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  1. Pretardo

    Shanling H5 - Portable DAC/AMP/Player, AKM AK4493S DACs and sweet warm tuning

    Nice! Enjoy your new H5 and happy listening. I’m interested to know what your initial impressions are to the Hip DAC 3.
  2. Pretardo

    Going from Hugo 2 to R2R - what will I gain?

    Yes, the TT2 has been in my sights for a while, but then why not just add the M-scaler and if you’re going to get an M-scaler, then why not the Dave? Because you can get so much more out of the M-scaler with the Dave. I was actually looking to go outside of the Chord ecosystem and in the video...
  3. Pretardo

    Going from Hugo 2 to R2R - what will I gain?

    Besides Chord products. Which other DACs can we find Rob Watts’ IP? I like the sound of the Hugo 2, but the device is definitely made for portability, with all of its controls on the top of the device. Having it on a desk is a bit challenging because the ports are on both sides of the device and...
  4. Pretardo

    Xduoo Amplifiers

    I recall someone else had an issue with noise coming from their unit. Contacting customer service is what they ended up doing.
  5. Pretardo

    Going from Hugo 2 to R2R - what will I gain?

    Oh yeah more more thing. The Bifrost 2/64 and Jot2 combo increase the dynamics of the DCA Aeon2 (planar) and give them something resembling slam, which is not what they are known for. I wonder what the effect would be on Empyreans?
  6. Pretardo

    Going from Hugo 2 to R2R - what will I gain?

    I have a Hugo2 and a a Bifrost 2/64. I find the Bifrost 2/64 a little disappointing as the Hugo 2 has a much wider soundstage and is really good with resolution and separation. I do like the richness and weight that the Bifrost presents which I feel makes things feel a bit more lively and less...
  7. Pretardo

    Fostex TH900 Impressions & Discussion Thread

    My bad. I was thinking just the dampening on driver side. I forgot about the cups.
  8. Pretardo

    Fostex TH900 Impressions & Discussion Thread

    The Lawton level 1 package just adds the gray dampening foam and does not require you to remove any dampening from the 900s. I found the tuning to be rather pleasant. It made the sound tighter and less diffuse. I did go back to the stock pads though for the elevated bass response, though. But I...
  9. Pretardo

    Xduoo Amplifiers

    I find that I like it quite a bit. I was playing around with the pair today and compared it against a Jotenheim 2. I found that the TA-22 vs the Jot 2 when both are hooked up to a Bifrost 2/64, the TA-22 was very comparable to the Jot2 I did notice that there was slightly more depth with the...
  10. Pretardo

    Help me choose my first tube amp and DAC?

    What you are pointing out is max output. The gain setting and volume knob reduce said power output to user defined levels.
  11. Pretardo

    Help me choose my first tube amp and DAC?

    Absolutely! You don't notice the noise floor unless you are wearing IEMs and only when there is a period of silence or if there is a very quiet section like in symphonic music. Generally, I feel that it's a great system and I've been really happy with it. I like the fun factor and engaging sound...
  12. Pretardo

    Help me choose my first tube amp and DAC?

    Yes, I found that it was only with IEMs that I noticed the hum of a slightly higher noise floor. I think I noticed it with Sony IER-Z1R, UM MEST Mk I, and 64 Audio U12t. I also found that the noise level was lower on the balanced output than it was on the 6.35mm single ended out put.
  13. Pretardo

    Help me choose my first tube amp and DAC?

    Nothing really jumps out at me, but if you want to go cheaper, I think there might be a TA-22 in the classified section. I like my unit, but I just wish the the noise floor was lower so that I could use IEMs with it. But that aside, it’s a solid choice. It’s a fun sound that is a bit smooth...
  14. Pretardo

    Feedback by 'Pretardo' on listing 'Bifrost 2/64 + OG card'

    Great Seller! The item arrived early and it was packed securely. The Bifrost 2 was in excellent condition and worked without a hitch. Communication was prompt and efficient. This seller is strongly recommended
  15. Pretardo

    Feedback by 'Pretardo' on listing 'Acoustune AS2000'

    Outstanding seller! Responsive, quick and securely packed! The cable was in excellent condition and well cared for when used. Purchase with confidence!
  16. Pretardo

    iBasso DX160 - The listening experience only gets better and better. ******NEW FW 1.09 - link 1st page.******

    Nice, is the battery soldered down to the board or is it a clip that friction fits onto pins for the battery?
  17. Pretardo

    iBasso DX160 - The listening experience only gets better and better. ******NEW FW 1.09 - link 1st page.******

    Yeah, the battery situation with a lot of portable audio equipment makes them feel somewhat disposable. They're a pain to replace the batteries in and it's always some bespoke battery that you've got to special order and then it requires a skilled person to open the case and swap the battery...
  18. Pretardo

    Comment by 'Pretardo' in item 'Questyle M15i — Mobile Headphone Amp & DAC'

    I used to live in Hong Kong and the amount of RF noise that some DAPs received and passed on through the chain was horrible, especially in very crowded areas with lots of WiFi, cell towers and just tons of phones everywhere. I’ve had to play around with different cables and devices and found...
  19. Pretardo

    Comment by 'Pretardo' in item 'Questyle M15i — Mobile Headphone Amp & DAC'

    I've had the same issue. I found that the headphone cables also made a difference with RF noise. The solution that I've come up with is to go for Bluetooth DAC/AMPs. I've found that they are really good at keeping a low noise floor even though they need to pick up wireless signals. I currently...
  20. Pretardo

    Comment by 'Pretardo' in item 'Questyle M15i — Mobile Headphone Amp & DAC'

    Thanks for letting me know. That’s pretty awesome that the M15i is so efficient. ! My first foray into third-party hi-if dongles was a shock. I was hoping to move away from carrying a DAP and a phone to keep my EDC light. But I was shocked by how much balanced dongles drained my phone’s battery...
  21. Pretardo

    Comment by 'Pretardo' in item 'Questyle M15i — Mobile Headphone Amp & DAC'

    That’s a deal breaker right there for me. RF noise for a phone dongle is really annoying. Were there any reports of noise on the M15/i using the Questyle lightning to USB-C cable or was it a different cable?
  22. Pretardo

    Careful when ordering from Itsfitlab

    The final update! The IEMs finally came! They dropped off the radar for a while and it was very worrying thinking that I lost my IEMs, but it all worked out. The quality of the shells is awesome and the fit and finish are awesome. I think next time, Id rather go visit Vietnam and pick them up...
  23. Pretardo

    Shanling H5 - Portable DAC/AMP/Player, AKM AK4493S DACs and sweet warm tuning

    I was thinking about writing about the RCAs in the back, but I want to try using the H5 as an external DAC and Source with a phone remote for my Xudoo TA-22. Thanks @Leairve for the reminder to try that.
  24. Pretardo

    Shanling H5 - Portable DAC/AMP/Player, AKM AK4493S DACs and sweet warm tuning

    Wow! Apple TV BT connectivity would be awesome. You could have filled sized cans for your TV that doesn’t bother anyone. That would be a cool feature. Regarding the different volumes with the headphone unplugged vs plugged. While I haven’t tried it or tested it, it seems like it would be a...
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