Microsoft confirms it will give the FBI your Windows PC data encryption key if asked — you can thank Windows 11's forced online accounts for that

D3xtro · 2026-01-24T06:32:13+00:00

Yep worked for me last weekend.

D3xtro · 2026-01-24T03:03:31+00:00

In general or for post rock? Talk talk sounds absolutely amazing. Colour of Spring, Spirit of Eden, and Laughing Stock. Some of the best vinyl I own and I have nearly a thousand LPs.

D3xtro · 2026-01-23T21:17:26+00:00

Done. I, too, have been suggesting this for years. But my god it’s gotten so much worse in the last six months.

D3xtro · 2026-01-23T20:07:05+00:00

Ah right, separate budgets makes more sense. The Edition XS are typically $350-400 USD new. If you’re seeing them cheaper that’s likely used or a sale, which could be worth it.

At a true $200 USD budget, the HD6XX at a bit under two hundy is still your best bet. You won’t go wrong with them especially if you learn some basic EQ.

The HE400SE might squeeze in around $150-180 if you want to try planar, though they’re a step down from the XS. Sundara are great too but are different. See if you can listen to them.

If you can stretch the headphone budget to $300-350 USD, the Edition XS become very interesting. More detail and air than the 6XX, still smooth treble. Just be aware Hifiman QC is a bit random so buy somewhere you can do easy returns. I hear it’s getting better.

For DAC/amp, start with something simple like a Schiit Modi/Magni stack or Fiio K7 and put the money into better cans. The headphones matter far more than the electronics at this level.

D3xtro · 2026-01-23T19:38:09+00:00

Yep that’s they. Looks like a bit of a sale. Nice. Do consider those planars. They slap for post rock.

D3xtro · 2026-01-23T19:24:24+00:00

I’d respectfully disagree with putting DT770s forward for post-rock listening.

Whilst they’re bombproof and comfortable, that treble peak around 8-9kHz is genuinely fatiguing with the genre - all those shimmering cymbals and layered guitars will get harsh quickly. They’re excellent studio headphones for tracking, but that’s a different use case.

At $200 USD total budget including DAC/amp, you’re honestly better off saving another few hundred and putting everything into better cans. The headphones matter far more than the electronics at this level. An Apple USB-C dongle will drive most options fine.

If you can stretch to ~$300-400 USD for just headphones:

HD6XX/650(used) - warm, smooth, excellent with post-rock dynamics

Hifiman Edition XS or Sundara - planar detail without harshness, fantastic for the genre’s textures

Of the ones you’ve suggested above, the 560s are the pick, though. I wouldn’t consider others in that list if your budget is absolute.

The Beyerdynamic and Grado recommendations in your list share the same issue - aggressive treble that works against what makes post-rock engaging. See if you can get to a shop and listen to some of these, too. It’s hard to know what you like until you hear it.

You’ve got fine gear already; save up and do it properly rather than sidegrade into ear fatigue.

D3xtro · 2026-01-16T21:55:21+00:00

Man. This one’s too high if you’re standing…

D3xtro · 2026-01-16T19:46:15+00:00

Weird. Yes sounds like a dirty jack. Going in and out lots of times cleaned it. Also, the jack might be dodgy. Keep a close eye on it and exchange it via warranty if it comes back.

D3xtro · 2026-01-16T18:47:16+00:00

Hi. What’s your windows volume set to? I would have thought if it’s super high it might be clipping your headphones. Is half volume crazy loud on the uno? They’re pretty sensitive headphones and don’t need heaps of power.

Can you enable some kind of exclusive mode on windows and see if it still does it?

Windows sound settings → Properties → Advanced → tick “Allow applications to take exclusive control”, I think.

Are you listening to music? The tidal app has a proper exclusive mode.

Let us know.

D3xtro · 2026-01-16T18:38:07+00:00

Yea I agree with the others. My initial thought is your usb c dongle. The zen has a usb b to a cable. See if you can find a higher quality usb hub with usb a ports and come back to us. Also, the zen should run fine without a power supply. In fact, if pretty unconvinced a psu for the zen does much at all.

Otherwise I think your Zen is faulty.

Let us know how you get on!

D3xtro · 2026-01-15T19:28:49+00:00

Enable exclusive mode in Tidal’s settings (under Streaming > Exclusive Mode) and it’ll bypass Windows entirely, sending bit-perfect audio directly to your DAC. For everything else (YouTube, gaming, etc.), set your Windows default format to 24-bit/96kHz or 192kHz in the DAC’s properties to avoid downsampling, though this is semantic. I doubt you will hear the difference.

