Foobar has a peak meter that I like to use sometimes.  I am wondering: if the blue bars reach all the way to the limit of the meter, does this imply that some sounds are being dynamically compressed?  Otherwise the bar would extend higher than the limit of the meter?  It is not really possible...

I use the audio-gd nfb 3.1 dac, which has a line output level of 2.5 V, and the 3.1 feeds the Fiio E9, which I hear clips around 2.1 V.  However, I am not quite sure what clipping is.  I have noticed that on certain tracks with large dynamic range there is abrupt static at very loud portions of...

There has been a lot of talk about damping factor and impedance response around here lately.  Such things as "sensitive headphone drivers do not need damping factors as speaker drivers do" and such.  I am wondering if a headphone such as the Denon D2000 (which has an impedance of 25ohms across...

I have been looking at a bunch of different source components in a bunch of different threads.  So far I have considered buying the Audio-gd nfb 12.1 (dac/amp) or the nfb 3.1 dac.     However, I have heard that audio-gd is not the most "accurate" when it comes to source components...

I've seen a lot of measurements for the Sansa clip (not sure if I'm allowed to say where) and it seems to measure very well. So why does it impart such a warm sound signature? Shouldn't it be more neutral? Is it possible that this warmth is actually the result of a low quality dac that is too...

I've been reading a lot about the "loudness war" (there are many active threads around here) and have noticed that a lot of my music is gained very highly and sounds very loud, which I imagine means that they have been dynamically compressed.  I try to pay attention to see if I can gauge the...

I used the frequency response graph for the Denon 2000s on headroom as a model for my graphic eq in foobar.  Headroom says that there fr graphs are adjusted for the contours of the human ear and such. . . does that mean that by inverting the fr graph via my graphic equalizer I will end up with...

I discovered the ABX tester for Foobar yesterday and spend the better part of the day playing with it.  I was surprised that all three of my headphones (see sig below) were able to discern between lossy and lossless, but only on some albums.  On other albums I could not tell a difference.  ...

Well, I'm about to make another outrageous headphone related purchase, but before doing so I naturally did a lot of research.  People seem to have very different opinions about the Audio-gd NFB 12.1.    With dual Wolfson 8741 chips, is this thing too good to be true at $215?  Has anybody had...

If I wanted to own a full sized pair of headphones with a similar sound signature to the Atrio M5 IEMs, which headphones (regardless of price) would fit the bill?   Sort of a weird question but I really really like the sound signature of the Atrio M5 (mg7 drivers)   What I'm really...

I'm looking at getting my stereo system set up, and first thing I need to buy is an amplifier or reciever.  I can save a lot of money buy buying a power amplifier, but apparently I need a pre amplifier to use it with.  Can I use my Fiio E9 as a pre amp?    In this situation, do I control the...

Currently I drive my Denon D2000s from the Fiio E7/E9 combo.  However, I am looking for an upgrade and have come up with the following, any input from owners would be appreciated.  I am mostly interested in: clarity, instrument seperation, soundstage, and there can't be any roll-off with the...

I just read the Clip+ review on NwAvGuys blog, and it has really impressive results from his tests.  Sansa's new replacement mp3 for the discontinued Clip+ is the Clip Zip, which I hear is identical in music hardware to the Clip+.    Can I buy a Clip Zip knowing that it will sound exactly...

Today I installed Voodoo sound control on my Nexus S and am simply blown away by the results.  My phone had always sounded good, but now it sounds REALLY good.  Better, by far, than my iPod touch.  Better than the Pioneer head unit in my car.   I think that the DAC in my phone is even better...

The plexiglass (right?) cover of my Fiio E7 is covered in scratches and small cracks.  I imagine that taking off the glass cover I would reveal an anondized aluminum case and a small display that I'll have to be careful not to damage?     

Thoughts on this? I have been enjoying my M5s for a couple of months now, and am wondering if anyone has tried amping their M5s?  I find when listening to the M5 out of my iPod touch, the presentation seems a bit weird.  Almost like something is missing, and the iPod cannot get loud enough to...

I'm having a really tough time with this one.  The Atrio M5 seems like a great headphone, but right now it can be had for the same price as the UE Triple Fi 10 ($190)  I really want to upgrade my portable setup, so here is what I am looking for: -Isolation -Soundstage -Clarity (must be at...

A little disclaimer:  I have been pouring over threads regarding the ipod Classic, and they have left me very confused.  That said. . .   I am pretty sure that the 6th and 7th generation iPods all use the same hardware, so far as DAC, headphone amp, etc?  Because I have read posts about the...

Well, it's about that time.  I'm looking at my audio stuff and thinking "hmm, what should I drop $200 on next?"  I was thinking of buying new IEMs (to uprgrade from my S4s) but there are a lot of fine looking portable headphones out there.  I am only concerned that portables will not give me the...

I notice that a lot of replacement cables are terminated with a two-pin plug (or something like that).  Could I buy a jack for this plug, and solder it a pair of IEMs?   What is this part called?

I can't find a company that will recable my Klipsch custom 3s, so I have resolved to do it myself.  But I do not know where to start.  Where can I buy a cable for an in ear monitor that is unterminated?  I do not want to build the plug, I'd rather find a cable with a plug but without the two-pin...

I can't find a company that will recable my Klipsch custom 3s, so I have resolved to do it myself.  But I do not know where to start.  Where can I buy a cable for an in ear monitor that is unterminated?  I do not want to build the plug, I'd rather find a cable with a plug but without the two-pin...

The Klipsch Custom 3s are fantastic headphones, and really cheap.  I bought a pair and can't stand the cable, so is there a place I can send them to for customization?  So far, I've only found companies that sell custom molded IEMs containing their drivers.  I would love to have the dual BA in...

I am currently looking for an upgrade to my Klipsch S4s. After six months of happy ownership, I'm ready for something new.  I am looking for a dynamic driver, because I really appreciate the bass impact that a BA driver can't quite achieve.  My ears are sensitive to treble, so the treble should...

I just received the Klipsch Custom 3s.  They sound great, but as people had warned me, the cable is awful.  It is wiry, transmits a lot of noise. . .   Is there any way I can replace this cable?  I know it isn't removable, but can I ship them to a company that does this sort of thing?  I...