The All Purpose Advice Thread

This is one of the great things about the Jotun in my opinion. If your listening set up is cozy enough that you plan to keep your headphones and speakers in the same space, and you don't need a remote, it's a decent enough preamp. The new ones have better pots, but jotun is no slouch. When I regain the financial freedom to upgrade from active monitors I will probably just pick up a vidar (or two...)

 

Jot's inner dac module is much better than D100.
Sell D100 and take the Jot. Run balanced. That's what I'd do.

 

Interesting, so the Jotun is really that good huh? I've actually been really curious about how the D100 would stack up against some of the newer DACs, DAC development seems like it has come a ways in the past 5 or so years. Have you personally compared the D100 to the Jotun? Can you comment on specifically how it was better? I've always really liked the D100, and I've heard good things about it from others, but like I say I have very little experience with DACs that have come out in the past 5 years or so, so I'm definitely curious.

As far as balanced goes, its something I've thought about doing for a long time, but really what are the advantages other than more power?

Also what do you guys think of this article? https://benchmarkmedia.com/blogs/application_notes/audio-myth-balanced-headphone-outputs-are-better

 

I have not directly compared these, as I no longer have access to it. I had D100 and DA8 some time ago. Yulongs don't compete with dacs usually discussed in SBAF.
From memory of D100: the dac in Jot has better tonality (D100 is cold, lean and bright) , thicker, heftier notes (more realistic) , better dynamics and probably better soundstage as well.
It is certainly better dac but I can't tell how much exactly.

Balanced in many cases is not worth pusuing. In the case of Schiit's offerings balanced is often better sounding for various reasons. Jot is fine with SE, but balanced hp out is a bit better. You don't need bal dac for it to reach its potential.

 

Interesting thanks. Sounds like maybe I should be considering a new DAC instead of a new amp.

I've always enjoyed the D100, but its kind of a dinosaur now days and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious about all this new Schiit. I'm hearing really good things about the Schiit multibit DACs, but I'm not sure which one would make the most sense with the HE500s. Not considering the sound, Bifrost Multibit seems like the obvious choice, it has the form factor to match the Lyr and price wise its right about where it should be for a pretty balanced system. On the other hand, based on what I have read regarding the sound of these, Modi Multibit and Gungnir Multibit sound like the better match. The HE500s + Lyr are already fairly warm and euphonic, I'm seeking more detail, clarity and tighter bass. I generally don't have any issue with the HE500 treble being hot or bright, so Im wondering if maybe Modi Multibit would be a good pairing, since one of the main complaints with it vs Bifrost Multibit and Gungnir Multibit is a tendency for the treble to get a little harsh. Gungnir Multibit sounds like a great pairing too, but is this overkill for the rest of my setup? Would a lot of the advantage of Gungnir Multibit vs Modi Multibit be lost on HE500s + Lyr 1? To put this into perspective were talking about a DAC that would cost more than my headphones and amp combined... Is that crazy?

On the amp side I have been considering going back to solid state for a while. I really do enjoy the smooth, warm, euphonic character of the Lyr and it makes my HE500s sound as good as I have heard, but I listen to electronic music probably 50% of the time, indy 25% of the time and the other 25% a mix of jazz, classical and rock. Im just wondering if solid state would work better for the majority of the music I listen to. I find the bass a little loose for electronic. With that in mind Im really curious about the Jutenheim. I know this is apples to oranges, but when It comes down to it these amps are in the same price range and are both logical pairings for HE500s, has anyone compared the Lyr with the Jotenheim for HE500s? Can you comment on there strengths and weaknesses? Was there a clear preference in the end for HE500s? Just curious if anyone else went down this road and what they ended up with.

 

No advice needed, but just curious. I was on the Sennheiser site and saw the HD630VB, and I don't recall seeing any mention of it here, so I'm guessing it sucks. Seems disappointing considering how good the other HD6XOs are. Anyone care to elaborate? Sennheiser should be poised to deliver some outstanding competition (besides the HD800s) to Focal, Hifiman and others.

 

It's only part of the HD6X0 lineup in name, it's very much a mainstream sounding can. Nothing wrong with that if it's what you're looking for, but not what this forum focuses on. I heard it briefly at SF CanJam and thought it sounded fine and didn't bother doing any direct comparisons since there weren't that many non-audiophile cans at the show in general. Isolation and comfort were only okay for what is intended to be an all-rounder.

 

To continue my step into better portable gear, I'm also looking for an upgrade to my Fiio X3ii in the under ~$300 range if such an upgrade exists. Will likely end up pairing with either a Campfire Orion or Shure 535 (haven't decided which, will be demoing both)

I am perfectly okay with buying used.

So far I've looked into:
- Fiio X5ii (~$200 used)
- AK Jr (~$300 new)
- DX90 (~$250 used)

Any thoughts on the above or others?

 

Wouldn't really recommend the Fiio X5ii. I have the first gen version which sounds nearly the same, and the soundstage was quite flat, and bass lacks impact and some texture. Admittedly these impressions came through after I spent about 6 months almost exclusively on headphones, and were further reinforced when I had a taste of active monitors. I guess it does have a neutral-ish (leaning to bright) sound, but then so does the X3ii.

