[doctorjazz]

It's probably wise not to try the HEK...Haven't touched the 950 since I got them!

 

[manywelps]

  Thank you for the response! - you were pretty darn quick.
 
Coming from the owner's manual PDF, it's an "Intel P965 Express Chipset" using a "Sigmatel 9227 audio codec".
 
[Source] – in "Appendix" tab.

The hard numbers look fine.  I suppose the implementation is the only thing that matters.
 
You can grab a cheap DAC if there's a problem.

 

[doctorjazz]

I found the Geek Out 1K to make a big difference from my PC, sound much improved. You can use it line out into the 950 amp. Won't break the bank (many used, new V2 coming out so V1 not expensive, can be found on Amazon as well). May sell mine as I upgraded to the Geek Out Special Edition.

 

[manywelps]

I'm not sure that's cost effective.

 

[ardgedee]

As a line out device there's not a meaningful difference between the Geek Out 450 and 1000, so it's not worth paying the premium for extra power.
 
I recommend the Schiit Modi. It's cheaper than the Geek Out series, is easily upgradable (to the Uber version and/or the addition of the Schiit Wyrd) and I preferred it to the ODAC.

 

[manywelps]

  As a line out device there's not a meaningful difference between the Geek Out 450 and 1000, so it's not worth paying the premium for extra power.
 
I recommend the Schiit Modi. It's cheaper than the Geek Out series, is easily upgradable (to the Uber version and/or the addition of the Schiit Wyrd) and I preferred it to the ODAC.

I'm fairly sure the Modi's not upgradable.  Did you mean Bifrost?

 

[doctorjazz]

Can't talk Schitt, (don't use that language), do love the Geek Out, can be gotten for pretty good prices right now.

 

[ardgedee]

 
I'm fairly sure the Modi's not upgradable.  Did you mean Bifrost?

Yeah, sorry that was misleading. The Modi Uber is an upgraded version of the Modi (for $50 more), but I'm not sure there's an upgrade path once you already have the base-model Modi. Either way, though, you can always add the Wyrd.

 

[Rianoris]

Thanks for the replies, everyone!
 
Does anyone know the line out voltage of the Geek Out 450 and 1000?
 
I do know that for the ODAC RevB, it's 2.2 Vrms.
 
Apparently, it sounds better with a higher line in voltage (according to someone earlier in this thread). I understand that the E/90 amp can handle up to 5 Vrms. I truly do not understand this area - only that the E/90 functions at 'full power' at 1 Vrms.
 
Thank you.

 

[manywelps]

The crackling started up in the new replacement headphones.
 
Anyone have any experience with this?: http://www.head-fi.org/t/581491/koss-esp-950-thread/60#post_7931826
 
Any ESP-950 disassembly instructions?

 

[obobskivich]

Why disassemble? Just contact Koss and have them repair or replace the set - the lifetime warranty covers that kind of thing.

 

[ssrock64]

Why disassemble? Just contact Koss and have them repair or replace the set - the lifetime warranty covers that kind of thing.

From a financial standpoint that makes the most sense, but sending your headphones all the way to Milwaukee twice for repairs or replacement can get tiresome. If it can be fixed easily on your own and you're willing to assume the risk, it's really up to you.

 

[manywelps]

Correct.  There's no point in having it replaced again.
 
I want it PERMANENTLY FIXED.  And koss seems incapable of that.
 
It took them 6 weeks to get them back to me last time, and I had to keep calling them because they kept losing track of it...

 

[obobskivich]

No point imho - it will void the warranty which covers both cans and amp. There's also no guarantee you can do better than Koss at fixing them. Any other brand I'd be on board with taking them apart, but it makes no sense imho to kill probably the best warranty in the world just because of a minor frustration related to a minor inconvenience.

 

[ssrock64]

No point imho - it will void the warranty which covers both cans and amp. There's also no guarantee you can do better than Koss at fixing them. Any other brand I'd be on board with taking them apart, but it makes no sense imho to kill probably the best warranty in the world just because of a minor frustration related to a minor inconvenience.

I understand your point of view, but six weeks is a lot of downtime and at this point Koss has shown themselves to not be all that impressive, returning a unit that became immediately defective again. I wouldn't personally open up my pair, but if somebody is upset with Koss's service and has the skills, that's their decision.