Nigel
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Post by Nigel on Mar 20, 2008 0:56:41 GMT
As you say, for cd & vinyl users, or anyone with more than one source, it's a complete pain in the ass.
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Post by PinkFloyd on Mar 20, 2008 1:53:13 GMT
No, I've heard her. Let the other chaps have a listen now. Put me down for one. Pity it doesn't have two inputs like the Solo though, that's a great help. BTW, obviously I don't think it pisses on the Solo big time really. It does make the Solo sound a bit small scale though. The Solo seems to sound coloured in comparison but wins on bass tunes. Was thinking about the two inputs myself............wouldn't be a problem fitting two RCA sockets where the yellow plugs are and a switch in between them. Obviously it would mean reaching round the back to switch sources but handier than switching interconnects. The small wiring distance between rca's, switch and pcb shouldn't affect sound quality? Two inputs (switchable) should be more than "doudouable" (sorry..... someone shoot me)
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Nigel
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Post by Nigel on Mar 20, 2008 8:55:01 GMT
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Post by PinkFloyd on Mar 20, 2008 9:12:43 GMT
de doudou do de doudo da yeeeooo
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Nigel
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Post by Nigel on Mar 20, 2008 9:16:57 GMT
I wonder if the manufacturer has any thoughts about leaving the amp left on 24/7. The case runs only slightly warm & didn't I read it consumes 17 watts of power? Is this 17 watts even with the volume control turned down?
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Post by PinkFloyd on Mar 20, 2008 9:16:59 GMT
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Post by PinkFloyd on Mar 20, 2008 9:19:14 GMT
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Sol
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Post by Sol on Mar 20, 2008 10:18:59 GMT
Was thinking about the two inputs myself............wouldn't be a problem fitting two RCA sockets where the yellow plugs are and a switch in between them. Just use a tape loop from your amp (assuming you have one)
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Nigel
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Post by Nigel on Mar 20, 2008 10:38:32 GMT
Yes, but don't you think that degrades the sound quality? I prefer straight into the headphone amp.
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Sol
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Post by Sol on Mar 20, 2008 10:49:00 GMT
I guess it could .. depends on the tape loop - I just assume it's like having a longer interconnect - never done a back to back!
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Nigel
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Post by Nigel on Mar 21, 2008 1:17:59 GMT
This amp strips the music naked in all its glory, it took me a few days to reach the conclusion. I don't know how Mike felt but at first I thought, no surely not, this can't be right. I've just been hearing some Paul Simon on vinyl & he never sounded so good.
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Nigel
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Post by Nigel on Mar 21, 2008 1:25:44 GMT
When Mike first mentioned the amp I thought, yeah, yeah, same old story, another variation on a similar theme but how wrong I was. Fair play to him as well, he believed in the product enough to pass it round & give us the chance to hear it.
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Post by charleyphogg on Mar 21, 2008 4:32:10 GMT
The Solo seems to sound coloured in comparison but wins on bass tunes. So, I take it you find the SOlo to have more bass, and the DouDOu to be brighter then the Solo? Edit: You may have mentioned it before, but My brain has been swirling in a blender for the past few weeks, which can's are you using with te DouDou?
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Nigel
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Post by Nigel on Mar 21, 2008 12:46:49 GMT
Yes Charlie, spot on. Solo more bass, Mr Doudou brighter. Fair to say the Solo has better, deeper bass & more impact on this front IMO. Solo sounds silky, Doudou more cleaner.
Cans were Sennheiser HD650 (Cardas) AKG K501 (Equinox) & an old pair of Beyer DT990's. Source components, Rega Jupiter 2000 & Linn Sondek/Audio Origami RB300/Dynavector DV10x5 record player.
I should really have tried it with an old £200 Technics cd player as well to see how it sounds with that but won't have the time now.
Charlie,
I heard "Tarkus" by ELP, 'Eruption' was awesome I can tell you, on 'Are You Ready, Eddy' Keith Emerson could clearly be heard saying "I missed my last bus home" near the end of the track & the famous impression of the studio's sandwich lady "I've only got ham & cheese" right at the very end, well, I'd never heard it reproduced like this before.
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Nigel
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Post by Nigel on Mar 21, 2008 16:36:48 GMT
Well, as the Doudou leaves for pastures new tomorrow, my final thoughts. Presentation wise, it's different to the Solo & both offer equal amounts of listening pleasure. Doudou sounds more widescreen in the sound stage stakes & serves up more detail in the recording. Solo more silky, warmer & intimate, before hearing this I would never have regarded the Solo as warm & silky. I guess they are both in the same class with different approaches, maybe Mike is right & you really do need a few different amp & headphone combinations, one size doesn't fit all. Overall, the Mr Doudou just shades it for me though, priced at £200 in the group buy, it is one mighty bargain. It will be worth someone trying the amp with some cheapo source components, plus some different headphones because it's a bit warts & all, I expect it to seriously lack bass in certain settings & this will spoil enjoyment, I could be wrong & it may sound fine but this will need investigating.
Next man is leo & I expect it will sound even better after he's finished tinkering, I mean listening to it.
