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The diary entries of a little girl who is now 30! ~ Part 2 - Page 443

post #6631 of 14851
2/22/13 at 5:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by TwinQY View Post

Yep married, but will cheat when ****- I mean err youknowwhat March comes up.

No month has G in their first letter, S for September yes but don't think there's a fanbase for snsd September (no one'd get it)

Quote:
Originally Posted by warrenpchi View Post

mad.gif   Bean-spiller!  biggrin.gif

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by TwinQY View Post

Sssh, fixed, no one will have noticed *wink.gif
*

Just what the frick are you planning... On snsd, to be honest I just keep going back to the 1st Japanese album. Specifically I'm in then with the HERO.
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post #6632 of 14851
2/22/13 at 5:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maxvla View Post

Finally... done...

My take on LCD-2 and HD800

 

Good writeup!

 

One hair-splitting quibble (which probably betrays the time you spent on writing the comparison): Your account is no longer "nearly" 10 years old.

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post #6633 of 14851
2/22/13 at 5:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ardgedee View Post

 

I lost any sentimental feelings about ducks after encountering one trying to cannibalize another, dead, one while simultaneously attempting connubial relations.

 

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post #6634 of 14851
2/22/13 at 5:53am
@max would you mind PMing me what anonymous retailer that you got your lcd2s from that they would provide you with the wood box? If I ever decide to add these to my collection is probably like to get that. Currently reading the review and its quite a nice write up.
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post #6635 of 14851
2/22/13 at 6:03am

@Max: your comment on the LCD-2 lacking dynamics is making me wonder if the BHA-1 is a good amp for them.  I've heard a decent dynamic range from them, but have also heard them sound really flat, depending on the amp. 

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post #6636 of 14851
2/22/13 at 6:59am
Thread Starter 

Another update on the Apex Glacier situation, for those who care:

 

I'm done playing around with it ---- the issue seems to be the amp section for sure. I've asked to send it back and try a second unit, basically an exchange. If I still hear hiss like I'm hearing now, then I'm going to pass on it. Actually, I'm sort of leaning that way anyway, as I'm not particular impressed by the build quality of this thing. The guts of the amp can be pushed forward and back too easily by simply inserting a USB cable, and I've read that the lettering can rub off on the front, which would be inevitable since it's unavoidable to the touch due to the amp's size. The power switch is toggled by pushing the volume dial, which is awkward and hard to do unless you're going at it at exactly the right angle. Finally the case itself looks unfinished and actually worse in person than in pictures. It's also really prone to showing smudges. Perhaps the weirdest issue is how much this thing picks up ambient noise; apparently it's shielded, yet I'm hearing a distinct static sound when it comes anywhere near the MacBook.

 

There is one really cool feature of the amp however: that indicator LED. It has so many colors it flashes at you to tell you various bits of information ---- not that I could ever remember it all, but it's pretty to look at nonetheless. As you turn the volume pot up, the color gradually changes from red to orange to yellow to green to blue to purple. That's just so freakin' cool, and honestly it's the only thing about the build that impressed me.

 

Sound quality on the Glacier is good from what I can tell thus far, hissing aside. It has a spacious, wide presentation and good instrument separation. Bass reproduction is particularly impressive. The amp hits hard, yet it's not overemphasized. Treble is a bit more emphasized compared to the UHA-6S however, and overall it gives the Glacier more of an airy but artificial quality compared to the Leckerton in my humble opinion. The midrange sounds nice, clear and open; I still prefer the UHA-6S in this department as well however. The Glacier seems to emphasize detail more. Overall compared to the Leckerton, it's a nice complementary signature that would serve well as an alternative for me. I'd succinctly characterize it as airy and bright.

 

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

 

To be honest, I'm bummed. I didn't expect to hear much in the way of hiss from the Glacier. There're also some annoying nits to pick. The fact that it sounds as good as it does only compounds the frustration, as now I'm compelled to try to find a solution beyond simply returning it.

 

Not sure where to go from there. I'd like to find a second portable amp to compliment the UHA-6S, but one without any noise issues. Thing is, I'd also like a portable DAC of some sort given that I intend to use it with my notebook and not just my DAPs. The obvious choice would thus be the RSA Intruder, but given how high the gain is for it I'm a bit weary. Yes it has three gain settings, but then the Glacier does too (all of them with hiss). Also not sure if I want something that tonally warm based on the impressions I've read for it. That's why I'm sort of avoiding the Decware Zenhead as well.

