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Rebeliont
4
Dec 21, 2015
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@gkrr@El_Capitan
My question still remains. Can you guys pls list the headphones/speakers you listened to with both M920 and M8.
Thanks
Dec 21, 2015
gkrr
20
Dec 22, 2015
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RebeliontMy headphone system is an ordinary Gateway laptop into a Burson Conductor SL 1793 (B-B DAC/CMedia USB) with modified Fostex T50RP; JRiver MC20 with some DSP. I'm using it right now. Sounds good, but the following sounds much better: Main system is a Onkyo CD changer into Grace M920 via coaxial, into a Bob Latino VTA-70 kit-built tube amp for front channels; with a hardwire Y into NAD amp for rear channels using modified Hafler DynaQuad circuit. REL subwoofer connected to NAD. Matched quad Legacy Studio HD monitors. There are also a bunch of discarded components lying around here: Emotiva, OPPO, Energy Veritas, etc. Almost all hifi components sound cold/lifeless initially; you need to run them in for 50-100 hrs., esp. vacuum tubes. For more info on the Bob Latino tube amp go to: dynacotubeaudio.forumotion.com Its a friendly, helpful place with lots of good people. I am "Gregg R."
Dec 22, 2015
El_Capitan
22
Dec 22, 2015
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gkrrI listen with the M920 and M8 exclusively on headphones. I have multiple computer systems, so I swap around sometimes. Sennheiser HD 800, Beyerdynamic DT 990 600 ohm, AKG K7XX, AKG K553 Pro, Sennheiser 598 SE, Shure 535, IEM, etc. I have too many headphones/earphones that I need to get rid of, but I'd be too sad to see them go! I would say, pair the M8 with something like the AKG K7XX and an Objective 2 headphone amp, and you've got yourself something that only a M920 with a HD800 trumps, but also costs almost $2350 more. This is a no-brainer mid-high level audiophile setup. From experience, going from mid-high to high level audiophile setups aren't worth the few extra thousand you end up paying for. Yeah, some things sound better, but unless you're recording music as well as listening to the end results, you won't notice many differences. Remember, tastes vary, so if you don't like the M8, try a different headphone that compensates, or try other DAC's.
Dec 22, 2015
Rebeliont
4
Dec 23, 2015
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gkrr@gkrr@El_Capitan
Thanks for listing the equipment you use with everyone, it's impressive. Btw I'll check that forum Gregg, thanks. I used akg 702 and xonar st in the past. There was a vacuum for a few years where my budget didn't allowed me to go deeper into audio world. Atm I use Odac/O2 with iems (vsonic gr07 and ostry kc06a) and trying to decide whether ill see improvement with smsl m8.
Kind regards
Dec 23, 2015
gkrr
20
Dec 23, 2015
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El_CapitanI also have a bunch of headphones. My favorite all-time is the Jecklin Float. It was two 5x7 electrostatic panels suspended an inch or two from your ears. I read somewhere that it may be back in production. The Jecklin Float sounded wonderful, but it was very unreliable; After 2 repair trips back to (West) Germany, I gave up. That was about 1980: I still had hair back then. I agree that going from mid-level to high-level is not cost effective: the Law of Diminishing Returns. Overall, headphone technology has improved significantly in the last 5-10 years. Most people will be happy with the set-up you describe!
Dec 23, 2015
gkrr
20
Dec 23, 2015
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RebeliontHi Rebeliont: The biggest jump in audio quality is when you go from the headphone jack of a computer or smartphone to an outboard DAC/headamp; after that, quality improvements are real, but incremental! Once you start down the slippery slope of seeking ever smaller improvements, you run into the Law of Diminishing Returns. It can get expensive and time consuming! I would stick with what you've got until you can gather more information. In the meantime, enjoy your music!
Dec 23, 2015
El_Capitan
22
Dec 23, 2015
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RebeliontYeah, I still use Titanium HD's with upgraded LME49720NA Op-Amps, but mostly for auxiliary input (I use a Shure SM7B with a Cloudlifter CL-1 Pre-Amp, to a Golden Age Project Pre-73 DLX into an Allen&Heath ZED-10FX using Hosa and Mediabridge cables). The ASUS Xonar Essence STX (also with upgraded LME49720NA Op-Amps) is better for auxiliary input. At any rate, I can't use the Grace M920 on Windows 10 (my gaming machines are now all on Windows 10) since drivers for it aren't supported. Thus, the SMSL M8 works in a pinch when I want better audio than the Titanium HD's. As for any internal dedicated sound card, the Titanium HD and Xonar STX with upgraded Op-Amps are still the top internal dedicated sound cards out there to this day. You can find them used for around $80 to $120. However, the SMSL M8 has phenomenally much better sound, especially for $150. You'll hear an improvement.
Dec 23, 2015
Cukedaddy
63
Dec 26, 2015
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RebeliontI doubt you'll hear any difference
Dec 26, 2015
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