Hey guys i wanna Ask abt the pairing for the beats solo,recently i saw jaben have the hippobox+ so i was thinking about giving a try,do u guys think it worth it? Or go with something else..? Currently i listen to musics using my iphone though thanks !

wow.. nice list.. now its easier to choose..

Thanks fr the reply guys

Slevin Sent : i just gt my solos,it would be impossible for me to change in such a short period of time

Polkiuj : hahaha yeah all we need is jus $$ >.<

Depend on the source bro... For better sound use FLAC.

also depend on the medium use for source to the amp, most headphone amp user like to use line out as source or LOD for portable player.

Since you asking... i have test MJ song repeatedly (320kbps MP3), using amp E3 and E5, source is Cube C30 and Sony Walkman S Series... same headphone*. EQ is at 0db for all.

Without amp... Sony less treble but Cube a bit better. Bass almost the same.

With amp, Sony still less treble but improve in Cube, clearer treble. For bass, Sony is too much for me, Cube have a punchy bass which I really like. Mid not amplified to much.

* My new Samson headphone still not full burn-in yet.

Change to Shure srh440 headphone... mid is out on both player. Only bass and treble is amplified.

U mean audiophiles dun like bass? That's weird.. Last I checked I love bass.
Almost all top tier earphones from reputable companies have big bass. Ie8, se535, w3, w4, um3x, tf10pro, sm3, etc. All have big or flat bass. None of these can be called bass light.
Why would u make such a comment??

If you want something with strong full bass and thick sweet mids you should try the audio technica esw9.

Try not to drop ur jaw when comparing with the beats.


U can change anytime, all u need is $$$$. Hehe

nordingh, so deep lol.

hard for me to digest... I'm not really an audiophile person. getting there... still trying to jog to your level.

I see, great translation there.

Currently listening to a pool of flac + ape + mp3 (ranging from crappy kbps to 320kbps)

The familiar songs are usually in better quality, but some still mp3.

Nonetheless, hmm in order to really test an amp, I have to get a DAC first eh?

yes, I am using Desktop as my medium right now.

Would it be better to get a better sound card or to get a DAC?

Enjoying audio is an awesome hobby that puts a hole through wallet lol.

@Cold|Drawn
I guess I'll just add some extra points..
1) Do your headphones need an amp in the first place?
If your headphones doesn't need any in the first place, improvements are usually negligible.
2) Sound preference.
An amp could make your things sound better, but IMHO it's just that the amp 'colours' the sound to your liking, hence why you think it's an improvement.
3) Synergy
From my understanding, is how well all your stuffs works together. Take nordingh's post as an example. His source + amp works well for his samson, but not for his shure.

Since you've said you're still new, these should be some good reading materials.
~ In Ear Matters: Which Way up?
~ In Ear Matters: To Amp, or Not To Amp?

It's quite long(for a lazy guy like me ); but here's some highlights for the amp part:

hongrui,
yah, please do so.. will greatly appreciate ur effort..

Cold|Drawn,
let me try to rephrase nordingh bro's words for u..

are u using MP3s or FLACs when u try the amp?
note that, low quality MP3s will not improve much eventhough u have amped ur rig..

i think u need to have a good source before getting an amp.. to do so, u would need a DAC to bypass ur PC's soundcard(if u are using ur PC as source).. coz most PCs' onboard soundcard is not really that good..

by having a good source, u can determine the SQ of an amp better.. people always say 'shit in shit our, gold in gold out.'

and then the headphone/earphone that u are using will also have effect on the SQ.. some headphones might improve alot thru amping while some might jz improve a bit..

yah, get the entry level of USBDAC..

as for starter, i guess u can get the T-muso USBDAC ( iirc the name) in the garage sale.. the cheapest USB DAC in town? XD

@nordingh
ive the Cube c30 too.. but rarely use it with my headphone coz my headphone is not meant for portable.. only pair it with the F1 and Hippo Groove, so cant really tell how good is the player..

@Agnaem
IMO, i feel that IEMs don't really need amping.. getting a DAC would be just fine for IEMs.. on the other hand, i think that headphone do need amp.. to push it capabilities/potential..

btw, im using GoVibe USB DAC which is PCM2702 inside..

bro, the sale thread for USB DAC PCM2704..


easy to drive means that the headphone can perform quite well without an amp.. pair it with amp is a plus thou..
those headphones that are hard to drive cant really perform well on their own.. they need amp to bring out their 'potential'..
from what i know, u need to crank up the volume knob for the headphones which are hard to drive..

nothing to do before going to bed... so i test la..



