I’m pretty sure most who are interested will be listening that way. As an aside, that’s why I like DAPs so much. They give you the freedom to just listen wherever you want to / feel like.
5 Likes
My mobile rig is a modded Radsone ES100 with a massive battery which lasts 24 hours at least. Combine with an older but golden LG G8X connected with 990kbs LDAC and Android Poweramp. Im in absolute heaven mobile. The G8x also has a quad sabre dac headphone if I want to use that and it does sound great.
Desktop rig is slightly insane though. PC → Motu MK5 → optical SPDIF → custom Geshelli Jnog 2 w/Sparkos SS2590 opamps running line outs → Aune B1S portable amp (on battery) → Topping L70 amplifier in balanced.
5 Likes
I would have been surprised to hear you using a standard mobile solution like a dongle/DAP given your interests but that desktop setup is wild (in a good way). If you ever feel like it / have the time, it would be awesome to have a vid on your channel explaining why you chose this particular combination of gear.
5 Likes
I could do that, good idea. There are videos about each piece of my rig but nothing comprehensive.
Quickly: The Jnog 2 is an AKM 4493 dac which I particularity like in terms of how they sound. Then we include the Sparkos SS2590 which is arguably the best opamp ever created in the world. I worked with Sparkos 4 years ago to get them to build an adapter to made the things with a normal DIP8 opamp socket you find on devices. (this bit me in the ass)
What ended up happening the Sparkos SS2590 is designed for pro-audio which means the devices involved expect around 100k impedance between ins and outs. The topping L70 is below normal (for measurement mojo) at around 3k impedance. I fixed by throwing the Aune B1s in the middle, which drops the impedace to about 1.2ohm.. this fixes any impedance imbalances.
The topping is basically near the top of ANY amp ever for low sensitivity IEMs. You can find specs on ASR. Look at the 50mv ratings to know why I selected it.
Finally, I use optical SPDIF to electrically isolate my PC from the rest of the chain and the Aune b1s running on battery cuts the actual ground connection as well. Perfect black background from a beefcake PC.
6 Likes
I think you once mentioned this in a vid. And thanks for the quick rundown!
3 Likes
I’m a big fan of AKM DAC chips as well. I have an older M200 DAC running the bedroom system and that AK4497EQ sounds very sweet. 
4 Likes
AKM is really the gold standard for me, I have like 6 devices with them. The Es100 is dual AKM 4493 too :o
5 Likes
That looks so pleasant and cool 
Would this make for a fantastic solution for color options?
2 Likes
Yes kind of, but I pretty much need to buy new vats for each resin so its like 45 bux plus the resin. I dont know if ill go for anything other than clear or blue at the moment
There are primary colors, red, green, blue, clear, black. Other than that you have to mix and match and I don’t think I wanna deal with that.
5 Likes
I love my akm J2s , I can’t see myself wanting anything more than it offers.
3 Likes
Bro, I have tried other dacs in the meantime, about 10 actually, and the JNOG2 is just wicked sweet. The Sparkos mod takes it up a few notches too.
6 Likes
Primary is plenty, especially with how that blue looks. 
5 Likes
What about clear shells with colored caps as an option? 
I remember when your first prototypes had that frosted look to them, that would look nice as well.
3 Likes
Don’t give him ideas or we’ll be waiting some more 
(just kidding of course)
5 Likes
A totally understandable worry 
2 Likes
nope, the main detail stuff has to be pure black for the best resolution and tight tolerances. If i had a better printer I could do clear as well, but I don’t.
6 Likes
Agreed better than J3 still interested in TORC with the swappable Dacs
2 Likes
Hopefully this isn’t too much of a bother to ask, but would you happen to know where I could find the exact grills for the OG Dark Magician @shortbus ?
2 Likes
There is absolutely nothing special about the grills on them but these are similar:
4.7mm will fit okay, and 5mm is a hair larger but you pack the 5mm in tighter which may be better.
5 Likes
I’m happy to report I didn’t have my head up my ass when saying Anomaly was done. A trusted friend checked them and said they are done too. The Nozzle tip-lock makes the nozzles a bit tight for small framed people, so I have a version without that ready. Other than that, generally, it plays mostly anything and is engaging and non-shit. I won’t put words in his mouth but Im happy i didnt get lost after doing this for so long.
11 Likes