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Can it get any better? -The search for a personal audio perfection.

post #1 of 16
9/22/11 at 12:50am
Thread Starter 

I have an iPod touch 4g, using Flacplayer app (FLAC tracks), a `quality` Qable LOD, and a CMoy Royal amp(the one with the big gold op amps).

UF-triple10 and ATH-ESW9.

 

Can it get any better?

 

I have tried the ALO Continental, dubbed `the best portable amp I have ever heard` by headfonia, also the Fostex Hp-p1, ibasso D12 - and they didn't deliver any earth moving changes, just subtle tweaks.

 

The same also for the hifiman 601 and colorfly ck4. 

 

Can it get any better or is there a point where everything levels off or merges together when using portables on the fly, out and about town, trains and buses?

 

Would a change in headphones help? Is it about upgrading in totality? Or is there a point where a semi plateau of quality is reached?

 

Thanks.

 

*EDIT/Update.  I re-tried the Fostex today in a more quiet environment and it was lovely!

 

 

 

 


Edited by ExpatinJapan - 9/24/11 at 3:06am
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post #2 of 16
9/22/11 at 7:07am

Is there a place to demo custom IEMs any where you live ? I hear even the lower end ones sound better than the best universals, been trying to find somewhere to audition them personally.

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post #3 of 16
9/23/11 at 12:48am

Read the Nokia N8 thread on this forum. It has a digital sound output through USB-OTG (USB on the go). If you really want "HiFi" you could always try to build something around that.

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post #4 of 16
9/23/11 at 8:24am
Thread Starter 

Thanks for that. I will look into it.

 

Re-considering the Hifiman 601 after reading a few threads.

 

I posted this in the main 601 thread-

 

 

Phew, took me forever/hours to read all 64 pages (plus a couple of other 601 threads).

 

a) I like what I have read.

b) Hifiman 601 seems to trump the J3 in SQ.

c) People have run in to various problems, most of which seem to have been fixed within this thread or with the firmware update.

d) Opamps of 602 are slightly better than 601.

e) No need for an external amp.

 

Questions:

1) I have read of some problems using with a macbook (transferring files), but people say use an external card reader-which I have. Is Mac/hifiman ok?

2) Does 602  sound better? (I did read the headfonia comparison already)

3) How will this be with my ATH-ESW9 headphones?

4) How will this be with my TF-10s and custom cable?= I read several opinions within this thread already, any further thoughts?

5) Any difference between the 2gb and 8gb models (601)?

 

Thanks.

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post #5 of 16
9/23/11 at 8:56am

The point of diminishing returns catches up pretty quickly. After a certain point the extra money doesn't really equal much of an improvement. I Recently started realizing this a few months ago when I got my iPhone 4. I found myself using my Sleek Audio SA6's and my iPhone 4 more often than my HD650's (along with a full size amp/dac with my laptop) even at home. Then I lost my job and thought about selling my expensive gear and settling for something cheaper. To keep the story short, I am just as happy now with my AIAIAI TMA-1's and my iPhone 4 as the source, as I was with the HD650, HeadRoom amp/dac, and my laptop as the source. 

 

setup #1:

laptop: $500

amp/dac: $800

HD650: $330

Total: $1630

 

setup #2:

iPhone 4: $300 (on contract)

TMA-1: $160 (new, but open box)

Total: $460

 

setup #1 did not sound over 3.5 times better.... 


Edited by jasonb - 9/23/11 at 9:00am
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post #6 of 16
9/23/11 at 6:54pm


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by ExpatinJapan View Post

I have an iPod touch 4g, using Flacplayer app (FLAC tracks), a `quality` Qable LOD, and a CMoy Royal amp(the one with the big gold op amps).

UF-triple10 and ATH-ESW9.

 

Can it get any better?

 

I have tried the ALO Continental, dubbed `the best portable amp I have ever heard` by headfonia, also the Fostex Hp-p1, ibasso D12 - and they didn't deliver any earth moving changes, just subtle tweaks.

