Bengineer 1,019 Posted February 9 Author Share Posted February 9 Correction: Output switch on front turns them on or off. Indicates they all run at once. So your active montiors you need to switch off their power when using the headphone tube amps. If you usually have them on and in sleep mode, that won't work. But if you turn them off anyway, all good. Link to post Share on other sites
bruc3 190 Posted February 9 Share Posted February 9 3 minutes ago, Bengineer said: Maybe something like the Jotunheim 2. Good preamping. XLR outputs for your actives. RCA output for your tube amps. You just split the RCA outputs either with a adapter plug, or adapter cable, to both the tube amps. You can split the RCA signl just fine, it will obvisouly only play whichever amp is one and cans plugged into. The Jot 2 volume pot is nice, it'll do well as preamp. Its also a nice SS options regardless. And now comes with output swtich on the front panel. Oh great, didnt know you could split the RCA up. I think the Jotunheim sounds like it may do the job and would look nice on my desk. I will check it out now. Thanks. 3 minutes ago, Bengineer said: Correction: Output switch on front turns them on or off. Yep all good, I will have my speakers off when not using it anyway. Link to post Share on other sites
Bengineer 1,019 Posted February 9 Author Share Posted February 9 Yeah. I've used adapters before, solid ones straight into the back of the unit, but I think if I was to do again I would just make a custom Y split RCA cable. Link to post Share on other sites
bruc3 190 Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 (edited) 21 minutes ago, Bengineer said: Yeah. I've used adapters before, solid ones straight into the back of the unit, but I think if I was to do again I would just make a custom Y split RCA cable. Thanks will look into this. Yep looking at it, your suggestion of Ares II > Jotunheim > amps/speakers is a very nice solution. NVM Edited February 10 by bruc3 Link to post Share on other sites
Bengineer 1,019 Posted February 10 Author Share Posted February 10 No. $615 AUD delivered for the Jot 2 direct from Schiit. Better amp, warranty, better resell. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Bengineer 1,019 Posted February 10 Author Share Posted February 10 Used Bifrost 2. New Jot 2. They stack perfectly. And be down for about $1450 or so. Sell CMA12 for say 1700. Winrar. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
BlueOceanBoy 461 Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 35 minutes ago, Bengineer said: Yeah that's all fair. So you either need; 1. SS Amp with good preamp functionality and the outputs you need 2. A splitter / switch that is high quality 3. A straight up preamp that has the input and outsputs you need Maybe something like the Jotunheim 2. Good preamping. XLR outputs for your actives. RCA output for your tube amps. You just split the RCA outputs either with a adapter plug, or adapter cable, to both the tube amps. You can split the RCA signl just fine, it will obvisouly only play whichever amp is one and cans plugged into. The Jot 2 volume pot is nice, it'll do well as preamp. Its also a nice SS options regardless. And now comes with output swtich on the front panel. Second that from Ben. Splitting RCA and XLR seems to be fine if you have good quality adaptors - Mogami and above. IME, you don't seem to lose any output voltage, that would affect your volume control on the amp side. Plenty of really great SS DACs (Topping, SMSL, Gustard etc) at very nice price points or MB like Schiit Audio. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Bengineer 1,019 Posted February 10 Author Share Posted February 10 I've seen the Pontus come up on the forums for good prices too. Link to post Share on other sites
bruc3 190 Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 Thanks guys, many things to think about. @Bengineer agreed, the schiit bifrost + jot is more appealing due to the wonderful stack they make, and keeping in mind my limited desk space. Pontus is nice, but I am not willing to spend that much on a DAC just yet. To be honest, not sure if my ears are even good enough to pick up the differences between DACs yet. Will find out I guess once I get another DAC. Link to post Share on other sites
Odyssey 1,038 Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 1 hour ago, bruc3 said: Thanks guys, many things to think about. @Bengineer agreed, the schiit bifrost + jot is more appealing due to the wonderful stack they make, and keeping in mind my limited desk space. Pontus is nice, but I am not willing to spend that much on a DAC just yet. To be honest, not sure if my ears are even good enough to pick up the differences between DACs yet. Will find out I guess once I get another DAC. IMO Bifrost 2 and Lyr 3 would be better and more versatile 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Bengineer 1,019 Posted February 10 Author Share Posted February 10 3 minutes ago, Odyssey said: IMO Bifrost 2 and Lyr 3 would be better and more versatile No it wouldn't ! Lyr 3 is a hybrid tube amp. It has one RCA input and one RCA output. His RCA requirements are for tube amps. So he would be tube buffering a tube amp? I know you like your tubes, but now I'm wondering if you just have them all plugged in together ahha. Then on top of that it has no XLR output for his active montiors. Link to post Share on other sites
bruc3 190 Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 Sorry Matt, I have to agree with Ben on this one. For my requirements the Jotunheim would be the better solution. But the Lyr 3 is the more versatile amp as its hybrid, but honestly dont think I want a hybrid amp now that I have gone full OTL. Link to post Share on other sites
