Topic: The All Purpose Advice Thread (Read 139949 times)

dove · « **Reply #120 on:** April 07, 2013, 09:00:17 PM »

Thanks for the info. In that case, I'll definitely invest in the Clip+. I certainly agree re adding to portability. It'll be nice to have a DAP for the occasions that I don't have my laptop with me (I do have a 5th gen iPod video, but 'we won't go there'). I'm hoping I can cram it into a Pelican 1010 along with the UERM and a Westone desiccant pod, in which case, it will incur zero storage overhead.

On amping, I see. So, regarding the first part, I guess it's just a matter of a bunch of subtle variables combining to make amps into a thing that can just 'sound better' when properly matched to the rest of the gear?

Regarding volume control, I definitely hear you there. Is the volume control on the Clip+ a problem, i.e. largish step discrete?

Maybe I'll invest in a portable amp down the road when I have cash to burn. I understand that quality is asymptotically priced, but spending a significant portion of the price of CIEMs on an amp for better volume control seems a bit beyond my line in the sand. I guess more of the value in amping IEMs is in the subtle art that governs the way different devices interact with each other to produce a certain final sound?

EDIT: I guess I might as well ask, if I'm Rockboxing it either way, is there any reason to get the older Clip+ instead of the Clip Zip? I don't care about album artwork and color, but as long as the battery doesn't take a hit and there aren't any other snafus I guess it's a welcome addition.

MuppetFace · « **Reply #121 on:** April 07, 2013, 09:52:19 PM »

Yeah, pretty much. For instance you wouldn't really want to go pairing an IEM with a massive bass response and a player that already has accentuated bass. In that case it's a matter of frequency response and not lighting up problem areas. It also helps to be aware of other factors too like impedance, since some IEMs with really low impedance can actually change drastically from one player to the next. Knowing the properties of BAs and dynamic drivers and their shortcomings is a good idea.

Sounds like you want a signature more toward neutral. The UERM is the way to go there; I imagine it'll allow your source to come through very clearly without being too obtrusive, so you'd be able to really hear the amp or DAP. The Clip+ is a solid choice for the money I think.

Volume control shouldn't be an issue on the Clip+. Should give you plenty of room to adjust and be pretty quiet.

dove · « **Reply #122 on:** April 07, 2013, 10:47:23 PM »

Thanks for all the info!

As much as I'm attracted to the quaintness of the Clip+, it turns out that the Clip+ uses Mini USB whereas the Clip Zip uses Micro USB. My phone uses Micro USB, so 1-cable-convenience makes my choice for me. Word is that they have the same audio hardware, and Rockbox is usably stable on both, so no issues there. Apparently the FM radio is better on the Zip, although I don't know if I'll ever take advantage of that.

placebo-fi · « **Reply #123 on:** April 09, 2013, 04:00:02 PM »

Looking for a battery/USB powered amp / dac+amp to use with my laptop with lots of power into orthos (to turn my T50RP into loud-enough portable speakers off my head. Yes, strange but sometimes, especially when I'm in bed, I just don't want the pads on, and I have no space for speakers either). Needless to say, the deciding factor would be whether it sounds good when I actually wear the cans. I do have a pair of IEM as well (FutureSonics mg6pro) so hiss maybe an issue.

So far, I have found, sorted by price:

DAC+Amp
Centrace Hifi-M8 (which Michael Goodman reported as a DacMini with less power. I do have to wonder though.)
RSA Intruder/Predator. RSA stuff not too favoured around here.

Amp only:
Fiio E12. Not much information.
O2. I owned a stock one from JDSLabs and was not terribly impressed.
Pico Power. Heard great things about Justin's offerings.
RSA stuff. These are not too favored around here.
Portaphile 627? I could not find any spec, but Mike @ Headfonia says it powers HE-6. Another reputable amp.
ALO Rx-MK3B (hisses a lot? Heard great things about these though.)

So far I'm leaning towards the Hifi-M8 LX (since Michael design just what I wants: high power, high gain, low noise, all in one, and I really loved my DacPort LX when I had it. Not too sure about the amp section though) and the E12 + DAC (Modi + E12 is a lot cheaper than all the other options, but I don't know how the E12 performs). Any thoughts?

