System Synergy - Special Sound

You're not insane. This is my biggest takeaway from the last 10 years or so in the hobby. And it's something no one can help you with, as there are too many variables involved... trial and error is a must. It's a shame because alot of gear gets sold because something isn't synergizing in the chain and the listener blames it on a piece of gear that is 70% there, and would snap into place with some tweaking in other areas (usually downstream and with peripherals I've found).

 

This!! Or “Do it until you find……. Love” - Enigma (Principles of Lust)

 

I’m enjoying this setup a lot. The Studio B is using EML 300B and a Bendix. The DAC is Gungnir A2 connected to the Shanling ET3 via coax. I’m using the Radial 600ohm 1:1 transformer for balanced to SE. Headphones are the 8xx and Focal Clear. I know folks don’t like the 8xx much but it works well in this setup (note that WE300B didn’t sound as good as the EMLs with it).

 

Are those the XLS variety of EML 300B’s or the “regular”? I keep dancing around picking up some EML’s of some kind or another, always just waffle around which one (original/XLS/mesh).

 

These are the regular. I’ve had these since 2015 and used them on and off until they found their place here. I measured them recently and iirc they pretty much measure like new. I don’t know much about the XLS or mesh but these have been solid.

 

My journey for system synergy with HD800 stock and modified headphones.


It began in 2012 when I auditioned Andrew's ZDSE with my HD800. Immediately I knew there was something special with this combination and contacted Craig to commission my own ZDSE. As luck would have it I received the very next serial number unit. So when we had a meet at the Frye Museum Andrew and I were located next to each other. Two ZDSE with sequential serial numbers.


Visitors were very taken with auditory delights of the HD800 and TH900 on these wonderful amps not to mention the backdrop of fine art.


Here is progress with DAC choice still considerably in flux. Violectric V200 and April Music Eximus DP1 DACs in this incarnation.


After a decade, this is no FOTM amp. The Yggdrasil A2 is pretty much permanently bonded to the ZDSE. Gungnir A2 is used somewhat and the Auralec is there as a reminder of why one should listen with ears and not rely on measurements alone. This from a measurement person.


Typical view late in the evening while enjoying a red beverage and listening to favorites both past and present.


Enter the Studio B with Gold Lion, Linlai and now Elrog 300B. Very good with KTE Holo Audio Spring 2 or 3. Many hours have been (and will continue to be) enjoyed on this system.


Mjolnir 3 was an impulse acquisition. Mostly due to the ability to change amplifier modes between SET / PP and NFB On/Off. The surprise was how well this amp renders music in combination with the Holo DACs and HD800-JAR. Only regret is that I didn't acquire this amp sooner. Almost missed out on the first run with no certainty of a second run. Finding myself going back through so many albums yet again for another wonderful immersive experience. Then I was introduced to Hidden Orchestra by @zottel which floored me on this system.


My transportable system of choice. Maybe doesn't achieve the very last bit of performance as the above systems but once one settles in, a delightful listening session will be experienced. If ever I must downsize and find myself space constrained, this is my pick.

All of the systems shown above a part of my most cherished portion of my lab collection. All render music wonderfully. They may vary in performance specifics but all will provide satisfying listening sessions.

 

So many choices on Bandcamp, can you recommend 2-3? Thanks!

 

I've only heard the latest release, To Dream is to Forget.
In particular Little Buddy Move which incorporates sounds across the entire spectrum including down below 10 Hz.

 

If I were to pick 3 in addition to To Dream is to Forget, it'd be Archipelago, Live at the Attenborough Center, and Creaks. But their Remix and Reorchestration EPs/albums are pretty awesome, too.

 

I’d add that Dawn Chorus and Night Walks are also excellent, but for a first buy, I’d always recommend To Dream Is To Forget, especially for its outstanding sound quality.

 

Something Old, Something New ...



The Soekris dac1421 will be headed to a new home with @Biodegraded very soon.

Before heading out a suite of measurements is underway as are listening sessions. I had not heard this DAC in quite awhile with all the other dacs coming through. It may not be the latest, newest, shiniest component, but it remains a very solid performer. In fact, the combination of dac1421, Mjolnir 3 and HD650 is a tone monster. So much so I will have many evenings of immersive enjoyment to remember. Live albums are particularly well rendered on this system.

Søren did an excellent job on this design and it is still available at a remarkable price.

