The All Purpose Advice Thread

Foobar WASAPI is already bitperfect so you went through all that for nothing. Unless you want to be one of those types that analyzes differences in bitperfect audio players that basically all use the same underlying APIs for I/O.

 

In most integrated receivers it makes no difference what the input is called (aux, tape, tuner, whatever) the receiver just sees 1, 2, 3, and 4. It is most likely the same with your 3125, but the fact that it looks to have a "tape out" paired with the "tape in" makes me say just use aux for safety's sake. So, Fiio > V2 inputs; V2 pre outs > 3215 Aux in; 3215 > Speakers.

 

I don't see much of a reason to put the Valhalla 2 in between the Fiio and NAD tbh. I'd rather have the convenience of being able to use a remote control with the NAD.

 

Need help from the Android portable crowd. I have a friend looking for an Amp/DAC combo under $150.00 that will work with his Galaxy S5 without needing an external power source. He is using MEE M6 Pro's and states that his laptop sounds better than his Galaxy S5 and wants to improve volume and quality. I was looking at the Fulla 1, but I think it requires an external power source.

 

I bet @zerodeefex would say the Fulla 2 would be an even better decision. He's used multiple android phones with it already. But I'm sure which flavor of android makes a difference...

 

@aufmerksam and @thegunner100 , thank you.
So balance is restored - my Valhalla 2 and Modi Multibit were languishing in a guest room, hence my despair and thoughts of a preamp. But I ended up moving both to my nightstand and I am using my Fiio X3ii as the source. Now I am happy.

 

Why not use the X3's coax output into the Modi Multibit? Unless that's what you're already doing.

 

Yup, that was the solution. In the guest room, I was using my pc as source, which I don't have room for on my nightstand. Plus, most of the time, my ass is in bed soon after work...

 

I still believe it needs an external power source and is not pocket friendly.

 

The Fulla1 spec says "nominal 0.8W", which means it would draw 160mA. Schiit's Get Connected page says, "Some Android devices will need to be connected through a USB powered hub, since they cannot supply enough power to run the DAC." I think they're being conservative and trying to cover all possibilities. However, it seems at least one person has had trouble getting the Fulla to work with their Note5.

The Dragonfly Black is $98.75 and should play nicely with Android phones without the need for an additional power supply, though it may drain the phone's battery fairly quickly, as will any DAC/amp without its own battery. Can't speak for the sound quality though. The only self-powered portable DAC/amps below $150 I could find are the Fiio E17K Alpen 2 and FiiO Kunlun E18. Again, can't speak for the sound quality, though I tried some FiiO DAC/amps a few years ago and found them warmer and louder than my S3/Note3 but not necessarily "better" sounding. Links to HF reviews of the E17K and E18 for functionality. Would be best if your friend can try these out before buying, or maybe he can take advantage of the Amazon return policy. If your friend does buy from Amazon, there's supposed to be a way to help the site by clicking on an Amazon link from the homepage, but I can't seem to find it.

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I thought the Oppo HA-2 was fairly OK sounding (also listened to it quite a while ago) and it's form factor is very sexy to boot. But it's double your friend's budget.

For playback on Android devices I highly recommend USB Audio Player PRO as has its own audio driver and USB interface and will guarantee connectivity and bit perfect output to the DAC. I've started using UAPP even when listening directly from the headphone out of my Note3 since the native sampling rate of the onboard DAC is 48kHz and UAPP seems to do a better job of resampling from 44.1kHz FLAC rips.

Lots of extra info you didn't ask for. Anyone with actual expertise on Android/USB audio please feel free to correct me.

 

Hey Guys, I got my TH-x00. I'm blown away so far and that's coming from an on-board DAC from my desktop computer.

I was planning on getting a Jotunheim (w/ DAC) to pair with these, but I've come across some advice saying the Joti wouldn't pair well with these cans, and it'd end up being too bright. I am a little sensitive to sibilance so I think i should weigh my options.

Do you agree with the above sentiment? If so, any alternatives you suggest around the same price range? Let's keep it under $500, this is Amp/DAC. Separate or combined, doesn't matter to me.

I will be re-cabling these so don't worry too much about connectivity. I'll go XLR 4 pin if whatever I get is "balanced".

 

Here are a couple of posts, @Roarke . Seems like I have read some more but I am not having any luck finding them, atm. I don't know if @philipmorgan was using the built in DAC. Looks like @aufmerksam probably wasn't. (I haven't gotten a feel about either's tonal preferences.)

 

No, I use a pretty decent Raspberry Pi transport feeding a Gungnir Multibit via SPDIF, which means I'm going to be hearing the Jot at close to its best vs. a lesser DAC fed with USB. That said, I really do like that combo with the TH-X00s (with Dekoni sheepskin pads)

 

If avoiding fatigue is a primary concern I would stress considering the NFB-11 in addition to the Jot.

 

I see, my bad. I think you made a great choice by the way.

 

I think it's more a matter of preference. The TH900 has better bass - tighter, cleaner, faster. The TH-X00 has a better overall FR and in particular better mids (not as recessed). In terms of resolution, soundstage etc. the TH900 probably "should" be better but I can't honestly say I heard much difference between them.

I sold the TH900 and kept the THX00. But I use it as a secondary headphone for a variety of genres if I want extra bass, or need isolation/leakage protection, so I preferred the less V-shaped presentation. If I were looking for a primary headphone for bass-heavy genres I probably would have kept the TH900. It's bass performance is something few if any headphones can match. So much quantity, slam and impact, yet so clean.

 

@kevnin Did you feel that the THX00's bass quantity was noticeably lesser than that of the TH900? Or, was the quantity not far apart, with the TH900 setting itself apart in quality?

 

I was (am) using Modi Multibit primarily via coax from a CD transport, but I don't think that has too great an effect on overall tone. I am also driving the TH-X00 balanced. But @Roarke, more important is @Dino's point about tonal preference, ours and especially your own. What other headphones have you experienced? What kind of sound are you looking for?

I ask because coming from a modified HD650, I would hesitate to ever call the TH-X00 "bright". I mean, its not a mushy bass monster, but there are no alps hiding in the frequency response or CSD. For some I guess it could be bright, but definitely not for me. As for why I like the Jot, for me the less-laid-back mids and treble of the Jot work to the benefit of the TH-X00. When I think of how the Jot differs from an amp of comparable price and value, like the valhalla2, I prefer the Jot for the TH-X00.

 

So I'm new here and I've been looking over this chart and I'm trying to figure out where some of the new cans belong on it. From my listening, I think I know where the two new Focals belong and the ATH-R70x probably belongs somewhere in between the HD598 and the HD600s. But what about other popular closed back headphones like the Oppo PM3 and the Meze 99? Where would they fit in?