Introduction My reviews are written purely from a hobbyist perspective. I can’t claim to have heard every set under the sun but I have heard enough to make a general assessment of value versus TOTL / kilobuck market. I am also not a musician but have obsessive tendencies over instrumental accuracy. I prefer a warm-neutral signature with a natural instrument timbre. My preferred genres are jazz, folk, classical and world music. A very small portion of my library is electronic, OST, ambient and metal. Hence, a bass emphasis is not something I look for...

Eletech Cassiel - Best of Both Worlds (Virtues Series) Introduction I’ve rolled a fair share of budget to mid-fi cables over the three years in the hobby. Initially, it was quite difficult to appreciate any difference between cables but to a degree it was also a challenge to identify differences between IEMs! For better or for worse, over time my brain has adapted, my perspective has widened and my familiarity with my IEM collection has grown such that I do hear those differences and even with cable changes. Whether these observations would pass a...

Asura Pure White Shining - The Seat of the Soul? Preamble I entered the portable ‘Head-Fi’ world in 2020 and I still consider myself a relative newcomer to Hifi in general. There are plenty of people who have heard more and know more and many of these are forum members that I owe a debt of gratitude for helping me along my own path. Starting with IEMs and expecting the more recent tech innovations might be the right path to audio nirvana, I started out with hybrid driver configurations and then found the appeal of multi-dynamic driver sets that...

Technical specifications Impedance: 24ohm +/- 15% (@1kHz) Sensitivity: 108db SPL/mW Driver type: DLC (diamond-like fibre) Connector: 2pin Plug: 3.5mm, 2.5mm (BAL), 4.4mm (BAL) Cable: CS819 (copper & silver mix) _____ Source: Cayin RU6 (4.4mm, high gain, NOS) Burn-in: >100hours The Vortex was provided by Penon Audio at a discount, in exchange for a review. As always, what I provide here is my own honest opinion on performance – Penon does not see my reviews prior to publication or have a say on content herein. _____ Preamble Where do I...

Source: Cayin RU6, 4.4mm BO, OS, low gain // Shanling M8, 4.4mm BO, low gain. Majority of listening on the Cayin RU6 for tonality/track impressions, with some time spent comparing impact of source on the Alita with the Shanling M8. Cable: stock (SPC), Tips: small TRN T tips UAPP and Qobuz Disclosure: this was purchased at the full retail price of SGD$1393 from http://www.auraudio.store, no incentive was given for a favourable review. Preamble Over the past twelve months or so I have remained very much a spectator of the IEM game, favouring...

Introduction I’ve spent over six months now with the Serratus, four with the Alpha and almost two with the Ripples. Of my growing earbud collection, including a number of the ‘named’ brands and other DIY/custom efforts, the TGXear line-up has proven to have the strongest staying power at my desk over this time. Each TGXear bud has its own appeal but they feel united by a vision that makes musical realism a primary concern. Jim (@tgx78) takes a carefully considered approach to tuning and over the course of the past year has certainly set a standard...

Introduction The earbud is not new and while I wouldn’t be the right person to recount a history, it wouldn’t be inaccurate to say that ‘DIY’ efforts have been ongoing for many years and interest has been simmering away in various threads across the internet. The ease of access to parts combined with a shared knowledge base within a generous and inviting community has been a gateway to interested audiophiles and tinkerers alike. These custom crafters have been particularly active in Asia and South East Asia where the earbud medium has been adopted...

Driver configuration: 1 10mm LCP dynamic driver – low frequencies 2 Knowles 30018 – intermediate frequencies 2 Knowles 30019 – high frequencies Source: Cayin RU6, low gain, NOS Burn-in: 60 hours Cable: stock cable (5N OCC), Eartips: stock silicone Genres tested: jazz, classical, pop, hip hop Preamble Rose Technics are a brand I was only introduced to this year but they have a strong pedigree in the earbud market and a fairly long-running line of IEMs too. This latest IEM is a revision of their QT-9, now revised for the third time. The...

Rose Technics Martini Impedance: 32ohm Frequency response: 20-20000Hz Sensitivity: 102dB/mW Cable length: 1.2m, available in 3.5mm & 4.4mm, non-detachable, copper litz _ Source: Shanling M8 (4.4mm PO, high gain) Burn-in: circa 40hours Primary genres: jazz, classical, ambient, electronic, world music, hip hop _ The Martini can be purchased from Penon audio here. This unit was provided in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own and I will always endeavor to be honest and objective. Accessories and Packaging The unboxing...

