[ToInfinity]

What ways would everyone recommend connecting a D2 to the Mini-X? Is RCA -> RCA pretty much as good as any? 

 

[preproman]

Quote:

What ways would everyone recommend connecting a D2 to the Mini-X? Is RCA -> RCA pretty much as good as any? 

 
That's the only way..

 

[ToInfinity]

Quote:

 
That's the only way..

Right...

 
About to order some sweet RCA -> RCA from Emotiva. 
 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008O37LGQ/ref=gno_cart_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AYM0CQO5RSCIG

 

[preproman]

These are the ones I use as well.  Really good cables..

 

[ToInfinity]

That's comforting. Any recommendations on 3.5mm -> RCA? I'm not the kinda guy to say cables add significant sound quality or anything..just looking for very solid, well built (one set should last a lifetime...maybe 2 

)...high quality cables. 

 

[preproman]

Try Monoprice  or Blue Jean cables

 

[modulor]

I would also recommend Monoprice or Tartan Cables (manufactured by Blue Jeans Cable).

 

[modulor]

Quote:

 
I'll eventually go through it all and link everyone's reports on the subject on the first post and organize it once most of the headphones and gear I have access to have been tested more extensively.
 

Mal,
 
Have you tried your MadDogs with the Mini-X yet?

 

[MalVeauX]

Quote:

Mal,
 
Have you tried your MadDogs with the Mini-X yet?

 
Heya,
 
Yea, but like the HE400, they're quite efficient, too low impedance with a high sensitivity for a speaker amp to me. But, with the 500ohm impedance adapter I had made, that's no problem, just like my D5000. The Mad Dog sounds fantastic on the Emotiva though. Much like the D5000, but more neutral, and with better mids and better low end control (separation, speed, sound stage are excellent).
 
Very best,

 

[jerg]

Quote:

 
Heya,
 
Yea, but like the HE400, they're quite efficient, too low impedance with a high sensitivity for a speaker amp to me. But, with the 500ohm impedance adapter I had made, that's no problem, just like my D5000. The Mad Dog sounds fantastic on the Emotiva though. Much like the D5000, but more neutral, and with better mids and better low end control (separation, speed, sound stage are excellent).
 
Very best,

Would you say all these headphones you've tested with the Emotiva still perform in their relative order of performance levels on your pre-speaker-amp setups? Or did particular headphones jump up/down that ranking ladder with the speaker amp?

 

[MalVeauX]

Quote:

Would you say all these headphones you've tested with the Emotiva still perform in their relative order of performance levels on your pre-speaker-amp setups? Or did particular headphones jump up/down that ranking ladder with the speaker amp?

 
Heya,
 
Some did seem a little more to my liking on the Emotiva than normal headphone amps. The HE500 for sure. The LCD2 for sure. The HE400/MadDog were a little better, but it's not quite as noticeable as with the more insensitive orthos. The Denon was different sounding, it was kind of eerie actually. And the DT770's sound stage was improved. But I can't say that it was performing better necessarily. All I can say at this point without measurements is that I liked the sound better. Mostly the big over-riding theme I'm finding is that separation and sound stages and the low end control and response has been better compared to the headphone amps. Probably a great portion of it all is mostly preference. But I'm pretty sure at least with the HE500/LCD2 that it's performing better, even at a technical level perhaps. The D5000/HE400/MadDog were all a little too sensitive for the Emotiva, so they were not performing better at first, the noise floor was there. But with my 500ohm adapter, that no longer was an issue and they're dead silent now.
 
On another note, my HE500 just took a trip to Brian to be re-modded. He's come up with a really great new Hifiman mod that he has been successful with. He's changing out those ridiculous screw-in hifiman inputs for flush mini-XLR (like on the LCD's) and re-terminating my balanced cable to suit it. Going to be so much more nicer for the long term.
 
Very best,

 

[TMRaven]

I never found an LCD2 to be that much more insensitive than an HE-400.  If the HE-400 was at 9 o'clock on my Magni, then LCD2 was at 9:30.  If HE-400 was at 10 o'clock, then LCD2 was at 10:30, and so on so forth.

 

[jerg]

Quote:

I never found an LCD2 to be that much more insensitive than an HE-400.  If the HE-400 was at 9 o'clock on my Magni, then LCD2 was at 9:30.  If HE-400 was at 10 o'clock, then LCD2 was at 10:30, and so on so forth.

Nor is HE500 (to HE400) really, in terms of sensitivity. There seems to be a larger gap in their power-handling abilities / scaling though.

 

[MalVeauX]

Quote:

Nor is HE500 (to HE400) really, in terms of sensitivity. There seems to be a larger gap in their power-handling abilities / scaling though.

 
There definitely is a difference with power handling. The sensitivities are probably at play. While they all (HE500/HE400/LCD2) can actually be listened to at listening volume on something as simple as a Fiio E10, they handle differently with volumes on a source that outputs 7~10 watts of current. And that's where I notice bigger differences on the HE500/LCD2 while remaining without noise floor.
 
Very best,

 

[modulor]

Quote:

 
Heya,
 
Yea, but like the HE400, they're quite efficient, too low impedance with a high sensitivity for a speaker amp to me. But, with the 500ohm impedance adapter I had made, that's no problem, just like my D5000. The Mad Dog sounds fantastic on the Emotiva though. Much like the D5000, but more neutral, and with better mids and better low end control (separation, speed, sound stage are excellent).
 
Very best,

Ah, it all makes alot more sense now!  I'm pretty much set on this amp, so that sounds like a must have for the headphones I'll be using. I was planning on crafting my own cables, so including resistors in line with a speaker tap adapter seems like it would be ideal and pretty straightforward - did Brian describe what type of resistor he used (power rating, etc.)?  I supposed I could contact him for info or to get a quote.  Thanks for the info!