The New iRiver AK100: A High-End DAP - Page 143

I think there was a few people who weighed in on this on both sides.
For me and my ears, I think turning the eq off made everything a bit punchier and livelier.
I came to that determination rather early though, so I could probably go back and do some A/B testing since the sound has matured a bit since then.

Just pick the piece of equipment you are wanting to purchase and compare. I bought my FT!334s from M.A.and it was actually cheaper then ALO Audio. Plus as I give M.A. 10 out of 10 for customer service. (ALO, for me, is no where close.)  

 

I think dealing with an intermediary when you don't have to is asking for more of a hassle than I would be willing to do, if given a choice.

So did I, and it was a good experience as well. Quick shipping and good email correspondence.

I haven't had a bad experience with alo though, they have treated me well in the past.

Oh then no idea. Glad you found a pairing.

Just got my RWAK100. Loaded up some favorites and I have to say, I'm pretty impressed. Right now I'm listening to some Mozart piano concertos on this thing + my JH16s and I'm not missing my desk rig in the least. 

 

Major thanks to Vinnie for this little gem.

Just wait till you clock some more hours, it will keep getting better.

Lucky that you all got RWAK100, mine was still in process. How bad is USPS.

USPS isn't that bad. It's much more efficient in Hawaii though I notice than in the mainland. I just sold my RWA AK100 today.
 

Why? Sound bad or what?

Well it doesn't sound bad per se. Just with my Tralucent 1Plus2s the Studio V 3rd ANV is the clear winner in terms of synergy and sound quality I am getting in comparison to the RWA AK100. It's a love hate relationship with the RWA AK100 for me. It has some perks which are quite nice (better UI, dual micro SD slots and a very black background). But for most of my music it just doesn't do what the 3rd ANV does for me. Only on particular tracks where I really appreciate the RWA AK100 in comparison. I'm tempted a lot to listen at higher than normal volumes on the AK100 which is not good. I had to amp it to really solve that and still I was not fully satisfied with it. There are some treble spikes I was piking up on with my 1Plus2 with this particular unit that I don't get on any other unit. So that is another letdown for me. I'm very sensitive to treble spikes and it gets fatiguing fast. Although it seemed to have settled down some in comparison to what it was earlier (burn in), I still pick it up. Funnily the Studio V is clearly more extended in its treble but it isn't spiked to my ears. It just goes on an on with its extension. Its extremely airy sounding which is pleasing to my ears. There is a lot of space within the sound stage. Separation is amazing as well as imaging. I also find the Studio V's bass to be tighter and more controlled (it digs deeper). The vocals on the Studio V are my favorite part. Extremely detailed and intimate. There is lots of energy to the entire sound.

 

  Overall I felt it was a downgrade from what I had and it took this purchase to make me realize it. So I've finally found an amazing pairing for the Studio V which to be honest is what I've wanted all along lol. The build quality, sound quality, battery life are all exceptional on the Studio V 3rd ANV. I'm also hearing the Heir 8As and Sennheiser IE800s pair amazingly well on the Studio V. So we'll see :)....

Edited by lee730 - 1/24/13 at 6:04pm

I believe the studio 5 No high resolution down load, not for me

Being an engineer, I'm not going to comment on break in for both digital and analog circuits, but I will say I'm satisfied right now which I rarely am :)

I feel incredibly lucky. I'm loading up my second 64GB microsdxc card. 

Didn't last long. Well, you gotta do what you gotta do and if something provides what you are looking for, why have anything else.

I already got 2 64gb MicroSD here stand by.

Yep I have no regrets :). I just took the opportunity to expand my current portable files in use to WAV which sounds excellent on the Studio V. So I have 2 64 GB cards with about 1400 songs each in WAV :)...