Listening Impressions:
First set with RE0, low gain, SF and LF off. First word that comes to mind is clean. Very sound stage listening to some 1000 kbs FLAC. Very bright sound, not sibilant but you do not need any more treble that what is here, this may mellow out a bit with some burn as I am only about 3 hours into me first session. No recessed highs here. Very good high instrument separation but I think when you get some more hours in it, you will get more separation as I could I hear of few of the high freqs running together. Lows and mids are very tight with good separation. Remember this is with both SF and LF off and yes there could be some more low and mids to warm the sig up a bit. This is one powerful little amp, powers IEMs no problem, with about 2/3s still to go on the volume knob and on low gain, high gain with cans should be no problem.
Hit the LF switch - there is that low end and more lush mids, maybe could use a bit more hit and tightness on toms but still overall very nice impact. Its kind of a universal low boost.
Again the detail is just incredible, with Seether - Fallen, you can really hear the different instruments and the vocals are lush - Loving the accuracy. Just does everything better than say an E6.
There is definitely something to this output 1 and 2 thing - Gain is different as I need to go almost double on the volume meter but the highs are tamed a bit here which is actually a good thing and the soundstage is much wider here unless that has something to do the tamer highs - low end also seems a bit tighter which is also good. this would be the preferred headphone output as you have better sound and more control over the volume level.
Turn on the SF switch - This is certainly Music voodoo - whoa does the soundstage widen but it may add a bit more to the top end of which there is already plenty.
Throw in the X10's, High Gain, LF on, SF off - Makes the low end on the X10s sing, great sub bass, tight and punchy mids, listening to Spoon - The Underdog, may be the best I have heard these X10s sound I think the X10s can sound a little veiled at times and I think this amp can open up that top end quite nicely. Throw on a little Volbeat - Heaven nor Hell and man oh man that low end is phenominal but again just a hair too much on the high end.
Lets chuck in the GR07 BEs - Same setting as above - well hello low end and these baby's can handle the high end quite well, not even hint of getting sibilant. Best with the mids so far. Threw in a little 1200 micrograms - Acid for Nothing. Welcome to the clarity, give me just a bit more on the low end and a touch less of the high end (which can be done with EQ very easily).
Overall this is quite and impressive amp, great form factor, nice features, sound quality is excellent, great power, clarity. I see a couple things that rate it a little lower (and both are just slight critiques): 1. Maybe a little bright on the high end for some but I am a V shaped guy and quite like it and I think it will tame down a bit with some burn. 2. Could use just a bit more punch in the mids and sub end but I am just being picky here. The LF switch is not coming off anytime soon. Keep in mind some of my comments have a little do with using my Headstage Arrow as a guide which I will do a separate comparison there but one is $100 and the other is $300. Anyone looking for a portable Amp and wants a little something more than a Fiio etc. will love this little baby and I can't really think of another one in the price range that would compare. Oh yeah and I still have not even charged it yet just using the juice that it came with. More to come...
. Initial sound impressions