Thanks for adding more info...

FYI, Cube C30 is using Class AB amplifier inside which is better than Sony walkman. If want better output for Sony, need to use LOD. Hard to find LOD for Sony now. Even I still waiting for it to arrive. Cube C30 also can play FLAC but not Sony. I use MP3 320kbps to make a fair comparison.

Get the USBDAC...

PC (FLAC) --> USBDAC --> AMP --> good headphone..

but

Audio output: Analog RCA and Optical Digital out

even better... get the amp with Optical digital input..

Hmmm... if use my Philips headphone without the amp, even worst.. full volume still not enough.

Shure pair with Fiio E11 is better actually. E11 have higher output. I only turn volume to 3 is more than enough already.

---

Added on August 5, 2011, 1:07 amor get a modified PCM2704 USBDAC..

I use C30 with F1-pro at the office and headphone at home.. if I not in front of my lappy. 2 units of Walkman going to give to my kids soon, pair with their Skull Candy and Philips headphone.

Ok guys... going to enjoys David Foster and Friends concert now while hitting mafia on Facebook games.

Good night..

This post has been edited by nordingh: Aug 5 2011, 01:15 AM

1. I feel comfortable even without the amp, really. ( I was one of the many who believed in amp = true music)
2. Don't like the amplified bass.
2. Too new to understand synergy as i have nothing to compare to.

Thanks for the good read

Nordingh, what is a PCM2704 USBDAC? I tried searching but could not get any results.

Btw, when people say it's easy to drive, what do they really mean?

oh, I didn't know T-muso = PCM2704

Alright, now I get it. Thanks for the help really, new things to learn everyday

How about bass being punchy or crisp?

Or trebles being bright?

I read through some of the reviews, I always see comments like that as though it's a commonly known explanation

you guys are awesome!!

I've decided to buy the DAC already.

Looking for two more DACs as presents for both my august friends, going to share the total cost with other friends.

Budget approx 100-150 each, source = desktop, any suggestion?

Tight budget, hard to squuezeeee wallet for friends who share the same birthday

*btw, so far I had your links marked

yeah, can see a pair of big "spotlight" shaped caps lol.

you kidding me, I'm a novice entry with shallow pockets as compared to you, haha.

This post has been edited by Cold|Drawn: Aug 5 2011, 11:09 PM

Bro, thanks for the 2 article you provided. It really helps for newbie like me
now i know what to do instead of getting an AMP first.

Generally speaking, I guess I feel the same way.

That, and sometimes even if the volume is good, the sound feels off. Something like part of the spectrum is missing or so I've been told.

p/s: By volume is good, I mean you can get it louder than enough.

@Cold|Drawn
Ur welcome. Btw, IINM, T-Muso is something like a brand, whereas PCM2704 is a chip from another brand, and is used in various products by various brands.

As for punchy bass & bright treble etc: Glossary for Describing Sound @ Head-Fi n headjam

@Lennox
Ur welcome Also, thanks to ClieOS for writing lots of useful articles.

i think the bass being punchy or crisp, bright treble is about the sound signature for headphones.. as different headphones will definitely have different sound signature.. some tends to sound brighter, some might have more bass..

so different headphones have different 'presentation' la.. or what ppl usually call it as sound signature..

i used to try AKG K701 and Beyer DT880 without amp..
for K701, the sound is still not loud enough eventhough i've already crank up the volume to the max..
as for DT880, yah, it sounded very weird, though i cant really explain its weirdness..

i guess these two headphones are considered hard to drive, rite?

---

Added on August 6, 2011, 12:36 am
i guess the T-Muso USB DAC will be the best choice.. there's no other USB DAC that cheap aite..

This post has been edited by sheenho: Aug 6 2011, 12:36 AM

Now i reading every article he wrote. probably a MP3 player is better than a phone? I always use phone to listen music, never plan to get a MP3/MP4 before. using HTC Incredible S now. Currently already listen to FLAC format's songs or at least 320 Kbps for MP3. Now, i have a good-enough IEM, AKG K331. Previously i was thinking to get an amp but after reading that article, i do agreed, Headphone is much more need an amp than an IEM.

@sheenho
For a guy who have yet to try those high end headphones, the best answer I can give is: Theoretically, yes.

