Sonic Satori - HRT Levels the Field with the MicroStreamer | Page 29 | Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org

mikemercer · Aug 29, 2013 at 9:12 PM

Quote:

gilly87 said:
Mike, you're in LA are you not? I have the HD until next week; if you'd like, I'd be willing to meet up to give you a listen.

We moved back to the Bay Area (Sonoma County) just a few weeks ago, but thanks for the offer! VERY kind.

And for the person asking about the microStreamer and IEMs: I love it w/ my JH Audio JH-13 Freqphase!
I was on a plane trip recently and used that combo, and for the first time I not only listened to music, but listened
to it while watching a movie.

It was as engaging and dynamic as I've come to expect.
NO worries about pairing it with IEMs!!

and OOH - plugging your cans into the line-out - OUCH - that'll wake ya up on the mornin'!!

Kevin_Halverson · Aug 29, 2013 at 9:40 PM

Quote:

rapidpulse said:
^^ I use a Mac. And on a Mac, it is the system volume that should be used. All other volume settings are maxed (i.e. on Spotify, iTunes). Assuming it is the same on Windows.

This is correct on a Mac, Windows machine or any modern OS. The simplest way to ensure that you are using the 'correct' volume function is to compare the two outputs. If the line output is not changed, but the headphone output is, then you are using the correct control.

Kevin Halverson
CTO
High Resolution Technologies, LLC

mattwardfh · Aug 30, 2013 at 1:04 AM

rapidpulse said:
By the way, this is stating the obvious, but if I can save just one person....

Pay attention to which output you plug your headphones into...especially if they are already in your ears!

I was careless and accidentally plugged into the line out. Let's just say I looked like this :eek: during the second it took me to rip my phones out.

I only had to do this once (thankfully without wearing the headphones) before I resolved to be sure it didn't happen again.

Meridian includes a plastic plug to block the line out when not in use. I thought that was a great idea, and assumed that one could find these things I expensively.

Yep! Problem solved:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A6PC0X4/ref=oh_details_o08_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

estreeter · Aug 30, 2013 at 5:58 AM

http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/2013/08/a-usb-dac-off-astellkern-ak120-vs-hrt-centrance-resonessence-labs/.
Wrap? I’d peg the HRT as the choice for pragmatists seeking a capable USB DAC for a budget and/or desktop system. Why? Better bang-for-buck innit. Idealists should plonk their cash down on the Concero HP. The AK120 sits somewhere between the two with a sound that can be best summed up as plush, suave and cultured.

citraian · Aug 30, 2013 at 7:06 AM

Quote:

estreeter said:
http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/2013/08/a-usb-dac-off-astellkern-ak120-vs-hrt-centrance-resonessence-labs/.
Wrap? I’d peg the HRT as the choice for pragmatists seeking a capable USB DAC for a budget and/or desktop system. Why? Better bang-for-buck innit. Idealists should plonk their cash down on the Concero HP. The AK120 sits somewhere between the two with a sound that can be best summed up as plush, suave and cultured.

This again confirms that the MS is a great piece of equipment. I love mine with the Blue Dragon USB cable.

RapidPulse · Aug 30, 2013 at 9:58 AM

Quote:

mattwardfh said:
I only had to do this once (thankfully without wearing the headphones) before I resolved to be sure it didn't happen again.

Meridian includes a plastic plug to block the line out when not in use. I thought that was a great idea, and assumed that one could find these things I expensively.

Yep! Problem solved:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A6PC0X4/ref=oh_details_o08_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks for this idea. I certainly don't plan on doing it again...but I didn't plan on doing it the first time either!

mattwardfh · Aug 30, 2013 at 5:57 PM

Quote:

rapidpulse said:
Thanks for this idea. I certainly don't plan on doing it again...but I didn't plan on doing it the first time either!

I feel like it's pretty much inevitable. Given that the box is pretty much symmetric, it's just too hard to tell the difference between the two ports if you're not paying attention. Better to block the port once than to have to pay attention to where I'm plugging the headphones in every time!

