Question What's your next HiFi purchase?

[nopiano]

Well if I ever get the chance to ask for help here. New speakers 😀

You already did, twice in fact.

Thread 'Retro Mission 780iSE and replacements'

May 18, 2025

Evening all

I had to write this again as I couldnt delete or answer my own post because im a spammer apparently ??

I was using a pair of B&W DM601 S3. And despite their clarity I found them very bright at higher volumes. I tend to enjoy warm sound with strong punchy bass. I agree not easy in a bookshelf speaker. Anyway I sold the B&W and didnt want to be without a speaker as I researched their replacements. Now back in the early 90s I had a pair of Mission 760iSE and loved them. So when I spotted a very cheap pair of 780iSE I jumped on them. Going forward they arrived in really good...

• kittymac

 

[kittymac]

You already did, twice in fact.

Thread 'Retro Mission 780iSE and replacements'

May 18, 2025

Evening all

I had to write this again as I couldnt delete or answer my own post because im a spammer apparently ??

I was using a pair of B&W DM601 S3. And despite their clarity I found them very bright at higher volumes. I tend to enjoy warm sound with strong punchy bass. I agree not easy in a bookshelf speaker. Anyway I sold the B&W and didnt want to be without a speaker as I researched their replacements. Now back in the early 90s I had a pair of Mission 760iSE and loved them. So when I spotted a very cheap pair of 780iSE I jumped on them. Going forward they arrived in really good...

• kittymac

Apologies for that. I was blocked from replying or deleting my post.

 

[Jasonovich]

I thought it's time I have a proper HiFi setup in my dining room. Currently it's orientated towards wireless music from my phone and I've always been curious about R2R and the temptation was too much.

Got myself budget setter the FiiO K11 R2R, there is also, slightly cheaper version of K11 without R2R circuitry, comes with a standard DAC chipset.

The R2R version from Peter Tyson and RicherSound selling at £149. I could have got it from AliExpress for £130ish but didn't want to wait August for delivery. Paying little extra and delivery next week from Peter Tyson wasn't bad.

I have my spare JF MX digital transport which I was planning to sell, I need to retrieve from the packaging. It's now called in for active duty.

I had the Denafrips Enyo 15th R2R Enyo in mind to replace either the Matrix or the Eversolo but I thought this was mad, why replace something, if you're already happy with the sound?

HiFi can be an addiction and always good to think things through sensibly. Tarting up the diner setup is not only inexpensive but allows some flavour from R2R. Though, to be exact, the FiiO K11 isn't a true R2R, it's more a scaledown approach of the real thing.

 

[Revolutions]

I thought it's time I have a proper HiFi setup in my dining room. Currently it's orientated towards wireless music from my phone and I've always been curious about R2R and the temptation was too much.

Got myself budget setter the FiiO K11 R2R, there is also, slightly cheaper version of K11 without R2R circuitry, comes with a standard DAC chipset.

The R2R version from Peter Tyson and RicherSound selling at £149. I could have got it from AliExpress for £130ish but didn't want to wait August for delivery. Paying little extra and delivery next week from Peter Tyson wasn't bad.

I have my spare JF MX digital transport which I was planning to sell, I need to retrieve from the packaging. It's now called in for active duty.

I had the Denafrips Enyo 15th R2R Enyo in mind to replace either the Matrix or the Eversolo but I thought this was mad, why replacement something, if you're already happy with the sound?

HiFi can be an addiction and always good to think things through sensibly. Tarting up the diner setup is not only inexpensive but allows some flavour from R2R. Though, to be exact, the FiiO K11 isn't a true R2R, it's more a scaledown approach to the real thing.


View attachment 9258

Nice! I’d be keen to hear your thoughts. The only way I can connect headphones to the Linn preamp is by using an external dac, so been pondering a unit with headphone out for a while.

My choices narrowed to the FiiO, SMSL Raw MDA1 or a used Topping DX7 pro+. Considering I haven’t yet had single moment where I wished I had a headphone setup, it’s more luck than judgment that I don’t have a DAC sat on the shelf gathering dust.

Funnily enough, someone on the maverick forum said they ended up with the standard K11, much preferring it over the R2R.

Enjoy!

 

[Jasonovich]

Nice! I’d be keen to hear your thoughts. The only way I can connect headphones to the Linn preamp is by using an external dac, so been pondering a unit with headphone out for a while.

My choices narrowed to the FiiO, SMSL Raw MDA1 or a used Topping DX7 pro+. Considering I haven’t yet had single moment where I wished I had a headphone setup, it’s more luck than judgment that I don’t have a DAC sat on the shelf gathering dust.

Funnily enough, someone on the maverick forum said they ended up with the standard K11, much preferring it over the R2R.

Enjoy!

Cheers bud! Yes absolutely, happy to provide feedback.

I was actually going to buy the Hifiman EF400 Himalaya R2R DAC secondhand from eBay, this has a better sound and better headphone connection but it's silver. I know my other half will go spare because it sticks out like a sore thumb, the FiiO was the most sensible compromise.
EF400 retails abot £500 new. This is a proper Headphone amp and R2R DAC.
Yep it's not always room positioning, there's the wifey factor as well.