MuppetFace · « **Reply #124 on:** April 09, 2013, 04:38:55 PM »

If portability isn't a concern, the Triad L3 might be worth looking into. Also consider the Tralucent T1 amp, which is supposedly pretty nice but has very high gain for a portable.

Unfortunately finding something that is uber-powerful and also something that plays nicely with very sensitive IEMs all in one unit can be a little tricky.

Also I'm thinkng the Leckerton UHA-6S should be powerful enough on the high gain setting for driving the T50RP plenty loud.

placebo-fi · « **Reply #125 on:** April 09, 2013, 05:32:38 PM »

I am actually using the UHA-6S. Great with the IEMs, but sometimes I wish it goes louder, even with the T50RP on my head. Off my head,

not loud enough at all.

I figured the since the T50RP can handle 3W (as per the official spec), might as well turn it into portable speakers

(but maybe it's just me...)

The L3 is intriguing, but it doesn't have power specs and it costs significantly more than the rest, especially considering that you can get a Portaphile for $300 less. I'm not too fond of buying used portable gear... if you can call the L3 portable.

Quote from: MuppetFace on April 09, 2013, 04:38:55 PM

Unfortunately finding something that is uber-powerful and also something that plays nicely with very sensitive IEMs all in one unit can be a little tricky.

The exact reason that I'm eyeing the Hifi-M8. It seems to does just that: low noise, low distortion, high power, Centrance's motto. And the DAC section should be better that the DacPort LX, which is enough for me... for now. Yet I'm unsure of how Centrance's amp section typically performs, hence I'm still deciding and exploring options.

SAY_stun_PLZ · « **Reply #126 on:** April 10, 2013, 01:54:41 AM »

Please recommend me a good DDC USB to Toslink/Optical?
Until now i thought DDC will not affect sound. But after read purrin's respone to Empirical Off Ramp Converter, looks like it is time to upgrade.

PS: my wallet will scream if it more than $500.

DaveBSC · « **Reply #127 on:** April 10, 2013, 03:32:52 AM »

Quote from: SAY_stun_PLZ on April 10, 2013, 01:54:41 AM

Please recommend me a good DDC USB to Toslink/Optical?
Until now i thought DDC will not affect sound. But after read purrin's respone to Empirical Off Ramp Converter, looks like it is time to upgrade.
PS: my wallet will scream if it more than $500.

Not many of the higher-end converters have optical outputs, but some do - the M2Tech EVO and SoTM dX-USB USD being the major ones. Optical is usually left out because it's considered inferior to coax, and its support for 24/192 is dubious. Between those two I would recommend the SoTM.

Synnöve · « **Reply #128 on:** April 10, 2013, 03:48:16 AM »

Quote from: SAY_stun_PLZ on April 10, 2013, 01:54:41 AM

Please recommend me a good DDC USB to Toslink/Optical?
Until now i thought DDC will not affect sound. But after read purrin's respone to Empirical Off Ramp Converter, looks like it is time to upgrade.
PS: my wallet will scream if it more than $500.

Why not consider changing your source or DAC so as to not require conversion? Would surely be more cost effective I'd guess.

seacard · « **Reply #129 on:** April 10, 2013, 03:59:56 AM »

I've recently realized that I spend most of my listening time at the office, while my fancy home rig (Modwright XA5400ES + ZDSE) often goes unused (2 young kids, long work hours, etc.). I want to see if there is a way to upgrade my office rig (currently a Benchmark DAC + Senn HD650). I have little space on my desk so really would prefer not to get separate DAC and amp, so was wondering if there is a better DAC / Amp combo out these days than the Benchmark? I don't need portable.

I had the Antelope Audio Zodiac Gold, and thought it was meh. Seems like there are some good DACs with mediocre headphone amps built in, so is there a product that does both acceptably well? Invicta? Eximus DP1? Anedio?

Author Topic: The All Purpose Advice Thread (Read 139949 times)

dove

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MuppetFace

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dove

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placebo-fi

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MuppetFace

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placebo-fi

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SAY_stun_PLZ

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DaveBSC

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Synnöve

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seacard

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Author Topic: The All Purpose Advice Thread (Read 139949 times)

dove

dove

SAY_stun_PLZ