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The New iRiver AK100: A High-End DAP - Page 158

post #2356 of 5184
2/2/13 at 7:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by uelover View Post

 

Interesting. Is it because of the clinical aspect of it (and thus the resulting bass) that makes you feel that the SQ of the RWAK100 does not come close to the DX100? I am trying to separate the notion of 'SQ' from 'personal preference'


IMO UElover the RWA AK100 bass is a bit bloated and lack texture that the DX100 has. Even my Studio Vs bass makes the RWA AK100 sound a bit bloated and unrefined. Add in the treble spikes I pick up on the unit and it just doesn't sound that impressive to me for its overall price tag. I'm not saying its a bad unit but I've heard better and for cheaper. It is definitely on the clinical side but the 3rd ANV is even more clinical than this unit IMO & I still find it to have better sound quality out of my current rig. Personal preferences may play some part in this but I highly doubt that is the bigger picture here.


Edited by lee730 - 2/2/13 at 7:04pm
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post #2357 of 5184
2/2/13 at 7:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by uelover View Post

 

Interesting. Is it because of the clinical aspect of it (and thus the resulting bass) that makes you feel that the SQ of the RWAK100 does not come close to the DX100? I am trying to separate the notion of 'SQ' from 'personal preference'

 

Good point- if I'm being honest with myself, I'm sure that some of my preference for the DX100's presentation of bass is because I prefer its overall naturalness over the RWAK100's neutrality.  

 

Having said that, I still believe that the DX100 to be the more capable player.  I've been comparing the two now with my LCD-3s, and I can say that the RWAK100 seems more artificially detailed because it thrusts the uppermids/highs to the forefront.  The details are still present with the dx100, but it doesn't have the digital tinge that the rwak100 has.  I also find that the soundstage to be more open with the dx100.

 

It's worth saying that I'm sure these differences are exaggerated because the dx100's internal amp is much more powerful than the rwak100s' (I'm actually quite impressed that the RWAK100 can even drive the lcd-3s!).  If you compared the two using an external amp, the differences wouldn't be nearly as large, but comparing the units as they are, to my ears, its very clear that the dx100 (running version 1.3.5) is the better DAP in terms of pure sound quality.

 

*It might sound as if I prefer the dx100, but actually if I could only keep one, I'd take the RWAK100! (could be that I'm in the honeymoon phase tho)

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post #2358 of 5184
2/2/13 at 7:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by lee730 View Post

IMO UElover the RWA AK100 bass is a bit bloated and lack texture that the DX100 has. Even my Studio Vs bass makes the RWA AK100 sound a bit bloated and unrefined. Add in the treble spikes I pick up on the unit and it just doesn't sound that impressive to me for its overall price tag. I'm not saying its a bad unit but I've heard better and for cheaper. It is definitely on the clinical side but the 3rd ANV is even more clinical than this unit IMO & I still find it to have better sound quality out of my current rig. Personal preferences may play some part in this but I highly doubt that is the bigger picture here.

 

I don't experience any treble spikes on the RWAK100. My impression of the Studio V is very poor and I don't think the 3rd ANV is going to make much difference. The sound signature of the Studio V makes it such that it will tighten up the bloatedness/loose bass of your iems/headphones. At the end of the day, personal preference and headphone pairing still plays the key.

 

So far, the RWAK100 gets everything to sound correct and accurate. It does not add color to the sound. Thus, if there is a treble spike, most likely it is due to your iem than the RWAK100.


Edited by uelover - 2/2/13 at 7:23pm
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post #2359 of 5184
2/2/13 at 7:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisSC View Post

 

Good point- if I'm being honest with myself, I'm sure that some of my preference for the DX100's presentation of bass is because I prefer its overall naturalness over the RWAK100's neutrality.  

 

Having said that, I still believe that the DX100 to be the more capable player.  I've been comparing the two now with my LCD-3s, and I can say that the RWAK100 seems more artificially detailed because it thrusts the uppermids/highs to the forefront.  The details are still present with the dx100, but it doesn't have the digital tinge that the rwak100 has.  I also find that the soundstage to be more open with the dx100.

 

It's worth saying that I'm sure these differences are exaggerated because the dx100's internal amp is much more powerful than the rwak100s' (I'm actually quite impressed that the RWAK100 can even drive the lcd-3s!).  If you compared the two using an external amp, the differences wouldn't be nearly as large, but comparing the units as they are, to my ears, its very clear that the dx100 (running version 1.3.5) is the better DAP in terms of pure sound quality.

 

*It might sound as if I prefer the dx100, but actually if I could only keep one, I'd take the RWAK100! (could be that I'm in the honeymoon phase tho)

 

My only question to you is - why did you get the RWAK100 to drive the LCD3!

 

I tried the RWAK100 with the LCD3 before. I agree with you. I find the RWAK100 to be a poor match for the LCD3. I won't enjoy listening to it at all. Iems is the reason for the RWAK100.

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post #2360 of 5184
2/2/13 at 7:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by uelover View Post

 

My only question to you is - why did you get the RWAK100 to drive the LCD3!

 

I tried the RWAK100 with the LCD3 before. I agree with you. I find the RWAK100 to be a poor match for the LCD3.

 

Duh. tongue.gif

 

I didn't get the rwak100 to drive the LCD3s, I just had them around and thought that because they are the most resolving headphones I have that are the most power hungry as well I'd really get a heightened sense of the differences between the two units taken as a whole in terms of their DAC sections and internal amps.  I've got modded es5's that I'll be using mostly, just doing some preliminary testing.

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post #2361 of 5184
2/2/13 at 7:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisSC View Post

I just picked up Lee's RWAK100 that he sold me- I'll do some comparisons with my dx100 tomorrow when I have some time (well.. maybe not actually.. Superbowl Sunday might get in the way... I better make this longer biggrin.gif ).

