Just listened to some Fostex T50RPs today... WOW! - Page 652

Quote:

Originally Posted by geetarman49 

YES! ... another convert ... i'm happy that you're happy.

just wait until you try the sunrise with some different tubes  ... such as nos rca 12au7 cleartop, nos raytheon 5751 windmill getter, amperex 6dj8 (bugle boy) .... that's when the fun really starts & your wallet begins to cry .... but start with the rca 12au7 - you can get new/almost new 'organ pulls' at relatively low cost ...

 

try pink floyd in hi-res format.

 

i'll have some suggestions for you regarding dac, but not right now ... too tired.  are you looking for pure usb dac  or would you prefer one that can handle spdif coax/tos as well?
 

Quite a few things you mentioned that I can look forward to.  I had already started shopping around for tubes and so your recommendations really help.

Where can I get Pink Floyd in hi-res?  The Wall in high res format would be wonderful.  Any of the others also, but I listen to The Wall about as much as all my other music combined.

For the DAC, at this point, I primarily need USB input to take the audio from my S3 and my PC.

In this regard, back in Colorado I have a very early Wadia DAC from back in the 80s. Do you know if these are any good at all compared to today's equipment?

geetarman49, a followup questions.  I found some of the remastered PF on Amazon.  One of the options is download MP3 for those of us who want it now, Am I correct in assuming that MP3 format would significantly degrade the music?  I personally never use MP3, just flac,

Dah!, of course, I just realized I can listen to samples of each of the tracks, which I will do this morning, but I would still like to know your opinion..... and if you know of even better recordings than these.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinook9 

Finished building my Project Sunrise II last night (0221) and I want to thank geetarman49 and others for the recommendation and share my perception that the Project Sunrise II, in either kit form at $199 or built at $244, is clearly one of very few extraordinary values in audio. 

 

I run flac USB digital out of Samsung S3 into iBasso D10, line out into the Sunrise II then, stock cable into my basic DRV#3 mod.  The Sunrise has a much more power than needed to drive the headphones and I can't describe how thrilled I am with the amp.  So far listened mainly to Pink Floyd.

 

Now I'm in the hunt for a great value in a DAC (<$300) that will make the setup even better.

If all you need is a pure USB DAC (and one that works with the S3), the ODAC is hard to beat.  It has a very detailed and transparent sound and might do well with a tube amp.  Reviews are still coming in, but Schiit just released the Modi which is only $99 and looks really nice.  Early impressions are good.  I have one on the way and can compare to the ODAC.  Another option is the Nuforce HDP which you can get refurbished for right around $300 now, which also adds a headphone amp, preamp, and more digital inputs.  Even if you don't need the other options, its DAC is quite good and a bit more refined than the ODAC.   

Quote:

Originally Posted by FraGGleR 

If all you need is a pure USB DAC (and one that works with the S3), the ODAC is hard to beat.  It has a very detailed and transparent sound and might do well with a tube amp.  Reviews are still coming in, but Schiit just released the Modi which is only $99 and looks really nice.  Early impressions are good.  I have one on the way and can compare to the ODAC.  Another option is the Nuforce HDP which you can get refurbished for right around $300 now, which also adds a headphone amp, preamp, and more digital inputs.  Even if you don't need the other options, its DAC is quite good and a bit more refined than the ODAC.   

Thanks for the recommendations.  Where can you find the Nuforce HDP reburbished?  I can't find it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinook9 

geetarman49, a followup questions.  I found some of the remastered PF on Amazon.  One of the options is download MP3 for those of us who want it now, Am I correct in assuming that MP3 format would significantly degrade the music?  I personally never use MP3, just flac,

 

Dah!, of course, I just realized I can listen to samples of each of the tracks, which I will do this morning, but I would still like to know your opinion..... and if you know of even better recordings than these.

go to hdtracks.com for 24/96, 24/88.2, 24/176, 24/192 downloads in flac; avoid the amazon downloads.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinook9 

Thanks for the recommendations.  Where can you find the Nuforce HDP reburbished?  I can't find it.

fraggler's recommendation for the separate odac is a good one, but there are many choices in your budget range.  i think a separate device is a better approach than an all-in-one such as the hdp, but that's just me.  i'll pm so as to not derail this thread any further.

as for the wadia, there were some good ones and others that were just so-so (imho).  if you enjoy its sound, there's nothing wrong with continuing to use it (don't take what any of us have to say as being gospel ... it's not).  the biggest problem with vintage eqpmt is the high probability of deteriorating components, esp electrolytic capacitors.  all vintage electronics should be thoroughly checked out before use.

Wrong thread sorry.

Quote:

Originally Posted by eltocliousus 

Anyone have a strange issue with hearing a sort of 'tingling' noise, or slight crackling noise (difficult to describe) when wearing the headphone without listening to anything? It's not really an issue but it is strange, I've had a few headphones in the past also make passive sounds but most tend to be closed, which logically would make these passive noises louder. This is when not plugged into anything, just passive sounds the headphone makes when sat on the head.

That's gotta be static.. or something loose rattling around inside the headphone. I meant to post about something similar.

When I would tilt the headphone back and forth, it sounded like a piece of plastic was moving around in the cup.. Took the cups apart, nothing.