As for personal exp; my IEMs sounds at least decent from my laptop built-in sound card, but I can't say the same for my 668B. Yes, it can go very loud, but the sound is just off. Treble becomes too bright, sound feels cramped, complicated parts of the song becomes messed up that the sound of guitar, hi-hats all da rojak x taw mne satu dah. I can get a headache just from a short listening session. My guess is this in an example of ''source unable to drive headphone''.

Usually, but not always. I've heard of phones w/ nice sound b4, but I can't remember which. My mild headache isn't helping me in remembering at all.

Yeah, I started with W902. Was good enough for me, until my song collections grows too big for my phone and song transfer becomes a chore due to some issues so I moved to C30.

Get the naked USBDAC from Slevin Sent... really bare naked, you can see her thingy..

I getting, Digital to Analog/Analog to Analog, Dolby Digital/DTS amp soon. Must have a pc/lappy with digital out with this. Gonna use to watch movie.

Did I also one of your August friends.. .. September also can.

ha ha.. fasting month.. my pocket also not so thick enough already..

I have tested from lower to high end headphone (no IEM, I'm not IEM user)
Grado PS-1 - need some good amp to drive but not really need high end one, portable amp good enough.
Grado SR60i - no need amp, better if have amp, good with Cmoy
Grado SR325 - never test with amp but with notebook, this one give a good sound.
Hifiman HE-6 - need a high end amp
Beyerdynamic Tesla T1 - also need high end amp
Shure SRH940, SRH840, SRH440 - E11 and portable amp is enough
AIAIAI TMA-1 - I didn't test using any amp, good enough with Sony Walkman alone.
KRK KNS-8400, KNS-6400 - need amp to boost the bass, this headphone is balance studio type.
Beats by Dr. Dre - good if pair with HP Beats Audio installed in HP Envy Beats Series, if use with portable player, need to use amp. - To much bass for me
Skull Candy NBA Series - no need amp but pair with E11, ada omph... the seller keep asking me where I bought my E11.
Philips HP890 - normal portable player cannot drive this, PC is OK... need amp to get full sound.
Samson SR840 - no need amp for normal listening but amp will give more clarity.
Superlux (3 model test) - same as Samson SR840 (Samson is OEM Superlux anyway)
Audio Technica M50 - no need amp too but better if pair with good amp
Audio Technica FW5 (pottery) - no need amp but the sound is craps, use with amp, better a little bit.
Sennheiser HD238 - no need amp, better with amp
Logitech headset - with or without amp, I not feel so much different.. got for free anyway.

I think I put all already.. maybe missing 1 or 2..

Some mention above I own..

have u tested Sennheiser HD518? actually, what brand serve you well the most?

Never test yet HD518... cannot say which brand I really like most... I still not sure.. that's why I keep changing my headphone when listening to music.

There is one more Sennheiser I have but donno where my kid put that one..

you have Sennheiser HD 437... my friend also have but I never ask him to bring to office to test.

This post has been edited by nordingh: Aug 6 2011, 02:02 AM

i see.. really most of people will answer the same things like you. Different brands and version give different "taste".

After i bought the AKG K331 IEM from Bro E1, the first day i plug it and play, is almost the same level with my HD 437. But now, the AKG is way better than this HD437. Now i kinda believe in "burn-in"!! That's why i selling it off and get a better Headphones

This post has been edited by Lennox: Aug 6 2011, 02:11 AM

Most people will go for Audio Technica M50 as this one good for any songs, portable and comfortable. I was thinking to get one also but budget to tight now.

This discussion already off topic.

If want good open type, get the Grado.

borrow from T-muso sale threads

If you read 1st post, dac also included here.

Ha ha, don't blame us... ask admin..

Will do more review about M50. Actually, i don't care about portable for a Headphone. As when i was outing, i use In-ear type. The only time i will use Headphone was at home
And i also would prefer Open type because open headphones sound better than closed ones of the same cost range. and closed, usually they are used where isolation is preferred over sound quality. Since i only use Headphone in home, i don't care the isolation but Sounds Quality!

The HD 437 serve me well in this 3 years, and is my first ever Headphone. bought it when i was form 3 i bought it together with my friends, he bought an closed type Sennheiser, can't remember which 1. I really do feel my HD437 open type sounds better but his isolation is greater than mine

back to amp BACK TO AMP!!

Thanks bro! Added yours as FiiO's DAC/Amp Price Guide at the first post.

LOL bro, it should be under DAC Recommendation thread. Already posted there.

Hmmm no wonder my thread never got stickied. LOL. Oh well...

Hehe macam desperate plak. No problemo. Cannot stop passion right?