Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Mar 12, 2015 16:41:42 GMT
I finally found the right one so its on its way now!!
I agree, it is a bit confusing. Actually, I spoke to Amazon about their advertising of them and the confusion with names. They have pictures which didn't correspond with the model number.
In the end, found a private dealer.
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Post by chinook9 on Mar 12, 2015 18:08:52 GMT
The guy on the bay had it listed as "Make Offer" so I did....$400. He probably won't take it but I thought I couldn't miss at that price.
Also, noticed that MusicDirect over here now has it for $499 so I guess its coming down a bit.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Mar 12, 2015 18:18:10 GMT
I noticed that it has quite a lot of power in comparison to the other amps. 850mw is quoted, although I can't remember what impedance that is into. It looks like a serious piece of kit and will be useful to have a portable dac.
I want something nice to drive the Fostex from the x3 using digital out. At this rate, my portable gear might outperform my home gear!!
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Post by chinook9 on Mar 12, 2015 18:23:58 GMT
It does seem like one heck of a portable amp and I like the concept of the clean battery power.
I'd like to hear how it does on some of the power hungry AKGs.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Mar 12, 2015 18:35:05 GMT
I think that it has plenty to drive them. I am happier with amps if they have too much power. The kind that go ridiculously loud, so that you'll never get anywhere near the top end. That way, it's barely ticking over and has lots of headroom. Especially for higher resolution stuff.
I don't want volume, just stacks of headroom for mobile. Direct digital from the dap even better. Also for the new computer that I have .... Plus the IPad new connector out is digital, which will be handy.
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Post by chinook9 on Mar 12, 2015 19:11:04 GMT
I am a big believer that more power is better. I listen to my headphones at a somewhat high volume but I've noticed over the years that more power is generally better at all volume levels and is even more noticeable at higher volumes, even without clipping.
I have a very old Krell KSA-100 that is rated at 10,000 watts into 0.2 ohms. I believe I read back in the day that this power was needed to control the speaker cone at very low frequencies.
The impedance of headphones is often discussed as an absolute, but I believe that the rating is only at a given frequency and will vary greatly over the frequency range. I don't know about electrostatics or planars but I'm sure that dynamic speakers require more power at lower frequencies.
If the guy takes my offer we'll find out how the Micro iDSD drives planar headphones and inefficient AKGs.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Mar 12, 2015 19:20:02 GMT
Actually, I just found a review that says that it drives a K702 easily and even can drive a k1000. It does put out a lot.
Funnily enough, I find powerful amps useful at low volume. They have better authority I think and dynamic range can be really large.
The older I get, the more snobby I'm becoming and also perhaps more fixed in my views with regards to headphones and amps. I'm running out of what I feel are truly good headphones and feel that do many are in reality, a compromise.
They're mostly not even 'full range' as far as fr go and yet many don't seem to mind. Nowadays, I listen much more for lower bass and then the quality of the treble. I just turn up until the mids snap into focus normally, although I'm finding that the th900 focuses at most volumes pretty well.
Even my d2000 which I have really enjoyed has shrunk in relation to the Fostex. I considered that a very good headphone. Now, I consider it a good headphone for the price. Hopefully, the Ifi will push the th900 even further up.
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Post by chinook9 on Mar 12, 2015 19:35:16 GMT
Nowadays, I listen much more for lower bass and then the quality of the treble. I just turn up until the mids snap into focus normally, although I'm finding that the th900 focuses at most volumes pretty well. Glad to hear about the AKGs. I always used to focus on the highs but now I'm really much more into the lower frequencies and a wide soundstage where the music appears from outside the phones with no hint of any sound coming directly from inside the cups. Right now the only HP I have that does the latter is the K7XX. I'm not sure the lower frequencies on these are really even decent. I will try your method of turning up the volume until the mids snap into focus. I know that SPL has a huge effect on the perception of SQ and your method might allow me to be more consistent in my evaluations. Have a good evening. I'm off to the metal shop to start on the ventilated cover for my DAC. |
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Mar 12, 2015 19:40:40 GMT
A vented cover? For the Ifi or something else? The Ifi runs warm btw. Probably all that power.
Well I hope your bid comes through because that is a good price for one.
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Post by chinook9 on Mar 12, 2015 19:50:18 GMT
A vented cover? For the Ifi or something else? The Ifi runs warm btw. Probably all that power. Well I hope your bid comes through because that is a good price for one. The vented cover is for a Twisted Pear Buffalo IIISE that I just completed. Its all adjusted and running well so I just need to complete the enclosure. |
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juke
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Post by juke on Mar 12, 2015 23:41:29 GMT
I had my new ifi on charge most of today so I've only had a limited experience of it so far.
With regards to power I have tried my HE-6 on Turbo, which it needs, and it should satisfy just about anyone. I can barely tolerate it at full volume for a few seconds, 2/3 is about right for me and it is fully in control.
It works on the middle setting too but just doesn't seem to drive the 6 as well.
I actually don't use USB normally as I get great results from a Squeeze Touch, so now I'm using SPDIF into the ifi and from it via RCA into my HE-6 filtered Kameleon. It's a winning combination.
There's a lot of listening and swapping ahead but I'm already sold on it in a big way. The ifi amp section is very detailed with lovely treble but overall a shade cool compared to what the Kameleon puts out, without a direct comparison it would never be noticed.
It's great not to lose the tweaks designed by Frans for the various 'phones and gain a great DAC.
Only one 'funny' so far, not serious. After charging for about 4 of the advisory 24 hours I put my PC in sleep mode forgetting the ifi was charging from it. I hadn't noticed whether the blue charging light was still on or not but when I resumed charging the light stayed out which should
indicate full charge. I left it on charge anyway and it is working great. Apparently for the HE-6 they advise using it with a usb charging lead then the ifi will use the battery and draw from USB if necessary. They also caution there will be reduced playing time compared to most other 'phones.
Still about 4 or 6 hours if I remember correctly.
Syd
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juke
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Post by juke on Mar 12, 2015 23:57:18 GMT
Hi Antonis, I really have Javier to thank for this, a personal friend of mine and another genius.. in his field of all things pc and digital. Mick. x2 Syd |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2015 0:46:09 GMT
Is this to replace your Ember / Polaris?
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Post by chinook9 on Mar 13, 2015 5:37:49 GMT
My offer for the Micro iDSD was declined. I'll keep a watch out for other deals.
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Rabbit
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Post by Rabbit on Mar 13, 2015 6:07:28 GMT
I'm not sure Syd, but the light might go out indicating full charge, but it continues to trickle charge until actually full. I've had this with other devices, so if you left it on charge, you did the right thing.
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