The New iRiver AK100: A High-End DAP - Page 154

Quote:

Originally Posted by daseinpdx

So far i have tried: hifiman 262, hifiman he400, grado gr10, grado sr60, koss porta pro. The sound profile was not changed when paired with the ak100. They sounded the same but clearer and more detailed. The only one that has been problematic is the grado gr10. For some reason, it has been difficult to get consistently good sound from them. So far, my favorite pairings are the hifiman headphones.

The Gr10, like most MAs or BAs have a rising impedance in the highs and will have a corresponding rising high frequency with an output impedance likw that of a stock AK100. All your other phones are single driver dynamics which are generally flat impedance. The RWAK100, clip, Ipods would not exihbit this in a noticable way even if they are not as good in other respects. It would be very disappointing for someone whoes favorite IEM was say an Ortofon EQ-7, GR10, TF-10 or any Phonak etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by audionewbi 

My $400 comment is based on the chart I saw in this thread, here is the chart again. As a consumer I dont think wanting a cheaper price is something out of the ordinary or unpredictable. Based on what I have been reading about this unit, and believe me I have read over 5 different detailed review and seen the videos where the unit is having problem playing flac as soon as its screen shuts off, everything is pointing towards this product not been worthy of that price.

 

In particular where most people prefer to spend $350 to mod what is already an expensive unit. I meant no disrespect to the people who have made this or the people who love this product so dearly, it is just as a consumer my first priority is to think about my own self and my wallet :-)

 

Is this graph based on what you perceived or with some testing done?

If you just look at the table and focus 'only' on the SOUND, it seems the AK100 (even with the pico) doesnt sound close enough to the ipod connected with fostex & clas solo.

Is this true?

Also where does DX100 come in here?

Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by AUDIOBREEDER 

Is this graph based on what you perceived or with some testing done?

 

If you just look at the table and focus 'only' on the SOUND, it seems the AK100 (even with the pico) doesnt sound close enough to the ipod connected with fostex & clas solo.

Is this true?

 

Also where does DX100 come in here?

 

Thanks

This is not my graph, someone else posted it here and I used it. I am also wondering about this graph myself.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyberalpha11 

 

The above claim from iRiver is true?

As I know before AK100, there were several portable audio players with Wolfson WM8740.

Teclast T51 uses two WM8740 chips.

Quote:

Originally Posted by goodvibes 

Quote:

Originally Posted by daseinpdx

So far i have tried: hifiman 262, hifiman he400, grado gr10, grado sr60, koss porta pro. The sound profile was not changed when paired with the ak100. They sounded the same but clearer and more detailed. The only one that has been problematic is the grado gr10. For some reason, it has been difficult to get consistently good sound from them. So far, my favorite pairings are the hifiman headphones.

 

 

The Gr10, like most MAs or BAs have a rising impedance in the highs and will have a corresponding rising high frequency with an output impedance likw that of a stock AK100. All your other phones are single driver dynamics which are generally flat impedance. The RWAK100, clip, Ipods would not exihbit this in a noticable way even if they are not as good in other respects. It would be very disappointing for someone whoes favorite IEM was say an Ortofon EQ-7, GR10, TF-10 or any Phonak etc.

I suppose this could be related to the high output impedance.  The thing though is that it seems to be having greater problems with the low frequencies.  It seems to "growl" and generally sound very rough in the bass range.  The higher frequencies still seem very bright and clean.  

Strangely, the gr10s actually sounded better when i first got the ak100 about a month ago.  It is also possible i damaged them.   The 262s require more volume to drive and i forgot to the lower the volume a couple of times when i plugged in the gr10s.  I am actually hoping  that it is related to the output impedance issue because i think they are now out of warranty.  

Quote:

Originally Posted by VisceriousZERO 

Hmmm... Would there be a difference in the made in china vs made in korea?

One is sweet and the other is spicy ;-) lol.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lee730 

One is sweet and the other is spicy ;-) lol.

Is that anything like this?

o0(wonder how many people here are old enough to catch that reference?)

Love that thing to death 

I only have "Copper Ears, not Golden Ears", so I found no issue with the Impedance...

Even for impedance issue, I don't worry, I got all my amp with me to solve it. (pico slim, ibasso t5, corda stepdance....)

It is not easy to find the "Right One"... Luckily I found it!

Now at this moment I am listening to AK100 with my SRH1840. (No amp) 

In Heaven Now...

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackrabbitslim0 

Hey guys, it is my graph......
My AK100 was purchased from CHINA,
Pre-ordered and mine is the first MADE IN CHINA batch, not MADE IN KOREA batch.
So it is cheaper. In HK, the price was about 550+ usd but the distributor was suddenly replaced by another under Iriver complaint (they set the price too low).

Honestly, the power n quality of AK100 cannot match the IPhone + Fostex hp-p1,
I have all the set up in the chart more than half a year, tested with many iem n headphone like srh1840 n w4r.
But comparing the functionality, cost n performance, AK100 sound quality is very stunning already. I am a mechanical and production engineer, I find a product like AK100 price tag is normal.

AK100 is not an iPod that can be mass produced a lot for a huge market. Audiophile stuff generally are luxury stuff, not groceries. I won't expect it to be always "budget friendly".

I was actively discussed about AK100 in a china forum, but some ppl keep magnifying the cons of AK100 and the flaw of AK100's back glass which was not glued to the back flat enough. They always comment that AK100 worthy of $200 only. I think it depends on how much you are willing to sacrifice for such type of device, u don't like it you can say it worth a few cents only. But for the design, built, soft n hardware, from a business and marketing perspective AK100 just slightly overpriced. Come on which Luxury product is not sort of overpriced? It is not a Fiio X3.

For the sound my iPhone + Fostex costs about 1000 usd, AK100 just almost half the price, much portable, longer battery life and 85% sound quality. I do love this device so much.
These few months I listen to AK100 + pico slim or I basso T5 with my Beyerdynamic dt1350 / pioneer se mj591 / w4r almost everyday, the convenience it brings make me able to enjoy my music freely, the price tag of 650 is still acceptable to me, I even want to get a spare one but know that there may be AK200, HM901, so I lock my wallet away yet.

Personally I have done audition for ipod Classic(7th Generation) + Fostex H1P1.
The Fostex H1P1 has really improved the sound quality of iPod Classic by making the sound stage/3D imaging very much wider & open. It also help to improve  the vocal/instrument separation crystal clear. The downside of Fostex H1P1 is high cost and the internal amp is a bit weaker. But if you use Fostex H1P1 just as DAC, then it is a very excellent device!