i have definitely found i like a more analytical detail focused DAC for the soloist and let the soloist handle the coloration. it handles detail and resolution so well that i hate to hold it back.
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This āpower amp modeā mentioned, basically taking the volume pot out of the equation by maxing out the dial, I remember a similar practice being spoken about regarding the 789. Could this possibly bear fruit for other amps like a Singxer SA-1 or Aune X7Ss for example?
Watching this now. He is sharing some insight on the different swappable op-amp designs. Since there was a bit of discussion on the board about this, I figured I would share it here.
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So I had went ahead and had made the purchase of the Sparkos Labs SS3602 op-amps. I know I didnāt think I needed to add them but curiosity got the best of me. 
After watching the vid, I went back and double check that I had installed them correctly. Not that there were any issues, just wanted to be sure. I did remember aligning them based on the cutoutā¦ but being that this was my first time messing around with this, I just wanted to be sure.
I did install them into the Volume Control and Buffer Stage on the Soloist GT. I think I do prefer them over the vivid as they seem to produce a smoother overall tonal sound. Still really only been a day using them, so need to give it some more time.
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for me I found the same for my preferencesā¦ still awaiting my supercharger (orders @50% off for black friday sale). So that may change with the SC.
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So i was finally able to test the Douk U2 Pro and i like it a lot! Funny thing is i had no SPDIF cable so for the first couple of days i used a Schiit pyst cable hoping it was 75 ohms, and on those first couple of days i could not really hear any improvement in the sound compared to USB, but now i have received a proper 75 ohm cable and yep, the improvements are there.
The two things i can put my finger on are a more āairyā soundstage and a more impactful bass slam. There are probably other differences there for which i donāt have the ears or the vocabulary to explain, i just like the sound a bit better with it than the Modiās USB.
I was kind of shocked after i listened to a track i REALLY know like the palm of my hand with the Douk and the new SPDIF cable, then i switched back and forth between the Schiit cable and the 75ohm cable, the difference was very clear.
This is such a cheap addition to my chain and the improvement was quite clear, i recommend you guys try it even if you donāt really believe it will make a difference, worst case scenario you can return it (got mine on Amazon) but i doubt you will.
Thanks @Pokrog for bringing this to my attention!
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itās odd how just having the sub bass be that much more precise gives it way better slam and rumble, isnāt it? that stupid low sub bass between like 15-35hz gets a certain clarity that makes it sound like the room is shaking around you and the sense of soundstage precision and depth you get is so nice as well. that stupid thing transformed the he6 for me.
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How does this amp compare to the Rebel? Does this amp pair well with the Elex? Please forgive if this was discussed in prior threads.
Yep i fully agree, i was on the fence about selling my LCD-X, but today i have A/B the two once more and the decision was easier this time, if you look at the buy/sell thread you will find my LCD-X there.
I will not reach for the Audeze anymore, the HE6 is all i need for a planar.
I have the HE6 + Douk U2 + Soloist + supercharger. The only thing missing is the little bear so i can use the Soloistās power amp mode and i am done, it is endgame for me. I should receive the little bear this week.
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Would anyone know if the burson super charger can be used with my thx 887? Seems to fit all the requirements. The thx power brick is 24 volt 1.8 amp with a plug that has a 2.5 mm barrel. That is what burson said is required. I doubt the people from monoprice would know the answer.
Any help would be appreciated.
I just had my first OMFG moment with my Burson unit yesterday. I was using my DT 880 600ohm with it. So much refined powerā¦ that was the best music listening experience for me so far. I guess @Pokrog was right after all and impedance is quite important and I just couldnāt believe it. With my low impedance DDs I canāt say that 3XP is better or worse than my other cheaper amps, itās just different. But with these headphones none of my other amps are even close to what Burson is capable of
Yeah get an impedance adapter for your lower impedance headphones and I bet itās problem solved.
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Used the iFi DC iPurifier2 with the original power supply. The Soloist 3XP has a darker background, punchier bass, sounds clearer and more dynamic. The downside is that the iPurifier2 runs hot, perhaps hotter than the Soloist. It runs warm when used in an aircon room with a small fan blowing over it.
Just received the Supercharger. There is improvement from the original power supply. Sounds different from the iPurifier2 though, maybe even darker background. Need more listening time with the Supercharger.
YMMV
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I have a few questions regarding the soloist 3xp. Iām just concerned that my amp might have some faulty op-amps.
- Does the Balanced out is warmer than the SE? (Mine is)
- Does the Power amp mode(bypass mode) is more clear and less warm than without it? (Mine is).
- In med and high gain, the amp noise increase in 25 steps. After the 25 steps, it goes lower but is still there. Ex:
0-23 less noise
24 noise
25 noisier
26 clicking sound
27-49 less noise
50 noise
51 noisier
52 clicking sound - Is the actual volume stage making my amp sound worse? Maybe is one of the amps located in the volume part.
Edit: Added the power amp mode (Bypass mode because it bypass the volume control).
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- never compared but yes the soloist can get warm
- eh, thatās more subjective than anything and dependent on the headphone. if you like how it sounds more use it
- are you talking about simply adjusting the volume? i hear no clicks on mine unless i switch gain stages. and yes there is noise floor the higher the gain
- not sure what you mean by thisā¦
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Balanced does seem a little warmer for sure but Iām never sure if itās just the gobs of power that the balanced puts out (a couple people have tested it at 15w@32ohm before clipping, drastically higher than advertised) and the bypass mode bypasses the volume chip and you definitely get more clarity. I literally donāt use the volume knob at all except to change gain stages, I always keep it in bypass mode and use a passive preamp between my DAC and amp to control volume. The volume stage clicking also comes with a slight drop in volume at like 2 positions but I forget where and I think it has something to do with channel matching going through really firm stages to keep the balance and bypass mode literally bypasses the volume chip and thatās where that added clarity comes from. As for the noise thing, there is always a chance you have a noisy opamp or something but Burson is pretty helpful so they might be able to sort you out or track down the problem but another thing to remember is that all that huge amount of amp power is also going to amplify noise anywhere else in your system so it could just be making the noise a lot more obvious. Chasing down noise sources and solving them is a pain in the ass but it isnāt all that expensive in the scope of things. Even simple dirt cheap ferrite chokes on some cables can occasionally work wonders, though itās gonna depend on where the noise is coming from and how much there is.
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- I mean sound wise. Not the actual unit.
- I know about the noice floor in high gain. Try putting a headphone in high gain and lower the volume to 0. Donāt play any music, slowly raise the volumen until 99. Mine clicks and the noise floor goes up and down on certain in 25 increments.
- Picture attached. Iām talking about the high light volume contro with the V6 amp.
Thank you! I might contact them. I bought mine from headphones.com Iām concerned mine comes with the amp or something that I read in another forum about defective op-amps or something. There must be a reason why headphones.com sell the soloist as a final sale in full price.
Edit: going to try to figure out the noise in my setup first. Also, Iām using the supercharger.