The All Purpose Advice Thread

I have ls50, rel t5 and rel t5i
imo, NO small speaker+sub will compete with bigger speakers.
furthermore, even 8 inch woofer based speaker is borderline too smal for me. small speakers with 5 inch woofers like ls50 is for nearfield and bedroom, not main system and subs will never change that


if even ls50 is boomy in your room, this is not due to speakers but the room. you have either your listening positiona and/or speakers in a room mode. try moving speakers around.
here's a quick guide for speaker/lp position:
https://www.gearslutz.com/board/6507362-post2.html

the rel t5, quite the contrary, is one of the few musical sounding sub under 1k. svs or velodyne cheap options do not come close to rel t series for music

 

I have the same question.

For a small tube amplifier the Vali 2 is pretty good from what I have read. If you do not need or want tubes and most of your headphones are dynamic driver headphones, the Asgard 2 is good from what I have read.

What kind of audio set-up are you building?

 

If you don't absolutely require two DACs at the moment, may be get the Modi Multibit, see if you like Schiit multibit DACs, then decide? I haven't heard the Schiit multibit DACs myself but from the wide praise seems like they can be a lifechanging experience, and you may have the itch to upgrade to their higher end ones very quickly.

On the other hand, if you don't really see a difference you can go on and try other flavors. I wouldn't discount the Mojo so quickly, it's quite awesome both as a all-in-one-unit and feeding a tube amp, I have used it in both ways and couldn't be happier, very nice and warm sound.

 

I have a breeze du u8 as transport for the Modi Multibit for coaxial or spdif.

the mojo described as lacking air iand slam/transients/involvment scares me

 

If you have a transport it's more reason not to buy another DAC and see how the Modi Multibit goes. If you are blown away you may wanna upgrade to Gungnir Multibit right away .

Looks like you are located in the EU, may be ask someone there for a loaner Mojo. It's such a common DAC, some kind-hearted SBAFer may reach out.

 

No, it's the Mackie MR8 MK2s that are boomy, and it's partly the room. I have them sort of stuffed up in corners at the moment. I'm going to invest some time in setting things up better over the spring, or whenever Vidar comes out.

That's why I asked the second Q about headphone amps w/ Eikon... ZDS or Mjolnir 2 or Jotenheim.. that order is how I imagine the spectrum from warm to bright goes. If that's a spectrum. Kind of like the spectrum from chocolate chip cookie to Mazda Miata... maybe.

With Freya already here, am I going to get performance similar to Mjolnir 2 w/ Freya feeding Jotunheim (until Loki and Thor ruin that party [sorry, mythology nerd])? Is ZDS worth 2x+ Mjolnir 2?

I realize some of these are philosophical questions.

 

Then play Beethoven's 5th Symphony and if you feel like you can take on the world afterwords, your audio system works well.

If you want to feel happy and positive try Beethoven's Eroica.

 

There are several people here who went from the Mjolnir 2 to the ZDS, none have turned back....

 

My local milkbar shut down.

 

That is so "Clockwork Orange."

 

yeah that was the joke.

 

As dry as sand paper...

So did you play Beethoven's 5th?

 

I'm more of a Bach guy. I'll listen to both WTC books.

 

Is it safe to assume that this thread is a good way to get some gear advice?

 

I went from Mjolnir 2 to ZDS once I realized I'd be fine without planars (800, 650, AD2000 and now Eikon). Overall, yes ZDS is better than Mjo2. Is it 2x better? IDK probably not, but it does just about everything equal or better than Mjo2 except for bass slam and overall headphone/inputoutput versatility.

About that spectrum, IDK if I'd call ZDS more warm than Mjolnir 2. I think Mjolnir 2 has more of a bass/lower mids tilt, however Mjo2 can definetly be brighter/etchier up top with many tubes (including stock)

My initial thoughts after making the Mjo2 to ZDS switch are here, unforunately I sold Mjo2 just before getting Eikon so IDK about that pairing specifically. http://www.superbestaudiofriends.or...e-current-zana-deux-s.1804/page-3#post-117686

 

No.

 

Hoping you guys can help with a headphone recommendation (I learned my lesson after creating my other thread so am posting this one in what I believe to be the correct place). I'm looking for the headphone on a portable setup and here's my wish list.

- Something that has a similar sound to the HD650 with hopefully a bit more sparkle and air up top, but not something overly bright either
- I'm looking for something good with vocal and acoustic music, I've got rock and classical covered elsewhere
- Needs to run off a portable device, I have a Chord Mojo now so preferably that but I'm open to buying something else if needed
- I know the HD650 can probably give the sound I want with a better amp, so if there's a portable option out there capable of doing that I'm open to that
- I do not care if it's open or closed, this is for moving around the house not riding on a train
- Price doesn't matter

I'm thinking about the Oppo PM3 but I've not had the chance to hear it, but honestly I've read so much on so many headphones I'm not really sure the best place to start. I know HeadFi has it's place but I don't really know what to trust of what I read over there, I'm new here but can already tell I'm more likely to get more targeted responses here.

Thanks in advance

 

@AsSiMilaTeD

You sure you don't want to use in-ears for mobile use? It's my preference. The Shure 535SE have great noise isolation and sound.

Also - what's up with the user name? You know "Ass" or "MIA" or "Ted" or something along those lines would have worked just as well.

 

It's just the same user name I've used on every forum over the years, one that always seems to be available so easy for me to use and easy for people to track me down

I have very small ear canals and have never found a pair of IEMs that fit me well. That being said, since I've effectively take price out of the equation I suppose a pair of custom IEMs would work, hadn't realy reconsidered that option.

 

@AsSiMilaTeD

Fair enough, don't mean to be an ass myself.

Anyway - for portable use I personally prefer in-ears with good noise isolation, it makes the music clearer in noisy enviroments and you don't need to use such high volume. So it sounds good and is easy on your ears - win-win. Shure in-ears have very good isolation and the 535SE are pretty close to HD650 in tonal quality, I like that one. But if you think you need customs you can have a look at Ultimate Ears. They're bit more costly but if price isn't a big deal for you... well, then they're very good.