Decay, or wear and tear? I've had mine for 5 years and two days! (just checked - missed the birthday, lol). They've been well used and although they do show it a little, there's nothing to be concerned about on mine. Still on the original ear pads too which I didn't expect to last this long...

Sorry to hear that ctaxxxx; thank you for the reminder to take care. I tend to hook-grip mine (like I'm carrying a bucket) due to paranoia about breaking the things. My wife sat on my UE Superfi-5 Pros once, and somehow managed to break a chunk out of the plastic. I sealed it with epoxy and...

That's what I get on Windows 7. 44.1KHz, 48KHz and 96KHz all at 24-bit only. (oops, got beaten to it)

  I've wondered the same thing; I don't want to wreck these superb headphones!   I tend to carefully pick mine up either by the top of the springy, over-head wire, or handle it by holding both of the outer rings in my hands when putting it on. I try to avoid holding it from one side only, or...

  I had completely forgotten that I had a similar-ish issue with my DFR before. I don't think it will help you, but...   My DFR would frequently (not every time) go silent on a manual track change in foobar. I thought at first it was caused by a change of bit-depth but then noticed it could...

  Not had that on Windows 7, and I have my Dragonfly plugged in all the time. The PC is my main source and the DF gets used several hours every evening.   One thing that occurs to me to check is the power settings. I;m not familiar with Windows 10 but maybe it is set to power down peripheral...

Than you for correcting me. I misinterpreted a sentence in one of the reviews (probably out of wishful thinking). The manual states what you say and makes the signal path clear.   It's not a big deal since DSD is now pointless for me anyway - needing converting to PCM somewhere to allow...

This DAC is one I'm very interested in, even though it's far beyond what I should be spending.   The inclusion of a DSP with configurable, per-channel PEQ makes it almost unique from what I've found. With recent, partial hearing loss in my right ear (due to SSHL of unknown cause, although...

  I noticed that too. Bear in mind that a volume control is an attenuator, and that the Windows' (assuming a PC) volume control actually controls the Dragonfly's internal attenuator. So even set at 'zero' on that slider, it means that the attenuator is at maximum attenuation; that's not the...

  IF it's what the picture shows, yes. That's what AQ should have supplied with the NightOwls in the first place.   But then we wouldn't have to spend even more money on replacement cables, would we... [/cynical mode]

  Now I am *so* jealous!   Personally I would keep the balanced cable and reterminate it, or make an adapter. Or even buy a balanced amp! I loathe the 'normal' smartphone-enabled cable that AQ supplied.

  That's similar to what I find with the Red (with its digital control rather then the Black's analog) and the NightOwls. With FLAC files I usually have to have the volume level (on Windows' own volume slider) at less than 10 (out of 100), and often 4 or 5 if it's a loud recording and I don't...

Has anyone else had issues with the Dragonfly Red not playing (no sound output) when changing to a track with a different sample rate than the previously played one?   **ETA: It's just now done it when changing tracks manually within an album, no change in sample rate.**   I'm using my...

Blue tooth receiver (didn't need the extra hint, if it's right)   Hey, if I'm right, can I have a discount on an idac2?  I'm saving up for one.

  It's definitely true for me. The day I brought them home, I was sitting in the lounge listening (loud, but only comfortably so) and my wife sitting four feet away started singing along to the music. That was with the pleather. Maybe they don't seal very well to my head.

  Possibly. That document I linked (and others) talk about wiping force (that is, contact to contact wiping, not with a cloth) needing to be a little higher than normal to ensure the tarnish is removed. Perhaps a few repeated insertions in place of that would help. They also mention that silver...

  It's not the oxide but the sulphide (Ag2S) that's the issue. That's mostly what silver 'tarnish' is. Ag2S is a semiconductor and not a good conductor, at least as far as I know. In thin film it might not be an issue, but we use gas for cooking which always has some sulphur in it, and we eat a...

  Yes, if listened to loudly (comfortably loudly I mean, not silly). My wife sits about four to five feet away and occasionally sings along to what I'm listening to with the NightOwl, if it's loudish. That's using the protein leather pads. Not tried the others.

  Interdental brushes... good call, thank you for that! They are now on the shopping list.   I had thought of pipe cleaners but haven't seen any of those around for years. I think they are probably too thick for 2.5mm anyway.

  Hear hear!   I really cannot understand the supposed portable aspect to these. They are too big and clumsy (fine sitting at home though - no complaints about that), move too easily on the head (i.e. easy to dislodge if you are moving quickly or get knocked by another commuter) and the cable...

  [emphasis mine]   Exactly why I have to remember to put my Nightowls in the front room (with the door shut) every night. Our (i.e. my wife's) cat has eaten far too many wires. I'm amazed she's still alive (the cat, not the wife) given the mains leads she's chewed to mushy, shredded remnants...

It's not just the short length of the cable that I find problematic; it's the stiff, coiled-spring-like nature too.   While I noticed the issue when I went to audition the NightOwl, I thought the cable would probably loosen up and I would get used to it. Unfortunately neither is happening and...

red

  That's my feeling too. It might sound a bit odd to be complaining about lack of funds and the expense of having to buy another cable when I've just spent £600 on headphones. I'm selling a few things to make up the cost though... otherwise I could not justify buying them in the first place.  ...

+3. I was trying not to be overly critical of the cable in my earlier post, but it really isn't good enough (as the only cable) at the price of the package. I would easily swap the nice case (which must cost a little bit) for a second cable more fit for purpose.   The main competitor to the...