Altmann Tera Player - Page 8  

I might have missed this earlier in the thread, but has anybody commented on how much power it outputs/what headphones it can drive?

For fun and giggles, I did try the LCD-2 with it. Not good at all... clearly not enough power for the full-size planar. Seems to be strictly for IEM-use only for me. 

So you are saying that the Tera Player is bass light? Or is it really neutral an you just prefer more bass? I'm really happy to see some thoughts on how it sounds for once in a few pages it feels. Thanks for filling us in with your thoughts. I am really excited about getting one. I have not listened to one, but hear the Original Firmware of the DX100 (Which apparently sounds different from other firmwares). Paired really nicely with my CIEM's, but I feel this player will suit me better, especially since with the Tera Player and CIEM's, I should have a really fun and small setup.

EDIT: You say it has a nice black background, which I love to hear, but how is the Soundstage compared to the DX100? 

Quote:

Originally Posted by K3cT 

I've finally heard this player yesterday. I think out of all of the audiophile DAPs that I've auditioned so far including the DX100 and HM-801, this one is clearly superior and the one that really temps my wallet seriously. No matter how good the other audiophile DAPs sound, they are simply too big and clunky for general use and therefore, the Tera's small form-factor is a breath of fresh air. 

 

In terms of the sound, I find the Tera to be quite neutral at least when compared to the HM-801, HM-602 and HM-603 which can lean to the dark side and the DX-100 which was simply too bright for me. Detail-retrieval is pretty good, although overall not as revealing as the DX-100. The stand-out thing for me though is the immensely pitch-black background that rivals my desktop source setup which is pretty damn impressive in its own rights and therefore, this helps instruments and vocals to really pop out and sound very real. If I have to nitpick, this DAP sounds a bit to the lean side and I could definitely use a tad more bass but as it is the Tera is best audiophile portable music player that I've heard yet. 

Thanks, This  comment only helps re-enforce the idea in my mind that the Tera Player is definitely for me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiFlight 


I find that the soundstage width of the Tera and DX100 are quite similar, but the Tera has more depth and a greater sense of dimension than the DX100. I would call the Tera neutral and tonally well-balanced.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenman345 

So you are saying that the Tera Player is bass light? Or is it really neutral an you just prefer more bass? I'm really happy to see some thoughts on how it sounds for once in a few pages it feels. Thanks for filling us in with your thoughts. I am really excited about getting one. I have not listened to one, but hear the Original Firmware of the DX100 (Which apparently sounds different from other firmwares). Paired really nicely with my CIEM's, but I feel this player will suit me better, especially since with the Tera Player and CIEM's, I should have a really fun and small setup.

 

EDIT: You say it has a nice black background, which I love to hear, but how is the Soundstage compared to the DX100? 

It seemed to be a bit bass-light, at least when compared directly to the HM-801 or DX100 and indirectly with the various "reference" desktop DACs that were present in the meet such as the Audio-gd Reference 7.1. 

As for soundstage, the DX100 is a tad wider but the Tera has a better sense of depth like HiFlight said. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiFlight 


For use with the LCD-2, it would most certainly require the higher powered v1 rather than the v0 version. I don't think Charles has ever specified the output of either version.
My v0 can easily drive my modified Sony F1 which has a sensitivity of 100 dB/mW and an impedance of 24 ohms. It can also drive my Thunderpants (50 ohm, 98 dB/mW) but it requires nearly full volume. I mostly use my IEM's, modified PortaPro and F1.

Ah, it didn't cross my mind to ask the owner whether his was the v0 or v1 version but personally for me, since this thing seems to be specifically designed for IEMs and hi-efficiency headphones in general a low-gain version should be better because it allows greater flexibility with volume control and theoretically, a lower noise-floor. 

Curiously, the Tera has 2 headphone jacks but neither of them are labelled and I couldn't tell any difference between either outputs. Apparently one output has more power but I'm not so sure. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by K3cT 

Curiously, the Tera has 2 headphone jacks but neither of them are labelled and I couldn't tell any difference between either outputs. Apparently one output has more power but I'm not so sure. 

Hi K3cT, i notice the right output seems to be set at higher gain as it presents the music slightly louder and more upfront.   I tested with a few of my iems and it is pretty obvious.   Surprise Charles did not mentioned this in his manual but it gives a different flavor to the music.    Charles did mention in his manual but cheekily labeled them as Teramega output and Superduper output, guess he wants the user to discover for themselves.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenman345 

Happy to report that I am 1/4 of the way there. Hopefully should have all the money within 5 weeks or less. 

Same.  I put aside 1/4.  Targeting 3rd week of September to initiate order.  But, I just got a new Xeon Desktop workstation so do not really want to buy anything shiny till end of the year or next year.  I will try to follow the same regiment as you, but not sure if I am disciplined enough to save for the next 5-6 weeks.  But you do provide motivation to save.  I doubt Charles will go for the 'Group Discount' route. 

