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UPDATED 2/22 REVIEW 13 USB DAC amp - Predator, Pico, 2/3MOVE, D10 D3 D2 Viper/Boa D1, Lyrix,... - Page 50

post #736 of 1095
3/3/09 at 7:33pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by aroddick View Post
Thank you sir. Great to have someone around with your fine-tuned ear. I will look into these options.
Skylab and I have both done reviews on the Travagans white if you do a search - also all my reviews have links in my public profile "about me"
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post #737 of 1095
3/3/09 at 9:36pm
hey I was wondering if you would recommend getting a DAC/AMP combo (like Move2) over getting a dedicated DAC (like gamma 1) and like a portable amp (like mini^3 or something of the like)? I'm using an ms1, and later I plan to get either an sr225 or an ad700.
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post #738 of 1095
3/3/09 at 11:27pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nike T View Post
hey I was wondering if you would recommend getting a DAC/AMP combo (like Move2) over getting a dedicated DAC (like gamma 1) and like a portable amp (like mini^3 or something of the like)? I'm using an ms1, and later I plan to get either an sr225 or an ad700.
A dedicated DAC/amp should be fine with any of those headphones you mentioned. And, you can still use something like the D10, D3, Pico to drive a full size amp later if you upgrade to harder to drive phones.

I'm listening to my HD600 with D10 and stock buffers plus LTC6141HV opamp and at full volume there is no clipping and volume is more than enough to cause hearing damage to my ears over time, even if not as powerful as the 3MOVE or Pico with them (maybe 3-4dB louder with 3MOVE is all).

The Gamma 1 is a great DAC and if I got one I would get it with optical, coax and USB inputs - Beefy is selling one for $300 AUD (about $220 USD) and the line out can function as a limited headphone amp via USB with digital volume control. Wiatrob reported the headphone function to me, and I haven't tried that, but I did hear one as a DAC to a full size stat rig and it was a good as the D10 and Pico DAC sections.
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post #739 of 1095
3/4/09 at 7:41pm
Just looked at the revised ranking. a $275 DAC/AMP is at the top? Very nice!
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post #740 of 1095
3/7/09 at 6:20am
My 100 hrs plus 'cooked' K702 is performing well with my D2 Viper (rolled using LM6172 and THS4302. Bass sounds solid, mid and high are crisp and my non-audiophile ears are very happy. Just like to see any improvement when my K702 reaches the 600 hrs +.

Will be trying out the LM4568 and LM6127 for a comparison.
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post #741 of 1095
3/7/09 at 4:08pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by greenarrow View Post
My 100 hrs plus 'cooked' K702 is performing well with my D2 Viper (rolled using LM6172 and THS4302. Bass sounds solid, mid and high are crisp and my non-audiophile ears are very happy. Just like to see any improvement when my K702 reaches the 600 hrs +.

Will be trying out the LM4568 and LM6127 for a comparison.
The LM4562/LM6172 combo will sound a little brighter and crisper and "airier" than the LM6172/THS4032, but it will be more solid or "grounded" sounding than swapping the two that you have in it to a THS4032/LM6172.
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post #742 of 1095
3/7/09 at 11:55pm
Just curious Larry, did you get to try 2xLM4562 in the Viper?
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post #743 of 1095
3/8/09 at 12:02am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by sfmatt View Post
Just curious Larry, did you get to try 2xLM4562 in the Viper?
No I didn't, sorry - I think the LM4562 needs something warmer to go with it, like pairing the LM6172 in ground with it. And, I never got to try the LM4562 in ground with anything because I got a PM asking me to please sell it, and I figured that I have some many amps I might as well make him happy.
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post #744 of 1095
3/8/09 at 12:24am
No need to be sorry! You deserve many thanks for all your very insightful (and massive) insights on these portable amps.

I have 2xLM6172 which I never bothered to try but now with 2xLM4562 on order I'll take the plunge and start rolling next week. Should be fun. And I'll avoid switching to hi gain with 2x LM6172
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post #745 of 1095
3/8/09 at 1:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict View Post
The LM4562/LM6172 combo will sound a little brighter and crisper and "airier" than the LM6172/THS4032, but it will be more solid or "grounded" sounding than swapping the two that you have in it to a THS4032/LM6172.
Larry

Is the combination of THS4032 (grd)/LM6172 (L/R) a sort of Predator clone? Besides these op amps, I have op amps like 6241HV, LM6655MA, LME49720MA, LM6172IN and the original 2 from the Viper. What are the possible combination of the above op amps to create a signature? No harm in having these in either the grd or the L/R sockets?

noob in this sort of op amps rolling

I'm waiting for the arrival of my Compass in a couple of weeks time. Dying to see how the K702 pairs with this desk amp.
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post #746 of 1095
3/8/09 at 3:50am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by greenarrow View Post
Larry

Is the combination of THS4032 (grd)/LM6172 (L/R) a sort of Predator clone?

That is kind of between a Predator and a Meier 2/3MOVE.

Besides these op amps, I have op amps like 6241HV, LM6655MA, LME49720MA, LM6172IN and the original 2 from the Viper. What are the possible combination of the above op amps to create a signature? No harm in having these in either the grd or the L/R sockets?

The LTC6241HV (L/R) LMH6655MA (ground) is a Predator clone with just a very very slight softness to the attach vs Predator, which some might call a plus because it makes it smoother. I like my scalpels sharp.

The LM6172 is also good in the ground channel and warmer than the THS4032 or LMH6655. I have not tried an LME49720 in the D2 Viper, although I did have some on hand.


noob in this sort of op amps rolling

I'm waiting for the arrival of my Compass in a couple of weeks time. Dying to see how the K702 pairs with this desk amp.
See answers in red.
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post #747 of 1095
3/8/09 at 9:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict View Post
See answers in red.
Thanks for the pointers Larry.

Btw, can I connect the Viper to the Compass for a better listening environment?
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post #748 of 1095
3/8/09 at 10:02pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by greenarrow View Post
Thanks for the pointers Larry.

Btw, can I connect the Viper to the Compass for a better listening environment?
Sure.
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post #749 of 1095
3/10/09 at 11:04pm
i wonder if it sounds silly by asking this...

anyone use velcro on the amp ? does the paint on the amp get peel off ?

thanks
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post #750 of 1095
3/10/09 at 11:39pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by xcluded View Post
i wonder if it sounds silly by asking this...

anyone use velcro on the amp ? does the paint on the amp get peel off ?

thanks
All my amps have velcro, and there is no paint peeling so far.
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Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Portable Headphone Amps › UPDATED 2/22 REVIEW 13 USB DAC amp - Predator, Pico, 2/3MOVE, D10 D3 D2 Viper/Boa D1, Lyrix, MicroAmp, Vivid V1, Nuforce, XM5