[suicidal_orange]

  Have tested the Tera Player with the Grado GR8 for a couple of days.
 
Hoped for a decent playback because the GR8 has a rather high impedance.
And that's exactly what it does, very decent and no amp needed!
 
The GR8 performs exactly as I read in it's reviews, Grado's sound sig all the way.
Unfortunately indeed not too much bass though, nicely defined but just not much.
Combined with a light veil, mostly over the sub bass and mids, I decided they aren't
my desired IEM so will move on to the Grado GR10 in a week or so.

Thanks, I've been curious about this combo for a while given that the impedance sounds like a nice match but never had the chance to listen to it.  Looking forward to your GR10 impressions

 

[goodvibes]

  Have tested the Tera Player with the Grado GR8 for a couple of days.
 
Hoped for a decent playback because the GR8 has a rather high impedance.
And that's exactly what it does, very decent and no amp needed!
 
The GR8 performs exactly as I read in it's reviews, Grado's sound sig all the way.
Unfortunately indeed not too much bass though, nicely defined but just not much.
Combined with a light veil, mostly over the sub bass and mids, I decided they aren't
my desired IEM so will move on to the Grado GR10 in a week or so.
 
Meanwhile listening to the B&W Serie 2 (which I described in another thread as
having an undefined bas)
Though still presenting a lot of bas, they may be better now that I'm listening with
foamies, they're tighter in my ear canals thus tightening the bass to a certain extend.
Probably will alter my other post.
Btw, I have removed the outer sleeves of the "secure loops" so I can wear them over
the ear, for me personally much better comfort than the original construction!
Quite relaxing actually

I'm a big fan of those Grados but the move is probably the wrong direction. Check the impedance swing and the actual impedance below the measured 1Khz reference. You'll probably have less apparent bass with the GR10 considering the highish output impedance of the Tera. They are basically 60 and 20 ohm devices over the entire bass range. You're better off with the GR8. If they are new, they respond well to vigorous break in for a few days. They gain some bass/warmth and smooth out on top.

 

[ThaPapper]

  Thanks, I've been curious about this combo for a while given that the impedance sounds like a nice match but never had the chance to listen to it.  Looking forward to your GR10 impressions

No problem GR10's are in backorder unfortunately so I'm in the waitingroom for the moment.
Will post my impressions when tested though.
 

  I'm a big fan of those Grados but the move is probably the wrong direction. Check the impedance swing and the actual impedance below the measured 1Khz reference. You'll probably have less apparent bass with the GR10 considering the highish output impedance of the Tera. They are basically 60 and 20 ohm devices over the entire bass range. You're better off with the GR8. If they are new, they respond well to vigorous break in for a few days. They gain some bass/warmth and smooth out on top.

I fully agree regarding the GR8, it behaved exactly as you described but unfortunately their sound sig for me personally wasn't 100% top notch and to be honest, having purchased the Tera Player raised my "acceptance bar" considerately, no point in owning such a great device but not having great sound
 
Regarding the behaviour of the GR10, you are probably right and my expectations are not to high so far...
But I once owned the GR10, sold it and became sorry afterwards, I simply just want another one anyway
If the result with the Tera Player is not satisfying, at least I hope they will do nicely with my Fiio X5,
I can't bring myself to selling that player any time soon 
 
Thanks for you post, very kind of you!

 

[flymetothemoon]

I can summarize all the preceding threads:

Some people love the simplicity / awesome analog sound / found the right pairing.

Others dislike the lack of screen / pickiness of pairing/ price.

Some others are just haters and should shut up.

Charles designed a wonderful object and is a bit of an original in terms of communication, not always for the best. His price hikes seems random and ridiculous but he forces no one to buy.

The Tera pairs very well with some high impedance BA such as the SE5, some dynamic drivers within the FAD range or other brands, and some hybrids such as Tralucent.

It does NOT pair well with most low impedance multi BA, depending on their impedance curve, as the output caps might entail major bass cut off. Miracles and K3003 are to be avoided. And in general an impedance adapter does not help as it just adds impedance into the chain.

The random function does not work well and the algorithm can be improved by sending it back to Charles (who will also improve other minor stuff for free).

I love my stealth Tera and it helps me get all the girls (even though my stunning looks do help).

musicday loves his Tera A LOT and would marry it given the legal possibility.

The Tera is not perfect but has great qualities and still hold his own today vs. the top DAPs.

One day that Charles can modify our Tera into a lower output impedance will make our ownership "perfect".

 

[musicday]

Tera Player is the best gadget and more precious to me then everything I had including laptops,photo cameras, watches or other DAP.
Acutally,i like so much that if i could I will have it 24 ct good plated. The fact that the battery will last over 6 years used in a normal way tell us what a genius Charles is..My dream will be to meet him personally in a next Head First meet in London.

