Unfortunately a lot of the audiophile YT don't have the option / access as a lot of their review units are on loan. Most I find are genuinely trying to help but its hard because you really need to hear it for yourself cuz everyone is different.
FYI _ I stopped using the SP200 on high gain. Low is plenty for my HD6XX and JVC HA-FDX1. UPDATE _ Nov. 2020, I have sold the SP-200 amp and SU-8 DAC, replaced them with the Audient Evo 4. The Evo 4 has been giving me issues so I purchased the Monoprice Desktop THX AMP/DAC combo. Video content on the changes incoming.
Coltron, I'm getting the feeling that you really wanted to Like the 789 or Monolith more then the SP200. I too try to convince myself that I need to buy a different Amp (A90 or Schiit Magnius) to replace my SP200. But I can't convince myself to justify making that swap. IDK.... Awesome content Sir.
I ended up replacing it haha ☺️ I sold the SMSL stack and bought an Audient Evo 4. I was hopeful it would suffice but it let me down in the end. It’s hard to go back once you’ve had that raw, quality experience. I decided I didn’t want another towering stack on my desk, so I went with the Monoprice Monolith Destktop Amp/DAC. I then put a Focusrite Clarett 2pre usb on top of that and have been really happy with it.
I haven't watched the entire video just the intro. I'm already subscribed and like what I see. I own the monolith thx desktop amp and can't wait to see the end of this. We need legit reviews that aren't paid for sales. You can do it never take any money to influence a review. The money will come let them send you stuff and really give your own opinions.
Thank you for the support! Reading the comments a year later and it's nice to see they've helped people. I likely won't be posting to this channel anymore but I will be posting gaming focused content to a new channel.
I have to give Colton credit. He unwittingly demonstrated the placebo effect. Expectation bias If one believes in something, like I can definitely tell and I've heard numerous others say amp x is preferable, then they actually think they hear a difference. That's why when testing medications there is a placebo group. The ones given a pill that doesn't have the ingredient they're told it has. If it's a pain reliever being tested, there are always people in the placebo group who actually feel pain relief. This is a human phenomenon. We're all susceptible to it. I used to be a " believer" but many years ago I realized I was wrong. I did a sighted test between three amps that I own the liquid spark, the magni 3 and the objective 02, with volumes matched. It was sighted, that is, I knew which amp I was listening to and I couldn't reliably tell a difference. Then again, I wasn't expecting them to sound different.
Nice vid. I compared my preamp headphone out vs extrrnal amps. No difference at all. Not blind . If i switch the phones by mayself always the more expensive amp wins :)
I got a small well reviewed balanced tube headphone amp off amazon and sent it back after a week because I couldn't hear any difference between my audio interface, the tube amp and direct from the imac 🥲 headphones were Sendy Aiva planar, fairly detailed and not low impedance..
I was using the SP200+SU-8 for all listening including gaming, while the GOXLR mini was just for my microphone (Rhode Podmic w/ Dynamite inline preamp). BUT, I recently switched to the Monoprice Desktop AMP/DAC combo for all listening. That is paired with the Focusrite Clarett 2Pre USB for my mic. Seems ridiculous to have a $400 audio interface for just one input but I kept having problems with the Motu M2 as well as the Audient Evo4. I should have just kept the GOXLR but I wasn't a huge fan of the physical design so I sold it and the SMSL stack to save some money by switching to the Evo4. In the end, I spent more money but I'm very happy with the current setup.
