[Strayngs]

I rather love the looks. I have a small child at home and Jeff just released this cover/lid for the Dragon. It enhances the look even more. Very unique amp I have. I am so happy. Last night I had a listening session with the Rognir with mostly female vocal and modern Jazz. ”Overture” by Justin Hurwitz on the Whiplash movie soundtrack may have been one of the top 3 headphone experiences I have ever had. A memorable WOW moment for sure.

 

[Bonddam]

My Dragon came back or technically a different unit because I had b stock unit the ground switch was put in wrong location. I did have Jeff take my caps out of the other one as I don't like burning in stuff. There was close to 500 hours on the other amp. I don't even enjoy burning in tubes as I'm not patient. So my setup is complete. Killer edm through my 1266 TC.

 

[OceanRanger]

My Dragon came back or technically a different unit because I had b stock unit the ground switch was put in wrong location. I did have Jeff take my caps out of the other one as I don't like burning in stuff. There was close to 500 hours on the other amp. I don't even enjoy burning in tubes as I'm not patient. So my setup is complete. Killer edm through my 1266 TC.

Congrats. After my move and some travel, I have just recently settled back in with the Dragon/Cipher. I'm still absolutely loving the combo.

In other news, I have a Looking Glass on a short-term loan (from Jeff). I've been doing some rudimentary A/B'ing. Listen to a track without the LG, power down, switch to LG, power up, and listen to the same track, then repeat the process with another track. This isn't scientific. It isn't blind and the switchover takes time because of the warmup cycle on the Dragon/Cipher. That said, to my ears, the LG does open things up. The improvements are pretty subtle on some tracks and quite substantial on other tracks. The difference kind of reminds me of listening to the Dragon early in the burn in (no LG) vs. all the way through the burn in (with LG). I should also say that I have stock AC cords on the Dragon/Cipher and an upgraded A/C cable from the LG to the wall.

I have been skeptical of cable and power upgrades. The LG is changing my opinion in this space. I can't afford to buy one yet, but it is now pretty high on the list.

 

[Bonddam]

Congrats. After my move and some travel, I have just recently settled back in with the Dragon/Cipher. I'm still absolutely loving the combo.

In other news, I have a Looking Glass on a short-term loan (from Jeff). I've been doing some rudimentary A/B'ing. Listen to a track without the LG, power down, switch to LG, power up, and listen to the same track, then repeat the process with another track. This isn't scientific. It isn't blind and the switchover takes time because of the warmup cycle on the Dragon/Cipher. That said, to my ears, the LG does open things up. The improvements are pretty subtle on some tracks and quite substantial on other tracks. The difference kind of reminds me of listening to the Dragon early in the burn in (no LG) vs. all the way through the burn in (with LG). I should also say that I have stock AC cords on the Dragon/Cipher and an upgraded A/C cable from the LG to the wall.

I have been skeptical of cable and power upgrades. The LG is changing my opinion in this space. I can't afford to buy one yet, but it is now pretty high on the list.

Stock cables so ugly that's why I went with WireWorld cable as I like the flat shape and colors. I only believe in wire gauge from my experience with ANL fuse of 100 amp bass was weak once I realized I put the wrong fuse value in I switched it to the 300 amp and bass came back. This was on 1/0 gauge power cable in my car system.

 

[Bonddam]

I leave the DAC open as I sometimes roll tubes none of my other DACs utilized wiring only traces on a board. The caps labeled s capes are big

 

[OceanRanger]

The internals of the Cipher are SOOOO different than other DACs. Wells Audio has a demo unit with a clear plexiglass top. I've often wished that my DAC had the clear top as I like looking at those caps!

 

[Bonddam]

It's low voltage out of the RCA and it still have big parts multiple coils Cipher 1 has Nichicon caps so no generic name brands used. I had Manhattan 2 which used the same DAC chip but it didn't sound right sound was inflated.

 

[Bonddam]

So I'm in my rights to say I like the PrimaLuna tube dac on my Dragon and like the Cipher more on my WA5 LE.

 

[OceanRanger]

So I'm in my rights to say I like the PrimaLuna tube dac on my Dragon and like the Cipher more on my WA5 LE.

What attributes, either of the Dragon or of the Cipher, cause you to favor that pairing?

 

[Bonddam]

What attributes, either of the Dragon or of the Cipher, cause you to favor that pairing?

I'm not sure I'm listening to Cipher and it seems better. Might just be audio emotion thing. Prima is cool it's 6 tubes that are for the sound and 1 tube for the clock. It uses burr brown chips so if you are not a fan of that sound you won't like this. My problem is I like sabre and burr brown. The Prima is good way to get into tube DAC's at 3k. You can tube roll 3 different tubes 12AU7, 12AX7, and 5AR4. The Cipher gives lively crisp sound that's faster then Prima.

 

[OceanRanger]

I'm not sure I'm listening to Cipher and it seems better. Might just be audio emotion thing. Prima is cool it's 6 tubes that are for the sound and 1 tube for the clock. It uses burr brown chips so if you are not a fan of that sound you won't like this. My problem is I like sabre and burr brown. The Prima is good way to get into tube DAC's at 3k. You can tube roll 3 different tubes 12AU7, 12AX7, and 5AR4. The Cipher gives lively crisp sound that's faster then Prima.

Thanks for that insight. I have no plans to leave the Dragon/Cipher combination. I'm contemplating adding a pair of headphones to complement the 1266's.

 

[Bonddam]

Thanks for that insight. I have no plans to leave the Dragon/Cipher combination. I'm contemplating adding a pair of headphones to complement the 1266's.

Good luck trying to find a set headphones that will let you put the 1266 down. I switched back to Dragon/Cipher and I'll stay there. I should sell my WA5 Le but that's tough as I put a lot into it. It's that perfect compliment to the Dragon.

 

[Bonddam]

Hey are all your adds headphone stereo adds like me?

 

[OceanRanger]

Hey are all your adds headphone stereo adds like me?

haha, yes, though I do also get espresso/coffee ads too. that is another passion/addiction of mine.

 

[Bonddam]

Coffee is my morning addiction, which is bought out of the house during my work week. Dark roast nothing water down then right amount of half and half and sugar. 24 oz is good for about 2 hours.

Anyways I picked up inexpensive HD6XX and just wonderful sounding on Dragon. What's amazing is I don't feel like they are less of a headphone to my 1266, just something else that happens to cost less. No these won't replace the big boy but I've bought some other headphones that costed much more that are popular but don't sound like these. Only thing I could be sticking foot in mouth as I didn't have the equipment I have now.