[chaturanga]

Recently plugged my phones (LCD-2) to ME2 phone output and found that volume is very low. Checked all preferences, different apps, etc.. still the same problem..

I use ME2 MacBook pro (retina 2012), OS is Sierra..

Any ideas?

ME 2 is a wonderful DAC but AMP section is not powerful. You need an amp through line out of ME2, if you want to drive high impedance headphones.

 

[salavat]

Yes the ME2 doesn't have the power to drive the LCD2.

That is correct - LCD-2 sounded loud, but not punchy, that is why I used amp.. ME2 gives much lower output, when I tried it first time, even with other phones..

 

[chaturanga]

Meridian Explorer 2 + Cayin N3 excellent combo! Excellent sound stage, clarity, detail, natural sound of ME2 on the go!

Just you need a short USB-C to Mini USB cable. Plug and play. Battery drain of Cayin N3 is very low in this setup.

 

[dimitex]

I know that with Android UAPP and OTG cable you could stream Tidal MQA.

Is there any solution for Iphone?

 

[dimitex]

Meridian Explorer 2 + Cayin N3 excellent combo! Excellent sound stage, clarity, detail, natural sound of ME2 on the go!

Just you need a short USB-C to Mini USB cable. Plug and play. Battery drain of Cayin N3 is very low in this setup.

Are you able to stream Tidal with your setup?

 

[peterinvan]

Is there any E2 solution for iPhone?

Not directly... the E2 draws too much for an iPhone. I have used a powered USB hub connected to the iPhone. Perhaps a battery pack + USB hub will provide a portable solution?

 

[chaturanga]

Are you able to stream Tidal with your setup?

Yes I am, but Cayin N3 does not support Tidal streaming.

I am able to stream Tidal when I connect my phone and Cayin N3 via Bluetooth. (And, of course ME2 is connected to Cayin N3 and sound comes from ME2).

Sound is not good (not bad too, just eh) because AptX bluetooth can not transfer music bits lossless or bit perfect.

But, that is something at least you can listen with a lower quality.

 

[groove93]

I purchased a Pixel 2 and used the USB Type C adapter to connect my Explorer 2. Compared to my LG G5, the Pixel 2 was able to power up the DAC with no configuration settings at all. My Headphones are connected to a Schiit Asgard 2 Headphone amp, I and I was able to stream via Plex, Spotify, and UAPP. I primarily used the UAPP app and the sound quality was excellent. Some minor adjustments to the UAPP app regarding some DSD files I had on my NAS Server, but overall, no major adjustments needed.

Now if I wanted to use the DAC along with headphones sans the Amp, I have to use the provided mini-plug adapter, USB-C adapter, and the USB Adapter I used with my G5 to get everything going.

 

[DarwinOSX]

I have an Me 2 that I have been using with Grado PS500e's. How do people like with with the HD 650? Enough power?

 

[chaturanga]

I have an Me 2 that I have been using with Grado PS500e's. How do people like with with the HD 650? Enough power?

I am waiting my HD6XX from Massdrop. I am curious to learn, too. My guess is that, it will feed and will be listenable. But surely will not be good as using an AMP.

I have DT770 250 Ohms and I can listen directly from ME2 headphone out but, getting sound from O2 AMP is better.

I was thinking that ME2 could not feed DT770 but it did and it's not bad, it's good enough.

 

[DarwinOSX]

I've been fine with the Me2 and the 650's. Maybe more power could be better but its certainly enough for volume for me and it sounds amazing especially with MQA.
In this review he uses the Meridian with HD 650's.
https://www.stereophile.com/content/meridian-explorer2-da-headphone-amplifier
Google Meridian Explorer 2 and HD 650 and you will find many other people think they are fine together.
I use mine with a 2017 MacBook Pro with USB-C ports and it would be nice to find a high quality USB-C to USB mini cable. I'm suing one i got off of Amazon but I wonder if higher quality would be better.

 

[yangian]

Explorer with a separate amplifier really make the DT990/600 sing!

 

[Ragnar-BY]

Hi, everyone!

I`m looking to change my Audinst HUD-mx2 dac/amp which is not a best pair for my TH-900 headphones. I`m going to buy Violectric V200 amp and ME2 as a DAC, streaming Tidal from my Macbook. I`m interested only in DAC function from ME2. I see a lot of people here saying ME2 is a good DAC. Just want to ensure that I`m not missing anything. Are there any alternative DACs in $400-500 range that would make a significant improvement over ME2? Or maybe anybody have compared ME2 vs Audinst DACs?

Add: I`m going to use it at home only, so it`s not necessary to be "portable"

 

[Left Channel]

Hi, everyone!

I`m looking to change my Audinst HUD-mx2 dac/amp which is not a best pair for my TH-900 headphones. I`m going to buy Violectric V200 amp and ME2 as a DAC, streaming Tidal from my Macbook. I`m interested only in DAC function from ME2. I see a lot of people here saying ME2 is a good DAC. Just want to ensure that I`m not missing anything. Are there any alternative DACs in $400-500 range that would make a significant improvement over ME2? Or maybe anybody have compared ME2 vs Audinst DACs?

Well, there are more features in this one: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/pro-ject-pre-box-s2-digital-impression-thread.858188/ It's not designed to be as portable, but it is small.

 

[Ragnar-BY]

Well, there are more features in this one: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/pro-ject-pre-box-s2-digital-impression-thread.858188/ It's not designed to be as portable, but it is small.

Thank you. I`m not looking for portable solution at all. I`m going to use it at home only. Just like the concept of ME2 - no buttons, no excess functions, just plug and it works. Plus attractive price and good reviews. MQA is a very interesting feature to try, but I`m not sure if MQA is absolutely necessary for me or not. Anyway, better sound would be better