Reconfiguring my rig - Random updates on the journey

[RingingEars]

I can relate to this thread. Happy one minute, disappointed the next.
So far though the gear in my sig synergises really well. So for now I am happy...

 

[aamefford]

I can relate to this thread. Happy one minute, disappointed the next.
So far though the gear in my sig synergises really well. So for now I am happy...:etysmile:

Not so much disappointed as fickle and impulsive in my case. I like new toys, and head-fi gear is cheaper than bicycles, dirt bikes, jeeps or race cars. Or skiing. I think the longest my rig(s) have held still is somewhere around 6 to 9 months.

 

[Armaegis]

Quote:

Not so much disappointed as fickle and impulsive in my case. I like new toys, and head-fi gear is cheaper than bicycles, dirt bikes, jeeps or race cars. Or skiing. I think the longest my rig(s) have held still is somewhere around 6 to 9 months.

 
Longest is about two years for me with my Sextett and Bottlehead Crack and Pioneer HDJ-2000. I probably won't part with either of them since the Sextett was NOS and I paid far too much for one in that condition. The Pioneer I just like and I've modded the bejezus out of it, and again it cost way too much to get it here in Canada. The Crack pairs incredibly well with the Sextett, though that's actually my second one as I sold the first to buy another kit because it was fun to build. Which reminds me, I've got a Smack kit that's been sitting there for a while now...

 

[lee730]

I've held on to the Senns from the get-go. Ended up ownining 4 pairs in less than a year but still have the IE80s . Also the Dacport LX has been in my collection the longest I think. Almost a year now if not already.
 

 

[aamefford]

I've held on to the Senns from the get-go. Ended up ownining 4 pairs in less than a year but still have the IE80s . Also the Dacport LX has been in my collection the longest I think. Almost a year now if not already.

 

I think you can look back through this thread and see about when you bought it!

 

[aamefford]

Well.... I did it.

 

[Armaegis]

And now begins the journey of balancing all your gear 

 

[aamefford]

And now begins the journey of balancing all your gear 

Yup - curse you head-fi! Curse you Centrance! We'll have to talk a bit a out balancing the Mad Dog Fostex. I want to keep single entry, and the 1/8" jack. I'm thinking I can use a TRRS mini jack at the headphone to 4 pin XLR. I think it will then also work with a second cable - TRS on both ends and be single ended. Comments?

 

[Armaegis]

Balanced single entry would be possible, though to do removeable you'd need a TRRS or 4-pin mini xlr at the cup, both of which would require some extensive modding as you'd have to remove the existing jack and shove in another. The TRRS might be the simplest if you can find one of the same form factor.
 
Then have a cable for TRRS to TRS when playing normally, and another cable TRRS to 4-pin XLR when going balanced. 

 

[aamefford]

Quote:

Balanced single entry would be possible, though to do removeable you'd need a TRRS or 4-pin mini xlr at the cup, both of which would require some extensive modding as you'd have to remove the existing jack and shove in another. The TRRS might be the simplest if you can find one of the same form factor.
 
Then have a cable for TRRS to TRS when playing normally, and another cable TRRS to 4-pin XLR when going balanced. 

Basically what I was thinking.  I thought a TRRS plug defaulted defaulted to TRS when plugged into a TRS jack.  If not, I would just do a TRRS to TRS, with both commons connected at the TRS end, anda second TRRS to 4 pin for balanced.  Will just have to find a TRRS that is a relative drop in on the Mad Dog Fostex.

 

[Armaegis]

Quote:

Basically what I was thinking.  I thought a TRRS plug defaulted defaulted to TRS when plugged into a TRS jack.  If not, I would just do a TRRS to TRS, with both commons connected at the TRS end, anda second TRRS to 4 pin for balanced.  Will just have to find a TRRS that is a relative drop in on the Mad Dog Fostex.

 
I don't think so. It depends where/how the plug makes contact with the jack, and I don't believe there's a standard either which is why some devices won't work properly with a TRRS plug.
 
There's a guy who modded his Mad Dog with a mini-xlr jack which looked pretty nice. If you're trying to stick with the stock plug location, then you'd have to find an angled TRRS plug.

 

[aamefford]

If you have a link for the mini XLR mod, you'save me hours! Wouldn't have to be TRRS, but it would be slick. Basically, I'd like to duplicate the vmoda cable plug in, with a TRRS to 4 pin XLR. In the big picture, probably half a dozen ways to do a nice looking side entry removable balanced cable and unbalanced cable.

 

[Armaegis]

I thought the pics were in the mad dog thread, but I can't find it now. All I remember is that he used a stepped drill bit to put in the hole on the bottom of the cup for the mini-xlr jack. I think he did one on each side, but you could easily do single ended.

 

[aamefford]

I might either pick up a pair of stock or used up by a modder T50RP's to practice on, or pay someone to mod my MD's for a se/balanced set up. No particular hurry.

My biggest issue, I sold my Pico Dac/Amp, shipping it out this morning, and someone is interested in my Pico Slim. I wouldn't mind selling it, but I still need an amp for at least the MD's. guess I need to try the Quads straight out of iPod and see if I can stand it. If not, no point in selling the Slim.

Edit - Closed the Slim post for now...

 

[aamefford]

Interesting - I listened to my customs straight out of my touch 4g. I haven't done that for a while. It wasn't as bad as I remember. The Pico slim sounds better, but the touch isn't bad. It also doesn't seem as loud at low volume as I remember it. Maybe it was my iPhone 3GS that was too loud. I haven't tried my iPhone 4S. Anyway, I could sure live with the iPod touch 4g and no amp. Hmmmmmm....