The All Purpose Advice Thread

Never heard the Nano, for all I know it's junk. Here is a comparison of the iDSD and Mojo that I agree with: http://www.head-fi.org/t/798562/por...-chord-mojo-vs-ifi-idac2-vs-hrt-microstreamer

I think the Mojo is more popular since it has an immediately engaging sound; but I found it to get tiring after the initial excitement wore off.

 

Thanks. Cheaper is better to be honest but I still want something decent. My only concern with the HA-2 is the output impedance - it looks to be low like the Mojo so I'm not sure if it would suit the Andro. Maybe the SABRE would balance it out a bit? By contrast it looks like the iDSD Micro's IEM sensitivity switch might change the output impedance (although I'm trying to confirm)?

Pity there's no way (as far as I know) to get something like a 3-ohm adapter that would enable the Andro to be used more easily with very low output impedance devices.

 

Okay, glad to hear the Asgard 2 should drive them fairly well. Now trying to decide between the headphones. I see the HD600 looks to be winning most comparisons unmodded, but I feel like the modded HD650 should be a different ball game from what I've heard on here. Also the HD580 mod thread sure seems to like their headphones. :/ I would love some input from anyone that has tried them. Right now though I'm leaning towards the HD650. Contemplating getting that RPi i2s to bnc adapter once it comes out, and using a bnc to rca adapter to connect it to my modibit. (Which comes in in 2 days!)

 

They are honestly more alike than they are different. I tried the 600 first, then did an easy reversible rear damping mod to get it close to the 650 sound, then bought the 650, then sold the 600, then modded the 650, and haven't looked back.

Since you're coming from an HE400 variant, I would think the 650 is your safest bet; the 600 might seem too lean by comparison. I can't speak to the 580 personally, but I know some crazy people who prefer it to all else... I suggest you read tyll's write up of the family on inner fidelity if you haven't already.

Ultimately you just have to leap with faith. Another option is to just nab whichever one comes up for cheap sale first.

 

Haha, can't help you there. Same problem over here. I'm gonna piggyback onto this question if you don't mind. Maybe together we can get some answers

I've heard the HD600's and HD650's through a handful of things and while they are both great headphones and very, VERY similar, I prefer the HD600, though I've not heard the modded HD650. I am inclined to believe there is some truth to what some folks here say about them, though, just based on what I was able to pick-up on listening to the stock HD650's. I can see some of those mods offering some improvement. I hear the (relatively minor, I think) issues they're supposed to fix, at least.

The 580's are pretty interesting to me as well. I saw a 'like new' pair going for $180 on amazon and a 'good' pair going for $150. If all that you have to do to get close to the HD6x0 sound is a few simple mods and part swaps, I'm all for it. If I'm honest with myself, I also prefer the black-on-black, no-nonsense look of the 580's with HD650 grilles. They're also really appealing to me as someone who has a history of taking cheap things and making them as good or better than more expensive things. Owning things like that has its own charm.


My only real concern with the HD580's is fidelity. Can anybody give me a straight answer as to how close they are on the technicalities? I know the tonal signature is something I'll like... ...just wondering if the fidelity is really there, mods or not. Or, let's rephrase... ...what do the HD6x0's have that the HD580's do not?

I was very impressed with the HD6x0's overall fidelity. That was a bar-raiser. Not sure I can settle for much less than that anymore.

My plan right now is HDxx0 until I find/can afford a modern TOTL that I really want. I think I will peep for the cheapest 580 I can find. And if I don't find it by the time I have the cash, I'll keep saving. If I wind up with enough for HD600's by then, then 600's it is.

I dunno, I think the 650's would be the best long-term investment, assuming that a well-modded HD650 really does out-scale and outperform the other two. For maybe $100 more, it's easy to justify just holding off and buying those. Those HD580 guys are really f'ing with my head right now, though.

 

Anybody heard Beyer DT860s? How are they?

 

Okay, so I have a game plan now. My plan is to sell the HE-400is, then buy the HD650. Mod them. If I like them with my Asgard 2, I'll keep that setup till I find enough disposable cash for a Torpedo III. If not, I'll get the Valhalla 2 or try to find a different pair of cans.

 

From very fuzzy memory, they are like a brighter 880.

 

Great customer service from Schiit! My old Asgard 2 transformer started humming and the noise floor noticeable increased after only a month of ownership. They swapped it out with a new that took only 4 days and the new one has a lower noise floor than the one with messed up transformer, no hum unless I put my ear directly up to vent on the side with the transformer, the amp doesn't get as hot, and the sound is noticeable colder and more neutral. I definitely had a fucked transformer or something.

I had trouble hearing shitty metal drummers bash cymbals on my first Asgard 2 -> HD 650 compared to old Magni 2U and now this one makes their painful idiocy clear as day!

 

Sounds like you should have just kept the old amp.

 

Hi guys!
Anyone here uses their phone via USB OTG?
If so, what do you have it connected to?
I was thinking of getting a Chord Mojo although I don't need a mobile/transportable device (I will probably just use it at the office where I'm "double amping" with a Schiit Magni) but definitely would like to use my phone.

Any suggestions?

 

Can't comment on the mojo, but I use my phone otg into my leckerton when I am in a pinch. There are obvious compromises involved, but it works well enough. I will be replacing the leckerton with a gov2+ whenever that arrives.

 

Well, Im trying to move everything from Ultrasone/Beyers to Ether Flows (C) hopefully. So looking for something with some oommphh...

 

You can always go for the BottleHead Crack + Speedball to save a couple bucks.

 

I feel the Crack may be too warm in comparison to what I'm looking for. Anyways, today I got the Modi Multibit in, this thing is amazing, the sound is stunning. Super excited to get a HD650 and mod it, how do you like your setup?

Mainly looking for a good deal on a HD650, and need to put my HE-400i up for sell, what should I price the HE-400i, and what should I pay for a good HD650?

 

This is my end game I think. I have heard some interesting reviews about the new Focal headphone (the French guys that made the Utopia) and apparently it's supposed to be a bit better then the HD650. I don't know about this but I am hoping to hear it at the SBAF meet in November. I think that the crack really brings out the fullest potential of the HD650M. I think this is a setup that everyone should try just like the HD800.

I don't know anything about selling cans but I got mine for 265 off ebay. They were like new. I would look into the UK Amazon and see if it will be cheaper to buy them and have it delivered to you in the US. I know that was a thing a while ago.

 

Check out the FiiO e10 kunlun. It has usb otg capabilities. Little on the expensive side depending on your budget.

 

I know I'm a little late. But I have a Liquid carbon, and I'm paying attention to the upcoming Headroom Standard Amp:

http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/headroom-standard-headphone-amp.2432/

Few have heard the prototypes, but traditionally Headroom amps play very well with HD580/600/650. And a $299 promo price makes it quite tempting to me. You know...... for science....

 

This guy is apparently selling his for $215

If you want, I can send you a couple links to find good deals on the HD650, I picked up mine last week for $210 from eBay

 

Sadly that's the black driver version, I'd like the silver one. That'd be sweet! There's one on HF for $325 that's really new, but I need to sell the HE-400i first