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@Chexxchexx, I'll PM ya as the direction's going off topic .
Hey Eric,
I see on your sig you run a dx100 or CLAS to an ALO-RX-mk3 to some CIEMS. Which DAC do you find pairs better with the rx-mk3? I'm really impressed by the new dx100 firmware update, but would love to hear your thoughts about which setup you reach for more often.
Thanks,
Chris
I'm coming to the conclusion that the MK3 was just not meant to work with a wide range of headphones. It seems to have been designed with harder-to-drive full-size cans in mind, namely LCD-2/3 and HE-500/6.
With the 3 headphones I've tried on it so far (Ed. 8, DT1350, UERM), the MK3 exhibits noticeable hiss. With my custom UERMs, the hiss almost drowns out the music unless I'm listening to a very loud song. It's a shame, because the amp otherwise seems to have a very dynamic, natural and detailed sound signature.
These are my impressions with the -dB as a source, outputting single-ended to the MK3. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing if any changes occur when outputting balanced from the -dB, but that will have to wait until my -dB gets replaced with one of the fixed units.
I suppose it's near-impossible to design a "jack of all trades" amp, one that works well with everything from sensitive IEMs to demanding full-sizers. The SR71b came close, since it had a totally black background even with IEMs, but suffered from channel imbalance at low volumes and gain that jumped too high with the slightest touch of the pot. I also found the SR71b to sound a bit dull and lacking detail, flaws which the MK3 seemed to avoid.
So unless my unit is somehow defective or there are IEMs out there that aren't sensitive (I'm not aware of any), I don't think this would be the ideal amp for IEM-only users. If most of your listening is done with a relatively hard-to-drive over-ear headphone, then the MK3 is definitely worth considering, but even then only if you request that the gain be lowered from the standard setting. What I heard from the LCD-3 with the MK3 (before I sold it) was very impressive.
All just my opinion, and I still haven't had that much time to listen to the MK3. And I'm down to only 3 headphones that can be used with the MK3, so it may not be totally representative of what people are hearing with other headphones.
I'm coming to the conclusion that the MK3 was just not meant to work with a wide range of headphones. It seems to have been designed with harder-to-drive full-size cans in mind, namely LCD-2/3 and HE-500/6.
Can't seem to decide among the following three portable amps: RX Mk III, 71-B, and Intruder. Will be using JHA 13 Pro and I sometimes listen at low levels. Any hiss will be unacceptable which is my primary concern with RX MK III. 71-B is reportedly exceptional, but I really like what I've heard about the ALO bass knob. Intruder sounds compelling because of the DAC, but the choice of 16-bit is a head-scratcher when talking about a flagship (portable) model. Guessing I'll need to buy one or more of the amps and try them for myself which tips the scales towards the RX Mk III due to the 30-day return policy and 71-B because it can be purchased used and then sold at less of a loss than if I went with the Intruder. Oh, the trials and tribulations of high-end audio. I guess there are worse problems to have.
Hi Rx Mk3 owners. Have any of you tried a USB DAC balanced IC into the Rx Mk3? I've already got the CLAS -dB and tried that and heard some hum issues on high gain. But I'm wondering if anyone has tried any other brands like iBasso DB2?
Thanks in advance.