Time to go Planar!

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Fretless
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Re: Time to go Planar!

Unread post by Fretless »

The Sabaj A10h is a great little amp, certainly with Hifiman Sundara. Ample power and control, very clear and detailed. A perfect starter device that is a step above the highly-regarded Schiit Magni. Sabaj A20h is a 'balanced' design and very likely even better.

The Monoprice is a major step up and (new) far more expensive than the obvious choice of an NVA AP10H. At this level you realise that headphones require serious over-capacity of power to sound their best.

Upstairs:
Vinyl
Pro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: P50sa - Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a (x2)
Downstairs:
Vinyl
Logic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 - BMU+ Aiyima A07 MAX (x2) + Arcam One
HP: HifiBerry Digi+ PRO + Sabaj A10d
Office:
Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith THX AAA 887
Headphones: German Maestro & AudioQuest

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Fretless
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Re: Time to go Planar!

Unread post by Fretless »

ljones67 wrote: Fri Nov 18, 2022 12:14 pm Also a fan of Equinoxe. Magnetic Fields was also a favourite. Haven't played them in ages so will give them a listen tonight.
Major Jarre fan here. Have pretty well everything. The new 'Oxymore' is a real experience, especially on headphones.

:grin: :guiness;
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ljones67 (Fri Nov 18, 2022 1:18 pm)

Upstairs:
Vinyl
Pro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: P50sa - Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a (x2)
Downstairs:
Vinyl
Logic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 - BMU+ Aiyima A07 MAX (x2) + Arcam One
HP: HifiBerry Digi+ PRO + Sabaj A10d
Office:
Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith THX AAA 887
Headphones: German Maestro & AudioQuest

ljones67
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Re: Time to go Planar!

Unread post by ljones67 »

Thanks.

Oxymore? Didn't know about that, I will have a look.

ljones67
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Re: Time to go Planar!

Unread post by ljones67 »

Ordered the Sabaj A10h. I went for a ‘used like new’ one for £66.33 from the same company that sells the new ones (via Amazon) so hopefully will be ok.
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Fretless (Sat Nov 19, 2022 7:03 pm)

Vinyl-ant
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Re: Time to go Planar!

Unread post by Vinyl-ant »

Interesting.. abit off topic, but you folks know more than me about these things.
The b&w p5s are really rather nice. Balanced abit towards the bassy end of the spectrum for me, but pleasantly smooth and engaging even though id prefer a more neutral presentation.
Ive been using them with my phone and tidal as it sounds better than spotify, so daughter can either use tidal or pay for spotify herself.
I can hear the headphone amp in the phone clipping, running out of puff somewhat, and its holding the sound back a little.

Now i never in a million years thought id be asking questions re a portable headphone amp to go with the phone or a portable dac to go with it, im an analogue person. Ive yet to set up the a20/p20 with a source and the at706 electret cans but will do so when i can find some space to do it.
Ive looked at the audiolab nano and some other bits and pieces but ive no particular experience of this and would rather not piss money away.

Help wanted, answers on a postcard..
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George Hincapie (Tue Nov 22, 2022 2:33 pm)
Analogue: oracle delphi sme 309, jbe series 3 cx unipivot dv20x2l, roksan xerxes tabriz vm750, jvc ql-y5f rigb at440, jvc ql-y3f vm750, lenco 75, technics sl150

Phono stages: cole lcr, benedict audio hothead

Digital: cyrus cd7, wiim mini x2, topping e30, jds labs el dac 2+

Amplification: nelson pass b1, nelson pass f5

Speakers: 15" fane aperiodic wardrobes

Cans: myryad z40, hifiman sundara + deva, fostex t50rp, sennheiser momentum on ear +over ear, b&w p5 and p7

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Fretless
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Re: Time to go Planar!

Unread post by Fretless »

Hi Ant. I have a B&W P7 here which isn't too different from the P5. Does need a bit of solid driving though and, as you say, the character is a bit subdued with an emphasis on bass.

Mobile amps: a good place to start is the AudioQuest Dragonfly or anything suitable from Fiio. An ancient Fiio X3 portable player is still making nice noises in my car and their portable DACs & amps are highly regarded.
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George Hincapie (Tue Nov 22, 2022 2:33 pm)

Upstairs:
Vinyl
Pro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: P50sa - Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a (x2)
Downstairs:
Vinyl
Logic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 - BMU+ Aiyima A07 MAX (x2) + Arcam One
HP: HifiBerry Digi+ PRO + Sabaj A10d
Office:
Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith THX AAA 887
Headphones: German Maestro & AudioQuest

Vinyl-ant
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Re: Time to go Planar!

