The All Purpose Advice Thread

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

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  1. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    I really like the synergy with Verite open and Asgard 3. I’ve used both Yggdrasil A2 and Modi 3 as sources. I currently have a Bifrost 2 en route to get the matching aesthetics (bonus $100 off too). If you search in the Asgard 3 thread for “Verite” you will note Chacha and Vtory like the pairing which is where I got the idea. I would trial Asgard 3 out and if you don’t like it is not expensive to return.
     
  2. Philimon

    Philimon Friend

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  3. ogodei

    ogodei MOT: Austin AudioWorks

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    I just bought a 'lightly used' PS Audio power regenerator from an online dealer. The price I got was almost in the too good to be true category, about 50% off list after minimal haggling. Got it delivered, it may have been open box but was definitely never even plugged in. Its legit product, I spoke to PS Audio and got it registered.

    PS Audio is dumping its dealers to go direct sales only I understand, so this may be a protest firesale. There seem to be a lot of these listed at low prices. I admit I don't really understand this behavior from the dealers. I guess since they no longer have to worry about a contract with PS Audio they just sell as fast as possible to beat other dealers to the punch?

    Anyway: Anyone looking for PS Audio gear, now's a good time to shop.
     
    Last edited: Jan 14, 2020
  4. RobS

    RobS RobS? More like RobDiarrhea.

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    What would be the best source to use with Convert-2? Lynx AES16e, Pi2AES or RedNet?

    The XMOS USB is great but I got more audible gains from my CD transport so I want to use something else. My transport is unreliable so I'm looking at the other 3 options.
     
  5. redrich2000

    redrich2000 Facebook Friend

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    So I've now finally, like three years late, completed my SBAF Tragic Mid-Fi set. Eitr > Modi Multibit > Jot > KISS'd HD650

    I have a couple of quick Eitr questions...
    Will it live happily sitting on top of the always-on Jot heat wise?
    Does spdif cable quality matter in this setup?
     
  6. Habano

    Habano Acquaintance

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    Say I have a bad case of change-itis, what would you recommend?

    I currently have the following:
    SSD > USBridge Sig (+Shanti) > Bifrost 2 > Jotunheim > ZMF Verite

    I am quite happy with it but I have been wanting to try a tube amp for a while now. Call it tube itch if you will.
    I never heard one before, even in 2-channel. So I would like to discover what tubes are all about. Also, I don't want to buy and sell, so I would prefer something reasonably "end game". Finally, but that's not a must, the possibility to power speakers as well would be appreciated.
    Besides the usual suspects, EC and DNA, what could fit the bill?
    Thank you!
     
  7. ogodei

    ogodei MOT: Austin AudioWorks

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  8. Habano

    Habano Acquaintance

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    Apologies, I should have mentioned my budget: US$3,000 max, so that I remain relatively coherent with the rest of my gear.
     
  9. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    So, time to downgrade again as I have prioritized other hobbies, and I listen to my desktop speakers more and more now. I'd like to avoid tubes for zen/Kondo purposes (unless a SW51+ was available). Looking for recommendations for best dac/amp combo for high impedance headphones (HD650, HD800, ZMF Auteur), under $750, preferably $500. Asgard 3 plus Modi Multibit? Magni 3+? Other options? Other than avoiding bright tonality, I really would like to keep as much of the dimensionality and realism I finally found with my current ECP L2 + Gungnir Multibit A1. The Pass WHAMMY I have is very good, but despite rolling a lot of opamps, I am still not quite getting what I want from it.
     
  10. zonto

    zonto Friend

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    @fraggler, what inputs do you need for the DAC? If USB only, you could wait for the Unison refresh and then consider either a Lyr 3 or Asgard 3 with the revised multibit DAC USB input card.
     
  11. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    I have an Eitr still, so SPDIF or USB. Were the input cards getting Unison? Highly tempting for an AIO if the tech does trickle down.
     
  12. zonto

    zonto Friend

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    Good question. I had assumed so, just at a later date than the initial card releases for the standalone DACs, based on this: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/sch...bable-start-up.701900/page-2940#post-14793707. I did a little bit of searching in the Head-Fi thread again just now and didn't find anything else relevant. Doesn't mean it isn't there, it's just so full of noise that it's hard to sift through.
     
  13. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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    Before doing anything else, maybe try the cheap experiment of replacing the Eitr with a RPi-based S/PDIF source to the Gungnir Multibit->WHAMMY chain. If you like that, you could keep both the Gungnir Multibit and the WHAMMY or swap the Gungnir Multibit for a Bifrost 2 (minimal savings apart from desktop space) and sell the ECP (profit).
     
  14. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    I have an RPi3 and the 502DAC hat that I could play with, but I listen at my PC (games and music), so it would be more a thought experiment. I am basically looking for a cheaper, more compact system to handle everything. So not quite back to my Fulla 2 days, but maybe closer to my Valhalla2+Bifrost 4490 days. Was very tempted to Asgard3+Bifrost2 for aesthetics (and performance), but with a Gungnir A1 here, the Bifrost 2 didn't make much sense if I was going to keep something that expensive. The market for Gungnirs seems to be racing to the bottom, so I might try to sit i out for a bit until Unison is more widespread to see how that impacts things. I may get an Asgard 3 just as a reference for my WHAMMY and L2 to see where I really stand in comparison to a mainstream offering in my price range.
     
  15. dasman66

    dasman66 Self proclaimed lazy ass - friend

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    Ampsandsound Mogwai SE fits your description & budget. FWIW, Justin really stands behind his product. He spent quite a bit of time with me to troubleshoot what ended up being a DC offset in my power (both via email and then via his offered phone call). If the DC offset had ended up not being the problem, then he wanted me to send the amp back so he could troubleshoot. All the above I would expect... had I purchased the amp new from him. But I picked mine up used on Audiogon...
     
  16. PTS

    PTS Friend

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    @Habano

    I owned a Mogwai for a short time, but sent it back. I'd go with a Lyr 3, personally. Way cheaper and just as good (if not better).
     
  17. dasman66

    dasman66 Self proclaimed lazy ass - friend

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    Guess I need to put ears on a Lyr then... but realize the OP wants to run (presumably hi-eff) speakers on the amp, which changes things a little.
     
  18. ogodei

    ogodei MOT: Austin AudioWorks

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    Kingko KA101 Pro ?
     
  19. Habano

    Habano Acquaintance

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    Thank you!
    I will check this as well as the Mogwai.
     
  20. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    Did you just try to abbreviate efficiency? What the eff?
     
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