Bengineer 1,019 Posted February 10 Author Share Posted February 10 I don't think Lyr 3 is versatile though. It's neither the strength of a full SS nor of a proper tube. At this level of gear it sort of sits in no-mans land as most here seem to have various amps. As a single box solution yeah maybe, might suit someone. Anyway! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
bruc3 190 Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 9 minutes ago, Bengineer said: It's neither the strength of a full SS nor of a proper tube. Hence for me now that I have a proper tube amp, I would much rather get a SS amp then a hybrid. If I could only have 1 amp, maybe a hybrid might be good option. But then again, I still rather have a really nice SS amp over a hybrid. Link to post Share on other sites
BlueOceanBoy 461 Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 Price point please....can get much more granular for you Link to post Share on other sites
Bengineer 1,019 Posted February 10 Author Share Posted February 10 My guess is DAC + Preamp or SS Amp under $1700. Assuming minimal loss on the CMA. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
bruc3 190 Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 What Ben said, thats my budget. Link to post Share on other sites
bruc3 190 Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 (edited) Here is my plan, I want to get the R2R DAC first to compare side by side with my CMA12 DAC, if I prefer the R2R then I will sell my CMA12 and get a ss amp/preamp. If for whatever reason I end up preferring my CMA12, then probably not gonna bother changing anything and sell off the R2R. Edited February 10 by bruc3 Link to post Share on other sites
bruc3 190 Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 By the way, who has owned or heard both the Bifrost 2 and Ares II? How do they compare? Link to post Share on other sites
BlueOceanBoy 461 Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 Desktop size - BiFrost 2, Ares II, Audio-gd R2R-11 or R-1, Holo Audio Cyan, Soekris 2541 Link to post Share on other sites
elisix_ 145 Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 (edited) Heard both and I prefer the Ares II. I didn't compare them side by side, so going off memory, but the Ares really impressed me for the money. If I had a Schiit amp I might be inclined to go Bifrost. Have you watched the review by MidFiGuy on YouTube? Edited February 10 by elisix_ Link to post Share on other sites
bruc3 190 Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 17 minutes ago, elisix_ said: Have you watched the review by MidFiGuy on YouTube? Thanks Jay, I will check that review and a few others. 19 minutes ago, BlueOceanBoy said: Desktop size - BiFrost 2, Ares II, Audio-gd R2R-11 or R-1, Holo Audio Cyan, Soekris 2541 Thanks Neil, many others I did not even know about. So good to have options. Link to post Share on other sites
barbz127 142 Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 1 hour ago, bruc3 said: By the way, who has owned or heard both the Bifrost 2 and Ares II? How do they compare? @franky995 can you answer this one? 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Odyssey 1,038 Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 2 hours ago, bruc3 said: Sorry Matt, I have to agree with Ben on this one. For my requirements the Jotunheim would be the better solution. But the Lyr 3 is the more versatile amp as its hybrid, but honestly dont think I want a hybrid amp now that I have gone full OTL. No need to be sorry. 😀 1 Link to post Share on other sites
franky995 168 Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 18 minutes ago, barbz127 said: @franky995 can you answer this one? I had both and kept the Ares 2. Both are excellent at the price point and similar in performance. The Ares is a bit more laid back, BF2 possibly a bit more detailed. I would say they are roughly at the same performance levels, just different flavours. 3 Link to post Share on other sites
bruc3 190 Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 51 minutes ago, franky995 said: I had both and kept the Ares 2. Both are excellent at the price point and similar in performance. The Ares is a bit more laid back, BF2 possibly a bit more detailed. I would say they are roughly at the same performance levels, just different flavours. Thanks Frank, that pretty much sums it up from what I have been reading too. I think I am currently leaning towards Bifrost. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
franky995 168 Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 Can’t go wrong with either! I bought the Bifrost 2 twice already so maybe I’ll end up with one again at some point. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Odyssey 1,038 Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 (edited) Bifrost 2 is the works. 🙂 Just before buying, I ran that past Neil because he has heard that before and he said go for it. True enough it's the tone I want and that makes me arrange for my Yggdrasil to be upgraded to analog 2 and unison usb as soon as I can with A2A because that's where my Yggy comes from. In others news, Neil's Meze copper cables for Audeze arrived today and I'm now trying it out with LCD-3f into Elekit TU8200. Thanks for the express delivery Neil. 👍 The copper cable was just right with LCD-3f, presenting a good balance of very slight warmth and clarity. Just a shade darker than my Forza Claire Hybrid HPC that has a blend of silver / copper but it's a good tone. Edited February 10 by Odyssey 2 Link to post Share on other sites
elisix_ 145 Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 I knew I shouldn’t have hesitated on that Meze copper cable 😂 Dibs if you move it on @Odyssey? 😊 Link to post Share on other sites
