The All Purpose Advice Thread

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

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  1. Aelms

    Aelms Facebook Friend

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    I noticed in the link in @Boops profile post that Ted Gioia publishes what seems to be his historiography of music.

    I’m the type to consume media when I can locate them inside broader narratives (kind of like how HD6xxs are more compelling to listen to thanks to SBAF comparisons/measurements) so I’d love to know if anyone recommends any similar publications/websites.
     
  2. Baten

    Baten Friend

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    Someone measured the original AD700 non-x here and it measured surprisingly linear and well-behaved, for the cost it was great.
    Unfortunately the AD700x/AD900x are not quite as good. And the AD1000x/AD2000x are not really affordable for gaming, bad value.
     
  3. JustAnotherRando

    JustAnotherRando My other bike is a Ferrari

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    Any recommendations for wireless gym headphones? I had high hopes for the Drop Move IEMs but they were hit by miswired polarity problems.

    Looking for wireless, IEM (as on-ears are too hot ten months of the year out here), good isolation to block out the terrible gym music, and reasonable sound quality*. I've not tried any wireless IEMs but my brief demos of Bose QC35s and 700s**, and their Sony counterparts have led me to conclude that wireless generally means "sounds terrible". Hopefully I am wrong.

    Otherwise, I am thinking of sticking with wired IEMs. Maybe the Etymotic ER2XR coupled with a Bluetooth receiver.



    * "Reasonable" is subjective, the least good headphones I listen to on a regular basis are Porta Pros. Anything less and I prefer no headphones at all. Tonality wise, mainly not treble-heavy.

    ** The Bose 700s were mind-bogglingly bad. I had a hard time believing that the state of the market could allow them to be priced at $400.

    Edit: think I've found my answer from another thread. Will try the oddly named Motorola Vervebuds.
     
    Last edited: Dec 4, 2019
  4. jlucas

    jlucas Acquaintance

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    Ah, that is the confusion as he said " SHP500" (No nine) and not being familiar i didn't realize it was a typo.
     
  5. imackler

    imackler Key Lime Pie Infected Aberdeen Wings Spy

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    I'm back in the HD6** fold. Currently I'm driving my HD6XX with my Leckerton UHA-6S Mkii. I'm toying with getting a Magni 3+ or Asgard 3. I'm looking at getting a Modi 3 and pairing it with either Magni 3+, Asgard 3 or the Leckerton.
    • Which do you recommend with the HD650: Magni 3+ or Asgard 3?
    • Which do you recommend with the HD600: Magni 3+ or Asgard 3?
    • And for those who have heard the Leck and some of the more recent Schiit offerings, should I leave well enough alone and use my Leck as a desktop amp? I know it used to be highly regarded as an amp with the HD6**.

    Thanks all!
     
  6. RobS

    RobS RobS? More like RobDiarrhea.

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    Would you consider a Vali 2 or do you not like tubes? I prefer the Senns with tubes over solid state stuff.
     
  7. bixby

    bixby Friend

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    I have heard the Leckerton with 650s at a show and liked it. I have owned the Magni 3 and Asgard (1 or 2, not sure). I thought the Asgard was just really meh. Magni 3 had some issues for me namely a bit compressed sounding at higher volumes and a bit of thickness on the low end, but still a decent amp. Also owned the JDS Atom briefly which was a bit sucked out right where the 650 and 600 need a bit of a push, otherwise not bad but I would pick the Magni 3 over it.

    If it were me, I would live with the Leckerton until you can get a chance to hear some of the alternatives personally. I think most of the lower priced amps are at most a side grade, but that is with my ears. Another sucky amp for my ears is the THX that I heard at the last mini meet in Denver with my 600s.
     
  8. mkozlows

    mkozlows Friend

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    Asgard 3 is a completely different amp with different topology and everything, though. It's not clear that impressions of the old model really tell you a lot about the new one.
     
  9. Griffon

    Griffon 2nd biggest asshole on SBAF

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    As the Sony goes out I’m currently running DAC-less. I’ll probably be still using the TU8600 with BK20s for a long time. Any recommendations for a decent DAC? Preferably under 500CAD.
     
  10. Zed Bopp

    Zed Bopp Friend

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    A question about DACs with volume control. I have an RME ADI-2 dac and a EC zdt jr. tube amp.

    How much does it matter how loud I push the amp with the dac? I've used the RME on about -20db this far (to get the zdt vol pot to about 1 o'clock with HD800 etc) - does the sound change with more push from the source (maybe some moar sweet harmonic tubey distortion etc)?

    Another question: is the ADI-2 DAC at -0db out of the rca outs the same vol as normal dacs without vol control?

    Cheers folks! :)
     
  11. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    Not audio related, but has anyone here had experience with this specific face mask? It's the best one I can find in local online stores. Would rather keep my lungs in good shape after a scare that still haunts me (not a smoker or anything, just a borked measurement at the clinic that meant extra expenses for a second opinion).

    https://cambridgemask.com/

    Also happy to hear of less expensive alternatives just because I'm weird that way. Grazie!
     
