The All Purpose Advice Thread

Discussion in 'Advice Threads' started by purr1n, Sep 26, 2015.

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  1. Rockin_Zombie

    Rockin_Zombie Facebook Friend

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    I have been enjoying the HD800s immensely with all kinds of metal/rock/whatever else I throw at it. For reference, I like it WAY more than the HE6s I had before. I am looking to get a similar set for work. I was sticking to closed but I realized I can get away with open.

    Things I love about the HD800S:
    1. sweet sweet midrange, all vocals perfectly legible, even some death metal.
    2. Unbelievable soundstage (this might be harder to get with a closed set, but I found one I kinda like, see below).
    3. Extremely extremely comfortable.

    Things I don't like: none, the bass is perfectly fine amount for me. Tight and punchy enough.

    Why am I looking for a different set and not just getting another pair of HD800S? Just cuz it will be easier to justify to myself, and choices.

    What are my options?

    Demoed the HD650 and Elear today, found both to be a bit too congested. Really liked the Ether C, but auditioned only for 30 mins so not too sure yet, a lot of money but I guess I can swing it, gonna go the used route anyway.

    Other options? Should I just get a pair of HD650 and mod it?
     
  2. TjH

    TjH New

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    HI guys,
    I need suggestions for a portable Amp/DAC. I currently am using dx80 as a music source (or macbook when not on the go) and th-x00's as my go-to headphones.

    I had been using an ifi idsd micro (regular/silver version) but after 2 dud units I've given up on it. What it did teach me though is that my music sounds SO much better out of a good amp/dac like that than directly out of a macbook or dx80. That being said - I need a suggestion from you guys for amp/dac's that I can get. Here's my criteria:
    • My go to headphones are a pair of th-x00 mainly
    • Needs to work with macbook as well as DX80. The latter means Optical or Coaxial digital input is a must.
    • Portable, meaning can run off of internal battery
    • size is no concern, obviously I've been using idsd micro which is massive.
    • Price is <$1000, closer to $500 would be better.
    • In terms of sound: I like soundstage, detail and resolution a lot, to my ears things that have those qualities in abundance are more enjoyable. I dont care about bass too much, th-x00's provides plenty of it. Mids are very important. And treble, though less important needs to not have any hiss or other funny goings on. (good well defined and reigned in treble is a must, it's quite easy for treble to get out of hand by getting too splashy or thin).

    Another option, however, is to sell my dx80 (it is relatively new) and get an expensive DAP that has good sound quality coming out of it,though not sure how the sound of something like AK300 compares with the sound of a cheaper DAP like dx80 coming out of a $500 DAC like chord mojo. (i.e. does $500DAP+$500DAC have comparable sound to $1000 DAP alone?).

    So far I have the following on my radar:
    1. Sony PHA-3 ($700 used, $1k new)
    2. Ifi micro IDSD BL ($550) - bad experience with ifi, but i really like the flexibility.
    3. HiFi-M8 LX ($325 used?, not really available on amazon new)
    4. Chord Mojo $530 - has amazing praise but I do see some concerns raised in places when comparing with ifi idsd micro BL.
    Even with my bad experiences with Ifi i am leaning towards the BL, but am a little concerned over reports of splashy treble and frankly INSANE burn in time (given that most return windows are 30 days, 300 hours which is 15 straight days is really not acceptable in terms of burn in). I'll definitely get there in a month or two on good and enjoyable gear but if it's going to be unusable (like my ifi micro silver was) before 300 hours it's not going to see much use and less likely to get to that 300 hours mark.
    Thanks,
     
  3. k4rstar

    k4rstar Britney fan club president

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  4. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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  5. Rockin_Zombie

    Rockin_Zombie Facebook Friend

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  6. Grahad2

    Grahad2 Red eyes from too much anime

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    ZX100
     
  7. JayC

    JayC Resident Crash Test Dummy

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    Thanks for the reply, I'll see if i can find one used! The price new is about 500 euros which i cant spend unfortunately
     
  8. Priidik

    Priidik MOT: Estelon

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    For the money of HD800S you can find used HD650 and used HD800. Mod both and you're golden.
     
  9. Rockin_Zombie

    Rockin_Zombie Facebook Friend

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    I ended up snagging a mint pair of HD650 for a great price last night. Let's see how legendary these phones really are, looking forward to it!

    Already have the HD800S, almost bought a used pair of HD800 but the HD650 will be a nice variation I am hoping.
     
  10. Synchronicity

    Synchronicity New

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    Hey everyone,

    I'm about to embark on my first journey into the world of hi-fi cans and was hoping you all can help me out. Here's my intro post for some background. Basically my daily drivers have been the DT990s for about 4 years. I listen mostly to house music but also hip hop and metal. I also do a little gaming so positional audio is pretty important to me, hence why I'm stuck with a Sound Blaster ZxR. Although later on I might invest in a separate dac/amp exclusively for music listening.

