I'd like to join. I'm down to ship anywhere Amazon can ship :).

Quote: The filtering techniques used are dependent on the chip's implementation and since the NFB5, NFB2, and NFB3 all share the same DAC chip (the WM8741), the output after filtering should be similar.

Quote: It doesn't add what already isn't there.  For example, when transcoding from MP3 to flac, you have essentially not degradation of audio; it is just less efficient.  Same with oversampling when the source material is only 44.1kHz, you don't lose audio because the 96kHz would just be...

Quote: The flavors are simply different implementations of filters that the Wolfson DAC chip provides.  Ideally, flavor 7 is the most true representation of the original analog signal, but compromises between the various benefits of either soft-knee or brickwall filters.  You really...

About a third of the way down of this page it says: http://audio-gd.com/Pro/dac/NFB3-2011/NFB3.1EN.htm   The first thing is the filter, next is ACSS/RCA (1 for ACSS, 2 for RCA), then input (U for USB, C for coax, O for optical).   RTFM

Quote: Of course they would be different.  If I were to take an incredibly high purity copper insulated wire with a relatively small AWG, braid dozens of these wires together and use premium solder, the materials mean nothing.  Instead, I would have a cable with incredible capacitance...

Quote: Well, what you're trying to measure is the differences that the cables make, correct?  So, you measure the HD650 with copper cable vs HD650 with silver cable.  Subtract all of the same components to minimize possible error when setting each individual component up.  You're left...

In this thread... We have people who don't understand science or the scientific method trying to prove otherwise.  I understand the OP's intentions, but there really is no point to this.  To each their own.     . . .   I spend all day in a lab looking at and analyzing data.  Why am I...

Quote: Stomp is a bit of an exaggeration, but the improvements you would be able to hear would be marginal really.  All those things that I mentioned previously (i.e. crosstalk) are barely noticeable as is. However, if you were to take a high end measurement setup and compare most generic...

Quote: The E9 is an excellent budget amp.  However, proper expensive amps will stomp it.  Lower output impedance = better bass response, proper ability to provide both sufficient voltage and current while remaining distortion free, yaddayaddayadda.  The FiiO is a good starting point...

Great read! I've gone through many headphones trying to find a sound that I really like and finally came across it when I received a few vintage orthodynamics.  After spending what seems like forever damping/modding them, I'm almost completely content with their sound (YH-1's and Fostex...

Musiland Monitor 02 IMO for under $200.

Upsampling greatly simplifies aliasing and allows room for filters to reduce inherent distortion when converting digital to analog signal.  Too much upsampling though leads to larger errors, so you want to have a sweet spot.  Check Dan Lavry's white pages for more info...

Quote: No, because science is ignored in threads like these.

Quote: How is my analogy terrible?  You say that there was an obvious difference with burn in, but you have no sort of comparison, nothing to judge it against other than what is in your memory.  Your analogy with the computer was simply "Hey, I see the computer, therefore it is there"...

Quote:   Your comparison is flawed.  If you want to make a comparison using visuals, compare what's in your closet/dresser compared to what was in it 2 weeks ago.  Is everything in exactly the same place?  Hard to remember maybe?  I surely don't remember where everything was.  Aural...

Sound is the human perception of air pressure waves.  "Perception" is the important part.  The air pressure waves can be measured by machines easily, but if somebody perceives two sources which measure the same as being two different sounds, who's to say that his hearing is wrong?  This is not a...

Quote:   That's the right headphone.  Maybe you can find them used?  The Koss pads were more comfortable and sturdy than the Sony pads.  Honestly...  Such a small length of cable makes an incredibly little difference in sound.  The variations in the resistors of a headamp make an...

Favorite for general use is the Kanen KM-880.  They look excellent and when coupled with decent pads and internal damping, they can sound pretty delightful.  My typical modification was using comfy leatherette KOSS pads (I can't remember what model headphone the pads were from... But I ordered...

What I like to do is do an eBay search for vintage headphones.  They have some really great deals on headphones that would be great for DIY cans.  Obviously, you won't want to get some of the... older headphones, but there are plenty that make great candidates.

FYI, SMD parts are generally better than their leaded counterparts in terms of technical specifications.  They tend to have issues with heat/power dissipation, but nothing that a well thought out design can't handle. Regardless, I'm probably going to order a NFB-3.1 along with a C-2.1 so I...

The biggest difference when you switch components comes from the change in tone/sound signature.  This would most likely come from the headphone itself.  This change in tone doesn't necessarily mean that it's better.  A decent DAC/Amp can be had for ~$150 and could be a significant upgrade to...

What's more important is how skilled you are at soldering.  Right now, I'm using a leadfree variety by Qualitek from their SN100e line.  I prefer 63/37 or 60/40 for usability, but I figure that I should start trying to be environmentally aware.

I <3 Head-fi's "I know these sound like poop but I've never heard them!" bandwagon approach.  Monster's surprised us before; the turbines are pretty good IEM's (although quite OP).   As for looks, I already have great sounding, super ugly cans that I use at home.  One issue with these...

Sjostrom Audio?  The site is being updated right now, but the various headphone amps look excellent and the people that have built them find them to be excellent.