The All Purpose Advice Thread

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

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  1. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    @bone_collector, have you heard the ZDTjr/NBM? The HD650 sounds great out of it from mids on up, but many (including me) have issues with tubby and woolly, poorly extended bass. Start reading here for my take on it.
    https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...t-jr-official-thread.5408/page-38#post-267609

    Also, it's not clear from your post how you fixed the issues with your HD650. Have you always run them out of the micro iDSD? As you have an SW51 (+ version?) coming in, I think you'll be very happy with it fed by your BF MB. It takes you 95% percent of the way there for 20-ish% the cost of a big boy amp.

    Many years back, I also tried and failed to "love the face tweeter". But I was recently inspired to have another go and am now very happy with my HD800 SBAF/J-mod hybrid as my daily driver.
    https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...e-hd800-hd800s-thread.206/page-66#post-297434
     
  2. bone_collector

    bone_collector New

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    Sorry that was unclear: the ZDT Jr I purchased last week and have been listening to extensively has largely solved those issues, at least coming from the iFi Micro BL as an all in one. The woolly bass, however, is a new problem. As is my wanting to keep scaling these phones...
    In regards to the sea change: Was amazed last night that I kept having to turn down the volume while listening to Cocteau Twins' Treasure because the peaky treble on Ivo and the intro to Lorelai sounded awfully harsh- not something I've experienced with the 650s.
    Suppose its better to wait until the SW51 arrives and get to know these amps a little better. Felt anxious when I started to hear something 'right' after so many years in middling territory. Will probably try the 800s again at some point, especially if the mods are as successful as I've heard, after I get over the excitement of this present revelation.
     
  3. BrokeSkoolBoi

    BrokeSkoolBoi Acquaintance

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    I'm looking for some advice on a SS amp for my JVC Fdx1 and MD+. I currently have the RNHP amp running through my LPS (waiting for working power supply in the mail) but I think I'll return it to just buy something cheaper.

    I bought the RNHP because it has XLR inputs. I'm using the Bifrost 2, but the rca's will be used for the SW51 amp when it arrives. I would buy a Magni 3+ or Asgard 3, but they have no XLR inputs!

    The Erish looks nice, but I just want a simple 6.3mm jack. For the price is seems like the 789 is the best option, but I've seen opinions that people like the Asgard 3 more or people dislike the 789 outright.

    Any suggestions are welcome, I wouldn't spend more than $400 on this amp.
     
  4. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    All depends if you want a colder amp like a 789 or a Warmer amp like a Asgard 3. My 789 loaner is going to be done in a few weeks, so if you decided on a 789 I'll hook you up.
     
  5. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    If gain isn't problem, Magni 3+ and RCA splitter. Probably the best bang for the buck in your case. Schiit new amp is rumored these days, so it would be better to go cheap.
     
  6. BrokeSkoolBoi

    BrokeSkoolBoi Acquaintance

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    Really appreciate the offer.

    I think I will go with my wallet on this one. Magni 3 was great for my old MD+, I'm sure the Magni 3+ will be more than enough for my iems.

    Thanks for the responses.
     
  7. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    Better have the IEMatch if doing M3+, it doesn't always play nice with BA IEMs.
     
  8. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    I assume that was a typo and you meant "sound" change. The SW51 will sound more forward and direct than the ZDTjr (in general, depending on tubes). IME the ZDTjr has a smooth and mellow tonal character (particularly compared to SS amps), so I'm surprised by what you heard. Anyway, wait until you get your SW51. It will get the most out of the bass performance available from the HD650 and then you can decide where you want to go from there.
     
  9. Melvillian

    Melvillian Friend

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    @bone_collector reading your posts (you’re looking for ”air” and micro dynamics) and I’m thinking the bifrost 2 might not be a great dac for the HD650s. Maybe instead of focusing on amplifiers, look for a DAC that isn’t as warm as the bifrost 2. I’ve had a bifrost 2 for a while and paired with my warm sounding speakers, It definitely slams, but the midbass is too thick, doesn’t have the necessary energy in the higher frequencies and to me sounds like it’s lacking in nuance and micro dynamics. Overall just sounds too thick and veiled. I don’t have a headphone amp right now so I haven’t had a chance to listen to the HD650s paired with the Bifrost2, but from experience with both I wouldn’t want to combine the two for my personal tastes. With that said, I don’t have a DAC recommendation for you so hopefully someone else can help out in that department as I’m also looking for a dac. Im current using a gungnir A2 and it’s better in my system, but has some issues that keep me from recommending to someone without listening first.

    If you do want to upgrade the amp but keep the bifrost2 and the HD650s, you could try a leaner sounding amp.

    edit** nevermind, disregard my post about the bifrost 2 since you stated later that you own a bifrost 1. I have no experience with the original bifrost mb.
     