Unread post by Vinyl-ant »

Cool, thank for the pointers of where to start
Analogue: oracle delphi sme 309, jbe series 3 cx unipivot dv20x2l, roksan xerxes tabriz vm750, jvc ql-y5f rigb at440, jvc ql-y3f vm750, lenco 75, technics sl150

Phono stages: cole lcr, benedict audio hothead

Digital: cyrus cd7, wiim mini x2, topping e30, jds labs el dac 2+

Amplification: nelson pass b1, nelson pass f5

Speakers: 15" fane aperiodic wardrobes

Cans: myryad z40, hifiman sundara + deva, fostex t50rp, sennheiser momentum on ear +over ear, b&w p5 and p7

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Re: Time to go Planar!

Unread post by Fretless »

Having now spent some time with the newer generation of planar headphones I must say that I am completely enthralled by them, with standard dynamic designs all sounding dull, slow and lifeless in comparison. Now in a process of upgrading and shifting components between rigs, also awaiting a new DAC (or 2) to maximise the effect that the Hifiman and Monoprice cans have brought.

The investment in new, dedicated headphone amplifiers has also paid off handsomely and given a few insights into the latest tech advances like Class D and THX processing (and tubes!).

THX is, in itself, an intriguing noise reduction / filtering system that some critics regard as cold and sterile. Well, the Monoprice HPA is certainly not clinically lifeless to my ears, rather, it is incredibly detailed and transparent. I know cold, sterile and clinical from the Mark Levinson setup that used to be here.

Also, it is evident that certain Chi-Fi brands are making susbstantial advances in sound quality and exceptional value, certainly where digital processing is involved. Although it is still a chancy hit-or-miss affair, especially if you buy via AliExpress.

Now, where is that postman ..... ?

:confusion-confused:
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George Hincapie (Tue Nov 22, 2022 2:30 pm) • CycleCoach (Wed Nov 23, 2022 10:31 am)

Upstairs:
Vinyl
Pro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: P50sa - Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a (x2)
Downstairs:
Vinyl
Logic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 - BMU+ Aiyima A07 MAX (x2) + Arcam One
HP: HifiBerry Digi+ PRO + Sabaj A10d
Office:
Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith THX AAA 887
Headphones: German Maestro & AudioQuest

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George Hincapie
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Re: Time to go Planar!

Unread post by George Hincapie »

I'm sure it won't be long :)
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Fretless (Tue Nov 22, 2022 3:38 pm)
Headphone Amplification
Linear Tube Audio MZ3

Headphones
HifiMan Sundara • HiFiMan Arya Stealth Edition • ZMF Vérité Closed Ltd (Stabilised) • ZMF Atrium Open Ltd (Hawaiian Koa) • ZMF Aeolus Ltd (Mexican Bocote)

Digital
Audial S5 • Pi2AES 2.0

Cables
Forza Audio Works • Blue Jeans • DH Labs • Periapt

Power
Farad • Tomanek

Sources
Roon • Tidal • Qobuz

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CN211276
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Re: Time to go Planar!

Unread post by CN211276 »

Fretless wrote: Sat Nov 19, 2022 7:02 pm Hi Ant. I have a B&W P7 here which isn't too different from the P5. Does need a bit of solid driving though and, as you say, the character is a bit subdued with an emphasis on bass.

Mobile amps: a good place to start is the AudioQuest Dragonfly or anything suitable from Fiio. An ancient Fiio X3 portable player is still making nice noises in my car and their portable DACs & amps are highly regarded.
Have been doing some headphone listening at home as my other half has gone down with this flu bug and is sleeping a lot. I have the Audioquest Colbat and the Chord Mojo's. Compared the Colbat with the original Mojo and the later is a clear winner. A more open sound and greater authority. Following a price hike the Mojo 2 is more than twice the price of the Colbat. It does provide comprehensive filtering but lacks portability. I use to Colbat for out an about. I found it superior to the DF Red and worth the extra as it is smaller and does not require the Jitterbug up uplift SQ.
Main System
NVA BMU, P90SA/A80s (latest spec), Cube 1s, TIS, TISC(LS7)
Sonore OpticalRendu, Chord Mscaler & Qutest, Sbooster PSs
Network Acoustics Eno, ifi iPurifier3, AQ JB FMJ, Cisco 2940 & 2960
DH Labs ethernet, BNC & USB cables, Farnells cat 8 ethernet cable

Second System
NVA P20/ A20, Cubettes, LS3, SSP, SC
Sonore MicroRendu, Chord Mojo 2 MCRU PSs, AQ Carbon USB cable & JB FMJ

Headphones
Grado SR325e/Chord Mojo, Beyerdynamic Avetho/AQ DF Colbat

RIP Doc

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