No, not tube-like at all. Slightly increased soundstage, less up-front is how I would describe the Moon OPA vs. Earth OPA. For an SS amp/dac to sound tube-like, you will need to have some circuitry to add a lot more distortion. I'm not sure why anyone would want to do that!

Quote: Originally Posted by ecclesand This is a dumb question but what the hell.... How are you folks storing the HDAMs you're not using? I just put them back in the original shipping box they came in, but I'm looking for something a little more elegant that protects them better. Any...

Which of these two would be better on commercial airflights? I listen to mostly rock, funk, electronica. RE2 seem like a better deal, but do they have enough isolation?

Quote: Originally Posted by Dat_Dude I just swapped out HDAMs and went with the Moon+Bright Setting. I must say I like Earth+Neutral better, but this definitely provides a much more relaxing sound. My main musical taste is Metal so I don't feel this setting matches up well, but I also...

Quote: Originally Posted by Jewmeister Interesting note on the D10. I wasn't planning on upgrading to anything with coax or optical for awhile so thats why i wasn't considering the D10. Will it act as a straight DAC with mini or RCA input? if so will it fit the profile? At this point I...

Gotcha. No, I wouldn't go with the iBasso D2, because you can't use it as a straight DAC. The D10 can be used as a straight DAC. If you plan to get a straight DAC, I recommend you choose one that also has coax and optical inputs like the D10.

Depends on what phones and how much you have to spend! If you get a portable DAC/amp now, be prepared to spend more money on a desktop DAC and amp in the future.

EMU 0404 can be had for about $200. 24 bit/192 khz, USB, coax and optical inputs, balanced outputs, custom ultra-low latency USB 2.0 driver.

oops wrong post

Worth a try, it's only like 10 bux.

Quote: Originally Posted by wdoerr The ASIO drivers erases the windows USB drivers. Therefore, The ASIO drivers will work only with programs which can utilize ASIO. Foobar can utilize ASIO. Window media player, Adobe flash player, etc (i.e. all the computer programs you normally use)...

Quote: Originally Posted by Toe Tag An iBasso like the D10 sounds pretty exciting. But how do the best portable DACs compare to the larger home units like the (Tian Yun) Zero or the Audio-gd Compass? What price portability, what do I give up, compared to these or other non-portable DAC...

Quote: Originally Posted by Ninjax Thanks, any specific one you recommend? Depending on your budget and needs, good ones are iBasso D2 or D10, NuForce Icon Mobile, EMU 0404, Audiotrak Prodigy Cube. Lots more on the market, but those are the ones that give the best...

Using an external soundcard or USB DAC will go a long way toward improving sound, including removing hiss. It comes from all that EM interference inside the computer.

Looks pretty sweet, but I don't understand this: 2,The drive circuit of headphone is also redesigned,it uses PHILIPS tubes to match with the sound parameters we adjusted carefully and the components we selected carefully. The sound effects is fine and tender,natural,without losing the...

I don't get it. Every electrical engineer knows that op-amps and tubes introduce distortion, and frequency response is never completely flat. Also, tubes and op-amps have difference in their design and production that affects their characteristics.

Quote: Originally Posted by zeroibis I wonder if my money would be better spent on having the upgraded power cable or ordering the moon and sun with the earth. I know the better power cable will give me better sound, but the sun and moon will give me different sound that I may or may...

It takes some time for your ears to adjust, so you may not notice any difference at first. But after say a week of listening 4-6 hours/day on the Compass, go back to just the Zune headphone out. You will notice that the sound is much thinner and less enjoyable. It's like drinking wine. If...

Quote: Originally Posted by ecclesand For those of you out there who have heard all the Audio-gd HDAMs, would you say the Sun V2 was as detailed as the Earth? I already know the Moon has less detail (at least to my ears) than the Earth HDAM. Of the 3, Earth has the most detail to...

Quote: Originally Posted by LaidBack Does your Sun V2 look like the OPA in the center of Curra's pic below? The "Sun V2" I received with my Compass has similiar components, but does not have the glowing diodes in the middle. The middle diodes on mine are more like a block "C" shape with...

Anybody else enjoying Sun V2 in their Compass? I listen to rock, funk & electronica on Grado SR80, and Sun gets my heart racing the most. It's also great for action films!

I'm all for DIY, but in this case, you're probably better off getting an electrician to take care of the problem. A small price to pay to avoid electrocution.

Nuforce Icon desktop + S1 desktop speakers might be sweet for a dorm set-up. You are going to need a speaker system for when you "get busy"! College = good times.

Grado SR60 don't need an amp. Will it sound different? Probably, but not better.

Quote: Originally Posted by Currawong Laidback: Glad yours has finally arrived and you're enjoying it. I've put a recommendation towards using EMS in the FAQ (which is cheaper anyway). I've also changed the description of Normal and Super modes. If people could have a look and tell...