June 4, 200917 yr Still name another USB/Coax/Optical-DAC/AMP/Preamp even at the higher price? Musical Fidelity X-Can V8P is $500.
June 4, 200917 yr Good point. Likely superior SQ and a better choice for most, but costing 1/3 more and losing the coax/opt input options.
June 4, 200917 yr I don't think it costs 1/3 more if you factor in shipping. I guess that depends on the shipping. And then we're also getting into Pico territory. And you're right -- I thought it had (non-USB) digital ins. My mistake.
June 5, 200917 yr I bought an Audio-GD C2C amp. I gotta stop buying into the hype-fest that is HF. It's decent enough, fairly well-built, but the sound is pretty lacking. While it is powerful and fairly neutral, everything sounds a bit "muffled" and hyper-smooth, to the point where you end up losing musical detail (things like piano note decay). Unfortunately my only real point of comparison is my RS HR-2 (I know, I know), which on the whole sounds better. Anyhow (and sorry for the thread jack), but what's the most decent amp I can get for the HD800's for $400 or so? I need something to hold me over until I can get a Luxman P1 or GSX.
June 8, 200917 yr I've been thinking about selling the APL and getting a 30.6 for the last week or so.
June 8, 200917 yr It's decent enough, fairly well-built, but the sound is pretty lacking. While it is powerful and fairly neutral, everything sounds a bit "muffled" and hyper-smooth, to the point where you end up losing musical detail (things like piano note decay). I got a brief listen to Biggies Compass with my ms2i's today and this pretty much mirrors my impression but I would add that I found the bass quite thick. It's actually quite a beast for size as well, at least in comparison to my Pico. For the price it's not bad considering the level of flexibility but if you don't need the flexibilty the Pico isn't that much more and IMO is a step up.
June 8, 200917 yr I've tried a C2C and Compass. They sounded muffled. Not sure about how their other products sound...
June 8, 200917 yr I got a brief listen to Biggies Compass with my ms2i's today and this pretty much mirrors my impression but I would add that I found the bass quite thick. It's actually quite a beast for size as well, at least in comparison to my Pico. For the price it's not bad considering the level of flexibility but if you don't need the flexibilty the Pico isn't that much more and IMO is a step up. I paid half the price of a new pico, so no complaints here. The sr60's match better with the compass than the pico because the sr60's are bright and the pico is a brighter amp/dac. The compass is fuller sounding and easy to listen to. It doesn't make for a good combo with the ms2's, which makes me fear it won't be good with hf-2's either. Biggie.
June 9, 200917 yr I paid half the price of a new pico, so no complaints here. The sr60's match better with the compass than the pico because the sr60's are bright and the pico is a brighter amp/dac. The compass is fuller sounding and easy to listen to. It doesn't make for a good combo with the ms2's, which makes me fear it won't be good with hf-2's either. Biggie. I agree the Compass has a full-bodied, easy to listen to sound which at half the price of a Pico and considering it's versatility it certainly is a good deal. I've never thought of the Pico as being bright though, I'd be more inclined to think the Compass is somewhat dark.
June 9, 200917 yr I paid half the price of a new pico, so no complaints here. The sr60's match better with the compass than the pico because the sr60's are bright and the pico is a brighter amp/dac. The compass is fuller sounding and easy to listen to. It doesn't make for a good combo with the ms2's, which makes me fear it won't be good with hf-2's either. Biggie. You should try the Sun HDAM. It is bright and punchy and sounds pretty good with HD650s. After listening to the Sun HDAM for a week straight, I tried the stock Earth HDAM and it sounded muffled and there was much less bass kick. The reason I was interested in the compass in the first place was the ability to roll HDAMs or other opamps to change the sound up whenever I wanted a different sound. I like it very much.
June 9, 200917 yr I agree the Compass has a full-bodied, easy to listen to sound which at half the price of a Pico and considering it's versatility it certainly is a good deal. I've never thought of the Pico as being bright though, I'd be more inclined to think the Compass is somewhat dark. I wasn't comparing either amp to neutral, I was just saying the pico was brighter than the compass, which I agree is somewhat dark. And I don't use any of the compass's versatility. Oddly enough, my compass is set to the 'bright' setting heh. You should try the Sun HDAM. It is bright and punchy and sounds pretty good with HD650s. After listening to the Sun HDAM for a week straight, I tried the stock Earth HDAM and it sounded muffled and there was much less bass kick. The reason I was interested in the compass in the first place was the ability to roll HDAMs or other opamps to change the sound up whenever I wanted a different sound. I like it very much. I've got the moon opamp in there right now. I also own and earth, but it is more boring in the mids. Might be worth trying a sun with the hf-2's. Biggie.
June 9, 200917 yr Anyone compare the Carat-Topaz (currently $299) or Emerald against the Compass, Pico, etc.? Kinda dug the size, RCAs, and 1/4" jack. Didn't have any phones available I was familiar with at CJ though.
June 9, 200917 yr I've been thinking about selling the APL and getting a 30.6 for the last week or so. If you decide to do this, shoot me a PM and I'll give you the phone number of a guy that wanted to sell me his 30.6 DAC/PS
June 9, 200917 yr I've been thinking about selling the APL and getting a 30.6 for the last week or so. don't blame you... what's the going rate? what a beast...
June 9, 200917 yr don't blame you... what's the going rate? what a beast... I'd guess about a 5 year's supply of fresh bread.
June 9, 200917 yr I'd guess about a 5 year's supply of fresh bread.i was going to guess four and a half years but you are probably right!
June 9, 200917 yr If you decide to do this, shoot me a PM and I'll give you the phone number of a guy that wanted to sell me his 30.6 DAC/PS Will do. I'm a bit hesitant to send out the APL and import something new with the economy in this state. The ISK has gone down some 4% this week and it is only Tuesday... don't blame you... what's the going rate? what a beast... I'd say about 5-6.5k$ for a 30.6 based on condition and/or if it was upgraded or not. ML charged 750$ for a new face plate so not all upgraded units have one. I'd guess about a 5 year's supply of fresh bread. I'd say about 7 year's supply today but it could be up to 8 in the next few days. If I could just pay in bread then it would be awesome...
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