I was targeting the 'Stealth' model, but unsure unless the letter engraving can be optional.  I was thinking of pairing the 'all-black' TP with the 'all-black' Ultrasone Signature Pro in the future.  I've seen some photos where the USP was covered in electrical tape to give it an 'all-black' look and it seems more durable for portable use.  The Ed. 9's are shiny and attract attention esp w/ silver cables.  I want something more 'Stealth' and lowkey if possible.

The TP will be in the shirt pocket 90% of the time, so hard to justify the extra cost of 'Stealth' model.

Hi everyone,

   I am considering buying this player since i think it will reproduce all my preferred music beautifully... But i do have a small

  doubt.. Will it be good with electronic dance/house ? I ask this because i have seen it referred to as being a bass light..

  I mostly listen to instrumental jazz, jazz vocals, and other vocals both male and female and i know it will be great with those.. 

  Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by K3cT 

I've finally heard this player yesterday. I think out of all of the audiophile DAPs that I've auditioned so far including the DX100 and HM-801, this one is clearly superior and the one that really temps my wallet seriously. No matter how good the other audiophile DAPs sound, they are simply too big and clunky for general use and therefore, the Tera's small form-factor is a breath of fresh air. 

 

In terms of the sound, I find the Tera to be quite neutral at least when compared to the HM-801, HM-602 and HM-603 which can lean to the dark side and the DX-100 which was simply too bright for me. Detail-retrieval is pretty good, although overall not as revealing as the DX-100. The stand-out thing for me though is the immensely pitch-black background that rivals my desktop source setup which is pretty damn impressive in its own rights and therefore, this helps instruments and vocals to really pop out and sound very real. If I have to nitpick, this DAP sounds a bit to the lean side and I could definitely use a tad more bass but as it is the Tera is best audiophile portable music player that I've heard yet. 

Thanks for your impressions from a potential buyer of this product.  It is always wonderful to get the perspective from someone that has heard the 'top 3' DAPS.

I enjoyed your first paragraph.  It's amazing how this little player can stack up or even exceed with the 'big and clunky' HQ players.  'Big and clunky' DAPS cannot be justified anymore, I need the small form-factor.  It will be interesting once the HM-802/901 makes its appearance before I make my order, but I cannot imagine anything not in my shirt-pocket anymore.  I already allocated space in my shirt-pocket so no room for anything else...

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiFlight 


For use with the LCD-2, it would most certainly require the higher powered v1 rather than the v0 version. I don't think Charles has ever specified the output of either version.
My v0 can easily drive my modified Sony F1 which has a sensitivity of 100 dB/mW and an impedance of 24 ohms. It can also drive my Thunderpants (50 ohm, 98 dB/mW) but it requires nearly full volume. I mostly use my IEM's, modified PortaPro and F1.

Is there not a limit though?  I mean, LCD-2's are for the desktop realm, not for the portable realm.  Can you really have expectations that this little player meant for portable use, unless using the HO/LO, can power more hungry phones?  I think it is unfair to ask that of this player.  Where it exceeds is IEM's and hopefully high-efficiency phones.

PS: HiFlight, sorry to ask you this, but it has been nagging me this weekend.  Is the 'Top Gun: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack' your goto 'Fun' album?  Not for analytical or top-end dynamic range steve hoffmanesque recording source, but just something 'Fun'?  Sorry, had to ask. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiFlight 


One thing that should be considered when using demanding phones is how well the Tera performs as a pre-amp for desktop use. I often use it as the input to my Mapletree Ear+ tube amp or one of my solid-state amps. When using it in this manner, I can use any of my hard-to-drive phones.
When using sensitive IEM's, the difference between outputs is audible. It is quite subtle though, and is hard to hear when using non-IEM's.

So basically headphone-out can be used as the line-out?  Any differences from just purely a line-out?  Do you use the middle or side output?

I've read his FAQ when they did this to connect to the line-in in a automobile.

Just wondering how it would affect the SQ when using the headphone-out versus a pure line-out.  Where do you set your volume level as a pre-amp?

Quote:

Originally Posted by evolutionx 

Hi K3cT, i notice the right output seems to be set at higher gain as it presents the music slightly louder and more upfront.   I tested with a few of my iems and it is pretty obvious.   Surprise Charles did not mentioned this in his manual but it gives a different flavor to the music.    Charles did mention in his manual but cheekily labeled them as Teramega output and Superduper output, guess he wants the user to discover for themselves.

Some of us may follow in your footsteps and order mid-late September... Do you still recommend trying to go the courier route or was postal satisfactory?  Expect 2 weeks to assemble and another 2 weeks by postal?

Oh, congrats on your new toy.   I'm sure your other toys are quite jealous right now with all the attention the TP is getting.