Voyager without Apple
Printed From: Graham Slee Hifi System Components
Category: Headphone Audio
Forum Name: Portable Headphone User
Forum Description: Technical Q&A, hints and tips
URL: https://www.hifisystemcomponents.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1320
Printed Date: 26 Mar 2026 at 10:40pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Voyager without Apple
Posted By: kt66
Subject: Voyager without Apple
Date Posted: 08 Feb 2012 at 1:21pm
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Are there any Voyager users out there who are not using them with Apple Mac products? I am really interested in seeing how non Apple Voyager customers use theirs Do you just plug your mobile/MP3 players headphone output into the Voyager? I find most headphones (eg SR60) don't need the additional grunt the Voyager adds. My Denon AD-H2000s and HD600s need it. But would really like advice on best way to use it, I am quite good with computers but I can't work out how to get a Line out from my Nokia N8 or Sony Vaio WIn7 laptop? I've asked Nokia and they are f&^%%$$ng useless, Sony next time for me! lets here how you use your Voyager! thanks |
Replies:
Posted By: discrete badger
Date Posted: 08 Feb 2012 at 8:15pm
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Me! I don't use my Voyager with any Apple products - don't want to be locked into iTunes. Its normal on-the-move duty is to amplify the line out of the iBasso D10, which is a box similarly sized containing an excellent implementation of the Wolfson DAC and also a headphone amp which cannot compete with the Voyager. The source for the iBasso is either my VAIO laptop over USB or the iRiver H140 portable jukebox over SPDIF optical. Sometimes I drive the Voyager directly from the laptop (headphone out) or iRiver (line out) directly or even mobile phone (headphone out) directly. All with excellent results - the point is that the Voyager is giving an easy load for your input device to drive. With good headphones, the thing that makes the most difference to the sound is the Voyager rather than the DAC, so I'd suggest you'll get good results just by using the headphone out on your laptop. Best to set the laptop volume levels 100% so that it's high above the noise floor.
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Posted By: mrarroyo
Date Posted: 09 Feb 2012 at 11:24am
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I use an Apple Mac. Do you have a DAC? If yes you can take the digital signal from the Mac (USB or Optical) and feed your DAC. Then the analog out of your DAC would feed your Vogager with an RCA to 1/8" Mini plug. If you do not have a DAC then the optical out in a Mac doubles as an analog out. Using this method you would need a 1/8" Mini to 1/8" Mini stereo analog to feed the Voyager. Regardless of the method keep the digital volume at max in the Mac and use the Voyager's analog volume pot to raise/lower the volume. ------------- Miguel |
Posted By: oldagetraveller
Date Posted: 09 Feb 2012 at 12:34pm
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When I had a Voyager it was used in conjunction with a Cowan S9. I just plugged the S9 into the Voyager input and headphones to the output. I would never consider any style over substance i something. Plus I prefer not to be a slave to i tunes! ------------- Peter P T- LPT/RB300/G1042, Pink Triangle Tarantella/Nima/Ortofon 2M Black, SL1210II, Naim CD5, NAC112, NAP150, Flatcap2, Proac SC1, GS SoloUL,GS Accession , Senn HD250 & HD540. |
Posted By: kt66
Date Posted: 09 Feb 2012 at 1:19pm
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thanks , no I don't have a MAC and never will, but starting to think about a portable DAC. when you plug your mobile/MP3/I-Plod player into the voyager, do you set its volume to maximum and then let the Voyager manage the volume? or something else? thanks
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Posted By: discrete badger
Date Posted: 09 Feb 2012 at 3:33pm
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Yes exactly. Volume to max on the source device and use the voyager knob to control the volume. Although many DACs (like mine) have a line out so in that case there is actually no volume adjustment on the DAC. |
Posted By: mrarroyo
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2012 at 12:09am
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I should point out that some DAP's have a line out (iRiver H120/H140, HiFiMAN HM801/602/601, etc) and some like the iPods or iPhones can be converted to a line out via a DOCK. Using a line out to feed an external amp is better because you bypass the internal amp in the DAP. ------------- Miguel |
Posted By: kt66
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2012 at 9:15am
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thanks for the replies, really annoying that my Nokia N8 doesn't do line out, and when I rang and asked them I think I blew their minds. so started looking at the Cowon S9 last night. what is the preffered DAP here (other than Apple) HIFI manufacturers are really missing a market here. |
Posted By: mrarroyo
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2012 at 11:18am
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How much do you want to spend on a DAP? I am partial to the old iRiver H120 or H140. These can be modified to accept 80 Gb or 120 GB hard drives respectively or up to 64/128 Gb CF cards at a much higher cost. I also like the HiFiMAN HM801/602 but the UI is not the best although RockBox is working on it. These use 32 Gb Class IV SD cards. ------------- Miguel |
Posted By: kt66
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2012 at 11:23am
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I suppose budget would be about £200 but what price do you put on happiness?! Is there anyone who makes a DAP , that has a line out, over 32gig, and doesn't have extras like radio , dab etc?
