The All Purpose Advice Thread

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

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  1. JustAnotherRando

    JustAnotherRando My other bike is a Ferrari

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    How reliable is audio equipment?

    I ask because I see rather frequent thread or profile posts to the effect of "my X just died." A lot of the time X is something completely solid state, an amp or DAC. Headphones I can understand are tossed around or moved a lot, tubes I can understand have quite a finite life.

    Having worked around computers all my life, I know that hardware failures happen, but it's usually down to moving parts (hard drives/fans) or consumables (rechargeable batteries). What's the difference between the computer electronics world, and headphones/audio?

    I realise that most gear is rock solid, if something breaks it'll more likely be commented on, but still, the frequency of reading about equipment failures, returns and warranties here are a bit surprising.
     
  2. Ishara

    Ishara New

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    I'm looking for amp advice for my LCD-3's. Strong preference for sub-$500. And it would mean a whole hell of a lot to me if there's any way someone could loan me something they think pairs well for a week, before I take the extreme step of letting them go when I like so much about them.

    I listened to them out of a Magni 2 and a Mjolnir 1 and I have to say I actually very slightly preferred the sound out of the Magni 2. The visceral, holographic presentation of drums on the LCD-3 is just mindblowing and unlike anything else, but drums aren’t usually what I focus when I’m listening to music and I’m tempted to trade them back down for a pair of Revision 2’s because, well, if I’m not listening to the HD800’s it’s probably because I want to listen to stuff like crappy old nu–metal from when I was in high school for fun while I veg out, and I think the Revision 2’s may have sounded “better” (as in “more fun,” ignoring resolution, imaging, soundstage, and all that—I have my HD800’s for those needs) at least off of the Magni than the 3’s do. I’m starting to make a wild guess that the soundstage improvements and better instrument separation itself may actually be what makes listening to crappy music less enjoyable on 3's, because packing the instruments into more of a ‘wall of sound’ is how that kind of music is made to be listened to and the individual instruments aren't each equally interesting to listen to on their own. However, I'd really like to try the LCD-3's with an amp that pairs better to enhance what I like about the Audeze sound (punchy low end and darkness) before taking that extreme step. When I owned my old LCD-2.2s and they were among my favorite headphones ever, the Magni was the only thing I ever heard them on.
     
  3. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    How long is a piece of string? There are as many answers as there are models of gear.

    Some designs are inherently more robust, running more within thermal and electrical tolerances. Some gear uses more durable parts. Some things naturally degrade over time- capacitors dry out, tubes have a finite lifetime. There are loads of variables.

    Old units, especially amps, often need re-capping. Things can develop dry joints. Heating/cooling with the associated expansion and contraction can cause damage over time.. the list goes on.

    Essentially, most truly solid stuff is fine for quite a long time. However, if you pick up a classic integrated amp or something from the 80s, you might want to get it serviced and re-capped. Outside of this normal slow march of entropy, equipment can develop faults in a freak manner- just like with computer gear.

    Tube amps obviously have their own rules, but it's not as bad as you might think if you've never owned one. If you haven't, might I suggest that you pick up a Vali 2 as an experiment? It's a lovely little amp, which is cheap and easy to run- hard not to enjoy.
     
  4. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

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    Finally got a Gungnir Multibit (used) and I'm super impressed.

    But now I realize my Lyr 2 is holding it back. I am considering upgrading amps.

    I have my eye on several different amps...

    EC Black Widow
    Schiit MJ2
    ECP Torpedo III

    My issue is, having heard good tubz, I am not wanting to go back to solid state. I have heard nothing but great things about BW, but does it have the infamous SS "haze" people talk about? That's one thing I found missing from tubz, and I don't want to go back to it.

    I am trying to avoid MJ2 actually because my headphones aren't balanced and I'd need to mod them to have that capability. TIII sometimes comes up for sale on the HF forums, but it could be a long wait. Same for BW.

    Are there any other sub-TOTL amps that I could get for under $1K used, that I'm missing?
     
  5. Neal

    Neal Facebook Friend

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    See this:
    Also Torpedo III >> MJ2.
     
  6. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

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    "My advice is to stay high-performance bargain or go high. Don't settle for high priced mid-fi."

    I wonder if MJ2 would be considered "high priced mid-fi" as Marv stated?
     
  7. captkirk

    captkirk Khan's BFF

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    What headphones you running, or plan to run with the amp?
     
  8. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

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    Beyer T90. I actually plan on swapping it out for an HD800 though in the coming months.
     
  9. thegunner100

    thegunner100 Hentai Master Chief

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    I'm having deja vu.
     
