...Pico Slim vs RSA Protector!

[jelt2359]

Answer given, so I'm removing this. Back on track = good!

 

[jelt2359]

Removed. I support the back-on-trackness of the thread

 

[tyrion]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jelt2359 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi Mod, Could you point me to where I can see the rule on prohibiting double-blind testing techniques? I googled 'head-fi' and 'double blind', and came up only with this other thread that seems to have discussion of the issue : http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f9/sac...lacebo-356139/ It's also not on this page : Head-Fi Rules and Terms of Use nor did anything turn up when I searched the FAQ for "double". Thanks! I would like to know because 1) I'm just curious 2) obviously there are some rules I didn't know about so I would like to avoid such things in future..

It's a sticky in the Cable forum:

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f21/do...-forum-227350/

 

[AudioDwebe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by n_maher /img/forum/go_quote.gif So clearly we read things differently and maybe neither of us is right or wrong, but when you make a pretty sarcastic statement that you already know is not true you do your point a disservice. Speak of points, the point here is that at least to a fairly large number of us it appeared as if Ray was making a very specific recommendation about wire size. He somewhat confirmed that in his reply to me (although he only mentioned quality, not size) and certainly hasn't clarified it further since. Since he stated he did not wish to discuss it further in this thread I PM'd him and haven't gotten a reply. Maybe he'll do that later?

What sarcastic statement that I know is untrue?

I consider this sarcasm: But let's go there again since you seem to be a fan of picking things apart.

Obviously, you do not.


Quote:

Originally Posted by tyrion /img/forum/go_quote.gif The emphasis in Ray's sentence as written was not on the word "might". The emphasis was to make sure you use 18 awg wire because if you don't, you are not going to get the bottom the amp is capable of. AudioDwebe, you can read Ray's statements any way you want but I believe you are wrong in your interpretation.

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to read and then interpret what I read.

And, for the record, I believe you are wrong in your interpetation.

 

[extremetito]

Shouldn't the Pico slim be more properly compared against the RSA Shadow?
Or am I missing something?

 

[xuan87]

i've read through this whole thread, and lets just say that this thread was not what i've expected from the title ( no idea why a question of pico slim or protector will become about cable gauge. should'nt someone start another thread on it if they feel strongly on it?)

anyway, i'm on the preorder for both. firstly for the slim: i've been in the market for a amp with a small size factor for a while and i was thinking of getting both the shadow and pico slim to compare which i like and sell off the other. however, before the preorder for the shadow started, i got a chance to test it at a meet, and found that it wasn't to my liking ( not that it wasn't good, i just don't like it). so pico slim became the only choice left. i know the waiting time for the slim has been long, but personally i was glad of that because it gave me time to sort out my finances, i'll call it a blessing in disguise.

the protector will be my 3rd RSA amp, the 1st being the Blackbird, and the 2nd being the Mustang. I sold off both of them because i was able to sell them off at close to cost price, leaving me with the funds to buy something else. till now, the only portable amp i'm using is the FiiO E1, which is fantastic for its size, but that's for another thread. The Protector is appealing to me because i feel that it is the 1st balanced amp that is truly portable. it is a risk i'm willing to take. Though many have claimed that the Protector is powerful enough to be a desktop amp, i'll trust my ears on that. However, i do not plan on getting a balanced desktop anytime soon so if the Protector does turn out to be that powerful, then that is an extra bonus.some have critized the design of the Protector and the choice of plug but i think only time will tell if it will be a good choice or not.

in conclusion, i think the 2 amps are aiming at different markets as i'm getting them for 2 totally different reasons. i will be happy to post a simple review of both amps when i've received them. i believe justin will start shipping early next week and ray will do so 2 weeks later.

 

[n_maher]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AudioDwebe /img/forum/go_quote.gif What sarcastic statement that I know is untrue?

Quote:

Originally Posted by AudioDwebe /img/forum/go_quote.gif Did you even read the post in question?

