I posted this over in the Oppo Ha1 thread but thought i would post it here too for you guys as it has to do with my Gumby. Anyway here are my thoughts...
I recently got a Ha1 a few days ago and have been loving it so far. Unfortunately i'm in quite a conundrum as it's making me want to sell my Gungnir Multibit which is by all regards a more expensive dac. I have been doing A/B comparisons for the last 2 days now between the Gumby dac and the Oppo Ha1 dac and for the life of me i cannot notice a discernible difference of say more then 1%. The Gumby sounds maybe a touch warmer and when i say a touch it's really not even noticeable it's to such a tiny degree, that in fact it may not even be there. Also just to mention that i used the Oppo amp for both dacs and listened at exactly the same volume with same cables for all tests. Only took me about 2 seconds to change between dacs as well.
Anyway, That's how alike the sound, coming from both the Gumby and Ha1 dac sounded. Now just to make sure i was hearing what i was hearing. I compared the sound impressions from a HD800S, LCD 2, and a Shure 846. I could clearly hear HUGE! sonic differences between the headphones but not between the two dacs. I'm honestly becoming a believer that 99% of the sonic difference is coming from the headphone and not from the dac. If i had to advise someone buying new gear that wanted to hear the best sound, i would honestly tell them the headphone is by far and away the most important part.
So where does this leave me, i'm not really sure to be honest and would love some of your guys input....
I'm tempted to just sell my Gumby soon which i have loved so much. I will continue to spend hours doing more tests as i enjoy it, but i'm not really sure what to think about spending money on dac's after a certain price point anymore.
I hear you loud and clear!
Of course headphones makes the biggest sonic difference, next are probably tube amps (not talking about speakers here). Still I believe, based upon my personal experience and opinion, amps and dacs matters big time. And therefor don't sound the same or at least give a different experience. Even if I can't tell them apart.
I firmly believe in expectation bias. But I also firmly believe I can't fool myself into having goosebumps or listening fatigue. And those 2 things are exactly what drove me to change my setup and keep it as it is now, until I can make an upgrade without losing that magic. But since my wallet is empty I don't have to worry about that :.b
Thank you for being honest and I think you are right. The headphone is by far the most important part which makes the biggest sonic difference. But to me, an amp or dac can make a system work or not (YMMV). Don't sell the Gumby yet, give it a few weeks :.)
Late at night, amp's yearning
Restless night, want to be with you
Someone's playing in the garden
So enticing, he's sure to take a bite
I don't know what's come over me, yeah
She's as heavy as a HA-1
Pure excitement, misled
When she touches, can't resist her
I'm a puppet when she's playing me
She's outgoing but I love her so misled
So I'm saying now
Baby baby, what's your claim to fame?
Got me out of bed, heard you call my name
What's this crazy place, you want to take me to?
Tell me, what's the price if I go with you?
My heart, my soul, my love
Is that the goal?
It's a thrill then I will
Be misled, be for real