Odyssey 1,038 Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 (edited) 6 hours ago, elisix_ said: I knew I shouldn’t have hesitated on that Meze copper cable 😂 Dibs if you move it on @Odyssey? 😊 Jay, certainly. As it is I might move it on because I do want 4 pin xlr balance termination and also I may be looking for a silver or silver / copper cable. So I'll certainly keep you in mind. Cheers. It is a very nice, soft and flexible cable though. Won't coil and fall nicely. Oh you have seen it that day at Peppy's place. As good as the LCD-3f sound, I know I needed the LCD-4 and Utopia. As soon as I switch from LCD-3f to He1000se, I know it's no contest. He1000se wins by a mile. It's probably the only headphone I need but I want to try the Abyss 1266 phi TC. 🙂 Edited February 10 by Odyssey Link to post Share on other sites
Tarzan 127 Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 18 hours ago, bruc3 said: By the way, who has owned or heard both the Bifrost 2 and Ares II? How do they compare? Personally, if you were likely to get the Jot2 amp I would get the Bifrost 2. Great dac by all accounts and they will match in looks as well. To me that's important. I was looking at these 2 dacs myself but up with a Chord Qutest after liking the Mojo. The Gieseler Kompact is also great for the money and @BlueOceanBoy rated this dac highly and I would agree with his thoughts. FYI I have not demo'd either of the 2 dacs you mention. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
BlueOceanBoy 461 Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 8 minutes ago, Tarzan said: Personally, if you were likely to get the Jot2 amp I would get the Bifrost 2. Great dac by all accounts and they will match in looks as well. To me that's important. I was looking at these 2 dacs myself but up with a Chord Qutest after liking the Mojo. The Gieseler Kompact is also great for the money and @BlueOceanBoy rated this dac highly and I would agree with his thoughts. FYI I have not demo'd either of the 2 dacs you mention. Big fan of Qutest! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
bruc3 190 Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 1 hour ago, Tarzan said: Personally, if you were likely to get the Jot2 amp I would get the Bifrost 2. Great dac by all accounts and they will match in looks as well. To me that's important. I was looking at these 2 dacs myself but up with a Chord Qutest after liking the Mojo. I agree, hence why I am leaning towards the Bifrost. I know Chord gear always gets rave reviews and is well loved, but they always look so strange (ugly) imo lol. Aesthetics is pretty important to me too, but obviously sound takes priority. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Odyssey 1,038 Posted February 11 Share Posted February 11 2 hours ago, BlueOceanBoy said: Big fan of Qutest! Yup at Minidisc, Qutest - Auris Nirvana - LCD4 was a nirvana moment. Link to post Share on other sites
elisix_ 145 Posted February 11 Share Posted February 11 (edited) 13 hours ago, Odyssey said: Jay, certainly. As it is I might move it on because I do want 4 pin xlr balance termination and also I may be looking for a silver or silver / copper cable. So I'll certainly keep you in mind. Cheers. It is a very nice, soft and flexible cable though. Won't coil and fall nicely. Oh you have seen it that day at Peppy's place. Thanks. Just let me know. I'm thinking i'd use this SE copper for my Hugo 2 around the house and buy the XLR silver for my V281 at home. Edited February 11 by elisix_ Link to post Share on other sites
Mightygrey 91 Posted February 12 Share Posted February 12 All this talk of Jot 2/Bifrost is confirming where I will probably end up. I have the Bifrost 2, but a phono-equipped Jot 2 will give me 3 x analogue inputs as well as proper pre-amp switching capabilities for my near-field set-up. Plus, more headphone power than I'll ever need. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Odyssey 1,038 Posted February 12 Share Posted February 12 1 hour ago, Mightygrey said: All this talk of Jot 2/Bifrost is confirming where I will probably end up. I have the Bifrost 2, but a phono-equipped Jot 2 will give me 3 x analogue inputs as well as proper pre-amp switching capabilities for my near-field set-up. Plus, more headphone power than I'll ever need. Make sense. I have Bifrost 2 connected to my Elekit preamp / phono / amp combo and that works for me too except I still have a big custom amp coming up in June. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
bruc3 190 Posted February 12 Share Posted February 12 1 hour ago, Odyssey said: I have Bifrost 2 connected to my Elekit preamp / phono / amp combo and that works for me too except I still have a big custom amp coming up in June. Oh didn't know you also had a Bifrost 2. When did you get one? Link to post Share on other sites
Odyssey 1,038 Posted February 12 Share Posted February 12 40 minutes ago, bruc3 said: Oh didn't know you also had a Bifrost 2. When did you get one? When Schiit was born. It’s yours for $999 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Full Range 5,919 Posted February 12 Share Posted February 12 I am getting back into headphones again In the recent past I have sold all my headphones and associated gear The problem laid in comfort I have larger ears and after a short hiatus I am going to choose a set with my eyes fully open Now I am going looking to get a “used pair” of over ear , large cup , reference or close to reference pair of headphones After looking at what’s available especially in the models available with large cups for large ears Sennheiser HD 660 S or HD 700 or HD 800 AKG - K702 ( but I don’t like the steel wire head frame ) On the budget end that also punches above there weight in sound quality reproduction ( as the reviews say ) with extreme comfort Philips Audio SHP9500 All recommendations and opinions on the listed models above welcome PM me if you have a pair for sale - but again they must have large ear cups Link to post Share on other sites
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