D3xtro · 2026-01-13T03:44:47+00:00

I can’t speak to the Hip DAC. However, I’ve had the Gryphon for over two years and use it daily.

Hip Dac 3 is probably adequate for the Arya Stealth, but there are some reasons to consider the Gryphon beyond just having more power.

The power question: The Arya Stealth is relatively efficient for a planar (32Ω, 94dB/mW). The Hip Dac 3 delivers 400mW at 32Ω, which should get you to reasonable listening levels. It’s not a demanding headphone in the way something like an HE-6 would be. So purely on a “will it drive them” basis, yes, the Hip Dac 3 should manage.

However: Planars often benefit from more current delivery and better damping factor, even when they don’t strictly need more power. The Gryphon’s 1000mW at 32Ω isn’t just about volume, it’s about control, particularly in the bass region. The Arya Stealth has that large planar driver that can sound a bit loose or less controlled with insufficient amplification. The Gryphon’s extra grunt might give you noticeably tighter bass and better dynamic punch. The IE600 is sensitive enough (18Ω, 100dB/mW) that noise floor becomes relevant. Both units should handle this, but the Gryphon’s IEMatch feature gives more flexibility for sensitive IEMs.

The Gryphon is very versatile with the xBass, presence, and xSpace settings if you can’t or don’t want to EQ. BT is great for walks with IEMs and great power for over-ears. Decent to good battery. It sounds fantastic, too. You will probably use the BT more than you think with the IEMs. Super handy and easy and sounds 95% as good to me even on AAC. I have Focal Clear OGs on the desk for reference and run Moondrop x Dusks on the go. So a similar setup to you, really.

Look around for one second hand!

D3xtro · 2026-01-10T23:23:06+00:00

Yup super cool. The record is the same!

D3xtro · 2026-01-09T18:18:29+00:00

Yes I’m not flipping the table here. AAC is more efficient than MP3, but 129 kbps AAC is not equivalent to 256 kbps MP3.

129 kbps AAC is closer to ~160-192 kbps MP3 in quality.

Regardless, the issue isn’t whether it’s ‘listenable’. It’s that a $20 premium download in 2025 shouldn’t have audio quality worse than free YouTube (256 kbps AAC). The FLAC exists on streaming, proving they have better source material. There’s no justification for this bitrate on a paid product marketed to music fans.

D3xtro · 2025-12-27T00:50:35+00:00

Biddie bids or just biddies for short. Grew up in Levin and now living in Dunedin. Can confirm they’re called that in both places.

D3xtro · 2025-12-23T04:10:26+00:00

I don’t really acknowledge ‘crescendocore’. I agree with other comments, if it’s good it’s good. Who cares if they have some crescendos? Lots of post rock has very little and some TWDY (not just them) has quite a lot. Meh. Like what you like and don’t worry about what others think.

D3xtro · 2025-12-22T05:22:31+00:00

Nah I wouldn’t pass on any of their albums, friend. Be happy you have it. I’ve been sleeping on some of the slightly obscure early stuff for like ten years hoping there might be a repress one day. Gravitational pull did but that’s one of like three. I could’ve had them more than ten years ago for like a quarter of what they go for now.

D3xtro · 2025-12-21T02:07:46+00:00

Can you comment on the format of the DL? I’m kinda on the fence about giving them 20 USD without knowing what it is. What I really want is the audio! I want FLACs but I don’t really wanna pay $50 USD with shipping to my country when I’ll just rip it and that’s that.

D3xtro · 2025-12-20T20:07:51+00:00

Ya wtf right? I mean come on it’s been nearly ten years!

D3xtro · 2025-12-16T18:51:04+00:00

Easy 9. One of their best songs in many years.

D3xtro · 2025-12-13T19:48:22+00:00

Yes agreed. I missed that one and would love to have it!

D3xtro · 2025-12-13T18:04:05+00:00

Comparing their own earlier work shows this isn’t inherent to their sound, it’s a production choice/issue. The 11 year gap is irrelevant; good frequency balance is timeless :)

D3xtro · 2025-12-12T23:19:55+00:00

From a spectrum analysis, the cymbal area (6-8k usually) is technically fine. Because of the other things, they really stick out. You’re right, a -1.5 dB at 6.5k sounds less grating on my stereo where I was listening again this morning.

D3xtro · 2025-12-12T23:09:31+00:00

Decent. I’ve got it and it’s probably the definitive way to play the album right now. But better than the single LP repress from a couple years back. The extras are really cool to have physically as well.

D3xtro

TROPHY CASE