[caracara08]

 
Why not the DX50?  Looks good as well for a lot less money.  Has a lot of the same features I am looking for.  Don't know anything about opamp rolling, etc.  Just looking to play MP3s through the 846s.

 
I get a decent amount of hiss with the dx50 due to the sensitivity.  It maybe  a deal breaker for some.

 

[bobby12]

Why not the DX50?  Looks good as well for a lot less money.  Has a lot of the same features I am looking for.  Don't know anything about opamp rolling, etc.  Just looking to play MP3s through the 846s.

http://www.ibasso.com/en/news/show.asp?ID=116
http://www.ibasso.com/en/products/show.asp?ID=83
http://fiio.com.cn/products/index.aspx?ID=100000055517771&MenuID=105026016

dx50 has <.5 ohm
dx90 has <.1 ohm
fiio x5 has <.26 ohm

dx90 is one of the best players for the se846 imo and it has the lowest output so there's no hiss even on high gain unlike the dx50 and fiio x5

 

[milford30]

 
Why not the DX50?  Looks good as well for a lot less money.  Has a lot of the same features I am looking for.  Don't know anything about opamp rolling, etc.  Just looking to play MP3s through the 846s.

 
DX50 can probably work, I've just read the comparison of DX90 vs X5 and X5 has hiss priblems with the 846.
 
Edit: or the stuff the bobby and cara said above

 

[rmiller511]

   
I get a decent amount of hiss with the dx50 due to the sensitivity.  It maybe  a deal breaker for some.

 
Yeah....deal breaker for me as well. If I'm going to go through the expense of buying a new source, I will at least do the 846s justice.
 
The most important part of a sound system, to me, is the part you actually hear - the speakers, headphones, IEMs, whatever.  WIth the 846s, I've got that part done.  And now that I have them in hand and know what they are like, I will build the rest of the system around them.  However, to me the source is utilitarian.  Want enough to get the job done, is all.  By that I mean outputs a clean enough and compatible enough signal to the shures.  I realize now just how sensitive the 846s are, so the signal has to be clean.

 

[milford30]

  Please let us know how you like that cable! Still an upgrade over stock with the Android controller? 

 
 

   
The DX90 looks nice and is feature rich.  Has built in amp, DAC and EQ, touch screen, etc.
 
If you don't mind me asking, where did you get your cables and how much were they. Just got my Shure mobile cables in and am not real happy with them.  But, they were only 37.00. 
 
Kind of a dilemma for me - I am able to listen to music all day due to my occupation, but I am on the phone quite a bit throughout the day.  I'd have to keep unplugging from iBasso and plug into the S4.
 
Thanks for the info and advice.

 
I figured I test them out properly first, they are called the ARIA OP-19 (controller version of the OP18), unfortunately I have not found information online, the local (Hong Kong) shop assistant told me this is the first time the company produced android controller cables, so it's basically a test run. It is priced at approximately 100USD.
 
I don't care if it's the material of the cable or it's as simple as a difference impedance that I could have added with a cheap adaptor, the convenience of the control is great. I have tested other silver plated cables with iPhone control, but only the middle button works.
 
This cable is slightly stiffer and heavier then the stock w4r cable, miles ahead of the stupid stock se846 cable in terms of comfort.
 
They basically tighten up everything, for example drums seem to give the blurred sound at impact, as though the drummer sorta used their hands, now it's more like using drumsticks. Is it a huge difference? no not really, but it's noticeable.
 
They sound more airy and the treble sounds louder, giving a cleaner and clearer sound which I prefer. It feels more balanced bringing the treble slightly more forward.
 
The down side is there is more micro phonics, took me a while to get the ear hooks in the right way so that I don't notice it walking anymore. The buttons on the controller is a bit small, it's basically like an oem Chinese controller.
 
For me it's well worth the upgrade, there will be people who says it's all BS and in my brain, fortunately I have the luxury of being able to demo stuff before I buy them and ignore those people. I would recommend you guys look for quality silver/silver plated cable and listen for yourselves, even if it's an iPhone cable the middle button should still work, and it's easier to reach into your pocket to change the volume anyway.

 

[LFC_SL]

However, to me the source is utilitarian.  Want enough to get the job done, is all.  By that I mean outputs a clean enough and compatible enough signal to the shures.  I realize now just how sensitive the 846s are, so the signal has to be clean.

Someone like you might as well stick with android or iDevice smartphone / tablet. Modern headphone outs are surprisingly competent.

If you have the ears then with a good DAC the most apparent difference usually are the added soundstage and imaging capabilities, better definition and separation

 

[milford30]

Someone like you might as well stick with android or iDevice smartphone / tablet. Modern headphone outs are surprisingly competent.

If you have the ears then with a good DAC the most apparent difference usually are the added soundstage and imaging capabilities, better definition and separation

 
That's exactly what I got from an amp, better soundstage and imaging, which I don't notice on the go.

 

[Black Label]

Demoed the AK120 today...

Like an imperial stout, barrel aged in whisky barrels.

It's amazing what a demo can do to relieve the ummming and ahhhing.

Definition, depth, substance all improved. Deminishing returns n' all that, however returns that justify the investment.

Miles Davis, Dire Straits, Pink Floyd, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder and Van Morrison all sounded terrific. I would much rather shell the big bucks than go with an amp based setup because I am constantly on the go and have had nothi g but bad luck and encumberance with amps and the lightning-32 pin adapter.

 

[vkalia]

vkalia: Better than the Ak100? Having read the relevant AK threads and the amount of consumer disillusionment regarding regular product reviews, I feel somewhat dissuaded from that particular brand.

