The All Purpose Advice Thread

Yeah, I don't think any kind of conditioning, regeneration, or even a dedicated circuit is going to help with this particular issue. The inrush will just stress whatever you install instead of dim your lights. Better to deal with the problem (if it is indeed a problem) at the level of the amp.

 

I tried that, and tested that. Not good really and there were custom pro made splitters. Even if the other device is turned off there it may change the level of background noise comparing to a single connection. In most modern amps there is some "stand by" shit active all the time. Not saying it has to happen but on my setup it did.

 

Waitaminnit... your headphone amp is drawing enough current to flicker the lights??

Just as an experiment, if you plug your headphone rig into a different outlet/circuit, do you still get the light flicker?

 

bedrokm or office, yes. Bigger rooms with more robust circuits or multiple curcuits such as the kitchen, no. My house has super shitty circuit layout which is exacerbated by my audio gear needing to be on the same circuit as my pc. I haven't ever blown the breaker but I did check to make sure it was functioning when I fist saw the lights flicker

 

Just pulled the trigger on the Audio Technica M50X. My old AKG K181 DJs are almost impossible to find these days (good work AKG, those were awesome).

Do you recommend other ear pads? If so which ones should I consider?

 

Psst...
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/393859476296
https://reverb.com/item/43027055-akg-k181dj-closed-back-dj-headphones-mint-open-box

 

That's the reason why the Audioquest Niagara power conditioners (and probably others) have high current outlets. Have you tried some with high current outlets?

Good point. I guess I don't experience this problem, because there are only Schiit devices on all three ends in my case, that I turn off at the back.

 

I've been thinking to get a "charge all the things" brick for a while. Something with a couple usb ports, but also at least one usb-c with 45W for laptop power delivery (preferably at least a second usb-c for other charging). Super bonus if it could also wirelessly charge my phone.

I was looking at this: (sadly it does not appear to have the wireless charging capability despite having the correct shape for it)
https://www.amazon.ca/Anker-Charge-Charger-PowerPort-PowerIQ/dp/B082KLRRLY/

or maybe this:
https://www.amazon.ca/UGREEN-100W-USB-Multiport-Charger/dp/B091Z6JNX4/

Any better alternatives? I don't mind paying a bit more for quality. Doesn't have to be in the amazon ecosystem but hopefully available in Canada without me having to jump through hoops to get it.

 

I already have the M50X on my head. Damn good headphone.

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/UGREEN-GaN-Fast-Charger-100W/dp/B091N7FVDL

I recently bought this one in the UK, it is the most compact and high powered one I could find. Ugreen appears to have generally managed more compact GaN chargers than even Anker. It's working well so far, but gets quite warm.

It's a relief to just have one for everything, especially when you need to move around. Bear in mind that to use USB-C at higher wattages you'll need a cable that's rated for it.

 

Hello I'm a newbie here, know about audio from my dad and want a headphone system for me, but like all newbies, influenced by reviews. ASR, Headfi and youtube have me first want to go for a Chord Mojo 1 (here it was sold like 184 USD). So sure until ASR, wanted to go for a D70S or DX7 pro. But I realized those are DACs, no amps so cannot enjoy my sr 80e (entry level - please). So the khadas tone 2 pro is my next product, but apparently the only one I found cannot be tested due to different city, and I won't blind buy it.
So, I figured out let's aim for a budget device - a first step so that I can actually appreciate the upper tier things. Long story short: It will be a dac/amp- dongle or desktop or portable, with a moderately great dac to (probably) feed to my future amp. Not sure if i'll be a tube or ss.
My budget is around 110 USD but the catch is I will buy it used, with listening test. So it's hard for me to figure out how to limit the price range, but under 300 USD MSRP is I think, great.
The next thing is that here chinese stuff, especially topping are detest here, and I realize all the things I researched and put on a list to find and listen so that I can make a decision is actually all chinese (topping, hidizs, khadas, loxjie, smsl, audirect, E1DA, zishan, aune, oppo,...). Really disappointed!
So everyone, can you make a suggestion for me (dac/amp)? Non-chinese and great chinese ones please.
Thank you for your suggestion. Have a great day.

 

We actually have a thread here for just this sort of question.
Here it is:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/boy...ice-chair-explodes-whaaat.410469/post-5443978

Please introduce yourself in the proper thread before posting in it though, as we wouldn't want you to start your long and glorious SBAF career as a dotard.

 

I haven't needed or tested any Power Delivery capable chargers, but I do have a couple multi port charging squids and several power banks from Anker that have lasted for 5+ years.

 

For the money a Schiit Fulla is easily the best starter amp/dac I have used, and has a surprising amount of driving authority for such a cheap small AIO. Its timbre is just on the right side of natural. If the used prices are good I expect the Schiit Hel will serve you better still.

If you want something that will perform better, last you longer, have a LOT more driving power, and are willing to use desktop gear, then I would look for a Magni and Modi sold together. Whichever iteration matches your budget. Perhaps even a Vali 2 in place of the Magni.

In terms of USB dongles then an old Geek Out is a great little device, though less natural sounding. It runs fine out of a laptop but phones may not be able to power it. If possible I'd advise one of the first two options though.

 

Can anyone offer a good replacement to these Hifiman he-5xx's? I bought them a little over a year ago and one of the speakers has stopped working and drop has been incredibly unhelpful in replacing or fixing them. As in they don't even offer a way to replace them, my e-mails are just unanswered. Anyway I'd say my range is in the sub $300 range but maybe I can be convinced to go a little higher. Currently just using a ifi zen dac v2 as an amp. Appreciate any help.

 

Hi,

I’m looking for advice for which headphones to try.

I’m using a Jot 2 with the ESS module as a DAC/Amp fed by a Pi 4 using Roon.

I listen to literally all kinds of music from classical over jazz (mostly vocal jazz) to pop, rap and electronica.

What I’m looking for is lots and lots of detail combined with an engaging and natural presentation. I’m a bit treble shy.

My current headphones are an Ananda and a HD650 (not modded).

I mostly listen to the Ananda because I love its detail and clarity. When I a/b the two and go from the HD650 to the Ananda, I always think “wow, so wonderfully clear”! I love the extra detail, and going back to the HD650, it sounds muffled to me, nearly a bit smeared-over in comparison to the Ananda.

OTOH, I like the the HD650’s punch and lively presentation. When I’ve listened to it for a while, especially with head-bobbing rhythm-heavy stuff, the Ananda can sound boring in comparison, too clinical. While I think voices sound better, more realistic on the Ananda, I like the way the HD650 can bring voices to the front, the intimate feeling it can convey with vocal jazz, e.g.

I love the Ananda’s great headstage, but I only really miss it when I listen to classical music on the HD650, which I seldom do.

So now, I’m trying to bring all that together: Lots of detail, ideally even more than the Ananda can deliver, with more punch and liveliness, no harsh treble, authority in the bass region but never too much bass, superb instrument separation, nice vocals, and a good headstage.

My budget is about a thousand Euros, maybe 1500 if I really like the headphone. I don’t mind buying used, so a higher price might be ok.

I was thinking that maybe the Focal Clear Mg might be what I’m looking for, but there are a lot of bad opinions about it, too. Or maybe some Audezes? Or even ZMF?

What do you think?

Thanks in advance, zottel

P. S.: If somebody happens to know the sound of the Dynaudio Music 5: I really love that tuning, though depending on the room I’m listening in, the bass can be too much and spill over into the mids, which I don’t like at all, and the overall detail retrieval is very far away from what my headphones can deliver. But the tuning itself is to die for.