davida said:

Your measurements are close to mine so it seems like your app is giving some decent readings.  Hope you find a DAC that fits your preference and budget.

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Thanks!

As i have a lot of time to search, and won't have the 200 limit while in travel, I'm probably buying a good DAP, something high end, or at least high end entry level and use that in all my situations as a stand alone product, anyway, there are a lot of things to consider, and there are a lot of options and who knows if something new is around the corner and maybe that suits me better, anyway it will be an interesting research

I'm trying to decide between two portable DAC/Amp combos (or something else). I bought the Dragonfly Red and use it with my iPad/iPhone 6 right now. Do I keep this setup for the time being until I can upgrade to something bigger/better in the future or return it within the 30 days and buy the Chord Mojo? From what I've been reading, it seems the Chord Mojo is a pretty good all-in-one and will serve me well. I've also thought about the Little Dot+ after receiving a great recommendation for it.

I'm kind of leaning towards returning the DF Red and getting the Chord Mojo because I'm moving in the spring and I don't want too many components to have to pack up and move. Additionally, right now I mainly listen to music in bed or on the couch so portability would be key. I've heard the Chord Mojo could be my end game for awhile and I'd be satisifed wih the output. But it's also $300 more than the DF Red.

Chord Mojo or Dragonfly Red or something else?

Thoughts/opinions?

I can highly recommend the Mojo, I use mine to drive my iems, 400i's and Elears. Sounds great with all of them. Certainly packs a punch for such a small device.

harveyswick said:

I'm trying to decide between two portable DAC/Amp combos (or something else). I bought the Dragonfly Red and use it with my iPad/iPhone 6 right now. Do I keep this setup for the time being until I can upgrade to something bigger/better in the future or return it within the 30 days and buy the Chord Mojo? From what I've been reading, it seems the Chord Mojo is a pretty good all-in-one and will serve me well. I've also thought about the Little Dot+ after receiving a great recommendation for it.

I'm kind of leaning towards returning the DF Red and getting the Chord Mojo because I'm moving in the spring and I don't want too many components to have to pack up and move. Additionally, right now I mainly listen to music in bed or on the couch so portability would be key. I've heard the Chord Mojo could be my end game for awhile and I'd be satisifed wih the output. But it's also $300 more than the DF Red.

Chord Mojo or Dragonfly Red or something else?

Thoughts/opinions?

Click to expand...

In what way specifically are you unsatisfied or wish the DFR to be better? It seems to me like you're just blindly wanting to spend money, as your two options (LD1+ and Mojo) aren't anything alike. Blindly upgrading, without having a clear idea of what you're after is a good way to waste money, although it can be fun. Especially if you aren't even really sure what you don't like about the gear you have.

I'm very new to the hobby so right now, I AM kind of blindly upgrading. The reason I originally picked the DF Red is it was the cheapest portable DAC/Amp and read that it works fine with the HE-400i's. I hoped I wouldn't really need more. And it does. It's ok. But the volume on my iPad/iPhone is close to all the way up and they don't really get that loud. I can't hear great detail at lower volumes. Right now the DF Red is my complete system and I like it, but I'm not blown away by it. I started reading more and more about the Mojo and it seems that I could be satisfied owning that as a complete system for awhile. I'm possibly considering HD650's which will need more power than the DF Red is capable of.

I'm very new to the hobby so I was hoping to get some opinions/advice from people that have experience with both. I was suggested the LD+ as well as a few Shiit combos from others. I just like the portability of the DF Red and Mojo for my current situation/set up.

I'm within the window of 30 day returns for the DF Red which is why I started thinking about it. It's either keep the DF Red and be satisfied with only that for awhile or return it and buy the Mojo. Whichever I buy will be my "system" for the forseeable future.

And to be clear,

DF Red >>>>>>>> Nothing

Is Mojo >>>>>>>> DF Red or
Mojo >>> DF Red

I just know that for the next year or so (I'm going to be selling our home and relocating) this might be the only DAC/Amp combo I own. So do I keep the DF Red, return it and buy the Mojo or return it and buy something else?

Anyone looking for a like new he-400i feel free to pm me.
Listing to be added to classified's soon.

Selling at a very reasonable price.

