O2, ODAC and Q701s
Sep 19, 2013 at 1:17 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 9
herpderp

herpderp

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It's been a while since I've posted anything on Head-Fi, but I wanted to know what sort of sound I should expect with my new setup I just ordered when compared to my old.
 
 
Here is my current setup:
-AKG Q701s
-FiiO E10
-ART Headamp 4 (Specs posted if releveant)
 
My future setup:
-AKG Q701s
-O2 Headphone Amp
-ODAC
 
SPECIFICATIONS FOR HEADAMP 4:
  1. Signal To Noise Ratio: >90dB
  2. IMD (SMPTE): 0.01%
  3. Maximum Input Level: +14dBV
  4. Maximum Output Level: 20dB per channel
  5. Output Impedance: 51 Ohms per channel
  6. Output Connectors: Four stereo 1/4" headphone outputs
  7. Power Requirements: 12V DC (Adapter included)
  8. Total Harmonic Distortion: <0.01%
  9. Power: Power on LED
  10. Dimensions: 4.5" x 2.875" x 1.5" (150mm x 75mm x 38mm)
  11. Weight: 1.3 lbs. (590g)





 
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This is probably a pretty dumb question but can I expect to see a really significant change in audio? I know that the O2 and ODAC are supposed to provide a really "genuine" sound (no coloration of audio). I understand what we hear is quite subjective but I'd like to know your opinions. The amp and DAC have already been ordered from eBay so I guess when I receive them I can do my best to describe any audio changes I hear.
 
Sep 19, 2013 at 2:53 AM Post #2 of 9
You would think the new DAC/Amp would improve audio quality, but by how much??
Guess you will find out when you plug in the new hardware.
Guessing you will end up selling off the Fiio E10
 
Sep 19, 2013 at 3:12 AM Post #4 of 9
herpderp said:
  Yeah, I've heard lots of great things about the O2/ODAC combo paired with the Q701s / K701/702s and such, but I'd like to hear more opinions.
Click to expand...

My O2 works great with all my headphones, 32-Ohm to 600-Ohm.
 
Sep 19, 2013 at 7:48 PM Post #6 of 9
E10 is definitely darker/warmer than the ODAC so that will be the first difference.
Second one is that you'll probably hear a larger soundstage when using the ODAC/O2.
 
There will be a few more improvements such as the headphone sounding more revealing or clearer, but who knows..
 
For the Q701 I prefer the Micro Amp, but O2 would be my second favorite. I actually sold the O2 because it sounded too similar to my Micro Amp.
 
You can also try the Modi since it's a little cheaper and sounds just as good to me. I personally prefer the O2 to the Magni. Magni seemed a little bright. Not sure how that's possible.
 
O2 does seem to have a touch of brightness in the treble with the Q701. Someone said it could be caused a weak wall wart, but no idea...
 
Sep 19, 2013 at 8:02 PM Post #7 of 9
@tdockweiler
 
Appreciate the rather detailed response. Fortunately, my ODAC and O2 came in. I haven't really had a chance to compare it to my E10 but there's definitely a diffence but it's rather subtle. The bass is way punchier for starters on the O2 compared to the E10. As for clarity, I'm not sure, I'm hearing a lot more recording imperfections but nothing too surprising. Regardless I'm pretty happy with my purchase. Like I said, the differences at the moment appear rather subtle but I can guarantee you, after a couple of hours, if I plugged in my E10 I'd probably hear a massive difference (oddly enough, this is how IEMs seem to be with me as well).
 
This is a little off-topic but I remember seeing a post on the forum several months back (maybe even a year) with you comparing the K702s to the Q701s. Anyway, I'm planning on purchasing a pair of K701s purely because it's my most wanted pair of headphones since I've started getting into high-end audio (weird considering I have a (presumably) similar pair). Now, my question is, do you think I'll enjoy the K701s? I'm not a bass head so the lesser amounts of bass is not a huge deal for me. Did you find that the K702s you owned did anything "better" than the Q701s?
 
Sep 19, 2013 at 11:37 PM Post #8 of 9
Pairing AKG 7xxx with odac/o2 likes "no window" with music flows just right. But top-range may hurt a bit. One more opinion is AKG+O2 will sound a bit better if you listen to at acceptable volume. I dont like my 601 or 702 at volume to high , cause treble will easily cause ear fatigue. That is you need to use low-gain or reduce the volume in windows a bit.
 
Sep 20, 2013 at 2:48 AM Post #9 of 9
herpderp said:
  @tdockweiler
 
Appreciate the rather detailed response. Fortunately, my ODAC and O2 came in. I haven't really had a chance to compare it to my E10 but there's definitely a diffence but it's rather subtle. The bass is way punchier for starters on the O2 compared to the E10. As for clarity, I'm not sure, I'm hearing a lot more recording imperfections but nothing too surprising. Regardless I'm pretty happy with my purchase. Like I said, the differences at the moment appear rather subtle but I can guarantee you, after a couple of hours, if I plugged in my E10 I'd probably hear a massive difference (oddly enough, this is how IEMs seem to be with me as well).
 
This is a little off-topic but I remember seeing a post on the forum several months back (maybe even a year) with you comparing the K702s to the Q701s. Anyway, I'm planning on purchasing a pair of K701s purely because it's my most wanted pair of headphones since I've started getting into high-end audio (weird considering I have a (presumably) similar pair). Now, my question is, do you think I'll enjoy the K701s? I'm not a bass head so the lesser amounts of bass is not a huge deal for me. Did you find that the K702s you owned did anything "better" than the Q701s?
Click to expand...

 
If you like the Q701 there is really no point in getting the K701/2. To me it doesn't do much better.
It does have a larger and airier soundstage and perhaps a little more treble and upper mids. The mids overall just aren't as full sounding..
Soundstage/imaging is a little goofy too.
 
Supposedly some K702/K701 could sound similar to a Q701 but I doubt it.
 
The K702 always sounded pretty OK, but any flaws it had for me were fixed with the Q701. AKG seems to have given people more options with the K712 and "Annie".
 
K702 might be a little more clear and detailed but not sure. Probably just due to the extra treble and less warmth.
 
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