I wanted to connect my iPhone/iPad to an external DAC. Here’s how I went about doing it:   I purchased the pluggable powered data hub and the Apple CCK connector. The pluggable data hub comes with a male USB to male mini USB cable. The male end of the USB cable connects to the Apple CCK female...

I have self powered speakers and am in the market for a new DAC. Can use the following set-up to create a balanced system: Computer- USB output to USB input of balanced DAC (like Schiit Gungnir) - BNC balanced out from DAC to BNC input of each amplified speaker? Will this set up provide sonic...

I am in the market for a new DAC and have a set up question. At work I have a set of M-Audio BX5a speakers. The speakers are self powered in that each of them has 2 amplifiers within them (for the 2 drivers). The input into the speakers are BNC 3 pin connectors. Can I use a balanced DAC like the...

Question: How do you save a lot of cash and have great sonic performance from the original Hifiman HE-5 headphones?   Answer: Save the money you would spend on a powerful headphone amp and buy: the Emotiva mini 100 x ($180), the replacement headphone Hifiman cable ($150) which provides a...

I have the original HE-5 and want to use speaker taps to drive them. I intended to have someone create a connector to the male TRS 1/4 headphone jack and terminate in banana plugs so that I could connect to the amps outs. I was told, " You are taking a 3 contact system and turning it into a 4...

I have the original Hifiman He-5. I see that the He-5le and the He-6 are thought to significantly benefit from using speaker taps and a speaker amp. Would the same hold true for the original He-5? If so, what amps would be recommended (e.g., emotiva)? Would you recommend using the Hifiman...

I understand that the issue of cables can stir a lot of emotion from folks. My question specifically has to do with the S/PDIF optical cables. There does not seem to be variety of pricing or much hype devoted to this type of cable. Even its digital coaxial brother gets more attention. Why is...

I am a jazz trumpet player that loves the music of the 60's and 70's. Unfortunately, these recordings are often of poor quality. Currently, I use a pair of Senn 580's with the Clous Blue cable. As a source I have the Sony 333ES CD player and the Veda Dynahi SA headamp. I love the sonics of the...

I am interested in connecting a headphone amp (that has discrete tone controls) like Dr. Jan Meier's prehead, to an integrated amp. I understand that I could use the tape out connectors of the inetgrated amp if I only wanted to use the prehead as a headphone amp; but I still want to take...