Meier Audio Quickstep (also Stepdance and 2Stepdance) Discussion and Impressions Thread - Page 130

A random revelation:  

This nomograph shows why the lesser slew rate (6.4 V/ms) of the OPA209s that are used in the 2Stepdance causes no degradation of sound quality relative to the higher slew rate (27.0 V/ms) of the OPA1611s that are used in the original Stepdance.  (This does not take into account any characteristics other than slew rate that distinguish the OPA209 and OPA1611.)

This should dispel any concern about the lower slew rate of the 2Stepdance OPA209s.

For more characteristics that distinguish the op-amps used in the 2Stepdance (OPA209) and the Stepdance (OPA1611), see their datasheets:

OPA209:  http://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/opa209.pdf

OPA1611:  http://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/opa1611.pdf

Mike

A fuzzy argument could also be made that opamps with very high slew rates may be more prone to distortions/oscillations. 

Hi I am new to "head-fi" product and just got 2SD two days ago from the local dealer. In fact, I don't know much about this kinda "head-fi" stuffs.  Now, I am using M10 --> 2SD --> IE80 / HD25. 

Something went wrong with the sound on the 2nd days as the main vocal disappeared (on and off).  Then, I asked the dealer to check it and found out that the problem was cased by the 3.5mm cable (2 of these cables included with the pack of 2SD).   So, they recommended me to change the cable and they only have one cable, which costs USD175 (from ALO audio).  At that time, I did not think too much and then got it (in fact, now I think it is quite expensive).   Is it really make a big difference between normal cable and good one (the expensive one)?

Apart from the cable problem, the sounds with 2SD now is really reallyt great.  Before got the 2SD, I tried so many amp but could not find any one match with my expectation (except Triad L3); however, it is too huge for me to take out everyday.  Few days ago, I found this forums and read much about SD and then I tried and really enjoy the balanced sounds and details in music. Now, I am glad that I made the right choice to take it back home.   

Wow, $175 quite a bit for the cable.  I just use the Fiio L3 LOD and it serves me fine.  Big difference can be subjective.  At $175 I would want there to be a big difference.  Personally I would return it but that's me and I'm not opposed to cables but $175 is a bit steep, especially at close to half the cost of the 2SD.  Or if you can get a cheaper cable at another store do some comparisons and get back to us.  If the more expensive cable isn't better just sell it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kawee 

Something went wrong with the sound on the 2nd days as the main vocal disappeared (on and off).  Then, I asked the dealer to check it and found out that the problem was cased by the 3.5mm cable (2 of these cables included with the pack of 2SD).   So, they recommended me to change the cable and they only have one cable, which costs USD175 (from ALO audio).  At that time, I did not think too much and then got it (in fact, now I think it is quite expensive).   Is it really make a big difference between normal cable and good one (the expensive one)?

Hi kawee!

Yes, that ALO cable is overpriced, in my opinion.    

I don't own this cable, but I have done business with iBasso and this cable appears to be very reasonably priced for what you get:

http://www.ibasso.com/en/products/show.asp?ID=54

Jan Meier also offers a Qables interconnect cable you might consider:

http://www.meier-audio.homepage.t-online.de/  (Select the "Cables" button at the top of this page.)

You might want to think hard about getting a right-angle connector at one end of your interconnect cable.  I believe that this greatly reduces the strain on the jack where the right-angle connector is attached.

I've been using a very reasonably priced (comparable to those I've listed above), custom-made interconnect from Milian Acoustics, as seen in these photos:

http://milianacoustics.com/productlink.php?product=1-AM-AM-YK-SPC-1-0.5

If you order directly from the link I've provided, you will get straight connectors at both ends.  To get a right-angle connector at one end (or both ends), you will have to contact Milian Acoustics to place the order.

I'm very happy with this cable, as it sounds great and has endured a lot of handling over the past 18 months, without failing.  The Kevlar sleeve hasn't even begun to show signs of wear, not surprisingly, but it's very soft and flexible.

Going off-topic a bit, I'd also like to comment on your avatar photo.  It seems you are using a Sony PCM-M10 as a player!

I've been using my PCM-M10 as a player almost every day for 18 months, now.

