[397324]

Hi All
 
Has anyone compared the Explorer 2 with the iFI Micro iDSD? I have Sennheiser HD650's that are supposed to be hard to drive.
 
Regards
 
Darren

 

[Sineira]

  Just use Wasapi (event). It doesn't force upsampling then.

Well that is only possible if the software player supports Wasapi. Tidal doesn't currently. foobar2000 and JRiver MC does.

 

[wired00]

is it worth selling my explorer 1 on ebay to upgrade to this? would it be worth the bother?

 

[obsidyen]

  is it worth selling my explorer 1 on ebay to upgrade to this? would it be worth the bother?

 
Definitely. The sound is tighter and more neutral, also output impedance is much lower (0.47 ohm). If you prefer warmer sound, stay with Explorer 1.

 

[wired00]

   
Definitely. The sound is tighter and more neutral, also output impedance is much lower (0.47 ohm). If you prefer warmer sound, stay with Explorer 1.

Great thanks osidyen

 

[RaintoSky]

I am picking up a decent amount of background noise on the e2 with my im70 (12 ohms), even my on-board audio has less noise than e2.
It has roughly same amount of noise as the old explorer, which snr is roughly 104db according to this website: http://lhlabs.com/force/geekout/898-geek-out-vs-the-others-3rd-installment. I believe that is pretty good though. 
My MSI z97 gaming 5 motherboard features a USB with dedicate "audio power", which supposedly provides clean USB power, but it doesn't help.
 
I didn't pick up noise while using XBA-H3 on a PHA-1, which is 16 ohms with a snr 96db source, with a different computer though.
 
Now I am not sure if the noise is a problem of my computer or e2. 

 

[vhsownsbeta]

  I am picking up a decent amount of background noise on the e2 with my im70 (12 ohms), even my on-board audio has less noise than e2.
It has roughly same amount of noise as the old explorer, which snr is roughly 104db according to this website: http://lhlabs.com/force/geekout/898-geek-out-vs-the-others-3rd-installment. I believe that is pretty good though. 
My MSI z97 gaming 5 motherboard features a USB with dedicate "audio power", which supposedly provides clean USB power, but it doesn't help.
 
I didn't pick up noise while using XBA-H3 on a PHA-1, which is 16 ohms with a snr 96db source, with a different computer though.
 
Now I am not sure if the noise is a problem of my computer or e2. 

I have had similar problems with my IEMs. The noise reminds me of on-board audio interference. It seems directly related to the length of the USB cable I use with the DAC, regardless of cable quality. I have lodged an enquiry with Meridian two weeks ago but they are yet to reply...

 

[RaintoSky]

Wondering how good the cable did you try it with?  $100 audioquest? XD
I tried with other computers, didn't solve the problem.
I guess explorer isn't for sensitive iems.
I am gonna switch to the good old jdslab c5d, after some research, I think it is pretty good for my taste being neutral to warm and no noise with sensitive iems. Though I am most like going to prefer meridian's sound with higher impedance headphones.

 

[vhsownsbeta]

Wondering how good the cable did you try it with?  $100 audioquest? XD
I tried with other computers, didn't solve the problem.
I guess explorer isn't for sensitive iems.
I am gonna switch to the good old jdslab c5d, after some research, I think it is pretty good for my taste being neutral to warm and no noise with sensitive iems. Though I am most like going to prefer meridian's sound with higher impedance headphones.

Wireworld ultraviolet. The noise is audible even during quiet moments of music, disappointing.

PM sent with recommendations...

 

[obsidyen]

I can also hear hissing with Earsonics Velvet. Didn't hear it with SM64 (much harder to drive). It's disappointing indeed.

 

[Sineira]

Did you try different software players?
I find the Tidal app is pretty bad, not just noise level but audible compression effects. Have you tried foobar2000?

 

[Pedro83]

  Hi All
 
Has anyone compared the Explorer 2 with the iFI Micro iDSD? I have Sennheiser HD650's that are supposed to be hard to drive.
 
Regards
 
Darren

You do know the explorer outputs 130mw into 32 ohms, the nano only 80mw IIRC. If this is correct, i'd be buying the Explorer. That said, i've tried 650 with Benchmark DAC which didn't get that much from the 650's -  I'd perhaps look at the geeked out products which really excel when it comes to output. the 650 can sound too veiled without enough power. 

 

[397324]

  You do know the explorer outputs 130mw into 32 ohms, the nano only 80mw IIRC. If this is correct, i'd be buying the Explorer. That said, i've tried 650 with Benchmark DAC which didn't get that much from the 650's -  I'd perhaps look at the geeked out products which really excel when it comes to output. the 650 can sound too veiled without enough power. 

That's all very interesting, but as I stated, I have the Micro iDSD, not the Nano!
 
These are the figures for my iDSD:
 

Headphone Power Output
HP Amp Output	Power (max)	Power (continuous.)
- Turbo mode	10.0V/4,000 mW @ 16 Ohm	>1560 mW @ 64 Ohm
- Normal mode	5.5V/1,900 mW @ 16 Ohm	>950 mW @ 32 Ohm
- Eco mode	2.0V/500 mW @ 8 Ohm	>250 mW @ 16 Ohm

 
 
As you can see, the iDSD outputs 950mw into 32 Ohm. That's 7.3 times as much and the Explorer 2.

 

[Pedro83]

  That's all very interesting, but as I stated, I have the Micro iDSD, not the Nano!
 
These are the figures for my iDSD:
 

Headphone Power Output
HP Amp Output	Power (max)	Power (continuous.)
- Turbo mode	10.0V/4,000 mW @ 16 Ohm	>1560 mW @ 64 Ohm
- Normal mode	5.5V/1,900 mW @ 16 Ohm	>950 mW @ 32 Ohm
- Eco mode	2.0V/500 mW @ 8 Ohm	>250 mW @ 16 Ohm

 
 
As you can see, the iDSD outputs 950mw into 32 Ohm. That's 7.3 times as much and the Explorer 2.

Apologies, given this, it's a no brainer. iFi most certainly, IMO. I have read of explorer / 650 users but they do require more power IMO. with the mirco, you can do your own test when you have it, if the 650 are fine with low amounts of juice, and you don't like the sound sig, return it and buy the explorer  

 

[kwy91]

Hello all, I've been a long time lurker on this forum and really enjoy reading all the stuff here! 
 
Anyways, I would just like to share my thoughts on the Meridian Explorer 2 DAC setup with my 2012 Macbook Pro and the Bang and Olufsen H8!
 
I've been listening for about 6 hours now and am completely impressed! I'm no audiophile expert by a long shot but the difference is definitely noticeable with and without the meridian DAC! The soundstage is much wider, I can enjoy instrumental songs which I love with increased clarity. All I can say is, WOW! I'm so excited for more listening in the coming weeks
 
I've been using Spotify Premium and now, I'm trying Tidal. However, I wished Tidal would have a larger mandarin song collection :/ haha.
 
Happy Listening Everyone!
 
Kwan