neo_the_one
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neo_the_one

Acquaintance, Male, 38, from Seattle

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For TOTL dynamic driver headphones are ZMF, Focal and Sennheiser the only names in the game? It seems every one else is doing planars. Aug 25, 2022

neo_the_one was last seen:
Mar 27, 2024 at 6:48 PM
    1. neo_the_one
      neo_the_one
      For TOTL dynamic driver headphones are ZMF, Focal and Sennheiser the only names in the game? It seems every one else is doing planars.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. crenca
        crenca
        Is the cost of entry and the like for planars lower/easier, possibly linked to Asian sourcing? Is the engineering/design barriers lower in addition? Honest questions, but neo is right there seems to be 3 or 4 new mid/upper market planar for every dynamic.
        Aug 25, 2022
        RestoredSparda likes this.
      3. rhythmdevils
        rhythmdevils
        Designing a good ortho should not be cheaper than designing a good electrodynamic. What we have is garage shop companies making ethos left and right with not enough research into the drivers, not enough research or experimentation with the acoustics and not enough knowledge. I hate how ortho tech is judged by current stock orthos as it is not a good representation of their potential.
        Aug 25, 2022
      4. obsiCO
        obsiCO
        ETA headphones are great and easily TOTL, at least to me. Don't let the price fool you.
        Aug 26, 2022
        neo_the_one and Tchoupitoulas like this.
    2. neo_the_one
      neo_the_one
      Wish there would be a ZMF meet in the Seattle area.
      1. Vansen and rhythmdevils like this.
      2. View previous comments...
      3. Merrick
        Merrick
        I'm in Portland and depending on timing would happily drive up to Seattle for a meet!
        Aug 12, 2022
        neo_the_one likes this.
      4. abraxas666
        abraxas666
        Went to several meets before the pandemic happened. Not sure if there have been any recently but they get announced in headfi and the facebook group canmeets
        Aug 12, 2022
      5. insidious meme
    3. neo_the_one
      neo_the_one
      My WE 300B tubes are producing a crackling sound in EC Studio Jr amp (other tubes are not). I reached out to them and they are taking ...
      1. neo_the_one
        neo_the_one
        responsibility, saying "little hum is common when operating power tubes" and "We also advise headphone users that using 300B's in headphone amplifiers is a non-traditional application and may cause more unwelcome microphonic noise" . Is that the experience with these tubes?
        Aug 9, 2022
      2. neo_the_one
        neo_the_one
        I know tube hum, this is not hum. Its annoying crackling sound that never goes away even after 2 weeks of purchase.
        Aug 9, 2022
        Cryptowolf likes this.
      3. netforce
        netforce
        I get a bit of crackling on my tube amps in my room even with a power conditioner and trying different tubes. Plugging them into my dining room outlet with no power conditioner, it is quiet. Could be your power, try plugging the amp into a different outlet in a different part of the house.
        Aug 9, 2022
    4. neo_the_one
      neo_the_one
      How can I can become a contributor?
      1. shotgunshane
        shotgunshane
        Go to the homepage, scroll all the way to the bottom and look for the Donate (PP) and Patreon buttons.
        Jul 31, 2022
    5. neo_the_one
      neo_the_one
      Admins, would it be ok to post an ad for VPI classic 3 (fully loaded). I would generally not post ad since I am not a member. Cont.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. loadexfa
        loadexfa
        Also I wish I had the funds to buy a VPI classic :(
        Jul 30, 2022
        Inoculator likes this.
      3. neo_the_one
        neo_the_one
        @loadexfa how do I become a contributor? what is the process after that to be able to post a [FS] ?
        Jul 31, 2022
