HeaDphone Discussions. (Audiophile and Gaming)

[SCHUMI4EVER]

It's me again. I spoke to a friend who works in the audio/mixing industry and he has a friend who has something to do with Sennheiser in SA, so it looks like i'm going to be picking up a pair of HD600s for a very reasonable price. However this has opened up another can of worms in the sense that i'll have to get a DAC/AMP to power them.

Budget wise i'm looking for something under 2k (one day when I have some more cash to waste i'll be sure to get something better). I'm not finding much available locally so I've been looking on Amazon and have narrowed it down to these two options:

Fosi Q4
Fiio Ek10

I realise neither of the above are rated to handle the 300ohm HD600s, but i'm assuming it will be better than nothing in the interim.

Was hoping for some opinions/options in terms of what I can do within the given budget? I've just registered on AV Forum to see if there are any 2nd hand options available as i'm not seeing anything on Carb at the moment.

It's not under 2K, It's double that (so 4K), but you really need the Liquid Spark + Topping D10 bundle currently being sold on the forum.

 

[Deviation]

Second hand Nuprime uDSD or Aune x1s anniversary edition probably around the price range you are looking for.

 

[SCHUMI4EVER]

Fidelio X3 review

Edit: Hadn't watched it yet. Watched it now. Fuck. I need some dough for a X2HR import stat!

 

[Chevez]

Here's an interesting test to do if you want to see if lossless makes any sort of difference to your ears.

Is your audio system really ready for lossless?

Do an ABX test in your browser, and see if you can tell the difference between lossless and lossy audio

abx.digitalfeed.net

 

[ENDU]

@Deviation I saw your thread about the MDR 7550s. Curious as to what you have your sights set on regarding the next purchase?

 

[Deviation]

@Deviation I saw your thread about the MDR 7550s. Curious as to what you have your sights set on regarding the next purchase?

I don't know. I did the tape mod on these, and the bass clarity and oomph went up significantly.
I usually just buy what catches my eyes, try them and go to the next one.
Like my first foray into HP, I think in one year I swapped around 5-6 HP.

 

[SCHUMI4EVER]

Zeos finally got to the 9600s

Makes them sound really good

 

[SCHUMI4EVER]

Maybe you audiophiles can answer this question (@Ninja_Theory ) (@PandaAttack1 ) (@Deviation ) (@Montezuma )
Does an amp with a ton of power, like a 789, produce louder sound or does all that power produce more sound at the same volume (if the headphone has room to scale)?
In other words does it have to do with how alive/dynamic a headphone is with even quieter sounds on weaker amps clearly hearable or is it purely about getting sufficient volume out of high impedance cans?


It's just because whilst the K7XX sound good, really good, and they get plenty loud, they don't really connect with music or anything, whereas the Elite Atlas do (and to a lesser extent the X2 as well). And I'm just wondering whether that's the limit of the K7XX or because I don't have a 789 powering them?

Is it just that the sound signature of the Elite Atlas is really pleasing to me? Or is it because they're getting more than enough power from the amp whereas the K7XX isn't?

 

[Montezuma]

Maybe you audiophiles can answer this question (@Ninja_Theory ) (@PandaAttack1 ) (@Deviation ) (@Montezuma )
Does an amp with a ton of power, like a 789, produce louder sound or does all that power produce more sound at the same volume (if the headphone has room to scale)?
In other words does it have to do with how alive/dynamic a headphone is with even quieter sounds on weaker amps clearly hearable or is it purely about getting sufficient volume out of high impedance cans?


It's just because whilst the K7XX sound good, really good, and they get plenty loud, they don't really connect with music or anything, whereas the Elite Atlas do (and to a lesser extent the X2 as well). And I'm just wondering whether that's the limit of the K7XX or because I don't have a 789 powering them?

Is it just that the sound signature of the Elite Atlas is really pleasing to me? Or is it because they're getting more than enough power from the amp whereas the K7XX isn't?

My understanding of it is that it it does both. More power = louder yes, but lower frequencies require more power than higher frequencies at the same volume. Likewise it can have a higher dynamic range because even though something might have an average volume of say 75dB is might have peaks of 120dB and it is these peaks that a weaker amp may not be able to reproduce well (or may distort at). So underpowered amp may not be able to reproduce peaks or may struggle with bass. A more technical person than me can explain the exact details.

It may be that you prefer the sound signature though. Or that there is something changing the sound signature (impedance mismatch).

 

[Chevez]

There is a NuPrime uDSD on AVForums for the guys who have been looking...

 

[goldfritter]

What's the consensus on PCI sound cards? Asus Xonar's and the like. There are a few floating around the forum and I have always been curious.

 

[Chevez]

What's the consensus on PCI sound cards? Asus Xonar's and the like. There are a few floating around the forum and I have always been curious.

The consensus is get an external rather. The further away you can get it from the electronics inside the case that has the potential to add noise.

Sound BlasterX G6 has been getting rave reviews if you're looking at a sound card.

