| Headphone Amps (full-size) Discussion of desktop headphone amps. |
03-21-2008, 09:37 AM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Rocky Mountains, CO
Posts: 10,047
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Oh yeah, I forgot, this is about what amp to get. I found that by 300 hours the D2 is very close to the $500 Pico, and very good. It was a bit boomy and under-controlled bass at times during the burn-in, but it came together nicely in the end.
Post #1 and #2 here might help: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/min...3/#post3947073
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sovkiller
There is no doubt that getting older is mandatory, but to mature remains still optional...
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Larry Head-Fi Feedback Colorado High-Fi-2009 Summer Meet 7-25-09
MAIN RIG SOURCE: Marantz CD5001 > Synergistic Research Coax Active Shielding > Apogee mini-DAC with Sigma 11 PSU > AMPS/PHONES.
MAIN RIG AMPS/PHONES:
---> ALO SXC XLR IC's > Single Power Square Wave XL balanced amp > balanced HD800 or K1000 #1478
---> ALO SXC mini-RCA IC > Woo Audio Maxxed WA6 w/Sophia Princess rectifier/RCA 6DE7 > Grado RS-1 with APS V3 cable.
---> Sq Wave loop out > Soloz 12-strand Litz-braid mini-RCA > Qinpu A-3 with JAN SYL 2C51 > SRD-7 Pro > Stax SR-007 and K1000.
LIVING ROOM RIG: Samsung DVD or Airport Express > sysconcept.ca optical > PS Audio Digital Link III > anti-cables IC > Woo GES Maxed > Sennheiser HE60/Stax O2 Mk1/HE Audio Jade.
BEDSIDE RIG: Sony D-303 or iRiver H140 > HeadRoom Micro DAC > barqy silver plated copper mini-RCA > Travagans Red/Black or Micro Amp > markl woodied Denon D2000 with APS V2 cable.
BASEMENT RIG: DLO Homedock HD optical > Super Pro DAC707/Sigma 11 PSU > anti-cables IC > Head-Direct EF1 with Mullard long-plate > ALO woodied silver cable Grado SR-60.
PORTABLE RIG: iMod 80gb 5.5G > barqy silver in silk LOD > ALO portable V-Cap dock > ALO Cryo Silver X mini-mini > RSA P-51 > Westone ES3X.
LAPTOP RIG: MacBook > Optical iBasso D10 > ATH-ESW10JPN (or or Pico DAC-only > ALO Amphora).
FOR SALE: Ibanez starter electric guitar (red) with scratches, but Ibanez amp and softcase in great condition - PM me for pics.
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03-21-2008, 05:24 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Michigan, USA
Posts: 266
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict
Oh yeah, I forgot, this is about what amp to get.
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That was pretty funny, lol.
Everything I've read about the D2 makes it sound like a really good choice. Hopefully it hurries itself up and gets here before I go nuts. 
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03-21-2008, 05:56 PM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Santa Rosa, CA --image Katmandu, Nepal Summer 2006 *We are but a cosmic blink or was that wink?*
Posts: 7,043
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Are the comparisons with the stock opamps or have they been rolled? I am still using the stock opamps but have some here from HiFlight to pop in and now that I have a couple of days off I will take the adventure. I do like the 1364 but like many devices, it needs some burn-in.
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John aka Jam and Jama
Photo gallery at:www.pbase.com/jamato8 Recent publication: Ethnobotany Research & Applications, Vol 7 (2009) Kam Guilzhouh nyim Guangxxih di Benxtux Wenchual nyim Zihyuanc dih Gonxliix: Kam Local Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainable Resource Management in Guizhou and Guangxi Provinces, China http://www.ethnobotanyjournal.org/
The one constant in life is change, so will that change?
Feel with your own heart, see with your own eyes and hear with your own ears. Sand is sand no matter where it is found.
