Massdrop Liquid Carbon X + SDAC DAC/Amp Discussions | Drop

Massdrop Liquid Carbon X + SDAC DAC/Amp

Showing 1 of 286 conversations about:

DF85

Feb 5, 2018

Need some help on this guys,
Currently weighing up this vs an Asgard 2 / Modi 2 stack.
To keep it simple, here's my cans listed below and what I currently amp with.
Ath - msr7 Fostex th-x00 PH AKG 7xx Sennheiser HD 6xx Sennheiser hd800s ( potential future buy )
Currently using a sound blaster E5 usb DAC amp and looking for something what will power the HD 650s better and generally sound a lot better than the E5.
Should I be looking up another price bracket to expect improvements over the E5?
If not, what's the better option for my cans... Shiit combo or this. I'm stuck on what to buy and don't want to end up with 10 amps laying around.

Feb 5, 2018

DF85In terms of synergy, this will be better for your MSR7, K7XX and potential HD800. The Schiit stack you mentioned will be better for your HD6XX. This is probably the better all round amp with more power, balanced in / out and is the more integrated solution.

DF85

Feb 6, 2018

JackulaThanks mate, very much appreciated. This is also cheaper which is always a bonus!

zbells

234

Feb 7, 2018

DF85Both would be great options. It really depends on if you plan to leverage the balanced input/outputs of the LCX or if you'll just be using single-ended.

iatsbohdan

200

Feb 8, 2018

JackulaWhy do you think Schiit will be better for 6XX?

Feb 9, 2018

iatsbohdanThe Schiit stack is brighter and more aggressive, it's got better synergy with the darker sounding HD6XX. OTOH with the LCX you're combining a laid back amp with a laid back headphone that will lull you to sleep.

Feb 12, 2018

DF85It's worth noting that the modi 2 has the worst measurements around (see audiosciencereview). The noise probably isn't audible (considering how popular it is), but there are plenty of bus-powered dacs that don't have this issue.

Feb 12, 2018

Jackuladarker amps actually suit the hd6xx better, hence the reason the hd650 is so commonly paired with tubes or color. The LQ was one of the most recommended SS amps for the hd650 because of it's slight, tube-like warmth and I can confirm. You want an amp that works with your headphones signature, not one that fights it.

Feb 13, 2018

UzuzuIt's not about fighting the sound signature, it's about maintaining tonal integrity and you can only do it with a neutral amp. Personally I like something that is spot on neutral, so it does not compromise (neither enhance nor degrade) the perfect tonal characteristics the HD650 is famous for.

Feb 13, 2018

JackulaHonestly the hd650 doesn't sound bad out of a cold amp, but it does sound sterile. It can't come to life. The speedball mod isn't SS like. It's just a smooth tube sound carrying good detail. Doesn't change the point. Cold vs warm doesn't always mean more vs less detail. The hd650 is awesome for it's scalability and responds well to both. The crack is awesome because it brings out all of the hd650s strengths. Thanks for listening though I appreciate your opinion. My tastes definitely sit at neutral as well. Favorite headphone?

Feb 13, 2018

UzuzuYes, favorite headphone at any price point, you too? Would pick it over a darker LCD3 or technically superior HD800 :) Perhaps the LCD3 is really meant for people who prefer a darker signature and it really doesn't take much to get it performing its best. The HD650 isn't everyone's cup ol' tea though, too dark or too slow are common complaints.

Feb 13, 2018

JackulaOh, I just meant what was your favorite. Mine's the Amiron, lol.

Feb 15, 2018

DF85For the 800S, a very expensive Dac/Amp is needed to unlock it’s Potential.

iatsbohdan

200

Feb 16, 2018

HaVoCTzuTrue Audiophiles need are so True, that they value price tags of their equipment more than its actual quality :D

Feb 16, 2018

iatsbohdanmaybe, i dunno. That’s subjective. But the difference from a $4500 amp and a $2000 amp and a $500 amp is so big that it discouraged me from buying the 800s altogether, because all of the sudden I realised I was about to spend $6200 for a pair of headphones that are so open and loud that they are basically speakers that everyone else can hear anyways. however the sound was so damn good that I knew if I had money to blow, this is what it would have been spent on.

