The All Purpose Advice Thread

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

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  1. jam130

    jam130 New

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    I've used the FiiO Q5 on-the-go for a few months now and have been impressed with how well it serves that purpose, especially with the ability to connect via Bluetooth. Although connecting via BT does result in some loss of fidelity, it's good enough that I find myself using the Bluetooth connection more often due to the convenience.

    It does not have the resolve of a Mojo, and I won't bother comparing it to my desktop setup, but it does what it was intended to do well enough that I use it almost daily with some combination of HD58X/HD650.

    If instead your friend's main purpose is for IEM use and this would be a more entry level purchase, FiiO just replaced the BTR1 with the BTR3 (priced under $100 iirc). The BTR3 is a much smaller wireless DAC/amp that won't have the power to drive headphones like the Q5, but may be a better balance of portability & convenience (depending on need)
     
    Last edited: Aug 4, 2018
  2. LVF1

    LVF1 New

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    Thanks I'll check it out and pass it on to him. He's just starting out and has only found out how much better lossless files sound and that's without any type of amp right now. I'm sure anything decent will surprise him and then suck him into this hobby and cause him to buy some really good shit. He's a surgeon and can easily afford TOTL stuff, but he was like most people and only listened to those wireless iphone earbuds or beats through an iphone and the music came from apple music which I don't know if they have quality streams. I'd like to eventually get him to buy some good CIEM and a good DAP.
     
  3. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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    @Armaegis : Senn HD1 wired at a discount:

    https://www.amazon.ca/Sennheiser-HD1-Over-Ear-Headphones-Black/dp/B01MTB5180/ref=sr_1_5

    This is the i-Phone version. not sure what you're using but IIRC the Senn i-Phone mic/remotes work ok with 1 button on Androids.

    Edit: confirmed with the Apple-specific mic/remote on v1 Momentum on-ears - volume up/down buttons don't work, but centre-button call answer/hangup, play/pause, track advance/retreat all do, so presuming the HD1s use the same remote, all good.
     
    Last edited: Aug 6, 2018
  4. Bitter

    Bitter Acquaintance

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    Ho, well my LH : Geek out v2 died apparently, making high pitch sound when connected. I was satisfied with the sound... But i'd rather not buy the same thing as the longevity on the one wasn't good at all :/.

    It is paired with a TH-X00 Purple-heart so i'm without a dedicated DAC nor Amp, and the sound from my computer's integrated sound chip makes me sad.

    The form factor isn't really a consideration (unless it's VERY big) because unlike what I thought didn't transported it. It's used almost only at my desk, so separated dac and amp is also an option.

    I kinda left the board for some time so i'm a bit lost in the new stuff.

    So what would you advice me to get a similar sound experience at a reasonable price ?

    Maybe Magni 3 + Modi 2 multibit ?

    PS : I'm from France so shipping can be a significant price factor the above example is 50 $ shipping...
     
    Last edited: Aug 6, 2018
  5. crazychile

    crazychile Eastern Iowa's Spiciest Pepper

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    I've never heard the Geek Out stuff, but I have a pair of TH-X00 and have run them with a Magni 3 + Bifrost Multibit, so that would be comparable to what you are looking at for replacement electronics. I think this would be a great system for not a lot of money. The Modi 2 Multibit is said to be very comparable to the Bifrost MB, or maybe even better in some regards for a lot less money. The Magni 3 is just such a versatile amp for being so inexpensive. The bass is very tight and mids/highs are reasonably detailed without being too harsh. For a cheap amp I don't think you can do much better.

    I think this combination would be a good choice. Maybe even consider adding a Loki so you can dial in the sound to your taste a little better and make the system even more versatile with other headphones.
     
  6. evanft

    evanft Acquaintance

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    So I'm in the enviable position of being able to spend about $2k on my audio gear. Here's what I have now.

    DAC: Yggdrasil (no upgrades)
    Amp: Mjolnir 1
    HP: HD650 (no mods)

    I'm looking to maintain the more laid-back/smooth sound of the HD650, while improving bass extension/detail and overall detail/plankton. I listen to a lot of metal, so treble issues are an immediate deal breaker. (I had the HD800s and didn't like them after a while do to the treble) Comfort/weight is also something I'd like to maintain.

    I'm really having a hell of a time finding a pair of phones that act as a good upgrade to the 650 while maintaining a lot of their sonic character. The Focal Clear seems to stand out as a potential candidate, but I'm seeing some reports of treble spikes. I also think the LCD-2C may be something to consider, but the weight could be too much.

    I'm also exploring amp options. The Jotunheim looks like a solid choice, though the idea of having a Ragnarok to pair with the Yggdrasil certainly has its appeal.
     
