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Showing 1 of 1093 conversations about:
Ormia
31
Nov 3, 2015
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DeathbyMusic
157
Nov 3, 2015
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OrmiaNot 100% sold. Around 85%. Honestly, I'm thinking about sitting this one out till more reviews make it online.
raexx
21
Nov 3, 2015
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OrmiaIf you're looking for portability the iDSD Nano should work for you. I've been using the micro for the last 5 months and I totally love it.
The difference between the nano and the micro is the amp + some extra features (usb-charging mode etc) so if you're looking for both portability and companion to your WA6 then the nano should be worth the try.
The difference between the nano and the micro is the amp + some extra features (usb-charging mode etc) so if you're looking for both portability and companion to your WA6 then the nano should be worth the try.
dwane5
293
Nov 3, 2015
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DeathbyMusicim still on the fence as well, its a lot of money to hand out without actually seeing a lot of people commenting on the actual quality first hand. this drop will happen again and again. just like the K7XX. i still may get in on the last day :D
Neotribal
53
Nov 3, 2015
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DeathbyMusicJust to add to the convo... I was on the 2x drops for the MD O2 and ODACrev.b, cancelled and bought into this one. Even looking at the stuff Purrin has posted so far at SBAF, I'm not discouraged about anything so far. The measurements are all pretty academic and his impressions with the HD650 don't surprise me after reading @avitron142's thoughts. The little unit still seems like a pretty solid choice in my eyes and I'm happily "upgrading" from my original purchase decision..., I don't think I would have swapped out my choice on the O2+ODAC for any of the other options at this price point. I'll stick around in this drop unless some crazy unforeseen bomb gets dropped (which I highly doubt).
Neotribal
53
Nov 3, 2015
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DeathbyMusicI'm going to, personally. The iFi certainly seems on par when comparing specs and capability... Lots of good reviews as well. I feel like when you're this deep into the "Mid-Fi-reaching-for-Hi-Fi", you're mostly splitting hairs really when it comes to specs. I'm far from having "golden ears", happily having earned that from too many punk shows and festival weekends with no earplugs. I doubt I'd pick up on the nuances of DSD over quality CD rips. Mastering of source files is more important to me. Sound signature of equipment becomes more important as well, and the amp section on the iFi has been described as more "bright"... because maybe the midrange is a bit lean? On the other hand, the limited feedback on the m9xx has been more of a "smooth", "musical" sound. The O2+ODAC Combo is usually described as more "analytical", so I'd been ambivalent from the get go on that combo. I prefer "warmth", and both DACs can output to my tube amp if I want my HD650s to really shine, so it's mostly up in the air in this regard. If it's too "bright", my IEMs are going to make me miserable.
My personal decision points: Both combos are probably very close in general sound quality and technical ability. I might prefer the sound signature on the Grace a bit more overall (from anectdotal info alone, I have no hands-on with either). With the iFi you lose an XLR output and gain a 3.5mm input, which isn't a benefit for me (I actually want to be able to side-by-side my phones, the AKM4490 is a badass DAC and I don't need to input from analog sources). The aesthetics are a biggie for me, no comparison IMO... I'm really big on the human interaction with devices... in this regard I prefer everything about the m9xx. The DSD Micro looks to me like an exposed piece of car audio equipment (I have a very similar-looking Kenwood component 4xway amp hidden in my dashboard). No offense meant to iFi, or owners who may love it, just my opinion, but it's not my jam. The Grace looks like an expensive, well designed high end product. I kinda... just want to touch it. This comment kinda went off the rails a little here. Haptic feedback on each 0.5db increment? Yes please. Minimalist digital display? Yes please. And that click sound... :3
My personal decision points: Both combos are probably very close in general sound quality and technical ability. I might prefer the sound signature on the Grace a bit more overall (from anectdotal info alone, I have no hands-on with either). With the iFi you lose an XLR output and gain a 3.5mm input, which isn't a benefit for me (I actually want to be able to side-by-side my phones, the AKM4490 is a badass DAC and I don't need to input from analog sources). The aesthetics are a biggie for me, no comparison IMO... I'm really big on the human interaction with devices... in this regard I prefer everything about the m9xx. The DSD Micro looks to me like an exposed piece of car audio equipment (I have a very similar-looking Kenwood component 4xway amp hidden in my dashboard). No offense meant to iFi, or owners who may love it, just my opinion, but it's not my jam. The Grace looks like an expensive, well designed high end product. I kinda... just want to touch it. This comment kinda went off the rails a little here. Haptic feedback on each 0.5db increment? Yes please. Minimalist digital display? Yes please. And that click sound... :3
Joezilla
11
Nov 3, 2015
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NeotribalKind of agree on the looks of the iFi iDSD Micro. I own one and it's kind of odd looking compared to other amplifiers that i have and certainly does have an air of car audio equipment, lol.
Otherwise what i can say is that it's quite solid in terms of construction and performance.
In favor of the iDSD would also say that it looks a bit more pocketable than the M9XX (since both of them can work without an AC adapter), also kind of prefer that many of the functions on the iDSD are set through switches and that it actually has a considerable amount of things that you can change based on the earphones and your liking. Also something to note is that the iDSD doesn't limit the output based on being connected to AC or on batteries, and the output is quite high for a portable amplifier. And a minor advantage, it can charge batteries (though if i remember well, not when in use).
In terms of looks, do prefer the looks of the M9XX, but at least for me, it looks a bit more like a desktop amplifier than the iDSD. Personally i'm interested on it based on the reviews and that it's from Grace Design, even though i might not actually need to get more amplifiers right now. Massdrop makes me spend money even when i don't want or need to.
Otherwise what i can say is that it's quite solid in terms of construction and performance.
In favor of the iDSD would also say that it looks a bit more pocketable than the M9XX (since both of them can work without an AC adapter), also kind of prefer that many of the functions on the iDSD are set through switches and that it actually has a considerable amount of things that you can change based on the earphones and your liking. Also something to note is that the iDSD doesn't limit the output based on being connected to AC or on batteries, and the output is quite high for a portable amplifier. And a minor advantage, it can charge batteries (though if i remember well, not when in use).
In terms of looks, do prefer the looks of the M9XX, but at least for me, it looks a bit more like a desktop amplifier than the iDSD. Personally i'm interested on it based on the reviews and that it's from Grace Design, even though i might not actually need to get more amplifiers right now. Massdrop makes me spend money even when i don't want or need to.
HiFiGuy528
26
Woo Audio
Nov 4, 2015
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DeathbyMusicthe DAC in this sounds more musical without being coloured. iFi iDSD has a decent amp, but the DAC sounds hard.
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@DeathbyMusic are you fully sold on this unit. I know that you were originally think of the 02+ODAC combo.