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ChipInTheMix
0
Apr 21, 2018
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Perhaps a stupid question but anywho, do I have to pay extra taxes if I would be shipping this to Spain?
Apr 21, 2018
RichJo86
28
Apr 21, 2018
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ChipInTheMixProbably. They're shipped from Massdrop (US) so if Spain charges import/custom duties you need to add that to the Massdrop price to get the total picture.
Apr 21, 2018
wincore
20
Apr 22, 2018
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ChipInTheMixno
EDIT: Most likely no
Apr 22, 2018
ChipInTheMix
0
Apr 22, 2018
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ChipInTheMixAccording to this website https://spainbox.com/mailboxes/duty-and-taxes-to-import-to-spain-from-outside-european-union I have to pay import tax on purchases above €150 (~$184). Not 100% sure it applies to audio equipment, but I guess so.
This means I can get the d30 OR the a30 for respective price listed, whereas total for the two would be about $250 taxes included.
I'm torn between these options: D30 (from Amazon) + A30 $220 D30 + Magni 3 $250 Modi 2U + Magni 3 $300 Perhaps a Little Dot MKII since it's dropping for $135 right now? Does it run well with the D30 or Modi 2U?
I've been running m50x's for about 4 years now and I am happy with them. Before I got them I tried 598's for about two weeks and preferred them over the m50x's but couldn't get them at the time. My plan is to eventually get a pair of 6XX or 650's (what is the store price for 650's in the states? I will be going there this summer so can pick up a pair then without the extra tax. I can get 6XX for $250), so I will still be using m50x for a while and would like it if the setup works well with both phones (maybe this is difficult considering they're closed vs open backs?). Since I liked the 598's so much my next upgrade will for sure be 6XX or 650's, but I've heard that there are other alternatives in class with the 650's that might be a better fit for people who like m50x. I would like to explore this eventually, so I'd rather get a bit more than I need now to be safe in the future. I'd also like it if there was any feature towards a speaker setup. I'd like to get one eventually, but it's way down the line, so less relevant at the moment.
Any advice welcome!
Apr 22, 2018
Z0d1Ac
251
Apr 23, 2018
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ChipInTheMixYes, most likely yes. Most people end up paying customs, just read people buying headphones on here this should be no different.
Apr 23, 2018
Z0d1Ac
251
Apr 23, 2018
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ChipInTheMixIf you want you can check out my youtube channel Retro Eric Reviews.
In the states the 650 are $369 on amazon and b&h and newegg, $321 on adorama and a little cheaper on ebay. So chuck that plan out the window.
The 6xx are suppose to be cheaper hd 650, so you may just want to pay the 250 here on massdrop because if you pay the amounts at those sites you also have to taxes too...... unless you buy a used 650 or 6xx off ebay which will not be cheaper than 250. I do recommend the 6xx for music. For music and gaming as a upgrade then the m1060c and if you buy new or get a cheaper used pair of phillips fidelio x2 for music and gaming.
Schiit magni 3 is my go to recommendation but maybe the topping a30 might be better than a magni 2 at least so on par with a magni 3 and the d30 seems like a good deal with the extra ports and you can also get the pa3 to power passive speakers.
If you were me, I would tell myself to just buy speakers because I like those better than headphones. Some things to consider would be the vanatoo t1, jbl 308/6p, mackie mr 8/6-24.ect
Apr 23, 2018
wincore
20
Apr 23, 2018
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ChipInTheMixWell spain gets a few million packages everyday, they cant check them all. I know my country (denmark) doesn't check massdrop crates for tax
Apr 23, 2018
ChipInTheMix
0
Apr 23, 2018
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Z0d1AcThanks for the advice!
I'd love to get speakers, but unfortunately my living arrangement doesn't allow it at the moment.
About the 650's, I'm only going to be in the states for about two weeks and I'll be moving places a lot, so I don't think I can take the risk of ordering something in case the delivery gets delayed or so. So the plan was to just go into a store, chuck the box, and bring the phones on the plane as if I brought them from Europe, and that way not have to pay the extra ~20% import taxes. That's why I wanted to know what they go for in store, rather than online. Amazon Spain has a discount on the 650's right now so I can get them for €320 (~390$), so I think buying in the states would still be cheaper.
The problem with the current drop of 6XX is that it's to be shipped very late (ATOW 17th of August) and I might be moving country around October, so sort of the same delivery dilemma here as with the 650's when I'm in the states.
I do play a lot of games as well (mostly shooters, BF1, OW, etc.), so perhaps it would make more sense in my case to pick up a closed back upgrade for gaming when I'm in the states, and then wait for better timing with the 6xx drop?
I'm really leaning towards the magni 3, even though I am concerned that it might be a bit too bright in combination with 650/6XX since I'm coming from m50x, but it has a lot more power (a30 from my understanding is really in the lower end of what the 650's need during bass punches), and in my case it's only $30 difference between the D30/A30 and D30/Magni 3 combo.
What I'm not so sure about is whether it is worth adding the extra $50 for the Modi 2U? Perhaps it's only worse because I won't be able to utilize it in a speaker setup later?
Apr 23, 2018
wincore
20
Apr 23, 2018
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ChipInTheMixIf you are in the states, watch how much you can take home with you without paying tax. Denmark it is 500 dollers worth of items.
If you get to the states soon, get a magni 3 + modi 2 + hd65 = 500 bucks closed back isn't better for gaming. Do not get a mode uber or magni uber. get a standalone amp for speakers later.