  10. captkirk

    captkirk Khan's BFF

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    All I'd be able to offer is BW/2 = no "haze", perhaps a slight coloration (tube-like) and a hint of warmth-to-neutral.
     
  11. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

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    I had the 800 before, but had alot of problems with "synergy" and it ended up being dirty power in my house (which I solved with a conditioner). Had already sold them though after alot of agonizing, so am looking to get them back.
     
  12. ButtUglyJeff

    ButtUglyJeff Stunningly beautiful IRL

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    If I remember correctly, you had the HD800/Jotunheim combination. And you were quite smitten by the combo. Is that the "synergy" you are talking about. What did you like and dislike about the combination? That would come in to play here...
     
  13. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

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    I liked the combo initially, but over time the dirty power issue became impossible to ignore, despite the positives.

    It had tons of power, clarity, speed and control, which I probably value most (along with resolution). But having now owned a tube amp, I am really liking the lack of solid state haze, and more natural/nuanced nature of the sound. So I am leaning toward staying with tubes.

    I have been in mid-fi purgatory for a while now, learning lessons about gear, many of them painful. But it's been a fun ride, and I'm looking to step my game up to Gungnir Multibit's level with regard to amping.

    I did own Valhalla 2 for a bit, but came to dislike it's slight veiled and dry quality, despite it's incredible ability to submerge one in the music.
     
  14. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    I went through the same path. I would skip MJ2 and go to T3. It sounds great with HD800 and HD650.
     
  15. ButtUglyJeff

    ButtUglyJeff Stunningly beautiful IRL

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    Unicorn recommendation....DNA Sonnet or DNA Sonnet 2 (2 is better then 1)
     
  16. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

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    Thanks for the suggestions. I am also considering upgrading my source. Right now I feed Gungnir Multibit with a cheap Sony DVD/CD payer via Coax, but the sound is quite good. Do those audiophile CD transports make a difference? I have my eye on the Onkyo C-7030, which I've heard good things about. I am trying not to spend too much, or waste money on a sidegrade if my Sony is good enough.
     
  17. ductrung3993

    ductrung3993 Facebook Friend

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    Hey @Marvey, I recalled that you've always been recomending the U turn Orbit as a starter turntable. May I ask which model would be your pick for best value ? Couple that synergistic cartridge etc...I will hook it up to a phono Jot.
     
  18. Pyruvate

    Pyruvate Friend

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    Do you have a set budget? How much money are you willing to put in? And how far do you want to go with an analog setup? There's a lot of things you'll have to consider before stepping foot into vinyl. If you plan to dip your feet and see if it's for you that's one thing, but if you're planning to go all the way, that's another. It's an expensive process lol, but if you're willing to commit, you'll reap the rewards.

    Don't want to come off as an asshole, but these are some things you need to consider.

    In my opinion, "best value" would be the basic model with MDF platter. The acrylic platter which I started off with is most likely a step above (never had the chance to compare), but it's up to you if a small difference is worth $90. Also, the wooden plinths come at a premium (+$90), and I read someplace the sonics are the same as their MDF counterparts.

    The basic table is $179, comes with a beginner's audio technica cart. You can also customize it to begin with another cart of your choosing (ortofon 2M series or OM series or grado).

    The 2M is pricier and will add $75 more, bringing your total to $250. Meanwhile the OM is $35 more, totaling $200ish. Grado is somewhere in between. What I did is started with the OM, and swapped the stylus when I knew I was in this for the long run. @ohmaigulay did something similar, began with an entry level grado cart and recently swapped out the stylus for something substantially better.

    Or simply keep the cheap AT cart and swap in a nagaoka MP-110 which runs about $100 and is suppose to be a bargain. Problem is, you'll need to manually install this one on your own, whereas the previous carts come pre-installed.

    Also, I highly recommend the tonearm lift, the arm is a bitch to lower on your own without it. That's another $40.

    So basically you can be spending anywhere between $220-$300. Honestly, once you hit the $500 mark, you might as well hold off to see what schiit is offering sometime later this year.

    Oh and records aren't included and require an additional bank loan ;)

    Let me know of any questions!
     
    Last edited: Jan 20, 2018
  19. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    Possibly a stupid question.

    If I use a SYS backwards to switch 1 input to 2 outputs, can I not still use the volume control to attenuate the 2 outputs? The SYS page says:
     
  20. Ringingears

    Ringingears Honorary BFF

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    Does anyone have a recommendation for an adhesive for my LCD-2.2. The left ear pad keeps falling off. The adhesive just isn’t holding well. I don’t want something permanent. And no, “buy an LCD-2C” isn’t the answer I’m looking for. ;)

    Thanks.
     
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