Update: you can buy it new from HiFiMan store on eBay and it's cheaper. Still only in silver, shame.
See link below:

Pardon our interruption...

The standard K11 will give you that analytical detailed sound but those who advocate R2R will appreciate its softer tonal quality, the sound is more spaced out, more natural texture.



Oh wow, got a message from courier, they have Peter Tyson package, hopefully they'll deliver it sooner than later 🙂

I suspect those weaned on vinyl will appreciate more the sound from R2R, while others who're looking for more transparency and detail will lean toward the chipset solution.

I think I'll like both but for different reasons. 🙂

 

[Revolutions]

That hifiman looks like an interesting product - was looking for DSD playback & saw only digital connections are usb. the Linn Selekt DSM only has USB input, not output, so wouldn’t work without adding a converter to the party 😢

I feel like my own spouse: looking at my setup with walnut cabinet, cherry speakers & an oak plinth on the turntable. It’s like I’m doing an ironic 90s style deliberate clash of colours to be edgy. But a new plinth for the LP12 is silly $$$

anyways, I digress. Hope the FiiO arrives soon & it does the thing for you 👍🏻

 

[Jasonovich]

That hifiman looks like an interesting product - was looking for DSD playback & saw only digital connections are usb. the Linn Selekt DSM only has USB input, not output, so wouldn’t work without adding a converter to the party 😢

I feel like my own spouse: looking at my setup with walnut cabinet, cherry speakers & an oak plinth on the turntable. It’s like I’m doing an ironic 90s style deliberate clash of colours to be edgy. But a new plinth for the LP12 is silly $$$

anyways, I digress. Hope the FiiO arrives soon & it does the thing for you 👍🏻

There is also other R2R EF499, I overlooked and it's black! If Linn has Coax output and has support for streaming via the ethernet Lans connection. This might work?

https://ebay.us/m/SwGcTD

🙂

 

[Revolutions]

There is also other R2R EF499, I overlooked and it's black! If Linn has Coax output and has support for streaming via the ethernet Lans connection. This might work?

View attachment 9264

https://ebay.us/m/SwGcTD

🙂

Haha, all those inputs & outputs, the only one of use is the coax. But that could work. Will add that to my list, thanks ☺️

 

[Jasonovich]

I ordered my FiiO K11 R2R from Peter Tyson yesterday and arrived today and I opted for the free standard delivery.
Glad I opted out on the DPD special delivery 🙂
Excellent packaging. First impressions construction wise, full metal, nice metal knob. Small in size.
Magnet for finger prints.
Costs the same price as my old Topping E50 but should perform many layers above that. We'll see.

I set up my digital transport and I was about to add the K11 to the stack and Just realised, I have no RCA cables for the analogue output. Oh fudge!
Ordered Mogami RCAs from eBay, hopefully these arrive in the next few days.
Here are some photos 🙂



Accessories, PSU, usb, jack adapter and power cord.

I've brought over some people for Blind tasting 😅

 

[jjbomber]

HiFi can be an addiction and always good to think things through sensibly.

Where's the fun in that?

 

[jjbomber]

I've brought over some people for Blind tasting 😅View attachment 9271

Testing cables???

 

[Al ears]

Testing cables???

Dishes more like, he said tasting not testing

 

[Jasonovich]

Testing cables???

It's funny how unrelated things can sometimes correlate. Not sure where it originated from but there is some talk about food tasting better under blind testing .
Better to keep it bottled, last thing I want to hear, is the food has to be of the same temperature?....No, stop it! 🤣

 

[Dave_]

I've brought over some people for Blind tasting 😅View attachment 9271

Stop **** stirring. Irritating *******!

 

[AJM1981]

Bought a Sansui Au-505 integrated amp. The image below is not mine, but it is in a great condition technically and optically.

 

[Entrigo]

Michael Fidler Spartan 15 MK2 PHONO Stage.
It’s utterly silent and magnificent.

Nice! Was really tempted to buy the 20 - then came across a better than half price Vertere Phono 1.. But still very curious to try one of Michael Fidler's units one day.

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

Nice! Was really tempted to buy the 20 - then came across a better than half price Vertere Phono 1.. But still very curious to try one of Michael Fidler's units one day.

Mine unused and up for sale I think.
Still in box !

 

[jjbomber]

Mine unused and up for sale I think.
Still in box !

I wonder how many of us have unused and still in the box items!!!

 

[Jasonovich]

FiiO is really on a roll, they've just released £100 Streamer to complete with WiiM Pro Plus.
If you're looking for a budget Streamer, check out the Pig review below 👇

FiiO SR11 Desktop Streamer | Hifi Pig

FiiO SR11 DESKTOP STREAMER REVIEW FiiO SR11 Desktop Streamer is a sub £100 "Roon Ready" music streamer designed to attach to legacy HiFi systems without streaming capability, active speakers, radios, or just to be used with headphones.

www.hifipig.com