The All Purpose Advice Thread

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

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  1. Resolve

    Resolve MOT: Headphones.com

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    I just recently picked up the Aeon Flow Open. It sounds pretty good on my magni 2/odac, but I do hear noticeable sibilance. I was originally going to upgrade to a higher end amp (like the Cayin IHA-6), and run balanced, but I know nothing about balanced equipment. Do I need to use a balanced DAC to take full advantage of the IHA-6? Also, Mrspeakers recommends using a non-Saber DAC (as does marvey haha), to get rid of the sibilance. I have the MCTH +SDAC on the way but it's for a different headphone. What other amp/DAC options should I consider to pair with the AFO? What DAC would be good to pair with something like an IHA-6? I don't want to get the idac-6 since it has a limited lifespan.
     
  2. redrich2000

    redrich2000 Facebook Friend

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    Reviving an old post here for a related newb-type question... I have one of these Topping DACs. Is there any advantage in connecting to my iMac via optical rather than USB?
     
  3. bongshanks

    bongshanks New

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    I appreciate the help but i have been living in mid-fi for way too long and I want to go further. I'm going to buy either a gen 5 Gungnir Multibit or Yggdrasil. I just have to make the choice of "is the Yggdrasil worth a $1000 more than a Gungnir MB". Most would say no, but this hobby isn't supposed to make sense.

    I do want to have a Roon endpoint discussion. Using the Roon client with the zones feature is f'ing awesome.
     
  4. bongshanks

    bongshanks New

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    That's the problem I'm having.

    I think the answer is USB with some form of galvanic isolator like a USB Regen, Schiit Wyrd, Schiit Eitr, or a gen V Schiit DAC.
     
  5. winders

    winders boomer

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    I am more than very happy with my ultraRendu feeding USB to my Gen 5 USB upgraded Yggdrasil. I think it sounds spectacular!
     
  6. Garns

    Garns Friend

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    It is hard to advise you because you keep asking hazily formulated questions without adequate context, and then after people have responded trying to figure out what you are asking, asking an unrelated question with an apparently different context. If you actually want advice rather than confirmation then please do try and provide enough context for us actually to advise!
     
  7. gbeast

    gbeast Mighty Moral Power Ranger

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    Hello,

    I accidentally purchased pins instead of banana plugs for the speaker adapter I purchased. Has anyone seen any pin to banana plugs adapters? If not I will just take it apart and use the screw down banana plugs on the bare wire.
     
  8. wormcycle

    wormcycle Friend

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    If it's not for running I would go with this, owned them, liked the a lot I upgraded to Etymotic otherwise I would be still using them. And the packaging is ideal for a gift
    https://www.costco.com/1More-Triple-Driver-In-Ear-Headphones.product.100296621.html
     
  9. lm4der

    lm4der A very good sport - Friend

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    @Metro @wormcycle Thanks, that's two votes for the 1more triple drivers. These look perfect for the gift!
     
  10. Metro

    Metro Friend

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    Not only the packaging, but the product itself also has a very solid, premium build and finish. The $20 off deal at Costco is only for 2 more days (until 12/10).
     
  11. rigo

    rigo Acquaintance

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  12. MellowVelo

    MellowVelo Friend

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    I recently acquired the Share SE846, and I'm using it with the Sony ZX2. Any recommendations for aftermarket cables? I want to get something with 3.5 TRRS to take full advantage of the ZX2. I generally prefer a slightly warm tonal balance (think silver-driver HD650 with Schiit Yggdrasil and solid-state amplification, for comparison). I'm aware of Moon Audio and ALO Audio, but I don't have any experience with IEM cables, so I really don't know how best to sort through the options. Thanks!

    Edit: any recommendations from your extensive testing, @Bill-P?
     
    Last edited: Dec 9, 2017
  13. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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  14. wormcycle

    wormcycle Friend

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    I am very tempted to buy JBL LSR305 for $99, see the link, and use them with Emotiva DC-1, but my headphone amp is already connected to the DC-1 XLR out. Do I need to use a proper XLR splitter or a simple Y cable would be enough? As an alternative going from RCA to balanced can I use a simple cable?
    It is a for a desk setup and I do not see using the monitors and headphones at the same time.

    https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/998214-REG/jbl_lsr305_sr305_5_2_way_powered.html
     
    Last edited: Dec 13, 2017
  15. Linkgoron

    Linkgoron New

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    You can use a RCA to TRS with the LSR305, you just need to set the LSR305 to unbalanced mode (-10db which is supposed to be the default). I've been using these.
     
  16. Thenewerguy009

    Thenewerguy009 Friend

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  17. imackler

    imackler Key Lime Pie Infected Aberdeen Wings Spy

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    So I finally got on this streaming bandwagon... Wow. I've been missing out. The classical selection is way better than I thought, though searching is a pain.

    Anyways, for portable with iems, what's our current recommendation for usb-dac? I'd like something that would work with my laptop (90% of the time) or Google Pixel (10%). I'm using my Leck UHA-6S MKii and am thoroughly enjoying everything. But I cant' tell the difference between 320 and Lossless (which I often can/believe I can). The bottleneck may be my iems, but I'm guessing its the dac in the Leck. I may just settle with the Leck but would like to explore either a usb/dac (with the Leck as amp) or another battery powered unit.

    Thanks as always, friends!
     
  18. aamefford

    aamefford Nothing like chamberpot coffee

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    My thoughts - for portable use, the Mojo worked nicely for me. I started with a Mojo and AK100ii. I finally ditched the Mojo though, I just don’t need a 2 brick portable rig. For stationary listening, I like the Schiit Eitr into Schiit modi multibit. With Gen 5 usb in the Bifrost Multibit, it is a closer price jump from eitr and modi mb to Bifrost mb if that size is better for your needs. I have both, and sonically can barely tell the difference. My current fun stack is the Eitr to Modi MB to vali 2. The vali 2works decently with my fairly sensitive ciems. I actually use a Sys in between the dac and amp to attenuate a bit further, which makes it much easier to use iems.
     
    Last edited: Dec 16, 2017
  19. money4me247

    money4me247 Friend

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    I like the Oppo HA-2 as a portable dac/amp to use with my laptop or smartphone. It can also function as a mobile power bank for your smartphone which is nice. depending on your IEMs though, there may be people who recommend other specific gear for 'synergistic purposes" but I've been using the HA-2 for since its release and it has worked really well. I used to use it for doing measurements as well. Newer version HA-2SE out now.
     
  20. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    So long story short my TH-X00s suffered from the Fostex hinge curse. Managed to find the necessary parts for a repair off fullcompass.com, but that aside, I tried dismantling the slider mechanism since it felt like something was caught in it but couldn't get the one screw out. I've basically stripped the head thanks to sheer dumbassery, and even after etching a groove into the head to try gaining traction with a flathead, the screw itself is stuck like someone'd superglued it in place.

    Any ideas how to get the screw out? I'm tempted to just shear the whole head off and try salvage the inner plate and just replace the slider cover (which is another $16... f**k I hate spending money on things I already have).

    Any advice at all would be appreciated!
     
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