Fair enough it's all about making as much money as one can while one can, but on the surface it looks like a cynical rip off. A RWAK modification would be nice, but my resources (and patience) have somewhat restraining limitations.

Unfortunately my. Brother is on the other side of the country, otherwise I would try his DX50 to get a sense of how iBasso handles the SE846.

For mine, source, cable amp - or cable, source, possibly amp seems the way to go in coaxing out that little bit of extra magic from the Shures. A high capacity DAP with 24-bit audio playback would be very nice indeed.

 
I can do an A/B for you later today, as I also have an AK100.    
 
I think AK100 gets a lot of unjustified cr*p here, a lot of it from people looking to justify their purchases of iBasso and FiiO products.  I dont get why a $900 DAP a rip-off and not, say, a $10,000 amp or a Chord Hugo or even the Calyx?     Atleast the AK100 reads all my files right away and has a relatively stable UI, unlike - despite all these years - players made by FiiO or iBasso, neither of whom have grasped the idea that a music player should be able to read ID3 tags reliably (something a $50 Huaweii phone can do perfectly).
 
The AK100 isnt perfect, for sure - the 22R output impedance was a head-scratcher, and their UI is a little slow when it comes to moving up and down the hierarchy.    But like I said, I can load my music into it and it works.   Even with my DX90, I *STILL* cannot get the damn thing to index my music properly.    I foresee another loop of deleting the database, removing Album Artist and Composer tags from my ID3 tags (which gets tedious in a hurry, with a large collection), and even then finding mysterious problems in the indexing.    AK's customer service is also notable in its near-complete absence.
 
But leave that aside - if someone things the AK100 is overpriced, that's fine.  They are entitled to their beliefs.  
 
What I find it very strange that ONE company making a sub-$1000 product is being shredded for being a "rip-off", and that too, in high-end audio, of all industries - keep in mind, we are talking about an industry where cables cost more than that, and make NO *provable* difference whatsoever, where you pay as much as a 5-figure premium for a nicely machined chassis.   Yet, amidst all this snake oil and products preying on audiophile insecurities, THIS is what constitutes a rip-off?

 

[Monty Burns]

  I have had the Shure SE535's for about 3 years now & with the SE846's out I think its time for an upgrade. 
 
The problem is I really am not fond of the clear style of the 846's. I much rather prefer the bronze coating of the 535's.
 
Does anyone think there will be another colour choice or has there been any speculation on it?
Or should I get the clear SE856's this weekend?
 
Thanks alot

 
That is what makes horseraces. I for one am a huge fan of the Clear treatment. In fact when I got the E500 it only came in bronze with its "matched" PTH and I was less than thrilled with the "bronze" finish. (It reminds me of the colour scheme of PRECOR home ellipticals. (Thank goodness the TRUE machines were better suited to my uses and are clad in  industrial silver and black.)
 
My point is I do understand how aesthetics can colour  a purchase. Especially if it is something you are going to live with for some time.
 
For example I marvel at the AK240 BUT I can stand the finish/colour. Yet the new AK120 II has for me much greater eye appeal (and apparently it is everything the 240 is with less memory - I think, I am a bit of a Luddite, so my head swims reading their website. Is there an "Idiots Guide" to DAPs? ). Of course AK are like the trains - A new one pulls into the station every 10 minutes. Shure not so much
 
Back to my point If you don't like it you will be reminded every time you use it. When I upgraded to the 535 after my dog ate the E500 I specifically went with the Clear for two reasons. One I love the cool factor of the clear and I did not want to be reminded of my "early upgrade" by seeing the 535 in the same finish as the 530s (better for the dog too).
 
As a practical matter, you could call SHURE and ask if they have any plans to offer coloured shells.
 
FWIW Wearing the Clears gives me a "cool" look. - A music legend in my own mind.
 
From a practical standpoint I honestly believe the Clears will aid me in blending in once the machines become self aware. With luck our mechanical overlords will look upon me as already having received my "upgrade". (assuming they are Cybermen).
If it is SkyNet well then I will look good and have great sounding tunes while I am being hunted down during the cull.

 

[imackler]

I actually think that if one is walking around with $1000 stuck in ones ears, low profile is good. I like the clear doesn't shout $1000. 

 

[Roscoeiii]

  I actually think that if one is walking around with $1000 stuck in ones ears, low profile is good. I like the clear doesn't shout $1000. 

 
I went with the diamond studded version for one reason: bling. 

 

[Rumpelstiltskin]

I am tempted to go all out on the AK120 in July. Hopefully it is possible to audition it before taking the $1,500 (including purchase of 128GB SD card) plunge.

Don't bother Man. Speaking as an AK240 owner who bought the DX90 as a 'spare' and discovered that the DX90 is an awesome DAP with neat synergy with the SE846. Don't get me wrong the AK240 is an awesome DAP. The SE846 sounds great with the Blue filter with DX90 but plan to 'lift' it a little with the White. I think that's really going to cut it.

 

[e30ernest]

  I actually think that if one is walking around with $1000 stuck in ones ears, low profile is good. I like the clear doesn't shout $1000. 

 
I actually think the opposite.  Most of the cheap phones I see around me come in various colors, never in clear.  Clear attracts a little attention in this case.
 
Well it can also pass for a hearing aid too.

 

[imackler]

   
I actually think the opposite.  Most of the cheap phones I see around me come in various colors, never in clear.  Clear attracts a little attention in this case.
 
Well it can also pass for a hearing aid too.

 
Yeah, it attracts attention, but doesn't scream five benjamins per channel.