 

The more I think about it, the more sense it makes to go for an external portable DAC like the CLAS -dB or Pico DAC. I'm still mulling over returning to iOS, but if I'm not mistaken the CLAS now features USB connectivity for non-iDevices. If I went that route, then I'd probably pair it up with the Pico Slim:

 

 

 

Yum.

 

The only other alternative that interests me along these lines is the CEntrance HiFi M8. It includes an amp section and seems pretty powerful though, so again I'm worried about noise.

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post #6637 of 14851
2/22/13 at 7:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MuppetFace View Post

Another update on the Apex Glacier situation, for those who care:

 

I'm done playing around with it ---- the issue seems to be the amp section for sure. I've asked to send it back and try a second unit, basically an exchange. If I still hear hiss like I'm hearing now, then I'm going to pass on it. Actually, I'm sort of leaning that way anyway, as I'm not particular impressed by the build quality of this thing. The guts of the amp can be pushed forward and back too easily by simply inserting a USB cable, and I've read that the lettering can rub off on the front, which would be inevitable since it's unavoidable to the touch due to the amp's size. The power switch is toggled by pushing the volume dial, which is awkward and hard to do unless you're going at it at exactly the right angle. Finally the case itself looks unfinished and actually worse in person than in pictures. It's also really prone to showing smudges. Perhaps the weirdest issue is how much this thing picks up ambient noise; apparently it's shielded, yet I'm hearing a distinct static sound when it comes anywhere near the MacBook.

 

There is one really cool feature of the amp however: that indicator LED. It has so many colors it flashes at you to tell you various bits of information ---- not that I could ever remember it all, but it's pretty to look at nonetheless. As you turn the volume pot up, the color gradually changes from red to orange to yellow to green to blue to purple. That's just so freakin' cool, and honestly it's the only thing about the build that impressed me.

 

Sound quality on the Glacier is good from what I can tell thus far, hissing aside. It has a spacious, wide presentation and good instrument separation. Bass reproduction is particularly impressive. The amp hits hard, yet it's not overemphasized. Treble is a bit more emphasized compared to the UHA-6S however, and overall it gives the Glacier more of an airy but artificial quality compared to the Leckerton in my humble opinion. The midrange sounds nice, clear and open; I still prefer the UHA-6S in this department as well however. The Glacier seems to emphasize detail more. Overall compared to the Leckerton, it's a nice complementary signature that would serve well as an alternative for me. I'd succinctly characterize it as airy and bright.

 

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

 

To be honest, I'm bummed. I didn't expect to hear much in the way of hiss from the Glacier. There're also some annoying nits to pick. The fact that it sounds as good as it does only compounds the frustration, as now I'm compelled to try to find a solution beyond simply returning it.

 

Not sure where to go from there. I'd like to find a second portable amp to compliment the UHA-6S, but one without any noise issues. Thing is, I'd also like a portable DAC of some sort given that I intend to use it with my notebook and not just my DAPs. The obvious choice would thus be the RSA Intruder, but given how high the gain is for it I'm a bit weary. Yes it has three gain settings, but then the Glacier does too (all of them with hiss). Also not sure if I want something that tonally warm based on the impressions I've read for it. That's why I'm sort of avoiding the Decware Zenhead as well.

 

The more I think about it, the more sense it makes to go for an external portable DAC like the CLAS -dB or Pico DAC. I'm still mulling over returning to iOS, but if I'm not mistaken the CLAS now features USB connectivity for non-iDevices. If I went that route, then I'd probably pair it up with the Pico Slim:

 

 

 

Yum.

