elisiX_ Posted June 15, 2020 Posted June 15, 2020 USB-C port on the HipDAC must be used to charge the device. Using the USB A port on the device plugged into your Mac via USB A won't charge. The latter will only play music from the Mac to your HipDAC. They will work and charge simultaneously, though I wouldn't recommend it. Run the battery down regularly like you would any other portable device.
Mika1612 Posted June 15, 2020 Posted June 15, 2020 Yeah ok, I’m confused because I remember the manual stating that it could be powered by USB, by connecting it before turning it on. If you want to use the battery on the other hand, you turn it on and then connect via USB. This is recommended for phones so you don’t drain the phone... l take it this is an error in the manual?
Mika1612 Posted June 15, 2020 Posted June 15, 2020 My concern is the battery not lasting for my full working day. I’m definitely getting nowhere near the 12 hours claimed. (Listened for a 3 hours last night and then around 3 hours today before it died). Now wondering if desktop amp/dac would have been a better choice. I’ll fully charge again tonight and see how many hours I get from it.
elisiX_ Posted June 15, 2020 Posted June 15, 2020 8 minutes ago, Mika1612 said: Yeah ok, I’m confused because I remember the manual stating that it could be powered by USB, by connecting it before turning it on. If you want to use the battery on the other hand, you turn it on and then connect via USB. This is recommended for phones so you don’t drain the phone... l take it this is an error in the manual? Correct. Error in the manual. There's a thread on HeadHi where a rep from iFi states as such.
elisiX_ Posted June 15, 2020 Posted June 15, 2020 4 minutes ago, Mika1612 said: My concern is the battery not lasting for my full working day. I’m definitely getting nowhere near the 12 hours claimed. (Listened for a 3 hours last night and then around 3 hours today before it died). Now wondering if desktop amp/dac would have been a better choice. I’ll fully charge again tonight and see how many hours I get from it. Do you work between home and office? Perhaps get a ZenDAC for one location and the HipDAC for the other. Essentially the same unit except portable and non-portable.
Mika1612 Posted June 15, 2020 Posted June 15, 2020 I was thinking one device to use at home and in the office, small enough that it’s easy to connect and disconnect and transport. I dont intend to use of much on-the-go. the Hip Dac seemed perfect for this because I thought I could use USB power when at home or in the office as a desktop setup, but also had the inbuilt battery for chilling in bed or if I did want to talk it walking or something.
elisiX_ Posted June 15, 2020 Posted June 15, 2020 (edited) Return it stating it's not fit for purpose. It doesn't do what it was advertised to do. Replace with ZenDAC. Edited June 15, 2020 by elisix_ 1
Mika1612 Posted June 15, 2020 Posted June 15, 2020 I’ll suss it out tonight after work to see if something may be more suitable for me. Definitely misleading though
Mika1612 Posted June 16, 2020 Posted June 16, 2020 I got 7.25hrs use out of the hip DAC after a full charge overnight. What have you been typically getting out of yours elisix?
elisiX_ Posted June 16, 2020 Posted June 16, 2020 (edited) Well tomorrow will be more of a test, as I return to work. At home I only used it for a couple of hours an evening, charged once every 2 days. So i'd say 6-7hrs before charging, but it didn't run out, I just figured it needed it. It's now been a week without using it at all as I bought an ADI-2 for home. Edited June 16, 2020 by elisix_
dan-m9 Posted June 18, 2020 Posted June 18, 2020 Sorry @elisix_ Think I just snagged up those Sony MDR Z1R's you wanted.. My message was a minute quicker from the second PM he said! Also brought the Cayin HA1A MK2 Tube Amp mostly for my Focal Clear's this week too, hoping it arrives tomorrow to listen over the weekend! I have spent way to much this week and last week on gear too! This site is proving dangerous to me now, the last couple of big orders I haven't told my wife about yet too lol..
elisiX_ Posted June 18, 2020 Posted June 18, 2020 28 minutes ago, dan-m9 said: Sorry @elisix_ Think I just snagged up those Sony MDR Z1R's you wanted.. My message was a minute quicker from the second PM he said! Also brought the Cayin HA1A MK2 Tube Amp mostly for my Focal Clear's this week too, hoping it arrives tomorrow to listen over the weekend! I have spent way to much this week and last week on gear too! This site is proving dangerous to me now, the last couple of big orders I haven't told my wife about yet too lol.. All good mate. I was busy working and @peppy called my mobile to say MOVE IT! Clears and Z1R will be an impressive combination.