In the meantime, my very earlier impressions on this is that it doesn't come close to the dx100 in terms of SQ (keep in mind I haven't actually done a side-by-side comp- this is just from the top of my head).  This DAP is definitely on the clinical side of things- I'm glad I've got a pair of modded es5's that are on the warm side to balance this out.  The bass on this comes across a weak point to me- it just doesn't seem to hit deep enough and capture that "alive" feeling that the dx100 does.  I'll mess around with the EQ and see if that makes this sound more to my liking, but I'm skeptical.

The payoff is in the ease of use, however.  I'm one of those ADD listeners who changes my mind constantly about what I want to listen to, and with the dx100, its can be quite frustrating when you don't know what you want to listen to and have to rifle through your collection.

So far, the ak100 seems a lot more user-friendly.  I would argue that the dx100 is actually transportable and not portable-  while it can be held in one hand or a shoulder bag comfortably, there's no way it can fit in a shirt/pant pocket.  The ak100 on the other hand is about the size of 2 3rd generation ipod nanos stacked on top of each other and fits easily anywhere.  The battery last about 4-5 times longer than the dx100's too.


If SQ is the ultimate goal of your trans/portable, than the dx100 is the clear winner.  If you value real-life usability, than the RWAK100 is my choice.

Ultimately, I think like most things audiophile, its a matter of personal preference, and what you prioritize more. k701smile.gif


How is the sound quality comparison between colofly C4 and AK 100?
In this case do you think AK 100 is a winner?
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post #2362 of 5184
2/2/13 at 7:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cyberalpha11 View Post


How is the sound quality comparison between colofly C4 and AK 100?
In this case do you think AK 100 is a winner?

 

sorry Cyber I haven't heard the c4, so I have no idea..

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post #2363 of 5184
2/2/13 at 7:59pm

Hi all,

I got a demo RWAK100 unit from Vinnie and I wrote up my impressions here (my HeadFi blog )

http://www.head-fi.org/t/649385/rwak100-iriver-ak100-mod-by-rwa

 

Have fun !

 

 

 

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post #2364 of 5184
2/2/13 at 8:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vinnie R. View Post

Working on teleportation mod.... biggrin.gif
When you do, please add to my order redface.gif
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post #2365 of 5184
2/2/13 at 9:23pm

new arrival...very nice, high quality case....a bit pricey, but it is the only option AFAIK....no regrets...

 

gangnam socks make it all the worthwhile... wink.gif

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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post #2366 of 5184
2/2/13 at 9:32pm
Looks good. I have mine on order. Can't wait to get it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by toads View Post

new arrival...very nice, high quality case....a bit pricey, but it is the only option AFAIK....no regrets...

gangnam socks make it all the worthwhile... wink.gif


























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post #2367 of 5184
2/2/13 at 9:58pm
Now I regret not getting the neck strap. I like the look of it.
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post #2368 of 5184
2/2/13 at 10:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisSC View Post

I just picked up Lee's RWAK100 that he sold me- I'll do some comparisons with my dx100 tomorrow when I have some time (well.. maybe not actually.. Superbowl Sunday might get in the way... I better make this longer biggrin.gif ).

In the meantime, my very earlier impressions on this is that it doesn't come close to the dx100 in terms of SQ (keep in mind I haven't actually done a side-by-side comp- this is just from the top of my head).  This DAP is definitely on the clinical side of things- I'm glad I've got a pair of modded es5's that are on the warm side to balance this out.  The bass on this comes across a weak point to me- it just doesn't seem to hit deep enough and capture that "alive" feeling that the dx100 does.  I'll mess around with the EQ and see if that makes this sound more to my liking, but I'm skeptical.

The payoff is in the ease of use, however.  I'm one of those ADD listeners who changes my mind constantly about what I want to listen to, and with the dx100, its can be quite frustrating when you don't know what you want to listen to and have to rifle through your collection.

So far, the ak100 seems a lot more user-friendly.  I would argue that the dx100 is actually transportable and not portable-  while it can be held in one hand or a shoulder bag comfortably, there's no way it can fit in a shirt/pant pocket.  The ak100 on the other hand is about the size of 2 3rd generation ipod nanos stacked on top of each other and fits easily anywhere.  The battery last about 4-5 times longer than the dx100's too.


If SQ is the ultimate goal of your trans/portable, than the dx100 is the clear winner.  If you value real-life usability, than the RWAK100 is my choice.

Ultimately, I think like most things audiophile, its a matter of personal preference, and what you prioritize more. k701smile.gif
Lol!! Maybe Lee730's RWAK100 is dodgy smily_headphones1.gif. That could be why he may not have liked it!!

To me the difference between the two is not so big. I'm actually comparing right now as I type this - side-by-side. The DX100 is definitely "referency" in comparison to the RWAK100 but it's really in critical listening only.

About the treble peak, it's more noticeable with an IEM like the 1Plus2, but less so with other IEMs I've tried.

Edit: I'm on fw 1.3.0 & 1.3.5
Edited by AnakChan - 2/2/13 at 10:12pm
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post #2369 of 5184
2/2/13 at 10:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by toads View Post

new arrival...very nice, high quality case....a bit pricey, but it is the only option AFAIK....no regrets...

 

gangnam socks make it all the worthwhile... wink.gif

 

 

How long did it take for the case to arrive?

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post #2370 of 5184
2/2/13 at 10:27pm

For me,

Took 2 days from Amazon Japan to Tenso Japan and then 5 days transit from Tenso to my door.  Pretty quick.  Must fight temptation to buy cool electronics from Amazon Japan.

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by GloryUprising View Post

How long did it take for the case to arrive?

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