^^ Looking forward to your USB DAC Cable impressions. I ordered one yesterday.
Oh where, oh where has my slim Arrow gone, oh where, oh where can it be?
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Mediaogre
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Yeah, I'm not surprised either. What I am suprised about is that a proper trifecta mating of impedance, gain, and headphones dramatically reduces, and in most song-to-song transitions, eliminates the hdd noise. I was only slightly bummed that I could hear it when I knowingly pushed the SE530s past their comfort zone.
The HO, Hellenback.
<<That's merely residual grump though from listening to all the iPod folks snoot about their true line out LOCs. (I'm on a mission to change that misnomer
) I am not complaining. I'm blowing my head up right now with my Senns.
| Originally Posted by Hellenback /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'd be surprised if any amplifier didn't amplify noise emitted by the hdd at least a tiny bit (especially with the DAP cranked as you put it). Are you using HO or LO? |
Yeah, I'm not surprised either. What I am suprised about is that a proper trifecta mating of impedance, gain, and headphones dramatically reduces, and in most song-to-song transitions, eliminates the hdd noise. I was only slightly bummed that I could hear it when I knowingly pushed the SE530s past their comfort zone.
The HO, Hellenback.
Mediaogre
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Ah, man. Don't despair. Try again and - don't take this the wrong way - but check your junk email folder just in case. FWIF, I checked back through my reams of correspondence about this little device (damn, if it isn't little too) and he took a week to respond during what must have been his assembly and shipping onslaught.
Also, something I noticed is the HEADPHONIA reply (from info at headphonia dot com) at a quick glance, looks similar to a "Head-Fi" reply (if you subscribe to any threads and have admin email notifications turned on).
| Originally Posted by EraserXIV /img/forum/go_quote.gif I find it strange that he took the time to answer some e-mails but ignored others. I sent him a question about 2 weeks ago and that was ignored too. I just assumed he was doing this to everyone. It appears not... |
Ah, man. Don't despair. Try again and - don't take this the wrong way - but check your junk email folder just in case. FWIF, I checked back through my reams of correspondence about this little device (damn, if it isn't little too) and he took a week to respond during what must have been his assembly and shipping onslaught.
Also, something I noticed is the HEADPHONIA reply (from info at headphonia dot com) at a quick glance, looks similar to a "Head-Fi" reply (if you subscribe to any threads and have admin email notifications turned on).
average_joe
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Yea, check your spam folder. I have had many a conversation with Robert. Great guy and very responsive to all of my questions.
Plus, something I didn't mention in my last post...I LOVE the form factor of the USB-DAC-Cable (I will post a pic why later).
Plus, something I didn't mention in my last post...I LOVE the form factor of the USB-DAC-Cable (I will post a pic why later).
average_joe
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OK, so I have had time to take pics and just started listening. I am not ready to post any (or many) thoughts about sound quality as I will feel comfortable having more time and also, I have some cables on order for the uDAC as well as some parts to make my own silver wire cable.
First, if there are case defects on the Arrow case, I need to get my eyes checked, as I don't see them! Size wise, the Arrow is nice and thin, as thin as a Sansa Fuze. It is about the same length as my 5.5g, and a little smaller than my 3g. I have attached a pic showing those plus an AMP3 and a Shadow. the shadow is about as long as the Arrow is wide, and the Arrow length is about 2 and a half times as wide as the Shadow (just look at the pic
).
OK, why do I love the USB-DAC-Cable? Because it is everything I thought it wouldn't be! There is only one cable to worry about! The uDAC needs a USB cable and RCA to 3.5mm to use with the Arrow. The USB cable included with the uDAC is 3.5 ft, so I ordered the shortest one I could find, 1.5ft (I have to look through my huge box of cables to see if I have anything shorter). And for now I am using the crappy sendstation RCA to 3.5mm cables. I know their mini-mini degrades the sound, so this cable may also.
Back to the amps...while the Shadow is absolutely tiny, I like the Arrow form factor better for use with an iPod/iPhone, and it is a tossup for use with the Fuze IMO.
More impressions in the days ahead. But I have to say I am impressed and happy with my purchase.
First, if there are case defects on the Arrow case, I need to get my eyes checked, as I don't see them! Size wise, the Arrow is nice and thin, as thin as a Sansa Fuze. It is about the same length as my 5.5g, and a little smaller than my 3g. I have attached a pic showing those plus an AMP3 and a Shadow. the shadow is about as long as the Arrow is wide, and the Arrow length is about 2 and a half times as wide as the Shadow (just look at the pic
OK, why do I love the USB-DAC-Cable? Because it is everything I thought it wouldn't be! There is only one cable to worry about! The uDAC needs a USB cable and RCA to 3.5mm to use with the Arrow. The USB cable included with the uDAC is 3.5 ft, so I ordered the shortest one I could find, 1.5ft (I have to look through my huge box of cables to see if I have anything shorter). And for now I am using the crappy sendstation RCA to 3.5mm cables. I know their mini-mini degrades the sound, so this cable may also.
Back to the amps...while the Shadow is absolutely tiny, I like the Arrow form factor better for use with an iPod/iPhone, and it is a tossup for use with the Fuze IMO.
