Ah I see, I don't know how the wiring of this rail is designed, it's not your standard home rail it's designed for industrial rack mounts so I'd assume it's been engineered for even priority for each socket though. I will put the DAC either way on the closest socket and power amp after. the PC is on the end socket anyway whilst everything else is just monitors and USB-PD adapters so relatively low draw low noise stuff.
Gamers, What's Your Audio Set Up?
- Thread starter Random Guy Esq.
- Start date
It sounds like a really good rail, each socket should be individually wired. However if that rail is using bus bars then it will have an order or priority.
The order you have put, DAC, amp, PC, then others that's best if it's not individually wired. But try your DAC on first socket and report back what you think.
Right now I have the DAC in the closest socket and am not hearing any differences which coincides with earlier thought that this extension is built for equal priority anyway given its target customer/use case. So all good there I think so far, roll on tomorrow when the i2 arrives and I can rid the area of a brick that sits on top of the rail 
Alright so iPower 2 arrived today along with some other stuff, wanted more compact speaker cables that were more pliable as current ones were rather massive so ordered a pair of Micca pure copper cables with small banana terminations and strangely two arrive from the USA, guess one pair is going on eBay then lol
I can now push the amp back further against the wall.
I also found a cool easter egg with the Comete binding posts, usually on speakers the twist thumb screw is for locking bare cables into the hole right, well on these they serve dual purpose, tightening the screws locks the banana plugs into place giving even more contact with the socket.
Rather innovative. No wonder the socket was really tight originally lol and I just rammed the banana plugs in as much as I could
Much neater cabling now.
As for the iPower 2 sound differences, immediately obvious is that soundstage is wider and sub-bass extension is more pronounced, especially noticeable in tracks like Big Bad John:
I would describe this whole setup now as highly organic/analogue. There isn't a hint of potential fatigue in the sound across the entire frequency range. The bass hits low, the highs hit high without any brightness or peaking, it just feels "live" and natural. If I play a smooth jazz playlist at low volume it's like as if I'm in a venue somewhere playing live jazz, can sit here working away surrounded by the sound of jazz all around my head.
It's quite incredible, the new speaker cables won't have had any change to the sound as the previous ones were copper OFC but were 12AWG whereas these are 14 and higher grade cable too, though maybe there is some difference I can't say for sure. Either way, it's all sounding excellent.
Now someone close the rabbit hole lid before things get crazy.
I can now push the amp back further against the wall.
I also found a cool easter egg with the Comete binding posts, usually on speakers the twist thumb screw is for locking bare cables into the hole right, well on these they serve dual purpose, tightening the screws locks the banana plugs into place giving even more contact with the socket.
Rather innovative. No wonder the socket was really tight originally lol and I just rammed the banana plugs in as much as I could
Much neater cabling now.
As for the iPower 2 sound differences, immediately obvious is that soundstage is wider and sub-bass extension is more pronounced, especially noticeable in tracks like Big Bad John:
I would describe this whole setup now as highly organic/analogue. There isn't a hint of potential fatigue in the sound across the entire frequency range. The bass hits low, the highs hit high without any brightness or peaking, it just feels "live" and natural. If I play a smooth jazz playlist at low volume it's like as if I'm in a venue somewhere playing live jazz, can sit here working away surrounded by the sound of jazz all around my head.
It's quite incredible, the new speaker cables won't have had any change to the sound as the previous ones were copper OFC but were 12AWG whereas these are 14 and higher grade cable too, though maybe there is some difference I can't say for sure. Either way, it's all sounding excellent.
Now someone close the rabbit hole lid before things get crazy.
Last edited:
Caporegime
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- Wish i was in a Ramen Shop Counter
My RL Powercord is still for sale for a bargain price of £999.
Caporegime
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My amp has not changed status since arriving at the airport 3 days ago...I am hoping this will jinx it to move!
Not long left!
This was interesting, although what's said is common knowledge for us here anyway:
My setup now sounds on par with what I auditioned in RS weeks ago I'd say, maybe subtle nuances here and there are different, but the details, soundstage and overall dynamics of the sound are easily up there thanks to a few relatively inexpensive mods/upgrades.
My entire setup priced up:
Obviously the total price can be massively reduced with lower model headphones and speakers that get most of the sonics of this setup fairly easily, and this area come s down to individual preferences. Chi-Fi has changed the entire world really.
This was interesting, although what's said is common knowledge for us here anyway:
My setup now sounds on par with what I auditioned in RS weeks ago I'd say, maybe subtle nuances here and there are different, but the details, soundstage and overall dynamics of the sound are easily up there thanks to a few relatively inexpensive mods/upgrades.
My entire setup priced up:
Code:
DAC/HP amp:
-------------------------------------------------
FiiO K11 R2R £154.79
iFi iPower2 12v 1.8A PSU £69
Power amp:
-------------------------------------------------
Aiyima A80 + 48v 5A GaN PSU £196.99
Sparkos SS3602 OpAmps £130.59
Outputs:
-------------------------------------------------
Triangle Comete 40th £1399
HiFiMAN Arya Stealth £510
Voarmaks Memory Foam Velour Pads £18.78
Cables:
-------------------------------------------------
Primeda Audiophiles RCA 0.75m £25.80
Micca pure copper 4m cables £60.40
-------------------------------------------------
Total: £2565.75Obviously the total price can be massively reduced with lower model headphones and speakers that get most of the sonics of this setup fairly easily, and this area come s down to individual preferences. Chi-Fi has changed the entire world really.
Caporegime
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Amp still not moved, at least I have the Onix in the meantime.
Last edited:
Associate
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Recently revamped the office and treated myself to a pair of Kef LSX II LT paired with the Kube 8 sub. Perfect for the PC. Dac and headphones next on the list.
Caporegime
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There is a LOT of snake oil in Audio (both in making and listening), you should see some of the stuff people come up with about guitars...
Which is why I hesitant to spend the big bucks for audio stuff, can get very good stuff now for £200. Probably a bit more for amplifiers, but then it quickly go into both diminishing returns and placebo effect territory.