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Identify my weakest Link in my gear / How make it better

post #1 of 9
1/19/11 at 1:07pm
Thread Starter 

Hey all.

 

So basically here's my gear:

 

Sources

  1. iPhone 4                         - Main
  2. Creative xFi 2                  - Back  up
  3. Creative Zen Vision:M      - Back up 2 / leave in car hooked up

 

Cans

1. Etymotic MC5                      - Main

2. Senheisser PMX200              - Retired

3. Creative EP630                     - Backup

4. Stock ibuds                          - Emergency backup.

 

Anyway, i've now favored IEM simply because I love the isolation and comfort ( with the proper tips).  So far this is my IEM history

 

Stock Creative buds  -> Head Direct RE2s  ->  Creative EP630 -> Head Direct RE0 (broke..) -> Etymotic MC5.

 

Is there anyway I can improve sound quality, without changing my source? Would adding an amp help at all? Or do i just have to invest further in IEMs?

 

Just in case, All my mp3s are VBR V0s, the odd FLAC album here and there.

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post #2 of 9
1/19/11 at 3:36pm

 Upgrade your IEMs.  Buy a high-end universal and you'll be done with that, unless you want high-end customs.

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post #3 of 9
1/19/11 at 10:01pm
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Apple, Creative, Sen (IMO)

 

Get a hifi or top quality pmp. Cowon, Hifiman, S flo2

Get some high quality, NOT meaning expensive, SoundMAGIC, or Brainwazes are cheap, yet good for back up

 

and try a Fii0 E5, cheap enough to keep around and not feel dedicated to it, but it might change something around for you.

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post #4 of 9
1/19/11 at 10:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ohhgourami View Post

 Upgrade your IEMs.  Buy a high-end universal and you'll be done with that, unless you want high-end customs.


Agreed.  I will do give the same advise.  A better iem will give you the most sound improvement after you have improved the digital format from mp3 to lossless.

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post #5 of 9
1/20/11 at 12:22am

AMP, TUBE IMO. then you should do source, get real music not mp3 and finally get a (Starter) pair of  Audio Technica AD-700, I got my 15 yr. old step son these phones for his ipod and he loves them over his IEMs and AD700for only 83 bucks on Amazon, or maybe grado 60's   get away from the IEM's IMO...... ...........But All in do Time My friend! Remember to enjoy what you have and read about "Your price gear and where you really want to be with it...On the go or home/dorm/bedroom set-up  etc..etc...good luck...

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post #6 of 9
1/20/11 at 7:13am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by BotByte View Post

Apple, Creative, Sen (IMO)

 

Get a hifi or top quality pmp. Cowon, Hifiman, S flo2

Get some high quality, NOT meaning expensive, SoundMAGIC, or Brainwazes are cheap, yet good for back up

 

and try a Fii0 E5, cheap enough to keep around and not feel dedicated to it, but it might change something around for you.



Hmm yeah replacing the source defeats teh purpose of my iPhone ( portability). Whilst I wouldn't mind adding an amp, I would mind adding another source as it would mean carrying phone + mp3 player = bulk :P 

Do the brainwavez or soundmagic provide Isolation or are they normal earbuds?



Quote:
Originally Posted by 9pintube View Post

AMP, TUBE IMO. then you should do source, get real music not mp3 and finally get a (Starter) pair of  Audio Technica AD-700, I got my 15 yr. old step son these phones for his ipod and he loves them over his IEMs and AD700for only 83 bucks on Amazon, or maybe grado 60's   get away from the IEM's IMO...... ...........But All in do Time My friend! Remember to enjoy what you have and read about "Your price gear and where you really want to be with it...On the go or home/dorm/bedroom set-up  etc..etc...good luck...

On the Go/bedroom. Why should I stray from IEMs? For Isolation and portability they can't be beat !

Case sample: I go for a walk, grab my phone, iems and presto. carrying around the Grado 60s does seam like added bulk.

Also in terms of audio quality, is there much difference?

And what do you mean by "real"? FLAC? Apple lossless? Etc.?

 

Would you agree on the Fi0 amp as well?
 

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post #7 of 9
1/20/11 at 11:58am

You will be fine with VBR0; it's not like you're listening to 128kbps.  Anything above 256kbps and the differences are negligible.  Just upgrade your IEMs to a top of the line and you'll be done.  Probably one that uses BA drivers instead of dynamic drivers so they are easier to power to get the maximum SQ out of them without an amp. 

 

IMO, top of the line universals sound much better than entry level cans like SR60i's.  If you have the money, I wouldn't waste my time on those - go straight to the top!

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post #8 of 9
1/20/11 at 1:36pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ohhgourami View Post

You will be fine with VBR0; it's not like you're listening to 128kbps.  Anything above 256kbps and the differences are negligible.  Just upgrade your IEMs to a top of the line and you'll be done.  Probably one that uses BA drivers instead of dynamic drivers so they are easier to power to get the maximum SQ out of them without an amp. 

 

IMO, top of the line universals sound much better than entry level cans like SR60i's.  If you have the money, I wouldn't waste my time on those - go straight to the top!

BA drivers?

What would be a top of the line IEM ?
 

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post #9 of 9
1/20/11 at 2:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Guppy_ View Post



Quote:
Originally Posted by ohhgourami View Post

You will be fine with VBR0; it's not like you're listening to 128kbps.  Anything above 256kbps and the differences are negligible.  Just upgrade your IEMs to a top of the line and you'll be done.  Probably one that uses BA drivers instead of dynamic drivers so they are easier to power to get the maximum SQ out of them without an amp. 

 

IMO, top of the line universals sound much better than entry level cans like SR60i's.  If you have the money, I wouldn't waste my time on those - go straight to the top!

BA drivers?

What would be a top of the line IEM ?
 


TOP OF THE LINE BA DRIVER PHONES FOR EXAMPLE ARE ,   --- WESTONE 3, TF10, SM3, EQ7 , SE530, KLIPSCH CUSTOM 3, SE535, SM2,CK10 ,   

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