4xx Asguard 3 Setup - Better Source?

Discussion in 'Advice Threads' started by Bengalcats888, Mar 12, 2020.

  1. Bengalcats888

    Bengalcats888 New

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    Hi,

    After sifting through reviews and youtubes. I settled on this setup:

    Hifiman 4xx HP’s
    Liquid Spark Amp
    Sony NW-A45 DAP

    I have a Schiit Asguard 3 on the way. Most of my music is ripped from my cd’s into FLAC.
    So far the sound is decent. The sound stage seems kind of narrow. Lows Mids slightly muddy or overlap.
    I’m not good at all with audio descriptions.

    I am just curious if my source player is the issue. I am avoiding use of a PC since I don’t want to be tied to a desk.
    So I am trying to stay away from the PC/DAC type setup. There not many DAP’s with Line Out excepts ones in
    high price ranges.

    The CD rips will always be limited to 16bit 44KHz. Do you really here a difference with higher sampling rate DAC’s?
     
  2. Bengalcats888

    Bengalcats888 New

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    LOL. Asking questions and disliked?
     
  3. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    There's a specific thread for general questions like these, people don't necessarily enjoy it when random threads get made just for the benefit of a single question.

    https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/the-all-purpose-advice-thread.19/

    For what it's worth it may help if you shared what kind of music you listen to, what sonic preferences you have, and what sort of gear you've tried before, (plus you've liked about them or found lacking for each component). One person's "better" might not necessarily suit you; a lot of this hobby is genuinely subjective.

    I have HE4XXs from a friend and... muddy low mids how???? Haven't tried either of the other two components but dang there must be a synergistic mismatch somewhere, or you might just really like a leaner sound. Any other headphones you've tried?

    I get what you mean about the narrow headstage though. Oddly diffuse but in your face somehow?
     
  4. Biodegraded

    Biodegraded Friend

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    Yes. See @Lyander 's response, and the top of the page:

    [​IMG]

    And if you'd lurked and read some of the relevant source, DAP and/or amp threads before asking, you might have been able to be more specific - which might have enabled people to help you.
     
  5. Bengalcats888

    Bengalcats888 New

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    Thanks Lyander. I did go to the all purpose advise thread and did not see the link to add a Post.

    In no way was I making negative remarks about the products in question. It is why I came here to get
    some advise and learn from others. As mentioned I am not articulate in all the audio jargon and trying to describe as best as I can.

    The he4xx is my first planar headphones and I have not had any headphone equipment in the past. My previous
    speaker setup are the Golden Ear Aeons and Elekit TU-8200.

    Muddy, overlapping sound between lows and mids. It is not severe but seems apparent to me. That is why I was
    wondering if could be my source player, the Sony NW-A45. I was considering buying the AK4490 DAC as a comparison
    but I was trying to avoid having to use PC.

    To answer biodegraded, I have been ‘lurking’ around. Excuse me if I am not specific enough for some of you.
    Touchy people here. It is funny how you can take time to to criticize instead of being helpful.

    Lyander, thanks for being friendly and professional. I appreciate your time.
    I won’t comment or reply any further. I will look into different source and go from there.

    super grouchy...lol
     
  6. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    I would think the All-Purpose Flour thread should be among the first people would be given access to. Sure you didn't just miss it?

    Didn't think you were making negative remarks about any of the products, haha, just thinking now that this is because headphone presentation is simply very different from what you're accustomed to; I'm the opposite, have been into headphones for over a decade due to my living circumstances and have only had minimal experience with speakers. Based on that I do think that you may need to try more headphones with what upstream gear you do have and sort of twig off from there, or just stick with the system and let yourself acclimate to the sound. Either way, it may help you find your footing with personal audio.

    I know that some here have built Elekit gear, they might be able to help. The TU-8200 seems to have a headphone output, have you tried using that as a point of comparison? BE CAREFUL about how much juice you're pumping into your headphones though, the HE4XX is a bit inefficient but they're still headphones in extreme nearfield.

    I enjoy the 4XX out of the G1217 Sunrise, a hybrid amp, more than I do out of the Lake People G109A, which is a discrete solid state design, both fed by an iFi Micro iDSD. Much as I like the pairing it sucks that I have to use tubes, haha. Doesn't necessarily mean everyone will prefer the Hifiman out of a warmer amp by the by, just my preferences. Its treble is irritating out of SS stuff I have.

    Yup, most of the people here are pretty damn grumpy. It becomes fun after a while :p
     
  7. tommytakis

    tommytakis MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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    @Bengalcats888 I encourage you try to see from our perspective before getting offended by the criticism. One or two new members making new threads is MAYBE understandable, but a lot of the members have been around for many years seeing the same exact mistake new members make, almost at least once a day. After a certain point, we get tired of explaining the same answer over..and over..and over again.

    https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/what-is-sbaf-10-articles-for-behavior.5555/
    [7] Think of SBAF as your local neighbor dive bar where conversations are between people who know each other. If you have a strong opinion, don't immediately barge in without expecting a regular patron to swing a barstool over your head. Get a lay of the land. Understand local customs. Get to know the people. You don't want to be the guy walking into a Barca pub arguing Ronaldo is way better than Messi. Sometimes it's just not a good fit. It's nothing personal.

    SBAF is VERY different from the usual audio forums. If you truly lurked the forum, you should be familiar with the set of rules we have here, especially for new members. If I remember correctly, your post was initially disliked for creating a new thread when you could have just asked on the general advice thread. Despite the warning, you made ANOTHER thread instead of asking in the correct thread. @Lyander is just too nice of a human so he’s being more understanding than the rest of us. Creating new threads with little to no substance and complaining about getting disliked: this is considered “noise” in our forum, creating clutter and mess for the wealth of knowledge and source we have here.

    Just want to end with this. SBAF is not for everyone, but if you can get along with the people here, you’ll find that they’re a bunch of softies who will go out of their way to help one another. I’ve personally received a lot of help and learned a lot from participating here, but mainly stay for the friends here. I hope you can understand where we’re coming from and enjoy :)

    Oh and feel free to PM me if you have any more questions regarding this, I’m always happy to help!
     

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