elnero
-
Posts
1,040 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Posts posted by elnero
-
-
I already have an AE-2 for amping purposes so my interest lies more in how the DAC sounds. At this point I have approx. $200 - $250 for a source upgrade, that could be put towards a Monica 2 or something like the iBasso, that the iBasso has an internal amp doesn't really factor in to the equation for me, if it's decent all the better but I already have an AE-2 for amping purposes so my interest lies more in how the DAC sounds.
I've already gone the "team minimal" route and have some solid ideas of what I'd like to have in my future minimalist rig. Although unlikely, optimally I'd love to have an iPod with a digital output to a reasonably small DAC/Amp combo unit that could also be connected to a home rig or computer if desired. The iBasso is the first product I've seen with most of the functionality I'd like to see. At it's price point I don't expect it's is going to perform miracles as an all-in-one though, it might serve as an interim solution for a portable DAC but as I've said optimally what I personally would like is an AE-2 (or similar quality) with the same connection scheme it has now but that has a decent quality DAC with similar connectivity and function as the iBasso.
-
The thing with the Move and Justin's upcoming DAC/Amp combo is they are USB only DAC's which might work for many people but personally I'm most interested in something like the iBasso that has more versatile DAC connectivity. Having USB, toslink and Coax makes it incredibly versatile but of course it has to be of reasonable quality. I had been considering getting a friend to build a Monica 2 but the iBasso is intriguing because it's more portable. Jamato8 is a big Monica 2 advocate so it will be interesting to read his thoughts on how the DAC compares. Before I do anything though I need to talk to Justin, something like the iBasso but with an AE-2 amp section and DAC section like he's talking for his other new portable would be killer.
-
I kind of have to agree with Filburt on the Pico name, sounds a bit too DIY like the Pint or Meta.
-
TheSloth, Just to be clear, I was being a bit sarcastic to make a point which I think you illustrated in part with your post. We all hear differently, have different preferences and as you stated our ears seem to all interact differently with phones. As a general rule I've found myself quite sensitive to treble and anomalies in the treble region. I could live with Ety's for portable use if there were no other options but they could never be my only or my main headphone like the E500's are.
-
On the flip side, Ety's are disgustingly bright.shures are disgustingly dark
-
I haven't compared the two directly but I did give the Ety's an audition quite awhile back. From what I remember they were better than I was expecting but still a bit too brittle in the upper region and lacking weight in the bottom for my taste. When I got the E4's I felt they were more suited to my tastes but ultimately felt they still lacked a bit in the bottom. The E500's are darn near a perfect balance for my preferences and are a step up in resolution/detail over the E4's.
I think if you're happy and like the balance of the Ety's you would not be happy with E500's, the E500's are basically the antithesis of the Er4's in a balance and tonality.
-
Receiving some hype over at Head-Fi but I'm curious to hear what people on these boards have to say.
Ooops this should probably be moved to the portable forum
-
I don't know all the model numbers and brands but that sounds like a Wolfson?WM8740
-
hehe, we keep overlapping posts.I find it perfectly acceptable as a transportable setup, which is what I would describe your setup as. Heck, my setup is pretty lo-fi by this board's standards.
-
As I noted above I prefer not to be tethered to a stationary rig at home if possible. Let me explain that a bit further, we're in a relatively small space, it was ok before we had our second child and I had a dedicated room for listening/computer use but now all that is in the living room so after I moved the system out of it's dedicated room when I wanted to listen I had to wait until there was no one else around, typically at night after everyone had gone to bed. Now though, I can listen just about anywhere, anytime without worries. Yes I trade off some sound quality but I'd much prefer that than to not be listening at all. Also, as I mentioned, I'll get another better source for more "stationary" listening but I still plan to use my AE-2 as an amplifier at least until finances permit the use of something else but part of the decision to buy the AE-2 in the first place was based on it's versatility.Then I can understand that, but I don't really understand when these guys walk around with thousand dollar rigs. I jsut don't see the point. The same goes for using portable gear as reference home gear. Portable devices make tradeoffs in design, that may not be needed for use in the home.