      4. loadexfa
        loadexfa
        I had a hectic weekend, wasn't ignoring your follow up question, I'm glad it was answered. Good luck with your sales!
        Aug 1, 2022
        neo_the_one likes this.
    6. neo_the_one
      neo_the_one
      Does the i2s connection have similar distance limitation as USB? Can I have my i2s like 10-15ft away from my DAC using the HDMI cable?
      1. joch
    7. neo_the_one
      neo_the_one
      Few more insights from recent digital source experiments . Bad source + Violectric V 200 + Utopia = Bright and sibilant (bit surprising)
      1. neo_the_one
        neo_the_one
        Good source + V200 + Utopia = Weird abomination! Just sounds awful.
        Jul 9, 2022
      2. roshambo123
        roshambo123
        I find that believable. Bright sibilance is usually the primary complaint on the Utopia. I've also heard a rig where someone produced a weird abomination with Utopia and a good source.
        Jul 10, 2022
    8. neo_the_one
      neo_the_one
      I am noticing that adding a preamp for vol control in a headphone has some advantages
      1. neo_the_one
        neo_the_one
        1. I can dial up the volume pot on the amplifiers to much higher levels - more than 3'o clock
        2. For good amps (both SS and tubes) dialing up the vol pot seems to increase the dynamic range in general
        3. Listening at a lower vol (controlled by preamp) is much more enjoyable.
        Jul 9, 2022
      2. neo_the_one
        neo_the_one
        For reference
        Amps: EC Studio Jr, Violectric V200
        Headphones: Utopia, He1K, LCD 4z
        Jul 9, 2022
    9. neo_the_one
      neo_the_one
      Would anyone be interested in a write up on Dante vs HQPlayer. Have been trying HQPlayer for few months and Dante for a few weeks.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. Gazny
        Gazny
        Yee
        Jun 24, 2022
      3. GoodEnoughGear
        GoodEnoughGear
        Not sure I'm understanding - Dante is a transmission protocol, no? HQP is a resampler. Or are you talking Dante vs NAA?
        Jun 24, 2022
        crenca likes this.
      4. crenca
        crenca
        @neo_the_one , like GoodEnough says these things are two different animals and are not directly comparable if I understand Dante correctly. Are you referring to a resampler that is part of Dante, or do you mean an HQPlayer *over* Dante (so a Dante & HQPlayer) writeup?
        Jun 25, 2022
        neo_the_one likes this.
    10. neo_the_one
      neo_the_one
      Does the Holo DAC may require ASIO driver for windows pc?
      1. neo_the_one
    11. neo_the_one
      neo_the_one
      Is audiophile, market still a niche category? Companies like Audeze, ifi, schiit, do they compete with mainstream companies like Beast,Bose?
      1. neo_the_one
        neo_the_one
        I am guessing its still high margin business vs high volume? Or is the answer much more nuanced and use-case specific?
        Oct 18, 2021
      2. rlow
        rlow
        Lol. Bose and Beats would each crush Schiit, Ifi and Audeze combined with the weight of the cash they take in each year. Look them up on Wikipedia, they do like $3.6 and $1.5 BILLION respective in annual revenue. Bose has 7000+ employees. Beats is owned by Apple. Those other companies all probably have less than 100 employees each.
        Oct 18, 2021
    12. neo_the_one
      neo_the_one
      Are there lokius alternatives from other companies regardless of price point? That are also fully transparent if disabled.
    13. neo_the_one
      neo_the_one
      Would there be a subjective review for Holo May? Did not see one with search here.
      1. Jinxy245 likes this.
      2. Woland
        Woland
        Sep 14, 2021
        jexby, Cryptowolf and neo_the_one like this.
      3. ChaChaRealSmooth
        ChaChaRealSmooth
        Holo May and stuff like that is out of the norm for the gear usually featured on SBAF. Honestly, the Rockna Wavedream review here is kind of a one-off. Probably the most ORFAS level thing I've seen on here.

