Nitsch DSHA-3FN / ECP DSHA-3F Impressions

[CFGamescape]

Anyone try this with the Caldera?

 

[dbull12]

Anyone try this with the Caldera?

I've never had a chance to listen to a DSHA-3F(N), but from everything I've read it seems much more suitable for dynamic drivers than planar and I remember reading negative things when it comes to using it with planar magnetic headphones (maybe that was on SBAF?). I think Ferrum Oor or Holo Bliss would be a safer bet with Caldera

 

[Failed Engineer]

I have a regular 3F and have cycled through some planars with it and I have reported bad synergy for the most part. That said, I think it's far more related to the amp's low gain and relatively high OI for a solid state amp. The Caldera is a pretty good match because it's high impedance for a planar and also it's high-ish sensitivity for a planar. For the same reasons, the D8000 and D8000 Pro are also excellent sounding from the 3F. I don't have experience with the full line of Audeze but the ones I've tried were low impedance and they didn't sound right. Hifiman's a pretty much a non-starter because you can't get enough volume out of the amp even though they do sound normal.

High impedance (I'd say anything above 50ohm) and higher sensitivity planars are definitely worth a try on the 3F.

 

[dbull12]

As great as the DSHA-3FN is, even with non-Focal dynamics, I just sold mine because the 433 made it redundant. IMO, it's a better overall amp, cheaper and the same form factor. Bar none one of the best amps I've hear as far as performance/price/footprint. I think it unfortunately gets overshadowed by the 394II and 465.

However, if you're just using a Utopia, the DSHA-3FN is probably the way to go.

Did you ever compare the DSHA-3FN and 433 using your Verite Open? Everyone seems to say the VO and VC are the ZMFs that the DSHA-3FN synergizes best with so I'm curious if you still preferred the 433 even with those headphones. Also would be really curious to know which amp you think gives more macrodynamic punch if you can remember

 

[heliosphann]

Did you ever compare the DSHA-3FN and 433 using your Verite Open? Everyone seems to say the VO and VC are the ZMFs that the DSHA-3FN synergizes best with so I'm curious if you still preferred the 433 even with those headphones. Also would be really curious to know which amp you think gives more macrodynamic punch if you can remember

With the VO/VC, the DSHA-3FN was better than the 433. Wasn't a huge difference, but it was noticeable. Overall, I thought the 433 was a more versatile amp with a wide range of headphones vs the 3FN and that's why I kept it.

 

[CEE TEE]

Hello Everyone!

Finally got the 2nd run in, shipped the first orders today from the email I sent out last week.

(If you were supposed to be on the mailing list and did not get an email, please check SPAM folder or let me know…)

There are still some available:

• This run has a new process for making the wood sides...and I helped make them
• There are 230V amps now available too
• Some fancier custom foam in the hard cases
• The XLR jack is now mounted in a sub-assembly to the chassis

Otherwise, all the same parts and sound!