The All Purpose Advice Thread

Excellent choice! Jot will give you just enough brightness to keep the music engaging instead of soggy applesauce.

 

@Thad E Ginathom
I remember finding my old PC360 headset to be very comfortable, something I’d forget I had on my head. So, I’m somewhat confident I’d find the HD650 comfortable, if the clamp is too much I’ll probably try to carefully bend the spring steel as suggested by @cskippy .

With all these recommendations for the HD650, I feel quite confident it will be a good start as my first higher end headphone, though it’s not that high end in terms of price, heh. But I don’t mind, will probably fill my ortho curiosity sometime in the future instead, if I still feel the need by then.

My ears getting hot will most likely not be an issue, they don’t get that hot even with my Fidelio X2. I wouldn’t describe Sweden as tropical either, but I still find it to be too hot in the summer here

Thank you for making me even more confident in the HD650!

 

Based on what impressions I remember from CS times I wouldn't go for it unless it's truly cheap.
There is the Jotunheim for 400 bucks that masks such things.

 

Bear in mind that it was top-of-the-range, that HD6nn 'phones have survived and even thrived for, what, two(?) decades? They were bought and listened to by a generation of audiophiles with amazing speaker systems. Am I exaggerating if I say that some of the people who, today, are spending $,$$$ on headphones and auxiliary equipment have not even really listened to good stereo speaker systems? Maybe I am. But I do get that impression sometimes.

Anyway, HD6nn may have been surpassed, but that doesn't make them any less good than they were!

It's a pleasure

 

First time posting on this thread, but I need assistance please.
I have young children and limited time for listening to music, except at night when they are sleeping, so headphones are the best for me. I recently acquired a Saga and am waiting for Vidar. However, when I had the Vincent loaner, I realized that the 2-channel setup probably won't get a ton of use. I am thinking of just sticking with HD650KM and Valhalla 2 in my main system and abandoning the 2 channel idea for now. I have another headphone system on my nightstand which is Jot/Modi Multibit/TH-X00 which is not getting used a lot over the last couple of weeks. In my main system, I have a Denon CD player which has a multibit DAC which is very similar to Modi Multibit in quality. I am thinking of upgrading to Gungnir Multibit and potentially consolidating into one main system and selling the rest off to fund Gungnir Multibit.
Is the jump from Modi Multibit to Gungnir Multibit worth it if I am using Valhalla 2 and HD650KM? IRRC, @k4rstar has this setup? Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

@Gaspasser people differ on this front but I'm 100% in favor of consolidating and going big dick for your main system. That can take many forms. Gungnir Multibit would certainly be a solid upgrade, and you could add to it a lynx box down the line to bypass its USB input to make it go to 11. Gungnir Multibit is also upgradeable through schiit. Abandoning the 2 channel rig is a different issue since speakers sound awesome but if it's not the time then it's not the time.

 

I'd say so but I'm biased as this is the setup I listen to every night. The Valhalla 2 and even the Vali 2 can pull a respectable amount of information from the Gungnir Multibit. I'm a big believer in source first and I'd rather have this setup any day of the week over a $2000 amp and a $250 DAC.

I'm also delusional enough that I'll likely upgrade to Yggdrasil before replacing the Valhalla so maybe get a reality check from someone else. The Valhalla ultimately falls short with a grainy character and dynamic strain but it's resolving power is nothing short of impressive at it's price point.

Blast from the past: http://superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/system-synergy-special-sound.54/#post-921

 

We share many life circumstances (small kids, not a lot of listening time during the day) and nearly all the gear (HD650, TH-X00, Modi Multibit, jot, denon cd transport, former lover affair with the Val2), but with two main differences: I keep my main listening rig at the office, where I get good use from speakers; and I finally got a Gungnir Multibit back, after being without it for NINE WHOLE MONTHS.

Some thoughts/observations:

- If you are not making use of a two-channel set up, ditch it. It is a nice thing to have when you are itching for a real stereo image or less intense listening sessions (for me, low volume on speakers is exponentially better than low volume on headphones). But, there is no urgency in building a two-channel system if you aren't listening to it. Good gear will always be available. The stuff you would be hoarding now will be cheaper later, and better value stuff will probably also come into being.

- If you are consolidating into a single system, I actually prefer the Jot to the Valhalla2 for the HD650. For the TH-X00 there is no comparison. I'm guessing you already know that since the TH-X is plugged into your Jot on the bedside already. Marv states it very well in his comparison of the two in the satan worshiping schiit compendium: the Jot mitigates the 650's weaknesses, and the Valhalla plays to its strengths. I prefer the mitigated weaknesses; it is also nice that the Jot drives the TH-X very well.

