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.

I did search for this information, but didn’t find it. I probably didn’t use the best search terms, but I didn’t know what else to do.   I just purchased the Schiit Valhalla and Sen HD 650 for my office at work.  My question pertains to how loud the cans are for others in the room.  At...

I'm new to: Illinois Head-Fi Headphones Headphone equipment   So, I don't know what the etiquette is here, but if this is an open invitation I am interested.  Depending on the particular weekend, I may or may not be able to make it.