The All Purpose Advice Thread

Is there a OTC tube amp (or at least one that plays well with low-impede nice headphones) that has a similar sound signature as the Crack?

 

Doesn't the crack signature vary wildly, depending on upgrades, especially the speedball?

That said, the cheapest non-sucking transformer-coupled amp that I've seen is still the NBM- which seems to work OK with my HE-560, which are lowish impedance (though they're no IEM). Being planars, I think their impedance is pretty flat over the FR too, unlike dynamics. Lots of variables.

Maybe be more specific about the Crack and what you mean by "low-impede nice headphones"?

 

While the Night Blues Mini may be a great amp, actually buying one is damn near impossible ( unless you find the postal carrier with one in his collection).

I might recommend the Bottlehead SEX as a easier option you can get your hands on. This should work out well with the th900 variation you own while still getting g the most out of the hd650.

SEX doesn't sound quite at organic and laid back as the Crack, but that's a good thing. The presentation is leaner and more upfront. Depending on the included upgrades, You can usually find one on HF classifieds as diy amp builders have collections of amps they don't use but want to find their next project.

Also for top of the line option that would work with more power hungry headphones, check out the Decaware tube amps. Zach from ZMF lugs one around to meets and it is one of they few that sound great with planars.

 

Thank you very much, Josh! Your advice has been truly invaluable, and I hope to one be able to day share with you as much as you have shared with me.

Sorry, should have been more specific. I meant the stereotypical "tube-y", warm, gooey sound the stock Crack has. As far as my "low-impede nice" headphones (that's what I get for posting at 4am), I meant the TH900.

Thanks everyone! Some great suggestions here. I've considered the Russian amp, but the hassle doesn't seem to be worth the great price. A friend of mine has a SEX for sale, I should go hear it..

 

Maybe also consider the Torpedo 1, which is also an OTC tube amp.

 

Ok, I have read through nearly every page of the Andromeda and Jupiter threads and think that going mobile with one of these is the way to go for me. What I am not sure of is which one would suit me better. I'd have to sell everything I have to get one, so unless there are some crazy people who would loan me theirs for a trial, I have to rely on the group to help me out. The HD650 is my favorite headphone. I love the mids, the tonality, the relaxed presentation. I am very sensitive to treble/sibilance/brightness so please keep that in mind. I have read the Jupiter being more like speakers and/or the HD650, but have also read that the mids can be dry or even scooped out. My ego likes the idea of owning something TOTL like the Andromedas, but I worry that it might be too forward or neutral for me. I would be running these directly out of my smartphone (currently a Samsung Note 4) to start since I'd have to sell off everything else to buy one.

Any thoughts as to which might be better for me? As a secondary question, would either of these out of a smartphone be better than my HD650 out of my Bifrost 4490 feeding a Valhalla 2?

 

@fraggler This is not a direct answer to your question, just a related and hopefully observation. I love the HD650 tonality too and generally dislike bright or bass-shy headphones. The CA Orions are the most musical, engaging thing I've ever plugged directly into my phone (an iPhone 6+). I know they're not Andromedas, but everybody says the family resemblance is strong. The Orions are brighter than the HD650, but not too much.

 

@fraggler I haven't heard the Andro or the Jupiter myself but own the CA Orion. And I'd like to continue Philip's observation to say that the CA Orion, while very competent and ear grabbing for its vibrant tonal characteristics (Out of my 1+3t phone). Lacks the body the Hd650 puts on the table. That said, I feel they're both excellent in their roles and compliment one another-- instead of being a replacement for each other.

 

@fraggler The Andros out of my Samsung Galaxy S5 sound very good tonally with huge soundstage, engaging bass and sparkling treble. Technicalities however take a big hit as evidenced when comparing the S5 to my Rag SE. Still a good pairing for on the go listening whilst I budget for a decent DAP.

 

I've owned the Andromeda, Orion and been able to compare with a friends Jupiter pretty extensively, I can easily say the Jupiter was my least favorite of the three, and I haven't met many people whose preferences would point them to a Jupiter over the Andromeda.

I wouldn't worry at all about the Andromeda being too forward, it dips into 1kHz and has a small broad hump at 2-3kHz to compensate for IEMs bypassing the pinna of the ear. Things like vocals and guitars shouldn't have more presence or shout to them than what is in the recording for the most part, reference back to Marv's original Andromeda review:

That being said, I would worry about running them straight out of a smartphone if you are sensitive to treble and digititus, it won't be horrible by any stretch but a combination of forced Android re-sampling (can be bypassed with certain players) and questionable OI can lead to some unpleasant treble peaks, especially if you turn up the volume in public to compensate for background noise. If you are dedicated to going portable and are willing to save up for a better source (Sony ZX2 is my recommendation if you can live with a little hiss), I'd say it's very possible you'd enjoy it more than your current desktop setup in the long run.

