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Need some help with Source gear.. so confused....

post #1 of 8
5/3/11 at 8:12am
Thread Starter 

Howdy  all

 

I’ve kind of gotten myself all confused and some input would be great.

 

I have dying iPod 6th gen that I used with an arrow 12HE and it was the bomb with HD650 and triple fi10, but all things must come to an end as my TF10s broke on the last day of warranty ( was just covered) and I have a gut feeling that my iPod won’t last more than 1or 2 months.

 

So I’ve been reading round the forums and other sites and stuff and I am just confused, but at the same time these DAPs stuck out to me:

 

Imod

Sansa clip+

Sansa Fuze +

HM602

 

Now my first question, why does everyone compare an imod to HM801, I thought it would be obvious they they are two very different products. Wouldn’t a closer comparison be an imod to a HM 602 or 601?

 

I do sound engineering for my church and was planning on getting some custom monitors like the JH16 or UE Reference, I don’t have bucket loads of cash to burn so I want to try and get a set up around monitors like the JH16 or UE Ref etc.

 

So I guess my next question is if I get the JH16, I’ve heard the sound improves dramatically in a balanced set up, but at the same time people have said that using the JH16 with pico slim is just as good? Someone please explain?

 

And before anyone gets any ideas of saying the HM801 or Cypher labs Solo, I’m ruling it out as using them isn’t portable.

 

 

With the sansa products I understand that the clip = music and the fuze = music + vid

But is the fuze better in any other way?

 

So any tips ideas, suggestions, anything would help.

 

So far this is the future set up I plan to go with.

 

HM602 > pico slim > JH16

Or

Sansa clip/fuze > RSA Protector

 

 

So any tips ideas, suggestions, anything would help.

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post #2 of 8
5/3/11 at 8:16am

I think you should check out the upcoming Fiio X3.  If you can wait a few months for it to be released and for reviews, I think it could be worthwhile.  We're looking forward to the X3 around here, though we don't have any set release date from Fiio yet (they were having issues with their firmware/chip supplier last time I checked).

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post #3 of 8
5/3/11 at 8:31am
Thread Starter 

wow thxs the x3 looks pretty sick.

 

cheers

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post #4 of 8
5/3/11 at 10:30am

Out of these alternatives, the most cost-effective solution is the HM-602 in terms of SQ and cost, but only if you prefer a warm, analog sound signature.  An iMod/WhipMOD is a more flexible, but expensive source when you factor in the cost of the custom LOD and quality amp.  On the upside, you get gapless playback, slicker UI and a lot more storage capacity than the 602, which tops out at 48GB (although you can carry additional SDHC cards).

 

My amp of choice with my WhipMOD is the Pico Slim with the Whiplash "Fat Boy" Reference WhipLOD.  That combination, above all sounds the best to my ears for most genres.  I use the HM-602 primarily for high-res FLACs I purchase from HDTracks (yes, it downconverts them to 24/48 from 24/88 or 24/96, but it still plays them just fine). The lack of gapless playback is a glaring issue with the current hardware, but if you can get past that, the sound quality more than makes up for any shortcomings from a single-stack mobile gear at a price that is a fraction of a full WhipMOD gear.

 

I recommend the JH13 Pros for the HM-602, although I heard from reliable sources that the ES5s are also capable of good synergy.  The JH16s would be overkill for the HM-602 and the enhanced bass hump would be counterproductive for most ears in this configuration.

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post #5 of 8
5/3/11 at 9:21pm
Thread Starter 

Ok I think I understand.

 

So because the HM-602 is already a warm sounding device you recommend  the JH13 because its more neutral? And would you use an amp with it?

And the imod is more analytical so the JH 16 balances that out?

 

And just out of curiosity anyone tried the sansa+ pico?

 

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post #6 of 8
5/4/11 at 6:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ittius View Post

Ok I think I understand.

 

So because the HM-602 is already a warm sounding device you recommend  the JH13 because its more neutral? And would you use an amp with it?

And the imod is more analytical so the JH 16 balances that out?

 

And just out of curiosity anyone tried the sansa+ pico?

 


The standard opamps are sufficient for me with the HM-602.  An iMod or WhipMOD can sound analytical with quality silver interconnects and similar IEM replacement cables such as the TWag products or the much more expensive Piccolino lineup.  If you use TWcu (silver plated copper, you gain bass at the expense of treble extensions and overall detail in the bargain, take your pick).

 

The latest recommendation from Jerry Harvey is that JH13Pros are  targeted for audiophiles and JH16Pros are generally targeted for on-stage musicians, drummers, bass guitarists, etc.  This is a general statement, and as such I agree with it based on my experience in owning both for about a year.  But I have found that the JH16 Pros, indeed, work well with the WhipMOD/Pico Slim or RSA Shadow combo for rock/pop/techno-style recordings, because they offset the neutrality of the TWag interconnects and add some targeted low-end bass extensions that can be quite pleasurable and fun without degrading the detail and balance of the rest of the audible spectrum.

 

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post #7 of 8
5/5/11 at 1:04pm

If you like the ipod 6th gen why not just find somewhere online to replace/upgrade the battery?

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post #8 of 8
5/6/11 at 1:44am

I concur, sent my imod off for a new battery total cost £22.50, could not bear to be without my imod + stepdance portable combo. 

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