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leo
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Post by leo on Mar 21, 2008 21:22:00 GMT
Don't worry, apart from having a peak inside I won't be touching any of the circuitry as its not mine
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Post by paradigm on Mar 21, 2008 22:06:19 GMT
i looked at the Stingers website and saw a couple of other amps one which was called the "Walker" any one know any info on this or is a too top secret?
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Post by PinkFloyd on Mar 21, 2008 22:08:42 GMT
Maybe Mike is right & you really do need a few different amp & headphone combinations, one size doesn't fit all. Those are my findings after listening to many many different combinations, there is no one universal solution that fits all types of music, some come close but they tend to wear rose tinted specs and add a bit of chocolate to make everything you listen to "acceptable" to the ear..... I have yet to hear one amp, or one pair of headphones that do "everything" well.... as long as we have good old fashioned ears to listen through then there never will be an ideal transducer for "all" occasions, it will continue to be a case of selecting the right tool for the job and that means keeping a few pairs of headphones and a few amplifiers. Malky asks how the Doudou Singer compares to a modded X-Can v3...... it's not better, it's not worse... it is simply "different". With certain types of music I prefer it over the v3 with other types of music I'd choose to listen through the v3 instead.... it's like an old fashioned telephone exchange here with me plugging various headphones in to a selection of jacks (amps) and choosing the best combo for any given situation - a bit like the pick and mix buckets in woolworths, you're not limited to the toffees, you can choose everything. What is really required is for some clever sod to convince people that tone controls and equalisers are a MUST include with headphone amps (and bollocks to the cries of FOUL from all the audiofools claiming a straight wire breach) much like a theremin, the instrument has to be tuned to your preferences, you gotta know how to get the best out of that instrument, you gotta know how to play with it to hit the sweet spot. There is no such thing as the perfect amp or the perfect transducer because, unfortunately, our ears aren't universally shaped - they are as unique as fingerprints. Until such time we all have the exact same shaped ears then I'm afraid Mix and match is the only way to go.... trial and error but when you do "zone in" on the right combo for your pair of lugholes you will know about it bigtime Every amp on the planet is a punt in the dark and you can read other's opinions until you are blue in the face.... if that amp or that pair of 'phones doesn't match up with your ears then no amount of "5 star reviews" will be of any consolation to you. We instinctively want to follow the leader and behave like sheep... it's an easy place to be.... but you'll soon realise you're better off going down your own road and finding your own personal path to happiness... after all, the "leader" may be a deaf and blind bugger and lead you off a very steep cliff. It's essential you use your own ears and try not to tune in the box..... think "out of the box" and maybe pair up a few of those "bad buys" the reviewers tell you about.... it may just surprise you to find your own ears consider them very "good" buys. I'd be a liar and a bullshitter if I were to declare "the Doudou singer is the best amp you can buy" which is why I say "It's the best amp, overall, I have heard to date IMO" Note the "IMO" bit..... this means "in my opinion" and also means "to my ears" I have learn't a lot over the years and certainly don't want a repeat of the HEED CanAmp frenzy which is why I really am admitting what may be nirvana for my ears may not be so for yours.... I'll say it again, this time in capital letters EARS ARE AS UNIQUE AS FINGERPRINTS NO TWO SETS ARE THE SAME.... until a universally approved set of ears can be commissioned by Brussels there will never exist a universally acceptable amp. If you ARE interested in the Doudou, Grado owners need not apply. This is strictly hardcore Sennheiser HD6*** and AKG-K*01 territory, it may be good with high z Beyer too I don't know...... Mike.
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leo
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Post by leo on Mar 21, 2008 22:24:59 GMT
I managed to borrow a pair of Sen HD600's from a mate so be interesting comparing these direct to my K701's. I'll try the old 600ohm Sen HD540 references too
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Post by charleyphogg on Mar 22, 2008 0:07:38 GMT
Thanks for the reply Nigel. Now I'm not sure If I should get the DouDou or not, as I find the Solo too bright for some of the stuff I have, or more accurately, some of my recordings are too bright for the Solo. Hmmmm decisions, decisions. Does the DouDou have DIP Op-Amps? I also agree with the need to have more then one amp, just like headphones Spot on Mike.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2008 0:25:52 GMT
I think the main reason that this amplifier has the potential to be so good, is that it is a fully discrete design, as far as the signal path goes. The opamps are only used as servos to keep the DC offset at the output to a very low value. BTW, I believe this is the same direction that GSP Audio has been heading for some time, so it may soon have some fierce competition ? SandyK
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Post by charleyphogg on Mar 22, 2008 1:12:27 GMT
Thanks Sandy
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Post by dc on Mar 22, 2008 2:44:13 GMT
hmmm maybe if it were to head down under the Aussies (who are the second largest representation on rock-grotto mind you) could chime in?
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Nigel
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Post by Nigel on Mar 22, 2008 8:42:42 GMT
Charley,
I guess you could easily replace the word bright with cleaner or clearer. As you say it depends on the recordings.
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Post by charleyphogg on Mar 22, 2008 20:46:22 GMT
Charley, I guess you could easily replace the word bright with cleaner or clearer. As you say it depends on the recordings. Thanks Nigel. I will wait and here what oterhs say, but I am leaning to giving it a shot. Will be nice to have another amp.
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