Review: Entire Meier Audio Headphone Amp Line Compared - Page 7 - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

LoweArt · #91 (**permalink**) 09-28-2007, 10:34 PM

Hey Skylab,

I was reading over your impressions of the Arietta when compared to the Cantate and how that you believe they are very close sonically.

Would you say that some the differences is that Arietta is not as warm as the Cantate and maybe loses a little in headstage ????

Love to know your thoughts on this and hope that this question hasn't already been asked.

Thanks !

Wilashort · #92 (**permalink**) 09-28-2007, 10:44 PM

Hi Cosmic Fool
I recommend you the Corda Arietta amp a lot. It give life to my DT770pro Headphones, in the test period (i will leave the best part for the end); (it sound airier and clearer as an open headphone with it and with my XMOD card too (without it, the sensation would be less open in a considerable degree)) and i don't imagine how it will make to sound my DT990's (must be marginally better (out of this world)), which is much better yet, (thus you have a idea...).
It make my DT770 headphone (a little claustrofobic phone (something that stressed me before, to listen...)) together with my XMOD to sound as my soul was floating in my room (sound almost as good as my ex 5.1 speakers (I refer to openness in the sound), when i listen an energetic and fast song (Jpop, jrock, rock, Super eurobeat, some electronica, Modern classic music ala Jean Michelle Jarre (for example: Toccata Et Fuga (Js Bach))), industrial, trance ala Jean Michael Jarre too; and is very good with ambiental music and classic too.
With my XMOD DSP/DAP, it make a mega synergy (a killer combination), it will make the sounstage Depth, Width, Height Bigger and airy and the Arietta amp with the crossfeed activated add some depth* and smooth slightly the sound and the volume, *but only with the help of my XMOD and make the treble much more energetic but not fatiging. The treble (as i had interpreted before) is airier and smooth. Before i feel that my other amp lacks it (literally speaking), This is the best of this amp (as the rest too)
The bass is of very good quality and depth and had good punch (i had to lower a little in some bass heavy songs) and obviously the mids.... it's doesn't appear to be recessed with this headphones (DT770).
Ah, and it is dead silent and the volume is clear without distortion (or clipping) in the max.
I recommend you the Arietta amp a lot, sincerelly. The only drawnback is the lack of some volume loudness in weak sources (in some cable TV channels or some ac3 songs/trailers). But i like very loud sound, and i think, that this amp as enough volume for the majority of the sources.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cosmic Fool

Excellent reviews, Skylab! Thank you very much for all the work and effort you have put in it! You have quite surprising conclusions too! I don't need a DAC and portability isn't an issue either, so the Arietta seems to be the best choice. Is this also the case with the DT 990 (05 ed., 250 Ohm)?

Skylab · #93 (**permalink**) 09-29-2007, 12:59 AM

The Arietta may be just a touch less warm than the Cantate, but the difference in tonality isn't much.

LoweArt · #94 (**permalink**) 09-29-2007, 01:14 AM

Thanks for that Skylab !

daveDerek · #95 (**permalink**) 09-29-2007, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab

Thanks Dave. I had the Opera and the HA-2 II/SE at the same time, and the Opera was a significant improvement, so much so that I sold the HA-2. The Opera was maybe even more detailed, but with a more naturally warm sonic signature.

thanks for the input. how did the HA-2 II/SE compare to meier's non top of the line amps? is it still competitive with them or are they all superior (i doubt the headfive or arietta is better but, hey you never know)?

Skylab · #96 (**permalink**) 09-29-2007, 02:11 AM

I preferred the ha2 ii se over the Aria. I never had the chance to compare it to the others.

Capunk · #97 (**permalink**) 10-08-2007, 11:29 PM

Skylab, by any chance have you ever compare, how's the performance between iBasso D1 DAC + Amp vs Cantante DAC + Amp?

I assume ibasso has better DAC than Cantante, since it uses newer chip (PCM2906), while cantante using PCM 2702. But Cantante amp section presumably better.

So if each amp and dac combined, how do you measure both performances?

one-eyed-xander · #98 (**permalink**) 10-09-2007, 02:39 AM

I will add my thanks to Skylab for another great review. Much appreciated.

I am currently using my Move as a desktop amp and want to step up to the next level, but require a USB DAC. I can't quite justify the Opera, so should I go for the Cantante or an Arietta plus a DAC from a different vendor? The local price difference between the Arietta and Cantante is about A$350 (~US$300). This sounds like more than enough to buy a pretty good external DAC to me - but which one?

Skylab · #99 (**permalink**) 10-09-2007, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by one-eyed-xander

I will add my thanks to Skylab for another great review. Much appreciated.

I am currently using my Move as a desktop amp and want to step up to the next level, but require a USB DAC. I can't quite justify the Opera, so should I go for the Cantante or an Arietta plus a DAC from a different vendor? The local price difference between the Arietta and Cantante is about A$350 (~US$300). This sounds like more than enough to buy a pretty good external DAC to me - but which one?

I would definitely get the Cantate in this case. The convenience alone makes it make more sense.

And as for the Cantate versus the D1, as good as the iBasso is the Cantate sounds better, IMO.

lerio · #**100** (**permalink**) 10-09-2007, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab

And as for the Cantate versus the D1, as good as the iBasso is the Cantate sounds better, IMO.

How did you have that point of view as you didn't tested DAC of Cantate ? did you tested the DAC finally ?

Skylab · #**101** (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 02:49 AM

Not formally, but I did do a quick side-by-side comparison.

Fungi · #**102** (**permalink**) 10-16-2007, 09:16 AM

Thanks Skylab. Now I have to go sell this Headfive and USB DAC for the Cantate. :P

IPodPJ · #**103** (**permalink**) 10-16-2007, 10:03 AM

How many more days do I have to wait before the Opera arrives? He shipped it out last Thursday. He said it take two weeks. He said it won't get to me in 5 days like some of you because he ships the smaller packages out a different way. So who knows. Maybe I'll be lucky and get it this week, maybe not. Patience, PJ, have patience.... but I dun wannnaaaaaaaa'!!! :P

SkyLab, where are you located, and how long did it take you to get your Opera from Germany?

IPodPJ · #**104** (**permalink**) 10-16-2007, 10:05 AM

Also Skylab, I'm confused at your findings. You thought the Cantate and Arietta sounded very similar. But what about the balanced ground aspect? Did you notice that at all? I would think it would put the Cantate in a whole different class from the Arietta.

Skylab · #**105** (**permalink**) 10-16-2007, 12:34 PM

My Opera took about 8 days to reach me - I live in the Chicago area (as my profile shows

).

As for my findings, they are what they are, which are findings based on listening, not on reading about circuit designs. They are also just my opinion.

And further, some of you may have noticed that I decided to buy the Cantate review sample