The All Purpose Advice Thread

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

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  1. Case

    Case Anxious Head (Formerly Wilson)

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    @imackler , another vote for the CAL!. A nice midrange, but they are flimsy. I've also owned the Sony MDR-V6, which is identical to the 7506. They are built solid, but inferior in every other way to the CAL! Also, I've read the CAL!2 doesn't sound as good, but I haven't heard them.
     
  2. StageOne

    StageOne Friend

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    One more option, I own the ATH-M40s an I like them a bit better than the M50s, a bit better balanced with less bass (less flashy) depends on what you are going for, but they are also less expensive. I picked them up new for $70. But I agree the Sonys are a good buy too.
     
  3. ReAlien

    ReAlien Acquaintance

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    I did. Alas, they said their stock of Events is out completely. Mission they still have and sell on eBay but Event is much better IMHO.
     
  4. ReAlien

    ReAlien Acquaintance

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    Well, I'm not looking for a decent power cable, I'm in search of a one to be on a level with Events. Looking for advice from those who listened to Events in the first place.)
     
  5. zonto

    zonto Friend

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    You likely won’t find anyone on this site that has. Best go to Audiogon discussion forums with this question.
     
  6. RedFuneral

    RedFuneral Facebook Friend

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    Can anyone whose heard the JDS OL DAC speak as to how its sound sig compares to a more widely reviewed OS DAC in the sub $1K range? I'm shopping for an upgrade and don't have a known reference to help decipher impressions threads. I've mostly stuck to NOS in the past & looking for something different than what I'm used to.

    The OL is burning out my ears and I want to be sure I don't over-correct into the other extreme if it's as V-shaped as I suspect it to be. The Realtek 1220 in my PC sounds warm with a low fatigue-factor, less dynamic than the OL. The Realtek having more in common with the NOS sound than the JDS has me questioning if the OL is on the far end on the modern/square side of the spectrum.
     
  7. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    I have a really stupid idea. My office gets kinda cold in the winter. Can someone name a medium sized amp that could serve as a space heater/foot warmer than I can plug headphones into?
     
  8. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    Not dumb, when it's cold I turn on the forge in the morning even if not using it :cool:
     
  9. Forza AudioWorks

    Forza AudioWorks MOT: Forza AudioWorks

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    Hey, those are real world issues right there! Early October is when my class A Firstwatt starts to be on pretty much daily just to keep me warm in the morning.
     
  10. Azteca

    Azteca Friend

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    Hi all. Back after a long time, so forgive if this has been discussed recently.
    I am looking for a work-from-home/coffee-shop/mobile-office DAC/Amp. I work with audio so I'm looking for something uncolored that can crank up a Focal Spirit Pro, Senn HD600 or Neumann NDH 20.
    I have used a LH Labs Geek Out 1000 for years but it is my personal unit and I use it with a USB cable to avoid breaking off jack or disconnecting. I find this a little annoying and I have an equipment budget, so I'd like to have something I can use for work with minimal fuss (i.e. USB-powered and easy to slip in my bag).
    I am not looking to drive IEMs or walk around while listening.

    So far the competitors I see are:
    • iFi iDSD BL - expensive, very long, [visually] loud design. Plenty of power and nice specs.
    • FiiO Q5 - more acceptable price but seems designed for pocketability and battery life. I am not concerned about either.
    • iFi xDSD - seems great on paper (much lower price, retains most of the good of iDSD BL) but I got it on the loaner tour and could barely get it work due to connectivity and possible driver issues (which shouldn't happen, especially on a Mac).
    Any advice? Has anyone had issues with the xDSD and had them resolved with firmware updates?
     
  11. RobS

    RobS RobS? More like RobDiarrhea.

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    Fulla 2 fits what you are looking for exactly: USB-powered, easy to slip in a bag, good amp for the Sennheiser's.
     
  12. monacelli

    monacelli Friend

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    @Azteca +1 for the Fulla 2. It's also great with the Koss headphones and lower sensitivity iems like the JVC FD01. Schiit also showed the Fulla 3 at RMAF and Jason has indicated that it will likely launch toward the end of this month.
     
  13. Superexchanger

    Superexchanger Friend

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    Seconding the Fulla 2. I have one that will never be used again if you want it (free). Would be happy to mail it to you. PM me if interest develops for that unit.
     
  14. Azteca

    Azteca Friend

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    Fantastic. I was aware of the Fulla but didn't know if it could really handle Senns, and I assumed it was "good-enough" rather than good. I'll keep an eye out for Fulla 3.
     
  15. Azteca

    Azteca Friend

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    Wow, thank you! Very kind. I will PM you.
     
  16. shanchandi

    shanchandi Acquaintance

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    To piggyback off this, has there been any true successor to the GOV2?

    I've been out of headphone gear for a awhile but would really like something that could power my hd650s at my home office and also my iems at work. Only thing close to it I can find is the dragonfly which seems worse for a lot more..
     
  17. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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    Ifi Nano BL is pretty good. A bit on the bassy side if that bothers you with 650s, but otherwise: battery or USB power, good USB implementation, 'IEMatch' with c. 3 ohm impedance (vs less than 0.5 ohm regular) & lower gain for sensitive IEMs, and balanced output.

    Or Fulla 2 as others have suggested. Haven't heard that one myself though.
     
  18. Forza AudioWorks

    Forza AudioWorks MOT: Forza AudioWorks

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    Haven't heard Fulla, praises towards it indicate a very solid product. Having both iDSD BL and xDSD however, I've been using the latter as my go-to portable machine of choice. Haven't looked at DAPs ever since I got it. But it's battery based, so might not be in your ballpark. An easy to carry USB powered critter might work even better for you @Azteca , quite possibly Fulla then.
     
  19. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    @shotgunshane @james444 What IEMs might you recommend for someone that likes the sound of the FDX1 but finds it too bulky, heavy, generally uncomfortable, and refuses to wrap cables over their ears? Asking for a coworker. They need something they can easily wear all day at work.

    Dialing down the slight upper-mid/lower-treble hot spot on the FDX1 would be a plus too, but not required.

    Modded is fine. I can do it for them if needed. Budget upwards of $250 or so. Can be cheap, though.

    Would need to be dynamic driver only as well.

    Thanks!

    Edit: For reference, so far they've found the HD650 to be the most balanced sounding pair of headphones they've heard from my collection, IEMs included. They'd like better bass (cleaner, more extension). They also liked one of the original ZMF Auteurs I had on loan long ago. They seem to be sensitive to hot spots in the 2-5KHz area. I'm not 100% sure where the hot spot is on the FDX1, but it's not as bothersome to them.
     
    Last edited: Oct 11, 2019
  20. Zhanming057

    Zhanming057 Friend

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    Well, if anything upwards of $250 goes...the FW10000 is my pick.
     
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