Why are you even surprised that these amps sound similar? They use extremely similar topologies and circuitry parts, obviously they’re gonna sound alike as well. I’m sorry this was such a silly video you act so shocked like what you expect😂
@@okktok that’s probably true for some, but not all people. I went to Schiit recently and plugged into every amp they had on display and I really couldn’t tell a difference at all. Maybe a tiny bit with the Lyr but it was minuscule. I’ll also new to headphone amps so they all sound the same to me. But I’d expect someone who is experienced with them can probably tell some differences
What about the 'Dirac Sensaround' on the Monolith. Also, I can tell a bigger difference between audio cables than amplifiers/DAC around the same price range. I'd prefer a $300 6N+ OCC 8 Wire cable with an Audeze LCD-2, than a more expensive LCD-X model, paired with it's decent stock cable. The cable matters more than the driver in some cases, definitelly more than the difference between amplifiers and DACS in a range. After 200 hours of burn in I'd guess that in a blind test, the LCD-2 with a premium cable, would beat LCD-X with decent stock cable
Oh yes. There would be no difference at all. I mean those nice looking things do nothing ...just costing money :) . After all my blindtestings over the last years i can say that my pre phono out is same qlty as any other external one . Lol
I noticed more of a difference while gaming than I could with music. I did a higher quality amp vs lower quality in this video: ruclips.net/video/likl3j3M8u4/видео.html
@@ColtronYT do you recommend a specific amp for gaming? I have an HD800s arriving tomorrow and will be powered by my Schiit Hel but I assume I’ll need something better eventually. Would appreciate any suggestions you may have. Thanks
That would have been interesting:) These THX amps are supposed to sound almost the same though. A phone is a total differently design of DAC/AMP with a different sound.
@@topspin4hand I like all of the rationalizations people come up with to justify their firmly held beliefs that amps should sound different. Unless it's a low quality junky amp, all competent amps will sound the same.
This was great, I doubt any big audiophile RUclipsrs would ever do this.
Unfortunately a lot of the audiophile YT don't have the option / access as a lot of their review units are on loan. Most I find are genuinely trying to help but its hard because you really need to hear it for yourself cuz everyone is different.
@@heyguyslolGAMING yea and when you listen for yourself do it blind against another amp.
You might be as surprised as Colton was .
Yep... 1000000% agreed. It would not make sense with their sale pitch.
FYI _ I stopped using the SP200 on high gain. Low is plenty for my HD6XX and JVC HA-FDX1.
UPDATE _ Nov. 2020, I have sold the SP-200 amp and SU-8 DAC, replaced them with the Audient Evo 4. The Evo 4 has been giving me issues so I purchased the Monoprice Desktop THX AMP/DAC combo. Video content on the changes incoming.
Give us the next vid!
Coltron, I'm getting the feeling that you really wanted to Like the 789 or Monolith more then the SP200. I too try to convince myself that I need to buy a different Amp (A90 or Schiit Magnius) to replace my SP200. But I can't convince myself to justify making that swap. IDK.... Awesome content Sir.
I ended up replacing it haha ☺️ I sold the SMSL stack and bought an Audient Evo 4. I was hopeful it would suffice but it let me down in the end. It’s hard to go back once you’ve had that raw, quality experience. I decided I didn’t want another towering stack on my desk, so I went with the Monoprice Monolith Destktop Amp/DAC. I then put a Focusrite Clarett 2pre usb on top of that and have been really happy with it.
I haven't watched the entire video just the intro. I'm already subscribed and like what I see. I own the monolith thx desktop amp and can't wait to see the end of this. We need legit reviews that aren't paid for sales. You can do it never take any money to influence a review. The money will come let them send you stuff and really give your own opinions.
Thank you for the support! Reading the comments a year later and it's nice to see they've helped people. I likely won't be posting to this channel anymore but I will be posting gaming focused content to a new channel.
I have to give Colton credit.
He unwittingly demonstrated the placebo effect. Expectation bias
If one believes in something, like I can definitely tell and I've heard numerous others say amp x is preferable, then they actually think they hear a difference.
That's why when testing medications there is a placebo group. The ones given a pill that doesn't have the ingredient they're told it has.
If it's a pain reliever being tested, there are always people in the placebo group who actually feel pain relief.
This is a human phenomenon. We're all susceptible to it.
I used to be a " believer" but many years ago I realized I was wrong.
I did a sighted test between three amps that I own the liquid spark, the magni 3 and the objective 02, with volumes matched.
It was sighted, that is, I knew which amp I was listening to and I couldn't reliably tell a difference.
Then again, I wasn't expecting them to sound different.
Hi, greetings from A Coruña, Galicia, Spain. This is the reality of audiophilia.