dan-m9 Posted June 18, 2020 Posted June 18, 2020 I’m hoping so, since my last message on this topic my Clears have opened up alot more to me. Not sure if its the "burn in" or my brain getting used to them even more as this has never happened to me before with other cans. They are extremely dynamic now, I cannot just relax and listen as sound pop out of everywhere making them very engaging, they have even given me a fright a couple of times unexpectedly on new songs. The sub bass/bass I can also now feel it through my body, even thought my sub was on by mistake a few times too.. Crazy cans they are! No purchase for you yet? The Sony’s will be my late-night relaxing listing I’m thinking, also thinking to even look at some portable DAC/AMPs for them once we can travel like normal again. I have still got alert tags on a few online bargain sites etc still for the MDRZ1Rs, if one deal pops up I’ll let you know asap! Regards Daniel.
elisiX_ Posted June 18, 2020 Posted June 18, 2020 Thank you Dan. Legend. Yeah, I have the exact same plan as you. Z1R for later evening chilling with chill electronic. HD800S if I want to hear every detail and listen to something more acoustic, etc. I still think the Clears are a good option but they would likely be a Saturday/Sunday afternoon or early evening headphone for cranking beats.
Bengineer Posted June 18, 2020 Posted June 18, 2020 ZMF Aeolus on tubes vs Z1R ? Ooo, there is a tricky decision.
dan-m9 Posted June 18, 2020 Posted June 18, 2020 @elisix_ Yes or even better after a few drinks for me! Still on the fence about the HD800s, the TH-900MK2 is on my top list now (HD800s second) but not sure what to get next. The HD800/s were suppose to be my next cans after the HD650 but I keep buying others... I fear they might be too flat now for me, I never did like the flat k702/K701 etc, but the HD800s details should win me over i'm hoping. Suppose ill need to get one soon to decide, worst part is store demos don't work for me as I need to listen for few hours before deciding if I like them or not! I'm like this with nearly all things in life (cars, job etc) That's why finding this place was great, buy second hand and if I don't like them re-sell for little or even no loss..
dan-m9 Posted June 18, 2020 Posted June 18, 2020 @Bengineer Or Z1R with Tubes? Cannot find any forums on that, likely way too warm/ugly combo i'm guessing? Ill still give it a test when I get my Z1Rs..
dan-m9 Posted June 18, 2020 Posted June 18, 2020 (edited) . Edited June 18, 2020 by dan-m9 Deleted random double post.
Bengineer Posted June 18, 2020 Posted June 18, 2020 Too warm. They are soooo warm as it is. But also depends on mood
elisiX_ Posted June 18, 2020 Posted June 18, 2020 2 hours ago, dan-m9 said: @elisix_ Yes or even better after a few drinks for me! Still on the fence about the HD800s, the TH-900MK2 is on my top list now (HD800s second) but not sure what to get next. The HD800/s were suppose to be my next cans after the HD650 but I keep buying others... I fear they might be too flat now for me, I never did like the flat k702/K701 etc, but the HD800s details should win me over i'm hoping. Suppose ill need to get one soon to decide, worst part is store demos don't work for me as I need to listen for few hours before deciding if I like them or not! I'm like this with nearly all things in life (cars, job etc) That's why finding this place was great, buy second hand and if I don't like them re-sell for little or even no loss.. I wanted the HD800S for soundstage, detail and clarity and they deliver that incredibly well. I am not using them for dance music, though they're certainly not bad in that scenario, particularly where the track is mid/vocal focused. When the Z1R are in your collection, I think you want something to balance/be different. That's why i'm aiming for Z1R next. Something to melt into dance/trance/edm music.