 

[Scubadude]

There is a NuPrime uDSD on AVForums for the guys who have been looking...

That's my brother selling - I can intermediate if required.

 

[Scubadude]

Maybe you audiophiles can answer this question (@Ninja_Theory ) (@PandaAttack1 ) (@Deviation ) (@Montezuma )
Does an amp with a ton of power, like a 789, produce louder sound or does all that power produce more sound at the same volume (if the headphone has room to scale)?
In other words does it have to do with how alive/dynamic a headphone is with even quieter sounds on weaker amps clearly hearable or is it purely about getting sufficient volume out of high impedance cans?

Check out Headphone Power Calculator

You only need a couple of milliwatts to go really loud. The rest is dynamic headroom to maintain frequency and phase response in demanding passages. Be careful with that volume dial - you can get permanent hearing damage with a 5mW phone. Download a sound pressure level meter app, get a 1kHz test tone, stick your phone's microphone in the earcup and measure - occasional blasts up to 100 dB is OK but keep general prolonged listening to 80-85dB or you wont be able to enjoy your music much longer.

 

[SCHUMI4EVER]

Check out Headphone Power Calculator

You only need a couple of milliwatts to go really loud. The rest is dynamic headroom to maintain frequency and phase response in demanding passages. Be careful with that volume dial - you can get permanent hearing damage with a 5mW phone. Download a sound pressure level meter app, get a 1kHz test tone, stick your phone's microphone in the earcup and measure - occasional blasts up to 100 dB is OK but keep general prolonged listening to 80-85dB or you wont be able to enjoy your music much longer.

I'm fairly certain I'm not in danger as I tend to listen fairly low almost always unless I am trying overpower fans blowing on me in summer or the like. Even though I apparently really like my bass response I am not a headbanging EDM or Death Metal sort of guy but actually prefer classical.

I didn't quite understand the rest of your response. So you are saying something super powerful, like say the new THX AAA One, will use the power headroom to raise power to maintain volume of smaller weaker sounds? Whereas weaker amps will run out of juice and be unable to boost those smaller sounds?

It's just to to me more power = more volume. For instance I expect if were to plug in 600 Ohm DTs into this little amp that they would barely produce a whisper if anything at all. However if I were to plug something that can already easily run on this weaker amp into something more powerful all I'd get is ability to raise volume even higher than I can now but no further benefit?

 

[Scubadude]

The Nuprime uDSD delivers something like 26mW and can drive HD600 to deafening levels. Using the same HD600 on a more powerful amp will still only consume the same amount of power at the same listening level but there is just a lot more in reserve to allow for natural dynamic contrast. Sort of like car with a bigger engine drives "better" even if you don't drive faster. But power does not equate to sound quality - it is only one aspect of sound quality. Contrast a 27 mW Graham Slee Solo with a 6W (6000mW!) Schiit Lyr and you will understand. I use a silly powerful 10W PS Audio GCHA with HD600 in the office ... and it sounds sublime. But so would the little Grammy as well.

My explanations are weak ... maybe this will help ... More Power?

Sound pressure level is not linearly proportional to power output. Play around with the power calculator link I posted.

 

[SCHUMI4EVER]

When you say "natural dynamic contrast" what do you mean?

 

[Scubadude]

Loud is loud, soft stays soft. Not compressed. Leading edges clearly defined but not etched. Attack and decay that sound real ... Not muted or forced.

Suck it and see. Try a more powerful amp and see if it floats your boat.

 

[SCHUMI4EVER]

Loud is loud, soft stays soft. Not compressed. Leading edges clearly defined but not etched. Attack and decay that sound real ... Not muted or forced.

Suck it and see. Try a more powerful amp and see if it floats your boat.

Nah. The only other amp I want to try is the THX Portable because if I can't have a surround mode then I need crossfeed because I can't stand stuff mastered with complete channel dominance.

I was just confused why I like the Elite Atlas so much more than my other stuff. It's so much more alive than all my other headphones. That had me questioning whether it was just that the Elite Atlas was so much easier to drive or whether it really came down to the headphone.

 

[goldfritter]

Nah. The only other amp I want to try is the THX Portable because if I can't have a surround mode then I need crossfeed because I can't stand stuff mastered with complete channel dominance.

I was just confused why I like the Elite Atlas so much more than my other stuff. It's so much more alive than all my other headphones. That had me questioning whether it was just that the Elite Atlas was so much easier to drive or whether it really came down to the headphone.

You have X2's as well right? Because I also just got Elite Atlas's, and while I really like them, the X2's sound like they're from a different planet. Maybe I'm biased towards open-backs, but for listening to music I just enjoy the X2's so much more. If I didn't work in a noisy office I'd get another pair of X2's to use there

But, it's a feather in Turtle Beach's cap that they have built something that gets mentioned in the same breath as HiFi equipment. Because I don't think anyone would argue that the Elite Atlas's are objectively worse; at this level it comes down to a matter of preference rather than quality.