    Last edited: Jul 20, 2020
  10. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    I'm assuming the OG and not the BF2. In any case, I think I'm an outlier in that I don't find the BF2 warm at all, which I guess implies that my tastes lie on the warm side.
    I don't find this to be the case at all. My reference was a relatively dull sounding Modi Multibit v2. Not trying to confuse the situation.
     
    Last edited: Jul 20, 2020
  11. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    @bone_collector do you have Bifrost 2? If not, I would strongly consider that upgrade route. I would say that SW51+ with Bifrost 2 and HD650/HD600 variants is the absolute best budget combo I’ve come across in this headphone game. I’m not sure if @Melvillian is talking about Bifrost MB or Bifrost 2, but his comments sound like Bifrost 1 MB. I think BF2 is warmer than some DACs but when paired with a leaner amp (like @Melvillian says) it is a nice synergistic combo.
     
  12. Colgin

    Colgin Friend

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    Apparently, I lost the MMCX cable that came with my CA Andromedas. I mostly use the Andros on the go so just use the lightning-terminated cable to use with my iPhone. I finally got my ADI-2-DAC set up again in my apartment and when I went to switch cables I realized I must have lost the MMCX one. I hate to spend $100 on a replacement since I use it so infrequently (as evidenced by my not knowing it was missing for several months). Anyway, I wanted to know if anyone could recommend a cheaper alternative to the stock cable (or let me know if they think the CA ones are better and worth the money). I am not a cable guy so really want something that works and has decent fit around the ear. TBH, the memory tangle on CA's stock cables that I have drive me nuts so anything that might be an improvement in that regard would be appreciated. I do see several alternatives on Amazon but don't know which might be the best choice. Any recommendation would be appreciated.
     
  13. shotgunshane

    shotgunshane Floridian Falcon

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    If you need a 2.5mm balanced, I’ll send you a Kinboofi cable for the price of shipping in a regular envelope (so about a dollar maybe). If you can’t use 2.5mm, just look up Kinboofi on Amazon. They are pretty solid for the $20 or $30 asking price. No memory wire, pliable, soft and tangle free.
     
  14. Colgin

    Colgin Friend

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    Thanks for the offer. Appreciate it. I just need 3.5 mm SE for the RME DAC though. I actually have a 4.4mm balanced cable that came with the Andros, but don’t have any amp I can use it with.
     
  15. bone_collector

    bone_collector New

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    Actually using the Bifrost 1 MB, as @gixxerwimp surmised. Not sure how its compatible to the BF2. Appreciate those thoughts, however.
     
  16. bone_collector

    bone_collector New

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    Thanks for those thoughts. I do indeed have the BF(1) MB. Is the SW51+ leaner than the ZDT Jr in sound? If so, I worry about losing the musicality and forwardness/slam of the latter though if I gain a bit more detail and bass definition than it would be a worthwhile trade off...
     
  17. bixby

    bixby Friend

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    Need Dac ideas. Target $300 new or used.

    Dac should have solid USB and preferably with a good ASIO driver for my Win 10 desktop. Basically used to listen to Tidal and Youtube over small powered monitors. And it has to have a toslink input as I plan to have it decode pcm from my TV to Integrated amp. So it needs to be a decent build quality to go back and forth.

    Not usb powered if possible. Battery is fine.

    I suppose the usual suspects would be the Modi 3, ifi Micro idsd bl (a bit over budget), or perhaps a JDS. Oh, I forgot Modius, am I barking up the wrong tree with the Modius if both setups use unbalanced?

    Or maybe something separate on the TV. I did have one of those cheap amazon optical dacs and then moved to an amp with slightly better digital input, but that is gone. Maybe a Fiio D3 Taishan?

    As for the desktop, I need something a bit better than the USB powered Khadas I am using currently. ifi Nano BL?

    Thanks in advance for any ideas.
     
    Last edited: Jul 23, 2020
  18. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    If unbalanced, you’re right Modius prob not worth it over Modi, except better USB with Unison. Nano BL has no Toslink.
     
    Last edited: Jul 22, 2020
  19. bixby

    bixby Friend

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    Yes, Nano BL would be desktop only if I went the cheap optical dac separately on the TV, like the Fiio I mentioned. Just not sure how good the Nano BL is overall. Or the Fiio or something else for that matter.
     
  20. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    Ah ok gotcha. Yeah the micro BL has Toslink I believe (via included adapter). Had the micro BL for a very short time and I really liked it (used the USB). Unfortunately not enough time to compare it much to anything else like my Modi Multibit, but I may have preferred it over the MM on my speaker setup at least.

    Edit: A used Chord Mojo might be another option I suppose, but the earlier versions had USB noise and battery problems - newer ones may have solved this, but I’m not sure. Bonus is built in volume control if you need it for your monitors.
     
    Last edited: Jul 22, 2020
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