Alright- Finally got some time and wanted to put this up. These are all my notes that I wrote while listening to the
Questyle 800R Golden amp. I listened to more songs but didn't want this to be 30 pages long. I listened for 3 days and bounced around a lot ha.
I want it to be clear that I represent Music To My Ear in Pittsburgh (a sponsor of headfi) if you didn't already know...My name before MTMECraig was Bunnynamedfrank if you would like to know more about me. I get total freedom from Mark (the owner) to talk about whatever headphones or cans on headfi that I feel like ha. I like doing A/B a lot since I am passionate about headphones and was surprised there wasn't much info about the Gold Stack in general on here... Which brings me to this-
The purpose of this "Experiment" was to try and see what the best synergy I got from amp,headphone and DAC... Ill try to keep everything as transparent as possible, and obviously take this whole thing as MY opinion, but feel free to ask questions if you would like. Specific questions are easier for me to think about and look back on then trying to convey that through this text.
For all 3 days I used a Macbook running Tidal, and the USB cord was a Nordost Blue Heaven. Balanced cables for connection to amp and DAC were Nordost Heimdall 2
Day 1- Set up- Dac was
Questyle CAS 192D Golden (USB up sampling, digital filter FIR soft knee) Connected to 800R Golden. Disclaimer- the digital filters I bounced around with on the CAS 192 D and I didn't grasp the differences enough so I just kept the one I mentioned for all the cans mentioned.
HD800 and
HD800s both connected- "My book of regrets" by Steven Wilson. I can tell the amp seems to be pretty neutral for both cans. The amp lets the 800 be analytical without much coloration, and the same with the 800s. The 800s (due to its inherent bass boost compared to original 800) adds a little more weight to all the music. I feel like the amp gives more then enough power and control to both cans. Between the two I enjoyed the 800s more, but not surprising since the amp is neutral. I overall prefer more warmth to the music then more precise/analytical sound.
Audeze LCD 3- Keeps the sound in the dark like I have always heard the LCD 3 sound before. It keeps that natural characteristic. I once again don't tell if I am missing anything from the music. Very curious to hear this headphone on dual mono... would like to know if I was missing anything in regards to added power.
"Wish you were here" by Pink Floyd- Between the LCD 3, HD800 and HD800s I am partial to the LCD3.... I get more feeling of this combination. David Gilmour's voice seems to be more "real" to me. The 800 and 800s may be more technically proficient but I get a smoothness to his voice that is really enjoyable. I get better flow with the music with this combo (LCD3).
Audeze LCD-XC, LCD 3 both connected- "My book of regrets"by Steven Wilson- The LCD-XC is really making me toe tap. I think the added bass quantity (compared to LCD3) is really getting me more into the music.
"Romantic warrior" by Return to Forever- I prefer the LCD-XC. I feel like the highs are more present and It just sounds snappier to me.
Day 2 and 3- I wanted to revisit both the LCD 3 and the LCD-XC (and other cans) but use a different DAC section to see the difference between DACs. This time around I use the same setup minus the Questyle CAS was changed to Chord Hugo TT. I made the switch because I use the Hugo TT a lot for its DAC and know its sound well.
CMA800R Golden + Hugo TT- After going from the CAS to the Hugo TT I like the LCD3 more with the Hugo TT combo then with the LCD-XC. I feel like the music is more natural and and closer to a vinyl sound with LCD 3 and this combo compared to LCD-XC.
"Bad Fish" by Sublime (Freaking love this track ha. not fantastic when it comes to recording but figured with Audeze it would be more then doable) The LCD 3 and this chain it is really enjoyable... Very smooth sounding but the guitar is still crisp enough. Bass has good bump as well. For some reason I hear the LCD-XC being a little too bright for my tastes. Which surprises me...
Focal Utopia, Sony Z1R- "Trains" by Porcupine Tree (Shout out to
@Stillhart for getting me back into them!) with the Uotpia at 3:18 the acoustic guitar mixed with the shaker sound and clapping sounds excellent.... I can pick everything apart and I love it. The Z1R doesn't fall far behind in detail but the presentation of the Utopia really lends its self fantastically to that part of the song. I am enjoying this combo of amp and DAC a lot both cans.
"Only the lonely" by Roy Orbison, off his Black & White Night Album (Thank you
@Hansotek for this track) In the beginning of the song you hear the audience cheering and clapping. With the Utopia I feel like I am right in the middle of them. Really cool effect and feels life like.
Z1R and Ether Flow C- With this combo It is difficult for me to tell which headphone benefits the most from the set up. I did A/B between the two and couldn't tell. I think due to the neutral nature of the amp it would just depend on which can you like more. With the Hugo TT's coloration (if you would call it that) I figured that the Flow C would be fine but the Z1R might be too much flavor... kind of like a really warm amp on a really warm can (just an analogy) but it doesn't seem to be the case. I perceive both cans the way I always have.
Now for the ultimate sleeper hit!!!
Beyerdynamic T1 version 2- Truly excellent with this combo... I feel like I get great detail and musicality with this amp/DAC combo. I was very surprised actually, I figured the the T1v2 would need a lot warmer amp to just tame the highs slightly and make it more musical, on the contrary everything sounds fantastic. similar thing would be how I feel the HD800 needs a warm amp to make it more musical. But I love this combo a lot.
"Breakdown of Synergy" Ha
So off the bat, in a perfect world I would have the ultimate analytical yet musically engaging can. I feel that you are able to put pieces of gear together to try and get as close to that as possible, given the headphones properties. I almost don't want to even do a breakdown of "greatest to worst" since I feel like I will just confuse people into thinking that some cans sound "bad" with the gear. I only came across one can that I didn't like with the one chain but liked a lot with the other. (LCD-XC on the Questlye CAS DAC and CMA800R golden was awesome! but change the Hugo TT in the mix with it and I didn't like it as much.I Preferred the LCD 3 more with that chain.) BUT when it comes to enjoyment this is what I got out of it....
Utopia> T1v2> LCD 3 Then Z1R = Ether Flow C then HD800s >HD800 BUT LCD-XC?? (I hope you get confused from Z1R on, in the greatness scale ha.) It gets messy for me trying to analyze all the info since I switched DACS... which i can admit skews results of synergy since I didn't get ample head time with all the cans using the CAS 192D Golden. ALSO I want to do more research about all the filters on the CAS 192D golden...
At the end of the day(s) I think this is a really great amp... I always use the Questlye 600i when I A/B cans in the store and I plan on using the 800r Golden now for doing that. What I want to do now is use the CAS 192D Golden more as a DAC and go back and listen to the Z1R with that combo and the Utopia.
I hope this was interesting and beneficial at all to read. I want to point out that ALL gear used is on Demo to our customers in store and we encourage you to come in and hear for your self! At the end of the day It's just my opinion of what sounds good, so you listening to it will probably change the synergy scale ect ha.We are located in Pittsburgh and are having a meet up in the store March 24th and March 25th. You can find out more about the meet if you look up "Pittsburgh headphile" in the search bar. (don't think I am allowed to do direct links).
I am always open to conversation and enjoy talking with everyone. If you have any questions once again ask! if its off topic to the 800R golden then totally PM me.
-Craig