    I've managed to try a few mid-fi cans and got a sense of what I'm looking for. I tried the Philips Fidelio X2, the AKG K7XX, and the K712 Pro. Of the three I preferred the K7XX. The X2s would have been perfect had it not been for its really muddy bass (almost sounds distorted). However I liked its staging, imaging, and boomy sub-bass. I really appreciated the K712 on a technical level as its airy soundstage and detailed imaging made classical music an incredible experience, but its low end response was far too anemic for me (there was also a rattle in the left transducer so I had to return it). The K7XX sounded marginally less detailed than the K712 but I thought it had more noticeable and tighter bass whilst still maintaining the qualities I appreciated about the K712. In the end, I stuck with my DT990s as it just handles the low end far better without really sacrificing the audio qualities I'm looking for (imaging, soundstage, and detail). My only complaint is how fatiguing its treble can get, especially now that I live in a much quieter neighborhood where it's more apparent.

    After a lot of research I think the Fostex TH-X00 or the E-MU Teak would be right up my alley, but I'm willing to go straight for its most approximate "upgrade." Unfortunately, I have no idea what that might be at the $1K-1.5K range and that's where I hope any of you can help me out with. I'd prefer on average an open can over closed, but I fear I'm enough of a basshead that I'm stuck with V-shaped FRs.

    Thanks for your time and patience! I'll be sure to use SBAF's Amazon referral link to pay it forward.
     
  11. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    While you're still in the mid-fi realm, also considering trying out the K612pro (which I consider superior to all the 7## family and is actually cheaper), the DT880 (slightly less shrill and boomy than the 990, and the Sennheiser HD6##. These three (in their currently available incarnations) are sorta the old school top dog trio, and painting very broad strokes the AKG/Beyer/Senn are the analytical/fun/smooth ones respectively.

    Once you push into $1k, you start looking at the Elear or the planars. LCD2 can be had for very cheap on the used market these days and will give you a lot of bass. The Focal Elear is perhaps more similar-ish to the Beyer sound (vs AKG and Senn, again very broad strokes here). But really, once you start playing in the 4 digit category it really behooves you to find the local headphone guys in your area, join up at a meet, and hear things in person before plunking down your newfound riches.
     
  12. ibzrg1570

    ibzrg1570 Facebook Friend

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    I was thinking Elear or LCD2 as well, but both have flaws that are hard to overlook for their price. They're also both substantially heavier than the 990 so comfort might be an issue. If you're okay with more weight and don't mind a little EQ I think you would like the Elear.

    I personally like the TH-X00 a lot and think it's a great value for how much better it is than 990. You could start there and take your time to save up and attend meets until you're ready to make the big jump.
     
  13. Synchronicity

    Synchronicity New

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    Fair points all around! I need to find some headphone lovers in the DC area then.

    Have any of you heard the E-MU Teaks and have any opinions of them in relation to the X00s?
     
  14. ibzrg1570

    ibzrg1570 Facebook Friend

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    Check out the meet subforum: http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?forums/the-meeting-place.8/ There's a head-fi meet coming up in a month and there was an SBAF one a few months back as well.
     
  15. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    LCD2 bstocks around boxing day were $500. Used ones have been occasionally popping up around 400. Can't argue with those prices.
     
  16. svperstar

    svperstar Acquaintance

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    Anyone heard the Ray Samules "The Raptor" and can compare it to the WooAudio WA6-SE?
     
  17. Koth Ganesh

    Koth Ganesh Friend

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    I have a question for Mac OS Sierra (v 10.12.3) users. I'm using a Mac Mini with this OS (latest update) and ever since I updated this, I find the music stopping at random. When I go to System Preferences > Sound at the time the music stops, i find that that the Sound Output has automatically changed from my Mutec 1.2+ setting to the Display Audio setting. I initially thought that this was due to my music player - Audirvana, and have tried out Bitperfect, Vox and JRiver. All of them have faced this issue with Vox somehow able to "recapture" my Sound Output selection after 2-3 seconds.

    Has anybody faced (using the Mac) a similar issue? Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks.
     
  18. take

    take Friend

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    Sounds obvious but have you checked if your cables are loose or not making a good connection? I know on my Macbook Pro there are a few USB cables that don't work as well with it, even though they work fine with other computers. Sounds an awful lot like cables being disconnected and reconnected.
     
  19. beemerphile

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    Thanks for linking to your intro post. Kudos
     
  20. svperstar

    svperstar Acquaintance

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    I just want to chime in and say I work in IT and we have had a ton of issues rolling out 10.12 to client machines. A bunch of weird issues. I wouldn't be surprised if you just need to wait on Apple to patch it.
     
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