[oceans22]

Writerhead,
 
May I ask you, I notice you are connecting directly to your ipod with the 30 pin connector instead of a 3.5mm jack. I've seen this a few times with other members. Is this a personal preference or is there a sound quality difference connecting this way? If I'm not mistaken I think I read you're bypassing the internal amplifier?
 
I'm just curious?
 
Thanks!
Quote:

 
+1
 
With DX90 I don't even have to switch to medium gain with most recordings. Recently I have been using spotify on the iPhone 4 with this combo: 
 

Writerhead,
 
May I ask you, I notice you are connecting directly to your ipod with the 30 pin connector instead of a 3.5mm jack. I've seen this a few times with other members. Is this a personal preference or is there a sound quality difference connecting this way? If I'm not mistaken I think I read you're bypassing the internal amplifier?
 
I'm just curious?
 
Thanks!

 

[WriterHead]

  Writerhead,
 
May I ask you, I notice you are connecting directly to your ipod with the 30 pin connector instead of a 3.5mm jack. I've seen this a few times with other members. Is this a personal preference or is there a sound quality difference connecting this way? If I'm not mistaken I think I read you're bypassing the internal amplifier?
 
I'm just curious?
 
Thanks!

It's an iPhone 4. Yes the point of using a line out cable is bypassing the amp section of the iPhone/iPod to get better sound quality.  

 

[Fweep]

Hello! Just received my pair of the HE-400i's yesterday, love them, though I need a DAC/AMP setup. Thinking of getting the Schiit modi/magni setup since I hear a lot about it around here. Does this setup work well for the 400i's?

 

[DavidA]

  Hello! Just received my pair of the HE-400i's yesterday, love them, though I need a DAC/AMP setup. Thinking of getting the Schiit modi/magni setup since I hear a lot about it around here. Does this setup work well for the 400i's?

I think the modi/magni stack is pretty good, but when I use my bifrost/lyr2 or Teac AH01 the sound is fuller with better bass extension and smoother highs, IMO anyway.  I have a project ember on the way so will see if its a better match to the HE-400i.

 

[conquerator2]

Hello! Just received my pair of the HE-400i's yesterday, love them, though I need a DAC/AMP setup. Thinking of getting the Schiit modi/magni setup since I hear a lot about it around here. Does this setup work well for the 400i's?

I think that is a good place to start

 

[oceans22]

Got it! Thanks for the reply! 

 

[skyline315]

  Hello! Just received my pair of the HE-400i's yesterday, love them, though I need a DAC/AMP setup. Thinking of getting the Schiit modi/magni setup since I hear a lot about it around here. Does this setup work well for the 400i's?

 
Yes.  Though, I would consider the Modi/Vali pairing.

 

[Semont]

   
Yes.  Though, I would consider the Modi/Vali pairing.

 
Second hand knowledge here but I thought in general it's not a good idea to pair tube amps with planar magnetic headphones.

 

[skyline315]

   
Second hand knowledge here but I thought in general it's not a good idea to pair tube amps with planar magnetic headphones.

 
It depends on the planars.  The 400i are incredibly easy to drive.  The Vali handles them with ease.
 
I'm also using the Vali with the HE-500 with very good results.
 
Something like the HE-6, on the other hand, needs far more juice.

 

[jexby]

Second hand knowledge here but I thought in general it's not a good idea to pair tube amps with planar magnetic headphones.

Depends if you mean pure tube, or tube hybrid.

Lyr 2 is one of the most commonly recommended amps to drive HiFi man headphones, including HE-560.
Personally, Lyr 2 is stellar with my HE-560 and HE-400i.

Unsure tho how Vali noise floor does with HE-400i.

These hybrid tube amps are generally amazing, even the new HiFiman amp is a tube hybrid.
For a reason- Dr Fang told me at RMAF he prefers a bit of tube warmth (with power) for his headphones.

 

[reddog]

Depends if you mean pure tube, or tube hybrid.

Lyr 2 is one of the most commonly recommended amps to drive HiFi man headphones, including HE-560.
Personally, Lyr 2 is stellar with my HE-560 and HE-400i.

Unsure tho how Vali noise floor does with HE-400i.

These hybrid tube amps are generally amazing, even the new HiFiman amp is a tube hybrid.
For a reason- Dr Fang told me at RMAF he prefers a bit of tube warmth (with power) for his headphones.

+1 What he said. My lyr2 made my demo set of HE 400I sing like a muse of old. I still miss the He-400i's and still might get a pair sometime.

 

[DavidA]

Depends if you mean pure tube, or tube hybrid.

Lyr 2 is one of the most commonly recommended amps to drive HiFi man headphones, including HE-560.
Personally, Lyr 2 is stellar with my HE-560 and HE-400i.

Unsure tho how Vali noise floor does with HE-400i.

These hybrid tube amps are generally amazing, even the new HiFiman amp is a tube hybrid.
For a reason- Dr Fang told me at RMAF he prefers a bit of tube warmth (with power) for his headphones.

Agree, my lyr2 is sweet with my HE-560/400i/400

 

[skyline315]

Unsure tho how Vali noise floor does with HE-400i.

 
Black background.  Going from the Lyr 2 to the Vali left me wanting nothing.

 

[jexby]

Black background.  Going from the Lyr 2 to the Vali left me wanting nothing.

Thanks!
Very good to know, enjoyed Vali with HD600 awhile ago and maybe will try again with HE-400i, especially if a Vali 2 ever materializes.

 

[porridgecup]

   
They're at the click position right before the first dot is visible. So, 0 dot level, I guess, but I extend them by 2 clicks/adjustments (not sure if there's a better word for it than "click").

 
Sorry for re-asking this, but does anyone else have any thoughts as to whether I would be able to comfortably wear the 400i with a small head?