Lol
Dude your wife is like mine she loves me but laughs at my silly audiophile stuff. I really enjoyed this thanks for posting.
amazing! I wish you did one with a built in motherboard dac/amp vs an external dedicated one
well done man
Nice vid. Best wishes with the kid. Stay safe.
Nice vid. I compared my preamp headphone out vs extrrnal amps. No difference at all. Not blind . If i switch the phones by mayself always the more expensive amp wins :)
Would be nice if you could do similar bur shorter testing/video Tidal HiFi vs Spotify Premium e.g. i did that but wont tell the outcome here.
That is something I've been considering so I'm glad you mentioned it. I'll add RUclips music as well.
Its verry simple to use a switcher to select to change between the Amps . Waht you do is already follish.
“Follish”
I got a small well reviewed balanced tube headphone amp off amazon and sent it back after a week because I couldn't hear any difference between my audio interface, the tube amp and direct from the imac 🥲 headphones were Sendy Aiva planar, fairly detailed and not low impedance..
so what do you think best for gaming and listen music?
Are you using these in conjunction with the goxlr mini for your everyday use? Or do you have them separated for gaming/music listening?
I was using the SP200+SU-8 for all listening including gaming, while the GOXLR mini was just for my microphone (Rhode Podmic w/ Dynamite inline preamp). BUT, I recently switched to the Monoprice Desktop AMP/DAC combo for all listening. That is paired with the Focusrite Clarett 2Pre USB for my mic. Seems ridiculous to have a $400 audio interface for just one input but I kept having problems with the Motu M2 as well as the Audient Evo4. I should have just kept the GOXLR but I wasn't a huge fan of the physical design so I sold it and the SMSL stack to save some money by switching to the Evo4. In the end, I spent more money but I'm very happy with the current setup.
I just interest to see how much your wife loving u to do this things hahaha
i dont get it.
Why are you even surprised that these amps sound similar? They use extremely similar topologies and circuitry parts, obviously they’re gonna sound alike as well. I’m sorry this was such a silly video you act so shocked like what you expect😂
This looks like fun experiment. You could try silver headphone cables next !
you picked 3 most similar amps haha, you dont look for easy challenges
All amps are virtually identical, it’s just placebo. Try a blind test
@@okktok I did some blind testing and I can tell a difference in 8/10 times.
@@okktok that’s probably true for some, but not all people. I went to Schiit recently and plugged into every amp they had on display and I really couldn’t tell a difference at all. Maybe a tiny bit with the Lyr but it was minuscule. I’ll also new to headphone amps so they all sound the same to me. But I’d expect someone who is experienced with them can probably tell some differences
It would be impossible to tell because the 6xx pisses bass on everything.
What does that mean ?
What about the 'Dirac Sensaround' on the Monolith.
Also, I can tell a bigger difference between audio cables
than amplifiers/DAC around the same price range. I'd prefer
a $300 6N+ OCC 8 Wire cable with an Audeze LCD-2, than a
more expensive LCD-X model, paired with it's decent stock cable.
The cable matters more than the driver in some cases, definitelly
more than the difference between amplifiers and DACS in a range.
After 200 hours of burn in I'd guess that in a blind test, the LCD-2
with a premium cable, would beat LCD-X with decent stock cable
yikes
Sensaround is strange for gaming but fun to play around with for music
She should of plugged one into her cellphone too 😆
Oh yes. There would be no difference at all. I mean those nice looking things do nothing ...just costing money :) . After all my blindtestings over the last years i can say that my pre phono out is same qlty as any other external one . Lol
I noticed more of a difference while gaming than I could with music. I did a higher quality amp vs lower quality in this video: ruclips.net/video/likl3j3M8u4/видео.html
@@ColtronYT do you recommend a specific amp for gaming? I have an HD800s arriving tomorrow and will be powered by my Schiit Hel but I assume I’ll need something better eventually. Would appreciate any suggestions you may have. Thanks
That would have been interesting:) These THX amps are supposed to sound almost the same though. A phone is a total differently design of DAC/AMP with a different sound.
@@topspin4hand I like all of the rationalizations people come up with to justify their firmly held beliefs that amps should sound different.
Unless it's a low quality junky amp, all competent amps will sound the same.