[Slaphead]

I used to do EQ adjustments with Foobar but it seems software-based EQ introduces noise. Foobar is still my primary music player but I do not enable EQ on it since I noticed a slight whistling noise on the low frequencies. Now I let the RME do all the EQ adjustments and run the output XLR out to the THX amp which let's it all go through clearly and clean.
The HD58X Jubilees are one of the best bargain Sennheisers IMO. How did you mod them?

Hate to break it to you, but the RME's EQ is, wait for it, software based. It might use a FPGA to perform the EQ, but it's still software based.

The quality of SW based EQ is not down to the fact that it's software, but down to the algorithm used. Most if not all music today and remastered older recordings have been EQ'd in the studio using software.

 

[CaptainFantastic]

Hate to break it to you, but the RME's EQ is, wait for it, software based. It might use a FPGA to perform the EQ, but it's still software based.

The quality of SW based EQ is not down to the fact that it's software, but down to the algorithm used. Most if not all music today and remastered older recordings have been EQ'd in the studio using software.

Is the Loki hardware based?

 

[Slaphead]

Is the Loki hardware based?

What, you mean that thing from Schitt - yes it's analog and therefore hardware I suppose.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

Is the Loki hardware based?

It's not hardware based. It's actual analog hardware

 

[G8torbyte]

Hate to break it to you, but the RME's EQ is, wait for it, software based. It might use a FPGA to perform the EQ, but it's still software based.
The quality of SW based EQ is not down to the fact that it's software, but down to the algorithm used. Most if not all music today and remastered older recordings have been EQ'd in the studio using software.

No problem, thanks for the explanation, I should have stated my experience with anomalies in EQ'ing were from some software products running on Windows platform. RME's programming is working very well for me and I appreciate the fine adjustments it allows. Also glad they provide regular firmware support/updates.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

There are engineering tradeoffs in everything. DSP is nice because it's in the digital domain and you can do things totally impossible or impractical in the analog domain. OTOH DSP is totally out of the picture in an analog chain so each has its own place. And analog anything is inherently lossy and adds some kind of distortion whether you can hear it or not.

For our discussion (RME DAC) DSP is the way to go.

 

[Slim1970]

There are engineering tradeoffs in everything. DSP is nice because it's in the digital domain and you can do things totally impossible or impractical in the analog domain. OTOH DSP is totally out of the picture in an analog chain so each has its own place. And analog anything is inherently lossy and adds some kind of distortion whether you can hear it or not.

For our discussion (RME DAC) DSP is the way to go.

I'm getting very good results using the EQ in the RME. I was primarily using the Loki before I got the RME. So to me, they both seem to have their place as I find them both to very functional in my different setups.

 

[Swisshead]

I also own the RME ADI-2. An absolutely outstanding unit! Price/performance unbeaten. There are 1 million possible settings. Bass/Trebel controls, Loundness, EQ, everything your heart desires. The EQ is very good, so you can eliminate possible weaknesses with certain headphones.

Power more than enough. Think is a very neutral amplifier. I've looked at many, even in a much higher price range, but haven't found one I would buy right now. I've looked at the new Burson, but I don't think it's worth the double price. What I would still like to have is a good tube amp. But I don't know what to pick, there's a lot of choices. Again the advantage of the RME is that you can use it as a converter.

But I am more than satisfied with the sound with all my headphones. More would be luxury.

I think the problem with RME is that they don't have a "name" on high end and they are more for professional studios. Also optically rather study and not home hifi. But everyone who has it, raves about it. But in the high-end circles in Europe you don't read anything about it. There it must cost many thousands of dollars and have a good sounding name! Unfortunately it is so.

 

[High flier]

I got mine this morning. It sounds amazing I wonder if the DAC need burn in?

 

[Slim1970]

I got mine this morning. It sounds amazing I wonder if the DAC need burn in?

Not sure, but I'm burning mine in along with the new Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT's I just got at the same time with some pink noise.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

If you can hear the burn-in on solid state devices you have a bright future in high-end audio sales

 

[Slim1970]

If you can hear the burn-in on solid state devices you have a bright future in high-end audio sales

Lol, I just hit play and leave them playing while I’m at work. I’m not sure that it’s actually doing anything, but I’m accumulating hours on it either way as I see it.

 

[Tuneslover]

Lol, I just hit play and leave them playing while I’m at work. I’m not sure that it’s actually doing anything, but I’m accumulating hours on it either way as I see it.

That's what I do too. I figure it can't hurt to let them "warm-up/break-in" for a while before getting overly excited on how things sound straight out of the box. I do periodic auditioning during the break in period and do notice that things sound more stabilized afterwards. Not sure if it's brain burn-in too...LOL!

 

[High flier]

Lol, I just hit play and leave them playing while I’m at work. I’m not sure that it’s actually doing anything, but I’m accumulating hours on it either way as I see it.
Its already sound so clear but ill leave it on maybe sound even better

 

[Slaphead]

If you can hear the burn-in on solid state devices you have a bright future in high-end audio sales

I can - it starts with a funny acrid smell, followed by some hissing, and then culminating in a pop or bang, after which there is nothing more to be heard.