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  1. ChaChaRealSmooth

    DAC difference

    Great question. There's a lot of factors involved, and it gets more confusing because in theory, it shouldn't make a difference. After all, what a DAC is really doing is converting digital to analog. For better or worse, different chips have different sounds. AKM stuff sounds nothing like...
  2. ChaChaRealSmooth

    Matrix Audio X-Sabre Pro

    For this type of modern, clean sound (i.e. the kind of people who like gin neat) I don't think that there's much better than the X-Sabre Pro. I don't own mine anymore but I still recommend it. As far as Sabre-based DACs, it's the best I've heard period. And I prefer it to all AKM-based DACs...
  3. ChaChaRealSmooth

    ZMF Verite Open

    Only go Euforia if you plan on changing out the stock tubes. Stock the Euforia is too bloomy and will only emphasize some of the Verite's sins of commission. My vote for a tube amp goes towards the DNA Starlett if budget allows. It is worth the wait.
  4. ChaChaRealSmooth

    DNA Starlett Arrives

    @Trickness the Starlett is essentially 90% of the Stratus with cheap tubes. I cannot recommend it enough to people.
  5. ChaChaRealSmooth

    Liquid Platinum Tube Rollers.

    Amperex Orange Globes (I think these may be slightly hard to find nowadays though). You can also try some Tungsram 6DJ8. They're a little more subdued in the highs and have a more athletic character.
  6. ChaChaRealSmooth

    Rank the Headphones that You Own.

    Hmm, this is difficult. Three-way tie between Focal Utopia, ZMF Auteur, and ZMF Verite. I like all three for the various things they do well. All complementary cans. These three make up the bulk of my listening and are my standard rotation Sennheiser HD6XX: Just a good, resolving headphone...
  7. ChaChaRealSmooth

    QCY T2C Impressions (True Wireless IEMs)

    **Before I start the impressions, it should be duly noted that I'm typically NOT an IEM listener. I typically don't use IEMs because I don't like the feeling of having something in my ear, so thus I usually stick to circumaural (over-ear) headphones, and have a folding supra-aural (on-ear) set...
  8. ChaChaRealSmooth

    Audeze LCD-3 Impressions Thread

    Sometimes preamps can work wonderfully. It really depends on the gear synergy. The Feliks Audio Euforia, for example, actually worked amazingly well as a preamp if you were looking for some tube bloom and warmth and are treble-sensitive (or have a bright setup). Granted, I've only tried this...
  9. ChaChaRealSmooth

    Audeze LCD-3 Impressions Thread

    Sort of. Keep in mind that gear will always have sins of omission and commission, and chaining amps together like this may actually be deleterious to the end experience (most likely will just be a sidegrade; different, but not better). The only way to really find out if this gives you what...
  10. ChaChaRealSmooth

    Audeze LCD-3 Impressions Thread

    I have to admit two things: I've literally zero experience with something that sounds like the Harmon target, and I'm still learning a LOT about my own personal preferences. Initially I thought I liked headphones that were tilted dark, but LCD-3's made from 2016 onwards are not dark, at least to...
  11. ChaChaRealSmooth

    Audeze LCD-3 Impressions Thread

    We're going to have to disagree on the usefulness of reference. While the graphs might be from the same system (and I believe that they have used the same system for years), there isn't a disclosure on the compensation curve nor smoothing used. Unless other headphones from other companies are...
  12. ChaChaRealSmooth

    Audeze LCD-3 Impressions Thread

    It is not. I personally find the Audeze provided graph useless; no idea of compensation curve used, and since we aren't privy to the system, no idea how it compares to other rigs. You might as well go on Paint and hand draw the graph. This graph came from a system that I'm somewhat familiar...
  13. ChaChaRealSmooth

    Audeze LCD-3 Impressions Thread

    I haven't found this to be the case. Big thanks to a good friend of mine for doing this on another site!
  14. ChaChaRealSmooth

    Audeze LCD-3 Impressions Thread

    Get the balanced cable. Just like any other planar, the LCD-3 benefits from more power. Assuming your amp has equivalent sonic properties in both balanced-out and SE-out, the output that outputs more power will always be preferred. For those that have a 2016 manufacture LCD-3 or after, what is...
  15. ChaChaRealSmooth

    Audeze LCD-3 Impressions Thread

    I've read that review; just asking for more opinions to see what other's impressions are.
  16. ChaChaRealSmooth

    Audeze LCD-3 Impressions Thread

    Does anyone have impressions and/or measurements of the LCD-3 with the Dekoni pads? I've seen a lot of data on pad rolling on the LCD-2 and the LCD-2C, but it seems like rolling the pads on the LCD-3 gets overlooked. Mostly asking because I'm thinking of picking up a backup pair of pads and the...
  17. ChaChaRealSmooth

    Matrix Audio X-Sabre Pro

    I'm in the same boat as you; truly a masterful implementation of the 9038PRO Sabre chips. Although maybe it's not too surprising; I think HF gets more excited over new cans vs. amps/dacs.
  18. ChaChaRealSmooth

    Matrix Audio X-Sabre Pro

    I think it's just design. Some professional DACs have outputs that are much hotter than that (the Dangerous Music Convert-2 comes to mind). That being said, the X-Sabre Pro's is only slightly higher and should be fine with most amps; I only mentioned it as a warning so that people hopefully...
  19. ChaChaRealSmooth

    Audeze LCD-3 Impressions Thread

    Nothing against the LCD-4, but I actually like the LCD-3 better. The timbre of the LCD-3 overall (post-2016) is very liquid and smooth with a touch of euphonics, something I like. The LCD-4, while I think it sounds more "reference," can't quite match that. That being said, I think in terms of...
  20. ChaChaRealSmooth

    Audeze LCD-3 Impressions Thread

    I've had mine since November 2018 (2016 manufacture), which isn't that long, but I'm still perfectly happy. I'll be back in 3 more months if the honeymoon period ends.
  21. ChaChaRealSmooth

    Matrix Audio X-Sabre Pro

    Disclosure of settings I used: Filter: Mode 3 (fast rolloff linear phase) Dither: On Jitter: Off Async The sync setting was worse on my system. I listen out of desktop with USB (I'm stuck with only USB 3.1 ports. The sound isn't "bad," but definitely not great). The SPDIF output is about...
  22. ChaChaRealSmooth

    Matrix Audio X-Sabre Pro

    I've been fortunate enough to be able to spend time with a X-Sabre Pro MQA unit, and I have to say that I think this is one of the very best DACs in existence. The short version is that if you want a dynamic, clean, modern sound with tons of slam and attack, the X-Sabre Pro should be on your...
  23. ChaChaRealSmooth

    Matrix Audio X-Sabre Pro

    I actually did email Matrix and sort this out. Yeah, it's the playback. Derp. Honestly, if the differences are there between inputs I would never be able to tell them apart in a blind test. This of course is contingent upon system (i.e. if you have crap USB but good optical)
  24. ChaChaRealSmooth

    Matrix Audio X-Sabre Pro

    Hey HF members, I'm trying to audition a Matrix X-Sabre Pro (MQA), and I would like to ask a quick question regarding input connection. When I had my Gungnir MB (sayonara old friend), it had the gen 5 USB, so I just decided to use that and call it good. This X-Sabre Pro, however, has USB...
  25. ChaChaRealSmooth

    A ranking of all the headphones i've ever owned

    My question: on the headphones ranked low on the list, did you dislike/hate them or is it more of a case of "good, but I personally like these other headphones better?" I understand the question is entirely subjective and am interested in just your opinion
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