Cypher Labs - Impressions thread

Will enjoy this thread while waiting for my solo

Someone needs to post first impressions and an un-boxing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sluker 

Someone needs to post first impressions and an un-boxing.

Here here!

Mine just arrived.  I just took a few minutes to check it out.  Man, I couldn't be more impressed with the solo.  This thing sounds fantastic!  I believe it is one of the best audio purchases I have made in quite a while.  After I get in more time I'll post some more impressions.  If your waiting for your solo to arrive, the wait is worth it.  Thanks Ken for another great product.

will

Very impressed so far! I'll be using the Solo/ALO amp with an iPod Classic. Currently, I don't yet have much in the way of lossless audio on the iPod, but what little I've listened to sounds absolutely fantastic! Until I have a chance to add more lossless audio, and spend more time listening, I'll hold off making further comment.

I did try to put everything in the bag, but I suspect it's a better match for the iPhone or iPod Touch. With the Classic, it's difficult to operate the touch wheel, so I probably won't use it (though I may try to modify it myself).

Great job, Cypher Labs & ALO... well worth the wait!

Got my Solo  and ALO cables this morning. Congratulations Ken & Cypher Labs ! ! ! !  During the day I have tried many combinations of Amps ,Headphones & cables.Amphora S.E. TTVJ portable hybrid ,Sennheiser HD-650, Beyer-dynamic TD 880 Dragon Series V 1 with Moon Audio Silver Dragon cable cryoed. Source is 120 GB ipod  using loss less  files .All sounded Excellent ! ! ! Look forward to tomorrow's listening.....

Can someone answer the following:

1. Assuming the rockbox classic port is eventually stable, will we be able to play FLAC files through the Solo?
2. Is the difference between the 320kb Lossy and Lossless files emphasized by the Solo or is it similar to the difference between the two through the ipod LOD?

I really don't want to convert my library to another lossless format.

Thanks. 

Mine just got in the office with case and all. Hook up an ipod classic, Predator and UE11pro TWaged while on charging the Solo. "GOOSEBUMPS!!!", a feeling reminiscent of old LP days. The music coming from the Solo has a organic quality and liquidity to it that I've only heard in a handful of true hi-end home setups.... and this is coming from a portable setup with 0 break-in and charger attached (not to mention that my silvercap pro mini-to mini cable was fresh off the soldering station modified from a LOD last night)!  I will be experimenting more with different setups and cables, definitely more to come.....

Great job Ken and the Solo team! 

Now I'm really anticipating on receiving my JH3A/16 ......

BTW, Ken, any chance of doing a mini / low profile ipod out to Solo cable soon? It will be fine if the wires come out from the ipod connector at right angle (just on the ipod side, not necessary on the USB side).

For those of you who are reviewing the Solo, if the opportunity presents itself, please also compare the Solo's internal Wolfson reference DAC to any of your own.  I have the Boomslang and I am just curious how is the Solo Dac compare to other portable Dac?  The problem with comparing to the Boomslang is that the Boomslang is a balance Dac, so that may contribute some difference to it.  I am charging my Solo now.  Also, I would like some impression for those who have more than one apple devices to compare if there are differences between different devices like ipod, nano, iphone, itouch etc.

Well, some thoughts about my SOLO/RX II.

My impression at the moment is shockingly pleased. I've been a RWA imod user for some time and have hundreds of hours experience on 801, and some experience with the colorfly C4. Compare with my imod/RX system, the sound from solo is instantly airier and the sound stage is considerably larger and deeper. Listening to some of my favourate old tracks from the solo is like listen to some thing new, never before have I experienced the details and ambience of the music like this on a portable package! The extension of the highs is so effortless; the mid is so juicy and raw; and the bass, although is slight less in quantity, but so much deeper and bouncier and revealed much more details than the imod and even the 801. the tonal balance and clarity across the frequency is truly stunning.

Over all, IMHO, I prefer the SOLO over imod or C4 or 801, for SOLO is very musical  but not creamy like 801, full of details and great high extensions yet juicier than C4. To me, although imod/801/C4 are all master pieces and great in lots of ways, the SOLO is more natural and balanced.

One thing the potential buyer should be aware of is that, the HM801 can be used as a USB DAC/DAC, and C4 has digital input (without LO though) as well, but the SOLO can not be used as a DAC and can only be used with apple i devices. 

These are the thoughts for now.

Cheers Ken!

Sorry, I made a big typo! Please see the red  part and I don't know what I was thinking when I wrote C4 instead of SOLO. 

Thank you Jian, your thoughts are very much appreciated especially in the context of you having heard such illustrious players, Makes me want the solo even more!

As to the proviso of only apple products need apply this is not too bad when all said and done as they are so easily gotten hold of, I think this will see a resurgence of the ipod classics appeal!