The short version… I didn’t get the Sennheiser HD 650s or the Valhala.  I purchased the HiFiMAN HE-500s & the Schiit Lyr.  The situation presented originally remains unchanged, although the equipment changed.   I need/want to be able to hear conversations around me, e.g. at a minimum I want...

Quote:   True, but I'm not such a Schiit homer that I have to have the Bifrost.  I will certainly seriously consider other DACs.   The other thing, which is part of this decision in a roundabout way, is that I'd prefer to go to Walmart's Straight Talk with my existing iPhone.  In...

Via email I rec'd a quick reply from Schiit:   Me, "I'm interested in the Bifrost DAC. Does it work with the Samsung Galaxy S III phone? I couldn't find anything on Head-Fi or anywhere else. I already have a Lyr, BTW."   Jason Stoddard, "Nope."   So, if I want to go w/Schiit...

Office Setup Source Question   Situation: I’m considering source options for my office setup, and I’d appreciate your input.   Presently I’m using my iPhone 4G analog out to drive the Schiit Lyr amp and HiFiMAN HE-500 cans.  Objectives: I’d like to move to an external DAC...

My brother is visiting from out of town that weekend.  I won't be able to make it or meet anyone.  Darn, because that is a very gracious offer from Mr. Matinez.

I can't speak directly to USB based sound quality (but may be able to in the near future).  I'm still investigating computer based audio, and am eager to try it. I need to know more about the various hardware options and accompanying pros/cons.  That said, I understand that Cambridge Audio has...

I received and installed the 851C in my system on Wednesday afternoon.  It's been playing non-stop ever since.   I connected it directly to my Cambridge Audio 840W via balanced ICs, using the 851C’s preamp section to control volume. I was spinning redbook CDs.    Here’s a nano-review...

Quote:   I'm afraid you're right.  But, it's not the first time in history that brand association has limited the widespread acceptance of an otherwise stellar product.

Quote:   You've pretty well summed my thoughts on the matter at the time of purchase.  I need to be able to hear my coworkers.  I can't listen at concert levels....

Quote:   That's a good idea.  I can do it at various times of day to try to determine the overall impact.

Quote:   I favor Strats to Teles.  In fact, at this time I don't even own a Telecaster.  So, I couldn't be mistaken for Springsteen.

Quote: Yup.  That's the thing I'm most concerned about right now.

The mornings can be pretty quiet, but they're not always quiet. The afternoons typically have more noise. I suspect I'll be fine, but I'll have to try everything out.

I have conflicting goals: 1. Be able to hear local conversations &/or hear someone call my name. 2. Not disturb others around me when I listen at typical work levels (generally low). Based on what I know now I'll just have to wait and see how this combo works for my needs in my situation.

I can return them, but I wasn't planning on listening real loud--I am in the office. Looks like it may not work out.