HeaDphone Discussions. (Audiophile and Gaming)

virus786 · May 23, 2019

dash09 said:
Can anyone recommend a dap?

Budget: under 2k shipped
Must have: Bluetooth (this will only be used in my car), flac support, decent dac but nothing special, fairly rugged or have cases/screen protectors for sale, good battery life

This is to replace my ipod, I cant deal with the stupid file formats supported by the ipod, I want my flac audio

Have a look see here, might be of use to you. Best Digital Audio Players of 2019 | The Master Switch

naughty · May 24, 2019

if anyone is considering a Fiio Q1 or K3 (they are pretty similar but the K3 provides marginally more power) .... and you want to drive particularly power hungry headphones with it then make sure that you have a balanced cable for that headphones because using the balanced output the Fiio K3 came alive .... before that the BTR3 actually sounded better (but with efficient headphones)

the uDSD was a fair bit better than the K3 when using the single ended output on the K3 but using the balanced output made things pretty much closer though the uDSD still edges it (thats a true unicorn unit) and i reckon that you will need something like a Fiio Q5 to get to where the uDSD is

if i had the choice and the uDSD is available here easily then i would pretty much go for the uDSD but it wasn't at the time and so i tired the Fiio since it was just for a temporary solution and while the Fiio is not bad i have to say that if you are after very good performance then it is really just a stopgap before you get something way better .... i considered the Q5 but the price of that was basically just a little less than the ifi iDSD that i had (and couple that with the fact that htere wasn't any local stock at the time i ordered i was stuck) so if i was treally wanting to go for an awesome unit then i would stick to that ifi again even though i just sold my one .... but thats also rare and hard to obtain even though it isnt totally unobtanium and the ifi is really big ..... but it is an ultimate type of mobile solution ie pretty close to some decent mid tier and entry high end desktop units

SykomantiS · May 24, 2019

Does anyone have experiences with daps like the Fiio M9 and M11? I'm curious after reading the link @virus786 posted.

Ninja_Theory · May 24, 2019

naughty said:
the uDSD was a fair bit better than the K3 when using the single ended output on the K3 but using the balanced output made things pretty much closer though the uDSD still edges it (thats a true unicorn unit) and i reckon that you will need something like a Fiio Q5 to get to where the uDSD is

I guess it depends on use case. For me the Q5 is the better DAC/amp in almost every way: 2.5mm balanced out. Swoppable amps. More detailed. AptX BT. Mobile (10 hr battery life). The uDSD has RCA out which is nice, but the Q5 has line out which makes it much of a muchness (I run 3.5mm to RCA when I want to use the Q5 as DAC only into my Deckard). I'm not discarding the uDSD in any way, I love that thing. But the Q5 is without doubt the better DAC and amp. Then again.. the Q5 is like 2-3 times the price of the uDSD so it's not really a fair comparison.

naughty · May 24, 2019

SykomantiS said:
Does anyone have experiences with daps like the Fiio M9 and M11? I'm curious after reading the link @virus786 posted.

register over at AVForums and speak to Gler - i was interested in buying his M9 (but i wasnt quick enough with raising the funds) so he had one of those and sold it and then he landed up buying the first M11 to reach South Africa so far - he did a review at Head-Fi forums that you can read via this link here .... i'm waiting for the M11 now instead of the M9 and C-plan have it listed as sold out which means that they haven't received the stock yet

FiiO M11 review online

Ninja_Theory said:
I guess it depends on use case. For me the Q5 is the better DAC/amp in almost every way: 2.5mm balanced out. Swoppable amps. More detailed. AptX BT. Mobile (10 hr battery life). The uDSD has RCA out which is nice, but the Q5 has line out which makes it much of a muchness (I run 3.5mm to RCA when I want to use the Q5 as DAC only into my Deckard). I'm not discarding the uDSD in any way, I love that thing. But the Q5 is without doubt the better DAC and amp. Then again.. the Q5 is like 2-3 times the price of the uDSD so it's not really a fair comparison.

cool - i havent heard the Q5 but in single ended mode the uDSD is way better than the K3 as an amp but yep the Q5 has dual AKM 4490s and im not sure which op-amps but yeah it makes sense that the Q5 is better than the uDSD given that its more expensive .... i did not know that the Q5 had swappable amps .... so it uses the high power amp module that the X series DAPs use?

but im still more determined than ever to get the M11 because it should effectively be a simialr DAC with a similar amp built into that - and it will do duty as a DAC/AMP via a PC as well besides for the AptX HD and LDAC BT capability also

hows the Q5 into the Loxjie?

virus786 · May 24, 2019

Quick question gents what would a decent price for a 2nd hand pair of these be?