Listening with: JH13 Pro, Ult Ed. 9, ESW10 JPN
Amps I am currently listening with: RSA P-51 Mustang, SR 71A, iBasso D10, Lisa III, iBasso OEM amp, iBasso P3+, iBasso T3, RSA Shadow
Favorite headphones: Ultrasone Ed. 9 #1010, ATH-ESW10JPN Also listening with: K701
Portable amp ratings: *1. P-51 Mustang*2. SR-71A* iBasso D10 *iBasso P3, *3. iBasso D3 *3b RSA Predator *3. Xin Micro *4 iBasso T4, iBasso D1
Portable monitor ratings: *ESW10 JPN *2. PortaPros, KSC35 (modified-a great value) *3. UM2 (respond to top quality amplification)
Source: iRiver H130,140, D303 optical out, D-EJ955, D-EJ1000, D-EJ2000, 25s, 25, D-303, D-777 and others (optical out if available)
Digital Conversion: Altoid tin Monica Dac I, Altoid tin Monica II Asynchronous Reclocking Dac, iBasso D10
Headphone Amplifiers:RSA: Predator, P-51 Mustang, SR71A, Xin: IV Micro, IV Mini, Reference, SM3B, SuperMacro V LE, SM3 V6 (IV all switches), XRTA X-1, C&C Box, iBasso: P1, P2, P3 D1, D2, D3, D10 Woo 3 Modified-Siemens 6922 driver, 7236 power tube, Woo 6 Modified Pseudo dual PS -
Headphones: Ultra Ed. 9, HD650, ATH-ESW10 JPN, Ultrasone 750, HFI780, PortaPro modified, KSC35, Equation RP-21, Westone UM2
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03-21-2008, 06:27 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Austria
Posts: 394
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I think he said that he wants to burn in the D2 with stock opamps to compare it and then do some opamp rolling afterwards to see if it can improve further.
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03-22-2008, 04:45 AM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Rocky Mountains, CO
Posts: 10,047
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Yeah, I still have stock opamps in the D2, but I have about 15 new ones to try in it soon. I'm not sure I want to leave them changed, with it sounding as good as it does after burn-in when stock.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sovkiller
There is no doubt that getting older is mandatory, but to mature remains still optional...
|
Larry Head-Fi Feedback Colorado High-Fi-2009 Summer Meet 7-25-09
MAIN RIG SOURCE: Marantz CD5001 > Synergistic Research Coax Active Shielding > Apogee mini-DAC with Sigma 11 PSU > AMPS/PHONES.
MAIN RIG AMPS/PHONES:
---> ALO SXC XLR IC's > Single Power Square Wave XL balanced amp > balanced HD800 or K1000 #1478
---> ALO SXC mini-RCA IC > Woo Audio Maxxed WA6 w/Sophia Princess rectifier/RCA 6DE7 > Grado RS-1 with APS V3 cable.
---> Sq Wave loop out > Soloz 12-strand Litz-braid mini-RCA > Qinpu A-3 with JAN SYL 2C51 > SRD-7 Pro > Stax SR-007 and K1000.
LIVING ROOM RIG: Samsung DVD or Airport Express > sysconcept.ca optical > PS Audio Digital Link III > anti-cables IC > Woo GES Maxed > Sennheiser HE60/Stax O2 Mk1/HE Audio Jade.
BEDSIDE RIG: Sony D-303 or iRiver H140 > HeadRoom Micro DAC > barqy silver plated copper mini-RCA > Travagans Red/Black or Micro Amp > markl woodied Denon D2000 with APS V2 cable.
BASEMENT RIG: DLO Homedock HD optical > Super Pro DAC707/Sigma 11 PSU > anti-cables IC > Head-Direct EF1 with Mullard long-plate > ALO woodied silver cable Grado SR-60.
PORTABLE RIG: iMod 80gb 5.5G > barqy silver in silk LOD > ALO portable V-Cap dock > ALO Cryo Silver X mini-mini > RSA P-51 > Westone ES3X.
LAPTOP RIG: MacBook > Optical iBasso D10 > ATH-ESW10JPN (or or Pico DAC-only > ALO Amphora).
FOR SALE: Ibanez starter electric guitar (red) with scratches, but Ibanez amp and softcase in great condition - PM me for pics.
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03-25-2008, 06:56 AM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Michigan, USA
Posts: 266
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Wow, I realize that this probably isn't news to many of you, but I just noticed today that the D2-Vipers are sold out!
