Zhaolu 2.0 ARRIVED!!! IMPRESSION INSIDE!

[akwok]

Originally Posted by JiggaD369

If I can just sell the M3, I can get the fully modded Zhalou with full headamp upgrade for less than what I sell the M3 for. So Im kind of confused if I should let a good amp go before trying out somthing else.

Please think clearly before you act!

[Veniogenesis]

Originally Posted by uzziah

i can't read these threads anymore. 75% missinformation, 20% answering the same question over again, 5% new useful info. sorry to be harsh, but please know what you're saying before you say it.

Actually, most of the "misinformation" is related to the overhyped comments that a particular group of people have been making. Chesebert has heard the Zhaolu 2 out of the headphone out. And I seriously doubt any "headphone amp" upgrade can beat a M^3 unless psychological factors comes into play.

[JiggaD369]

Originally Posted by Veniogenesis

Actually, most of the "misinformation" is related to the overhyped comments that a particular group of people have been making. Chesebert has heard the Zhaolu 2 out of the headphone out. And I seriously doubt any "headphone amp" upgrade can beat a M^3 unless psychological factors comes into play.

Thats why Im only concerned with the DAC section of Zhalou. Are all the upgrades available for the 2.0 right now or will they be introducing more? I understand that everyone is waiting for the headamp to comeout soon but Im not interested in that since I have M3 to power my K701.

[Sean H]

Originally Posted by Veniogenesis

And I seriously doubt any "headphone amp" upgrade can beat a M^3 unless psychological factors comes into play.

I wasn't trying to imply that in any way, thanks. Have you really looked at it's design? It's not a piece of s#!t. Very similar to the Gilmore Lite in many ways. But I'm not trying to say it's as good or better than a M3 by any means, I have never heard one. It's the value is all I am implying, for $40 it's mind boggling, you wouldn't believe it.

[Veniogenesis]

Originally Posted by Sean H

I wasn't trying to imply that in any way, thanks. Have you really looked at it's design?

Haha, no no. I wasn't directing that comment of mine at you. I put that as a generalized addendum to my post for those in the past who have said the headphone amp upgrade will be better than this and that amplifier.

And yes, I've looked at the design.

[Sean H]

Heh, heh, ok cool, thanks. Seems like I've had to be on the defensive lately and I figured here we go again. I've talked about it waaaay too many times already but with my HF-1's the discrete amp is nothing short of phenominal, with HD650's as reported from my experience the other night, still fantastic for the money but not as good as amp's optimized for them given their crazy voltage swings they present and high Z.

[uzziah]

Originally Posted by JiggaD369

If I can just sell the M3, I can get the fully modded Zhalou with full headamp upgrade for less than what I sell the M3 for. So Im kind of confused if I should let a good amp go before trying out somthing else.

i'd always suggest that you keep what you have so you can AB test before selling something. of course i have a bit selfish reasons: i want to know what your impressions would be, but it's good standard practice. nothing can help you more than listening to things side by side yourself; nothing

[uzziah]

nm

[Veniogenesis]

Originally Posted by uzziah

do you really know what you're talking about? i assume of course you personally have listened to the upgraded headamp side by side with the m3, right? you wouldn't just go out and make a ridiculously uninformed claim like that unless you knew what you were talking about, yes?

I had gone out of my way to be nicer than I had originally intended in my previous posts. But let us look at the issue carefully. Chesebert has heard the stock integrated headphone amplifier. He has expressed his views on it; it is mediocre. I only referred to his comments which he made. No, I did not claim that I have heard the upgraded integrated headphone amplifier. It's quite obvious this is so, and the sarcasm was unnecessary. I have only heard a basic M^3 amplifier. It is also important to note that I did not make a claim of sorts. I have solely expressed doubts after contemplating what I know about the M^3 amplifier and the technical details that have been posted regarding the upgraded integrated headphone amplifier.

Regards,
Venio

[chesebert]

Originally Posted by uzziah

i can't read these threads anymore. 75% missinformation, 20% answering the same question over again, 5% new useful info. sorry to be harsh, but please know what you're saying before you say it.

You are quite harsh in saying that my impressions are "misinformaiton" The zhaolu headamp is just a super basic CMOY ...maybe that's why they are bring a full discrete upgrade at a later date. Zhaolu is formost a DAC ...headphone out is just an accessory atleast in the basic version. Please do not judge before you had a chance to listen. THX!

[JahJahBinks]

right now 1794 is not available from US distributor, anyone have when it will be available and whether it's better than the other two options?

[Nick63]

Chesesbert...I appreciate the concern, but I have it ordered from China. I am not realy concerned since the price is low anyway. I imagine I can pay the stateside sellers to fix it it if it has a problem I can't fix with a part replacement. You sound quite impressed with this Dac. Even though it has an amp do you think bypassing the Zhaolu's amp and buying a stand alone amp($300 or less)would be worthwhile?

[K2Grey]

Originally Posted by echo1

Well I see he is sticking his mouth were it dont belong again . Dont apoligize to him, he is a jerk. Kiss off Veniogenesis. And thats the nice way to say it.

I would suggest that a person who joined head-fi on May 8 (namely, today) should not tell people to "kiss off" or call them a "jerk". Not going along with the mass hype is not a bad thing. Those who have been around to see this happen over and over again know that.

[BRBJackson]

Yeah, OK.... so getting back on track:

Originally Posted by JahJahBinks

right now 1794 is not available from US distributor, anyone have when it will be available and whether it's better than the other two options?

Try emailing iFi Audio. Perhaps they have a heads-up on when the Burr Brown DAC version will be available. I for one will likely wait to hear impressions of that DAC chip before pulling the trigger on this.

[tianguis]

All:
Received my stock 1852 2.0 today from Eddie (2 days transit time to New York City).
I've been using a modded Nixon Dackit, which I built, and have compared (A/B) to a number of DAC's, including Dodson, Stello, Bel Canto. Differences seemed minor. However, my initial impression of the Zhaolu gives me a big improvement compared to the Dackit: bigger space, more bass tautness, greater dynamics, better micro detail (all this after 10 minutes of listening). There's a slight edginess to the treble which I expect to go away after component burn-in.
I'm using it after a DIY CD-Pro2M, TacT RCS driving a DIY ICEpower amp driving Overkill Audio Ovations, bi-amped and actively XO'd.
I'll be doing mods, probably trying other DAC's, op-amps (the 2.0 even included a trio of OPA2804's), wire, damping.
I'm impressed by the build quality (OF COURSE, I popped the hood). It's quite a heavy little box, nicely finished. A brief listen with Senn 580's seemed promising.

Regards,
Larry Welsh