The All Purpose Advice Thread

Thanks guys. I am really between both of those upgrades. I know that the BW is limited and will be great with all headphones in the future. HOWEVER, that sweet sweet multibit is soo tempting.

 

Fellas.. I'm in the market for a desktop DAC.

Amp: Torpedo III
Phones: HD650m (SBAF-approved mods). Eventually, the HD800.. again (for the fourth time!).
DAC budget: $500-$600

I have a GOv2+ Infinity inbound (ETA: Jan 2016-end of the world).. but the TIII is single-ended and the general consensus (so far) seems to be that the V2/V2+'s single ended output is mediocre at best. So, is there something better within my budget? Bifrost Multibit & uB 4490 are on my radar.. but are they side-grades to the v2+ Inf? What I value in a DAC: resolution, tone/timbre, clarity. Only concern I have with the Bifrost Multibit is that it may lack some resolution (and could be on the warm side).. I don't know enough about the uB 4490 to know if it's better/worse/the same as the Bifrost Multibit.

 

The reference to the GOv2 being mediocre with the SE output only refers to if you're using it as both an amp and dac. I don't think it really matters if you're just using it as a dac. If you only have $500-600, maybe a used gungnir? That way, you can upgrade to the Gungnir Multibit in the future. Marv has that that he preferred the DS gungnir over the Bifrost Multibit and the guy that I sold my gungnir to said that he is enjoying it more than his Bifrost Multibit.

 

Used Gungnirs are getting hard to find because it seems like most users went for the MB upgrade.

Bifrost Multibit was too on my radar, but Marv and some others here convinced me to go for the gold and go for a Gungnir Multibit instead.

 

Any comparison between the BW and Torpedo III with Cinemag?

 

I'm sold on Magnepans due to listening to my uncle's setup which got me into this hobby, so I'll probably be going for the MMG, but are there any other speakers in the $600 or less range that I should look into?

 

The problem was that in the output from the PS3 using optical, options like Dolby and DTS were selected. I had to select only LPCM and voila! it worked!
Indeed, as I can only use the optical out from the PS3... cannot connect it directly to my dangerous source, so my current temp solution is to go through my rDac using the optical which is indeed limited to 44.1 and 48 khz.

cheers!

 

How does one go about purchasing the BW. Linkage please...

 

I've read a lot of feedback regarding the Bifrost Multibit, a lot of people seem to be pleased with it ! But I've been wondering since I've heard it's a really warm sounding DAC- is that why you didn't recommend it with the HD650, and instead went for the Gungnir gen2, zerodeefex ? And even from a subjective point of view, is it generally a bad idea to mix warm phones with a warm-sounding DAC (maybe could result in loss of detail idk) ?

 

Goddamnit, EC isn't making this easy. I'm currently using stock HD650, Audio-gd DAC-19 (10th Annivesarry) with Amanero combo384 and Cavalli Liquid Carbon. I might buy the HD800S, or simply wait for something else. Not sure on that part either. Should I get the BW when I already have the LC?

The reason why I can't decide is because 1 ) I just bought the LC. 2 ) I'm not from the US and will have to pay some heavy VAT so it ends up costing alot. 3 ) I'm eyeing the Cavalli Liquid Crimson/Glass or EC Zana Duex S sometime in the future. Should I get the BW and kiss goodbye to one of these? 4 ) BW is limited to 100 and we might not see another run. 5 ) Trying to figure out more to keep me from buying...

Help!

 

I'd suggest living with the LC for a while, and then go for a considerable Cavalli/EC upgrade in the future. That is, if you're happy with the LC. The DAC-19, like Gungnir Multibit, is supposed to be a great match with the LC. If you're not already using your HD650 balanced with the LC, definitely consider that as your next "upgrade".

There's always something new around the corner.

 

I may be looking for a headphone amp in the future that is: (nothing immediate, may not even happen, just for ideas at this stage)

- XLR inputs and headphone out (whether or not the amp is fully balanced throughout isn't a big deal)
- Solid-state
- Has balanced XLR preouts (volume control for studio monitors)
- Is ideally a good shape/size to sit on top of my existing DAC2 for a nice stack (9.5" wide, 9.33" deep)
- Be powerful because I like to go LOUD sometimes

I know it's very, very specific, if nothing else I may be willing to DIY and find a suitable enclosure..

 

A friend of mine is looking for a DAC. He is using T1 and Feliks Elise and his budget is arround $360. Any suggestions?

 

Sell the T1 for some money. Buy a pair of HD600. Use the rest of the money to get a Bifrost Multibit or GOV2.

 

Hey guys,

I've decided not to pursue a TOTL DAC/AMP setup. Rather I'd like to buy a combined dac/amp for less than $1000. Can anyone recommend an all in one unit that preferably has balanced out?

 

He's not gonna sell the T1 though.

 

#cough cough

Buy a GOV2 (preferably from a Canadian). It's probably the best bet.