Xin SuperMacro-III + LOD + 4G iPod + E500

[milkpowder]

I have a Supermacro-III on loan from a frienly Head-Fi'er and I'm finding the following combo slightly too bass heavy for classical music:
4G iPod > ALO Silver Six Shooter > Xin Supermacro-III > E500

Compared to the unamped Echo Indigo DJ as a source, the bottom end just sounds too unclean and thick while the highs are rolled off. Mids are also a bit too congested. These "problems" only show up with large symphonic works with thick, complex orchestration and not with jazz or rock.

I also tried plugging the E500 straight into the infamous headphone-jack of the 4G iPod and "voila!", much cleaner and crisper sound, but an obvious bass roll-off. The line-out is known to "cure" the bass roll-off, but does it "over-cure"? Or is it the Supermacro-III's fault?

I'm so confused

 

[wakeride74]

I'm assuming the bass boost is off

What opamps are in it?

 

[milkpowder]

Solved my own problem. The 1/8" jack on the LOD was actually pushing the bass boost switch up slightly, which caused the muddy sound. At least I think that's what's causing the problem. The Echo Indigo is still brighter sounding and more detailed. I only just realised!

Quote:

Originally Posted by wakeride74 I'm assuming the bass boost is off What opamps are in it?

You were half right

I have no idea what opamps it's running, but to me, the highs are slightly rolled off and somewhat veiled. I'll have to do more listening to provide more accurate impressions.

OK, I've just decided that the 4G is a sh8t source even with its line-out. The Echo Indigo Line-out > RnB Sky Blue Mini V3 > Supermacro-III > E500 is simply eargasmic. Very detailed. The 4G iPod even with its line-out neither does the Supermacro-III nor the E500 justice.

I always thought that the iPod LOD solved all the problems, but I was evidently wrong. ASIO/Foobar2000 + Echo Indigo DJ is much better. The sound is so much more transparent.

 

[jlingo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkpowder Solved my own problem. The 1/8" jack on the LOD was actually pushing the bass boost switch up slightly, which caused the muddy sound.

Milkpowder, you are scaring me! I just ordered ALO, does the 1/8" jack is that big? Could you manage to turn off the Bass Boost while with ALO and Supermacro? Or Using ALO and Supermacro, there is no way to turn off the Bassboost since the plug is to big and always pushing up against the bassboost?

 

[milkpowder]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlingo Milkpowder, you are scaring me! I just ordered ALO, does the 1/8" jack is that big? Could you manage to turn off the Bass Boost while with ALO and Supermacro? Or Using ALO and Supermacro, there is no way to turn off the Bassboost since the plug is to big and always pushing up against the bassboost?

I think the sound quality problem is more to do with the 4G iPod than anything else. The switches on the Supermacro are too close to the plug, but they're not really pushed into the "on" position