Skylab
Reviewerus Prolificus
I'm sure all that is true, mdarnton. But for clarity, what Meier calls it is a hi/low current mode, so we should use his term, I think, just to keep us all on the same page
Meier Corda Move details released
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DBrim
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Um... is the difference between volume in low gain and high gain supposed to be significant? Before I was 8:30-9:00, now I'm 9:00-9:30...
Mansize_tissue
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Quote:
It was very significant for my DT 770 Pros (80 ohm). It was 10:00-10:30 on high, and 1:30-2:00 on low, for normal listening levels.
| Originally Posted by DBrim /img/forum/go_quote.gif Um... is the difference between volume in low gain and high gain supposed to be significant? Before I was 8:30-9:00, now I'm 9:00-9:30... |
It was very significant for my DT 770 Pros (80 ohm). It was 10:00-10:30 on high, and 1:30-2:00 on low, for normal listening levels.
I got my MOVE a few days ago, and I've been listening to it a lot. The biggest thing I noticed with (comparing it to me previous Little Dot Micro+) is that my HD595s have a ton more and cleaner bass. The mids are also pushed a little closer. With crossfeed on I almost forget I'm wearing headphones. And I guess the sound can only improve with burn in, right?
There are a only a few things that I don't really like:
1. On bass-heavy recordings (mostly crappy hip-hop/electronica MP3s) it sounds much worse, but I think this is just because it's reproducing what I feed it more accurately than the LDM+.
2. Using the standard USB cable and powering it from my computer's rear USB ports on high gain there is a constant static hum that is really noticeable during quiet parts of songs or when paused. Switching to low gain all but fixed this problem. Now there is only a minuscule amount of the hum when I go to max volume--something I would never do anyway.
3. Occasionally, and again, this is when paused or during very quiet moments in songs, I can hear interference if my hard drive is working heavily. I haven't tried an external 12V power supply yet, nor have I tried an externally powered USB hub. I expect one or both of these to fix this issue, as has been suggested in this thread.
My small trio of qualms, however, is nothing compared to the enjoyment I get from using this little piece of equipment with my headphones.
There are a only a few things that I don't really like:
1. On bass-heavy recordings (mostly crappy hip-hop/electronica MP3s) it sounds much worse, but I think this is just because it's reproducing what I feed it more accurately than the LDM+.
2. Using the standard USB cable and powering it from my computer's rear USB ports on high gain there is a constant static hum that is really noticeable during quiet parts of songs or when paused. Switching to low gain all but fixed this problem. Now there is only a minuscule amount of the hum when I go to max volume--something I would never do anyway.
3. Occasionally, and again, this is when paused or during very quiet moments in songs, I can hear interference if my hard drive is working heavily. I haven't tried an external 12V power supply yet, nor have I tried an externally powered USB hub. I expect one or both of these to fix this issue, as has been suggested in this thread.
My small trio of qualms, however, is nothing compared to the enjoyment I get from using this little piece of equipment with my headphones.
Lenni
Headphoneus Supremus
Not sure if should've post this in the cable section but it's related to the Move so here it goes - if you want to move it be my guest.
I found out (the hard way) that the line-out of the XL5 is much worst than the phone-out once I plugged the Move to it: most deficient bass. I didn't know what to do: do I return the Move or do I get another player? I liked the sound out of the Move so I ordered a Black iAudio X5 to goldplated min, Silvercab interconnect from Qables, hoping it’d cure the bass deficiency. It didn’t. However what this cable did to the sound is kinda making up for it. it does exactly what it says on the box; there's an apparent quieter background and also less distortion. I kinda liked the highs of the Move with the ATH-CM7 but with the E500 where just too piercing. the Silvercab has taken care of it magically; the highs are still all there but they've like smoothen out, not piercing anymore; and I can also hear a noticeable less distortion vs. stock cable - it's difficult to explain - lke dust that was removed from a dusty surface, heh
I’d usually rather refrain from hyping gear, but I am still amazed by how much difference this cable can make; it just goes to prove that cables are as much important as the rest of the gear. Enough to say the Move will remain in my possession. It's just nice when you find something that matches. If only the XL5 had a good line-out I’d be in audio heaven.
To the guys/girls still using the stock cable, you must get this cable or any other good cable to connect the player to the amp. You won’t regret it. Personally the best money ever spent period.
Haven’t checked the cable section of the forum yet and don’t know at all what the word on the Silvercab cable here is, but for me they’re good… very good.
Ciao
here's a pic
I found out (the hard way) that the line-out of the XL5 is much worst than the phone-out once I plugged the Move to it: most deficient bass. I didn't know what to do: do I return the Move or do I get another player? I liked the sound out of the Move so I ordered a Black iAudio X5 to goldplated min, Silvercab interconnect from Qables, hoping it’d cure the bass deficiency. It didn’t. However what this cable did to the sound is kinda making up for it. it does exactly what it says on the box; there's an apparent quieter background and also less distortion. I kinda liked the highs of the Move with the ATH-CM7 but with the E500 where just too piercing. the Silvercab has taken care of it magically; the highs are still all there but they've like smoothen out, not piercing anymore; and I can also hear a noticeable less distortion vs. stock cable - it's difficult to explain - lke dust that was removed from a dusty surface, heh
I’d usually rather refrain from hyping gear, but I am still amazed by how much difference this cable can make; it just goes to prove that cables are as much important as the rest of the gear. Enough to say the Move will remain in my possession. It's just nice when you find something that matches. If only the XL5 had a good line-out I’d be in audio heaven.
