[StanD]

   
Indeed
(and yes the correct english word is capacitors - sometimes I just translate words too much from dutch)
At one point you just choose the things you want and have your eyes set on and it's all is good.
I'm sure I would have enjoyed the Magni2 as well.
(but then again why would there be any more expensive amps if the Magni2 or A2 would drive most, if not all headphones fine?).

Call the reason marketing driven revenue. Also some people want fancier enclosures and doodads or bragging rights. There are some headphones, not many, that require more power. Also electrostatic headphones require a different type of amp.

 

[liraop]

 
It's a common issue, many of us had it, has to do with poor grounding. Mine was humming in one room, and was dead silent in another. Try switching the outlets.  Good luck.

Thanks! 
How bad is it for durability of the gear ? 

 

[StanD]

  Thanks! 
How bad is it for durability of the gear ? 

Shouldn't be that type of an issue, more like an annoyance for some.

 

[riverlethe]

Call the reason marketing driven revenue. Also some people want fancier enclosures and doodads or bragging rights. There are some headphones, not many, that require more power. Also electrostatic headphones require a different type of amp.

I think my biggest problem with the Magni was that they put the volume knob too damn close to the headphone jack. It's still a slight annoyance on the A2, but not nearly as bad.

 

[StanD]

I think my biggest problem with the Magni was that they put the volume knob too damn close to the headphone jack. It's still a slight annoyance on the A2, but not nearly as bad.

But we can all take comfort in the sound. 

 

[riverlethe]

But we can all take comfort in the sound. :happy_face1:

I mostly just like playing with the potentiometers.

 

[StanD]

I mostly just like playing with the potentiometers.

Different strokes for different folks. 

 

[RickB]

  Different strokes for different folks. 

 
ICWYDT

 

[StanD]

   
ICWYDT

Wiseguy.

 

[liraop]

I'm now feeding modi2u through optical with a Xonar DX. My main idea was to switch between pure stereo via USB to music and DPS/effects via optical to gaming. Turns out that Xonar DX has a ~hi-fi~ mode that disables the effects. 
 
WOW. I'm not sure if it's placebo effect or something else but the sound is better. I can hear details and things I couldn't before. And movie/gaming experience is way more immersive.
Highly recommended.

 

[CaveManta]

Hey, liraop, are you getting better sound because you're using optical now, or is it the Xonar DX itself improving the sound? Or maybe both? o.O

 

[ZippCen]

I Currently have the Magni 2U driving AKG K7XX headphones. My source is my on-board soundcard but its a decent motherboard (Rampage IV Extreme).
 
I noticed a huge change in quality when switching to the Magni even on a poor set of headphones.
 
What sort of improvement can I expect from switching to optical to the Modi 2U?

 

[peepr]

  I Currently have the Magni 2U driving AKG K7XX headphones. My source is my on-board soundcard but its a decent motherboard (Rampage IV Extreme).
 
I noticed a huge change in quality when switching to the Magni even on a poor set of headphones.
 
What sort of improvement can I expect from switching to optical to the Modi 2U?

not a huge improvement but worth it. going from mobo to modi did yield an improvement but I really noticed the benefits of the Modi when using it as a DAC with my raspberryPi piCorePlayer music server. HUGE boost in sound quality going from the 3.5mm output to using modi as DAC with that setup, so I know a DAC can make a big difference.

 

[liraop]

  Hey, liraop, are you getting better sound because you're using optical now, or is it the Xonar DX itself improving the sound? Or maybe both? o.O

 
xonar via optical. I realize that separation and definition is also better. I've recently changed the OS (from OS X to W10) so.. there's a bunch of things to test.
I tested the pure USB and the optical and... I don't think it's placebo. Xonar Optical > USB.

 

[StanD]

   
xonar via optical. I realize that separation and definition is also better. I've recently changed the OS (from OS X to W10) so.. there's a bunch of things to test.
I tested the pure USB and the optical and... I don't think it's placebo. Xonar Optical > USB.

Unless you can switch back and forth within a few seconds (less than about 4) and have the volumes carefully matched you will not be able to do an accurate comaprison due to:
1) The limitations of Human Echoic Memory.
2) Equal Loudness Contours/Fletcher-Munson.
Both are human conditions.