Sennheiser HD558

Deviation · May 24, 2019

virus786 said:
Quick question gents what would a decent price for a 2nd hand pair of these be?
Sennheiser HD558

About R1500-R1800 I think.
I sold my HD599 for less than R2000.

naughty · May 24, 2019

virus786 said:
Quick question gents what would a decent price for a 2nd hand pair of these be?

Sennheiser HD558

Deviation said:
About R1500-R1800 I think.
I sold my HD599 for less than R2000.

the HD559 are actually around R1700 brand new currently - so a second hand HD558 will probably be closer to around R1k IMHO ..... though to be honest i wouldn't sell my HD555 (with HD595 mod) for less than R1k

Sennheiser HD559 Headphones Around Ear | Buy Online in South Africa | AudioMart.co.za

https://www.loot.co.za/product/senn...VhYjVCh0shAecEAQYASABEgKb0fD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Scubadude · May 25, 2019

Right guys I held @Ninja_Theory 's Loxjie P20 in a prisoner exchange this week. It is more substantial than I thought and nicely built. Not luxurious but nice. On the sound side I plugged in HD 800 and played it for a day. I have to admit I had low expectations but those were very well surpassed. It is fairly punchy and powerful and reasonably even through the frequencies. I felt some hardness keeping in which I put down to PSU artifacts (my 12V regulated PSU doesn't deliver enough current so I couldn't test the theory). Overall quite listenable on the HD800, less so with low impedance Focal Elear. ABing is a mission ... The 1/4" out sounds small and flat compared to the balanced XLR so you need to swop cables when comparing to an unbalanced amp. So after a day or so I changed over to the Perreaux SXH-2 and immediately heard more of the music portrayed in a more natural way. The P20 paints with a very thick brush and looses a lot in the process. So much so that I don't think I'll be able to discern 320 MP3 from Redbook on it. Clearly very significant compromises where made to fit valves, balanced, input select, output select and digital display into the very keen resale price. This was underlined when comparing to Craig's original Little Dot One from around 2005. It has 6 dainty valves but no balanced on or out, and no digital readout. It doesn't even have RCA input! But like the Perreaux it gives you more of the music in more natural way. It was crazy good the HD800 I thought.

The Loxjie P20 is remarkable in what it has achieved at its chosen price-point. It has a good feature set and sounds "good enough" for most uses and users. But it is not better than budget valve amps that has gone before. And it underlined again that balanced is not a goal in and of itself but rather a means to an end.

Ninja_Theory · May 25, 2019

naughty said:
so it uses the high power amp module that the X series DAPs use?

hows the Q5 into the Loxjie?

It comes with the AM3A standard, has 2.5mm balanced out. I also got it from Thomas with the AM5 amp module.

It’s a way more capable DAC than I thought and hoped it would be. Surprisingly detailed and neutral. I’m a big fan. Goes nicely into the Deckard and the P20. I imagine it would go nicely into pretty much any mid-range amp.

Cyzer · May 25, 2019

Scubadude said:
Right guys I held @Ninja_Theory 's Loxjie P20 in a prisoner exchange this week. It is more substantial than I thought and nicely built. Not luxurious but nice. On the sound side I plugged in HD 800 and played it for a day. I have to admit I had low expectations but those were very well surpassed. It is fairly punchy and powerful and reasonably even through the frequencies. I felt some hardness keeping in which I put down to PSU artifacts (my 12V regulated PSU doesn't deliver enough current so I couldn't test the theory). Overall quite listenable on the HD800, less so with low impedance Focal Elear. ABing is a mission ... The 1/4" out sounds small and flat compared to the balanced XLR so you need to swop cables when comparing to an unbalanced amp. So after a day or so I changed over to the Perreaux SXH-2 and immediately heard more of the music portrayed in a more natural way. The P20 paints with a very thick brush and looses a lot in the process. So much so that I don't think I'll be able to discern 320 MP3 from Redbook on it. Clearly very significant compromises where made to fit valves, balanced, input select, output select and digital display into the very keen resale price. This was underlined when comparing to Craig's original Little Dot One from around 2005. It has 6 dainty valves but no balanced on or out, and no digital readout. It doesn't even have RCA input! But like the Perreaux it gives you more of the music in more natural way. It was crazy good the HD800 I thought.

