[wwenze]

Both T1 and HD800 are "harder to drive" compared to T70 - both have lower sensitivity and higher impedance.

[ivanlyf_2011]

I see.

So if they are 'harder' to drive, it is essential to find a proper amp?

The DAC still matters but the Amp is like a higher priority yes?

[wwenze]

Yes, you need a good amp for your T70 now, and you'll need that good amp for T1/HD800 later.

[ivanlyf_2011]

Originally Posted by wwenze

Yes, you need a good amp for your T70 now, and you'll need that good amp for T1/HD800 later.

Got it.

Yep next stop (maybe next year) is the amp if today's Cambridge Audio DACMagic works for me. Let me fill my wallet up again and then make a comeback next year lol

If you don't mind, recommend me a few solid state amps within 1-1.5K? Amp wise, I know I don't like the sound signature of tube amps so...all solid state amps for me. Thus far, I've only heard of the Beyer A1, Meier-Corda Audio and Ray Samuels Audio which I will now avoid...

Using an old Meier Corda amp given by my friend. It's like white turned yellow but still working and nice sound signature lol

[Silvina]

Tried the Objective amp from O2 ?

[ivanlyf_2011]

Originally Posted by Silvina

Tried the Objective amp from O2 ?

Haven't tried yet.

I missed the MO from Alamakazam and although there is Xuan87 who is organizing a MO now, I'm not keen on buying because he (Xuan) will only offer a 1 week warranty.

I am still open to trying it out for fun if someone is willing to loan me his/her set. If it suits my taste, no reason not to order it heh

[rickysio]

Almost all things need to be home trialled before you can actually make a decision. Otherwise it'd end up with you attempting to justify the purchase by a)circle wank on internet forums about how good it is and b)throwing out subjective after subjective opinion on why it is the best. Placebo is a very powerful effect.

I've seen many examples of this.

[ivanlyf_2011]

Well, just bought me a Cambridge DacMagic.

The sound sounds different, learning to like it. Probably stop my audio journey for now and learn to enjoy it

[ivanlyf_2011]

Oh yes and quick update for Wwenze,

I think the cause of the problem is my CDs themselves. I spoke to Jeremy (the guy whom I bought the DAC from) as I was trying out my current DAC and asked him about my problem and he told me this is just the way classical music is recorded, very sensitive or is it high soundstage..can't remember the exact words. But I trusted him because he manages the audio at the MBS auditorium and previously, the Esplanade. So he is a guy who knows his classical?

Well, what he said was true. The sensitivity is high enough that I can hear the conductor turning the pages of his chords!

Yep, so problem discovered

[rickysio]

Position does not imply ability. I've learnt this the hard way.

[ivanlyf_2011]

Originally Posted by rickysio

Position does not imply ability. I've learnt this the hard way.

Hmm,

But he made me find a MP3 that was recorded in recent times and so I chose a recent Michael Jackson Commenmorative CD published just after he died? Yeah and I played it, there was no noise at all. And he was correct, no background noise.

I'm not trying to refute nor rebuke you, I'm certain that you must have had a real bad experience. Something bad enough to make you post on an advisory mode or warning mode...

But yeah, he asked me to test his theory and my test demonstrated that it's valid so he probably knows his stuff to some extent

[rickysio]

Okay, I am confused now.

Your predator has no noise with the newer records? Or your current set up now has no noise?

[ivanlyf_2011]

Eh...

1. The RSA Predator was sold off. I think that the design is poor and it can't power my T70 properly anyway.

2. I'm now using a Porta Corda Mk I as my amp and a Cambridge Audio Dac Magic as my desktop DAC.

There is no noise when playing pop but the noise is there when playing classical music. Therefore, the noise is truly from my classical music but was likely to be amplified even more by the RSA Predator.

I think I will stay off from portable stuff for now

[wwenze]

If my Ferrari has problem at 100km/h but runs okay at 90km/h, should it be considered problem free?

You're right in associating portable stuff with this problem. However NwAvGuy has measured O2 and Fiio E11 to be able to deliver enough power for your T70, and there are also other amps with sufficient voltage swing.

I have an E11 that you can borrow.

[Silvina]

Seeking advice to upgrade my usb dac (citypulse 2.03e), not too sure if I should start a new topic or continue from here

Current setup
PC -> (usb) Citypulse pre-amp out-> (rca to xlr) Swan X4
PC -> (usb) Citypulse line out -> (rca to 3.5mm) O2 amp -> HD650

Been quite out of touch with the DAC scene. Any idea which DAC should I look at, budget hopefully around 1K.

Hopefully the DAC has
- remote control (not essential though)
- xlr outputs for my swan speakers
- xlr/rca outputs for my hd650 headphones