        That being said those rules seem to get thrown out the window when talking about headphones. For some reason those get a pass from everyone.
        Sep 15, 2021
        neo_the_one likes this.
    14. neo_the_one
      neo_the_one
      Any suggestions for a good AC power cable - 15A or 20A rating?
      1. View previous comments...
      2. Priidik
        Priidik
        Soldering is not necessay when there is good enough screw terminal design. Like those on Neutrik connectors. The fewer metal transitions, the better. The wiring geometry (EM coupling), materials, even the insulator material all matter, when the system is transparent enough.
        Sep 11, 2021
        neo_the_one, bixby and m17xr2b like this.
      3. bixby
        bixby
        Sep 11, 2021
        neo_the_one likes this.
      4. m17xr2b
        m17xr2b
        For my next DIY power cables I would tin the wires to ensure the best contact.
        Sep 11, 2021
    15. neo_the_one
      neo_the_one
      Some sources work best in balanced XLR mode and I have SE RCA tube amp. What is the right way to marry these two worlds of balanced/unbal?
      1. View previous comments...
      2. neo_the_one
        neo_the_one
        Aug 19, 2021
        Cryptowolf likes this.
      3. E_Schaaf
        E_Schaaf
        depending on XLR pinout and topology, you might be able to use a XLR->RCA cable with pin 3 floated. I do this with Burl B2 Bomber DAC into Schiit Saga preamp. Benchmark sells this type of cable for this use specifically. Transformers for this case will change the sound, in my case drastically for the worse.
        Aug 19, 2021
        neo_the_one likes this.
      4. gixxerwimp
        gixxerwimp
        Search for @atomicbob's advice on balanced>SE. Beware of "magic smoke"!
        Aug 22, 2021
        neo_the_one likes this.
    16. neo_the_one
      neo_the_one
      Some tube DACs claim they are more analog sounding. Is there any merit to the claim? Isn't a tube dac same as SS DAC and a tube amp ?
      1. ogodei likes this.
      2. loadexfa
        loadexfa
        I think using tubes make it easier to avoid a sterile sound. This is more noticable in amps than DACs but should be audible in both. Implementation is key though, I'm sure crappy tube DACs exist.
        Aug 14, 2021
        neo_the_one likes this.
      3. m17xr2b
        m17xr2b
        A tube dac has a tube buffer or linestage, different than a tube amp. Some dacs like Metrum don't have anything after the D/A converters, others have this buffer, SS or tube.
        Aug 14, 2021
        neo_the_one and Cryptowolf like this.
      4. Lyander
        Lyander
        I think @Luckbad might have more experience with tube DACs than most people.
        Aug 15, 2021
        neo_the_one likes this.
    17. neo_the_one
      neo_the_one
      Looking to buy a pair of 300b tubes for EC studio jr and utopia combination. Any suggestions?
      1. View previous comments...
      2. yotacowboy
        yotacowboy
        Those Linlai and Psvane AMCE tubes are on my radar. Kind of ashamed to say I'm still waiting on my Elekit 300b amp to come home from the shop, otherwise I'd prolly be farting around with Chinese tubes of questionable repute.
        Jan 19, 2021
      3. Boops
        Boops
        Second the recs for JJs. They sound great.
        Jan 19, 2021
        neo_the_one likes this.
      4. Phantaminum
        Phantaminum
        I really enjoyed the ACME 300B with the Utopia. Great tube with a blacker background compared to other 300Bs I heard. Too sweet for a Verite Open but perfect for the Utopia.
        Jan 20, 2021
        neo_the_one likes this.
    18. neo_the_one
      neo_the_one
      My new year's resolution is not to spend on anything I don't absolutely need. That being said, I am curious why are some dream 2 channel
      1. Inoculator likes this.
      2. neo_the_one
        neo_the_one
        setup you would make (everything included)? To make it a little harder the upper limit is 30,000$
        Jan 4, 2021
      3. Inoculator
        Inoculator
        Lately when I go through this thought experiment I end up with: VPI or Well Tempered Labs turntable, Tavish Adagio Phono, Yggdrasil dac, Tavish Minotaur Integrated, and Graham LS5/8 or 5/9 depending on room size. All stuff I have been drooling over, who knows if synergy is there.
        Jan 4, 2021
        neo_the_one likes this.
      4. Gazny
        Gazny
        Depends how it sounds but I am interested in a Decware Zen(tube amp), Ls3/5a / Zu Omen Book shelf / Salk Sound Wow1 / Fleetwood Sound DeVille, and a tube dac, maybe the abbas audio one.
        Jan 4, 2021
        Cryptowolf and Inoculator like this.
    19. neo_the_one
      neo_the_one
      How much do on the fly VTA make a difference? This is in the context of VPI classic.
      1. View previous comments...
      2. neo_the_one
        neo_the_one
        How much of a difference does it make? My understanding is it is required for LPs of different thicknesses. But is it really required? Do you ever end up changing the VTA of your TT?
        Dec 13, 2020
      3. JK47
        JK47
        VTA does make a difference. On the fly is not required, the regular VTA adjustment is just fine. I set the VTA with one of my medium thickness (the majority of my collection falls into this category) record and it does just fine with the thicker and thinner albums. Occasionally I get the urge to fiddle with VTA, probably as the stylus wears...
        Dec 13, 2020
        ChaChaRealSmooth and Azimuth like this.
      4. JK47
        JK47
        Dec 13, 2020
    20. neo_the_one
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  • About

    Gender:
    Male
    Birthday:
    Feb 11, 1986 (Age: 38)
    Location:
    Seattle