Pablo67
Back in Oct 2021 I wrote my own observations/mini shoot out of several IC Cables that I either had made (I had 2 Plussound X8 IC's made), or was able to borrow and posted my thoughts using them on the C9
Here is the link to that test
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/cay...ss-a-ab-portable-headamp.943135/post-16615751
It might be a little long, but it might give you some information that you are looking for
I still use the X8 Hybrid IC I had made of Tri-Silver and PPH from Plussound and still enjoy using it
I still own the PAW 6000 DAP from that test, and it does still get some use, but I primarly use it Cayin N7 I own also
The C9 sound was something I missed when I traveled in airplanes, so that led to a N8ii purchase to get close to the C9 sound. (The N8ii is going up for sale soon, replaced with a N30LE)
I had several AK DAP's but even with the C9 connected to them, just didn't do it for me, and were sold very quickly
You will get a lot of milage from a good IC connected to the C9.
The C9 responded very well to various good quality IC's I've purchased or borrowed. I am always looking to see if I can improve on the sound, but I've so far stuck to my Tri-Silver/PPH combo IC. The X8 Copper/SPC IC from that write up did sell quite a while ago, as it just was not getting a lot of use.
I've borrowed a friends EXO (4 wire) IC and IMO the X8 had a little more soundstage (Width and height) vs the 4 wire if you're wondering.
Here is a picture from that test showing the X8 IC between the PAW6K and the C9, and then going out through another X8 PPH cable to the JH Audio Jolene's I had then
While some of the HW I use now (the IEM's, the cable to the IEM's and the source) are different, the C9 and the IC are still the same.
Hope this information helps and of course YMMV
Good luck finding the sound signature your chasing!