The All Purpose Advice Thread

Hello all. Thinking of finally taking the plunge and getting a Valhalla 2, but there's a used Mjolnir 1 going for the same price. Can't find any comparison between the Mojo and 2nd Gen Schiit gear. I'm aware of all the technical details, only balanced etc.

I have the HD800, HD650, TH900, and a DEQ2496 for equalisation. Planning to get a Modibit too. I'm not held down to any particular genre.

What do you fine people say?

Cheers

 

Bump.

 

@muse , you probably should PM @shipsupt, he handles the FS stuff

 

I did. He was the one who advised me to get in touch with a Friend on here.

 

Understood, I didn't know you had done that already. PM me.

 

Thanks for the offer! thegunner100 has already reached out though so I'll go through him instead.

 

Anyone got a go to a CIEM resheller they've had good experience with?

 

Another vote for InEarz, long wait (they took exactly as long as advertised) but otherwise turned out well at a reasonable price

 

What is a amp thats better than the chord mojo?

Thinking of using the chord mojo as a desktop dac and a better amp to drive the headphones.

Headphones : Ether C and Andromedas

 

I have seen it said on here that well-implemented digital volume control can be transparent.
Could someone give me an example of a well-implemented digital volume control?
For example, is the volume control in Foobar 2000 such? (WASAPI exclusive mode, output 24bit, source files 16bit, max 12db attenuation)

 

Hello all I could need a bit of advise.

I have been so lucky to have been able to borrow an Awenson headphone amp from a friend for more than 2 years while he was traveling the globe but now he is back and while that is good news I do have to part with the Awenson.

My friend suggested that I buy a JDS Labs O2 but I do have the means to stretch a little further financially, to about $/€ 500 give or take.

So I am looking at the Lake People G109 anniversary or a Schitt Jotunheim which both seem to get a good write up in the this and other forums.

I have a Sennheiser HD800, an ifimicroidac2 DAC and a Asus gaming Laptop which I only use for music.

I listen to all kinds of music with a small preference for jazz of the late ‘50 (probably because it sounds so good, it’s well recorded)

Of the more recent recordings I find the Sound Liaison 24/96 downloads, which were mixed and mastered at least partly with the HD800, very impressive.


So what dear forum members would you suggest I buy?

JDS Labs O2 or Lake People G109 or the Schitt Jotunheim

https://www.jdslabs.com/products/35/objective2-headphone-amplifier/

http://www.lake-people.de/produktdetails/G109-P.html

http://schiit.com/products/jotunheim ...................... http://www.soundliaison.com/

 

First I'd advise you properly introduce yourself, your history with audio and your preferences etc. in the new members introduction thread. Here: http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/new-members-introduce-yourself.17/unread
Try reading around/lurking a bit more before posting. There has already been an extensive amp comparison in the amp/combo section.

JDS is not very good value and doesn't really hold up to competition specially for hd800.

here is the best amps for hd800 thread:
http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/best-amps-for-sennheiser-hd800.330/
And the schiit vs jds vs etc. :
http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...nation-units-grace-schiit-ifi-lh-jds-etc.401/
Ask for future advice here:
http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/the-all-purpose-advice-thread.19/
Schiit Vali on the closeout sale at $100 should pair very well with the hd800. The schiit Jotunheim wouldn't be a good paring as it is classic edgy schiit tuning.

Not sure about the lake people, but I know Violectric isn't liked very much around here.

Hope this helps and welcome to SBAF!
EDITted to add links

 

There's a nice package for a valhalla 2 over here...
http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...amperex-og-and-extra-set-of-nos-soviets.2937/

It would be a great starter amp for the hd800. You should also take a look at modding your hd800 as well. @Vanheim covered the rest pretty well.

 

Thanks a lot for the tip.
I do think I like to keep it simple at first so solid state is preferable. I am a bit surprised to hear that the Jotunheim is not a good match, a bit disappointed too I guess, I liked the in/out possibilities, easy to hook up to an amp as well.

I realize that I have a lot to learn. So far I am very happy with the sound of the HD800 as it is, but if those mods makes it even better than the 800s it is something to consider. I am just so afraid of damaging it. I do not know if I dare to do the mods but I will look into it.

 

@Peter Apperup , just wanted to add the recommendation for the Valhalla 2 (can't vouch for it with HD800) it's resurrecting Bill Evans

 

My two cents** The Vali 2 sounds great with the HD800 (even with stock tube). Own or owned all the amps mentioned aside from the lake people and found the Vali 2 to be best bang for the buck. Schitt Jotunheim does not sound good with the HD800.

 

@Peter Apperup If you absolutely must have a solid state, then according to the thread for best amps for the HD800 I would recommend the Matrix m-stage amp.

But honestly to get the best out of your HD800 you really should be looking at tube amps. Since the 6k peak of the HD800 doesn't seem to bother you so much stock, I'd recommend the Valhalla 2 too.

You don't need to go crazy with tube rolling. That's heavily discouraged here to say the least. Stick with one set of tubes, when they run out: replace them.
Or get Vali (1) and send it back to schiit after 5-7 years of use to replace the tubes.
Vali 2 seems very good value for money too.

Edit: I see I am an acquaintance no more. What does "Facebook friend" even mean haha?! Seeing the "friend" at the end of it makes me happy tho