How long have you been using your PCM-M10 as a player (instead of as a recorder)?

Now that you have a 2Stepdance with an interconnect cable, have you programmed the PCM-M10 to use Line Out instead of Headphone Out?  (The Audio Out setting is in the PCM-M10's Detail Menu.)

You must be satisfied with the sound of the PCM-M10 - as I am, obviously.  

Have you tried playing any 96-kHz 24-bit WAV files yet?  

The PCM-M10's sigma-delta DAC plays 96/24 files to Line Out without down-sampling them and I really love the gapless playback of the PCM-M10.

You can purchase and download 96/24 kHz FLAC files from sites like HDTracks.com, then convert them to 96/24kHz WAV files using software such as dbPoweramp.   Note that the PCM-M10 cannot play 88-kHz 24-bit files - if you download any of those, you will have to up-sample them to 96/24 when converting them to WAV.  

Congratulations on your purchase of a 2Stepdance - it's a truly great amplifier!   Having purchased some other headphone amps since I first got my Stepdance, it has become very obvious to me that Jan Meier produces very sophisticated designs for the money.  All of the Meier Audio amps offer a lot of no-nonsense bang for the buck.  When you buy Jan's stuff, most of your money is going toward sound quality, without compromise.

Mike

Quote:

Originally Posted by WNBC 

Wow, $175 quite a bit for the cable.  I just use the Fiio L3 LOD and it serves me fine.  Big difference can be subjective.  At $175 I would want there to be a big difference.  Personally I would return it but that's me and I'm not opposed to cables but $175 is a bit steep, especially at close to half the cost of the 2SD.  Or if you can get a cheaper cable at another store do some comparisons and get back to us.  If the more expensive cable isn't better just sell it.

 

I connected with ALO cable to 2SD and the sounds is still unstable.  So,  I returned the cable to the shop and got another headphone in exchange. Also, I requested for a replacement of the 2SD.  The lady in the shop is really nice.  She said that it should not a big problem but still replaced a new one for me. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by zilch0md 

 

---

Going off-topic a bit, I'd also like to comment on your avatar photo.  It seems you are using a Sony PCM-M10 as a player!

 

I've been using my PCM-M10 as a player almost every day for 18 months, now.

 

How long have you been using your PCM-M10 as a player (instead of as a recorder)?

 

Now that you have a 2Stepdance with an interconnect cable, have you programmed the PCM-M10 to use Line Out instead of Headphone Out?  (The Audio Out setting is in the PCM-M10's Detail Menu.)

 

You must be satisfied with the sound of the PCM-M10 - as I am, obviously.  

 

Have you tried playing any 96-kHz 24-bit WAV files yet?

 

The PCM-M10's sigma-delta DAC plays 96/24 files to Line Out without down-sampling them and I really love the gapless playback of the PCM-M10.

 

You can purchase and download 96/24 kHz FLAC files from sites like HDTracks.com, then convert them to 96/24kHz WAV files using software such as dbPoweramp.   Note that the

Thanks Mike.  Thanks for the info regarding the cable and I will have a look. 

For the sound of M10, yes, I really like it sounds so clear and tranparent.   I just have it for a few weeks. As I want to have better sounds, I got the 2SD.  Unfortunately, got another problem with the 2SD.  It now doesn't work after few hours playing.  It cannot be turned on (no light and of course, no sounds). I tried to change the battery and still have no response.  .....oooooops ......need to go to the shop again.  Have you guys got any problem with the 2SD?

Have you guys ever got any problem with the SD / 2SD????

Yes, I too have had no problems with either of my Stepdance amps (I have two of the original design) and I don't believe this thread has seen any other reports of problems with the 2Stepdance.  

Mike

Hi Vicks7,

My "walkabout" case is a Case Logic TBC-304, as seen in this gallery: http://www.head-fi.org/gallery/album/view/id/35959/user_id/54793

My "travel" case is an HPRC 2400F, as seen in this gallery:  http://www.head-fi.org/gallery/album/view/id/35958/user_id/54793

Mike

Haha, I believe I was the one who suggested "Quickstep" way back when the 2stepdance was introduced.