The All Purpose Advice Thread

Sadly that's the black driver version, I'd like the silver one. That'd be sweet! I saw one that looked pretty nice and new (black box) for $325 on HF, but I need to sell the HE-400i first. Is there a differnce between the silver and black box HD650's given they have the silver driver?

 

If you're looking for a new pair, unfortunately the Amazon.co.uk deal expired like a week ago. I've seen a couple new 650s go for around ~$280 [1] on eBay which you should be able to pick up again if you're patient

eBay search

HiFi shark search

 

Got HD650s new for 329 new shipped from Focus Camera if that helps. That UK sold out, bummer...

 

I see an E18 Kunlun, not an E10.
Also have on the list :

IFI micro idsd
Chord Mojo
Creative Labs E5

I think all of those do USB otg.
Am I missing any others that should be worth it and that could possibly drive planars well?

 

There's also the ALO Continental Dual Mono, VentureCraft SounDroid VANTAM, and Woo Audio WA8.

 

Can anyone help me i am looking to buy myself a desktop dac for my stax 2170 that should be coming soon.

I've thinking between the schiit bifrost 4490 & the multibit version & kind of the chord mojo. Also i like to get myself the hd 650 one day & wonder about the multibit warm sound making the hd 650 too warm.

I will consider any other dac up to the Bifrost Multibit price if anyone has good suggestion.

 

@Bulldog Have you seen this post? It was an excellent way to get a sense of what's going on. Make sure to view the attachment.

 

Yeah sorry. I was posting while still sleeping.
https://www.amazon.com/Kunlun-E18-Portable-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B00GCDJBMM

 

Check out this

 

Hey guys, what are your thoughts on the audio gd nfb 15? I'm thinking of picking up a used unit (found one for $200) to use with my zmf omni cherry as my Objective2 can't do them justice.

With the new schiit modi multibit out I'd really want to spend my money towards that, but I need a dac(don't have one yet)/amp(O2 really isn't planner food material amp) combo and my budget is $200 max.

I was thinking of getting the modibit in the future to use with my nfb 15, but it doesn't have external dac input I think (i maybe wrong).

What do I do?

Thanks in advance

 

I just looked up the NFB15's inputs and it looks like it only has digital inputs and a set of analog outputs, so unfortunately, you can't output the Modi Multibit to it.

Here's my advice: use the $200 to find a used Modi Multibit, it'll be around that much in a couple months, just be patient. Keep in mind, I'm more sensitive to DAC upgrades, but you'll be sure to get some audio gains from adding that to your O2. As for your amp, what you can actually do is frequent a local Goodwill for an integrated receiver, they're usually around $20, so you can save up for something better in the future.

 

I'm very happy with my solid state O2+ODAC, but had a thought of getting a good value tube amp for something "different". I realise the law of diminishing returns is prevalent in the world of audio, but I'd like as much of price vs performance ratio as possible.

• Location - Australia.
• Budget - USD200-400.
• Source - PC at home.
• Current amps - O2+ODAC (for home). Fiio Q1 (for mobile / work).
• Current headphones - AKG K7XX, Alessandro MS-1, Philips Fidelio X2 (for home). AudioTechnica ATH-ES700 (for mobile / work).
• Preferred music - jazz, rock, metal (old school stuff).

Other stuff to consider:

• I'll be keeping my old O2+ODAC which is quite nice n neutral.
• It needs to be able to take my current low impedance headphones, I may buy a Sennheiser 600 or 650 (300Ω), undecided at the moment, and I don't think I'll be buying any planars.
• It also needs to have a good selection of compatible tubes available to Oz (within mainland Oz would be ideal).

A few amps that I've got my eyes on at the moment are:

• La Figaro 332C (6J1 and 6C19 stock tubes).
• DarkVoice 336SE (6N8P and 6N5P stock tubes).
• Little Dot Mk III (5654 and 6H6PI stock tubes).
• Xduoo TA-03 (12AU7 and 6C19 stock tubes).

The La Figaro, DarkVoice, and Little Dot are quite popular, but I'm not able to readily find exact replacements for the stock tubes in Oz (I'm still looking for compatible ones). On the other hand the Xduoo TA-03 isn't that well known but 12AU7's are available in almost every shop here.

I'm happy to consider other alternatives (except DIY as I have little to no DIY skills).

Thanks guys!

 

@Setzz, Hi and welcome!

Have you looked at Schiit and Garage 1217? They have excellent value for the money. I have a 1st generation Vali and I am falling in love with it. Check this post out for some excellent recommendations on equipment of all kinds.

 

@Wilson thanks man! I have actually considered those 2:

• I'd rather not deal with the guys that stock Schiit here (nor will I name them here).
• Garage1217 lineup are definitely interesting, and I've corresponded with Jeremy in the past. Happy to take another look and consider them in my options.

Do you have any thoughts of the ones I mentioned? Thanks again man.

EDIT: I remember now why I took Garage1217 off my list, lots of construction in my area, n I'm worried about dust with the open design.

 

@Setzz

You are welcome! I can't speak to your other choices: I am not even a month into serious thought about audio equipment. I can tell you that there is a lot of terrific information on this site that may ending up changing your mind on your initial choices. For example, before coming here, I was going to get a n Oppo PM3 and an O2. Now, I'm getting a HD650 and will purchase a Schiit Modi Multibit later on. Here's a post that got me thinking in a different way. BTW, I hear you about the open design of the 1217 stuff, on the other hand, it might be easier to clean with some compressed air as opposed to junk accumulating in a hard-to-get open closed designs

 

Brother, please get a tube amp if you get the HD650. I don't think I can stress this enough. Bottlehead Crack + Speedball is actually the most amazing thing I have heard.

 

@Ryu, good to see you! If that was meant for me, I had the chance to get a Vali 1 at a great price, so I went with that and well, I made a thread about it

Anyway, hope you are well!

 

@Setzz it sounds like you don't want to consider Schiit because of the local distributor. But what if you could pick up a Vali 1/2 secondhand, or even ship it from the US? Would it still be within budget?

 

@Eric_C no offense, but I'm a bit wary of getting secondhand electric goods that emits heat lol.

I'm not against shipping from the US though. I've tried the Magni (I think noob old me decided I like the O2 better, hence I bought this one), but haven't tried the Vali. I may have to give it a go n see if it should be included in my options.

Do you have any thoughts on the other amps I mentioned?