The All Purpose Advice Thread

Thanks for a reasoned reply- I feel slightly bad that I didn't make my question clear enough now.

Essentially, the reason I'm asking is that most of the amps that I'm interested in are SE. I just wanted to tease out of the Yggdrasil or Gungnir Multibit had cut any corners on their SE outputs in ways that I should know about. Realistically, I suspect that those two DACs are the main ones I'd be looking out for deals on, so it's best to be prepared.

However, it's a useful data point that hear that you haven't picked up an external box for this. I do read the DACscussion on here fairly often, as it's nice to be aware of what's out there- not seeing any huge caveats about the SE outputs is what set me to wondering, paradoxically.

 

Within the week previous I could have sworn I saw a chart comparing amplifiers in what looked like a spreadsheet format produced by @Marvey . I should have bookmarked it for future reference. Now I can't seem to locate it again. Could someone with better google-fu skills point me to it?

 

Probably this:
http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...compendium-what-schiit-amp-should-i-get.3058/

 

Yes, thank-you, that is it. Why I couldn't find that via google yesterday - maybe tired mind on my part, though today it may be in the database. Bookmarked.

 

I have tried using the search function, but could not find any results.

I am curious what most people think about double helix cable since dhc doesn't seem to aggressively market their stuff, yet a lot of people seem gravitate towards them. I am wondering if they're as good as people say they are, but are just so damn expensive. Or, do would you consider it snake oil.

Also, is there any truth to their claim that their silver cable does not sound like the usual typical silver cables do? I think they described it as 'smooth, and easygoing'

 

Ok, I'll bite: snake oil.

 

HI everyone. Longtime lurker, asking for advice on next buy, headphone between 200~300$ bucks. I have read the leaderboard, some other threads, reviews from most audio-related sites, and even though I know HD 6X0 is the answer, I need to clarify something. So I'm in a loop. I see what are the 'best' headphones, but I don't have any amps or dacs, To be honest, the idea of buying a pair of Phidelio X2 and forget about the amp dilemma is very tempting. The onky

 

I know I'm late but....

I used a loaner Elear with my first run LC, and I had zero issues with the combo (I'm a first run guy) As a process of elimination have you tried using the stock cable in the 1/4" jack? I am suspecting the new cable might be wired incorrectly (but that's only speculative). You could also reterminate the stock cable to 4 pin XLR.

 

The onky, indeed.

Don't forget to post an introduction, please. Read the stuff at the start of that thread, too- it'll save trouble.

The answer is, as ever "it depends", mostly on your budget. Right now, your best quality/cost ratio is probably a Modi 2 Multibit DAC feeding a Jotunheim, balanced out to the 650 (and/or Massdrop 6xx). There are marginally cheaper alternatives, but they won't save you a lot initially. It'll be a false economy, too, as you'll likely want to replace them with this setup after some research.

It's really not worth trying to go any cheaper than that right now, as that is such a startlingly great setup for the money- to get a noticeable step up from there with the 650, you'd have to spend at least twice as much. It's a real sweet spot.

 

The price starts at $650, but with mods and upgrades you could double that price.

 

I would only add a Vali 2 with EH 6CG7 tubes in there:
http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...em-synergy-special-sound.54/page-6#post-96338

 

Probably best not to complicate or bloat things out at first, if it's a "my first setup" situation.

 

I'm looking for a Koss budget headphone. On SBAF the Porta Pro and the KSC75 are often mentioned. However, I'd rather something over-ear. What would you recommend from the Koss' over-ear range, hitting equivalent performance/price ratios? Basically, a budget "monster"...

 

Have a look here for a couple of good cheap headphones with impressions:

http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...tar-cheap-headphone-comparo-extravaganza.179/

 

Since KSC75s keep getting brought up, I'm gonna ask, cuz it's been bugging me for a while now. I remember using them briefly in high school, and I dug them up from the closet recently, and... is there some kind of trick to wearing them? They feel like vices around my ears, and I can't even blame it on piercings, because they did years ago, too.

 

Yes, the trick is modding them to have headband instead of those stupid clips.

 

Yes. Agreed. The thing that makes these sound good is the ability to position them correctly on your head, and very light pressure on your ears. Only the headband can give you this. With the stock clips they are uncomfortable, and either press too hard or fall off.

 

A budget monster? Tell me if I sound like a broken record, but Creative Aurvana Live! is hard to beat @ 50 bucks and under. I'd take those over most < 200 dollar models. They're not Koss, though.

I must admit, I'm not a huge fan of my Porta Pros. They have bloated bass and very gritty/grainy highs, imo.