A few tidbits:
125 dB Dynamic Range
-122 dBFS noise floor
nearly perfect gain linearity over 120 dB

 

Given how much you enjoyed the 1421, I'm curious if you have any plans to pull the 2541 from your travel stack and try it w/ the mj3 & hd650. If so, I'd love to hear any impressions.

 

I've been listening to this combo for the last 3 weeks and am still mightily impressed by the synergy at play here. I've been chatting with @HotRatSalad about this and our impressions are very similar.

I've never heard the mighty HD650 driven with such authority and resolve from a portable setup. Can't recommend this combo enough for laying around the house with the ability to move around if needed.

I've gone through a lot of portable gear over the years and always thought it left something to be desired. This setup gets my toe tapping without any complaints (No sins of commission I can detect). Very clean high frequencies (something I didn't think was possible using USB out of a phone), authoritative bass slam, fairly wide soundstage and a sense of effortlessness even at high volumes (the opposite of strained, which 650 can feel like when underdriven, say, out of a Cayin RU6).

Galaxy S21 -> USB C -> ifi Hip Dac 3 -> 4.4mm balanced -> HD6XX

 

My bias had shifted against this meme over time, but I decided to listen to my HD600's on the ECBA earlier to confirm that and was too overall impressed to hate them. The way they can render and transition between different textures scales better than anything else, and they're engrossing for that, making it easy to forget their minor shortcomings. I really didn't remember them being that way.

I figure the 650's behave similarly. I had them before too, but they broke.

 

In the works but may not happen until after the holidays.

 

Something Old, Something New ... Part Deux

dac1421, Pietus Maximus, HD650

I prefer to have a stepped attenuator; it is not necessary to enjoy the excellent sound from this system.

@purr1n referred to the Pietus Maximus (PM) as being approximately 85% of the Mjolnir 3. I agree with that assessment.

I could imagine a Pi 2 Design feeding the dac1421 into the PM and HD650 as an extraordinary recreational listening system. I have settled on Dante Digital Data Delivery a long while ago, which can be seen as the RDL box behind the goldpoint stepped attenuator. This combination offered a wonderfully immersive listening experience, though short lived as I had promised to send the dac1421 to @Biodegraded to enjoy before the major holidays.

Most of you know HD800-JAR has become my favorite headphone. But I haven't enjoyed the monster tonality of HD6x0 in quite awhile with dac1421 and Pietus Maximus driving them so well. It doesn't require a fortune to experience sound that approaches the very best possible.

 

A very good day to you; thank you for sharing this good sir. Any insight regarding your stack's volume settings? I see your Gold Point is ~1 o'clock, Schiit is ~2 o'clock, and Soekris -03 dB. What is your source and music player volume settings at... 100%? Any advice regarding Gold Point's 24-position vs 47-position option? I am about ready to pull the trigger on the SA1 and would appreciate your thoughts on it. Have a great one. Happy holidays.

 

My long standing practice is to adjust any given amplifier volume control for 0 dB gain. Then I use the stepped attenuator as the volume control. Given my listening levels of 75 to 85 dB SPL on Sennheiser headphones I find I have the goldpoint set often around 12 to 14.

47 position allows 0.5 dB steps while 24 is a bit more coarse around 1 dB steps. I can live with the coarser version but it really is nice to dial the levels to a more refined level. If budget easily allows the 47 position is more satisfying for long listening sessions.

 

Ah, I had thought so regarding the 0 dB gain for the headAMP (from reading your previous posts about your preference for setting to "unity gain")... me ole' eyes had completely missed that you have the Pietus Maximus gain setting on high which thus explains why the volume is only at ~2 o'clock. Appreciate the clarification there .

Thank you for the Gold Point 47-position recommendation I will go for that then. Much respects.

 

I don't have the amp on-hand for a pic (still own it though), but I was just thinking about how great Schiit Vali *1* -> orthos modded to be more neutral by members of this community is.

There were a few years of "my journey" where all I ever listened to was Musical Fidelity v-link II -> Burson Conductor -> Schiit Vali 1 -> LLF Paradox or dbel84 LCD-3. An amazing system, a real hhhhnnnngg of all time -- I don't know how else to describe why the Vali 1 is good.

I stashed it in an extra system I keep at my dad's because I assumed the Vali 2 would just be better, but the Vali 1 is so unique and engaging that it's worth having no matter what other amps you own.