 

What is it you don't like about the X3ii?

I haven't heard the Orion. In my experience with the SE535, I'm not sure it really matters what DAP you have... because its not really that technical of an iem and not very revealing. The mids are lush and its a fairly enjoyable iem, but its inoffensive to a fault. (I do like its build quality...) Personally, if the SE535 is your thing, I'd go for a DAP with a great UI.

Any reason you're not considering the ER4SR or XR? I see you're not opposed to a single BA...

 

I recently went down this same road, but I was still using my iPod Classic and a cheap external amp before I upgraded. I mainly used er4S with this DAP. I ended up going with the x5ii because it checked the most boxes in my price range and sound wise seemed like a reasonable pairing with er4.

I have been thoroughly enjoying it. No the sq isn't perfect, but it's highly enjoyable non the less and powers my er4s without issue. Overall the sq is a step up from iPod classic+ cheap external amp and it's so much more portable and easy to use.

The AKJR was also on my short list, and it's come down another $100 from when I was looking. I can't say first hand but I've heard it sounds better than the x5ii, can't hurt to try it st $300.

 

It's not that I don't like the x3ii, just wondering if there is something better in my price range. I'm leaning towards the Orion based on recommendations a page or two back. Also keeping a look out for others. The ER4 leans to the bright side if I'm remembering right. Also those triple flange ear tips are a non start for me. I have small ears.

The Orion was recommended based on my preference for a sound that really shows off the mids with great vocals with a smooth mid to treble transition. Akin to the hd650. Idk why I even mentioned the 535. I've pretty much written it off based on impressions around here.

Just looking for possibly a better matching/performing DAP in my given price range, if there is one.

 

Again, not speaking from first hand experience, but going off the comments of others, the AK jr should be a worthy upgrade in SQ from the x3ii.

 

I have HE500s with focus-a pads, currently using them with a Yulong d100 and Lyr 1 with Amperex PQ tubes. I've been really enjoying this combo for the past two years, but all the sudden I have the upgrade bug. Im considering upgrading my amp and/or DAC and was wondering if anyone had any pairing advice.

I've always enjoyed the D100, but its kind of a dinosaur now days and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious about all this new Schiit. I'm hearing really good things about the Schiit multibit DACs, but I'm not sure which one would make the most sense with the HE500s. Not considering the sound, Bifrost Multibit seems like the obvious choice, it has the form factor to match the Lyr and price wise its right about where it should be for a pretty balanced system. On the other hand, based on what I have read regarding the sound of these, Modi Multibit and Gungnir Multibit sound like the better match. The HE500s + Lyr are already fairly warm and euphonic, I'm seeking more detail, clarity and tighter bass. I generally don't have any issue with the HE500 treble being hot or bright, so Im wondering if maybe Modi Multibit would be a good pairing, since one of the main complaints with it vs Bifrost Multibit and Gungnir Multibit is a tendency for the treble to get a little harsh. Gungnir Multibit sounds like a great pairing too, but is this overkill for the rest of my setup? Would a lot of the advantage of Gungnir Multibit vs Modi Multibit be lost on HE500s + Lyr 1? To put this into perspective were talking about a DAC that would cost more than my headphones and amp combined... Is that crazy?

On the amp side I have been considering going back to solid state for a while. I really do enjoy the smooth, warm, euphonic character of the Lyr and it makes my HE500s sound as good as I have heard, but I listen to electronic music probably 50% of the time, indy 25% of the time and the other 25% a mix of jazz, classical and rock. Im just wondering if solid state would work better for the majority of the music I listen to. I find the bass a little loose for electronic. With that in mind Im really curious about the Jutenheim. I know this is apples to oranges, but when It comes down to it these amps are in the same price range and are both logical pairings for HE500s, has anyone compared the Lyr with the Jotenheim for HE500s? Can you comment on there strengths and weaknesses? Was there a clear preference in the end for HE500s? Just curious if anyone else went down this road and what they ended up with.

Thanks!

 

It's been a while for me, so I guess I will be the one: This inquiry does not get its own thread. Normally I would be kinder about this, and maybe send a PM, but you already asked this in the All Purpose thread, where it belongs. I have no idea why this would happen, hence the public-ish reprimand. I see @Hands is already viewing, and am guessing he will either delete or move as needed.

 

My bad! I just thought it was a pretty specific question and was getting buried quickly in the all purpose advice thread, just thought I might have more luck in its own. I saw other advice threads in the forum so I figured it was ok, but in retrospect I should have familiarized myself with the rules here before I posted! Noted.

I will move this over to the general advice thread since only a small part of this was asked in that thread. Feel free to delete it here...

 

AND you is the only staff online
@zerodeefex @ultrabike?

 

"Get one of the Schiit multibit DACs (go with the best one you can afford)" @Hands, you think the Bifrost Multibit would be preferable to Modi Multibit in this case even with my concerns Bifrost Multibit>Lyr 1>HE500 being overly warm/muddy?

HE500's can hang with Gungnir Multibit + Mjolnir 2? They wouldn't be severely holding that stack back?