- The Gungnir Multibit is noticeably better than the Modi Multibit, even through a Jot/Val2. I am glad that my Gungnir Multibit sold last year before I got my Modi Multibit. If I had both at the same time, I would have returned the Modi Multibit and chickened out on selling the Gungnir Multibit, which I could not afford at the time. The Modi Multibit is excellent for its price, and I am still not sure whether or not I will sell it, but after some a/b between Modi Multibit and Gungnir Multibit, through the Jot, into HD650 and TH-X00, I am very glad to have a Gungnir Multibit again. The image feels more compressed front-to-back on the Modi Multibit, and detail retrieval on both the high and low end are noticeably improved. I have no idea what your listening scrutiny is like, but for me these are not minor differences. Especially for the TH-X00, which is no bass-monster but I think has good bass quality, the Gungnir Multibit-bass is glorious. The Jot certainly benefits from the Gungnir Multibit over Modi Multibit, and from memory the Valhalla2 also benefits from the Gungnir Multibit. BUT, I think the Jot is more globally competent than the Valhalla2, enough so that I would favor the Jot over the Val2 if you are worried about which limits the Gungnir Multibit. The Jot is better extended at both ends than the Val2 (and much better in the bass). These are also the areas where I notice the biggest difference between the Modi Multibit and Gungnir Multibit.

I hope this all makes sense, and helps you on your decision-making path.

TL;DR: sell the shit you aren't using; buy a Gungnir Multibit.

(P.S.: I saw you just missed that dooooooooooope deal by @jexby, and you have my condolences. Stick with it.)

 

You are the man! I almost choked on my lunch when I read "going big dick". I have gradually come to this conclusion over the past few months.

I remember reading your posts about getting Valhalla 2 and Gungnir Multibit. I finally got Val2 and I find I prefer the sound I get from both digital and vinyl. I think that is the main reason why I think I am going to keep it over Jot. However, I will audition Gungnir Multibit with both amps and figure out which to keep.

I greatly appreciate your advice since we have the same situations and gear! I would love to bring a 2 channel setup to work, but I share an office and my colleague doesn't like music (crazy, I know). I also use headphones at work, but I am not in my office much so it is not worth it to have a nice system.

Thanks guys for your advice, I just ordered a new Gungnir Multibit! This is the biggest gear purchase I made thus far in my journey and I would like Schiit to profit from it.

 

@Gaspasser Just to reiterate what others have said, it is worth the upg! I used the Valhalla 2 with the Yggdrasil for quite some time. The Gungnir Multibit will give you a great foundation for amp upgs in the future.

 

Haha well my friend @Artasia said it first via personal communication and I almost choked on my lunch too. Congrats man!!

 

Speakers. Maximizing vertical dispersion(off axis response.) Using my stereo for exercise, can be standing up, on the floor, off to the side, or all of the above Thinking coaxial or singledriver. Omni too but can't move too far from the back wall. Am I on the right track?

I'm considering Gradient Sixes(upper end of budget 2.5K) as replacements for a pair of FAL Supreme S singledriver speakers, I listen to a lot of electronic and am missing the high treble. Rest of my system is in flux. Vintage receiver and an older NOS DAC. I can build around my choice of speaker. Like a clear transient, authoritative sound, ease over forwardness.

 

Nice to see laughs and good advice! The last few days here have sucked.

 

Quick question regarding an old staple, the venerable CMOY - don't think this was discussed recently. Do you guys think this is better then the amp in FiioX1/Iphone? Was pondering if I should get one of those for Senn 650 (+/- Phillips Fidelio X2) when not attached to the desk.

 

Can anybody recommend a high-quality, transparent XLR switch box? I'm looking for something that switches between two XLR inputs and has one XLR output. I realize that sometimes these things are called passive preamps, but I don't need any of the other features that might come with a passive preamp, like impedance buffering or volume control. As an example of what I'm talking about, I see that Goldpoint makes the following product, but I have no idea if it's a quality product:

http://www.goldpt.com/sw2x.html

Any suggestions?

 

^^ That's the one I would get if I needed a quality XLR switch.

 

Hey all! Got a couple questions about Fostex mods, if anyone has time...

• In today's market, what do you guys think about Paradox w/ Socks? How much should a used one go for? I
• Any thoughts on the Mad Dog Pro? I know it got some good looks on Changstar...
• Has anyone heard the ZMF master? Does it compete with either of the above?
• And last,wWould any of you pick either the Mad Dog Pro or, a ZMF Master (if you've heard one), over a TH-X00?

 

I need some amplifier advice. I'm wanting to save my pennies towards a better amp to pair with my ZMF Eikon. The Jotunheim has excellent speed, clarity and resolution as well sufficient power and I don't want to lose any of that. But to that I would like to add the things that a great tube amp can do (harmonic distortion, warmth, etc.).

I had high hopes for the Night Blues Mini but it just doesn't have enough power to really do the Eikon justice and in critical listening it doesn't resolve quite as well as the Jot. Which amp or amps should be on my shortlist? And as a criteria Zach of ZMF has set at least 150mW at 300 ohms as his recommendation for the Eikon.

 

A Mjo2 sounds right up your alley. Throw in some Philips Mini Watts and you're rockin'!

An additional unit to look into further would be the Cavalli Liquid Crimson. I don't have experience with this amp but it could fit the bill - I'm sure others will weigh in.

 

I've definitely considered the Mjo2. I owned the Lyr 2 for a while and it was good (especially with 75 Reflektor tubes - wonderful tone) but the Jot still has greater detail retrieval and resolution and I don't want to lose that. I'm going to be really picky because I believe the Eikon is going to scale quite well as I improve the gear chain.