The All Purpose Advice Thread

That makes more sense. May have to restructure my search. The source obviously doesn't say much, I'm wondering what the technical limitations of headamps vs preamps are that makes that statement true? I was under the impression that it was just a matter of gain, i.e. if your headphone amp has enough gain to push line levels, stick some pre-outs on that baby and you've got a preamp!

Still curious as to what the sound differences between the Topping and Jotunheim are, if anyone here has listened to both...

 

I had a pair of LS50W for a while and only in 1 out of the 3 rooms I set up in over the years did I find a sub got me much worthwhile. (It was one of the ELAC subs, app controlled. Not great, but very good value I felt, and the auto-eq feature definitely helped.)

So really depends on your overall room setup and what kind of space you're looking to pressurize.

 

Feel free to ignore if you have anti-ESS biases, but have you considered the Pro-Ject S2 Digital? It's a great form factor and I was pretty impressed with it for what it was when I took a listen at RMAF. I owned an iFi Micro BL at the time and while I didn't bring it with me to the show to plop down and compare, I certainly wasn't offended at what I was hearing from the Pro-Ject (evaluating as DAC + amp, naturally.) Got the job done pretty well I thought.

For the record, I prefer Schiit stuff and my Metrum R2R, but thought the Pro-Ject worth throwing out as an option.

 

I have done some research on this forum and outside but have not been able to find answers specific to my questions below. Please let me know if my questions are redundant and already answered -


Current Setup - Astell Kern Kann Cube (5 pin xlr ) -> Violectric V 200 amp -> He1000V2.
Looking for - Dac and Desktop Amp for He1000 v2 new or used. Amps can be headphone amp.
Budget - 4k-5k USD total
Comments: Looking for a relatively warm sound signature, but I am not a bass head either. Hopefully realistic sounding system. I do not own a lot of music, mostly stream from Qobuz and Amazon HD music. Would eventually like to move to Dante based system (I'll get a dedicated computer building later). I listen to pretty much all kinds of music except metal. I do enjoy vocals more, both male and female. I wish to use the DAC for two-channel system someday if I can ever get to setting it up. For me, tonality is the most important aspect, followed by timber and texture followed by sound-stage.
Questions:
1. What are some dac/amp combo for He1k for the next level and what do these combos bring to the table? If i can find some baseline suggestions, it will be easier to research from thereon.
2. Are there USB solutions (hopefully not too expensive) that sound good? Till now I do not have any experience with USB audio. I do not yet use the computer to play audio. If there are good USB solutions I might try that when I set my computer up instead of Dante.

 

What are you looking to add to your setup? For your price it would be simple to suggest a Yggdrasil A2 for your DAC and someone else can rec a amp. Not smart on SS amps in the higher price ranges

 

Looking to get better resolution and tonality. I feel like the current system is not able to drive He1000V2 to its full potential. I was wondering given all the NOD DAC conversations that are going on, if that would make any sense for He1k, or am I reading too much into it?

 

topping sucks. the "conflicting" information is due to some loser at ASR that hate Schiit and is probably paid by topping to promote their well measuring but shitty sounding products.
topping sucks, stay away

 

Someone recommended Yggdrasil for a DAC. I tried only two good headphone amps with HEKv2, Bryston BHA-1 and Violectric V 281, it would be difficult choice, but I already owned BHA-1, and it works exceptionally well with HEKv2 because it does not interfere with what HEKv2 does best, sounding very natural with acoustic music. You will certainly get good resolution.
V281 was slightly more "charming" in terms of tonality but after listening to few piano and cello tracks I decided that HEKV2 with BHA-1 was overall more revealing and natural and never really regretted the choice.

 

Hm...well I don't know what headphones that you're pairing this setup with or if you want to go balanced. But here are a few suggestions based on your requirements:

1. Schiit Asgard 3. This amp is crazy good for the asking price. It would make a warmer tonal compliment to your 887 and doesn't use tubes. Two gain switch with pre-amp out. This is easily my favorite Schiit amp when it comes to tone with a solid state unit.

2. ECP makes some great sounding SS amps but you'd need to find one used to stay in budget. But a used amp in very good condition might be the way to go.

 

@neo_the_one, I think that a Schiit Ragnarok (OG or 2, depending on sonic preferences) would be worth considering too. I have no experience with it and planars, but it certainly is powerful enough specwise and a few people posted about the pairing in the HE1000 thread, including the below:

 

Thanks @Ice-man. the hd800s is the only thing really that is always here. I cycle em out pretty often. i did look at the Asgard 3 but i do want XLR. Not familiar with ECP. I'll have to look those up!

 

ECP is a good match for the hd800. I've heard them together several times. OTL Tube amps will always work best the the hd800 though.

 

Hi all,

I am looking for suggestions for a closed headphone that will pair well with a mjolnir 2 and a bottlehead crack.

I current own a ZMF atticus which ticks the boxes but im looking for something more neutral but still has controlled highs as I am treble sensitive.

I was eyeing off the ZMF Verite Closed as I like the wood look and from what I can read here its on the warm side of neutral.

Budget wise im working with verite closed money so sub $2500.

Browsing the MJ2 thread here theres lots who are pairing it with open cans like the HD800/s and LCD but im looking for some other closed options.

Thankyou.

 

@neo_the_one what about a used McIntosh MHA100/150? There are several for sale. I’ve been using this pairing for years, and recommend it. Schiit Multibit DACs are also a good match.

 

There has been an ECP Torpedo III that has passed through a number of hands on this site. @ColtMrFire for sure used it to drive HD800s and wrote fairly extensively about it. One example

 

There aren't many closed back options. I would say the Verite Closed is the best closed back but other options include the Stellia which I have not heard. I don't know I would classify the VC as a neutral can personally.

 

ZMF Eikon is the neutral brother to the Atticus... the VC isn't really considered neutral... read more here

 

Thanks this gives me some yardstick. I wonder if something like phonitor amp would add any advantage?

@zonto thanks for pointing the thread out. There are so many ways people write the HE1000 that I forgot to search for the most obvious one.

@dubharmonic thanks for the suggestion. I will look into the MHA100/150.

 

That's a good point I always wanted to try it and if I was buying a headphone amp today, and could not directly compare, I think Phonitor xe (or e) (no DAC) would be my first choice.

 

Is Schitt yggdrasil the best dac option around 2k$? How does the Matrix Audio X-Sabre Pro MQA DAC stack up against it? I do not use MQA and do not intend to use MQA in the foreseeable future.
Any other suggestions for DAC in that price range? Looking to pair with He1000 v2.