Yep, just realised that this happens with grounded sources i.e. E18 connected to a charging laptop. Doesnt happen with my phone or E18 connected to my phone...

  Are you saying this isn't a manufacturing defect but quite normal? I feel like it isn't just static build up.   I have never experienced this with any other headphone (including others with a metal housing). It is only out of the left one (blue) and happens when connected to my FiiO E18.

I recently got the **** 4in1 from Aliexpress (NiceHCK Audio Store). The blue one keeps shocking my ear every 5 minutes. Has anyone else experienced this? Has anyone else dealt with defects with NiceHCK? How did they respond?

I found out the uDac I was given was v1. For the price of free, it beats the on-board sound card right?   Quote:  

Does it seem that external DAC / amp manufacturers are charging outrageous prices then given the price of the components?   Quote:  

  Maybe ask someone to help you out with a blind test first.   Quote:  

My friend gifted me a NuForce uDac v1. Not a high-end device I realise.   I have tried it with 320 mp3s with my Monster Turbine Golds.   I 'think' it is more rounded / full-bodied / less tin-y compared to my on-board soundcard inb my Thinkpad but that really could be placebo.   I...

Quote: Are there any blind studies as to this?   Also I notice you have a resonably high-end internal sound card. Does that make a difference for you compared to the on-board sound card?

Quote: A number of reasons but just NOT audibly improving sound quality?

  Quote: Well sound is objectively measurable. We also know what the usual bounds of human hearing is.   If external DACs does improve jitter but does there is no audible difference, why do some the guys here still sink $$$ into external DACs?

Thanks for the answers.   So with a home PC, you guys have definitely noticed hissing and other interference?   With jitter, if it can't really be detected by the human ear, why does it make such a difference?

What is wrong with internal sound cards? I often see negative comments here about why on-board sound cards but never a detailed explanation as to why this is so and an external DAC may be superior. Can someone explain this to me or point me to resources that details this?

Could an admin move this to the portable amps forum? I put this in the wrong section. Thanks!

Are there visual differences between the uDac and uDac-2?   I was gifted a Nuforce DAC by a friend and I cant tell which one it is.   I have attached some photos. Would someone be able to either identify from the attachments or tell me what to look for? Thanks!        ...

Quote: Thanks for the reply but I dont quite get this. I thought it was just a bypass of the onboard sound card, then DACed and AMPed in the Nuforce then straight out into the headphones. Is there something I am missing?

Hey All,   I am a massive bass head. I will be getting Nuforce uDAC 2 tomorrow and I am wondering if the equalizer on my laptop will still given it is bypassing my sound card completely. I use the Zune desktop software which does not have an equaliser built-in so I use software that comes...

I purchased the SQ5 from an online retailer and was told that they had just run out of stock but would do the SQ505 for the same price. Got them shipped to me in Australia for $84 all up. Has anyone done a comparision of the two?   I personally can't comment on the sound quality of the SQ505...

I just purchased a subscription. Anyone know what codec they have on the higher quality 192 kps audio?