 

The same also for the hifiman 601 and colorfly ck4. 

 

Can it get any better or is there a point where everything levels off or merges together when using portables on the fly, out and about town, trains and buses?

 

Would a change in headphones help? Is it about upgrading in totality? Or is there a point where a semi plateau of quality is reached?

 

Thanks.

 

 

 

 

I think you can do a lot more better than you did.  

 

Starting at the source, hopefully you are using lossless files from good recordings.  LOD will never give you the better sound that you're looking for.  Because you are using the itouch internal dac which is the first limiting factor.  I think if you use itouch, then you will have to use either Solo or Fostex to get the better signal out of itouch.  Then you probably can choose a better amp (RSA, Pico, stepdance etc).  Lastly, there are better phones than triple 10 or ESW9.  For instance, any of the customs will do a better job like JH5/10/11/13/16, UE Pros18, Westone3 etc.  
 

 

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post #7 of 16
9/23/11 at 7:17pm

What jasonb is talking about is what i always figured but you rarely see people admit to it. Also ease of use comes into play, you won't plug in a million things if it will only sound marginally better.

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post #8 of 16
9/23/11 at 8:02pm
Thread Starter 

Yes, I agree simple is best.....but `shaddup and take my money!` :) also comes into play. haha.

 

I am aware of diminishing returns and the thread `leaving hifi because it is too silly`

http://www.head-fi.org/t/374155/leaving-portable-hifi-it-s-too-silly

 

I think we are all searching for a certain sound, and half the fun is the discussion and research, once the purchase is made, the desire fullfilled, eventual 

disappointment creeps in until the next purchase.

 

I like the idea of the foster HP_P1 as an end all, I also like the description of the Hifiman 601 sound-and the retro look.

 

My objective brain says one thing, my emotive subjective side another.

 

Objective intellect says, thats enough, there is not much more that can be done, buy some decent IEMs or fuller headphones.

 

But,.........`Shaddup and take my monies!` 

 

Tis` a vicious cycle.

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post #9 of 16
9/23/11 at 8:10pm

I went through some medium high end stuff, D7000's and headroom UDA with DPS.  I've gone back down to two more portable solutions and have a bit of cash left over.  For me, the more modest gear is more practical, so I use it more.  It took me about 4 years to go from an ipod and grados, up to the rig above, and back down to an ipod touch, pico slim and a pair of DT1350's as my main rig, and a Centrance DacPort and 1964 Ears Quads that sub in in various configurations with one of my laptops.

 

What's my point?   Ahhhh.... Oh yeah, diminishing returns for sure.  Everyone has to decide for themselves just where those diminishing returns are no longer worth it.

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post #10 of 16
9/24/11 at 3:05am
Thread Starter 

Update:

 

 

Thanks Mr Temporaryname also for your informative PM on the hifiman.

 

I am looking at two (used) hifiman 601, both versions are the 2gb version.

 

I read the main thread some users found them a bit different from the later 8gb version, but fang from head direct said the components were the same.

 

I was in the shop today but got sidetracked from testing it by the Fostex hp_p1 (and a phone call that cut my visit short), my second impression is very positive, a flat, even sound, not cold but well balanced.

 

My iPod touch w/Cmoy Royal can get a bit shrieky with the highs, clear bass but recessed　mids.

 

*I hope to try the hifiman 601 in the next few days, with in store ATH-CK10 (Shigezo says they match well).

 

*In short it will either be Hifiman 601 or the Fostex hp_p1.

 

 

 
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post #11 of 16
9/25/11 at 1:41am
Thread Starter 

Short list.

 

Option 1.

Fostex hp_p1. (¥50,000)

-I already have a an iPod touch 4g and 5th gen iPod (though i heard they may not be compatible.

