Gamers, What's Your Audio Set Up?

Mickcas said:
@WhiteHartMart I've been looking at the 505s to replace my aging AKG K702s. How do you find their soundstage and imaging
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Ir's fairly early days and from memory of when i had 702s, the soundstage isn't as wide on the 505 but still wider than the 600 series Sennheisers I've had. Imaging - the best I can say at this stage is that positional awareness in games seems very accurate so far - I need to test more with music though.
 
Timber said:
Intervention! Lol

Btw I did read that the G8 has a new firmware update that is meant to resolve the low volume USB issue; Creative post on their subreddit. In case you hadn't seen it.

Good news about the 505 - seems to have been really well received.
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Thanks for that - hadn't realised there was an update - will try to sort my device out later tonight :)
 
Okay, after about a week of non-committal decision paralysis, I have finally clicked the order button on the Xduoo XA-02.

I realised the only reason I am tempted by the Fiio is the unknown aspect of the R2R...the vintage sound, but I have a 25 year old Marantz Ki Signature CD player that cost £500 back in 2000 right here (over £900 in today's money), I can get the flavour of a vintage sound from that anytime from my music, granted, only the CDs that i own but it's fine.

The XA-02 from what I gather has clarity and warmth which sounds like my preference, more power to drive Planars, Bluetooth too.

Plus, I really dislike external PSU.

Looking forward to it.
 
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Fingers crossed it's a decently paired system,. last thing you want is the faff of returns because ethe pairing doesn't gel!

I'm done now for hopefully the next 10 years. The configuration is exactly what I wanted from a modern desktop setup.
 
mrk said:
Fingers crossed it's a decently paired system,. last thing you want is the faff of returns because ethe pairing doesn't gel!

I'm done now for hopefully the next 10 years. The configuration is exactly what I wanted from a modern desktop setup.
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Let's find out! I am sure it will be fine, I still have the Onix or even the one built into the Mac to chop and change. The one in the Mac isn't half bad, it can drive my 300ohm Sennheisers just fine.

I too should be done, I am not one who change the gear much, all this really is a refresh of my computer set up from iMac to Mac Mini. It's going to go in that spot there.

p.s. I managed to get it for the same price as the K11 R2R as well with the vouchers.

7dDyrJP.jpg
 
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Should be a decent setup , has it been checked to see if that unit has swappable OpAmps too?
 
mrk said:
Should be a decent setup , has it been checked to see if that unit has swappable OpAmps too?
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I haven't checked and honestly I don't think i will be opening it up unless it is broken.

edit - I could also use the RCA out and use my tube amp too. It's 1W. In my research I even thought about if I could power the K11 with this PSU as they are both 500mha....unfortunately this outputs AC not DC. I use it with my homemade power lead and my homemade silver core cables.

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WhiteHartMart said:
Ir's fairly early days and from memory of when i had 702s, the soundstage isn't as wide on the 505 but still wider than the 600 series Sennheisers I've had. Imaging - the best I can say at this stage is that positional awareness in games seems very accurate so far - I need to test more with music though.
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Thanks for the reply. I think they are still top of my list for now
 
You and your fancy power supply cable lol.

Someone on reddit recommended I check out this Schitt power amp if I like a natural/old skool sound, apparently it's the bee's knees:

Schiit Audio: Audio Products Made in USA

www.schiit.com www.schiit.com

I mean it's priced reasonably enough I could always sell it on after trying it if I prefer the A80's power amp stage..... I mean no reason not to right, even right after saying this is it for 10 years?!?!

8l9vSeO.jpeg


I'd miss the mass-loaded volume dial and VU meters though :cry:
 
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mrk said:
You and your fancy power supply cable lol.

Someone on reddit recommended I check out this Schitt power amp if I like a natural/old skool sound, apparently it's the bee's knees:

Schiit Audio: Audio Products Made in USA

www.schiit.com www.schiit.com

I mean it's priced reasonably enough I could always sell it on after trying it if I prefer the A80's power amp stage..... I mean no reason not to right, even right after saying this is it for 10 years?!?!

8l9vSeO.jpeg


I'd miss the mass-loaded volume dial and VU meters though :cry:
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Lol, I think you should let you set up brew a while, see how you like it for at least 6 months first. Once you start down the pre-power amp route, opened that door, you will be looking at mono block next and before you know it, you will have a rack of the stuff instead of a tidy little 2 box solution.

I know you are already doing that but don't need to buy anymore gear this soon, especially after saying this is your set up for 10 years earlier this aftternoon :p
 
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This is very true, at least I can enjoy this setup knowing that it's quite a rare configuration, A80 with 3602 OpAmps driving Comete 40th, not seen anyone online yet doing that, which is then being fed by an R2R DAC? Maybe I will just sit happy with this setup as originally mentioned.
 
mrk said:
This is very true, at least I can enjoy this setup knowing that it's quite a rare configuration, A80 with 3602 OpAmps driving Comete 40th, not seen anyone online yet doing that, which is then being fed by an R2R DAC? Maybe I will just sit happy with this setup as originally mentioned.
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And this is something nobody ever talks about when they talk about buying audio gear. You've got to like how it looks. I know the sound is important but unless the item is unique on the market and there is no competition out there, there is a part that we buy with our eyes.

I fully admit that a small part of getting the Xduoo is due to the design over the Fiio. I am not a fan of the top logo RGB and I also find the design language of the Xduoo line with the red knob to be a unique design touch.

What i am saying is that you love that UV meter, and it is cool and personally I find the Schitt stuff to be really uninspired looking.
 
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The RGB logo can be disabled by the way like I have done, RGB has no place in my stuff other than a constant keyboard backlight at a fixed colour :D

That top RGB can be set so bright it lights up the entire local ceiling :eek:
 
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