 

Thanks for all the input! I do have a GO2A incoming, and a Fulla 2 on hand, so I wouldn't be completely bereft of a decent source at home and the office (I am loathe to dongle stuff off of my phone while truly mobile). I am excited and humbled to share that two members of the community have already stepped up and offered both a Jupiter and an Andromeda as a short loaner, so I should be able to hear for myself what these will sound like. The Orion definitely intrigues due to the price and reported sound quality, but I think I would be better off stretching for something closer to TOTL so that I can satisfy my audio-ego and maybe rest a little longer before losing my mind again.

 

Okay, I'm hoping you people can help me out here because I'm tearing my hair out here trying to find the kind of headphone I'm looking for. I'm looking for something akin to a closed HD600, no IEMs or CIEMS here. They should be over-ear, have removable earpads and preferably cable as well, comfortable (I have a rather big head), sound fine without an amp, as I said, sound very similar to a HD600 (natural timbre and fairly neutral frequency response, especially) and is $400 and under. Isolation and portability aren't really a factor here - essentially, I want a high-fidelity, closed, neutral headphone that is user-serviceable and able to be used for long periods of time (like a producer's closed headphone).

Every option I look at has some flaw that makes me wary. Focal Spirit Professional? Uncomfortable with small earcups and a small headband. PM-3? Veiled treble and earpads that aren't meant to be user-serviceable. Momentum 2? Warm sound with more mid-bass than I'd like and rolled off treble. VISO HP50? Warmer sound and comfort is a mixed bag with the odd headband and small earcups. DT770? V-shaped sound, non-detachable cable and driver issues. MSR7? Forward treble. The list goes on but I'm really at a loss here. Does anyone have any recommendations that would fit my needs? Thanks in advance.

 

What about microphonics on these units? My experiences with IEMs (e.g. FiiO EX1) have pretty always hit a dead-end when it comes to (horrible) microphonics, which makes me consider to pull out of IEMs altogether...

 

Microphonics on the Orion is significantly less than my previous Radius NHR 21's because it's over-ear as opposed to straight down. Plus the included litz cable isn't prone to catching on clothes as much. That said, I usually tuck cables between my shirt button / inside shirt as an anchor so I don't hear cable slap against my body.

 

Hi, I'm a bit confused about choosing a system. I have HE-400i and ifi micro iDSD BL but I don't need portability & don't find the combination of both so great (a little flat & bright to my ears). So I was checking to get a better system, and one which will be more futurproof if I decide to change/complement my headphones in the future (see: LCD-2, HD650, HE-560..who knows).
I was thinking of Modi Multibit + Jot/Lyr 2 will be a great value for money & quite versatile but can't decide between Jot/Lyr 2 (i may go balanced or getter better tubes in the future). Of course I'm open to everything (max around 700€ for amp+dac)

Thx

p.S: had HE-500 (with forza audioworks) + Lyr 1 (with dario miniwatt & telefunken e88cc) in the past but I had sold everything to get into speakers system

 

In these corners one of the no-brainer recommendations is: Modi Multibit + Jotunheim + HD650 (optionally modded). That's if you want SS.

If you want tubes, Lyr 2 may be suboptimal for dynamic headphones (they were designed to provide oodles of power to hard to drive planars, which requires tradeoffs). You would be better off with Valhalla 2, which better suits easier to drive headphones.

 

So the jotunheim is not so great with planars like HE-400i, HE-560, HE-500, audeze ... ? I've read only good things about the HD650+Jot i might get one if i go with the Jot (and maybe sell the HE-400i if I like it more)

 

In my experience, all Schiit SS amps (I have not heard the Ragnarok) are very good with planars - I have at any one point in time owned all of the Audez'e (except LCD 4 and EL series), HE 4, 400, 500 etc. The only planar IME that does not work well is the HE 6 (but that's a separate story ). The Jotunheim pairs very well with the "regular" planars and the HD650.

 

Nice to hear. So in the end whatever I choose (lyr or jotunheim + Modi Multibit), it's going to be a nice improvement over the ifi micro iDSD BL ? I listen to a lot of deferents kind of music : from jazz/blues to indie to electro/house and some rap/pop (no metal and few classic). And i want something simple that works great with everything ( even if it's not the holy grail); I don't want to bother with different setups and switch between them

 

@vladimir, cannot go wrong with the Schiit combo and indeed you may not need to upgrade at all. Just upgrade the quality of your music (i.e. recorded quality).