I've ordered a 6xx and topping d30/a30/po3
Apr 23, 2018
ChipInTheMix
0
Apr 23, 2018
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wincoreIt seems to be about $500 in Spain as well (EU rules), so magni 3 + modi 2 + hd65 seems great indeed.
I agree closed back isn't necessarily better for gaming. I'm actually looking forward to testing BF1 specifically with open backs as it is mostly set in massive outdoor areas and I imagine it will do lots for immersion. Still I can enjoy my head being rattled by the bass when there's a mortar shell exploding above my head, or a plane crashing a couple of meters away, and I don't think that is possible with open backs?
I read now that the modi 2 uber actually also support speakers, do you still think it's better to get a standalone amp for speakers over the $50 difference between the normal and uber version? Is it known for being bad as a speaker amp? Or perhaps it's only worth getting modi 2 uber if you get a magni 3 uber as well?
Thanks for all the advice, I hope you get lucky with the delivery lottery and that you enjoy the stack!
Apr 23, 2018
wincore
20
Apr 23, 2018
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ChipInTheMixWhat did your motherboard cost? If 500 dollers or more you dont need a dac or amp.
I don't think you understand open/closed headsets. One is to insulate sound the other is the not, in any case open back always wins. Use modi as a dac for both speaker and headset dac if you can. You can get an SMSL-50 for 50 bucks in america that is guaranteed better. You dont wanna get uber anything. Magni/modi is a LOT more than you need for hd650, but they are nice to have. If you can wait till end of march i will recommend to get a topping pa3 + d30 + a30, then you have all you need plus it looks nice and im my opinion is better than magni/modi and is also rated so. If you join the massdrop deal right now it is 250 dollers i think so basically what you asked for, shipping is 15 dollers tho.
Apr 23, 2018
ChipInTheMix
0
Apr 23, 2018
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wincoreI own an msi laptop, https://www.msi.com/Laptop/GT72VR-7RE-Dominator-Pro.html, which supposedly has a "great" amp/dac, however I'm experiencing very low audio with my m50x. I never have any of the "enhancements" active, usually play games on full volume (that is 100 in windows and 100 ingame(!)), and still it is not loud enough. And the mids and treble get incredibly fatiguing at these levels. Music usually works on about 80 windows volume (with 100 in spotify), but also get fatiguing.
But are you actually saying that a $200-250 dac/amp stack does not outperform a frickin motherboard when it comes to clarity and definition? Do I need more expensive headphones than the 650's to notice any difference?
I am aware of the difference in leak of open vs closed headphones, it's the only reason I changed the hd 598's for m50x, like I mentioned. I was just under the impression that closed backs tend to have stronger bass than open backs, since the sound is effectively "escaping", hence I imagine it can be enjoyable in some gaming situations.
I can wait until the end of March as I wont be getting 650/6xx until beginning of July the earliest as that's when I'm going to the states. So in short for $250 you recommend the full topping stack over D30/Magni3/SMSL-50 and Modi2/Magni3/SMSL-50 for the same price. Thanks!
Apr 23, 2018
wincore
20
Apr 23, 2018
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ChipInTheMixIt's gonna be hard to tell a lot of difference when you buy a better headset than a hd650. (and a waste of money IMO)
You should go with the topping (full set) if you can wait till may 30th.
Well sometimes a motherboard can have a great amp/dac, but mostly the pricey ones.
Your laptop should come with something called "nahmic", maybe doodle around with that and see if your volume can be turned up. seems like a great laptop
Apr 23, 2018
Z0d1Ac
251
Apr 23, 2018
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ChipInTheMixThe magni 3 has rca outs, you can output any dac to powered* speakers OR a speaker amp like the pa3 which is for running to passive speakers.
The magni 2 which I reviewed, it is bright sounding. Tingy in the highs and without a dac will sound a bit fuzzy. But it does sound good. If you want something warmer and has a bass boast then I would recommend the fiio q1 mark ii and it has a built in dac. I am still waiting here for venture electronics on massdrop to drop that balanced cable (hifiman cable option) and with a balanced cable the fiio may sound better and have enough power for something like 6xx.
The m1060c only lose a bit of soundstage and imaging compared to the open m1060, but the m1060c is still a lot better for gaming even tho the 6xx are open. The 6xx are not that great for gaming, but I like how they sound for music. The m1060c has a more refined sound like the 6xx with more bass too and you can still hear when people are talking too you but it does not really leak any sound which is also good for streaming, just watch out tho that the headband is really bad in comfort but then again the 6xx is not comfortable all around.
Apr 23, 2018
Z0d1Ac
251
Apr 23, 2018
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Z0d1AcOpies what I mean is I need hifiman cable for my m1060c (2.5m trrs with hifiman ends). If you get the 6xx tho they will have a 6xx cable option. Just wanted to make that clear for the balanced cable for the fiio.
If you do go with the 6xx tho you may be best with a tube amp. I don't have any yet so I don't know what to recommend but from what I know the darkvoice 336se here on massdrop is the go to. I got a little bear b4 on the way and I just ordered the little dot mk ii (stock tubes as I will get them on ebay, stock tubes will sound bad I bet).
Apr 23, 2018
smilkov
15
Apr 25, 2018
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ChipInTheMixHi ChipInTheMix, i have received several orderes to Barcelona, delivered by Correos and for none of them i had to pay taxes. In the customs declaration, Massdrop is staiting that the content is Merchandise, if shipped from the US. In case it was shipped from EU, than no issues at all. thanks
Apr 25, 2018
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