It seems as though many people are having issues with the D2-Vipers, I'm wondering if maybe I jumped the gun with it and should have either waited for the reissue of the D2 or went with the P2 or D1 instead.
Just received notification that my amp has shipped, hopefully I'll get it by the end of the week. I can't wait to give it a try, but now I'm almost afraid that I'm going to have some serious static issues. I tend to be a worrier, though, so hopefully everything will be OK.
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03-25-2008, 08:42 AM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Carson City, NV
Posts: 236
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Sit tight and wait to hear for yourself. I got one of the high gain units and ibasso sent me a low gain unit and I have heard no static with either unit although I did do the static mod for the h*ll of it. I have heard complaints but have only experienced the pop when the unit is turned on or switched to high gain. You should be happy, if not I'm sure ibasso will make it right, I believe one person sent theirs back and they got a refund. I use Atrios, Kcs75, in716's and HD580's and the pop is tolerable, if your can't stand the pop, unplug your HP's or turn the unit on before you put the HP's on, sorry if thid is obvious to you, enjoy your new toy and be your own judge.
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03-25-2008, 06:04 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Michigan, USA
Posts: 266
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I just got it!
I am at a loss for words to describe the difference. It's like night and day. This thing really wakes up my Senn HD595's! The drum hits are so much more powerful and precise, guitars (acoustic and electric) are much more crisp, and in general everything is just so much clearer! I expected a big difference--I mean, that's exactly why I wanted to get it--but it's just amazing to actually hear it and have it live up to all of my expectations!
So far, I have only used the amp, I tried the DAC but I apparently need to do some work to get my compy to recognize it. The way I currently have things configured, my computer thinks it's a mouse (long story). So anyway, it's currently just plugged into the headphone out.
Wow, just wow. Thanks everybody, you've helped make my ears very, very happy!
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03-25-2008, 06:10 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Austria
Posts: 394
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congratulations!
Btw. you are a Linux user right? If you want to give it a fast try, install xmms, go to preferences and then to the output plugin (choose ALSA). Then enter the preferences and choose the "USB DAC" you should get in a drop down menu. That's all.
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03-25-2008, 06:29 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Michigan, USA
Posts: 266
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The problem is that my computer isn't recognizing that it's a USB DAC. In order to get the extra buttons on my mouse (Logitech VX Revolution) to work properly, I had to set my mouse up in X as Input 9. Unfortunately, any time I plug in a new USB device, it automatically assigns it as Input 9. I can tell when this happens because the extra buttons cease to function properly.
I did try to use it in XMMS, but it unfortunately didn't work. I just need to somehow set up my mouse so that it doesn't interfere with other new USB devices. I'll get to work on that and let you know when I figure something out.
Thanks!
Edit: I can also set it up in Audacious, my regular media player, which is based directly off of XMMS.
Edit^2: It would be more accurate to describe it as "input/event9" rather than "Input 9"
Last edited by MetalGeek; 03-25-2008 at 06:35 PM.
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03-25-2008, 06:41 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Austria
Posts: 394
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Does it mean it works now?
If not could you plug the dac in your computer, after it has booted up completely and then type in a console "dmesg | tail".
Give me the output of that, if it doesn't work until now.
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03-25-2008, 07:16 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Michigan, USA
Posts: 266
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No, that didn't mean that it worked, I just meant that I didn't need to use XMMS, since Audacious is basically the same thing, except it has nicer looking menus and a better file browser.
I got it to work. Just because I figured it couldn't hurt to try, and that even the blind squirrel occasionally finds a nut, I set up my mouse as input/event10 instead of input/event9. I had originally thought that only 0-9 could be used, and that going to 10 would bork it up. Luckily, it worked! All my mouse buttons are happy AND I can use my DAC!
So currently I am listening to Pearl Jam's album "vs." through my shiny new USB DAC/amp!
As for my impression of the DAC, so far it just appears as though it smooths out the sound. A bit clearer, and it isn't as harsh as it was previously. I could just be imagining things, though. It all sounds so good, I'm still trying to take it all in!
Again, thanks for all the help, I greatly appreciate it!
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03-25-2008, 08:15 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Austria
Posts: 394
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The harshness should go away after some time of burn in.
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