[osiris1]

Sure is

finally... a balanced out, and a 4.4 at that

 

[iFi audio]

finally... a balanced out, and a 4.4 at that

Yup. We listened to what the community had to say

I can't get above 12:00 with any of my headphones, even in Eco (all full size over ear). So is it better, in theory, to dwell below 12:00 or to switch on IEMatch in order to get up into the 12:00-3:00 range?

As long as you have enough headroom to comfortably operate volume knob and both channels are balanced, you're fine

 

[bzippy]

I can't get above 12:00 with any of my headphones, even in Eco (all full size over ear). So is it better, in theory, to dwell below 12:00 or to switch on IEMatch in order to get up into the 12:00-3:00 range?

As long as you have enough headroom to comfortably operate volume knob and both channels are balanced, you're fine

Great, thanks.

 

[iFi audio]

Great, thanks.

Sure, you're welcome!

 

[networkn]

I have a bit of a weird question:

I am looking to consolidate my equipment potentially or at least determine if I have any major overlaps or gaps in what I'd ideally like:

What I have :

Beyer T1
HD800S
HD650 Gen 1
HD598SE (Was purchased for Gaming with my Sen GSX1000).

BiFrost v1 DAC
O2 Dac
GSX1000

Crack Amp with Speedball Upgrade
IFI Micro DSD (not black label)
Chord Mojo
O2 Amp
Liquid Carbon X Drop Edition (arriving in 2 days time).

I want a good portable set up and a good desktop set up, and happy to use the mobile set up for my desktop if that works.

I don't *need* to get rid of anything (though I really probably should), but wonder if there are overlaps making some of my gear redundant or if I should replace something I have that overlaps in favour of something more complimentary. I do prefer a warmer sound, but have an interest in trying something very analytical as well. Specifically wondering if the iDSD is more capable or as capable as the Chord Mojo, O2 Amp, or Liquid Carbon, for the headphones I have?

Cheers for any advice.

 

[iFi audio]

I do prefer a warmer sound, but have an interest in trying something very analytical as well. Specifically wondering if the iDSD is more capable or as capable as the Chord Mojo, O2 Amp, or Liquid Carbon, for the headphones I have?

Let me ask you about what your ears tell you? Which stuff you use the most and which the least? If I were you I'd focus on this and based on that I'd let go hardware that I use very little or don't use at all

 

[networkn]

I have my iDSD connected to my Galaxy Note via USB, and am playing from Spotify with highest quality set, and I am getting a yellow light on the unit. How do I get to Magenta ?

 

[iFi audio]

I have my iDSD connected to my Galaxy Note via USB, and am playing from Spotify with highest quality set, and I am getting a yellow light on the unit. How do I get to Magenta ?

Magenta is reserved for MQA audio playback. You need to make sure that what your Galaxy Note sends out is in fact MQA. The most popular app on Android to do that is UAPP.

 

[mblain]

I'm curious, has anyone compared the USB vs COAX input on the micro BL? Is one better than the other? I've heard they both have their issues but wonder if one input was more efficient in processing a cleaner signal than the other.

I also have the nano iOne hooked up a pair of LSX which I just learned I can use it to convert the signal from the USB port to COAX and also have several zero jitter filters built-in so I might give it a go.

I currently have the iPurifier3 for the USB which skew things a little in favor of the USB. We'll see.

Ha, I just noticed at an audio event Ifi has the nano iOne splitting the signal to a couple of units. Nice!

 

[iFi audio]

Ha, I just noticed at an audio event Ifi has the nano iOne splitting the signal to a couple of units. Nice!

Yup, it can do that

I'm curious, has anyone compared the USB vs COAX input on the micro BL? Is one better than the other? I've heard they both have their issues but wonder if one input was more efficient in processing a cleaner signal than the other.

It's a bit more complex. You'd have to take into account digital outputs of a device that sends data to the micro iDSD BL and interaction of all transmitters and receivers involved. But assuming that a product sends out equally good data via coax and USB, micro iDSD BL's digital inputs would sound the same.

 

[mblain]

Yup, it can do that



It's a bit more complex. You'd have to take into account digital outputs of a device that sends data to the micro iDSD BL and interaction of all transmitters and receivers involved. But assuming that a product sends out equally good data via coax and USB, micro iDSD BL's digital inputs would sound the same.

Good to know. I figured there would be more to it. I'm just curious whether using the nano iOne to switch over to SPDIF if the quality changes at all.

 

[Spankmaster]

Hi, nice to read about your comments on this black magic box
I got mine just recently and I'm very impressed about the pretty dark and precise sound signature even with HD660S with whom I was expecting to lose some clarity on top end.
The only concern for me is the short USB stock cable.
Can anybody recommend an aftermarket one with ~1.5m? Ideally available in the EU. Could not find anything e.g. at Audioquest which I like in terms of build quality.
THX and Cheers

 

[mblain]

Hi, nice to read about your comments on this black magic box
I got mine just recently and I'm very impressed about the pretty dark and precise sound signature even with HD660S with whom I was expecting to lose some clarity on top end.
The only concern for me is the short USB stock cable.
Can anybody recommend an aftermarket one with ~1.5m? Ideally available in the EU. Could not find anything e.g. at Audioquest which I like in terms of build quality.
THX and Cheers

I've been using a USB cable from Pangea which I'm happy with and have seen a bump in performance. I know Amazon sells them but I'm not sure if they're available in the EU.
https://www.pangeaaudio.com/cables/usb-cables

I've also researched and seen many who like the SUPRA USB cable and was the original one I was going to pull the trigger on.
https://www.futureshop.co.uk/supra-usb-2-0-type-a-to-type-b-cable

There's also a ton of various brands but they do start to get pretty pricey.
Shunyata Vemon
Chord cables
Kimber
Curious USB

 

[iFi audio]

Curious USB

This one gained lots of love for its price-to-performance ratio.

I'm just curious whether using the nano iOne to switch over to SPDIF if the quality changes at all.

I'd wait for others to chime in on this one

 

[Spankmaster]

@mblain THX, I could find the SUPRA in a German shop with good availability. Will probably place PO and try it out!