I wound up figuring out the sound was coming from where the metal pieces attach to the cups. I opened that center section up by poking a hole into the plastic part that covers up the screw compartment.. But, was shocked to find nothing loose inside there. I took the screw out, couldn't figure out what was causing the problem, put em back together and the sound was gone.

I don't even know what happened, but the rattling noise is gone and I'm happy.

Your problem sounds more like static though. Unless it happens when you aren't moving around, then I have no idea.

Since my girlfriend is always making gifts by hand for me and I wanted to do the same for her I decided to put together a pair of modified T50RPs as her Christmas gift. This project started in about July and I finally finished tonight. After getting the initial pair of headphones I was hooked on the sound and ordered a second pair to modify in tandem. I put together the green pair for myself first as a prototype to fully understand how to complete the steps of the project. Figured Head-fi would enjoy the picture dump. :)

Assembly:

http://imgur.com/a/n2V40

Final Products:

http://imgur.com/a/gZ4fY

I need to touch up a little chip in the paint on one of the hangers on my pair but other than that they are complete and sound great.

Feels good to be finally finished with the project and now both me and the gal can enjoy some sweet tunes on our T50RPs!

Thanks! I'm not perfectly happy with the waterslide decals to be honest but it was my first time using them so I guess i couldn't expect too much. They look better in person than in pictures at least.

They look good!

They look fantastic Rayyn, really well done, loving the green.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrislangley4253 

That's gotta be static.. or something loose rattling around inside the headphone. I meant to post about something similar.

When I would tilt the headphone back and forth, it sounded like a piece of plastic was moving around in the cup.. Took the cups apart, nothing.

I wound up figuring out the sound was coming from where the metal pieces attach to the cups. I opened that center section up by poking a hole into the plastic part that covers up the screw compartment.. But, was shocked to find nothing loose inside there. I took the screw out, couldn't figure out what was causing the problem, put em back together and the sound was gone.

I don't even know what happened, but the rattling noise is gone and I'm happy.

 

Your problem sounds more like static though. Unless it happens when you aren't moving around, then I have no idea.

Chris, thanks for the reply however I meant to post in the HE-6 thread and must have gotten mixed up with my browser tabs, although saying that I do have a knocking sound when I put on/take off my personal Fostex pair but I believe it's just the pads isolating and 'popping' because of it. 

I don't know about the rest of you folks, but I find myself being impulsive in making changes to my system.

After completing my DBV#3 mods I haven't changed anything in the headphones but the greatness of these headphones has lead me to change everything else in my system.

I finished the Sunrise Project II and I really like it.  I've been a solid state man my whole life but I really like the tube sound of the Sunrise and don't notice any trade-offs. Everything I have listened to so far has sounded wonderful including the sub bass.

geetarman49 suggested some tubes to try for tube rolling and so I am now into that.  It will take a lot of time to evaluate tubes, however, because they take a long time to burn in. 

After reading way too many reviews on all recommended DACs, I went the possibly risky "value" route and bought a Musical Fidelity V-DAC (not Mk II), with Pyramid regulated power supply, for $162 off eBay.  We'll see.

If anyone has any suggestions of things to try, or things to avoid, please fire away.

ALSO: I'm not sure if using the USB audio out has caused the problems, but I have killed two Samsung S3s in the last 2 weeks. I received my 3rd new one from Verizon last night and probably won't use it much for music any more.  I have a spare netbook that I am going to use.

Ah man, i wish i did not remove the white paper off the driver, I want to do the DBV #3 mod but the first part stresses that the white paper should not be removed, is it going to make that much of a difference? am i screwed? ive covered it with Micropore but i dont remember how it was when i had the paper on anymore. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinook9 

I don't know about the rest of you folks, but I find myself being impulsive in making changes to my system.

 

After completing my DBV#3 mods I haven't changed anything in the headphones but the greatness of these headphones has lead me to change everything else in my system.

 

I finished the Sunrise Project II and I really like it.  I've been a solid state man my whole life but I really like the tube sound of the Sunrise and don't notice any trade-offs. Everything I have listened to so far has sounded wonderful including the sub bass.

 

geetarman49 suggested some tubes to try for tube rolling and so I am now into that.  It will take a lot of time to evaluate tubes, however, because they take a long time to burn in. 

 

After reading way too many reviews on all recommended DACs, I went the possibly risky "value" route and bought a Musical Fidelity V-DAC (not Mk II), with Pyramid regulated power supply, for $162 off eBay.  We'll see.

 

If anyone has any suggestions of things to try, or things to avoid, please fire away.

 

 

 

ALSO: I'm not sure if using the USB audio out has caused the problems, but I have killed two Samsung S3s in the last 2 weeks. I received my 3rd new one from Verizon last night and probably won't use it much for music any more.  I have a spare netbook that I am going to use.

geetarman49 recommended the Project Sunrise II several months ago. I finally ordered and expect delivery on New Year's Eve. Jeremy at Garage 1217 was "on it" with super fast replies to my questions and quick shipping. I'm stoked! This will be my first foray into the world of tubes. geetarman49 says I don't know what I've been missing. Your endorsement earlier this week cinched it for me. I've been on a tube research and purchase binge with more NOS vintage and current production tubes to order. I look forward to trying it out and comparing to my Dacmini and soon to arrive Centrance HiFi M8.