imod overrated? - Page 7

 

 

I'll grant you that the amount of time spent a-bing is not enough to make a complete analysis or decision, however it is enough time to be able to determine if if a $220 set up is better or worse than a $600+ set up. If the difference isn't as apparent, it shouldn't be worth the extra $360 spent, nor the extra size or the risks to the LOD. Not to mention that I assume that you were using FLAC, where I had V0 on my J3, which should have furthered the distance between the two. I listened to at least 3 songs that were the same. This is just my opinion though.

Right, that was my point to begin with. If it was priced differently, and the LODs were as easy to get as a fiio l9, then it would be a whole 'nother playing field. As for portability - eh to each their own. That's more of a personal preference and I never had a problem with it. All my files were Apple Lossless ripped from CDs.

Edited by roma101 - 12/13/11 at 2:15pm

Same difference then... ALAC > V0 should have made a difference, even if it wasn't a big one, it should have made enough when coupled with the iMod + amp, which it didn't. The fact that I only heard minor differences tells me that it isn't worth it. If I can get almost the same sound, for cheaper, with better battery life and a small light device. I'll go with that. I tried to make everything equal turned off all enhancements and set the J3 to flat, and yours was set up the same. I tried matching volumes too (harder to discern, but at least I tried). And I agree, portability is totally subjective. I love the size and output of the J3. If I found the right set-up with an iMod for me, will it sound definitively better than the J3? Almost definitely, but I really don't think it is completely worth it when there are other devices out there that will likely sound just as good if not better.

A few minutes, in my experiences, is not enough time to sufficiently judge portable sources/amps, especially if you are listening to all three parts of the chain: HD-25, P-51, and DIYMod - all for the very first time. Headphones are more obvious and easier to judge right away, but sometimes you may not even really know much about a headphone and its traits until you've listened to it for some time. That's when you can make a real assessment. But who knows, maybe you just have better ears than mine. 

 

I agree, the differences may be too subtle to justify the cost (my exact words when bumping this thread up) but if the costs were similar, I would still have it over any DAP right now, without a doubt. Again, to each their own.

Edited by roma101 - 12/13/11 at 2:40pm

Don't forget, I was using my set up as reference too, which makes things easier. And the combo was horrible for the TMA-1s, but that really helped me as it served to act as a point comparison between coloration of the amp allowing me to judge the source itself. If it was just your set up and mine without my TMA-1s it would have been impossible to make any judgment. It really wasn't about me having good ears, it is that I just know my set up really well. That and I have demoed so many headphones with my J3, I know exactly its characteristics.

Though initial judgments can always change, I still don't think the difference was enough to justify the price. Especially since your set up had every advantage to sound significantly better, from the source files to the actual devices.
Edited by kyuuketsuki - 12/13/11 at 3:08pm

Double post