Driver configuration: 1 dynamic driver 32Ω impedance, 110dB sensitivity, 20 – 20kHz 2pin 0.78mm connectors, ISN SC4 cable Source: Shanling M8 Burn in: 200hrs Stock cable, stock silicone tips Genres tested: world music, jazz, classical, pop, hip hop The SCB2 was kindly provided for review by Penon Audio. This review reflects my honest opinion and Penon have had no sight or say with regard to the content of this review. The Shozy SCB2 can be purchased here. Preamble The Shozy SCB2 is a collaborative project between ISN, known for their...

Driver configuration: 1DD + 3BA 1 dynamic driver (9.2mm) – low frequency 1 BA (custom) – middle frequency 2 BA (composite) – high frequency 22ohm impedance, 105dB sensitivity, 20Hz-20kHz MMCX connectors, ISN S8 silver-plated OCC cable included (3.5/2.5/4.4mm terminations available) Source: Shanling M8 (4.4mm, turbo gain) Burn in: 150hrs Stock cable, stock silicone tips (green bore) Genres tested: world music, jazz, ambient, electronic, classical The ISN H40 was provided by Penon for the purposes of review and in exchange for my honest opinion...

Driver configuration: 4 Sonion open-hole BA – bass 4 Sonion intermediate frequency BA – midrange 4 Sonion high frequency BA – treble 1 Knowles ultra-high frequency BA – treble 20-20kHz range, 112dB sensitivity, 19ohm impedance Three tuning switches: 1: high frequency control 2: atmosphere control 3: low frequency control Source: Shanling M8 (4.4mm, low gain) Burn-in: 100 hours Cable: stock (high-purity silver, 4 share high) / Tips: stock gray-green silicone tips Genres tested: world music, jazz, OST, electronic, ambient, folk, metal The Legend...

Burson Audio V6 Vivid Discrete Opamp Review Disclaimer: the V6 Vivid was kindly provided as a review copy by Burson Audio in exchange for my honest opinion. Preamble For context, my experience with tube amplifiers is limited to the Little Dot 1+ hybrid and my experience with operational amplifiers to the stock LM4562 and more recently the MUSES02 from New Japan Radio. The LD1+ is a great little gadget with plenty of flexibility at a reasonable price with the capacity to experiment with various opamps and tubes. There are plenty of amplifiers out...

Driver configuration: 10mm dynamic driver – bass Sonion BA driver – mids Knowles BA driver – treble 20Hz-20kHz, 116dB sensitivity, 10ohm impedance Source: Shanling M8 (3.5mm PO mode, low gain) Burn-in: circa 100 hours Cable: stock (silver-plated copper) / Tips: stock gray-green silicone eartips Genres tested: world music, jazz, classical, electronic, ambient, folk, hip hop, pop, metal The Penon Globe can be purchased here from Penon Audio for $339. This unit was provided for the purpose of review, however all opinions are my own...

Driver configuration: 1 bio-diaphragm dynamic driver - bass 2 balanced armature – midrange 1 balance armature – treble 3-way crossover, 5Hz-22kHz, 108dB sensitivity, 10ohm impedance Other relevant information: Source: Shanling M8 (4.4mm PO mode, low gain) Burn-in: circa 50 hours Cable: Silver-copper mix / Tips: stock Genres evaluated: world music, jazz, classical, ambient, electronic, folk, hip hop, pop, metal The Yanyin Aladdin can be purchased here from Penon Audio. This unit was provided for the purpose of review, however all opinions...

Geek Wold GK10 Review – Dynamic and Decadent Driver configuration: 8mm dome titanium diaphragm dynamic driver (bass) 7mm graphene diaphragm dynamic driver (mids) 1 balanced armature (high) 2 piezoelectric ceramic drivers (ultra-high) __ Source: Shanling M8 (4.4mm LO mode, high gain) > Cayin C9 (4.4mm in, low gain, tube mode, class AB amp) Burn-in: circa 30 hours Cable: CEMA UPOCC / Tips: CP145 Purchased at full price from Penon here. This review has not been incentivised in anyway, by anyone. Disclaimer: what is unclear at this time is the...