The Loxjie P20 is remarkable in what it has achieved at its chosen price-point. It has a good feature set and sounds "good enough" for most uses and users. But it is not better than budget valve amps that has gone before. And it underlined again that balanced is not a goal in and of itself but rather a means to an end.

Nice review, I feel the same way about the P20. Glad you enjoyed the ye olde, Little Dot One!

Ninja_Theory · May 25, 2019

Scubadude said:
The Loxjie P20 is remarkable in what it has achieved at its chosen price-point. It has a good feature set and sounds "good enough" for most uses and users. But it is not better than budget valve amps that has gone before. And it underlined again that balanced is not a goal in and of itself but rather a means to an end.

I'm looking forward to GG's recommendation for modding the P20. Think I'll mod mine a bit and have some fun with it before moving to LD3 territory.

Ninja_Theory · May 25, 2019

Been on the 800S for 3 weeks straight - mainlining rabbit hole 2.0... Plugged in the 650 this evening, and haven't been able to take it off. Even in the presence of greatness, this little HP shines. Just feed it a half decent DAC, a little juice, and prosper. Disclaimer: I am feeding it thru @Scubadude Wadia 121, so maybe this not-so-little addition to my chain (albeit just for the weekend) is feeding my bias towards the 650 as the perfect entry into this rabbit hole. Even without the 121 in the mix, for me, the 650 will still always hold the key to the pearly white gates into the rabbit hole.

Ninja_Theory · May 26, 2019

@Ac!DLeAk an audio legend mate of mine put the SU8 through it's paces this weekend. Said it's the one of the best sub $1k DACs he's heard. I think you're gonna be in for a treat..

Ac!DLeAk · May 26, 2019

Ninja_Theory said:
@Ac!DLeAk an audio legend mate of mine put the SU8 throug it's paces this weekend. Said it's the one of the best sub $1k DACs he's heard. I think you're gonna be in for a treat..

Cheers man! Can't wait for it to arrive. Should hopefully be this week if tracking is to be believed.

I am just scared of what it will lead to in terms of new headphone purchases... Or even powered monitors

Ac!DLeAk · May 26, 2019

Ac!DLeAk said:
Cheers man! Can't wait for it to arrive. Should hopefully be this week if tracking is to be believed.

I am just scared of what it will lead to in terms of new headphone purchases... Or even powered monitors

Totally not looking at DT1990's and M1060c's... Don't care what my browser history suggests.

SCHUMI4EVER · May 26, 2019

Ac!DLeAk said:
Totally not looking at DT1990's and M1060c's... Don't care what my browser history suggests.

Yeah, those are all too low key for you.
Drop Ether CX's on the other hand....

Wolvebain · May 26, 2019

Scubadude said:
Right guys I held @Ninja_Theory 's Loxjie P20 in a prisoner exchange this week. It is more substantial than I thought and nicely built. Not luxurious but nice. On the sound side I plugged in HD 800 and played it for a day. I have to admit I had low expectations but those were very well surpassed. It is fairly punchy and powerful and reasonably even through the frequencies. I felt some hardness keeping in which I put down to PSU artifacts (my 12V regulated PSU doesn't deliver enough current so I couldn't test the theory). Overall quite listenable on the HD800, less so with low impedance Focal Elear. ABing is a mission ... The 1/4" out sounds small and flat compared to the balanced XLR so you need to swop cables when comparing to an unbalanced amp. So after a day or so I changed over to the Perreaux SXH-2 and immediately heard more of the music portrayed in a more natural way. The P20 paints with a very thick brush and looses a lot in the process. So much so that I don't think I'll be able to discern 320 MP3 from Redbook on it. Clearly very significant compromises where made to fit valves, balanced, input select, output select and digital display into the very keen resale price. This was underlined when comparing to Craig's original Little Dot One from around 2005. It has 6 dainty valves but no balanced on or out, and no digital readout. It doesn't even have RCA input! But like the Perreaux it gives you more of the music in more natural way. It was crazy good the HD800 I thought.

The Loxjie P20 is remarkable in what it has achieved at its chosen price-point. It has a good feature set and sounds "good enough" for most uses and users. But it is not better than budget valve amps that has gone before. And it underlined again that balanced is not a goal in and of itself but rather a means to an end.

I have completely different experience with the Loxjie P20.

Running mine with a match pair of NOS WE 396A tubes, balanced-in to balanced-out, and a 12V/3A LinearPSU and I'm amazed at how opposite our experiences are. It's almost like we're talking about two completely different devices.
Maybe the tubes are cracked/damaged on yours? Maybe the unit is damaged (from factory, in transit, or bad PSU screwed it up)?

