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Post by John on Jun 2, 2024 10:04:28 GMT
I have finally got my headphones and headphone amplifier
Stax 007 mk1 This is one of the later versions so not as warm as the earlier version but has a better headband
The Enginerizer is the Mojnir Carbon CC. A beast of an amplifier .
At present just using a wiim pro. as more stable using via wifi.
I have borrowed a Ideon EOS DAC from Tony to try out.
At present the sound is not bad, but I have not added any grounding which will help and just using a standard power supply to Wiim. So lots more to come from the system.
How would I describe the sound their is definitely a noise floor, probably from the wiim power supply, but it is still enjoyable but not for long term listening.
I also want to keep the box count low, apply what I learnt over the years and see if this takes me to where I expect the system to go.
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Post by mattspl on Jun 2, 2024 10:12:37 GMT
Good to hear you’re building a new system John. An upgraded power supply should certainly help.
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Post by John on Jun 2, 2024 11:10:39 GMT
Hopefully better power supply tomorrow
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Post by julesd68 on Jun 2, 2024 12:10:12 GMT
You are looking to upgrade the R26 John?
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Post by John on Jun 2, 2024 12:21:49 GMT
Sold the R26
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Post by stellabagpuss on Jun 2, 2024 12:51:24 GMT
Excellent John, l know what a personal landmark this is and what it means for yourself, and l couldn't be happier for you.
The psu should really help things, whatever you chose.
Choosing a DAC 6 months ago may have been easier, but it looks like we have a few releases hitting the market,and they are all a bit unknown,so I guess you'll be trying a few.
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Post by MartinT on Jun 2, 2024 14:10:16 GMT
We couldn't try the Ideon DAC in my system yesterday as it doesn't have volume/preamp outputs.
Let us know how you find it, John.
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Post by John on Jun 2, 2024 14:52:26 GMT
I don't want to judge it to much until I start to get the sound more stable.
It's built like a tank and is a heavy unit.
Connections are kept simple coaxial,BNC and USB
I don't think the BNC is for an external clock but Tony can correct me if I am wrong
Balanced and RCA outputs
Initial impression full bodied that has a sense of fun factor to it, but I really need to hear with BR Pads (new version) and the RTZ connected.
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Post by John on Jun 3, 2024 7:12:00 GMT
Adding the RTZ 2 in and already the noise floor has dropped. I am hearing a more refined sound that is more inline with my expectations off the sound I enjoy.
So far I am just connecting from the RCA inputs on the DAC so perhaps more to come when I add more connections to the RTZ
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Post by John on Jun 3, 2024 19:13:35 GMT
I think the biggest limit to this system is the Wiim pro. It just quite few steps below the rest of the system and I wonder if I can really judge due to this.
I do think I have the basis of a good system but will have to wait until I can address that
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Post by stellabagpuss on Jun 3, 2024 20:32:03 GMT
I think the biggest limit to this system is the Wiim pro. It just quite few steps below the rest of the system and I wonder if I can really judge due to this. I do think I have the basis of a good system but will have to wait until I can address that Getting a good PSU should improve the Wiim, l noticed a difference from swapping to a linear, from the cheap supplied PSU. |
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Post by John on Jun 4, 2024 5:02:14 GMT
I have put a decent power supply on it. It helped a bit but I feel whilst the rest of the system is doing it job, the Wiim stream is my weakest point of the chain.
Watch this from Hans to see what I mean.
I am basically using a £200 streamer with a 5K DAC a top of the range enginerzier, that is known for a transparent and neutral sound with Electrostatic headphones. There is no place to hide with this type of setup.
I love the functionality of the Wiim, how easy it is to Chromecast.
I have few more things to do over the next few days to see if I can improve the sound further. But at this level I do not want to experience listening fatique, which I still have at present.
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Post by stellabagpuss on Jun 4, 2024 6:05:36 GMT
l understand.. My experience was simply using the Wiim as a stand alone unit as well as using it into my R26 via Coaxial input. Of course the R26 is leagues better.
The good news, there plenty of other streamers on the Halo Audio Red perhaps,what does Tony suggest?
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Post by John on Jun 4, 2024 6:50:27 GMT
I will have to wait until the house is sold before I can go down the route Tony has suggested
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Post by stellabagpuss on Jun 4, 2024 8:46:31 GMT
I will have to wait until the house is sold before I can go down the route Tony has suggested l see.... So l guess it's hard to get the full potential of any DAC you test, as your missing that 10%. The Wiim Pro great VFM,but l'd imagine there's a lot of components co-interfering, as it's all rammed into one box. You'll get there John ... l'm sure. |
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Post by John on Jun 4, 2024 14:51:03 GMT
After yesterday's frustrations feel like I made a few steps forward
Yesterday added the IFi elite, whilst it opened the sound up, it also highlighted the electrical noise coming through the system more.
I also tried grounding the streamer and didn't notice any reduction in electrical noise.
Today I added the new BR big feet under the DAC, streamer and enginersier.
I also added a USB grounding lead to the DAC. It now has 3 grounding leads(2 x RCA and 1 USB)
The noise floor has reduced I still hear a bit of electrical noise so hopefully my next tweak will sort that out.
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Post by julesd68 on Jun 4, 2024 14:56:57 GMT
How does your perception of noise manifest itself John?
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Post by John on Jun 4, 2024 15:03:39 GMT
It's a harshness or perhaps unpleasant distortion
It gets in the way of relaxing into the music so I also feel not at ease. (So it creates a felt sense).
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Post by HD Music & Test on Jun 4, 2024 16:09:51 GMT
With HP is way more obvious simply as your output devices (speakers lol) cover your ears so even the smaller amounts of grain will be more recognisable. IMHO the removal of all types of noise in HP system is more critcal. Keeping any SMPS here should be avoided this means lighting power specificaly LED's/laptop psu's/phone charges/Microphones etc.
A psu on the Wii will help, but there are other factors at play here as well imho.
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Post by stellabagpuss on Jun 4, 2024 19:07:56 GMT
It's a harshness or perhaps unpleasant distortion It gets in the way of relaxing into the music so I also feel not at ease. (So it creates a felt sense). It a definite trate of the Wiim Pro, l picked up on it a few times...... Slight glare, and not present on everything. |
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