The All Purpose Advice Thread

@gbeast wrote about the same thing early in the Af thread here.
Although his link is broken now. I think it is the tubes transmitting the music like a cartridge does.

 

Hello folks of SBAF. Right now, I'm using an Asgard 3 as an amp, and I have Focal Elex's and Sennheiser HD 600's. I'm wondering whether I ought to upgrade my dac, as it's an old Modi 2 which has a output that's I occasionally have to fiddle with a bit to actually get working. I'm partial to Schiit products, so I'm thinking of the Modi 3, but I'm also wondering if it'd be worth it to go for the Multibit. Will those devices offer a notable improvement in sound (particularly detail and soundstage)? If anyone has DAC recommendations in the 75-300 dollar range, that'd be much appreciated. I tried to upgrade my Modi 2 with a Topping D10 and, suffice to say, that was not a pleasant experience.

 

Been down your path, my first Schiit was the Modi 1 back in 2015. currently have a D10, Modi 3, Modi MB v.2 fed by Eitr and now a closout Bifrost 1 MB A2 with Gen5 USB.
The D10 isn't total suckage and I find it useful as a USB/SBDIF converter to feed a CDR. The Modi3 is a better DA for about the same price.. The Modi MB is better yet, especially when fed via a Gen5 USB/SPDIF connection via the Eitr ($350 combo)
Better yet if you can stretch your budget slightly and find a new closout/used late production Bifrost 1 for $350, (serial # starts with a B) . Clearly superior to the latest production Modi MB.
But the Modi 3 will satisfy you thru your Asgard3 and headphones while you save up for the Bifrost 2. Cause you are hooked and will be chasing your own nirvana.
May God have mercy on your wallet....

 

This post made me laugh, smile, and worry (about my wallet) all at the same time. Thanks. I think I am going to go for the Modi 3, just because...well, if I get the Multibit I'm going to be tempted to get the Gen5 USB/SPDIF and Eitr. I don't have $350 to burn right now, haha. Thank you very much, though.

 

You will be happy with your choice and amazed at how Schiit has managed to advance their sound quality while maintaining the $99 price point.

 

What's the world of DAPs like these days? I miss the days of playing from my $30 Sansa Fuze/Clip. I don't need sound "quality", most of the environments I'd be using it in are for teaching or ambient music or outdoors walking about. Priorities are battery life, decent UI and playlist capability (don't need to create, just able to play them), small-ish size, and bluetooth would be a plus. Preferably something I can get off Amazon (Canada) or a local Bestbuy/etc or point me to someone selling something. No strict budget; prefer cheaper but I'm not opposed to an upsell if something tweaks my interest.

 

I've used these to connect two sources to the RCA outputs on my DAC:

They accomplish the same thing as Y cables but are just one piece with a very low profile. Just another option for you.

 

Anyone know if there is a such a thing as a female 4-pin to 1/4" TRS adapter that is just one plug without wires?

Like the 4-pin adapter being directly soldered to the 1/4" male TRS plug. I searched, but found nothing.

 

Has the stock Bottlehead Crack got great sound quality? Or I must install the Speedball upgrade?

 

I don't think I've ever seen that, but you can probably find a custom cable maker to fix one up for you.

You can buy stubby TRS to XLR(3f) adapters readily enough, so I imagine there'd just be a (f) head swap. Is there a specific reason you need this as a solid adapter though? Most XLR(f) cables tend to be on the heavier end, and having the wire will generally take some of the lateral strain off the jack assuming it's not just hanging down.

 

I'm in need of an inexpensive ss headamp for desktop use. Budget is max $400 but would like to spend less if possible. Looking at the Asgard 3 and Drop THX 789. Mostly for use with the hd650. Is the double down on price worth it for the THX? I do have a balanced cabled and balanced DAC (bifrost 2).

 

Is this what you are looking for? It is on the inexpensive side so I wonder about the quality though.

 

Those are 3-pin though.
I was hoping to get the shortest possible connection without having to add more wire to my headphone cable.

 

Shoot I missed the three pin sorry. Only 4-pin adapter I could find had a short piece of cable; no one piece.

 

Anyone got experience with Lehmann headphone amps?
Especially the Drachenfels vs the Linear (Pro)?

I'm hearing great things about them and they seem solidly, well build.
I mostly wonder about their sound signature and what differentiates the Linear and the Drachenfels.

Thanks!

 

When I asked for advice, I appreciated the reminder of the Vali 2 with the HD6**. There seems to be some concensus on that combo. Has that advice changed at all with the Magni 3+ coming out? I prefer solid-state for simplicity/discretion in office use but the Vali 2 gets so much love with the HD6**.

 

Hi guys can anyone recommend or share the best .Peace EQ save file for a HD 58x? that best tunes it to eliminate any flaws it has or even if possible a EQ that makes it sound very close to HD6xx?

Any assistance is greatly appreciated would love to EQ it to hear what an HD6xx tends to sound like.

 

Budget 5 watt amp for a pair of Fostex drivers FE83En. Tube would be preferred but reliability is paramount.
Thanks.

 

I have a Shortest Way+ on pre-order and of course my Aries Mini has decided to stop working, so now I'm in the market for a streamer and DAC. The PI2AES appears to be an outstanding deal, but for the DAC, I'm kinda stumped. It would seem the Bifrost 2 is the way to go, but I'm not interested in USB and it doesn't have a BNC or I2S connector.

Do I just get a Modi 3 as a stop gap for now? That's probably what I'll do to get back in the streaming game as quickly as possible. I'm interested in the Airist R2R, but that's not available, so do I save up for a Soekris 1421? Or used Gungnir Multibit instead now that everyone is enamored with Bifrost 2? And I2S DACs seem to be out of my price range.

Current setup: Rega Jupiter --> Audiolab 8000S integrated --> HD 800.
Desired setup: PI2AES --> DAC??? --> Shortest Way+ -> HD 800

 

Well Bifrost does have RCA Coax and Pi2AES also has RCA Coax out. BNC is definitely superior and secure but nothing wrong with RCA Coax. Gungnir does have BNC if that’s what you are looking for.
You can get used Airist R2R here. But you won’t get BNC or I2S with it either.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/fs-airist-r-2r-dac-249.921673/#post-15375021