Back to Front When I first got mine around 10 years ago, I favoured the front port but now with iPhone SE2 & Amazon Music HD, the front port has a compressed soundstage and less precise imaging. That’s even with 44.1/16 files and no down sampling. This simple and convenient combination with...

I move it between upstairs and downstairs a few times a week!

I’ve owned this unit for over 5 years and it took a ‘new’ combination last week to hear the difference. It is significant in all aspects. No going back. CCK & charger now required!

Forgot, yes the jitterbug too! With a decent short USB cable, I have been quite amazed at the overall quality. 😊.

Returning to this thread to vouch for the following chain Amazon HD > iPhone 6S > HD-DAC1 USB B (on the back) > Low Gain > Shure SRH 940 (with 1540 pads). I have had all this gear (apart from the pads) for years but never quite connected it like this before (somehow I used to prefer the front...

I I acquired some ‘standard‘ non B&O earpads which many users have reviewed as being satisfactory or better for the H6. This means though destroying the existing pads to get access to the plastic mounting ring. Does anyone have any experience? Best James

Excellent point! I will investigate & report back. Replacement ear pads are no longer officially available :(.

REDUCED H6 LOW FREQUENCY RESPONSE Just in case anyone has any observations... my trusty H6 Mk1s which have been used very regularly for over 5 years seem to be displaying a loss of lower end frequencies through all sources/amps vs. what I recall. My 'control' was to go back to my Shure 940s...

Perceived volume may well be similar but quality of sound may not.

I have not heard the A3 but I have been very impressed & satisfied with DFR (straight out of iPhone 6s or MacBook Pro 2010) with Senn HD650, Shure SRH940, Beyer DT250-250, Grado RS1 and especially the B&O H6 v1. This is in comparison with the following DACs/Amps... Audiolab M-DAC v1 Rega DAC V1...

From the Audioquest DFB/DFR site. This equates with my own very recent experience. —- In some rare instances, the combination of an iOS device in conjunction with the standard CCK and DragonFly Black or Red causes a clicking in the background of the music. Neither we nor Apple have been able...

The H650s are well paired with HD DAC1. You will get a different flavour from them with a good tube amp. I think they are excellent though I find the soundstage a bit tall-oval shaped for my liking. The Marantz seems to reduce this effect somewhat.   Best   James

Hello all. I just enjoyed a late night session with HD DAC1 (high gain) with stock HD800 (16xxx serial range) fed by TIDAL/iPad 3 and a £30 30 pin to usb into the idevice port. The unit ran hot after 2-3 hours but all aspects of presentation were satisfying on good quality recordings. Not much...

I can understand the frustration and the decision to cut losses. I was very nearly there myself. I returned my 2nd unit for repair and the background is now absolutely silent at all gain settings up to full volume even with the most sensitive IEMs.   As I use this repaired unit more and with...

I can confirm that my experience is identical to your account, for which I thank you as this thread prompted my dealer to arrange the 'repair'... I am now very happy and working through my collection of cans to determine the best combinations. So far it is bringing the best or as good as...

It seems the iDevice RF issue coincides with device becoming fully charged by the HD DAC-1. Today there is less/zero issue while the iDevice is still being charged... go figure! In practice this means swapping between CCK+normal USB and the iDevice interface on the front panel. Best James

I have owned the Audiolab MDAC for 2 years. It is a very competent unit that as a dac/amp suits some headphones (HD650, RS1, SRH940) but is significantly underweight for HD800 and does not suit other phones such as B&O H6 and Beyer DT250-250. It has no iDevice specific interface.   The HD...

My listening tests have been brief and not scientific but my belief is my experience of my 1st and 2nd unit mirrors your own, except the hum on the 2nd unit seems a little less at all gain settings. I've now established the residual RF issue is my iphone 4s that cannot be hard reset (lock button...

Hello again. I have tried several different 30pin to usb cables. This seems to have no impact on RF incidence or severity. Also re: HF, the response my dealer received from Marantz was to factory reset the HD-DAC1 and 'hard' reset any iDevice to be connected (e.g. hold both iphone buttons until...

I perceived deterioration when the attenuation value exceeded -40db. This was during a trial for the audio lab power amp designed to be used in this way. The dealer was not able to confirm the manufacturers position when I returned the power amp.   Best   James

Hello all.   For general reference, I took home a HD DAC 1 on trial on Wednesday. It ran hot, hummed a little and suffered serious RF interference on the front IOS USB input. I read elsewhere online of experiences of some faulty units.   On return to my brilliant local supplier today they...

  I find my HD650s direct from the M-DAC headphone out (source: Mac Mini/Audirvana) deliver excellent detail and positioning. Timbral accuracy?...  the jury is still out on that one.   Look forward to reading your impressions.   Best   James

  I find the MDAC headlamp a puzzling thing indeed... synergy with different cans is unpredictable. My favourite listening combination right now is MDAC to HD650 (source MacMini/Audirvana/MP3 320/decent USB cable). They also work well with RS-1s but DT48 and HD800... no no no!   With the...

Quote:   You've got me wanting to buy a headphone I gladly gave away 3 years ago... lol!   I don't love my 840s...   Best   James

Interesting! My bad, I meant upper bass dip. I remember being wowed when I auditioned them as the signature gives vocals a high profile. This prompted the purchase. Over time the appeal waned. I confess I have not heard them in over 2 years... Given the 250-250s as a reference (amp...