The All Purpose Advice Thread

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

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  1. GreekinSingapore

    GreekinSingapore New

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    Thanks a million for your advice, would you know of any other headphones that would fit the bill?
     
  2. Zed Bopp

    Zed Bopp Friend

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    Maybe a used Oppo PM3, if you can find one used. Those work well portably and have good amount of bass and very non-grating highs (too smooth for some). They're not colored like an M100, but very enjoyable nonetheless. Build quality and comfort are top notch.

    PM3 and Audeze Sine are the best sounding portable over-ears I've heard yet. I wish there was more serious competition though.
     
  3. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    I quite like the Meze 99s, but at that price I think you can only get the plastic Neo version which has too much bass (unless you wear glasses)

    Also, large ears need not apply.
     
  4. huynhhungvnr

    huynhhungvnr New

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    Probably not the right place to ask, but does anyone have impression about Monoprice Cavalli Liquid Spark at CanJam? The Liquid Platinum pretty much stole the spotlight and i don't know if i should wait for the Spark instead of going for Magni 3/Vali 2.
     
  5. Zed Bopp

    Zed Bopp Friend

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    I forgot to mention, Sony MDR-1A has a nicely bassy & mellow-ish tone and can be found dirt cheap. They're quite classy lookin' too, imo. They sound kind of similar, but better than my Momentum over-ear V.1, but don't isolate as much.
     
  6. barelyincollege

    barelyincollege Nice Pit Bull

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    I'll second the Meze 99 Classics based on what you've written. Not quite as portable as the M50x or V-Modas, but they meet your other requirements quite well.
     
  7. Boops

    Boops Friend

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    I'm in the market for a multimeter to use for around-the-house electrical tasks that would also be serviceable for audio-related DIY. Can anyone with experience recommend a decent one? I have no idea what features I should consider requirements, and I'm looking to spend around $100 give or take, but would consider going higher if it was worth it.
     
  8. monacelli

    monacelli Friend

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    Hi, @Boops. I was in a similar boat looking for something that would be suitable for both DIY audio and light-duty home repairs. I landed on the Amprobe AM-530 [link to Amazon page]. It is billed as a True-RMS meter, and you can usually pick one up for under $75. The build quality is quite good, better than expected for <$100. It worked equally well replacing my thermostat and modding my turntable. I've been quite happy so far, but encourage you to look at the detailed specs if there are edge cases you need your meter to satisfy. I also considered the low-end Flukes, but didn't see the value in the 11X series. Good luck~
     
  9. GreekinSingapore

    GreekinSingapore New

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    Checked them out, Can't get a Oppo PM3 used here, but I managed to find a used pair of Meze 99s classics gold (with new meze pads and headband) for 200 USD, despite the fact that I'm not a fan of the gold colour, for 100 usd cheaper than new it's a very comfortable compromise. I think I'll end up going with them
     
  10. Nathan (Darkmatter35)

    Nathan (Darkmatter35) New

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    Hi everyone! I'm a long time lurker, first time poster to SBAF. It's way past my bedtime and I'm here because I've gotten lost trying to figure out my best course of action. My current setup is my PC>SMSLAD18>Kef Q100's and PC>Jotunheim>HD650's. I am content with my kef's and my HD650's but not everything else. I just joined the drop for the MCTH amp after reading all the amazing comments here about how good they are with HD650's. I don't 100% enjoy how my Jot currently makes them sound. I plan to sell my Jot soon to finance the rest of my upgrades. That being said, my ideal setup would be PC>DAC>MCTH/Class A/B power amp. I don't really want more than three units here but I guess if I have to have a separate pre-amp outside of the DAC then so be it. My budget for the DAC would have to be less than $1000 but preferably around $500-$800. Same budget for the power amp. The somewhat obvious choice would be a Modi Multibit but it only has one out put. I'm stumped. I want a speaker amp that lets my Kef's shine. The AD18 is very functional but I can definitely tell that when I listen to music through it, it's the speakers doing the only justice and not the amp (if that makes sense). All suggestions welcome! I'm going to bed. Cheers!
     
