[gerelmx1986]

What the UPs guy got me today

I'll be reviewing them as part of the dekoni review program, this will take a bit long due to my schedule. (Courses I must attend obligate from German federal Job authority)

 

[michael4321]

What the UPs guy got me today

All types of Z1R pads produced by Dekoni. That is a lot of work comparing them to the standard Sony pads.

 

[Malevolent]

All types of Z1R pads produced by Dekoni. That is a lot of work comparing them to the standard Sony pads.

Yeah. Changing pads isn't as easy as swapping IEM tips, sadly. Unless they employ the use of magnets, getting the lips to fit the edges isn't an easy task.

I'm looking forward to your review @gerelmx1986.

 

[Hinomotocho]

Has anyone tried the iFi NEO yet? I'll have to wait until the new year for stock so I can demo.
A similarly priced one is the DX7 Pro - has anyone tried this with the MDR-Z1R?
Coming from a WM1A I don't have much experience with desktops and would like to hear opinions of anyone who has tried either of these.

 

[BubbaJay]

Has anyone tried the iFi NEO yet? I'll have to wait until the new year for stock so I can demo.
A similarly priced one is the DX7 Pro - has anyone tried this with the MDR-Z1R?
Coming from a WM1A I don't have much experience with desktops and would like to hear opinions of anyone who has tried either of these.

I'm listening to my Z1R right now with the Neo and it sounds great. Even though both are warm the Z1R sounds really good with the Neo. It's a very musical pairing with the Sony having good clarity along with that great low-end that hits hard but never gets in the way of the mids or highs. The soundstage has more width to it and is larger than many of my open-back headphones. I love the pairing and even though some of my other headphones are technically superior I keep picking up the Z1R.

 

[Hinomotocho]

I'm listening to my Z1R right now with the Neo and it sounds great. Even though both are warm the Z1R sounds really good with the Neo. It's a very musical pairing with the Sony having good clarity along with that great low-end that hits hard but never gets in the way of the mids or highs. The soundstage has more width to it and is larger than many of my open-back headphones. I love the pairing and even though some of my other headphones are technically superior I keep picking up the Z1R.

Thanks for your reply. I had the xDSD before I got the Z1R and enjoyed the Burr Brown sound. I know it comes down to taste but I have been trying to work out what would suit the Z1R technically for both amp and dac (power, impedance etc), and sound the most satisfying.

 

[BubbaJay]

Thanks for your reply. I had the xDSD before I got the Z1R and enjoyed the Burr Brown sound. I know it comes down to taste but I have been trying to work out what would suit the Z1R technically for both amp and dac (power, impedance etc), and sound the most satisfying.

The Neo only has 1 watt at 32ohms but for most headphones including the Z1R that's plenty and I've never felt like the Neo was underpowered but you can always use your own amp with it. I hooked up my A50s and SP200 to it and it sounded really clean but there's just something about the musicality that the Neo has as an all in one that I don't hear when using it as only a Dac. Even though I feel like the Z1R sounds a touch cleaner when using an external amp its missing some of the special sound I feel like the Neo has.

 

[Malevolent]

Has anyone tried the iFi NEO yet? I'll have to wait until the new year for stock so I can demo.
A similarly priced one is the DX7 Pro - has anyone tried this with the MDR-Z1R?
Coming from a WM1A I don't have much experience with desktops and would like to hear opinions of anyone who has tried either of these.

I have, but not for a prolonged period of time (~15 minutes). I tested the iFi NEO iDSD with the Audio-Technica ATH-AWKT today. I had, on hand, my Chord Hugo 2, my most-trusted portable source.

Between the Hugo 2 and the NEO, the latter provides a warmer tone, with a slight emphasis on musicality. The Hugo 2, on the other hand, was a supremely detailed and neutral source. The ATH-AWKT, already a bright headphone, sounded leaner and, at times, reedy on the Chord; with the iFi, the Audio-Technica was a touch less aggressive, with a warmer sound that better emphasized texture in the lower registers.

I was sufficiently impressed with the NEO - I'll definitely visit the store again for a second round with them soon.

 

[gerelmx1986]

I started wrong the review of the @DekoniAudio elite series of pads for this wonderful headphone. Had the opportunity to quickly look at the packaging and the pads materials and how they come, hint; all pairs have the mounting ring attached (the part that @kefs made a 3D print file)

 

[BubbaJay]

Do any of the Dekoni pads improve the SQ at all? I don't see the need to get any replacement pads until these are worn out since they're already really nice pads.

As for the Neo I'm really impressed with it so far. They give all my headphones a touch of "soul" which is what I like to call it. When using my AT AP2000ti which is a brighter and leaner sounding headphone the Neo gives it that added warmth and musicality that makes it sound quite a bit better than with my other gear. Now you'd think the Z1R would sound too warm but it doesn't and it adds something to it down low that makes them sound really fun, I like to put on tracks with bass just to hear it go boom. Even though the bass is thumping everything else still sounds clean which is weird because you'd expect it to sound a little muddy but it never does. They're such a fun headphone and I thought I was done with bass before I got them but I realize I just haven't had any headphones that do it as well as these do.

 

[gerelmx1986]

Do any of the Dekoni pads improve the SQ at all? I don't see the need to get any replacement pads until these are worn out since they're already really nice pads.

As for the Neo I'm really impressed with it so far. They give all my headphones a touch of "soul" which is what I like to call it. When using my AT AP2000ti which is a brighter and leaner sounding headphone the Neo gives it that added warmth and musicality that makes it sound quite a bit better than with my other gear. Now you'd think the Z1R would sound too warm but it doesn't and it adds something to it down low that makes them sound really fun, I like to put on tracks with bass just to hear it go boom. Even though the bass is thumping everything else still sounds clean which is weird because you'd expect it to sound a little muddy but it never does. They're such a fun headphone and I thought I was done with bass before I got them but I realize I just haven't had any headphones that do it as well as these do.

I have had not the time to fully sit and analyze them , I've had busy days, soc apointment plus some courses

 

[BubbaJay]

I have had not the time to fully sit and analyze them , I've had busy days, soc apointment plus some courses

All good man, I was just curious but I doubt I get any new pads until I have to.

 

[Redcarmoose]

It’s funny seeing the MDR-Z1R on the front page, on sale. MK2 must be near?

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/in-stock-on-sale-sony-mdr-z1r.947478/

 

[MatW]

They have been out of stock in the Netherlands for months now. Do not seem to be restocked.

 

[musicday]

Yes the rumour says the MK2 will be presented at CES 2021.