 

The only other alternative that interests me along these lines is the CEntrance HiFi M8. It includes an amp section and seems pretty powerful though, so again I'm worried about noise.

looks like I could eat it :)

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post #6638 of 14851
2/22/13 at 7:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MuppetFace View Post

Another update on the Apex Glacier situation, for those who care:

I'm done playing around with it ---- the issue seems to be the amp section for sure. I've asked to send it back and try a second unit, basically an exchange. If I still hear hiss like I'm hearing now, then I'm going to pass on it. Actually, I'm sort of leaning that way anyway, as I'm not particular impressed by the build quality of this thing. The guts of the amp can be pushed forward and back too easily by simply inserting a USB cable, and I've read that the lettering can rub off on the front, which would be inevitable since it's unavoidable to the touch due to the amp's size. The power switch is toggled by pushing the volume dial, which is awkward and hard to do unless you're going at it at exactly the right angle. Finally the case itself looks unfinished and actually worse in person than in pictures. It's also really prone to showing smudges. Perhaps the weirdest issue is how much this thing picks up ambient noise; apparently it's shielded, yet I'm hearing a distinct static sound when it comes anywhere near the MacBook.

There is one really cool feature of the amp however: that indicator LED. It has so many colors it flashes at you to tell you various bits of information ---- not that I could ever remember it all, but it's pretty to look at nonetheless. As you turn the volume pot up, the color gradually changes from red to orange to yellow to green to blue to purple. That's just so freakin' cool, and honestly it's the only thing about the build that impressed me.

Sound quality on the Glacier is good from what I can tell thus far, hissing aside. It has a spacious, wide presentation and good instrument separation. Bass reproduction is particularly impressive. The amp hits hard, yet it's not overemphasized. Treble is a bit more emphasized compared to the UHA-6S however, and overall it gives the Glacier more of an airy but artificial quality compared to the Leckerton in my humble opinion. The midrange sounds nice, clear and open; I still prefer the UHA-6S in this department as well however. The Glacier seems to emphasize detail more. Overall compared to the Leckerton, it's a nice complementary signature that would serve well as an alternative for me. I'd succinctly characterize it as airy and bright.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

To be honest, I'm bummed. I didn't expect to hear much in the way of hiss from the Glacier. There're also some annoying nits to pick. The fact that it sounds as good as it does only compounds the frustration, as now I'm compelled to try to find a solution beyond simply returning it.

Not sure where to go from there. I'd like to find a second portable amp to compliment the UHA-6S, but one without any noise issues. Thing is, I'd also like a portable DAC of some sort given that I intend to use it with my notebook and not just my DAPs. The obvious choice would thus be the RSA Intruder, but given how high the gain is for it I'm a bit weary. Yes it has three gain settings, but then the Glacier does too (all of them with hiss). Also not sure if I want something that tonally warm based on the impressions I've read for it. That's why I'm sort of avoiding the Decware Zenhead as well.

The more I think about it, the more sense it makes to go for an external portable DAC like the CLAS -dB or Pico DAC. I'm still mulling over returning to iOS, but if I'm not mistaken the CLAS now features USB connectivity for non-iDevices. If I went that route, then I'd probably pair it up with the Pico Slim:





Yum.

The only other alternative that interests me along these lines is the CEntrance HiFi M8. It includes an amp section and seems pretty powerful though, so again I'm worried about noise.
I tried the glacier paired with dx100 and there was no hiss at all with ciems. Maybe needs burn in ? Otherwise Tralucent T1 is great for the price but no dac. International ?
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post #6639 of 14851
2/22/13 at 7:10am
Thread Starter 

So TL;DR version of options I'm considering....

 

~> RSA Intruder

~> Pico DAC and Pico Slim

~> CLAS -dB and Pico Slim

~> CEntrance HiFI M8

 

 


Quote:
Originally Posted by Mimouille View Post


I tried the glacier paired with dx100 and there was no hiss at all with ciems.

 

The DX100 has a huge volume range, so that might have something to do with it. However I need to be able to use it out of my notebook via USB (plus I'd want to take advantage of its internal DAC). The UHA-6S is much quieter from the same source.

 

I've never heard of hiss resolving through burn-in. Not sure how that would work TBH.


Edited by MuppetFace - 2/22/13 at 7:14am
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post #6640 of 14851
2/22/13 at 7:16am
Thanks for the Glacier thoughts and impressions. My curiosity is satiated.
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post #6641 of 14851
2/22/13 at 7:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MuppetFace View Post

Not sure where to go from there. I'd like to find a second portable amp to compliment the UHA-6S, but one without any noise issues. Thing is, I'd also like a portable DAC of some sort given that I intend to use it with my notebook and not just my DAPs. The obvious choice would thus be the RSA Intruder, but given how high the gain is for it I'm a bit weary. Yes it has three gain settings, but then the Glacier does too (all of them with hiss). Also not sure if I want something that tonally warm based on the impressions I've read for it. That's why I'm sort of avoiding the Decware Zenhead as well.

