Those are thoughts. I’m not thinking of selling the xDSD, but xCAN or Micro Black Label will keep me thinking until I can resist spending more money. And I do like the xDSD, so the Micro Black Label would be nice in a couple of places if I wanted to listen to more thirsty headphones. I will have to look at specs and dither until I resist.
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I could get a Micro BL used for the same money a Felikz Audio Echo tube amp is - just 499 Euro´s.
so that is a hard decision. Add a Tube to the stationary stack, I have not always around or don´t want to sit alone behind a glass door.
or add the mobile amp and listen to all my headphones everywhere in the house with 85-95% quality?
Used, there is a thought. The Micro BL is just a bit more than I wanted to spend, but it would look better than rubber bands on an xDSD - xCAN. The more choices I have the less likely I am to act. Which is a good thing.
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Exactly- paralyzied by choices between LYR3(drives HEDDphone properly), Echo(drives no HEDD) and Micro BL or xCAN 
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This thread reminds me that iFi Audio would do well to come up with better names to differentiate their products, especially because so many of them have so many features. Four “DSD” models alone. 
(or is it that the product line is just too crowded?)
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YES, YES, YES, YES, YES! I’ve rarely seen such ambiguous (insider) product names as those from iFi, as well as idiosyncratic (insider) function names on the controls. They really need to hire someone for their interfaces and usability, and move away from weird extruded tube cases.
They are losing me as a customer as I’m shopping and before I hear anything.
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yes there are these old but gold “DSD” models and I had hope for ifi, as they started with the ZEN naming!
So now there are again like at least 4 different Zen DACs, AMPs and DAC/AMPs (by ifi and or drop)
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Sigh. This is true. It suggests to me that those in charge don’t understand how they are perceived, or they don’t care. The Zen line suggests they are and have always been proud of being weird for the sake of being weird.
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probably why I really like them and many won´t even start research on the ifi stuff, because it is so complicated.
have to admit, that I still mix up the nano and micro BL every time and have to check twice with pictures, before I post something.
Schiit’s new Modius and Magnius got me thinking that someone needs to come up with a line of products named after various things ancient Roman. The first two releases would have to be Romulus and Remus, of course, but then you could have fun with emperors - an Augustus, Tiberius, Titus, Hadrian, etc… TOTL offerings would have to be the Caligula and Nero, though.
Sorry for the off-topic.
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There are sometimes open box units that become available. I bought my NiBL open box off of headphones.com.
Yes, the design philosophy is more towards flashy/tech sounding names. I like ifi, they seem to listen to their customers, recognize mistakes, provide decent customer service.
I would very much love if they came out with a maxed out BB DAC, but DAC only, not with this other stuff added on. I would like to hear how the Pro DSD sounds as a DAC vs something like the BF2, but the extra features put it out of my budget at this moment.
I wonder when they will replace the Micro iDSD Black Label with something newer. It still has very good specs, but it is not even “S Balanced” which is a bit odd since it has 2 of the sweet Burr Brown chips.
Hi guys I’m looking at new amps right now
First off i just want to preface this with that i don’t have much knowledge nor experience, though i do have some experience, i have been doing this for 4-6 years now but I’m still in the process of learning what i really want i feel like, and i haven’t been through all that much gear, but i do think i have a general idea for what sound i want. Do any of you guys feel like you ever found YOUR sound? Would love to hear about it.
Hope that some of that made sense to you guys
what I’m looking for:
i want a sound that is slightly warm and full bodied rather than clear and/or detail focused, i say it like that because i feel like you almost cant have them all at the same time but I’ve gotten the impression that the MSX mini may do all of it, clarity is very important to me. So if any of you guys know what units may be a good fit for me i would be very appreciative if you would chime in
would be awesome if you guys could elaborate
what i use:
for anyone wondering I’m using Aeolus, Clear and Arya running through the Ares II with the THX789
i feel like the Aeolus are surprisingly good on this combo, however my daily is the Arya, i think its my new fav headphone
Hmmm, possibly recommendable 
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Nice Tool 
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I am an avid Z reviews watcher and I am intrigued by his newest video, talking about the new Topping A70/D70 offerings. And the A70 Pro really interests me. I currently own a Bifrost 2/Asgard3 stack, but I am a bit annoyed at “barebones” the Asgard 3 is.
Dont get me wrong, it runs great and does a really good job. But I got the typical audiophile craving of wanting more. And the A70 Pro ticks all the boxes. Remote control, so i can adjust the volume of my FiiO SP3, even from the bed. More outputs, including balanced options. I can directly wire up my Bifrost using XLR if I want to, etc.
I have never had a Topping product before, so I was wondering about quality and user experience from others. Also if you think adding an A70 Pro to my stack to the replace the Asgard 3 is a good idea.
Thanks!
Topping has gone through several eras. In their early days they sold $100 DACs and amps that sounded very good for the money, and were solid hits for those new to audio. They then went into higher price tiers with (dry, sterile) products that measured well, and many experienced audio hobbyists said “no how, no way.” Many people felt other brands offered better sound quality in the middle price class. Finally, Topping today sells products with stronger reviews – but I stopped considering the brand in the 2nd era and don’t have recent experience.
Features and lifestyle convenience versus performance is an old debate. I watch video with either a sound bar (convenience) or a dedicated set of speakers (quality). Sometimes it’s a pain in the neck to get the speakers running, so the sound bar will do. It’s a personal judgment call.
I take Z reviews with a grain of salt, as he seems to react strongly to every shiny new toy put in front of him. He also tends to repeat himself three times before ending every video. Try for yourself.
If you are not careful, @hottyson may chew your ear off about his poor customer service experience with Topping. See his old posts. I have no comment.
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I wont deny that Z reviews has an… interesting way of making videos and you need to like that ramble-y style of video making. Friend and I keep joking about how whatever he is taking, its some good shit and he is having a good time. (its meant as a joke, i would never imply the real thing)
I did look at other reviews and people seem to be agree that the A70 Pro seems to offer an insane amount of product for such a price. Some prefered the A90D for its more analytical sound tho.
I like the comfort features along with the flexibility of potential setups. I am gonna still gonna think about it a while tho. You make more well thought out decisions if you had a week or two to sleep about it. Also curious to hear about customer support. Just in case. (Sometimes brand have different RMA locations depending on continent and it can be a hit or miss thing.)
Anyways, thank you for your advice!
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Update: I did go through and got the A70 Pro. So far a very happy owner of a new shiny amp.
Thanks again for all the advice. I also made sure to clear any warranty concerns with the seller I got it from. They assured if there ever is a problem with my device during its warranty period, it will be done through them instead of Topping. (they are aware of how long RMAs and communication can take with chifi brands and how its not always ideal)
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