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  1. darwinshardhat

    AKG 701 compared to Grado 325is, my experience

    Quote: Originally Posted by bhanja_trinanjan Yes... 12 o' clock is fairly loud... but then again I am listening to orchestral classical which has huge dynamic swings. Mozart's clarinet concerto or Beethoven's violin concerto seems to lack a certain tonal density/lushness unless I...
  2. darwinshardhat

    AKG 701 compared to Grado 325is, my experience

    I just came back to this thread when I recalled that little detail. I am using my XP computer USB output to the DAC in the HR Ultra Desktop. The volume is good for long term listening around 9-10 o'clock max. 12 o'clock is really blasting! If you have it at 12 o'clock in the medium gain...
  3. darwinshardhat

    AKG 701 compared to Grado 325is, my experience

    Quote: Originally Posted by bhanja_trinanjan I have a Ultra Micro, which has the same level of electronics as your Ultra Desktop. I love the K702 with the Ultra Micro; but don't you find the sound to be a little lean and distant.. (lacking saturation, tonal density and lushness in...
  4. darwinshardhat

    AKG 701 compared to Grado 325is, my experience

    K701's to Grado SR325is's must be an interesting comparison. I haven't yet heard Grado's to compare, but the K70X are very resolute and neutral, probably one of the best choices out there for the music you listen to. I had a hard time finding equipment that would adequately drive them, and...
  5. darwinshardhat

    Feedback Requested on Headphone & DAC Setup

    I'd be inclined to knock the uDAC just on price but people really like it. Maybe the best thing to do is buy the phones and uDAC from a source that has a return policy, listen to them for a few weeks, then see what you think. Everyone will agree that you can get a lot more out of phones like...
  6. darwinshardhat

    Moon Audio Reviews

    I contacted Drew through Audiogon to purchase an HR Technologies Music Streamer II+. Even though it was pretty late on the east coast, he replied quickly, confirmed payment received the same night and I had a tracking number by noon the next day with the product already en route. This is a...
  7. darwinshardhat

    Practical Devices XM5

    Quote: Originally Posted by GreatDane Oh no! Needle nose...did you lose the hex key(aka: allen wrench)...or was that just for the chips? So was the cost worth it? I'm glad I bought the 8065's. I'm currently enjoying my XM5 with HD 650 which I actually have been preferring over my...
  8. darwinshardhat

    Practical Devices XM5

    The AD8065's and BUF134's arrived Friday, 8 days after placing my order. The XM-5 came apart very easily, the swap was a piece of cake with the assistance of some needle nose plyers and everything fit back together perfectly. I wouldn't say its like a whole new product but the better opamps and...
  9. darwinshardhat

    REVIEW: Firestone Audio Amps - Cute Beyond and Fubar III

    if you don't mind me asking, where did you buy those tubes?
  10. darwinshardhat

    Practical Devices XM5

    I finally gave in and ordered the buffer chips and 8065's. My XM-5 should be hitting the next level in less than a week. Many thanks to the guinea pigs for all the first hand feedback on the different options : )
  11. darwinshardhat

    REVIEW: Firestone Audio Amps - Cute Beyond and Fubar III

    The LC3 puts out a fuller and more enveloping sound than the Cute Beyond. It's not so much a wider soundstage as much more complete fidelity. All sounds and instruments have much more girth to my ears. It has more authority over the sound. The Bass goes deeper but has a bit of a warm and fuzzy...
  12. darwinshardhat

    The new Balanced Ultra Desktop!

    thank you! I love your answer
  13. darwinshardhat

    The new Balanced Ultra Desktop!

    the new stuff doesn't fall into a price range I would call 'affordable' at something like $3500 for the full stack with DPS but intensely intriguing none-the-less. Can I work a set off washing dishes and mopping floors at HR? I would just love to hear what the ultimate set-up sounds like so...
  14. darwinshardhat

    REVIEW: Firestone Audio Amps - Cute Beyond and Fubar III

    Here is a very late thank you for the fantastic review. It was one of the many endorsements that led me to my Cute Beyond purchase! I was very impressed from the get-go and later added the Supplier PSU and added a separate USB DAC to really get the most out of it. After playing around with a few...
  15. darwinshardhat

    Valab Dac-First Impressions

    Quote: Originally Posted by prog =no clipping, less dynamics and detalis. You're amplifying also the noise from the DAC, this lowers the S/N ratio. true but how audible is the additional noise? for me eliminating the possibility of clipping has resulted in better sound quality...
  16. darwinshardhat

    Valab Dac-First Impressions

    Quote: Originally Posted by mbd2884 From this and based on the latest postings, sounds like incompetence to me. And blaming the recording seems like a poor excuse since other audio gear aren't suffering the same problem. You misunderstand. I've narrowed down my issues to...
  17. darwinshardhat

    Practical Devices XM5

    Quote: Originally Posted by morfic grab the lme49710 and the buf634p and the urges will subside i just checked digikey for the BUF634P and it says out of stock. Do you know any reliable vendor that carries both? I'm totally up for trying the LME after hearing your feedback
  18. darwinshardhat

    Practical Devices XM5

    i feel a sudden and irresistable urge to jump on this AD8065/BUF634P bandwagon
  19. darwinshardhat

    Valab Dac-First Impressions

    I can fix my DAC and save money on Viagra all in the same thread? WHAT A DEAL! Forums really do have all the answers. Thanks for the extra description on how to solder. That is how I envisioned it. I don't think I need to do the mod as I am not hearing any clipping... at least none being...
  20. darwinshardhat

    Valab Dac-First Impressions

    can one of you that has done this post a nice clean pic like the last one showing the added parallel resistors so us low-techs don't have to worry about being more dangerous than smart
  21. darwinshardhat

    How much will a USB DAC improve my sound quality?

    most of my home listening is off of a Mac Powerbook and I can tell you with total certainty you will hear a difference with a decent external DAC and if you already have cans and a headphone amp you are happy with, then this is the next logical step. It will make more of a difference than...
  22. darwinshardhat

    Another K701 amp thread...

    awesome! I really hope you like it lol. let me know what you think when you get it : )
  23. darwinshardhat

    Another K701 amp thread...

    I am using the Cute Beyond + Supplier at home with my K702's (almost identical to your 701's). Going from nothing I was immediately surprised by suddenly having a soundstage in my head. Instruments have separation, and the dynamic range of sound increased significantly. Just about anyone that...
  24. darwinshardhat

    REVIEW SUMMARY: A ranking of 32 tube and tube/hybrid headphone amps

    Skylab, I just wanted to throw another thank you into the mix. These cumulative reviews with personal ranking are immensely helpful in the shopping process for many and I can only imagine just how much it takes in personal resources to get it together. That said I just ordered a tube amp not...
  25. darwinshardhat

    Practical Devices XM5

    Quote: Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict Mine arrived yesterday but I haven't installed them yet. cool! is there a logical way to understand how these different op amps compare? Just looking at the list I would never have thought to try the 8065. I would have just naively...
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