QUOTE(xdd1987 @ Jan 30 2015, 08:59 AM)
Hi guys , recently i bought a TTPOD T1E ,do u guys heard this brand b4?
i found it quite underpowered for Fiio X1, less bass
I read many reviews that this IEM must power up by a amp for full potential
any amp recommended for this IEM? or should another IEM lolz
Budget is around rm500
I actually suggest you to change player instead of buying an amp. Fiio X1 is indeed not bad, it's quite England sound to me, focus more on the mids, not so much expansion on treble and bass. It does have bass but loosen and not solid type. I also audition TTPOD whole series before. They are good IEMs which good clarity and with good bass. They are not hard to drive. If you want to maintain the sound signature and get bass out of it, I suggest you to go for Fiio X3 instead.
QUOTE(shin2l @ Feb 10 2015, 07:12 PM)
Thinking of getting a Desktop DAC (come with AMP function will be better). I only listen to few DACs, the most satisfied DAC I ever listen with HD600 is Chord Hugo, however, that one is for portable, but I dont need portable DAC, even it can be used for Desktop DAC will be quite a waste (of money as I dont need portable). So I think I can find a desktop DAC which has the same or powerful than Chord Hugo in terms of sound quality.
Headphone: HD600
Source: PCHIFI, mainly 192kHz, 96kHz Jazz, Blue, OST, Pops; SACDs will be mainly Orchestra
Criteria for DAC:
- Able to play native DSD (SACD) in USB DAC mode smile.gif
- Price RM2k~4k cry.gif
- Any Brand
- Workmanship must be good
- Support Balanced XLR (for my HD600 to upgrade to Balanced XLR cable in future)
- At least Chord Hugo DAC level rclxms.gif
- can fully or almost drive out HD600 thumbup.gif
Thank you. notworthy.gif
QUOTE(widget @ Feb 11 2015, 10:11 AM)
I did audition Yulong DA8 but it doesn't have balanced headphone out.
I tried it with my HD800 but to me the amp part is so-so only, so did not proceed further.
The owner of the Yulong told me he prefers it over the more expensive Mytek 192.
Yulong DA8 is actually more on DAC. The build in amp can't really drive headphone like HD600 or K701. Even a RM500+ Cayin C5 portable amp is better than it. So I don't suggest using it as a DAC cum amp.
But it is indeed a very good DAC. It has balance line out for DAC. To get the whole potential out of it, you should pair it with a decent desktop amp.
If you want a full balance system, then can get a full balance amp. But that might be over your budget.
One of the best combinations I have for HD600 is Yulong DA8 + Lafigaro 339 with upgraded tubes. (total budget around RM7K, excluding upgraded power cord, usb cable, rca cable and receptacles). Lafigaro amp is single ended, but with widest sound stage that I ever heard even compare to higher range amp. It has the typical tube amp sound, warm and rich with good ambience, with good dynamic as well. HD600 sounds very open, detailed, and musical, which makes lafigaro stands out from the rest for HD600.
You can also consider getting their brothers, D200 + Lafigaro 332S. D200 also has balance output and support DSD.
Yulong D200 is more direct sounding and have strong punch at bass compare to DA8. DA8 has wider sound stage, smoother and more musical. Both are clean, neutral, refined, airy.
Other DAC at around the same range, you can also consider Aune S16 with use the latest DAC chip AK4495S from AKM and Matrix mini i pro.
S16 has a stronger build in amp among the rest and can last for a while as a DAC cum amp. But still can't compare to a pure amp.
Matrix mini i pro wise, has very analogue sound, smooth and more on the mids.
If you prefer a DAC cum amp with balance system, I suggest you to consider Audio-GD NFB28. All the models of Audio-GD with ES9018 DAC chip supports DSD, so you can check them out. Audio-GD always has very strong output power for headphones.
It's thick with slightly dark background, sound stage is moderately wide but with good depth, accurate with good punch. What I like Audio-GDs the most is that, music becomes so lively, every single track is like listening to a live concert which makes it so special from the others. I was confused and getting headache when trying to mix and match for my Master 9. My doubt is all resolved until I manage to audition Master 7 + Master 9 combo. So REAL!
It's not a perfect system that emphasize on every technical parts of the sound. But it's definitely a system with strong character, special, charming and so musical.
That doesn't mean it doesn't have good details or separation. It just doesn't push them to your face.
This post has been edited by liquidgal: Feb 17 2015, 10:44 AM