More impressions in the days ahead. But I have to say I am impressed and happy with my purchase.
Mediaogre
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I also thought about getting my eyes checked. I may have the answer though. It may not be an extrusion flaw or finish defect. I think it's actually a label/printing error. On the bottom end cap's line in, there's a "CHG" label on one side and "IN" on the other. I don't have confirmation from Robert yet, but I can't make sense of the CHG label. It's obviously not for charging.
| Originally Posted by average_joe /img/forum/go_quote.gif First, if there are case defects on the Arrow case, I need to get my eyes checked, as I don't see them! |
I also thought about getting my eyes checked. I may have the answer though. It may not be an extrusion flaw or finish defect. I think it's actually a label/printing error. On the bottom end cap's line in, there's a "CHG" label on one side and "IN" on the other. I don't have confirmation from Robert yet, but I can't make sense of the CHG label. It's obviously not for charging.
average_joe
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Ah, I may have overlooked that. I saw it and thought it was for a charger, not an input. But, it works. That is a pretty awesome feature I didn't even know about, input on both sides for flexibility!
Kudos to Robert for his excellent design, great SQ, and features at this price point!
Kudos to Robert for his excellent design, great SQ, and features at this price point!
Hellenback
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From what I can tell Robert is hyper-meticulous regarding everything to do with his amps. Be it form, aesthetics or function. I'm not surprised it is a non-consequential (read, near invisible until pointed out) aesthetic "flaw".
As I was one of the first to order and receive an Arrow, I did not want to come off as gushing (or in any way a fan boy). Now that others can see/hear for themselves I feel more comfortable saying that I hear and believe this to be a very high end amp at an extremely reasonable price (made in Germany no less). I can't wait for Pico Slim comparisons but I believe the Arrow proves that manufacturers can make a great product for less than we have come to expect to pay.
Quote:
As my amp does not have the dreaded "flaw" I cannot speak to it. When I emailed about the chg. input I was told that it was an input as well as a possible future charging port for an iPod/Arrow charge cable that has not yet been developed. I don't know if this is going to become a reality or not but am happy to have the flexibility of two inputs, as mentioned by AverageJoe. Has no-one with this newer run of Arrows asked/emailed about what the "flaw" is?
| First, if there are case defects on the Arrow case, I need to get my eyes checked, as I don't see them! |
From what I can tell Robert is hyper-meticulous regarding everything to do with his amps. Be it form, aesthetics or function. I'm not surprised it is a non-consequential (read, near invisible until pointed out) aesthetic "flaw".
As I was one of the first to order and receive an Arrow, I did not want to come off as gushing (or in any way a fan boy). Now that others can see/hear for themselves I feel more comfortable saying that I hear and believe this to be a very high end amp at an extremely reasonable price (made in Germany no less). I can't wait for Pico Slim comparisons but I believe the Arrow proves that manufacturers can make a great product for less than we have come to expect to pay.
Quote:
| On the bottom end cap's line in, there's a "CHG" label on one side and "IN" on the other. I don't have confirmation from Robert yet, but I can't make sense of the CHG label. It's obviously not for charging. |
As my amp does not have the dreaded "flaw" I cannot speak to it. When I emailed about the chg. input I was told that it was an input as well as a possible future charging port for an iPod/Arrow charge cable that has not yet been developed. I don't know if this is going to become a reality or not but am happy to have the flexibility of two inputs, as mentioned by AverageJoe. Has no-one with this newer run of Arrows asked/emailed about what the "flaw" is?
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Mate: those are some mouth-watering photos! Cheers!
average_joe
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Thanks, too bad either my lighting sucks, my camera sucks, or I suck at taking pictures! But I must say, it is fun to play with all the features. Crossfeed on, bass boost on, higher impedance with a higher gain so I don't need to touch the volume!
And the auto on/off feature is cool as well. I guess the biggest bummer is the case doesn't say Arrow (or Arrow 12HE) on it.
And the auto on/off feature is cool as well. I guess the biggest bummer is the case doesn't say Arrow (or Arrow 12HE) on it.
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When it's that hot, who cares?
rehabitat
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If you guys won't open a new thread then I'll have to do it for you. You've got 24hrs...
Mediaogre
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HAHA! Thanks for reigning us in - again, rehabitat. I'll kick one off today.
| Originally Posted by rehabitat /img/forum/go_quote.gif If you guys won't open a new thread then I'll have to do it for you. You've got 24hrs... |
HAHA! Thanks for reigning us in - again, rehabitat. I'll kick one off today.
Mediaogre
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I've asked, but didn't receive a response. It's one of the very few questions Robert hasn't responded to. I let it go, assuming he's wicked busy, and what do I really care? He sending us replacements. I suppose I can do a stare-and-compare when I receive the new case.
| Originally Posted by Hellenback /img/forum/go_quote.gif Has no-one with this newer run of Arrows asked/emailed about what the "flaw" is? |
I've asked, but didn't receive a response. It's one of the very few questions Robert hasn't responded to. I let it go, assuming he's wicked busy, and what do I really care? He sending us replacements. I suppose I can do a stare-and-compare when I receive the new case.
Mediaogre
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I invite you all here: Headstage Arrow HE: Reviews, Impressions, Perceptions & Sensations
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