Considering I quoted Ray's post 4 posts and 2 hours prior to your own I think it's safe to say you knew I'd read it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AudioDwebe /img/forum/go_quote.gif I consider this sarcasm: But let's go there again since you seem to be a fan of picking things apart. Obviously, you do not.

No, that was well and truly sarcastic, glad you interpreted that correctly.

 

[WalkGood]

Quote:

Originally Posted by extremetito /img/forum/go_quote.gif Shouldn't the Pico slim be more properly compared against the RSA Shadow? Or am I missing something?

I agree, but that's not what the OP started the thread out before it got derailed.

 

[xuan87]

Quote:

Originally Posted by extremetito /img/forum/go_quote.gif Shouldn't the Pico slim be more properly compared against the RSA Shadow? Or am I missing something?

in term of design objectives and target consumers, the pico slim would be more properly compared against the RSA Shadow.

however, because the release date for the Pico slim and the Protector are so closed to each other, it will be interesting to see which one will people choose, espically if you can't have both. that's probably the purpose of this thread.

 

[TheWuss]

Quote:

Originally Posted by extremetito /img/forum/go_quote.gif Shouldn't the Pico slim be more properly compared against the RSA Shadow? Or am I missing something?

no, you're not missing anything. the "who's buying which" poll is simply because they are two anticipated products coming out at the same time, not so much because they are similar...

 

[belac]

Quote:

Originally Posted by xuan87 /img/forum/go_quote.gif in term of design objectives and target consumers, the pico slim would be more properly compared against the RSA Shadow. however, because the release date for the Pico slim and the Protector are so closed to each other, it will be interesting to see which one will people choose, espically if you can't have both. that's probably the purpose of this thread.

Thanks for hopefully getting this thread back on topic, I thought for a minute there I was watching a remake of The Notebook so many tears were being shed.The comparison should be Shadow vs. Slim, not balanced against unbalanced.

 

[blubliss]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AudioDwebe /img/forum/go_quote.gif Coming off a bit strong, are we not? Because you've been a member here for a while makes you knowledgeable? Pah-leeze!

I wasn't talking about myself.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AudioDwebe /img/forum/go_quote.gif Before you can hear any improvements, no matter how subtle, in a change of cabling, you've first got to have a very revealing system. Short of that, the subtle differences will go unnoticed.

I think my system is quite revealing and I was speaking of ICs. My mind used to believe it could hear differences, now it does not after I forced myself to do a real test.

 

[gp_hebert]

Quote:

Originally Posted by belac /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks for hopefully getting this thread back on topic, I thought for a minute there I was watching a remake of The Notebook so many tears were being shed.The comparison should be Shadow vs. Slim, not balanced against unbalanced.

It's hard to tell now because the amps aren't released yet, but in the end shouldn't it be sound quality vs sound quality? Being balanced doesn't mean it's better, you'd have to compare the circuits of the two amps and measure the specs to really know which one performs the best. Balanced vs unbalanced is a totally acceptable comparison.

 

[belac]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gp_hebert /img/forum/go_quote.gif It's hard to tell now because the amps aren't released yet, but in the end shouldn't it be sound quality vs sound quality? Being balanced doesn't mean it's better, you'd have to compare the circuits of the two amps and measure the specs to really know which one performs the best. Balanced vs unbalanced is a totally acceptable comparison.

Is it not common to get a better sound out of balanced rather than unbalanced?

 

[monsieurguzel]

I agree with gp_hebert about the balanced / unbalanced. A balanced headphone amp doesn't automatically make it 'better' and unbalanced. I recently ordered a new amp from Woo and asked whether I should get a WA22 (balanced) or a WA5 (unbalanced), thinking that the balanced would automatically be better with HD800. Jack's response was "The WA5 is still our top performer among our line-up. It certainly sounds better than the WA22. Balanced design does not mean is better."

I will most likely be purchasing a Predator, but will be judging it on the sound quality and not automatically assume its better due to being balanced.