D7 Sidewinder....Initial impressions - Page 32

... (most active monitors have their own volume control)

Thanks for the info.  Nevertheless, if you have ever run active monitors, you'll know that adjusting volume on the monitors itself is not a practical, every-day solution.  Variable line-out at the source is the way to go.

My apologies to the fanboyz (and fangirlz) if I have found your product wanting for my needs.

This "fanboy" (self labeled "appreciative user") is not offended...

Gotta go with what works best for your setup, as should anyone else.

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With regards to the pairing with the P4 amp and IE80, yes.  Better component matching for improved results.

That said, the Audinst HUD is the same price as the D7 and has almost the same features. Main difference being that the Audinst has variable RCA out while the D7 has fixed out. And since nobody on a budget will buy both to see which sounds better, we will never know. Choosing between those two comes down to what one prefers, or what fits better in their chain. That is, until someone acquires both a proceed with a thorough comparison.

I had the D12 + SRH840 wich I found a good pairing: bass on the Shure got tight due maybe to the relative brightness of the D12.

To me, it seemed that both tonal balances compensated each other.

Now that I have recovered the 840, I'm thinking again of getting an Ibasso. Anybody could compare D12 and D7 tonal balance wise?

I'm reading that D7 has a touch of warmth that suits some Grados. Wondering if this would be good for the 840.

I don't listen to my 840s since purchasing my AKG K550s, (comfort issues) but I have listened to them a few times with the D7.  Sounds great!  For me to go on and on concerning the pairing would only serve to re-state everything that's been said about the D7 so far.  But yes, the D7 can drive the 840s perfectly, you will be happy!

Thanks Terps: really appreciate it.

Didn't know anything about the K550 but a fast reading showed me that looks brighter sounding compared to the 840.

Anyhow, there's a point that bothers me about the D7: USB powered. Sometimes real evil voltage is coming out of laptops batteries. The D12 being battery self-feeded and through optical was nice clear sounding, without a single grain of distortion.

I'm no expert, but I think the caps in the D7 should help clean up the power. You could throw in something like an Acromag usb isolator if there was still an issue.

Well, while I don't have the MX1, I heard it in quick succession between it and the D7, as well as A/B'ed against the DACPort, and it's very clear that the DACPort and the D7 are more refined products than the MX1. I still think the MX1 is excellent for its price, but I think the D7 definitely trumps it, especially when run directly off USB power. With clean, dedicated DC wall power from something like a Kingrex UPower PSU, the MX1 might be able to match or surpass the other two, but with the power source being on equal terms, the MX1 is definitely not the D7's equal when it comes to SQ. I actually like the tonality of the Audinst more, as the D7 is very slightly warm for my tastes, but the D7 has superior sibilance and peak control.