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O2 vs TOTL - Page 31

post #451 of 512
8/2/12 at 5:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Magick Man View Post

 it's a little on the bright side of neutral

 

Have you seen its frequency response?

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post #452 of 512
8/2/12 at 5:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by TMRaven View Post

Have you seen its frequency response?

I saw what was published.
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post #453 of 512
8/2/12 at 5:17pm

Then I'm a little puzzled on how you could make such an assertion.  What amps are more 'neutral'?

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post #454 of 512
8/2/12 at 5:43pm

by the designer or by tyll?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Magick Man View Post


I saw what was published.
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post #455 of 512
8/2/12 at 6:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by TMRaven View Post

Then I'm a little puzzled on how you could make such an assertion.  What amps are more 'neutral'?

The Onkyo I have is more neutral, to me. As is the Fostex HP-P1 (of the amp/DAC combos I have it's the closest competitor). Most of the amps I have are warmer, but the majority are tubes. The Benchmark is about the same as the O2 in that regard. Now, I'm not saying it's bright, I'm saying it seems to be on the brighter side of neutral. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as I think it's quite detailed and plays well with darker cans. The etched quality is a little weird, on one hand it enhances tone definition, but at the price of some smoothness. I officially gave it 4 stars, that's respectable as that's an absolute rating, on the same scale I'd rate anything else regardless of price.

Talking about the a fore mentioned Fostex, the two compare well on the DAC end of things, and overall I wouldn't say that the HP-P1 is worth the price difference, in my eyes. Even though it does kill the O2 in fit, finish, and features. $650 is a little steep and I'd say it should be ~5 bills. It was a Bday gift, however, so I won't gripe about it.
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post #456 of 512
8/2/12 at 6:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by muad View Post

by the designer or by tyll?

nwavguy.
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post #457 of 512
8/2/12 at 9:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Magick Man View Post

Okay... I believe the O2+ODAC combo is a good product for the price.
Yeah, that does sound like a cop out, doesn't it? confused_face.gif Alright, I'll try again.
With headphones that this unit will normally be paired with; HD650, Q701, HE300, FA-003, etc. (solid mid-fi cans), I think it does quite well. To me it stumbles where most SS mid-fi amps stumble, it's a little on the bright side of neutral and highs are a bit etched. Also, mids do seem slightly congested and bass could be tighter. Also, mine has a slightly scratchy volume pot (not a huge deal, probably just needs a shot of DeoxIT). I don't think it drives my T1s very well, same goes for the TH900. Those foibles I mentioned before seem to get magnified. The HE-6? Fugetaboutit.
"Oh, he hates it", no I don't. It isn't some Class A monster, and my Onkyo P-3000R ($1700 MSRP) does knock its lights out, but it's $300 and has batteries for cripes' sake. Personally, I feel the DAC is quite good, though I wish it had some type of S/PDIF connection, and as a package it punches above its weight class. IMO, it isn't David knocking out Goliath, it's a Golf GTI out handling the mid range pony cars. It's a good value.

 

Cop outs are almost all we seem to get from members who have tried the O2/ODAC and have more expensive toys to compare to.  Good on you to speak up.  My impressions of these two mirror yours.

 

The amp's ok, I do feel it's flat, but lacking in areas like power and stage.

 

The DAC's much better.  Much better.  It should be an auto-recommend for most newbies.

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post #458 of 512
8/3/12 at 12:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt head 777 View Post

I'm getting liquid tube like sound

 

Oh is that what tubes sound like....rolleyes.gif

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by sphinxvc View Post

 

The DAC's much better.  Much better.  

 

x2.  As long as its operating properly/as intended.

__________

 

Tone and timbre of particular instruments that reside in certain parts of the spectrum are not solely defined by FR.  Two pieces of gear that measure indentically flat can be perceived to either be more/less etched and more/less bassy i relative terms.

