Recent content by tigon_ridge
  1. For Sale  Schiit Vali 2+ (w/ Socket saver, non-stock tubes, and converter)

    Price
    150.00 USD
    Condition
    Excellent/Like new
    Negotiability
    Or best offer
    Ships to
    1. United States of America
    Included are: Vali 2+ (new condition), /w power supply Stock tube Socket saver x4 6N1P Voskhod Rocket tubes 6SN7GTA Sylvania tube tested 100% Converter for the Sylvania 6SN7 tube $150 shipped
  2. tigon_ridge

    Hifiman Sundara (HE400i upgraded, around $500)

    Both are clean. Pretty much every headphone amp is clean. Any distortion that is audible is orders of magnitude more due to the headphones than the amps. A "magical" sounding amp is whichever pairs best with your headphone(s). My Schiit Vali 2+ doesn't sound all too magical with the Sundara...
  3. tigon_ridge

    Hifiman Sundara (HE400i upgraded, around $500)

    I don't recommend expensive cables, as I don't believe in cable voodoo. I would get the cheapest stuff I can find with OFC, or silver plated cable, for corrosion resistance. How about this one? I built mine a decade ago for my HE-400 and HE-560, then replaced the connectors to use with the...
  4. tigon_ridge

    Hifiman Sundara (HE400i upgraded, around $500)

    Yes, on my first Sundara, the right driver intermittently cuts out. I think if you get a good pair, it'll likely last a long while; but even then, it may still be a bit risky, based on some of these posts. Such is Hifiman. Such is Sundara. Never had any issues with Hifiman's older generation...
  5. tigon_ridge

    Hifiman Sundara (HE400i upgraded, around $500)

    The SINAD for this thing is definitely not great. I don't think there's a single class D amp that measures well. I don't think there's a single tube, or hybrid amp that measures well, especially compared to the cleanest measuring class AB amps, of which the THX789 is among the top-3 cleanest...
  6. tigon_ridge

    Hifiman Sundara (HE400i upgraded, around $500)

    There's a bit of oversimplification here, and the technical subject, though relatively rudimentary from a physics/engineering point of view, is still rather complex for the average person. I didn't finish my EE degree, but did ace all of my physics, chemistry, and math courses in community...
  7. tigon_ridge

    Hifiman Sundara (HE400i upgraded, around $500)

    I appreciate the back and forward. These discussions are interesting to me. However, it seems to me based on past and current exchanges between us on this topic that in your view the progress of the discussion is dependent on how much your views have moved mines. I think this expectation may...
  8. tigon_ridge

    Hifiman Sundara (HE400i upgraded, around $500)

    I think you're conflating driver resonant frequency with resonant frequency of the entire headphone assembly, which I'm not sure is even high enough to measure. Simply, my Sundara's whole unit vibrates simply because there's not enough clamp force to dampen the vibration—and I prefer it this...
  9. tigon_ridge

    Hifiman Sundara (HE400i upgraded, around $500)

    The left driver died from a subbass test track. The right driver was from the 30hz sine test (to be sure it wasn't just one driver that was faulty). The EQ was only on during the test track, not the sines. Let me tell you, the Sundara's driver assemblies can vibrate like crazy from mega bass...
  10. tigon_ridge

    Hifiman Sundara (HE400i upgraded, around $500)

    Happy to have contributed to your newfound sonic pleasure. Not all planars scale up in the same way, oddly enough. When I went from my THX789 in balanced mode to my XLS 1502, the HE-6se didn't really transform much at all. It was a significant, but not mind-blowing improvement. And then, my 6se...
  11. tigon_ridge

    Hifiman Sundara (HE400i upgraded, around $500)

    Don't have experience with the A-100, but my recommendation is to go even further if you can. Try something that could output 300+ wpc into 4 ohms. Take extra precautions if your amp is class A, B, or AB. You can easily destroy headphones with these amps, though planars are less susceptible...
  12. tigon_ridge

    Hifiman Sundara (HE400i upgraded, around $500)

    Time to revisit my review from many moons ago. I wrote that I'm often hesitant to start listening to music through my Sundara +Crown XLS 1502 combo because once I start, I literally find it very hard to stop. I wasn't exaggerating. It is still true to this day. I often find myself staring at my...
  13. tigon_ridge

    Feedback by 'tigon_ridge' on listing 'Drop THX 789'

    Sup27606 purchased a THX 789 from me, and the communication between us was pleasant all the way through. Glad this amp has a new, good owner.
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