  7. Ardacer

    Ardacer Friend

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    How about a free/donationware vm banana? EQ your hd650 for 0 dollars. Or a small minidsp if you find what you like and want it permanently in hardware.
    Not sure you can get much more detail if you don't find a headphone that fits your head sonically. You just have to try it out. I'd consider estats, that's as much detail as possible really. Maybe too much for some.
     
  8. evanft

    evanft Acquaintance

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    I actually use Sonarworks. It definitely does help smooth out the response.
     
  9. bixby

    bixby Friend

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    @evanft

    The 650 is what it is and does extremely well given its subtle deficiencies. eq can help but you are not going to magically boost sub bass that much,, the drivers just do not do it without much higher distortion and in the case of really low bass just do not reproduce it. Most perceived bass enhancements when I used the 650 and eq occurred much higher up more near 60hz. And most, but not all eq programs are not totally transparent or without their own distortions.

    As for amps, I do not think they will magically transform the 650 either. You have a good amp, the Jot in my opinion is a poor match with the 650, although I am in the minority. If you really must have more sub bass look for a different can, perhaps a noted bass head can for example.

    As for the Clear, if you didn't like the 800 the Clear may be a hard signature for you as well, just not as much in the treble. Maybe some zmf models to try?
     
  10. famish99

    famish99 Friend

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    @evanft If you're not in a hurry to upgrade, I particularly enjoyed my HD6xx out of a EC BW2 if you can find one on the used market, it's a lot less treble harsh and fuller and more organic sounding in the mids than the Mjolnir.

    I was in your boat for awhile until I heard an HD800S and an SDR-modded HD800 and found myself addicted to detail retrieval from the 800 series. I have them both and swap them based what kind of music I find myself listening to.
     
  11. LVF1

    LVF1 New

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    Anyone with the Sony XBA-Z5 know of an full sized set of cans that has the similar sound signature? I already have the Z1R and I actually prefer the Z5 most of the time. But I'm finding myself not being able to listen to IEMs as long as I used to as it seems to irritate my ears sooner and a lot sooner. I find myself taking them in and out every other song now when I used to be able to not touch them for hours. I've tried 5 or 6 different types of tips, some silicone and a couple of foams and none seem to be comfortable for me any longer. Maybe I need to go the CIEM route. Headphones that I've owned or still own that I know are not what I'm looking for are hd650, Z1R , Z7, and an audeze lcd-2.

    Also making matters more complicated are that I have had a 2 level ACDF surgery and my neck is still screwed up badly. So I'd prefer something that doesn't way too much so I think any other audeze and zmf are out. Are all planar magnetic headphones heavy? I was wondering if the Hifiman HE6 or one of the the Mr Speakers Aeon versions might be what I'm looking for. Or maybe one of the Fostex offerings? The massdrop x focal elex seems like it could be another decent option too. I like quick punchy bass, but not one that seems a little slow and muddy like the hd650.
     
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2018
  12. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

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    I would hold on to what you've got for a little less than two months. Then ask me your question again.
     
  13. evanft

    evanft Acquaintance

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    That shouldn't be hard.
     
  14. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

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    Oh goody, more self-important misplaced skullduggery.
     
  15. Cakecake

    Cakecake Guest

  16. Daveheart

    Daveheart Friend

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    I can't see the video, but I'm really intolerant of warp. If there's only a little bit of warp, an outer ring can take care of it pretty easily. If it's easily visible, it's probably at the point that I'd try to return/exchange it. If a replacement isn't possible or easy, then you can try to flatten it.

    I know @Mr.Sneis and I have something like the vinylflat and have offered to flatten for members before. It's probably not worth it to just send one record. However if you've got a few records to flatten, my offer still stands.
     
  17. LVF1

    LVF1 New

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    I have the Clears and they aren't great for metal imho. They are good all round headphones for most other genres. I owned the hd650 twice and was not a fan of it. The 2nd time around I had a much better dac and amp and hoped it would be great as many people say it is but it just can't play speed metal as it's just too slow and sloppy. If there's a magic combo of dac and amp that can play speed metal,et me know and I may give it a third try.

    I prefer listening to metal on IEMs. I'm sure someone will be able to recommend a good set of cans for metal here. I wish I could personally recommend a set of cans for you, but I haven't found it yet either.
     
  18. captkirk

    captkirk Khan's BFF

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    Need a suggestion on a free, or relatively inexpensive app alternative for Apple Music. Needs to be able to handle lossless formats and have a relatively idiot-proof interface.

    Thoughts?
     
  19. bixby

    bixby Friend

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    Are you looking for a streaming service or player or both? What OS? Where are the files, cloud or local?
     
  20. captkirk

    captkirk Khan's BFF

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    My bad.

    Looking to play locally stored files on an iPhone 7. Would be nifty if it integrated with Tidal or Spotify, but not a deal breaker.
     
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