Can anyone recommend a better cable for the updated version of the 400i's? Something below $100 would be great.

Hi everyone! Just became a new member of the 400i club, and I love them!

I am using them with an Onkyo DP-X1 DAP, which has dual DACs and Amps,and a 2.5 mm Balanced output.

It sounds like this Hifiman comes already balanced and no mods required, correct?

Which leads me to my question:

Which cable do I buy to use them in balanced mode? Or adapter for existing regular 3.5 mm cable?

Something that does not cost an arm and a leg. Found something from a website called SurfCables , but they were over $100.

Thanks!!

bykhoff said:

  Can anyone recommend a better cable for the updated version of the 400i's? Something below $100 would be great.

Click to expand...

 
I've seen these cables recommended in the past and have been planning on picking one up, but I haven't purchased yet.
 
https://www.etsy.com/listing/248802051/custom-infinity-series-cable-fits?ref=shop_home_active_4

bykhoff said:

  Can anyone recommend a better cable for the updated version of the 400i's? Something below $100 would be great.

Click to expand...

 
 

instwin said:

   
I've seen these cables recommended in the past and have been planning on picking one up, but I haven't purchased yet.
 
https://www.etsy.com/listing/248802051/custom-infinity-series-cable-fits?ref=shop_home_active_4

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https://www.dysonaudio.com/
 
I own some of this guys cables- they are well made. They may not look as pretty as the Infinity's but you may be able to get 2 ( portable & desktop length)  for the price of one of those. They sound fine and are holding up well.

harveyswick said:

And to be clear,

DF Red >>>>>>>> Nothing

Is Mojo >>>>>>>> DF Red or
Mojo >>> DF Red

I just know that for the next year or so (I'm going to be selling our home and relocating) this might be the only DAC/Amp combo I own. So do I keep the DF Red, return it and buy the Mojo or return it and buy something else?

Click to expand...

Sounds like power is your primary issue. Mojo would provide more power and work fine on a couch. Don't expect sound miracles as it's a subtle, but definite improvement from the DFR.

papathrust said:

   
 
 
 
 
https://www.dysonaudio.com/
 
I own some of this guys cables- they are well made. They may not look as pretty as the Infinity's but you may be able to get 2 ( portable & desktop length)  for the price of one of those. They sound fine and are holding up well.

Click to expand...

Be careful with this guy.  He's know for really bad communications and some have reported never receiving what they paid for.

I'd give the iDSD a look as well. With my 400i using OTG the sound was really, really good. 

mrs1986 said:

  I tested my normal volume listening with an iPhone app (probably poor measure) but it gave me 68-72db And I normally listen at 60 volume in the fiio X1, tested at 65 volume... I'm quite scared because of my tinnitus, it does not get worse or better with listening but anyway I got a little paranoic about it... The only thing I want from a better dac is better sound, I guess my volume requirements are actually low...

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trivium911 said:

I just measured with my x3ii on a flac track with a modern jazz track in flac...full volume high gain on the x3ii is a bit over 80db with the smartphone app...too loud for me, it seems a good loud volume for me is under 80 dbs around 75 db and under that for "normal listening". It seems i have more sensitive hearing though as even music at hockey games before between faceoffs is painful and no one else has issues. Agreed that these things leak like crazy, one of these days my wife is going to put a bag over my head

lol, you basically need to be in a different room.

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davida said:

  I think your app is reading on the low side, tried my X3ii at 100/120 and its 78-84dB.  At this volume level my GF can hear the HE-400i in the bedroom which is about 25ft away where I am in the living room and around the corner.
 
 
Your measurements are close to mine so it seems like your app is giving some decent readings.  Hope you find a DAC that fits your preference and budget.

Click to expand...

 
Just curious how you guys are measuring this with these smartphone apps. I just tried one called Sound Meter on Android, and measured by just putting my phone's mic between the two earpads and letting the natural clamp of the 400i hold the phone in place, then played some music. X3ii docked into K5, K5 on medium gain at around 1 o'clock.
 
Got a reading of around 80dB, which I would say is a pretty comfortable listening level for me, not particularly loud but definitely not quiet either. But this just seems like a very unreliable way to measure.