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Audiophile
Discover how much better your music can sound when you have the right gear for the job. This is the place for music lovers, musicians, sound engineers, and more.
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Audiophile 101: Essential Gear Overview
Image credit @zhugunic https://drop.com/talk/67372/gl-2-k
Do I need an amp? What are these acronyms like DAC, DSP, or DSD? What even are all the components that make up an audio chain? Let’s take a beginner’s look at the core, essential building blocks of a digital audio chain, and lay it plain what each piece does. We can cover the major pieces separately, but I’ll still include a few tips to optimize playback here. Please hit the little bookmark button and feel free to check and share this guide whenever you need a reference!
For people who need a visual and audible explanation, or are worried it would take too long to get a working knowledge of the audio chain, here is my YouTube video on this subject that is just 7 minutes long! I like writing though, so let’s get started with an overview, then break it down into what each piece does and how an upgrade would benefit the final sound quality.
Signal Path
Image credit @SpeleoFool https://drop...
Chhaylatte
4
Mar 27, 2023
Can I hook these up to speakers instead of headphones options? Sorry if it’s a noob question, I’m completely new to this life :)
desutruction
208
Mar 27, 2023
7hz Timeless
I swapped out the stock cable for modular ones from XINHS as I don't have any devices with 4.4mm output :(
Nanoblaster
4
Mar 27, 2023
Guitar/bass pedals
I want a blue beard bass fuzz pedal. Do an update and collaboration 😁. Seriously, anyone want some custom pedals from mass drop?
parker760
12
Mar 26, 2023
It’s a good mess of a headphone!
local_offer
Massdrop x Koss KSC75X On-Ear Headphones
Sjelly1
0
Mar 26, 2023
Is there an adapter cable that can be used on the xlr end for portable devices?
local_offer
Drop + MrSpeakers Ether CX Closed Headphones
bladimir_garcia
0
Mar 26, 2023
How does it compare to other speakers?
How do you justify, apart from the size and weight, such a high price?
nellakeebs
9
Mar 26, 2023
After two years of usage, it’s holding up perfect. Lightweight, open sound stage, for the price I got it, it was a good buy for me.
local_offer
Drop + EPOS PC38X Gaming Headset
Streckometer
0
Mar 26, 2023
Incredible, especially with a bit of EQ
I've had these for about a year now, and I've thought they were really great headphones. Punchy, dynamic, all the stuff everyone says basically. Then I tried adding some EQ and new pads, and now I'm fully in love. No reliability issues yet, and I'll be really bummed if that happens because I love these things.
I used Roon to add the Elex Harman AutoEQ convolution filter (seriously, check out the autoEq database. Amazing that it's free). Then just dropped the treble a bit at 5k (I think I'm sensitive to this a bit, and dropping it makes voices sound more like they're coming out of speakers to me) and then gave it just a bit of extra energy in the bass, and an extra "just a bit" in the sub-bass at 40hz. That and some Dekoni Hybrid pads make them lean a bit more "fun", but you still get the technical performance of these drivers with that fun sound. They've largely cured my upgraditis for some time (well, for headphones at least. I did upgrade my amp. I don't have a problem, stop looking at me like that.)
Anyway, spectacular headphones. They have great tone even without eq, and with EQ they just make me super happy. Nice one, Drop and Focal.
local_offer
Massdrop x Focal Elex Headphones
