Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions
Showing 1 of 154 conversations about:
damoke251
1
Jul 11, 2016
bookmark_border
ZMFheadphones
420
ZMF Headphones
Jul 19, 2016
bookmark_border
damoke251The Asus should do great, there are really a plethora of amps that can drive these, I typically recommend at least 250 Mw of power for volume sake, aside from that it's all about your tastes and synergy. So many great amps out there!
damoke251
1
Jul 19, 2016
bookmark_border
ZMFheadphonesGreat! Thanks for the reply. cant wait to have them with me :D
Evshrug
3772
Community
Jul 20, 2016
bookmark_border
damoke251Agreed, the STX should be quite good. I used a Creative X7 with similar amping power (but different sound signature and implementation) that sounded quite decent, though they scaled up in an obvious way when connected to the balanced output of my Cavalli Liquid Carbon. A friend of mine just bought a Vibro mk II, it sounded good on his Schiit Modi + Vali rig BUT easily crisper, more defined, and with better bass extension on my LC (I brought it to compare). The Vibro requires a higher volume setting than most headphones... Needed almost max volume from my phone when plugged in directly, but it was nice to turn up my X7 + Windows volume setting up above 20%.
In short, the Vibro will sound good and really fun on your Asus STX, but if you ever upgrade your amp, the vibro's ability to scale up would reward your investment.
In short, the Vibro will sound good and really fun on your Asus STX, but if you ever upgrade your amp, the vibro's ability to scale up would reward your investment.
damoke251
1
Jul 20, 2016
bookmark_border
EvshrugThis was exactly the info i needed, thank you very much. i dont think ill be getting a LC anytime soon but the Schiit solutions look very good for the price. Also the Darkvoice headphone amp seems to be getting a lot of praise. might be an option for the future, thanks again!
Dave.
Dave.
Evshrug
3772
Community
Jul 20, 2016
bookmark_border
damoke251Glad to contribute!!! The LC is ONE option that I really like, but not the only one. I've always wanted to try the Darkvoice, and huge tubes like that are always fascinating... Tip from a tube owner, they have an intrinsic "cool factor" that adds to your enjoyment and often happen to sound great too, the only "daily use" challenge is they pick up cellphone EMI and so are a little more picky about setup/shielding. It's not a huge deal, just put the amp a bit further away from your phone and wifi router, but something to keep in mind.
I haven't heard all of the Schiit gear, but the Magni/ Asgard 2/ Ragnarok tend towards a bit drier, brighter sound (which may compliment the Vibro's exciting, rich, slightly romantic tuning). Schiit provides a product at every price point (or upgrade path, if you look at it that way), but I tend to like their DACs more than their kinda dry amps.
Too bad the LC was a limited run and discontinued now... Interested in what Cavalli does next, opened my eyes to try out other brands.
I haven't heard all of the Schiit gear, but the Magni/ Asgard 2/ Ragnarok tend towards a bit drier, brighter sound (which may compliment the Vibro's exciting, rich, slightly romantic tuning). Schiit provides a product at every price point (or upgrade path, if you look at it that way), but I tend to like their DACs more than their kinda dry amps.
Too bad the LC was a limited run and discontinued now... Interested in what Cavalli does next, opened my eyes to try out other brands.
MPerdue63
7
Jul 26, 2016
bookmark_border
EvshrugI may have missed it earlier but what DAC are you using with the LC balanced?
Evshrug
3772
Community
Jul 26, 2016
bookmark_border
MPerdue63Ugh, misclick on my smartphone made me go back a page and lose a fun 4-paragraph response. Sorry.
I have had zero issues using single-ended DACs because of the LC's phase splitter, so I usually use the insightful (detailed) and super-convenient Creative X7 most of the time when I want to use any source besides firing up the desktop PC, and when I want to maximize immersion I use a Theta DSPro Basic II connected to an E10k's coax and then my PC.
The X7 connects to, uh, basically anything, and that's very useful, plus it's very clean as a DAC (makes a motherboard or DAP sound relatively muddy by comparison). It helps make it easier to pick up on all the instruments and little flourishes by the musicians, and reveals some of the spacial cues of the studio environment, which helps with the audio's sense of soundstage and depth. It's price makes it a luxury for gaming, but Still within the realm of affordable, and the clarity benefits chaotic moments and immersion. In Destiny for example, it's easier to hear the sparkling of loot chests and twinkling of materials, the environmental sounds alongside the more prominent guns and explosions, and of course the virtual surround has (for me, so far) never sounded better. Creative also recently updated firmware and software so that stereo AND headphone-processed-surround can be output from the line-out and make the X7 perform as a true DAC to the Cavalli Liquid Carbon.
