The All Purpose Advice Thread - Part 2

@Taguro Thanks I managed to track down a Balancing Act locally in 230V. It’s nice but it’s a bit old, not sure yet.

 

Does anyone know if there is any such gear in the vain of a Singxer SU-1 or Matrix Audio X-Spdif device that is under the 300 bucks range that can do USB to I2S? (That I don't have to DIY, or unless its as easy as snapping parts together like lego to form like Volton). (Or if there is a thread here that covers this already that I can read through, let me know - I couldn't find a specific one though). Thanks!

 

Aren’t those very devices you mentioned capable of doing USB to I2S and can still be had for under $300?

 

Well - right at 300 and usually inbetween 300-450 at least what is available in the market right now. Just wanted to know if there was anything else for cheaper / more basic, just something that I am not aware of. Otherwise, its looking that something like these two or even pi2aes will be my best options I suppose.

 

Yea I’m unable to think of any other options in that price bracket. I haven’t followed the price of the Singxer closely, but I’ve seen the X-Spidf2 go for as low as $250. And now that the X-Spidf3 is out, it’s only a matter of time before you find a Spidf2 for under $300.

 

Here's a cheap one that does USB to HDMI I2S:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HN3VSF8

No experience with it myself, but it's been recommended by a few people here.

 

That is a great point! I'll probably have to watch the market - that seems very likely the x-spidif 2 will start dipping in price.

That's fantastic! I may have to give that shot at that price point. Thanks!

 

Hm, it’s a bit embarrassing for a vendor of such a device to have I2S spelled as both 12S and IIS in the technical specifications, even in images. Let’s hope that’s just the sales people.

 

I recall reading concerning things about the Douk DDC in terms of performance and reliability, so I'd recommend doing some due diligence prior to buying.

 

Hi folks, just got a Vali 1 back from a friend but without a power supply. Does anyone know if this current offering https://www.schiit.com/products/wall-warts will do the trick?

 

The 16v AC adapter should work!

 

Hi Everyone, I have been looking to buy a tube amp for my headphones and where I live I have access to cayin's offerings like their HA-3A, HA-6A and their 300B headphone amp which I wouldn't be able to afford.

I was searching for other tubeamps that I could consider and found that the willsenton r300 is available and is actually cheaper than any of the cayin amps.. But the willsenton r300 is a speaker amp primarily with an headphone output.

So I wanted to ask if it's a good idea to go for the speaker amp and use the headphone out or stick to buying a headphone amp. If anyone has experience with the amps listed, that would be very helpful as well. Thanks in advance!

My current setup: HD800, HD6XX and an Audeze LCD XC (the good one). I have powered monitors (so don't really need the speaker output of the willsenton).

 

Calling @Thad E Ginathom who might be able to help with what's available in the region.

 

Redirecting the call to @Koth Ganesh . Whilst he he has gone entirely speaker-based, I hear, he is very familiar with the market, availability, etc of stuff here.

There's at least a couple of other India-based members (we even had a couple of meetups, pre-covid) but my ageing brain cells are getting much worse at coughing up names when I need them. Like, regularly, when someone is standing in front of me!

My HD800 came, used from KG; my HD600s were carried from USA; my AT-somethings were bought in Singapore. I haven't actually bought much in India. And I left valves (tubes) behind in my teens: When I was a child, everything was valves, and they were often unreliable. I never overcame the prejudice that that left me with: I'm a solid-state man!

 

For the HPs that you have, you do not need a speaker amp. There are amps better than the Cayin offerings. It all depends on how much you want to spend.

Cheers

 

I have a DIY ecc82/6080 OTL ( bit like BH Crack but with higher B+, more power and better parts) that I could let go.It should work wonderfully well with HD6XX and HD800 but probably won't work with the Audeze LCD Xc.
Let me know if interested.

 

Would you feel free PMing both of us internal shots?

 

Will take some shots and probably post in an appropriate DIY thread.

 

I've always been curious about the Anode Acoustics No.1... buy one and report back please

 

Looking for a BT capable powered speaker (not portable) with better sound quality than my Echo Show 5 for dozing off to sleep listening. Tried wired iems which sound great but movement caused cord problems like pulling out of jack.

Actually it does not have to be BT since I have a 3.5mm stereo out on the Echo, so just a powered speaker with better sound would work.

Max budget used $50. Ideas!