The All Purpose Advice Thread

Thank you. It has to be 2018 or newer for the latest version. Almost grabbed that one before I realized it!

 

So I just got my hands on a stock Fostex T20RP MK2 (this one is fully open). Hmmm, the front baffle is weird, I expected for some reason to see the same thing as in the T50RP MK3, but it's just a thin piece of felt covering it. Pic:

https://imgur.com/a/Tm3RXVE

The bass rolls off severly starting at around 80Hz, almost sounds like an HD650 :/ Does anybody know of a guide to mod these properly, so the bass comes out/extends further? I had the T60RP (that fancy wooden one) not to long ago and that one extended no problem to 50Hz or maybe even a bit lower. I guess Shure 840 pads + covering 90% of the bass ports + dampening the driver from the inside with clay will work? Also, man, there's some channel imbalance going on... Seems like the cable doesn't make a proper connection. Has anyone had that issue before as well? Thanks in advance of course

 

Not exactly a "how to mod" thread but it has a list of commercially available mods with frequency response measurements. You might find a FR there that you might like to do some more research on.

https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/fostex-t50rp-mods-compendium.7824/

 

For the channel imbalance, first try sealing around the cable connection. But if it seems like there's an imbalance in tonality rather than just volume it could be differences in driver tension, which requires unscrewing the driver sandwiches, pulling them apart slightly, and carefully screwing them back together again in the same sequence and to the same tension. I was lucky to have experienced Fostex modders teach me this recently - see here and on the following page in that thread.

The Shure pads didn't work well for me on the Mk3s, thicker slanted ones (similar to Brainwavz) were better. If after experimenting with pads and covering or filtering the open rear vent you want to do more, start with foam in the cups like the photo here (this is for the Mk 3, but same principle).

 

Thanks Cooper32 and Biodegraded. I have decided to go ahead with the so called DBV #3 mod from HeadFi. Seems easy enough to follow and I can source pretty much everything, although I will have to replace some materials with others, or maybe not use exactly the same brands as the guide suggests.

Weird thing is though, when I open the HeadFi thread, there are no images in the guide? I mean this (legendary I guess) thread:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/618659/fos...mplified_and_Consolidated_Pictorial_for_DBV_3

I guess they got removed, but what a bummer... Do you know of any place where I can find a visual modding guide for the DBV #3 mod? Seems like this is the most popular one out there, so somebody gotta have a visual guide somewhere besides HeadFi (I hope) :/

 

Okay, I just helped myself with the visual guide. This guy over on Reddit made full step by step instructions (with pics) on how to mod a mkii model using the DVB#3 method:

https://amp.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/1lfnsi/fostex_t50rp_dbv3_full_build_diy_w_instructions/

Can't wait to mod mine and report back. I will use a different, more appropriate thread though. Right now the Fostex sound like a** hahaha, but let's see what the mod will do.

 

Hey so i've got a technical-ish question: is it bad to connect a balanced out from a DAC (say Modius) to a SE in (asgard 3) using a XLR > RCA cable?

 

Yeah, from what I understand you can damage your amp. What you need is a transformer, this thread goes over both DIY and factory-made options. Whichever route you go, I recommend reading the whole thread to understand your options.

 

I ended up going this route: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...ers_pi_2xr_line_input_isolator_2_channel.html

Worth noting the signal isn't stepped down so you want to be sure your amp can handle the hotter input. I still recommend reading the thread I linked in my previous reply, lots of useful information from knowledgeable people.

The Freya+ (or S) also solves this problem at a higher cost with more inputs and outputs. I have both the Freya S and PI-2XR because I wasn't sure how much Schiit flavor the Freya was adding to my chain comparing a Gungnir to a Pavane (of course the PI-2XR adds some Jensen flavor instead). Probably a bit obsessive but so it goes with audio sometimes.

 

awesome @loadexfa thanks for the tip! will be doing some readings

 

Looking for some turntable advice from SBAF vinyl nutjobs. Selling a couple of my decks and getting geared up to buy something in the sub $3k-ish price range. I just had my Denon 103r modified by Zu, so hoping to find something that will pair nicely with that. Here is my list of decks I am considering. Any advice would be appreciated, whether thoughts on one of these decks or something I have not considered.

• Audio Technica LP7 (the budget option I am considering to hold me over, local shop swears it is more than adequate and a true bargain)
• Technics SL-1210GR
• Mofi Ultradeck
• VPI Super Prime Scout from Upscale Audio
• Rega Planar 6 or 8
• Dr. Feickert Volare
• SOTA Comet or Sapphire
• Well Tempered Simplex
• Used VPI Classic or VPI Aries Scout
• Schiit Sol

 

Do you have a strong preference between direct drive and belt? That Super Prime Scout does seem like a very good deal for the money unless you can find an excellent condition VPI Classic 2 with the metal tonearm.The Mofi may not be a good match for the Zu modded Denon, as that is a pretty heavy cart and the Mofi tables are designed to work best with their own carts, which IIRC are much lighter. I also personally think most of the options you listed are better than the Rega 6, the 8 has some interesting properties but IMO is overpriced.