  11. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    my suggestion is to drink green or yellow chartreuse and then go to bed. Cheers!
    (moi aussi)
     
  12. GreekinSingapore

    GreekinSingapore New

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    Thinking back on it, Going from 100 USD to 200 USD (which went bust, so new will be 300) is a bit dumb for something that wont be my main driver, I love all your suggestions, and I thank you loads for them and will keep them in mind, but to me the best idea right now is to just wait it out and consider upgrading my main headphone with a great sounding headphone which is relatively easy to drive
     
  13. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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    If you really don't want to add a separate pre-amp, have you considered a good-quality older (second-hand) integrated amp with preamp-out, feeding the headphone amp from the pre-outs? I do exactly this, but won't vouch for the quality of my amp vs others that might be found within your budget (not saying it's bad, just that I haven't compared it to much).
     
  14. imackler

    imackler Key Lime Pie Infected Aberdeen Wings Spy

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    I'm looking for a decent $100 or so iem to pair with an ipod touch (I was given). Something neutral but won't be too sensitive for the brutish ipod touch.

    I was hopeful for the Nuforce EDC3 but I didn't really like it with my low OI Leckerton dac/amp. As far as I can tell, the Ipod Touch has an OI of around 2, the dongle of under 1. I have the SE215 but have become annoyed by its muddiness, especially since I most use my UE4. (I actually don't really like wearing my ciem, besides sound quality and isolation.) Decent isolation and durability would be a plus.

    Rejected:
    SE215 - good isolation & fit but meh.. I don't really want to put them in any more more - meh. The UE4 ruined me.
    EDC3 - Just didn't work with the low OI for me but great fit, isolation...
    HF5 - Don't really want deep insertion...

    Possible:
    RE600 - poor isolation but its only $99 now? (I can't get an extended 4 yr warranty for 8 bucks...maybe that will compensate for build quality.)
    GR07 - poor isolation but is the treble too hot for the hamfisted touch?
    Others????

    So pretty much looking for something perfect: Isolation. Neutral. Durable. Low OI friendly.
     
    Last edited: May 11, 2018
  15. LetMeBeFrank

    LetMeBeFrank Won't tell anyone my name is actually Francis

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    I would like some advice from you guys on used speakers. I have a family friend who is going to sell me his mid 90s KEF reference model 3s. They are in immaculate condition, and he took extremely good care of them. He's asking $1500, but I'm not sure if that's a good deal. He has been friends with my father for 25+ years so I assume he would give me a good deal, but maybe he thinks they are worth much more than they are? However, they completely blew me away on his Mark Levinson amp, so I know they sound great.

    Have any of you guys heard these, and would I be better off with something brand new from Tekton or Salk? Its hard for me to compare stuff like this because it all sounds so much better than what I have.
     
  16. Daveheart

    Daveheart Friend

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    I'm not positive which model/revision that would be, but that looks like a fair price on audiogon's bluebook. There seems to be a couple revisions, but they seem to think a dealer would pay about $1400-1500 as a trade in. As far as how they sound, I don't think I've heard them since they were new, and I don't really remember them.
     
  17. Garns

    Garns Friend

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    These 2A3 I just put in also glow blue and also make intermittent farty noises. According to the jacmusic pages it is not typically audible. My guess is it becomes audible because of the HF heaters.

    _DSC0603.JPG
     
  18. Skyline

    Skyline Double-blindly done with this hobby

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    Sony NWA-35 or Cayin N3?

    Need to drive my Pinnacle P1s...
     
  19. lm4der

    lm4der A very good sport - Friend

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    Hey, peeps, I'm thinking about building a Bottlehead Crack. Can you guys help me with what I need to get in terms of a soldering iron and solder? Does any ol' soldering iron work fine, or are there certain types of soldering irons that are preferable? I'll probably order one off of Amazon. Thanks in advance!

    Edit: Also, anything else I need?
     
  20. maverickronin

    maverickronin Friend

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    A cheap $5 iron from Harbor Freight or the local equivalent will be fine for point to point and basic cable construction. You don't need to invest in a more expensive temperature controlled soldering station unless you plan to use it a lot.

    As for solder, pick up a small spool of 60/40 tin/lead. It will flow the best and as long as you don't make a career of soldering all day long on an assembly line you won't have to worry about lead toxicity if you wash your hands when you done and keep it away from any children small enough to put it in their mouth.

    Useful extras would be desoldering wick or a solder sucker to fix any mistakes you make and a ceramic floor tile from Home Depot or something to keep the iron from burning your table because cheep ones come with absolutely useless stands.

    Once you get all the tools practice on some scraps of wire 'til you've got the basics down.
     
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