What amp/dac & headphones/speakers are you using?

you hear what you feed, so a good dac (and appropriate amplification) will make capable equipment sing, and good speakers (and headphones) absolutely amazing

I've had a iFi Zen DAC v2 for a while now. Paired with some Kanto Ora speakers.

Just replaced my old Corsair headset with a Audeze Maxwell v2. Quite liking it.

One can't "compare" devices in this way... firstly, our echoic memory is like 4s. The minute differences between a DAC and amp (if they exist at all and are actually audible) cannot be remembered like that.

The two devices need to be level matched to within 0.1dB, they need to be quickly switched... without peeking or tells.

DAC's are a solved problem and have been for a very long time... no one can tell any difference between competent DAC's.

When comparing amps, if one is at a slightly higher level, it will be slightly louder... which is perceived as better.

All that aside, in many cases there is no difference at all and it's just the human mind and biases at play, like expectation bias etc.



JSmith

but, but... my oxygen free silver cables must have supernatural powers.... :wired:

don't google asr if you are enjoying their magic :shock:

Gday all

Just set up today a FIIO K13 R2R
Replacing my old SoundBlaster X7 dac. In use with Beyer DT990 ProX headphones
Both pictured together here. https://photos.app.goo.gl/4pcyzzxP7h6tYJZX7

My initial impressions were not good. The PC browser app sucked for changing EQ settings and no way of changing any onboard settings. Found it best to use the phone app.
Found the pre installed EQ's pretty bland. Nothing had much bass and sound stage was terrible. Only thing going for was fidelity I could hear separate instruments in music well much better in fact.
No matter what I did I could not match the clarity, bass and surround stage of the old X7 which is all very handy in gaming as well. Was pretty upset to be honest. WTF had I spent the money for? lol.

Anyhow had some lunch and a think about it. Was wondering if I could keep this fidelity and somehow gain the features I am losing.
Typed in Widows Equaliser in Google and found "FXSound" Equalizer software. Has your standard EQ's and some extras EQ's to download.
The best part is it has a variety of settings like the X7 had. Settings for Clarity, Bass boosting, Ambience, Surround etc. Also FxSound has 20 more EQ channels than than the X7 totaling 30.
I put the FIIO's EQ into bypass and fed in the FX sound. Brilliant, more instrument's to hear and my roomy headphones were back better than ever.

So in short I would have to say the FIIO has great sound quality, definition / fidelity but look elsewhere for your equalizing needs. Poorly implemented.

My guilty listening pleasure atm is the "Peter Thomas Sound Orchestra" which did the trippy sound 70's soundtracks for Bruce Lee movies and "The Chariot of the Gods" movie soundtrack.
Will be switching over to Linkin Park on Monday and getting ready for the Sydney Concert.

Cheers Bob

do yourself a major favour, and hit up Equalizer APO and then add Peace which will add professionally tuned equalisers for your headphones

bit of a learning curve, but there's no going back ! :leet:


also, as your dac does bt, get https://play.google.com/store/search?q=neutron+music+player&c=apps&hl=en

it has equalizer ap built in, and you can use your phone as a music source to stream from your server via ldac to great effect and have it also maximally tune your headphones into the bargain ! :D

you're welcome ! :thumbup:

update on the above chains i am currently using :

desktop :
msi mortar max > (optical) > smsl dl100 >

• klipsch promedia 2.1 thx using equailizer apo / peace for 7 point eq
• focal elears, again with equalizer apo / peace with 31 point eq "The most recommended approach is using the AutoEQ preset by oratory1990, which corrects the Elear toward the Harman target."

lying in bed (post-op convalescent chill out):
one plus 5T (lineage 22.2 = android 15) using Neutron music player > (bluetooth LDAC) > akliam DD2 > (coaxial) > khadas tone 1 > (analogue) > alo pan am utilising only the tube amp component > akg q701 (again 31 point eq'd by oratory1990)

the discovery that neutron will magically do professional eq (once you can find it in the convoluted interface....) at the press of a radio button on the appropriate screen was mind blowing !!
the sound out of that dinky chain of components in the spare bedroom is truly gorgeous, helped along by the nos mullard rtc 5654 tubes being chef's kiss

My Bose QC are getting on and sometimes turn themselves off randomly.
I am on the 3rd set of ear pads

After careful review watching I ordered some Sennheiser momentum 4's.

Well, they are not as comfortable as the Bose nor is the ANC anywhere near as good, however I knew this going in and I hate ANC.

Sound quality is far superior, battery life is over 3x at 60 hours.
Pretty happy.

The Bose will now be used for when I travel for the tablet and phone the Sennheiser are for the PC.

Linux supports aptx HD I don't think windows did it was on AAC, I know they are Bluetooth but the sound quality is astounding and I didn't want to go gaming headset with wifi dongle as I might need them for my Tablet and Phone.

Anyway if you get them in "Copper" (brown) they are half the price because it's an unpopular colour. (Amazon only release).

well, i succumbed to reviews, and spent 199ドルaud on a fosi za3 amp

5v via balanced xlr connections from the topping e70 is sound on steroids; the old nad d3020 (the first version) only pushed 30 watts rms to the whafedale 10.1 (and 10.gx, although as an active 250w sealed sub, it did okay), but this baby can do 130 :eek: and would blow the speakers at full tilt - at the 10o'clock position with the topping at -4db (to prevent clipping, and the right speaker got 1db gain for situational balance) it is plenty loud for the lounge - which is 5m wide and probably 8m long including the kitchen area, with ridiculous clarity

leaving the sub turned off the sound is glorious; that doesn't change greatly with the sub on (well balanced crossover), but immediately you get to feel every low hit in your gizzards

for the money, i heartily recommend this item if you need more grunt; paired with a good dac it is a magic combination

Leak died :(

Pioneer SA-9500II + Monitor Audio RS6's