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The AirHead/BitHead Replacement????? - Page 2

post #16 of 53
12/3/08 at 10:43am
I never used the crossfeed on my TBH, and only occasionally use the one on my Micro (Pink Floyd's Atom Heart Mother for example is much more listenable with crossfeed).
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post #17 of 53
12/3/08 at 11:12am
I say give buyers the option. Some folks never use it, but when I had mine I used it a lot. I find that, the lower down the equipment chain I go, the more I want it. I rarely use it on my Desktop Balanced, but when I do (BEATLES!!) it's VERY welcome indeed. When I owned a Total BitHead, I used it pretty much 100% of the time.

I guess what I'm saying is that the more the SQ improves, IMHO the less it's needed all the time. So, if the SQ improves enough without it, maybe it goes from IMHO being essential to being merely desireable? I know, I'm rambling.
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post #18 of 53
12/3/08 at 2:49pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for asking us this question Tyll,
I would rather leave the crossfeed out and focus on the sound quality. This would give Headroom the best sounding, affordable amp in this price range. My only question is how much of an improvement are we talking about?
Thanks
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post #19 of 53
12/3/08 at 4:12pm
Thanks for asking. I'd lean towards improving SQ; given that I'd likely be using it with a portable source, I'd get the crossfeed via Rockbox if I wanted it that badly.
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post #20 of 53
12/3/08 at 4:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Coop47 View Post
I'd get the crossfeed via Rockbox if I wanted it that badly.
If only Rockbox were tuned by the people at HeadRoom. To my ears, the HR crossfeed is much more natural than the 'default' Rockbox settings, and I don't have the time or patience to sit there fiddling with all the settings in Rockbox to try to make up for the difference.
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post #21 of 53
12/3/08 at 7:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheSloth View Post
If only Rockbox were tuned by the people at HeadRoom. To my ears, the HR crossfeed is much more natural than the 'default' Rockbox settings, and I don't have the time or patience to sit there fiddling with all the settings in Rockbox to try to make up for the difference.
Fair enough. I guess my point is that there are other ways to incorporate crossfeed (even if it needs tweaking to match the HR tuning) but you only get one shot at the amp's sound quality. But, point taken on HeadRoom's crossfeed.
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post #22 of 53
12/3/08 at 7:39pm
Thanks for your comments guys, they're running pretty much as we expected. I will post more about this, but I did want to leave the question open for another day or so before I let you know what we're thinking.

Thanks again for your honest comments, and I'd appreciate any more that come in.
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post #23 of 53
12/4/08 at 1:09pm
No one else? Anyone? Beuller? Anyone?
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post #24 of 53
12/4/08 at 2:23pm
I find I don't use the crossfeed much on my ultra micro amp.

If having both options available (with or without crossfeed) is not a possibility, then I would vote to leave the crossfeed out for improved SQ, assuming that it is a noticeable improvement.
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post #25 of 53
12/4/08 at 2:55pm
Thread Starter 
If no one else has something to say, I'd like to hear what Tyll and the gang at Headroom are planing to do. All I have left to say is that communication such as this lets me know my money is well spent here.
Thanks for the opportunity to let us audio junkies tell you our thoughts.
Kevin.
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post #26 of 53
12/5/08 at 1:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by kboe View Post
If no one else has something to say, I'd like to hear what Tyll and the gang at Headroom are planing to do. All I have left to say is that communication such as this lets me know my money is well spent here.
Thanks for the opportunity to let us audio junkies tell you our thoughts.
Kevin.

Thanks again, Kboe!

We're frankly still batting it around, Kevin ... I will say that many of our own internal HR debates and corporate 'back & forth' on this topic precisely reflect many the statements of the Head-Fiers here. So at least we're on the same page!

I'd guess the final decision still remains a bit away -- so lots more comments from the gallery remain welcome ya'll!

Cheers,
Jorge
HR sales/Product Manager
HeadRoom was founded in 1992 & manufactures headphone amps, DACs, and accessories; and sells headphones & related personal audio gear. We offer exceptional products, customer service, & information.
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post #27 of 53
12/5/08 at 2:57am
I say leave the xfeed out. It is very subtle anyway. Go for sound quality.
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post #28 of 53
12/5/08 at 12:47pm

What about this?

I really like the crossfeed, but of course it would be better not to sacrifice much quality for it. It makes my listening less fatiguing if I listen for a long time at my desk.

How about this?
  1. Make units with or without the DAC (like you do today) both without the filter
  2. Offer a mini DAC that has the crossfeed built-in.
People could buy the DAC unit who don't care about it, while people who want the crossfeed could buy the small DAC that includes the crossfeed. Perhaps there would be a market for an inexpensive portable DAC with a decent crossfeed. Maybe I don't understand how the crossfeed works, but I would think that you could do it at the line level.

Also, is there no way to do the crossfeed in a digital form? Perhaps special computer software or a function in a DAC unit.
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post #29 of 53
12/12/08 at 1:39am
Thread Starter 
Well, I just ordered the Total Airhead, Gigabag, Grado SR 80 and power supply for my first real portable rig. I originally had my eye fixed on the Denon 1000 in B Stock, but a quick call to your pleasant staff, (Ben in Sales) told my I was a half a day late. I still want them but will wait for them to be restocked. Thanks Guys, Headroom and Ben who helped me.
Kevin,
A happy customer, again, and hopefully again!
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post #30 of 53
12/12/08 at 12:23pm
IMHO, you should find a good balance between both. Those who want the extra sound quality can always buy something from the micro line.

Another option would be to offer a "barebones" version with a very affordable price and maybe consider the crossfeed doughterboard as suggested already.

I'm sure you'll make a great product whatever your decision is!
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