Comments on: Buyer’s Guide

By: Florent Vaucelle

Florent Vaucelle — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 23:21:00 +0000

Hi Mike, I have 400€ (about $500) available for an amp/dac upgrade, and I though about getting Schiit Asgard paired with Fiio Alpen so I could have dac and amp for both office and portable setup.
I’m wondering if there’s a better alternative like a dedicated dac + portable amp + Asgard that could fit within my budget, but I’m kind of lost with all these portable devices available! I currently own E7+E9 and would like to move on to step 2.

Note that I’m not holding tight on the Asgard, but you seem to praise it quite a lot, and the price look very fair.

Thanks!

By: Florent Vaucelle

Florent Vaucelle — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 23:06:00 +0000

Hi Mike, I have 400€ (about $500) available for an amp/dac

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 04:27:00 +0000

In reply to Little Blue.

The uDAC is not that special in my opinion.

You want a $150 amp? Maybe check this article: http://www.headfonia.com/music-on-a-budget-sub-100-portable-amps-shootout/

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 04:22:00 +0000

In reply to Little Blue. Yes you are right Amy. So it's entirely up to you, a new headphone would be cool too, but I think a separate dedicated amp would be good and the Asgard should be better than the headphone amp in the receiver.

By: Little Blue

Little Blue — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:52:00 +0000

In reply to Mike. What about the NuForce uDAC2?

By: Little Blue

Little Blue — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:34:00 +0000

In reply to Lieven V. What would be a comparable amp...but not as much lol. like max $150

By: Lieven V

Lieven V — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:13:00 +0000

In reply to Little Blue. The receiver does have an amp, for the speakers, not one dedicated to a headphone. I'm sure he'll love the Asgard or some nice new headphones. I would :)

By: Little Blue

Little Blue — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:47:00 +0000

In reply to Mike. He could use an amp even though he already has a reciever? Doesn't that already have an amp in it? Or am I dumb...

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:35:00 +0000

In reply to Little Blue.

Hi Amy,
You can get him a new headphone, something easy to enjoy like the Sennheiser HD25-1.
Or you can get him a cool desktop amplifier for headphones like the Schiit Asgard. For $250 I think he’ll be surprised that his girlfriend somehow manages to dig up this cool amplifier to use with his Sennheiser headphone.
Please check the Amplifier Recommendations section for the Schiit Asgard, or Headphones Recommendations for the HD25-1.

By: Little Blue

Little Blue — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 01:34:00 +0000

Hi Mike, I need some help on what to get my audiophile boyfriend for his birthday. He has Sennheiser HD598s, a Denon AVR 2807, a turntable, and B&W speakers. He just listens to music (rap, rock, indie music, etc) at his desktop at home mostly. Any ideas for me to wow him??

By: Barbara Johansen

Barbara Johansen — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:50:00 +0000

In reply to Mike. Super Thx:)

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 01:42:00 +0000

In reply to Georgelai57.

Hi,
I did a high end earbuds comparison a while ago, you can check it here: http://www.headfonia.com/high-end-earbuds-review/

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 01:39:00 +0000

In reply to Barbara Johansen. Barbara, I would go direct with the P5. It runs very well just straight out of the Iphone.

By: Georgelai57

Georgelai57 — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:20:00 +0000

Hi. I’m no headphone-phile though I do have the Audio Technica ATH M50, Grado SR60i, Klipsch Image One and IEMs like Senns S4i. The problem is I just can’t get used to IEMs despite oval tips like the S4i. I know earbuds that sit outside like Apple’s stock ones aren’t great sound-wise but can you recommend some good ones? No headband type or neckband type. Ideally like Apple’s stock, with iPhone mic preferably, and of course great sound. Great website too!

By: Barbara Johansen

Barbara Johansen — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:52:00 +0000

Great site!
Im about to buy the P5 from Bowers and Wilkins for my IPhone 4S. Love their sound, goes perfectly with my music taste and spoken word.
But I am really unsure Of what amp to go for? Any thoughts?

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 08:10:00 +0000

In reply to Den. Den, The Mk4 was smooth sounding, a little mellow/slow paced, spacious soundstage, good mids, smooth treble, typical tube amp bass (mostly in the upper bass, not much lows).

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 10:41:00 +0000

In reply to Den. Sorry, meant Chris. LOL Don't know where Den came from.

By: Den

Den — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 10:38:00 +0000

In reply to Mike.

Hey Mike,

Could you share your thoughts on the Mk4?

Thanks,

Den

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 00:28:00 +0000

In reply to Lorenzo Guerrini. Hi Lorenzo, Can you explain more? Dynamic sound and soft? What music, what bands?

By: Lorenzo Guerrini

Lorenzo Guerrini — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 11:29:00 +0000

help me
which amp and dac for hd-600?Burson ha-160 + V-DACII or Burson ha-160DS or other?I love the dynamic sound and soft