Dec 3 New Jersey micro meet impressions

Of that chain, HE-500 has a mid-treble spike that shows up on certain gear more than others. I don't mind it in particular, but Jot is an amp that won't hide it - probably make it more evident. Modi Multibit via built in USB sucks overall. I wouldn't say the treble of the Modi Multibit is diffcult as it's the darkest most laid back sounding DAC of the Schiit lineup. Modi Multibit is my go-to DAC when I need something more relaxing than Yggdrasil / Gungnir Multibit.

I'd love hear Steel's impressions of the Woo WA22 or Leben CS300. Or even a Woo WA5 without the cap upgrades and using Chinese 300B tubes. I imagine him shitting a huge turd - out from his mouth. Haha.

 

I use Modi Multibit exclusively with headphones. Modi Multibit shortcomings, (slam, stage size and depth, layering, precision, clarity... basically everything except microdetail) compared to Gungnir Multibit or Yggdrasil are more evident with speakers IMO. And Modi Multibit's darker sound tends to work well with headphones, which have all sort of treble fuckery. For example, HD600 or HD800 modded, give me a dark amp / neutral DAC or neutral amp / dark DAC.

 

Sounds like USB fuckery.

 

Upper mid fuckery, glare, grain, fuzzy fuzzes, veil, murky, unfocused. With Eitr it is much better, but still USB. Spinners FTW.

 

NINJA EDIT: Just realized I have not used Modi Multibit from USB since getting an Eitr prototype to test out and give feedback on a long ass time ago.

Phils extend down to 35Hz easily in my experience. Might be some shenanigans in the room. Additionally, pull them out from the wall, the rear port on the top cabinet is designed to have more distance from the wall to function properly. With the small cabinet design and those particular ribbons up top, imaging should be phenomenal. The last time I heard Phil 3s it was listening to monteverdi choir doing st matthew's passion and the imaging was eeire go

Also, for context, Marv means Modi Multibit's flaws are more noticeable on efficient, resolving speakers. I agree with him there: I used it in my main speaker rig after selling the Gungnir Multibit before my new Yggdrasil came and it was disappointing for me to the point where I just didn't use my speaker rig for a week. With the Phil BMRs, it's less of a problem.

With regard to the opinions on ZDTj and Modi MB, I think it's easy to confuse clarity and resolution. If anything, the ZDTj resolves really well and it clearly scales from the Modi MB to the Yggdrasil. I haven't found any of the tube amps in the $1200 or below space to touch where it shines. Also, to be clear, I don't like the stock HD650 (I can tolerate it modded, but it's never been the headphone for me) so I wouldn't pair it there (especially since the ZDTj is a little bloomy). It does beautifully with the stock HD600 or my modded HD800s where the resolution and scaling are readily apparent. For everyday use, I have it paired with a DS DAC (I can see it doing well with CT's PWD MK[1 > 2]). With regard to where it shines, it definitely isn't the last word in bass control, but the mids on up are muy excelente. You get a viola section going and it really resolves layered string harmonics which is tough to do and unheard of in an el cheapo amp. It's the kind of thing that has wowed me with this little amp.

One thing to note, it sounds like some of you really value clarity. @CEE TEE is a fan of clarity in his chain, too, so pay particular attention to some of the things he likes, especially stuff like the UE4 and the MCTH.

 

To be fair, the ECP T3 had the same issues with bass as the ZDT jr did with the 650. The ZDT was in a class of its own in the bass region there.