Random question to the thread - does running the Mojo 2 in intelligent desktop mode provide more power to full-size cans? Or, put another way, do people sense a difference in their listening experience running in intelligent desktop mode vs. the battery when listening to demanding, power hungry...

I honestly do not know. I can say that I am happy with the Bluetti AC 180. More than sufficient for my needs. I am much happier being off AC Mains.

Couldn’t agree more. I do the same. Right now I’m in charging mode. Sorry for the mess, but excited to see another Bluetti user!

I've moved the ESS / upsampling conversation here as to not derail / move attention away from the A26 thread for all those that want to follow along.

Thanks, @bogi , for your input. Considering the moderator's comments in the A26 thread, it seems more fitting to discuss ESS DACs' conversion methodology here in the HQP thread, especially since many utilize HQPlayer to upsample with ESS DACs. @jlaako , please let me know if you think this...

Many things in the above quote are patently false. If something is upsampled to 16fs (as it is with PGGB), it skips the FIR filtering in an ESS DAC. Also ESS datasheets do not explicitly state how many conversion elements they employ, but it is largely believed to be a multi-bit architecture...

Hi @Shanling - When playing DSD on the H7, is it possible to use "DSD Filter 2" and utilize the "volume bypass" per the below page in the AKM 4191 datasheet? Thanks!

I thought Chord products were very resilient in the face of jitter, independent of input. Is this incorrect?

I’ve had a few weeks with the thick lambs on. I like them better than the thin cowhides. The thins sound like I’m a little too close to the transducer - everything is a little too in my face with those. I lasted about a week wearing those before switching the thicks, which I hadn’t heard before...

I have a preference for glass optical versus plastic. A glass optical cable I bought sounded better to my ears than a plastic one made by audioquest.

Which DDC did Dan recommend? Once your system is quiet enough, you'll be surprised at the differences you hear when you change upstream components. Or if you upsample! I buy into Dan / Audiowise's hypotheses regarding Mojo2. So much so I've bought stuff from him! =)

A usb to optical converter like the one mentioned a few posts back.

Agreed on the first point. Rob Watts told me that, via a mobile phone, optical and usb are identical. I tried this as well after that conversation at Canjam. I can’t tell the difference either. The phone is a low voltage low noise device compared to a full pc. When I look plug mojo 2 into...

Just the adapter I got with my TS-316 IEM. I don't think it's anything fancy, though the cable seems to be of high enough quality. I plug my Pietus Maximus into a Bluetti AC 180 battery / inverter combo. I get zero noise floor (so long as the Mojo 2 isn't charging - then I can hear some hiss).

For this very reason, I stay single-ended. That being said, it sounds like you need an amp that can: 1. Power planars 2. Power IEMs 3. Convert single-ended in to balanced out Assuming budget is not an issue - I've read good things about violectric amps, though I don't know if they're quiet...

Just streamed via Qobuz - awesome bass!

This is the battery / inverter unit I use for my Nitsch x Schiit Pietus Maximus. I have no doubt it will be sufficient for your V222. I think it should work with the WA22 too... at 100-watts & the Bluetti's capacity of 1,152Wh, I think you'll have decent headroom so long as you charge between...

Thanks - Rob is the man. I take his word up to 75% of the time! He has a vested interest to steer people to his products, and they are high quality products IMO, but I tend to subscribe to using external upsamplers like PGGB over his MScaler. iFi makes nifty power supplies. I don't have a...

I'm in the same boat. I've been corresponding with a distributor in Japan about the differences. His view is the HDA-5230mk2 is the better amp. His summary (in his words - not mine): Material of chassis of 5230 is better than 5220 The power and current output are different. 5230 is similar to...

Apologies. Forgot to withdraw this listing!

I have been eyeing a SCL for my Caldera as well. I'd be very interested if you shared your Caldera impressions off the current output! I'd also welcome any opinions on the 5520mk2 vs. 5230mk2!

Inverters can indeed generate noise and do utilize SMPS equipment. As Rob Watts mentioned in the video posted above, SMPS can offer numerous benefits, but they have to be designed well. The quality and implementation of the inverter matters a lot. I most certainly agree with @MarkParity that...

Here's what I know: Car batteries, and other batteries like LiFEPO4 batteries, typically run on 12 volts DC output. Typically, they offer very low output impedance, thereby supplying power to devices very quickly. They also are "floating" and not connected to earth ground. Different ground...

Yup - I was one of the guys that asked questions at that lecture. First off - Rob is an extremely nice guy and was very kind to offer up his time and perspectives to me before and after both lectures he gave. I was so appreciative of his time. Rob has very strong opinions on linear power...