I am considering one of the above DAPs. They all cost about the same in the UK so no real difference there. Is it a case of choose the feature set that fits me best or does one sound better than the other? My only history with DAPs is Apple and I am trying to avoid amps and DACs if I can...

All, I currently use a Macbook Pro as my digital source and will continue to use an Apple computer when I leave my ship and space is no longer an issue. My question is in two parts, asking for the best system architecture for my laptop and also for a future full size Apple. Currently my...

Guys, I am currently in the middle of downsizing my setup and wish to move to the partial isolation of closed headphones. The cabin on my ship is too cramped for the separate dac and huge RP010 amp so I am looking at the new Meier Opera (integrated dac/amp) to go with a set of closed...

Hi, Now that I am about to free up some cash by selling most of my gear (many thanks to all those who have responded to the ads) I am finally going to try and improve on the Earmax Anniversary that I currently use. The source will remain an Apogee Mini-Dac using XLR outputs, a Bent Audio NOH...

All, I have now placed an order for Sony Qualia ‘phones and hopefully they will reach the UK in a few weeks. That will give me the Qualias, SA5Ks and PS-1s driven by the Earmax Anniversary(EA) and my latest acquisition – the Rudistor RPX-33 solid state amp. The RPX-33 is an excellent unit...

Hi, Rudi has a new amp available called the RPX-33, a development of the RP-33. I have had one on order for a while (I wanted an RP-33 with cosmetics to match the newer amps like the NX-02 and I think the RPX-33 is the result) and if I am lucky I may get it by the end of the week. My ship's...

Hi, After starting a thread about new 'phones I have decided to try and obtain the Qualia 010 and all being well ie if you can still order them I will have them in a few weeks. My current 'phones are SA5Ks and Grado PS-1s, both with stock cables. My source at the moment remains an...

Hi, Since joining head-fi 2 months ago I have managed to hugely increase my headphone - listening pleasure (just as well coz I can't use speakers anymore as I am living on a ship), due in no small part to the information and help available here. I currently use the SA5K and PS-1 (with bowls)...

I am looking to buy a SS amp as an alternative (not replacement) to my Earmax Anniversary. Unfortunately size is an issue or I would get a Dynamight or Headcode (both ofwhich I have considered recently). I am thinking of the Rudistor RP33, which at 12 x 12 in footprint is about the max I can...

Firstly, please excuse my lack of knowledge in this forum - some of the posts I read here go WAY over my head, so if these ideas sound nuts don't laugh too much. I currently have Sony SA5Ks (102 dB sensitivity, 70 ohms imp.), Earmax Anniversary (EA) amp (don't know the specs but it is OTL)...

As I continue to try and improve my setup here is the next challenge. I currently use the optical output of my iMac G5 to pass 16bit/44.1kHz signal to my Apogee Mini-Dac. The Mini-Dac is not currently fitted with the USB port. My question is what is the best way to get the digital signal out...

This is potentially a fairly wide-ranging thread but I am trying to keep it focused on headphones as opposed to amplifiers. If you take a headphone such as the Sennheiser 650, Grado PS-1 or Sony SA5K, what advantages in sound quality are you likely to hear balanced vs the standard setup? Are...

I have started another thread in the DIY section on a related topic but having read some more about driving 'phones form the XLR analogue outputs of source components I intend trying the following setup. I have a passive preamp - Bent Audio NOH - which uses high quality transformers to control...

All, I am a relative newcomer to head-fi, my previous posts being about finding an amp suitable for the Sony SA5K ‘phones. I have now ordered an Earmax Anniversary which I hope to pick up next week but after much reading on this site I have come to the conclusion that I want a SS amp as well...

Yes, I know - another question about amps for the SA5K but please bear with me. I am keen to purchase an amp that is readily available in Europe (I live in Scotland) so that any problems, however unlikely, can be more easily rectified. There is a vast amount of information available on thise...