-
A lot of it is probably perception and needs. At this point I don't take my AE-2 out of the house but I prefer not to be tethered to one spot so with my iPod-->AE-2-->E500's I can have reasonably good sound anywhere in or outside the house. Are any of these components comparable to some of the other gear I've owned like the MiniMax CDP, HeadAmp GS-1 or even the Singlepower PPX3? No, but I was willing to make a trade off for portability (never mind that it was really necessity financially) but together this setup makes some very enjoyable music wherever I want to listen and when I add on a decent DAC to my DVD player and computer to the AE-2 and E500's I'll have a reasonably nice stationary setup as well although admittedly not at the level that some of you would find acceptable.
-
Are we talking iMod or iPod here? The thread is actually in regards to the iMod so I can't help but wonder if that poster mispoke. I haven't heard an iMod myself so I can't comment on how much better than a stock iPod it is but my feeling is a stock iPod is very good for its intended purpose which is a decent portable source. It's strength's are it's portability and that it's sins are mainly of omission not commission so it's reasonably enjoyable to listen to but as a reference I'm pretty sure my Philips DV642 bests it.
-
Agreed. It definitely sounds like it's going to be a great little product, especially considering it's size it should be a hit on the market. For myself though, I'd be more interested in the larger version with more options because now that I'm not tethered to one stationary spot I tend to move around the house when listening. My one gripe right now is my source is pretty much limited to an iPod but with the addition of something like what I was talking about I could use the amp/dac with the iPod alone (albeit losing the DAC option) or in my stereo rig or from my computer at home and work. It's maybe a crazy idea but it's nice to dream.i think those are good goals.
-
Wow! Justin, that sounds like it's going to be really nice. I'm assuming the DAC is USB only? Is there any chance of it having a coax or optical input as well? To me that would make it much more versatile which would be more in keeping with your other offerings. The versatility of the AE-2 and GS-1 are part of what I love about them. I absolutely love the fact that my AE-2 has both a mini input on the front and RCA's on the back, in fact, what I'd personally really love to see would be something along a similar line as the AE-2 with all it's features but adding a USB/Coax or Optical DAC of reasonable quality.
-
It's here!!!! Unfortunately it didn't quite make it in time for the meet yesterday and me being a dumbass I forgot my dock cable at home so I'm haven't actually been able to listen to it. All I can say right now is it's tiny and downright gorgeous!
-
Probably a TDA1541, those chips are supposedly the real winners of that family but they're a bitch to implement correctly and they've become fairly rare. Most NOS stuff available these days is based on the 1545 or 1543. The 1545 is supposed to be a poor mans 1541 while the 1543 is the most common and cheapest/easiest to implement.The funny part is how true that is. I've recently heard of TDA 154X chips going for the same price on ebay as a good NOS tube.
-
I broke down, I've got an AE-2 on the way, hopefully it'll be here for our meet next weekend.
-
Was that TrevorNetwork or something like that?Heard the MSB Link II (I think it was a II) way back at my first ever Headfi meet. I was pretty indifferent towards it, I just remember a certain dumbass named Trevor who would not shut the fuck up. I felt like pushing him down the stairs at the end of the meet. I think Biggie might remember that dickhead.
-
I absolutely loved my GS-1 when I owned one, it paired with MiniMax CD player was blissful. I think adding the tubes of the MiniMax's nice output stage took things to another level. Unfortunately I couldn't afford to keep both and after I lost my job couldn't afford even to keep the GS-1
So that does leave me thinking the AE-2 should get special consideration, but also the Millett Hybrid because it adds tubes to the mix. The Millett's probably more of a dream at this point though, finances are still pretty tight so even an AE-2 might be a stretch.We're having a meet here next month and Xenos is supposed to be sending a couple of amps for that, I wonder if Justin might send one along as well? I guess there's no harm in asking, I'll have to send him an email.
