K3cT

More sub-$200 contenders! Made by the same dudes behind those Havana DACs. MHDT USBridge Seems to be a true asynchronous unit based on the C-Media CM6631 USB chip. The only user impression out there is from a Swedish forum. EDIT: Fixes picture links.

I'm in for the KGSS-HV and Dynahi. Thanks for organizing this Tran!

It is indeed felt. I'm going to keep it this way for the next few days to familiarize myself with the new config but the current impression that I'm getting is that you seem to trade off a bit of the bass punch for a bit of airiness. Shame I can't have both. And as for the reverb, it seems to be amp-dependent but I'm not really sure honestly. For example the LCD2 sounds downright horrible with the Zana Deux with echoes everywhere but it sounds magnificent with the Beta22. Generally I feel that the LCD2 loves a solid-state system more but I have to also profess that I haven't heard it with tube amps that are specifically designed for low-impedance, hi-current loads.

Have any of you guys ever tried doing this with your LCD2s? The cloth beneath the grill can be removed easily as it's not glued there. Overall I seem to be getting an airier sound.

Happy birthday, Mr. DIY-er.

I've heard it and it's pretty damn decent sounding except for its price tag. The DAC section is much better than whatever the Cypher Labs thing is packing and upon comparison, it makes the latter sounds muffled. I suppose it's worth it if you are strictly a portable-only kind of guy and are looking for an all-in-one solution.

I don't know but to openly attack a proven design based on dubious claims (his Mini^3 wasn't even built properly AFAIK, it's missing a diode) and shamelessly promoting it in another forum reeks of a serious attitude problem to me. I would have contacted AMB first if I were in his shoes before publishing the result.

The plot thickens. http://nwavguy.blogspot.com/2011/05/amb-mini3-diy-headphone-amp.html No idea about the performance of the Mini^3 theoretically but a casual comparison with the FiiO E5, which supposedly rivals the Mini^3 according to the reviewer, slants the favor towards the former heavily.

Thanks for the detailed impressions, Amos. I somehow end up with a loaner Empirical Audio Off-Ramp Turbo 2 and will compare it with the Musiland 01USD. AFAIK, this is some form of a highly modified M-Audio USB Transit.

Just wondering, does any of these converters work with an iPad? I recently played around with the iPad and will probably buy one soon. If it can double up as a portable music source, that would be really convenient.

Keep us updated! The price puts it in direct competition with the new Eddie Current Super 7 which also looks damn interesting.

Isn't a reverb the sign of the driver being under-amped? Or is it the other way round?

OK, thanks. That SRM600LE and SR-507 bundle is very interesting but I shall wait for more impressions of the 507 from the more experienced members.

Thanks, spritzer. For driving the Omegas, would the same apply?

Just a quick question for the experienced Stax Mafia here, do you think a tube eXstata would do better than the SRM-600LE specifically for driving Lambdas?

Urgh, I failed to convince forbigger to join the group buy. Looking forward to the impressions, folks. Should make a nice upgrade from the LCD2.

Etymotic ER4P. Thin, fast and colorless. Perfect for testing systems.

But that's not what the OP is asking for...

I haven't heard the SR-507 but I've heard pretty much the other Lambdas out there and in this man's opinion, I think a tube-based energizer should suit a Lambda better. Something that can "moisten" the sound a bit should work extremely well.

Thanks! I will drop him an E-mail. Honestly if he does one of those über sales again, I will be very interested!

Guys, I need a little help here. So since then I've acquired a second-hand ER4P with an EFN cable but recently, I lost sound on the right earpiece. Upon investigation, I think the pins inside the right connector broke so I need to replace it. However, the only seller I know that sells the DIY connectors does not ship to my country and bloody hell, I couldn't even contact him either if he wants to make an exception because he won't accept any questions. So, does anyone know some other place that sells these connectors? If possible, I would like to avoid ordering a new cable from Etymotic.

Live long and prosper, master DIY-er.

Happr birthday, the eternal polar bear.

Thank you for the great impression, skullguise. Do you think it's brighter sounding than your Parasound?

Looking forward to more impressions, skullguise! I begin to suspect that giving "good amount of detail, while still slightly warm sounding" is a characteristic of a Wolfson WM874x DAC...