  12. JustAnotherRando

    JustAnotherRando My other bike is a Ferrari

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    Probably belongs more in the Health thread, but anyways, that mask looks like a sponge for sweat as you live an a hot, humid place.

    I live in similar conditions most the year, used a Totobo mask for a while whilst cycling in for a while as it's so polluted here. It looks weird, but all masks look weird. And it didn't soak up sweat, it could just be wiped down. I just checked, and they're more expensive than I recall.

    IMO the key is getting one to fit right, without air leaks around the edges, rather than the specific brand though.
     
  13. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    D'oh, I actually forgot that thread existed just now. My bad.

    Yup, I agree about fit. Haven't really had any issues with standard masks though so I'm pretty sure there'll fit well enough. If they don't I guess they're not so expensive I can't give them to my dad or siblings or something.

    Yeah the sweat buildup might be a problem but I'm just sick and tired of going out only to get a lungful of God knows what and then coughing up my tonsils. Figured it was time I finally invest in one of these, was just worried I might end up with a crappy one cuz I legit know nothing about these. Looking silly isn't a concern, I manage that well enough every other day :)P), just trying to find one that works well and doesn't crap out after a few months— a friend told me he had to change this out every three or four, which seems wasteful to me. Maybe that's just to be expected as with any other filter though, and washing them down will only do so much.
     
  14. JustAnotherRando

    JustAnotherRando My other bike is a Ferrari

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    Hang on, do those things have replaceable filters? The website implies that the filter is fixed into the mask itself. I can't find anywhere on the site to buy replaceable filters.

    Any mask will be a consumable, or at the very least have consumable filters. Especially if it's stuck to your face and you're sweating/breathing into it every day.

    BASIC vs PRO: We offer 2 ranges of mask. The PRO uses military grade filters developed for chemical, nuclear and biological warfare protection. They filter nearly 100% of viruses, bacteria, gas pollution and particulates. The BASIC has a fantastic particulate filter to remove pollution such as PM2.5 and dust but they have no carbon, so are less effective with viruses and bacteria and will not filter gasses.

    This sounds like total bollocks. A mask like that will not be able to filter viruses with any level of effectiveness. Even the manufacturers of AC powered filters don't make these claims (with the exception of IQAir). Even their text just doesn't make sense, they imply that carbon is used to filter out bacteria and viruses... this isn't what carbon filters are used for. Brand looks iffy the more I look at it.

    Sorry for the rant- I've been looking into air quality and air filtration with with for about a decade because the air out here sucks so much, I get worked up about it. I really should just move country.
     
  15. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    All I have is respect for your rants, friend, cuz it saves me suffering from bullshit and marketing. I'm not very intelligent when it comes to audio but I at least have a halfway decent BS detector— probably less accurate a one for things like these, which is why I ended up in something that toes the line over into social sciences from a premed track, haha.

    Looking into ones with changeable filters and staying the hell away from "military grade" protection. Much obliged! ;)
     
  16. allegro

    allegro Friend

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    For sure. My HD800S have no depth to the headstage with a Magni 3. Sounds like the stage is a flat plane centered on my ears. Good imaging and width though. Headstage really opens up with a Vali 2. Great little amp for $149. Not a solid state fan here.
     
  17. ergopower

    ergopower Friend

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    I know neither you nor @JustAnotherRando are in the US, but there are some way cheaper alternatives here. N95 is a US standard, means it filters out 95% of 0.3 micron and larger particles, including PM2.5.
    There are multiple agonists that can trigger asthma for me. I can't run or cycle in a mask, restricts breathing too much, but I routinely use it when I mow the lawn because I'm especially allergic to grass pollen. Seems to help, not that I have reaction while mowing, but maybe helps reduce inflammation over the longer haul. It is one of many actions I take, so I'm not 100% sure of the contribution of the mask, but I do everything I can.
     
  18. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Generally, you'll want the dac as high as possible while still giving you useable range on your amp's volume control. The exception to this is if you're clipping the input of the amp (but if that's happening, chances are you don't have much room to play with anyways on the amp).

    As a quick 'n dirty adjustment, set the amp at 70% and turn up the dac until it's starting to get uncomfortable.
     
  19. 7seven

    7seven Acquaintance

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    It's a hybrid and closer to SS than tubes, the heavy lifting is done by output transistors after tubes, probably very similar to Magni output stage. Suggests that the tubes are only adding something to garnish the sound in this case, which is fine if you're into that.
     
  20. TristanL

    TristanL New

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    Not really here to ask for advice, as I've done that a couple weeks ago.

    I'm just here to say thanks! Thank very much for the advice I have gotten here.
    Thanks to the recommendations I got a Bifrost 2 and an Asgard 3 and am loving it, I was recommended the HD650, but went for the Focal Clear (professional) eventually. What a joy it is to listen to music now!!

    I also really like the Clears via the Bifrost 2 into my WA6SE(2nd gen) through the low impedance output.

    Excellent! Thanks all!
     
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