To the guys/girls still using the stock cable, you must get this cable or any other good cable to connect the player to the amp. You won’t regret it. Personally the best money ever spent period.
Haven’t checked the cable section of the forum yet and don’t know at all what the word on the Silvercab cable here is, but for me they’re good… very good.
Ciao
here's a pic
cmirza
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So are there any other options besides radio shack for a US AC adapter for the Move? Anything by Elpac perhaps?
Zorander
Headphoneus Supremus
It might have been referred previously in this thread but anyway: has anyone noticed that the Move will let through sound through its output jack even when it's switched off? The interesting thing is that the Crossfeed module seems to have an effect too even when power is off. Could this be a portable version of the Corda Cross?
paulvgm
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I'm running the Corda Move through a powered USB hub to my computer which is running foobar2k with secret rabbit resampler using asio. I've tried powering the Move from just the USB and both USB+12 v supply and I can't really notice any significant change in audio. I'm using Sennheiser HD650s. I thought there was supposed to be a significant increase in audio quality so I'm not sure why I notice no difference.
Zorander
Headphoneus Supremus
Quote:
The only difference you will notice is if the on-board USB port on your computer is riddled with noise or similar problems. Otherwise, there will be no appreciable difference (placebo aside). You have to directly power the Move with an external (9-12 VDC, linear regulated) power supply if you wish to hear a more significant difference.
Cheers!
| Originally Posted by paulvgm /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm running the Corda Move through a powered USB hub to my computer which is running foobar2k with secret rabbit resampler using asio. I've tried powering the Move from just the USB and both USB+12 v supply and I can't really notice any significant change in audio. I'm using Sennheiser HD650s. I thought there was supposed to be a significant increase in audio quality so I'm not sure why I notice no difference. |
The only difference you will notice is if the on-board USB port on your computer is riddled with noise or similar problems. Otherwise, there will be no appreciable difference (placebo aside). You have to directly power the Move with an external (9-12 VDC, linear regulated) power supply if you wish to hear a more significant difference.
Cheers!
paulvgm
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I do have a 12 VDC supply plugged into the Move while sending music to it through the computer (foobar/asio), but I notice no real difference if I take out the 12VDC supply while playing back the audio or having it in.
dw6928
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I tend to agree. Using 3 different sets of headphones (701s, 2500 Ultra and Denon D200s) there is not enough of a s/q change with the 12v over 9v to even make mention (to me).
paulvgm
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The USB would only be providing ~5v by itself though and it sounds the same as with the 12v power supply. My unit is still pretty new. Been about 36hrs of burn-in with pink noise so I'm hoping that something miraculous will happen soon. Right now my experience with the Move is that using it as a DAC+amp it's similar to my onboard audio. Strangely, the onboard can power the 650s to the same volume levels as the Move. =(
Zorander
Headphoneus Supremus
I heard a difference, even if subtle, with my HD-650 between the USB 5V supply and the 9V cell. The USB power input, to my ears, is every slightly warmer and not as tight in the bass.
manaox2
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I think I should buy two of these 300 mah maha powerex 9v batteries if the others fit. They should be the same size, right?
EDIT: went with the 230 mah. Costs $55 in CONUS after shipping for 2 230 mah 9.6v, maha 2hr 4 battery smart charger w/ ac adapter and car charger, and free deluxe traveling bag from Thomas Distribution. You should use google checkout to get the 2 % discount (save a little over a dollar) and if your a new customer, maybe another ten dollars off making it $45. They seem to ship internationally as well. This puts the cost of the move for new customers to both ttvj and google at a rousing $220.50 (move) + $45.10 (2 batteries and charger) + $19 (Ratshack regulated charger) = ~$290. I think I picked a winner.
EDIT: went with the 230 mah. Costs $55 in CONUS after shipping for 2 230 mah 9.6v, maha 2hr 4 battery smart charger w/ ac adapter and car charger, and free deluxe traveling bag from Thomas Distribution. You should use google checkout to get the 2 % discount (save a little over a dollar) and if your a new customer, maybe another ten dollars off making it $45. They seem to ship internationally as well. This puts the cost of the move for new customers to both ttvj and google at a rousing $220.50 (move) + $45.10 (2 batteries and charger) + $19 (Ratshack regulated charger) = ~$290. I think I picked a winner.
koto-in
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Quote:
This is perfectly normal and good news. With the battery, the MOVE already provides more power than the maximum power handling capacity of the Senns. More voltage will enable the amp to deliver more power, but the Senns won't really be able to use it. Under USB power, the amp's absolute capability is certainly reduced, but unless you are driving the amp to its limit, which is usually not the case at normal listening levels, there should still be sufficient headroom to provide reasonably good sound quality, even for 300 ohm headphones.
| Originally Posted by paulvgm /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've tried powering the Move from just the USB and both USB+12 v supply and I can't really notice any significant change in audio. I'm using Sennheiser HD650s. I thought there was supposed to be a significant increase in audio quality so I'm not sure why I notice no difference. |
This is perfectly normal and good news. With the battery, the MOVE already provides more power than the maximum power handling capacity of the Senns. More voltage will enable the amp to deliver more power, but the Senns won't really be able to use it. Under USB power, the amp's absolute capability is certainly reduced, but unless you are driving the amp to its limit, which is usually not the case at normal listening levels, there should still be sufficient headroom to provide reasonably good sound quality, even for 300 ohm headphones.
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