Speaking of 44/16 upsampling issue.. Can I just convert my flac files to 44/24 and continue to use my player of choice?

Hello! I'd appreciate your suggestions for a portable or small factor, e.g. Ipad-mini size, source/player to play flac files, something much smaller than smallest laptop. I have dedicated DAC and amp, so it needs to have USB or SPDIF output, toslink is ok too. My current playlist is around...

Most likely encoding of cue file - ANSI should work, UTF and Unicode won't. But they will look the same in Notepad. You can try to save cue file in ANSI encoding and check if that helps.

You can use open any language for non-Unicode cue files, just use correct system locale (Win 7): Control Panel -> Region and Language -> Administrative But since almost everything is Unicode nowadays I had no issues to open any European cue files in foobar, no matter what accent letters were there.

For $400-$500, in USA, you can get a pair of like new Yamaha HS8 powered monitors, even with stands.

http://www.tabletswithusbports.net/

I just got a chance to compare DS to DAC2 HGC with Beyerdynamic 880 600 Ohm - and DAC2 is about 3 db louder. Though both have more than enough juice to run loud more than enough.   Another observation with DMS - I touched its case with some static electricity on my body from carpet floors and...

Not sure if this was mentioned in this topic before.. But theoretically, couldn't frequencies in inaudible range still distort audible frequencies through interference effect, producing beats?

Well, current state of audio industry suggests that it's more profitable to manipulate audio material, rather than improve audio systems. Plus for general public "re-mastered" is equal to "new and improved".   In their defense, DR levels are not always making music sound bad. It's rather new...

It may look insane from hi-end audio perspective, but we are on minority side and not most economically attractive. DR 6 db song will sound better than DR 15 db on average boombox or car because there is less chance that it will clip cheap amp.   Adding on-fly compression is probably to so...

Whatever it is: psycho-acoustics, placebo effect, wishful thinking, etc.  I could swear to God that upgrading raid controller in my PC rig made it sound better - but I know that in reality it sounded absolutely the same.

  That is good observation as it makes complete sense that mastering is the function of target market. Read about Yamaha NS10 monitors..

Measuring USB cable is rather easy - copy some data by using it and if single bit changed then just throw away that cable and get the good one.

Quote:   Why you just don't make it simple - order new or used Beyers from Amazon and listen to them by yourself? This splurge will cost you less than $10 in return shipping.

Quote: Should it have automatic BAC adjustment too? ;) To be fair, I wasn't able to drive DAC2 or Valhalla to levels that I cannot tolerate for short time. But for background+ listening it is what it is - 50% amp, -3db and all my tracks are RG-ed per file.

Quote: Uhm.. head room on the dial? 50% amp = dial at 50%, in the middle, 12 o'clock, etc..

Quote: It was always possible, but not recommended. I guess, Schiit just decided to make an upgrade without running into any additional costs ;)

Quote: O2 specs: 7 Volts RMS & 200+ mA peak current - should be enough. DAC2 is 6vrms and 250mA and I drive my 600 ohms at 50% amp and -3db in foobar2000

Tried Valhalla and while I admit it's quite good, I think for now I'll use my Benchmark DAC2 headphone output.

Quote: It's not about tubes, it's about me - I certainly will if given that option :) 

Quote:   Will check, thanks!   Quote:   What makes you to feel so? I would rather avoid the signature from tube.   Quote: How much power do you use at comfortable and enjoyable loudness?

Hi,    This is my first thread on this forum, so please be gentle :)    I'm quite new in headphones and after couple tries I've settled to Beyerdynamic DT880 600 ohm - it's just perfect mix for me with SQ, comfort and price. Now I'm looking for a decent amp to drive it. The only one...