 

[smial1966]

Well then organise a UK Head-Fi Meet and make your dream a reality by inviting him over... SIMPLE! 
 
Quote:

Tera Player is the best gadget and more precious to me then everything I had including laptops,photo cameras, watches or other DAP.
Acutally,i like so much that if i could I will have it 24 ct good plated. The fact that the battery will last over 6 years used in a normal way tell us what a genius Charles is..My dream will be to meet him personally in a next Head First meet in London.

 

[musicday]

Don't have money,but maybe together we can do it,and you get the chance to thank him for being one of the first guys to own a Tera

 

[smial1966]

Organising a meet doesn't require the use of your own money but rather finding retailer(s) willing to sponsor the event. I'm arranging a mini-meet early next year in Norfolk so have no wish to become involved with anything more southern centric.   
 
Quote:

Don't have money,but maybe together we can do it,and you get the chance to thank him for being one of the first guys to own a Tera

 

[ThaPapper]

As more peoples with an engineering background, I hardly read manuals, listen to advice from everybody but
still want to find out nearly everything for myself (and then of course often find that others were right all the way )
 
Therefor so far I hadn't tried the Tera Player with the one headphone it's tuned for, the mighty Koss PP.
Well received it yesterday, "Kramer modified" it right away and was blown of my socks immediately!
 
Now tonight very, very relaxed waiting for the GR10 dream to arrive and probably see it burst into thin air.
I don't care, I'm extremely happy this moment and now have got the Koss to comfort me afterwards
 
Btw flymetothemoon,
Thank you for quoting Mimouille's recollection of the previous Tera Player threads, for me personally very helpfull.
And yes, should Charles offer the possibillity to do the impedance alteration, he would make a lot of peoples very happy.
I presume he's received that question often over time; anybody knows about technical possibility and/or his opinion in this?

 

[TheDecline01]

 
Just made this picture, thought about sharing it as this may be the last days those 2 dears are together.

 

[tgdinamo]

And yes, should Charles offer the possibillity to do the impedance alteration, he would make a lot of peoples very happy.
I presume he's received that question often over time; anybody knows about technical possibility and/or his opinion in this?

 
Charles' opinion is that modded Koss Porta Pros are the best possible headphones out there (at least for Tera). Period. I don't think he will want to discuss this topic at all (I remember him dismissing and ridiculing anyone who wanted to disagree on the forum before they closed all those threads).
He did explain why he felt this way - those Koss phones go all the way back to the days of original Sony Walkmans and have not changed since - back then there was no compressed music (or crappy players designed to only play mp3s) - so back then headphones were not being "tuned" by vendors to compensate for compression or to add bass or come up with "house" sound.
Someone who read those posts can correct me on all this (or add to it) - but this is basically what I remember Charles posting about headphones and why he chose Koss.
By the way, I think I also remember Charles posting somewhere that he liked Apple's buds (later versions) - in terms of how they paired with Tera.

 

[flymetothemoon]

   
Charles' opinion is that modded Koss Porta Pros are the best possible headphones out there (at least for Tera). Period. I don't think he will want to discuss this topic at all (I remember him dismissing and ridiculing anyone who wanted to disagree on the forum before they closed all those threads).
He did explain why he felt this way - those Koss phones go all the way back to the days of original Sony Walkmans and have not changed since - back then there was no compressed music (or crappy players designed to only play mp3s) - so back then headphones were not being "tuned" by vendors to compensate for compression or to add bass or come up with "house" sound.
Someone who read those posts can correct me on all this (or add to it) - but this is basically what I remember Charles posting about headphones and why he chose Koss.
By the way, I think I also remember Charles posting somewhere that he liked Apple's buds (later versions) - in terms of how they paired with Tera.

I've tried the Apple earbud and has amazing performance in considering its price.

 

[fp581]

i just got my AKG 702 for my home rig,but then i connected it to the tera and WOW i'm speechless 
 
so so clear, you can feel the bass, every pitch is as clear as the sun, you can feel the atmosphere of the room witch the recording was made.
 
way too good for my ears
 
the only downside is they are hot, really hot headphones. my ears are warming up' need an a/c for that lol,
ill try and search for deferent pads for them to fix that (m8b the old ones i have for the 601 will fit) 

 

[flymetothemoon]

  i just got my AKG 702 for my home rig,but then i connected it to the tera and WOW i'm speechless 
 
so so clear, you can feel the bass, every pitch is as clear as the sun, you can feel the atmosphere of the room witch the recording was made.
 
way too good for my ears
 
the only downside is they are hot, really hot headphones. my ears are warming up' need an a/c for that lol,
ill try and search for deferent pads for them to fix that (m8b the old ones i have for the 601 will fit) 

Well, for headphones, the downside is the heat built up over time.  

 

[burtomr]

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