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DNA Starlett Impressions

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by ChaChaRealSmooth, Sep 27, 2019.

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  1. Melvillian

    Melvillian Friend

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    Donald has designed the amp with the TKD In the design so it’s still voiced the way he wants it to sound.
     
    Melvillian, Jul 29, 2020
    #141
  2. Levpush

    Levpush New

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    anyone knows the current wait time for this amp? Might be thinking about getting one after finally got my deferred bonus..
     
    Levpush, Aug 21, 2020
    #142
  3. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    Talk to @Donald North
     
    YMO, Aug 21, 2020
    #143
  4. dubharmonic

    dubharmonic Friend

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    Joined the club today. Impressions coming after the twins are done listening to Kpop.

    [​IMG]
     
    dubharmonic, Aug 22, 2020
    #144
  5. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    Someone is liking the Auteur with the Starlett.
     
    YMO, Aug 22, 2020
    #145
  6. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    That cute guy starts this hobby with Auteur-Starlett-Yggdrasil? OMG..

    He should have a rich dad. Obviously he does though.
     
    Vtory, Aug 22, 2020
    #146
  7. dncnexus

    dncnexus Friend

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    Very nice! Love to see the Yggdrasil/Starlett stack so nicely together!
     
    dncnexus, Aug 22, 2020
    #147
  8. dubharmonic

    dubharmonic Friend

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    Nah, I've just been saving for this for a long time. I spent 20 years never upgrading past an external SoundBlaster with Sennheiser HD485 / Grado SR80.

    @YMO you were right about the fiddlability of this knob!
     
    dubharmonic, Aug 22, 2020
    #148
  9. dubharmonic

    dubharmonic Friend

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    Sennheiser HD800S / DNA Starlett

    [​IMG]

    Of all Starlett pairings I've tried, this one surprised me the most. I couldn't stand listening to the HD800S with the MHA150, THX 789, or Valhalla 2 to the extent that I'd put it up for sale not long after buying it. I tried many different EQ options, and it helped, but not enough to make me want to keep listening. How could this headphone get so many praises from people I trust, yet I couldn't stand it?

    The Starlett takes the HD800S from the very bottom of my collection to the top. The timbre is more natural, the treble is no longer fatiguing, and even though the bass is still weak, the rest of the presentation is so engaging that it's barely noticeable.

    I feel like a total n00b! Component pairing is serious business.
     
    dubharmonic, Sep 4, 2020
    #149
  10. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

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    Is that a UPS I see in the background?
     
    ColtMrFire, Sep 5, 2020
    #150
  11. perogie

    perogie Facebook Friend

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    If I hadn't already tapped out my funds for my current headphones that would be a buy for the Starlett. A few have commented on it pairing well it. They come up on the used boards often enough so maybe next year. Are using stock or modded 800S?
     
    perogie, Sep 5, 2020
    #151
  12. dubharmonic

    dubharmonic Friend

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    It is! I've been using it for computers and the Yggdrasil. I haven't spent time trying to discern differences from the amplifiers.


    It's all stock. I haven't worked up the nerves to mod anything yet.
     
    dubharmonic, Sep 5, 2020
    #152
  13. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

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    The power went out a couple days ago and my Yggdrasil was off for an hour and a half, so I've been thinking of getting one. Which do you have?
     
    ColtMrFire, Sep 5, 2020
    #153
  14. dubharmonic

    dubharmonic Friend

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    It's one of these: https://www.cyberpowersystems.com/product/ups/battery-backup/gx1325u/

    I don't have anything to compare it to, but I haven't had any issues with it. It's convenient to see readouts for how much power is being used, or how unsteady my block's power quality is.

    I'll never forget being told by a McIntosh demo presenter at AXPONA to ALWAYS PLUG THE AMP DIRECTLY INTO THE WALL!
     
    dubharmonic, Sep 5, 2020
    #154
  15. Ruined

    Ruined HD700 ruined my ear holes

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    What tubes are you using?

    Always interested in amps that improve HD800
     
    Ruined, Sep 8, 2020
    #155
  16. Ntbm3

    Ntbm3 Friend

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    Tubes not so important for the Starlett, which is why it rocks!

    I also use HD800S with my Starlett and it is amazing, went for my once and a while headphone to almost full time use.

    @dubharmonic, what is your favorite output? Photo shows balanced which I used mostly as well.
     
    Ntbm3, Sep 8, 2020
    #156
  17. dubharmonic

    dubharmonic Friend

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    Still using the tubes it shipped with. I don't plan on doing tube rolling any time soon.

    I've been using the 4.4 mm stock cable with the HD800S, with this Silver Dragon adapter:

    [​IMG]
     
    dubharmonic, Sep 8, 2020
    #157
  18. Ruined

    Ruined HD700 ruined my ear holes

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    What types of music do both of you listen to?
     
    Ruined, Sep 8, 2020
    #158
  19. ChaChaRealSmooth

    ChaChaRealSmooth SBAF's Mr. Bean

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    Ironically, using balanced drive via balanced out only makes a difference with HD800/HD800S in my experience. Conceivably there are other cans that may benefit, but none of the cans I own nor had as loaner has benefited from balanced drive. This includes Verite, Auteur, HD650, RAD-0, HE-560 (seriously), Utopia, and other stuff. Again, only the modded HD800 I'm borrowing actually benefits.

    Well, this and tubes for Starlett are cheap. Full complement of tubes easily costs ~$70. And they last a really long time; still using mostly the stock tubes almost a year later; the input tube easily has 1000+ hours of use.

    ^I'm going to assume what you're really trying to do is extrapolate about synergy (this is where I see the questions going).

    The DNA amps are among the very best amps to get for the HD800. I'm not sure an amp exists that I'd recommend over Starlett for its price in regards to the HD800 (or even dynamic driver headphones in general if you like the DNA sound).

    Compared to your Liquid Platinum the Starlett absolutely spanks it in literally every sonic category. Unless you listen to really inefficient planars, there's no reason to have the Liquid Platinum if you have the Starlett. It's why I sold mine.

    To answer your question, I listen to classical piano (both solos and orchestral concertos), classic rock, pop, house/EDM, some old-time country, some Korean rock, and some emo rock stuff (think MCRX). Haven't had any complaints with the Starlett in any genre, although this does come from someone who likes the DNA sound.
     
    ChaChaRealSmooth, Sep 8, 2020
    #159
  20. Ntbm3

    Ntbm3 Friend

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    Agreed, tubes are cheap, I have maybe 5 sets now... I have been trying a few old 5U4G that seem to add a hint of additional euphoria.... maybe... could just be me.

    I listen to mostly house chill and electronica with a smattering of pop, indie folk, and some classic audiofool stuff.

    The Starlett does it all well. If I want a different sound I change input and impedance on the amp or change around DACs.

    I am audio content!
     
    Ntbm3, Sep 8, 2020
    #160
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