Vote

Feb 16, 2018

HaVoCTzuReally the difference in an amp over 500 compared to 2000 is pretty placebo.

Feb 16, 2018

Uzuzui’d say the jump from $2000 to $4500 is bigger than the jump from $500 to $2000, but it is still noticable. Certainly not placebo.

Vote

Feb 17, 2018

UzuzuThere is at least one commercial amp designer that recommends spending less than $250. Then again, placebos have very real physiological effects (and side effects). No reason not to use them in entertainment.

Feb 17, 2018

shimageAre you talking about Schiit? Haha. I love them.

Feb 17, 2018

shimageif you are only spending $250 on an amp then don’t waste your money on the 800S.

Feb 18, 2018

HaVoCTzuI feel like you are missing the point here, but yes, since I hate the way the 800S sounds out of everything up to and including a Moon 430HA, I'm not going to waste my money on them.

Vote

Feb 18, 2018

UzuzuI was thinking about garage1217, but maybe there are others. I have a lot of schiit stuff, though, and their low to mid-range amps great.

Vote

Feb 18, 2018

shimageTry it on a McIntosh MHA150, might change your mind.

Feb 19, 2018

HaVoCTzuRight, because that is the one amp on earth that will make it not sound like an Hd800S? Here's a better idea: I should buy a pair of headphones I actually like. Oh wait, I already did that.

Vote

Feb 19, 2018

shimagei’m not Buying them either. Already mentioned that.

Vote

Feb 19, 2018

HaVoCTzuYou say that like I suggested you buy something, which I didn't.

Vote

Feb 22, 2018

shimageYou say that like i’m an asshole. Which I’m not.

Vote

zbells

234

Feb 23, 2018

shimageYou get in a lot of unnecessary arguments on Massdrop Shitmage

Feb 23, 2018

zbellsMmhmm

Vote

Feb 23, 2018

zbellsGlad to see you're still reading my comments and taking the high road.

Vote

zbells

234

Feb 23, 2018

shimageLol that's fair I guess, I just happened to be on this convo thread and getting the notifications and saw you being a prickly pear. The name calling was a bit childish though, so I do apologize for that dick move.

Vote

Feb 23, 2018

zbellsQuit projecting, Shimage was correct.

Vote

Zbell

Feb 23, 2018

UzuzuAhahahahaha, you're like either shimage's alter ego/throw away account or MD besties. I hope for the latter because it's adorable.

Vote

Feb 24, 2018

ZbellDon't know who he is outside of this conversation bro I just read the atmosphere.

Vote

cspirou

220

Feb 27, 2018

shimageIts worth mentioning that this is only true on ASR. They also only measured jitter and nothing else. Modi 2 is a perfectly fine DAC that measures fine as well.

Feb 27, 2018

cspirouTrue, but Marv apparently always uses a wyrd inline when testing usb performance, presumably because he sees jitter when it's not there... Personally, I would rather just buy a dac that doesn't have these issues for the same price than have to also get a wyrd, which effectively doubles the price.

Vote

cspirou

220

Feb 27, 2018

shimageUSB noise is just one aspect. If it can resolve well despite the noise then maybe someone would accept the trade off. But you wouldn't be able to know due to lack of info.

Vote

Feb 27, 2018

cspirouI don't really see the trade off side of things, though. Other cheap dacs (eg, Topping D30) just measure better than the modi 2 does, even ignoring the jitter. I haven't heard the modi 2, but I assume it sounds fine. The differences are all well below the threshold of audibility.

Vote

igobybig3

Apr 18, 2019

DF85Hello, I am noob to this, do you use different cable for AKG 7XX or you just plug into the SE end, if you plug into the balance end, what cable do you use ?

