The All Purpose Advice Thread

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

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  1. ofilippov

    ofilippov Acquaintance

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    @ksat90 Congrats with the purchase!

    Just wanted to say, I wouldn't bother with balanced, unless you've got Gungnir Multibit/Yggi (or other items that's are really better via XLR). I've got the Gungnir Multibit and it's a bit better on balanced outputs. Bought Ragnarok for that purpose and will probably stick to balanced amps mostly because of the DAC. Because of the single ended technical limitations of that particular DAC, to be precise. Well, so as other DACs that I consider as upgrades to the Gungnir Multibit :D

    But still, I enjoyed Gungnir Multibit SE with my former system - Saga/Vidar. Modius may be a good toy, but I'd rather stick to something like Bifrost/Asgard than Modius/Magnius. Especially with your tastes if I understand you correctly. Multibit is really worth trying. It has it's charm. Deeper soundstage, smoother more life-like vocals, edges. For instance, I preferred Modi Multibit with all its limitations over Bifrost 4490 (old model, where delta-sigma still existed).

    Well, nothing substitutes personal experience, so surely try what you feel right for you!
     
  2. RanocchiO

    RanocchiO Acquaintance

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    I looked at the various dap and bt transceivers, the qudelix is very interesting.
    Is there anything in between, like an iPod shuffle on steroids: with bt, internal storage, physical buttons but screenless?
     
  3. MellowVelo

    MellowVelo Friend

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    What's the going rate on a new pair of Focal Utopia headphones these days? Any suggestions on good dealers to contact?
     
  4. dematted

    dematted Friend

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    Upscale Audio has some Focal Utopia used at 2,000 dollars, though I'm not sure they have warranty on them (Which I think is pretty important given all the driver issues I've heard people have with Utopia). I know they're used and all, but upscale is a pretty trusted retailer.
     
  5. MellowVelo

    MellowVelo Friend

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    Thanks for your response. This is helpful. I would prefer to buy new because of the history of driver issues, but there's no way I would pay $4000. I seem to remember hearing about people buying new for under $3000.
     
  6. Ksaurav402

    Ksaurav402 Friend

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    Look for some used R2R DAC with Warm tone and downward slope in high Frequency to pair well with valhalla 2 and brighter cans. May be Drop Airist R2R or Modi Multibit. I haven't heard Modi Multibit myself but have owned Gungnir and Bifrost so hoping it to have similar sound profile. Check out ifi DACs. They are good, cheap and are generally warm with gentle highs.
     
  7. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    So guys....what's the general difference between Focal Elex and Focal Elear that isn't too wordy?
     
  8. dematted

    dematted Friend

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    Pads.
     
  9. Manjeet Kandohla

    Manjeet Kandohla New

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    Currently using an ALC1220A on an Asus B450F motherboard for HD800s

    I really like the look of the element 2 due to the metal construction and big knob.

    Is balanced worth it that much on them? Element 2 isn't balanced though and I got the hd800s with the 4.4 balanced connector.

    Budget let's say under 400 but the lower the better.

    I eq to oratory's Harman curve so I don't care about stuff like if a dacamp is warm of cold or had a certain sound signature as I can just eq it to how I like.

    Thanks
     
  10. bixby

    bixby Friend

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    As for dac traits, unfortunately you cannot EQ poor transient response, poor imaging, poor black background, reverb trails, clipping, focus and the like.

    If EQ was an omnipotent savior, why do you have Senn 800s, surely any headphone that is comfy and has the required bandwidth would be suitable.

    Cuz you got EQ :rolleyes:
     
  11. Manjeet Kandohla

    Manjeet Kandohla New

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    i said i dont care about if an eq is warn or hot because of stuff like that because i cant eq and i did not mention
    "transient response, poor imaging, poor black background, reverb trails, clipping, focus and the like."

    So can you help me or do you not know about ampdacs?

    And i got HD800s because soundstage and technical capability and "transient response, poor imaging, poor black background, reverb trails, clipping, focus and the like."
     
  12. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    There aren't may dac/amp combos that use 4.4mm outside of iFi and portable stuff. Most of iFi's products get favorable reviews here, so maybe check them out.
     
  13. Manjeet Kandohla

    Manjeet Kandohla New

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    im not really interested in portable stuff so i guess the 4.4 is out of the picture.

    Do you think element 2 would be a good pairing for HD800s?
     
  14. Cooper32

    Cooper32 Facebook Friend

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    Pretty sure you didn't get @bixby's point that there are some things you can't add/change/remove with EQ.

    If EQ is your thing, you might better off saving money on the DAC/amp. Get yourself a $100 amp (Liquid Spark, Atom, Magni) and a cheap DAC and let the EQ do the rest.
     
  15. Manjeet Kandohla

    Manjeet Kandohla New

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    im so confused right now.

    @bixby 's point was completely invalid. I never said that i dont want a dac/amp for all the other things a dac/amp can do.

    I simply said i dont care if a dac has a certian temperature to it such as if a dac is known to boost the bass or is known to be natural or cold (like the Element 2 is) i dont care about that then.

    I still care about all the other things a dac is capable off.

    Also you recommend a Atom - This is basically identical to the Element 2 so do you recommend the Element 2 for HD800s then (im willing to pay premium for metal construction and big knob).

    Thanks
     
  16. Manjeet Kandohla

    Manjeet Kandohla New

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    Nobody really helps then on these forums i see everyone just dislikes everything for no reason...
     
  17. dncnexus

    dncnexus Friend

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    Go back to your original thread. @purr1n answered your question in regards to amp
     
  18. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Don't bother with the good measuring chip amp shit, e.g. Atom, Element, Heresy with the HD800 and especially if you really want to hear differences among DACs. You got some solid recommendations from me in your original thread.
     
  19. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    Exit stage left....
    how about if you take a few days to read the forum replies before complaining that SBAF is not your concierge service?
     
  20. Lukeinlondon

    Lukeinlondon Rando - FKA Luke Stewart-Short

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    ignore
     
    Last edited: Dec 8, 2020
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