 

Option 2 .(¥30,000- Hifiman is second hand/Used+SD card)

Hifiman 601 (2gb model)+ SD card. And maybe some ATH-CK10 phones (I heard they were great together).

 

Option 3. (Approx ¥20,000-¥25,000)

Cowon J3. 16gb+SD card.

 

Option 4.

Buy them all, LOL.

 

Option 5.

Save my money.

 

*Of course I can just get the Hifiman 601 and Cowon J3 together for same price as the Fostex.

 

Decisions, decisions.

 

*I am sure head-fi used to more enabling as in `Yes, yes, buy this, buy that`.....now it seems people are urging people not buy or save their money.:)

 

 

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post #12 of 16
9/26/11 at 7:30pm


Just my 2 cents, but my philosophy on your question has changed over the past few months. If you were to listen to a great portable rig, (DAP, Amp, HP's) there is chance you may not like it. Yes, your capacity to hear may not be advanced, or it may be. But, it could also be as simple as this: the sonic characteristics of *that* particular rig is not what *you* prefer. My point is this - before *any* rig can make you really happy, you have to know exactly what it is you enjoy personally. You need to know the qualities you prefer, for example, in the bass - boomy and dominant?, clear and more subdued? How about the mids? Accurate and detailed? Warm and colored? You get the point. If you're just buying/trading different components, with no specific sonic goal in mind, you'll probably wander aimlessly and spend hundreds, if not thousands of dollars looking for audio nirvana. But the real problem is that you have no idea what it is. Of course, I am not saying that you don't, I am just making a point. If you don't have a clear destination in mind, you can never get there!

 

Sorry for the bold print, but I firmly convinced that my points are the keys to sonic satisfaction.


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by ExpatinJapan View Post

I have an iPod touch 4g, using Flacplayer app (FLAC tracks), a `quality` Qable LOD, and a CMoy Royal amp(the one with the big gold op amps).

UF-triple10 and ATH-ESW9.

 

Can it get any better?

 

I have tried the ALO Continental, dubbed `the best portable amp I have ever heard` by headfonia, also the Fostex Hp-p1, ibasso D12 - and they didn't deliver any earth moving changes, just subtle tweaks.

 

The same also for the hifiman 601 and colorfly ck4. 

 

Can it get any better or is there a point where everything levels off or merges together when using portables on the fly, out and about town, trains and buses?

 

Would a change in headphones help? Is it about upgrading in totality? Or is there a point where a semi plateau of quality is reached?

 

Thanks.

 

*EDIT/Update.  I re-tried the Fostex today in a more quiet environment and it was lovely!

 

 

 

 



 

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post #13 of 16
9/27/11 at 4:40am
Thread Starter 

Can`t argue with you there, definitely need to have an audio goal in mind.

 

I am currently developing and honing my search and tastes for what I like.

 

So far I like milky soft warm full mids, a decent but not overpowering bass and the highs rolled off (slightly past 5k and more past 10k).

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post #14 of 16
9/27/11 at 5:42am

Colorfly C4K would be a pretty cheap upgrade. I enjoy it as a alternative source to my iMod. Sadly there is no peak, I have tiers of portable setups, for example;

 

On the fly: Colorfly C4K (8gb + 32gb microsd) + UE Miracles
Portable: iMod (240gb) -> Audiominor silver wire LoD -> RSA Mustang -> DT48e 200ohms
Somewhat portable: same ipod + lod -> SR-71A -> T5p

 

And now I want a balanced portable setup... D=

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post #15 of 16
9/27/11 at 6:32am

Our tastes are similar. My current setup is iPod Touch > LOD > TTJV Slim > Senn HD650. Very nice!!

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by ExpatinJapan View Post

Can`t argue with you there, definitely need to have an audio goal in mind.

 

I am currently developing and honing my search and tastes for what I like.

 

So far I like milky soft warm full mids, a decent but not overpowering bass and the highs rolled off (slightly past 5k and more past 10k).



 

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