Vote

View Full Discussion

PRODUCTS YOU MAY LIKE

Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 6XX Headphones

$199

Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 58X Jubilee Headphones

$149

Massdrop x Sennheiser PC37X Gaming Headset

$120

Drop + HIFIMAN HE4XX Planar Magnetic Headphones

$149

Massdrop x Koss Porta Pro X Headphones

$29

Drop + EPOS PC38X Gaming Headset

$169

Massdrop x Koss KSC75X On-Ear Headphones

$20

Massdrop x Meze 99 Noir Closed-Back Headphones

$179

Drop + EPOS PC38X Yellow Gaming Headset

$119

Drop BMR1 Nearfield Monitors

$99

Trending Posts in Audiophile

redspet

So I bought the HD6xx

So I bought the HD6xx a few weeks back and when I finally got the packages i got some Noir 99. ever happened to any of u guys and how did it get resolved

Apr 29, 2024

General

Vote

SsButerbal

Ringing in PC38X's

I recently got this headset, and wow is it good. My only issue is when certain people talk on discord, I can hear a really high pitched ringing. I fiddled with a bunch of settings, computer audio and discord, and nothing seems to solve the issue. It is primarily if not all in my right ear only. Is there something wrong with my headset, or was that ringing always there I can just hear it cause the headset is THAT good? I haven't had any issues with any other application, though I have yet to test if I can hear the ringing on a different version of discord, say on my xbox instead of my pc. Only other issue I've had is occasional static, but I can't tell if it's from the headset or the show/game/etc.

Apr 24, 2024

Questions

itsamepe

Sennheiser PC37X randomly goes bad after disconnecting the cable ?

Greetings, Yesterday I was using my headset like normal with my macbook, just listening to music and on a call with people like usual, and the headset was perfectly fine. The stock wire that came with the headset is extremely long and yesterday it annoyed me very much that it kept getting tangled with itself, so I decided to see if the cable is replaceable. I pulled out the cable from the headset and saw the adapter, and looked online for a replacement. Upon plugging it back in, the audio sounded extremely muffled and washed out. Im not sure what I did wrong to make it mess up like that as I've always taken good care of it, ive had it for about 2 years and its always just been chilling on my desk, but anywho I thought the cable just went bad and ordered a replacement. The replacement came, and the issue is still persistant, so I am not sure what the issue is I've tried multiple different headsets and the issue is not with the port, and I also tried it with my windows laptop and...

Apr 23, 2024

Questions

MrChiSox

Big changes coming to my tiny little music room, I've recently purchased a new stack. Currently figuring out where to locate it all and ordering up the necessary cables, it won't be too long before I'm up and running. I am now the proud owner of a brand new stack. It's a European brand called Earmen. Amp, DAC, Streamer & Linear Power Supply. It won't be long!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MB15yM4UptQ

Apr 23, 2024

General

Vote

Briankan

Recommendation for my next headphone set? I have Koss 95x

Hey all, What would you recommend I get next and why? I have Koss ESP-95x electrostatic massdrop headphones. These are my first and only audiophile set. I love them. I think my only real requirements is $500 or less for the headphones and that they have a little more low end. I don’t need thump but these are really light on lows…but the experience is still awesome. Also any recommendations on an amp? I only have my electrostatic thingy. I am using the Topping D50 DAC. thx!!

Apr 22, 2024

Questions

Vote

Simthaniel

Rigs

Modded headphones with qudelix at the core

When I received the Qudelix 5K, I had already modified a pair of Superlux HD-681 headphones. I previously soldered my own balanced connections to the drivers, providing multiple ways to connect and...

Apr 14, 2024

Rigs

brothamike

A decent set of IEMs

I am in the midst of a 300 hour burn-in but, I will say I am enjoying how this set sounds so far. Before I received these which was btw late by a few weeks, I purchased a Sony/Kimber Kable MMCX...

Apr 12, 2024