But the Theta is musically more immersive. Made by the same guy from Schiit that made the Multibit, R2R DAC Yggdrasil, Theta DACs are also Multibit, creating a more natural reproduction of the digital information than typical DACs (1-bit, Delta-Sigma DACs). Picking out the differences between my Theta and a good 1-bit DAC is hard to consciously analyze (both are detailed, but bass notes are richer and seem to have a more "solid body," treble seems less brittle or digital, mids also seem richer and to have a more true timbre), but the experience is a stronger emotional connection to what is going on. Massive Attack's "Angel" still surprises me how note tone and impact will change on different setups and how the bass can reveal if the amp isn't strong enough (if the volume is set comfortably for the middle of the song, can you rewind to the beginning and hear the quiet intro notes?), with the Theta + LC + Vibro the song has deep bass, velvety vocals, and can handle the hard percussive midbass "thumps" without a ringing sound in the decay or sounding like the driver is going to pop. I particularly appreciate well-mastered songs on a good setup though, so coming across something like Paul Simon's "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" feels like finding treasure and just blew me away to keep saying "Wow!"
But back to the Vibro, here's a short playlist of some songs I really enjoyed (on Apple Music) when I was reviewing the Vibro (which my friend now owns): Listen to ZMF Vibro by EvShrug on @AppleMusic.https://itunes.apple.com/us/playlist/zmf-vibro/idpl.23c3a5b1b8ac42b9b69acb95ce526ae9
I have had zero issues using single-ended DACs because of the LC's phase splitter, so I usually use the insightful (detailed) and super-convenient Creative X7 most of the time when I want to use any source besides firing up the desktop PC, and when I want to maximize immersion I use a Theta DSPro Basic II connected to an E10k's coax and then my PC.
The X7 connects to, uh, basically anything, and that's very useful, plus it's very clean as a DAC (makes a motherboard or DAP sound relatively muddy by comparison). It helps make it easier to pick up on all the instruments and little flourishes by the musicians, and reveals some of the spacial cues of the studio environment, which helps with the audio's sense of soundstage and depth. It's price makes it a luxury for gaming, but Still within the realm of affordable, and the clarity benefits chaotic moments and immersion. In Destiny for example, it's easier to hear the sparkling of loot chests and twinkling of materials, the environmental sounds alongside the more prominent guns and explosions, and of course the virtual surround has (for me, so far) never sounded better. Creative also recently updated firmware and software so that stereo AND headphone-processed-surround can be output from the line-out and make the X7 perform as a true DAC to the Cavalli Liquid Carbon.
But the Theta is musically more immersive. Made by the same guy from Schiit that made the Multibit, R2R DAC Yggdrasil, Theta DACs are also Multibit, creating a more natural reproduction of the digital information than typical DACs (1-bit, Delta-Sigma DACs). Picking out the differences between my Theta and a good 1-bit DAC is hard to consciously analyze (both are detailed, but bass notes are richer and seem to have a more "solid body," treble seems less brittle or digital, mids also seem richer and to have a more true timbre), but the experience is a stronger emotional connection to what is going on. Massive Attack's "Angel" still surprises me how note tone and impact will change on different setups and how the bass can reveal if the amp isn't strong enough (if the volume is set comfortably for the middle of the song, can you rewind to the beginning and hear the quiet intro notes?), with the Theta + LC + Vibro the song has deep bass, velvety vocals, and can handle the hard percussive midbass "thumps" without a ringing sound in the decay or sounding like the driver is going to pop. I particularly appreciate well-mastered songs on a good setup though, so coming across something like Paul Simon's "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" feels like finding treasure and just blew me away to keep saying "Wow!"
But back to the Vibro, here's a short playlist of some songs I really enjoyed (on Apple Music) when I was reviewing the Vibro (which my friend now owns): Listen to ZMF Vibro by EvShrug on @AppleMusic.https://itunes.apple.com/us/playlist/zmf-vibro/idpl.23c3a5b1b8ac42b9b69acb95ce526ae9
MPerdue63
7
Jul 26, 2016
bookmark_border
EvshrugI appreciate the information, I'm trying to decide on a DAC and the more I research....the more difficult the decision.
Evshrug
3772
Community
Jul 26, 2016
bookmark_border
MPerdue63LOL sorry!
I guess the main takeaway I'd offer you: headphone>amp>DAC>>cables. Don't stress too much over it or delay your enjoyment, you'll probably be pleased with almost any choice.
MPerdue63
7
Jul 26, 2016
bookmark_border
EvshrugMetrum Acoustics Musette is on the list, but he PS audio Nuwave catches my eye as well...yggy would be a stretch!
Related Products
Drop Refurbished
Like-new products you can trustDrop Rewards
Get $5 for every 500 points you earn! Learn more
Drop Keyboard Club
Become a member and expand your keycap collectionCollaborate With Us
For Brands & DesignersFollow Drop
Thanks!