Smogsy Thoughts on Upgrades

smogsy

smogsy

smogsy

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9 Dec 2006
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Disclaimer "i dont know Audiophile terms" i'm just a audio Lover.

So where did it start?
I bought some hD650s & had a EHP-O2 already.
The HD650s didn't not sound no where near as good as my old AKG K702
After the OCUK community helped me. thoughts where that Their might not be enough power to drive the HD650 to their full potential.

Setup #1
HD650s & EHP-O2
this together sounded pretty rubbish compared to the AKG & the EHP-02
it sounded very Beats Bass was overblown even in songs where their was little bass. It sounded Horrid even Female vocalists had bass to them. however with the AKG it sounded ok. each Instruments was lost in the background

Setup #2
I nicked my cinmea setup for testing.
Cambridge AZUR 651A Amp & Arcam IR-DAC
This was a massive improvement. Sound was almost clear bass issues almost disappeared, however their was no punchy bass more of a prolonged sound. it sounded far superior to setup 2. Mids & high notes still was not clear.
each Instruments was lost in the background

Setup #3
BeyerDynamic Volume at 25%
So i bought Beyerdynamic A20 & used ArcamIrDAC
This was like ..... Jaw droopingly different for me.
Bass - was punching you in the face, sharp & precise no more prolonged unclear while still hearing the rest of the song .each Instruments now can be heard individually. High notes so real clear & awesome.
Sound ends Its totally Silent. No Hum or slight audio it off.
After playing some BF4 on 100% audio in the settings.
Close DMR's high pitch sound actaully scared the crap out of me it was soo high pitched i thought it was going to hurt my ears.
A RPG hit me. the bass Was Beautiful.

I found out a few new facts i never knew,
BF4 tested on 34% & 100% audio Volume.
I played some BF4. did you know after you fire a shotgun a few seconds afterwards their is a second sound clip of air coming back to you from the chamber? i didn't till tonight.

even on 34% audio Volume
Music on the scoreboard, did you know theirs a sound clip in the music of a door shutting inbetween the sirens?


All in All
im keeping the HD650s
Im buying most likely another ArcamIRDAC for my other setup(s)
Im Sooo keeping This new A20 for my headphones
 
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what DAC were you using before? I thought you were using separate EDAC and O2 amp. If so, what does the EDAC sound like with the new amp?
 
I don't tend to notice a difference in Dacs much compared to amps and headphones so I'm curious what your findings are with another Dac. I think if the Dac is quite clean and neutral then you are good as long as your amp and headphones are a good match. Like to know your thoughts as well Ridz.
 
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rids57 said:
what DAC were you using before? I thought you were using separate EDAC and O2 amp. If so, what does the EDAC sound like with the new amp?
Click to expand...

it was one of these EHP-O2D Miniature Desktop Headphone Amplifier with USB DAC

Technical Specifications (Headphone Amplifier):

THD @ 1kHz: 0.0017%
Noise level (ref 400mV): -105dB
Power output @ 33Ω : 641mW
Crosstalk: 65dB
Channel balance: 0.6dB
Output impedance: 0.5 Ohms
Dimensions (W x H x L): 108.5mm x 30mm x 82mm
Gain: 1x and 5x
Technical Specification (DAC):

Distortion: <0.005%
Dynamic range: >110dB A-Weighted
Audio formats: 44.1kHz, 48kHz & 96kHz @ both 16 bit and 24 bit
Interface: USB Audio Class 1
Computer compatibility: Windows, Mac, Linux
Line output: 2Vrms
- See more at: http://epiphany-acoustics.co.uk/pro...-amplifier-with-usb-dac/#sthash.6rJSwPh4.dpuf
 
Have you tried the line out of the O2D into your Beyer amp? The DAC should be quite capable and if it works ok would save you having to get a new Arcam.

Did you have the gain set properly on the O2D? I think it has low and high gain settings that you change via internal jumper.
 
Been starting to suspect the 4556 (typically used as the buffer in the O2) isn't a good pairing with the HD600/650 despite it being widely used in audio :S gonna have to look into it a bit more now.
 
I just find it odd because a lot of people recommend the O2 as a good pairing with the HD650, so for it to be sounding so "off" makes me think something must be broken or set wrong (as in gain setting).
 
Yeah its often recommended - hence why I'm currently using the 4556 as a buffer.

Gonna see if I can get some time to play with other options at the weekend.
 
rids57 said:
I just find it odd because a lot of people recommend the O2 as a good pairing with the HD650, so for it to be sounding so "off" makes me think something must be broken or set wrong (as in gain setting).
Click to expand...

mine has 0 jumpers just a gain x5 button which just causes distortion. also mine only has input & output.

W_EHP-O2D-Front-Side-400px.jpg


might try my DACMagic when i have chance.
 
The only reason people recommend the 02 is because it's a powerful amp for the price. It can drive the HD650 but it sounds rough. The 650 will not mask up a rough sounding amp. The 02 is not good enough for the HD650 IMO. I think in that sort of price the Vali is the closest to getting you on the right path before venturing into higher OTL where the HD650 keeps shining.

I you are speaking of the ODAC then as long as it has a decent amp it should sound good.
 
Yeah, I originally thought he had an E-DAC (no such thing as an ODAC, at least not from Epiphany) and an O2 amp.

No complaints with the sound from my Schiit Modi & Vali stack (I'm glad to say).
 
Epiphany Is basically the company that copies the JDS Objective 2(02) it's basically the English version. The E Dac will be the same as the ODAC. I'm used to calling it the O as I didn't buy the uk version lol.
 
They are both just working off nwavguy's design don't think Epiphany copies JDS as such.

IIRC the ODAC was never finished up properly the E-DAC is someone elses finished work on the design licensed by Epiphany? (EDIT: Its the "extended life" version of the original ODAC design).
 
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yup

essentially they buy the DAC board and the printed PCB for the headphone amp from nwavguy or from a guy who makes them. The PCB has nwavguys name on it.

Then they buy the electronics in bulk to save costs.

Their will be subtle differences between EHP JDS and Mayflower.

but they all use NWAVguys printed pcb and DAC board.

Still not heard from him which is why i don't sell them anymore.
 
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Another thought occurred to me - wonder if the O2 in this case (specific to this example of the amp) has some dc offset effecting audio performance - the 4556 being a bipolar rather than JFET part can be problematic for it - was considering paralleling LM4562s or something in my current amp due to getting some on/off spikes due to it that I don't get with other op amps in the output stage.
 
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