-
Just looking for some impressions, particularly with E500's. I'm currently making do with a Go-Vibe 5 but I'm looking to upgrade on that. So far the contenders are the Xenos 1HA-EPC, the AE-2 and the new Millett Hybrid portable. Sound quality of course is important but budget, or lack thereof, will probably end up being a big determining factor.
-
I mentioned it before but I'll post here and send you an email as well, I'm definately interested in beta testing the new modules.
-
Oh and CONGRATS!!!
-
Just got my UE10's. This is my first impression with a set made using my...impressions. First (sonic) impression is pretty much the same as I got at the National meet using a generic seal, but better still. These things are incredible. An IEM with real low end. Loads more detail than ER4s. Can be driven by pretty much anything. Not as isolating as the Ety's, but very nice sonic upgrade.
Not as isolating as the ER4's? I thought custom molds were supposed to give better isolation?
Did you hear the E500's at the National meet as well?
-
No that DAC has more in common with the Constantine, both those use the TDA1545 DAC chip and an opamp output stage whereas his Dialogue II and Renaissance II use TDA1543's with passive I/V stages.What do people think of this DAC?
Seems like an upgraded Dialogue II.
The Renaissance II not the Paradisea has some similarities to the Dialogue II but from my understanding they are quite different designs as well.Yeah it looks like a Dialogue II with a tube output stage and maybe some other upgraded parts. I've heard a stock Dialogue II and unless this is a drastic improvement its no competition for the MAX Dac.
From my admittedly limited understanding of non-oversampling DAC's a big part of what sets them apart from other designs is the lack of digital filters. The idea behind not using digital filters is less manipulation of the signal which supposedly gives a more natural sound that lacks an element of glare and hash typically found in oversampling DAC's.Thanks! I've never really understood this whole DAC world with non-OS and passive I/V stages. I've read about the supposed advantages of such a system, but it is usually surrounded in audiophile buzzwords like 'musicality' 'weight' and suchlike, and little evidence as to why it should be better than a well implimented modern DAC design. Can anyone shed any light?
The passive I/V stage means that the output from the DAC is high enough to be used without an added output stage, in a passive I/V stage a resistor is used to convert the signal from current to voltage. Again the feeling is using opamps or even a discrete output stage is going to add something to the overall sound.
So I see the general idea behind non-oversampling as being less manipulation for a purer more natural sound. Of course nothing is perfect and non-oversampling DAC's have their own limitations and hurdles to overcome. I think part of the reason they're so popular today is they are reasonable cheap to produce and they generally sound pretty good but in the end it's the implementation of the design that's going to determine the final sound. I figured because my new Storm Digital D02 used the same DAC as the Dialogue II there would be general similarities and I guess there are some but not quite what I was expecting. To use an analogy I would liken the Dialogue II to the stereotypical SET amp, it has a warm character with rich tonality and an easy treble and bass is a bit fat and round. It's a pleasant "musical" DAC to listen to but ultimately it falls short of the big boys but I think it does quite good for a DAC that typically goes for around $225 - 250 including shipping. The Storm D02 on the other hand is a completely different beast, that plays in a completely different league. I won't go into too much detail about how it sounds here, for that you can read my impressions thread and I'll also try to get a more indepth review posted sometime in the relatively near future. Suffice it to say, I think the D02 overcomes most if not all the limitations and shortcomings of the Dialogue II and can play with the big boys.
So that does leave me thinking the AE-2 should get special consideration, but also the Millett Hybrid because it adds tubes to the mix. The Millett's probably more of a dream at this point though, finances are still pretty tight so even an AE-2 might be a stretch.
So what are people's thoughts on this new iBasso D1 portable DAC/Amp?
in Portable Audio
Posted