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Posted By: hotmog
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2012 at 1:37pm
The iRiver H140 (40GB) can be had for around £80 - £100 on eBay. Whilst it does have an inbuilt FM radio, there is no obligation to use it  .I bought one last year because I can use it to store all my music in OGG format, and because it has an optical line out which I can feed into my Cambridge DacMagic, which connects to my Solo UL/Senn HD250 LII/Senn 650s. However the inbuilt DAC & amp on the IRiver is very good as it is, and it sounds excellent with my Koss Porta-Pros with no additional amping, although I must admit I have been toying lately with the possibility of getting a Voyager so I could use it direct with the HD250s instead. On the move, I currently tend use my Creative Zen 30GB with the Porta-Pros, as it is smaller, lighter and has a rather more user-friendly interface. ------------- http://www.victorian-breweriana.uk - Hotmog's Victorian Breweriana |
Posted By: mrarroyo
Date Posted: 11 Feb 2012 at 11:27am
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I bought an used iRiver H120 and changed the 20 Gb to 80 Gb and replace the battery with a higher capacity one. Love the sound but do not use it, if you were in the USA I would offer to you for a price of course. ;) ------------- Miguel |
Posted By: discrete badger
Date Posted: 11 Feb 2012 at 5:24pm
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I agree with hotmog - the H1x0's internal headamp doesn't have enough juice for HD250's; it has only a 5v battery after all. Grado SR60/80 aren't bad though. With ear canal phones the noise floor is clearly audible. However, add a Voyager and these weaknesses vanish.
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Posted By: kt66
Date Posted: 13 Feb 2012 at 4:59pm
Today I got an offer from Audio Affair and took a chance and got an Audioengine D1 Premium 24-bit DAC, my Nokia does have a USB digital out (but I don't think they know that themselves.I'm going to avoid the DAP route, the good ones seem very overpriced to me. So my sounds at work or on the train will now be Nokia N8 usb to Audioengine DAC D1 into Voyager into AT ES55 closed back 'phones. all i need now is a nice case to put the Voyager in. Graham you are missing a trick here, if the Voyager is portable it should be put in some sort of protective carrier. After all this I go home and look at my LP12 and realise how beautifully simple it is to get a good sound compared to all these shennanigans! |
Posted By: mrarroyo
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2012 at 12:33am
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A nice metal case will cost more money and most would cry if it gets scratched while in use. ------------- Miguel |
Posted By: Fatmangolf
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2012 at 9:31pm
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Good point well made, Miguel. A nice case needs to be looked after. I think KT66 is right about protecting portable gear. I have found compact camera cases to be a cost effective way to do this for iPods, cameras (!), and other stuff. It's an easy solution, albeit with another manufacturer's logo on display. ------------- Jon Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC. |
Posted By: kt66
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2012 at 4:10pm
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update got a HIFI Man 601 , into Voyager via Kimber short cable, fabulous sound, the Quest for now is finished.! you'll never get my money apple!
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Posted By: mrarroyo
Date Posted: 13 Mar 2012 at 10:44pm
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I have the 801 and 602 and both sound superb, soon I will rockbox both thanks to the work of a Russian programer. ------------- Miguel |
Posted By: kt66
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2012 at 9:23am
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if you ever want to sell the 801 PLEASE let me know thanks |
Posted By: mrarroyo
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2012 at 10:05am
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I will, what country are you in? I ask because shipping overseas is at best a worrisome task due to custom employees opening boxes and not repacking appropriately. Also for the longer delays in delivering. Thanks. ------------- Miguel |
Posted By: kt66
Date Posted: 14 Mar 2012 at 11:39am
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England regards tim
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