If you plan to stick with the Rag, you really might as well go with a yggy og a2 lol, really kinda perfect match there. Considering you can find them used around the 1.6 range sometimes or a bit higher depending on the usb card, it’s a no brainier if you’re after bass impact and fun
Good point - I’ll see if I can find any floating around. The funniest thing is needing to make sure my desk can handle like 60lbs of DAC/amp on it lol.
I’m not sure if you’re familiar with the D1se but it’s been very good for me, but definitely lost some of that BF2 “fun” especially in the bass; do you think the Yggy is too much of a sidegrade or is it worth it to invest in the next “tier” so to speak. I saw a great review of the Merason Frerot DAC but I know synergy is a bigger factor as you upgrade, wasn’t sure if that would be a good pairing or not.
Another option that’s awesome for bass is a rockna wavelight but that’s another price class and I don’t know if I’d make that step yet lol
Oh cool I’ve never even heard of this, I’ll take a look - is this one of those “if you have to ask, you can’t afford it” situations?
I have only briefly heard the d1se, but I would say the yggy would be a for sure upgrade from my experience
I actually tried that one and it is great, although I don’t know if it would be my first choice for bass performance (it’s a bit softer in the bass imo)
Actually, on the front page aka the articles, I’ve got a dac comparison that might be of interest that might compare both the yggy and rockna lol
Yoooooooooo, will be very curious on your thoughts when you get it in lol. Something to note when you get it up and running, keep it on for a few days and then leave it on, it has a pretty noticeable warmup time
Main setup right now is a Schiit Ragnarok 2 and an HE6 v2. I also have a 6XX that I’m also interested in hearing through the DarkVoice with upgraded tubes and the Fritz mod (thanks to @NickMimi for that one).
I really wanted that headband as well but it’s been sold out for some time on the HiFiMan store - ended up getting the one for the 400/500 and taking out the pins like many others have done. Really loving it now.
Ive got the R10P in on demo and just hold shit is this thing good. Its very legitimately susvara levels of detail. Presentation is a bit different but now im confused why they havent done more with this driver. This is nuts tbh
Compared to the LCD-5 stock-tuned, the Susvara is by far my preferred sound signature. Timbre is a huge standout along with sheer definition in the mids and lower treble, straddling the line between analytical and naturalistic. The staging is comparable to the D8000 Pro in width (which is markedly wider than stock LCD-5), but generally more even. D8KP has what I interpret as narrow/oblong, almost conical at each ear with a more dampened background. The D8KP on certain tracks can sound deceivingly larger due to its unique presentation.
However, if I activate my EQ settings, a mixture of Resolve’s first three bands w/ the rest IEF Neutral, the LCD-5 gets awfully close tonally and technically, outright beating it in certain genres. The Susvara on my current chain is not as adept with slam and gradations in bass compared to the LCD-5, and makes the latter sound far better with artificial/electronic bass and natural percussion. Still though, the LCD-5 falters in most areas of timbre (often hollow/artificially lean-sounding) where the Susvara takes the crown for most natural instruments and vocals…
However, the D8KP on the Well Audio Milo Reference (w/ garage1217’s -20db attenuation adapter), that I also use with the Susvara (w/o the adapter), is sweetness overload, filling out the “inner stage” whilst still retaining its technical chops (likely due to how it scales with amplification.)
If I were to generalize, on the same chain, with the LCD-5 EQ’d on the left at most analytical and D8KP at the opposite side, the Susvara sits right in the middle. It’s a euphonic, technical monster that doesn’t stray too far into any category. Most of my “wow” moments involve how “correct” its sounded with a lot of my music, which wasn’t the major angle or observation I was expecting to come away with.
I can actually relate to a lot of what you said and that kind of led me to selling my LCD-5. I didn’t want to rely on EQ with my setup and in case it changes in the future and the Susvara was what I kept picking up. There are days I still miss the LCD-5, but I pick up the 1266 TC when that happens to get some more speed and slam.
Getting a new amp also helped narrow the difference and make me feel comfortable with selling the 5. The Susvara is just the best all-arounder I came across.
I’m curious, and we take it probably to the Abyss (or LCD-5) thread, about your thoughts on the LCD-5 EQ’d vs 1266 TC. That headphone was a major consideration for me alongside the Susvara, but I ultimately ended up with the Sus because I felt like with my Fostex headphones and LCD-5 it would be too redundant. That being said, I feel like most genres that I like with the Audezes, would probably be amplified with something like the TC . Though I heard the midrange is something to consider.
Though the efficiency and comfort of the LCD-5 is not lost on me. Yes, for those curious, the extended rods with the updated headband makes it more comfortable for me than the Sus… Weird, innit?
I try to get into my other HPs, even the ones that I gush all over are now just “yup they do their thing, that was fun”, and then it is right back to the Susvara setup. I thought the HE6se v2 was going to help with that but the TH909 still wins me over that and the Radiance too. I could see a 1266 tc being something to have and between it and the Susvara I’d be good. Sometimes I think I’m there with the Sus and TH909…
Sorry to jump in and rant like that. I was just thinking to myself that I agree with @orrman Sus and 1266 probably could be it for me too, I get it.
