Atticus, and the only thing I know is that it has a good reputation. For amps I read the following thread many times for amp recommendations.

http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...s-for-the-sennheiser-hd800-2017-edition.3408/

 

Have to buy the Setup for my HE400i, even some 2 months where I had think about it I still don't know if buy:
-Magni 3 with a second hand Modi Multibit
-the MoJo
-the idsd black
obviously the stack would be the top, but what about the SQ of the other two that have the big plus of the portability?

 

What would you guys recommend for the better bang for buck solution for portable amping Senn 650? I am reasonably covered for desktop but I would like to be able to unleash when needed (not taking it to the streets but at least moving around the apartment). To give more context, I would use it with the Fiio X1 or the IPhone and tend to listen mostly to classical music and jazz.

From perusing the forum I thought of Fii A5 versus the JDS Cmoy pimped for 650 as reasonable and somewhat low cost.

I also saw few used Leckertons and a Vozuge at very good prices but unsurprisingly other beat me to it. Buying those new seem to be a little dear.

Alternatively I could be a textbook case for the new HD 666 but I am pretty happy with the 650 and have little appetite to spend 499$ for a similar headphone.

 

Hello I'm new here so firstable Hi to you all
Now my question
I've these 3 headphones:
Fidelio X2
Sennheiser HD600
Hifiman HE400I
(Darkvoice and Meier corda Jazz amps)
I would like to replace the X2 with something better not spending more than 400/500 USD
Read around I considered : Audeze e EL-8 , the Beyer DT1990, fostex TH-x00 , HD700. but I'm very open to any good advice

P.s: i'm italian so I apologize for my bad english

 

I don't know if you've tried it yet, but I would wholeheartedly recommend Schiit Fulla 2. It's dirt cheap, small enough to take around the house, and sounds surprisingly wonderful with my HD650 (KISS modded). Fulla 2 costs about $199 here as opposed to $99 in the states I believe, but it's still a bargain for me. Compared to O2/ODAC I tried at the store, I found that Fulla 2 sounds more engaging and a bit leaner, despite obviously lacking just a tiny bit in microdetail. YMMV, of course.

Would love to hear what other experienced members have to say about this as well!

Not sure about the Beyer and TH-X00 as I haven't heard them yet, but personally I would stay the hell away from EL-8 and HD700. My ears hurt just thinking about them and I'm not even that treble/uppermid sensitive as other members on here from what I've observed. And from a short time at the local store, I thought Audeze SINE sounded even better than EL8 - at least less weird and funky in the treble. Then again I still wouldn't recommend SINE at $400-$500.

My impressions above were based on Daft Punk Random Access Memories and Discovery.

 

Well that's already a big help thank you, so i can remove few candidates.. they problem here is just to find Bass headphones with good soundstage and good detail..

 

What about the hd660s?
I've yet said to stay away from EL-8, go for the LCD2C if you want an audeze ahahahahah
Best regards

 

ok so no any audeze, no hd700 .. well the new hd660s SEEMS to be good

 

The EL-8 might be the worse Audeze headphone ever. The Dt1990 I wouldn't get unless you audition first, its quite treble forward (many Beyers are). The TH-X00 are classic to the Fostex "V" shaped signature, as the mids are so weak, but treble and bass can be quite pleasing to many. And the HD-700.... just don't....

 

Hello Sbaf friends. I.m gathering some information about woo audio gear, specifically the Wa2
Anyone heard it? Impressions?
Cheers

 

The WA2 might be Woo's most "syrupy" amp in their current offerings. I like things on the warmer side, but this one went too far for me. The WA22 (though not really loved at SBAF) was a great improvement.

I'm sure you'll read things about it being a very good pairing with the T1 and HD800, but I don't agree with those opinions. The HD800's treble peak is softened, but so is everything else. At least that was my opinion. Again, loved the WA22 so much more with the HD800...

 

Is there a thread here for amps under like 500?

If not what are the favorites around here for that price range? Tubes/SS both welcome, pairing with a TH X00 for a friend. Used also welcome. Phono capabilities like a Jot are also helpful but not required.