 

That is helpful! I had not thought about the heavy cartridge issue with the Mofi. I suppose I don't have to stay wedded to the Zu 103r, and sounds like the mastertracker is a mighty fine cartridge, but would be fun to finally try this zu out.

No preference on belt vs direct drive. Have owned both over the years. Living room turntable currently is a Yamaha YP-6 and frankly it is dead quiet and runs great for an older beater DD.

I do think I have basically ruled out the Rega stuff, it is some of the only ones I can hear locally though. I can go spend some audition time on the Regas, AT LP7, and Well Tempered Simplex and maybe a base VPI Prime Scout. Everything else I would have to track down online.

EDIT: Also edited my list above to now include the Schiit Sol. Forgot that one. A bit reluctant due to constant setup/tweaking issues. But certainly seems it would be good with the Zu.

 

@Inoculator A quick search pulled this up: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_133SL1210B/Technics-SL-1210GR.html?cc=07

I personally would go for the 1210GR from that list, but my priorities are to have it be as plug and play as possible. I like direct drives a lot and the design of that one should last a long time. Sounds like you're well versed with them as well. The biggest thing you're giving up on that is a unipivot arm, but IMO it's such a well made table as a complete package that I personally wouldn't miss that feature. And you do get the removable headshell so you could cartridge swap easily. To me one of the biggest deals with the Technics, aside from the precision of the DD, is that the plinth is dense, and it comes with anti-vibration feet pre-installed. I don't know every last turntable on your list in great detail but I would be surprised if any of them come close to the weight of the Technics, and that's such a huge part of a good sounding deck.

I also think it's a good value for what you get, under $2k and for me it could be the last turntable I ever own. The tonearm is also perfectly capable of handling heavier carts like the Denon.

 

One final thought in favor of the Technics, it's so ubiquitous among DJs that there is a huge repair and mod community, so you'll be able to service and make upgrades for as long as you want.

 

I am highly leaning this way, with one hesitation. I know it is silly, but I really am not a fan of the DJ styling. I also seem to have come across some sentiment that the Technics is a bit bright or even has a bit of sheen. For sure not energy I want for my system. I am looking for a workhorse type deck for now though anyway, with plans on saving long term to blow my money on something wild. So seems the technics would be a good fit.

 

Hmm, I'm not sure about any brightness on that deck in particular. I'm also not a huge fan of the DJ styling but I'm also not a huge fan of the look of Schiit gear to be honest, but the sound wins out in the end.

 

Oh for sure. I am an aesthetics sucker for sure, especially when it comes to turntables. The Technics would be a great aesthetic match to the current stack anyway. Going to keep digging on these tables and go listen to the few I have the chance to, and continue to think it all over while watching used deals. It is nice, for the first time I don't have to be in a huge hurry, don't really have time to spin records on this setup in the next few months anyway.

I don't want to bog this thread down, if anyone has any other thoughts on those decks feel free to PM me to chat.

 

So I have finally completed the DBV#3 mod on my Fostex T20RP mkii and it's better

Issue is though I just cannot seem to get to the same subbass levels as everyone else does. Looks like most people get stable volume all the way down to 20Hz (on one graph it even had an elevation at 20Hz). Mine gets right now to 50Hz and rolls off quickly so that at 30Hz I barely can hear anything and at 20Hz it's almost dead silent.

I played around with the bass port slits on the side of the cups and weirdly enough covering all slits, gives me basically no bass at all and the more I open, the more and more bass (as well as extension) I get. The best configuration for me is definitely leaving all 4 slits open. I also removed the cotton from the cups, which seemed to add a bit more of extension (as well as cup resonances, but it's not too bad).

Does anyone know what I can do to boost that very very low sub bass? Does SBAF have a thread for Fostex mods? I just cannot quite find it (there is one for mk3 models though).

 

I have a quite specific niche headphone I am looking for and was wondering if anyone had advice.

I am looking for some headphones that both offer low isolation and low amounts of sound leak. I need them for using at night, I have to be able to hear kids if they cry/ have problems and need to not leak enough sound to wake them up. They sleep in a different room but I am in Japan and my apartment walls do nearly nothing to block sound.

Currently using the Aeon Open RTs which isolate more than I would like and still leak too much. Was hoping they would be what I was looking for but they are not quite it.

The only headphone I can think of that is pretty decent and I think fits the criteria is the Fostex T60 RP but I hesitant to going through the QC lottery of that again. From what I recall of it it didnt leak too bad due to it just having a little slot that was open rather than the whole cup. I keep looking for other options but its tough. Ideally I would like that to be able to be balanced as I want to get a Jot 2 in the future.

Looking for something in the $500ish or less range. I don't mind eq so not so worried about FR just looking for best technical abilities.