[Rock n Rolla]

hello I am new to all this stuff and I am trying to setup a system to buy

so far people have told me to do this

-senns hd600 headphones
-iBasso d10 cobra as the usb amp
- the ef2 as the tube amp

and connect the ibasso to the ef2...

or should i just buy the hybrid?

Is this good for a stationary setup? it will be staying on my desk connected to my computer.
or should I look for a differnt amp/dac?


Also can I hook up external speakers to all this in the future? because it is a lot of money to just spend on a headphone setup...I would feel better if I knew i could setup a stereo system with it..

 

[koven]

it'll work as both a dac and amp.. if you want to use the d10 as a DAC and the ef2 as an amp, that sounds like it'd work great

it's a great budget desktop setup and yes u can hook up active/powered speakers but i'm not so sure about bookshelf speakers, probably not enough power.

 

[koven]

oops, double post

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

The D10 DAC is more detailed and spacious and will improve the sound of the EF2 when you are able to pair the two.

 

[koven]

I may be getting ahead of myself, but I have another question in regards to my upgrade path after the EF2..

I will be using the DAC as a source maybe 80% of the time, and the Fuze w/ Line Out as a source maybe 20% of the time.

If I wanted to improve my setup in the future... which option would be the most beneficial?

a. add a dedicated DAC and use the EF2 as an amp
b. use the EF2 as a DAC/preamp and add a dedicated amp
c. upgrade the tubes
d. a & c, or a & b

Thank you

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

A and C

 

[koven]

Gotcha, thanks again.

 

[mrarroyo]

The EF2 can not be used as pre-amp or an stand alone DAC. If you are going to spend $600 for an iBasso D10 plus an EF1 I would suggest you buy an used Oritek DAC V4.0 or higher w/ the built in headphone amp. This combo sells for about $500 and IMO is a better sounding option.

 

[welchie]

I've got a pair of NOS/NIB SYLVANIA 6AK5 tubes on the way as my tube upgrade. I couldn't find the Raytheons. Will the Sylvanias be OK? Thanks, Chris.

 

[koven]

I just also purchased a pair of NOS 6AK5 tubes off ebay for about $14.xx shipped

Should I change them out immediately or do you think I should give the stock tubes a try?

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

Originally Posted by koven /img/forum/go_quote.gif I just also purchased a pair of NOS 6AK5 tubes off ebay for about $14.xx shipped Should I change them out immediately or do you think I should give the stock tubes a try?

Give the stock tubes a try and burn-it in with the stock ones.

 

[Ricey20]

Nice review Larry.

I'm looking for a nice desktop amp to use with my IEMs

Do you get any hum with the ES3X with the EF1/EF2? Which one would be better suited for IEM usage?

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricey20 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Nice review Larry. I'm looking for a nice desktop amp to use with my IEMs Do you get any hum with the ES3X with the EF1/EF2? Which one would be better suited for IEM usage?

I was very clear in my review about what I heard - if I didn't mention hum I didn't hear any, and I used IEM and full size phones with it.

I also said that the EF1 volume control was unsuitable for IEM while the EF2 volume control works well with them.

 

[koven]

Your item cleared United States Customs at 10:26 AM on July 31, 2009

I guess I'll be getting them on Monday! (Hopefully)

 

[Smoke]

Hello EF2 users,

I'm currently using the Sennheiser HD 25-1 II and the Sennheiser HD 595 in combination with the Ibasso D2. When I'm using the DAC in combination with the HD 595 I'm not really getting a lot of bass. Will the EF2 give a better representation of the lower frequencies on my HD 595 in comparison to the D2? Proper amplification could solve this problem doesn't it?

Thanks