 

The more I think about it, the more sense it makes to go for an external portable DAC like the CLAS -dB or Pico DAC. I'm still mulling over returning to iOS, but if I'm not mistaken the CLAS now features USB connectivity for non-iDevices. If I went that route, then I'd probably pair it up with the Pico Slim:

 

USB audio is a more or less universal thing, and it's up to the devices upstream to support it -- pre gen-6 iPods don't (and Apple adds a proprietary obstacle to the gen 6-7 models), many (but not all) Android devices don't, the iPhone doesn't, and so on -- which amounts to it not being universal after all. The iPads block USB devices that ask to charge through the USB line. This is why the first-gen UHA-6 wasn't iDevice compatible without sending them back to Nick for an upgrade.

 

Frankly I wouldn't look to iOS devices if your primary agenda is a portable audio player with digital out, since even those devices that support it (the iPad, mostly), require an additional connection device on the docking socket to allow the iPad to operate as a USB host to the DAC. The added bulk is a nuisance.

 

As for the Intruder, if it has the same gain levels as the SR-71B, you'll be fine. The low-gain setting is low enough for me to comfortably listen on IEMs with proper channel balance and a reasonable amount of sweep on the volume pot. The main caution I would have is that the SR-71B just isn't all that special through the unbalanced out, which means buying or building cables for whichever IEMs you plan to use with it.

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post #6642 of 14851
2/22/13 at 7:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MuppetFace View Post


There is one really cool feature of the amp however: that indicator LED. It has so many colors it flashes at you to tell you various bits of information ---- not that I could ever remember it all, but it's pretty to look at nonetheless. As you turn the volume pot up, the color gradually changes from red to orange to yellow to green to blue to purple. That's just so freakin' cool, and honestly it's the only thing about the build that impressed me.

While cool, I find this color change going from soft to loud kinda ... backwards. I thought at least that going louder fits in better with a hotter, brighter color.

You can tell that I am bored.
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post #6643 of 14851
2/22/13 at 7:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MuppetFace View Post

So TL;DR version of options I'm considering....

~> RSA Intruder
~> Pico DAC and Pico Slim
~> CLAS -dB and Pico Slim
~> CEntrance HiFI M8




 



The DX100 has a huge volume range, so that might have something to do with it. However I need to be able to use it out of my notebook via USB (plus I'd want to take advantage of its internal DAC). The UHA-6S is much quieter from the same source.



 



I've never heard of hiss resolving through burn-in. Not sure how that would work TBH.



I witnessed it on my continental v3, but its made from old tubes so its different...
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post #6644 of 14851
2/22/13 at 7:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jgray91 View Post

While cool, I find this color change going from soft to loud kinda ... backwards. I thought at least that going louder fits in better with a hotter, brighter color.

You can tell that I am bored.
I found it immensely annoying...
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post #6645 of 14851
2/22/13 at 7:36am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ardgedee View Post

 

USB audio is a more or less universal thing, and it's up to the devices upstream to support it -- pre gen-6 iPods don't (and Apple adds a proprietary obstacle to the gen 6-7 models), many (but not all) Android devices don't, the iPhone doesn't, and so on -- which amounts to it not being universal after all. The iPads block USB devices that ask to charge through the USB line. This is why the first-gen UHA-6 wasn't iDevice compatible without sending them back to Nick for an upgrade.

 

Frankly I wouldn't look to iOS devices if your primary agenda is a portable audio player with digital out, since even those devices that support it (the iPad, mostly), require an additional connection device on the docking socket to allow the iPad to operate as a USB host to the DAC. The added bulk is a nuisance.

 

 

Well, I mention the CLAS -dB specifically for two reasons: pairing it with my notebook as a portable DAC and using it with an iPod, both of which it can do to my knowledge.


Edited by MuppetFace - 2/22/13 at 8:41am
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