The other problem I have is that occasionally the volume level sets itself at 100%. One time I did have the headphones on. Thankfully it was my K701 rather than my JH13s. Unfortunately, there's no physical solution to that problem. Maybe a script or something...

estreeter · Aug 30, 2013 at 8:14 PM

Quote:

mattwardfh said:
I feel like it's pretty much inevitable. Given that the box is pretty much symmetric, it's just too hard to tell the difference between the two ports if you're not paying attention. Better to block the port once than to have to pay attention to where I'm plugging the headphones in every time!

The other problem I have is that occasionally the volume level sets itself at 100%. One time I did have the headphones on. Thankfully it was my K701 rather than my JH13s. Unfortunately, there's no physical solution to that problem. Maybe a script or something...

And that's exactly why I dont trust the Windows system volume control - much happier having everything at 100% on the computer and using the line-out into a dedicated headphone amp.

Sorrodje · Aug 30, 2013 at 8:22 PM

I don't really understand Microstreamer's volume control on my Ubuntus ( 12.04 and 13.10) . I mainly use Microstreamer as Dac only with a Meier corda Jazz ( and soon an old tube amp , the Antique sound labs MG Head DT/OTL) .

Tonight my HRT is plugged to a stax system loaned by a friend of mine... SR303/SRM323-II ... And I can't reallly go to bed ( 2.21 a.M here in France ) ..

breadvan · Aug 31, 2013 at 7:00 AM

Hey Mike, you were not joking, it actually sounds very respectable!!

mattwardfh · Sep 1, 2013 at 4:35 AM

Quote:

estreeter said:
And that's exactly why I dont trust the Windows system volume control - much happier having everything at 100% on the computer and using the line-out into a dedicated headphone amp.

That's fine for a desktop setup, but for portable, I'm much happier just using the microStreamer.

I'm also working on a script to set the system volume to something reasonable when the microStreamer is plugged in, which will make sure I don't do anything stupid.

dnullify · Sep 1, 2013 at 12:45 PM

I pretty much compulsively mash volume down before I plug my earphones into anything. Once bitten, twice shy!

jarrett · Sep 1, 2013 at 2:13 PM

My mS is finally connected to its home system! I have the volume control sorted out: I thought I would have to use one of the jriver options I mentioned, but no. The line-out level is fairly strong so when I adjust the volume knob on my Bryston B60 it's around the 1/4 mark max. The instructions recommend to set the playback device at 16/44, but wouldn't it make more sense to use 16/48? That's what most movies & the internet is, right?

I too had to change my jriver playback buffers to 25-50 ms to get rid of the pops

jaywillin · Sep 1, 2013 at 3:08 PM

Quote:

jarrett said:
My mS is finally connected to its home system! I have the volume control sorted out: I thought I would have to use one of the jriver options I mentioned, but no. The line-out level is fairly strong so when I adjust the volume knob on my Bryston B60 it's around the 1/4 mark max. The instructions recommend to set the playback device at 16/44, but wouldn't it make more sense to use 16/48? That's what most movies & the internet is, right?

I too had to change my jriver playback buffers to 25-50 ms to get rid of the pops

i also found, that occasionally, in jriver, i'd have to reset the buffering, it didn't happen often, but sometimes after an extended playing of standard resolution material, when i'd go hi-rez, just restet buffering to 25, and be good to go

mikemercer · Sep 2, 2013 at 6:22 PM

Quote:

breadvan said:
Hey Mike, you were not joking, it actually sounds very respectable!!

SICK - SO glad you tried it!!!!

Quote:

citraian said:
This again confirms that the MS is a great piece of equipment. I love mine with the Blue Dragon USB cable.

that's the EXACT combination I use!
NICE!!

Yeah my boy John Darko did a solid job with his DAC-off I gotta say!

I just don't do those things, as I believe it's all about system synergy, and sometimes its not necessarily the DAC itself that sounds different than the other DAC or component, because you're ALWAYS listening to the entire system! It might just be the way that particular DAC compliments the amplifer/headphones.

But, it did confirm what many of us here know!
The MS ROCKS.

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