Granted, it's not the ultimate tube amp, but it's not as awful as that feedback. It's actually pretty damn awesome!!! And that's me, owner and user of a Little Dot mk VI+, which has some epic sounding tubes --several sets, but currently running my HD800S setup: matched pair NOS RCA 5691 Red Base driver tubes and quad matched set of 1950's NOS RCA 6AS7G power tubes...

Wolvebain · May 26, 2019

Ninja_Theory said:
It comes with the AM3A standard, has 2.5mm balanced out. I also got it from Thomas with the AM5 amp module.

It’s a way more capable DAC than I thought and hoped it would be. Surprisingly detailed and neutral. I’m a big fan. Goes nicely into the Deckard and the P20. I imagine it would go nicely into pretty much any mid-range amp.

The Hiby R3 seems like an great choice tho.. does everything and more, plus can serve as a source to another DAC that's not MQA capable via Coax.

My 2 woolongs

Ninja_Theory · May 26, 2019

Ac!DLeAk said:
Cheers man! Can't wait for it to arrive. Should hopefully be this week if tracking is to be believed.

I am just scared of what it will lead to in terms of new headphone purchases... Or even powered monitors

His review was VERY favourable.. and he runs a NOS11, LD6, LCD4 etc. setup. Edit: Talk of the devil.. lol

Ninja_Theory · May 26, 2019

Wolvebain said:
I have completely different experience with the Loxjie P20.

Running mine with a match pair of NOS WE 396A tubes, balanced-in to balanced-out, and a 12V/3A LinearPSU and I'm amazed at how opposite our experiences are. It's almost like we're talking about two completely different devices.
Maybe the tubes are cracked/damaged on yours? Maybe the unit is damaged (from factory, in transit, or bad PSU screwed it up)?

Granted, it's not the ultimate tube amp, but it's not as awful as that feedback. It's actually pretty damn awesome!!! And that's me, owner and user of a Little Dot mk VI+, which has some epic sounding tubes --several sets, but currently running my HD800S setup: matched pair NOS RCA 5691 Red Base driver tubes and quad matched set of 1950's NOS RCA 6AS7G power tubes...

It's running the Russian 6H3N tubes GG and I picked up from Amazon.. I also sent it to Scuba with the stock tubes.

Ninja_Theory · May 26, 2019

Right. I joined this drop in the early hours of this morning boys. Topping DX7S. Let the good times roll (hopefully).

goblinm · May 26, 2019

Dark Voice available on drop for 200$, very tempted as I heard HD 600's come alive with tubes.

Ninja_Theory · May 26, 2019

goblinm said:
Dark Voice available on drop for 200$, very tempted as I heard HD 600's come alive with tubes.

I saw that. LOTS of want

Ac!DLeAk · May 26, 2019

goblinm said:
Dark Voice available on drop for 200$, very tempted as I heard HD 600's come alive with tubes.

Also reading up on it now. Thinking about it but I have the little dot 1+ hybrid so on the fence if my next amp should be solid state or full tubes...

Ninja_Theory · May 26, 2019

Ac!DLeAk said:
Also reading up on it now. Thinking about it but I have the little dot 1+ hybrid so on the fence if my next amp should be solid state or full tubes...

A SS amp should be a staple part of any setup. I have only one amp in my sights, and it's going to be a waiting game.. Massdrop THX AAA 789 -- Edit: Please add to the request list here

Ac!DLeAk · May 26, 2019

Ninja_Theory said:
A SS amp should be a staple part of any setup. I have only one amp in my sights, and it's going to be a waiting game.. Massdrop THX AAA 789 -- Edit: Please add to the request list here

Will probably end up doing solid state and getting the JDS Labs EL amp

Montezuma · May 26, 2019

Wolvebain said:
Granted, it's not the ultimate tube amp, but it's not as awful as that feedback. It's actually pretty damn awesome!!! And that's me, owner and user of a Little Dot mk VI+, with has some epic sounding tubes --several sets, but currently running my HD800S setup: matched pair NOS RCA 5691 Red Base driver tubes and quad matched set of 1950's NOS RCA 6AS7G power tubes...

You using a shipping agent?

capetownwatches · May 26, 2019

Deviation said:
Need that Stax drug money.

Just do it...

Stax SRS2170 headphone system

www.avsa.co.za

Ac!DLeAk · May 26, 2019

Off topic, can anyone on here who've used Hertz audio in their car before DM me please? Have 1 or 2 questions... Cheers!

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