 

[SCHUMI4EVER]

You have X2's as well right? Because I also just got Elite Atlas's, and while I really like them, the X2's sound like they're from a different planet. Maybe I'm biased towards open-backs, but for listening to music I just enjoy the X2's so much more. If I didn't work in a noisy office I'd get another pair of X2's to use there

But, it's a feather in Turtle Beach's cap that they have built something that gets mentioned in the same breath as HiFi equipment. Because I don't think anyone would argue that the Elite Atlas's are objectively worse; at this level it comes down to a matter of preference rather than quality.

I have the original X2s yeah and they do sound amazing but not as good to me. Plus then there's the problem that certain things just don't appear when listening to the X2s at all, certain things get recessed so far in the background they just about become inaudible and since I know this I never feel entirely comfortable listening to the X2s anymore.

I really need to get X2HRs to hopefully alleviate this problem.

 

[goldfritter]

[Sale] - Drop CTH+SDAC and Airist R2R DAC | Amps & DACs & DAPs

Hi I have very good headfi stack for sale. It comprises of two of the most popular Drop products i.e. the Cavalli Tube Hybrid with the built in SDAC and the very hard to come by Airist R2R DAC. I also have a couple of upgrade tubes that to my ears improved on the stock unit. They are very...

carbonite.co.za

Someone please buy that CTH before I do

EDIT: now look what you guys made me do

 

[Ninja_Theory]

[Sale] - Drop CTH+SDAC and Airist R2R DAC | Amps & DACs & DAPs

Hi I have very good headfi stack for sale. It comprises of two of the most popular Drop products i.e. the Cavalli Tube Hybrid with the built in SDAC and the very hard to come by Airist R2R DAC. I also have a couple of upgrade tubes that to my ears improved on the stock unit. They are very...

carbonite.co.za

Someone please buy that CTH before I do

EDIT: now look what you guys made me do

Haha amazing dude. That's my old Airist DAC. I also ran it as a CTH stack. Enjoy! You're in for a treat

 

[Ninja_Theory]

Some stuff I'm selling. Will post as soon as I have the energy to take photos - probably this evening.

1. Audio GD R28 DAC/amp
2. Matrix XSPDIF 2
3. Little Dot 3 (with upgraded circuitry) + custom cut clear perspex dust cover + Voskhod tubes (very nice optional add-on)
4. 2x Brainwavz earpads (1x leather and 1x velor)
5. Modmic Wireless
6. 2x Astro A50 (possibly)
7. Most likely something else I forgot to mention

 

[goldfritter]

Haha amazing dude. That's my old Airist DAC. I also ran it as a CTH stack. Enjoy! You're in for a treat

Thanks man. I know I just got the E10K a short while ago but at that price I couldn't hold out on the CTH + SDAC. Going to be awesome

Some stuff I'm selling. Will post as soon as I have the energy to take photos - probably this evening.

1. Audio GD R28 DAC/amp
2. Matrix XSPDIF 2
3. Little Dot 3 (with upgraded circuitry) + custom cut clear perspex dust cover + Voskhod tubes (very nice optional add-on)
4. 2x Brainwavz earpads (1x leather and 1x velor)
5. Modmic Wireless
6. 2x Astro A50 (possibly)
7. Most likely something else I forgot to mention

Ooh nice. Any idea if the Brainwavs would fit on Fidelio X2's? Just for fun

 

[PandaAttack1]

Some stuff I'm selling. Will post as soon as I have the energy to take photos - probably this evening.

1. Audio GD R28 DAC/amp
2. Matrix XSPDIF 2
3. Little Dot 3 (with upgraded circuitry) + custom cut clear perspex dust cover + Voskhod tubes (very nice optional add-on)
4. 2x Brainwavz earpads (1x leather and 1x velor)
5. Modmic Wireless
6. 2x Astro A50 (possibly)
7. Most likely something else I forgot to mention

Please put me in line for item 4 and 5 when you finalise your decision.

 

[PrivatePublic]

I'm also interested in 5. Modmic Wireless when more info is available

 

[PandaAttack1]

Require some advice gents,

I recently find myself moving a lot around my room between my desk, soldering station and printers etc.

What do you guys suggest for a wireless open back solution? I hate using closed back while on discord.

 

[PrivatePublic]

Some stuff I'm selling. Will post as soon as I have the energy to take photos - probably this evening.

1. Audio GD R28 DAC/amp
2. Matrix XSPDIF 2
3. Little Dot 3 (with upgraded circuitry) + custom cut clear perspex dust cover + Voskhod tubes (very nice optional add-on)
4. 2x Brainwavz earpads (1x leather and 1x velor)
5. Modmic Wireless
6. 2x Astro A50 (possibly)
7. Most likely something else I forgot to mention

I'm also interested in 5. Modmic Wireless when more info is available

 

[RandomSheepZA]

Fidelio X3 review

Edit: Hadn't watched it yet. Watched it now. Fuck. I need some dough for a X2HR import stat!

Form all the reviews.
Glad i picked up a pair of X2's