Sennheiser PC37X randomly goes bad after disconnecting the cable ?
Greetings, Yesterday I was using my headset like normal with my macbook, just listening to music and on a call with people like usual, and the headset was perfectly fine. The stock wire that came with the headset is extremely long and yesterday it annoyed me very much that it kept getting tangled with itself, so I decided to see if the cable is replaceable. I pulled out the cable from the headset and saw the adapter, and looked online for a replacement. Upon plugging it back in, the audio sounded extremely muffled and washed out. Im not sure what I did wrong to make it mess up like that as I've always taken good care of it, ive had it for about 2 years and its always just been chilling on my desk, but anywho I thought the cable just went bad and ordered a replacement. The replacement came, and the issue is still persistant, so I am not sure what the issue is I've tried multiple different headsets and the issue is not with the port, and I also tried it with my windows laptop and...
Apr 23, 2024
I have a Audio-GD NFB-11 (2014 version) and I believe it when people say that it's a great value for the price. Later this year I plan to replace my older NFB model with a new R2R 11 from Audio-GD. But not everyone want to spend north of $350.
I'm thinking this D30/A30 is a good start (just my impression from what I have read).
Most people equate more power with higher volume, but it more than that. It also helps with grater dynamics, when bass notes hit the extra power allows it to draw more power to punch out those notes with authority. Where that line is will depend on you headphones. I like to have a good amount of power so I know it can drive just about any headphone well.
The d30 is superior to modi 2, and at least equivalent to modi 2 uber or better. D30 also goes higher in bit rates, dsd, etc incase that's your goal. https://audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/master-index-for-audio-hardware-reviews.2079/
The a30 has more power than magni 3, blue leds, has a loop line out, and two headphones jacks with power more settings, and higher output impedance. The magni 3 has a pre - amp, white leds, and lower output impedance.
When I a/b compared a30 to O2 amp with hd6xx, the output impedance makes maybe up to a 5% difference in sound being slightly warmer. The a30 output impedance won't do much at all unless your headphones in use are around 80 ohms or less for 1/4" jack theoretically. I also have t50rp mk3's with 50 ohms, and only notice up to a 5% difference in sound comparing O2 to a30. Plus if you get the d30/a30 stack its cheaper than schiit because of free shipping to US and possible lack of tax.
Also, judging by your comments of the a30 and d30, i'm guessing you would suggest this over the schiit stack?
I recommend this topping combo over smsl, and schiit stack now, but there are always improvements in this hobby so tomorrow there may be something better. $$ makes or changes decisions in this hobby, feel free to follow common recommendations or not.
But I'll give the a30 a look as I am looking for an amp in general. Like you said, there not "end gear" but definetly a good spot to start. I'm thinking about looking into audio gd on the long future.
I liked the aune x1s, but don't like the fact that all they did was upgrade power, and not even by that much so wouldn't recommend it unless you get a killer deal. The schiit stack is good in general, and people want to support made in usa, but I prefer better quality products with better designs or features for the price so not following the audio grain much there.
The a30 is definitely loud enough for you though. The magni 3 is touted as being more than enough power ever for 99% of people, and you will definitely get it recommended to you for loudness. The A30 has more power so I'd consider it in your case.
Out of all the general budget amps or cheap amps out there, I personally think that the A30 is the closest to "budget end game" amps. You can swap out opamps, and have various settings for it which is pretty neat. Personally again, I think the only reason people don't know about this amp or recommend it anywhere as much as the magni is because of the high output impedance. Idk why but it seems majority of chinese audio brands "chi fi" have this. It's not bad per se, just adds a little flavor to sound I guess which it seems this hobby is all about neutrality unless its about tubes.
Also I am about to buy an opamp upgrade and do some a/b testing since I have two A30's now. I'm not sure if its worth it but feel free to ask me later incase I forget to post it and that interests you.