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post #459 of 512
8/3/12 at 2:47am

I just want to see the ODA+ODAC in a nice case, with a volume control that feels good between my fingers - yes, I realise that will cost more money, but 8 months after delivery I still find my EHP-02 an ugly little brute. The aesthetics just haven't grown on me. JDS Labs seems to be moving in the right direction with the ODAC casework, and I hope that trend continues with the production ODA/ODAC combo. 

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post #460 of 512
8/3/12 at 6:00am

I'd get the JDS Labs ODAC, but it doesn't seem to be in the same exact type of case as the O2.  I'd want something that was stackable. 

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post #461 of 512
8/3/12 at 8:50am

I think my next acquisition will be a Pupdac. While a direct comparison would be a no-no, I'm curious how the two compare.

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post #462 of 512
8/3/12 at 3:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by scootsit View Post

I think my next acquisition will be a Pupdac. While a direct comparison would be a no-no, I'm curious how the two compare.

 

What case will you be using with that, or do you plan to just go naked ? I actually find the JDS Labs case for the ODAC quite attractive.

 

700

 

If I had a choice between the current O2 case and JDS' C431 case, I know which one I would opt for - ymmv. 

 

700

 

I know - it should be all about the sonics and to hell with aesthetics, right ? In this case, the 'upgrade' doesnt mean a 350 per cent increase in cost.....

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post #463 of 512
8/3/12 at 3:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by estreeter View Post

I just want to see the ODA+ODAC in a nice case, with a volume control that feels good between my fingers - yes, I realise that will cost more money, but 8 months after delivery I still find my EHP-02 an ugly little brute. The aesthetics just haven't grown on me. JDS Labs seems to be moving in the right direction with the ODAC casework, and I hope that trend continues with the production ODA/ODAC combo. 

 

I've said this before, but that's exactly what I've been waiting for as well. Hell, I'll just buy the ODA board and build my own case (with quality case components) if I have to. Just give me something that runs off the mains and has a sturdy build.

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post #464 of 512
8/3/12 at 5:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by estreeter View Post

 

What case will you be using with that, or do you plan to just go naked ? I actually find the JDS Labs case for the ODAC quite attractive.

 

700

 

If I had a choice between the current O2 case and JDS' C431 case, I know which one I would opt for - ymmv. 

 

700

 

I know - it should be all about the sonics and to hell with aesthetics, right ? In this case, the 'upgrade' doesnt mean a 350 per cent increase in cost.....


The Pup is DIY by cobaltmute. It fits a generic Hammond case, and someone is talking about custom end panels, I believe with panels, case, boards, and full order from mouser, the Pup comes in at around $100.

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post #465 of 512
8/3/12 at 7:49pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Magick Man View Post

Okay... I believe the O2+ODAC combo is a good product for the price.
Yeah, that does sound like a cop out, doesn't it? confused_face.gif Alright, I'll try again.
With headphones that this unit will normally be paired with; HD650, Q701, HE300, FA-003, etc. (solid mid-fi cans), I think it does quite well. To me it stumbles where most SS mid-fi amps stumble, it's a little on the bright side of neutral and highs are a bit etched. Also, mids do seem slightly congested and bass could be tighter. Also, mine has a slightly scratchy volume pot (not a huge deal, probably just needs a shot of DeoxIT). I don't think it drives my T1s very well, same goes for the TH900. Those foibles I mentioned before seem to get magnified. The HE-6? Fugetaboutit.
"Oh, he hates it", no I don't. It isn't some Class A monster, and my Onkyo P-3000R ($1700 MSRP) does knock its lights out, but it's $300 and has batteries for cripes' sake. Personally, I feel the DAC is quite good, though I wish it had some type of S/PDIF connection, and as a package it punches above its weight class. IMO, it isn't David knocking out Goliath, it's a Golf GTI out handling the mid range pony cars. It's a good value.

uhhh. you can't spray deoxit on it. It is sealed.  You will have to replace it.

 

A bad pot could explain the "etchiness".

Quote:
Originally Posted by TMRaven View Post

I'd get the JDS Labs ODAC, but it doesn't seem to be in the same exact type of case as the O2.  I'd want something that was stackable. 

Audio Poutine offers this service. Or, you could do it yourself

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