elisiX_ Posted June 19, 2020 Posted June 19, 2020 (edited) Continuing my hunt, I spent a few hours at A2A again today. I've been focusing primarily on headphones which I can buy new around $1500-$2000 or less new/used. These are the notes I took while listening. Keep in mind I am associating a headphone to a genre and my mood/surroundings (work or home). LCD-X Daytime/home/weekends Clear and hard hitting Fun and lively Rock/80’s and EDM Minor S’s and T’s (on a few tracks only) Really open and airy Feel like a Clear + 50% Good vocals Heavy weight but not an issue Z1R Evenings/home/weekends Pop/Dance/modern beats Smooth bass Too much bass for 8hrs work Can’t tell it’s closed Slightly muted/muffled in this group Good vocals Most commercial sounding Stellia All purpose for EDM, Rock, Jazz Daytime/work Accurate/fast and detailed Good bass and not fatiguing Can tell it’s closed Great vocals Clear All purpose EDM, Rock Daytime/home/weekends Good bass and slam Can get clumsy on busy/poor tracks Clarity and detail is good Suits the most genres Least controversial Great vocals Utopia Day/home/weekends Ultra detailed and clear Too much detail for EDM Good bass and slam Not smooth like HD800S Good alt. to HD800S for Jazz/Classical. Great vocals Dramatic and not subtle HD800S Day/evening/home/weekends Jazz, vocals, acoustic Best soundstage Lacks bass for EDM Punchy enough for pop Great vocals Dramatic but subtle Versatile and works with all music 6/10 for EDM even with EQ My picks if budget not a concern. Work Stellia work closed and all rounder Home Z1R evening chill beats, RAP and EDM LCD-X daytime Rock and EDM HD800S anytime acoustic, jazz, vocal I’d actually buy Utopia instead of HD800S if I didn’t listen to EDM. Even thought Utopia does bass better than HD800S, it brings forward really unnatural sounds in some dance music. So you coult swap that in here in this scenario. My picks if budget is a concern. Work Elegia work closed and all rounder Home HD6XX evening chill beats and EDM Focal Clear daytime Rock and EDM HD800S anytime acoustic, jazz, vocal Everything tested today was on the Burson Conductor 3X Reference using the DAC and AMP ($3500). In my mind I like the 4 pot including HD800S (or Utopia), LCD-X (or Arya), Stellia and Z1R as a collection that covers all bases for me. Make sure i've got a great DAC (I have the RME ADI-2) and both solid state and tube amplification options. Edited June 22, 2020 by elisix_
Esoterica Posted June 22, 2020 Posted June 22, 2020 On 14/06/2020 at 5:34 AM, gwurb said: Great post @elisix_. What is your opinion of Hip DAC after that listening session? I am looking for a cheaper amp to drive Elegia and am wondering between Hip DAC and Magni 3 Heresy. I have other DACs so it's really an amp that I am after to match Elegia. Maybe I should skip both? I am curious if those 2 are enough for Elegia. It's tricky to pick for myself as there are no auditions. I am in the process of making a DIY amp but wanted something in the meantime to fill the gap as there are some delays with the DIY. I don’t know about the amps you mentioned but I recently got a SMSL AD18 and it provides a nice, little bump in sound quality over the JDS Labs C5D. It has a few eq settings which give it some flexibility too. Both work well with my Elegia.
Esoterica Posted June 22, 2020 Posted June 22, 2020 (edited) Can you experts clue me in on the Sennheiser HD800. There’s that model AND an ‘S’ model as well? What’s a good price for both? (if there are indeed two models) On Sennheiser’s website it’s confusing because on the page for HD800S sometimes they only quote HD800. The only difference I noticed is the black frame whereas the HD800 is silver. Edit: nvm, I just found the text about the differences. Edited June 22, 2020 by Esoterica
elisiX_ Posted June 22, 2020 Posted June 22, 2020 HD800S is intended to appeal to a wider audience with increased bass, though it’s still open and airy with soft-mid bass. EQ helps further but it’s never going to be mainstream. Works in amongst a collection of other headphones. HD800 is going to lack some of that bass out of the box, but perhaps perform even better for classics and jazz, which it seems to be best tuned for. 1
MAST88 Posted June 25, 2020 Posted June 25, 2020 Hi guys, new to Headphone here, just wanted to pick your brains to see what would be decent close-back headphone for the Chord Hugo2? music is a wide variety from classical, jazz, vocals to classic rock. many thanks
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