Head-fi.org is a disappointment! - Page 2

I am guilty of not replying but I actually did not see your thread. I am still not sure what to say since I do not really believe in source-amp synergy*. The iphone 3Gs is a pretty good source. The Stepdance is an excellent amp. Put them together and you have a pretty good source plus an excellent amp.

I will say this: the Stepdance is a good enough amp that there will be tangible advantages to improving your source. With good headphones (key point!), an iMod (and, I therefore assume the HM801, HM602, Algorythm Solo...) will provide a further meaningful improvement over the iPhone. 

But iPhone plus Stepdance is a good combination.

(* at least not at the portable level. Once you get into tubes, the situation can be a bit more complicated)

I can only vouch for the Stepdance. It's an absolutely fantastic portable amp but it does use up batteries like crazy. I am looking into a regulated power supply to use with it but that kinda cuts down on its portability.

I don't know but I'd be willing to bet that the iPad (with the camera adapter) out to something like the Pico DAC into the Stepdance would be a killer combination.

Good Luck and Happy Listening  

I didn't know that. Still wouldn't be seen dead with it, but it's nice to know.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trysaeder 

The ipad has digital output.

no it doesnt, there is a very small number of portable dacs that it will work with. it has a limited digital output in that unless the USB/spdif convertor/receiver in the dac is powered by its own battery, chances are it will not work wit the ipad digi out, some very low power devices may, but its very hit and miss.

what this means for the OP is that there is a very limited range of dac/amps that he can use the ipad with, very few indeed, so if thats what is keeping you from the stepdance, I wouldnt let it. to use the vast majority of portable dacs, u need a netbook or a laptop in a transportable rig, not many have an optical input that can be used with an iriver iHP1X0 and pretty much only an iriver, everything else you would need USB output.

so although I havent heard the stepdance, it ranks right up there with some great amps that I do own and I do own an ipad and iphone, both make pretty good portable sources, what matters more is the match between your headphones and the stepdance IMO

and to the OP, this sort of deserving attitude will not go very far here. there are numerous threads just like yours started every day ie. how will amp blah sound with player meh with my ears, with my random headphones and my random music; unless you have something to set yourself apart from that and perhaps ask a less subjective question, you will not have much luck. especially starting so many similar threads that will just clog up the search engine and make it less useful for others wanting to research the same question, why not ask the question in the review thread? 

so now that you have insulted and cast generalizations upon us, how do you think you will go now? does this approach work well for you in real life?

to clarify, yes it has a digital output, but its more a matter of happenstance as a byproduct of working with cameras, so it was not designed to support a wide variety of devices. it does make a killer transportable holiday or travel rig, but I would certainly not put it in the portable category and those who know my 'portable' rigs, will know that is saying something

I know of no other forum, with the possible exception of some gaming fora, where you can post a request for info on a set of recently-released hardware and receive as many responses as you will on Head-Fi.

Misinformation ? Sure.

Purchase justification ? Sure.

New toy joy/FOTM hysteria ? Sure

For all that, how many other places do you know of where you can post something like this and expect a response within hours ?

'I have $900 Acme XYZ that I am looking to pair with a $1500 BullAnt-001 via a $3000 UltraDAC5000 : I realise that these were only released within the last month, but I was wondering if anyone has this exact combination ? Oh, and it would be fantastic if you are also using DuneBug interconnects with at least 200 hours on them.'

If anything shocks me about Head-Fi, its how quickly someone will respond to the above post with that EXACT set of kit. They will also have about 15 other pieces of kit to compare it with - astounding, particularly at time when we are being told that most of us are saving every dollar for the next installment of the GFC !

Head-Fi : the worst is never a disappointment 

Wha wha wha wha wha........says the great pumpkin to Charlie Brown.

Quote:

Originally Posted by estreeter 

I know of no other forum, with the possible exception of some gaming fora, where you can post a request for info on a set of recently-released hardware and receive as many responses as you will on Head-Fi.

 

Misinformation ? Sure.

Purchase justification ? Sure.

New toy joy/FOTM hysteria ? Sure

 

For all that, how many other places do you know of where you can post something like this and expect a response within hours ?

 

'I have $900 Acme XYZ that I am looking to pair with a $1500 BullAnt-001 via a $3000 UltraDAC5000 : I realise that these were only released within the last month, but I was wondering if anyone has this exact combination ? Oh, and it would be fantastic if you are also using DuneBug interconnects with at least 200 hours on them.'

 

If anything shocks me about Head-Fi, its how quickly someone will respond to the above post with that EXACT set of kit. They will also have about 15 other pieces of kit to compare it with - astounding, particularly at time when we are being told that most of us are saving every dollar for the next installment of the GFC !

 

Head-Fi : the worst is never a disappointment 

 

QFT.

I'm afriad I missed your original posts, otherwise I would have responded. As Randius kindly pointed out to you, I posted impressions about the STEPDANCE - paired with the iphone 4 - in the Stepdance discussion and impressions thread . Having now read your original two threads, I'm not sure I can help you further as you make reference to a headphone I'm not familiar with. If however you have any questions about the STEPDANCE in particular which haven't already been answered in the impressions thread, I would recommend posting there as I'm sure someone will respond if they know the answer to your question. You could also drop Jan Meier an e-mail, he may be able to provide advice about pairing the STEPDANCE with particular headphones.

Good luck with your foray into portable amps!

Oh you POOR BABY!!

PS headfi has been very helpful(if a bit confusing) for me.