The discovery thread!
Apr 20, 2024 at 6:17 AM Post #99,032 of 131,431
IMG_8897.jpeg


This morning's setup:
I got this little MUSE M4 DAC, essentially because it has BT and because it's small and easily transportable (and also, yes, because I liked it aesthetically).

Good flexibility, thanks also to the presence of physical buttons for volume and track forward/backward.

Not bad for the price.
 
Apr 20, 2024 at 6:59 AM Post #99,033 of 131,431
There are one or two early impression by some dude in facebook audio group
generally positive but i don't know them so you know salts and all

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by Pavel Touš ·


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by fugumikan (turn CC on)





So fans of ZS6 should be rejoicing, people who can't stand ZS6 (like me) need to wait for more info on how spicy the treble is.
and now, i kinda understand why it have "treble reduction" switch.

it also apparently semi open back with decent influence to the openness of the sound, surely some gonna be a bit interested with it.

now wait for the usual suspect reviews.


SOunds interesting. Let me see whether it suits me, when it arrives. Luckily, cheap that I don't have to sweat too much if they don't! I was under the impression that it would be a refined smoother Rhapsody with a better soundstage. Don't know anything about ZS6 - CCA Trio and KZ Castor Bass are the only KZs I have heard. Hope it's an extended treble but not too harsh. This is my first pure blind buy (as in the one I haven't checked reviews) as far as I can remember, purely based on being chuffed with Trio, and wanting to try my luck with KZ again.
 
Apr 20, 2024 at 7:02 AM Post #99,034 of 131,431
Totally. $250 for an Android DAP that is fully functional, sounds good, support 4.4mm output, and just a joy to handle in general is a great deal.

Edit: to put in context, when I first started, saw a gentleman at the local hifi stored using some sorts of DAP to test IEMs, so I wanted one, but options that seem decent are pushing into AUD $1000 and up. There was only an Android DAP from Sony with questionable battery life and 3.5mm output only that was somewhat affordable.



The last guitar is wowza 👀
That's the loudest one. Really they all have small issues, and none of them are perfect, kinda like IEMs? :)
 
Apr 20, 2024 at 7:07 AM Post #99,035 of 131,431
Apr 20, 2024 at 7:19 AM Post #99,036 of 131,431
The Android is snappy on R4 indeed. No software bug so far, though I find audio and video are slightly out of sync. It was the case with R6 P2 and my DX300 as well, tested with both YouTube and streaming from my local server.

Maybe I’ll put an emulator on to test how far it can emulate. I guess it runs up to PSP and Nintendo DS.

Re: sound signature: yes, DAC chip company cannot be generalised, what I try to say is the R4 I have on my hand sounds like a generic implementation of ESS saber in dongle and micro DAP format, the edgy and clean one, not the one that “does not sound like ESS”. Side by side with W4, which is already considered neutral, bright, “sterile” by many audiophiles, and the R4 is noticeably leaner and edgier. I’m fresh out of 5 dongle review back to back so I believe that my ears are still “tuned” to listen to source differences, and I have many of them next to me here to test my claim. Maybe there is unit variations or my unit is faulty, but from what I hear with mine, telling my reader that this is “analogue” and invoking the imagery that they can get the sound of an R2R device, heck, even the sound of the DEW4X can lead to bitter buyer remorse.

Again, not saying R4 sounds bad, but just control expectation. I’ll check with HiBy to see if my unit is defective.
Hiby DAP's software bugs are invariably to be expected especially in early released units.....my Pro 6 invariably runs warm (- as there's no casing vent!) Alas it's uber annoying that the R4 will have no option to switch off the class A amp - cos it apparently makes minimal SQ difference?) Maybe this option will happen via a fw update, in order to take advantage of the potential 35 hours battery life - claimed by HiBy for a 4500 mAh capacity battery??
 
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Apr 20, 2024 at 8:02 AM Post #99,037 of 131,431
no option to switch off the class A amp - cos it apparently makes minimal SQ difference?) Maybe this option will happen via a fw update, in order to take advantage of the potential 35 hours battery life - claimed by HiBy for a 4500 mAh capacity battery??
Really? When I tested R6 Pro2 and R8II, I wouldn’t listen using class AB after hearing class A. Small SQ difference in the grand scheme, maybe, but different enough for me to favour one over the other.

But yeah, no option to turn off the Class A of R4 for now. It does run a bit warm, but not as warm as R6 Pro2 and Shanling M6 Ultra.
 
Apr 20, 2024 at 8:07 AM Post #99,038 of 131,431
Really? When I tested R6 Pro2 and R8II, I wouldn’t listen using class AB after hearing class A. Small SQ difference in the grand scheme, maybe, but different enough for me to favour one over the other.

But yeah, no option to turn off the Class A of R4 for now. It does run a bit warm, but not as warm as R6 Pro2 and Shanling M6 Ultra.
What makes things run warm there? Is it the DAC or some other component?
The hiby M300 can run 10 hours in a row, doesn't get warm at all. Is there a superior component in the r4 that spews off heat? (not too much i gather, just saying).

It was similar with some DAC dongles. Ibasso DC03 pro doesn't get warm at all, while couple others tend to run hot. Nothing adverse, but as compared.
 
Apr 20, 2024 at 8:13 AM Post #99,039 of 131,431
The TRN ST7 a new IEM from TRN, successor of the ST5, featuring a hybrid acoustic architecture with 2 dynamic drivers (2DD) and 5 balanced armature drivers (5BA).

When I first saw the driver configuration, I had to double-check the price —only 35 dollars at launch.

Coupon Code for Aliexpress: NQDISR8JA71C
 
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Apr 20, 2024 at 8:49 AM Post #99,040 of 131,431
What makes things run warm there? Is it the DAC or some other component?
The hiby M300 can run 10 hours in a row, doesn't get warm at all. Is there a superior component in the r4 that spews off heat? (not too much i gather, just saying).

It was similar with some DAC dongles. Ibasso DC03 pro doesn't get warm at all, while couple others tend to run hot. Nothing adverse, but as compared.
Likely the amplifier, plus the metal shell of R4 conducting heat from the internals to the outside for cooling.
 
Apr 20, 2024 at 9:28 AM Post #99,041 of 131,431
Well, tuning switches are KZ current trend that mainly stems from the buyers disagreement on how much bass is enough bass.
The fun-head keep butting head with the balanced/neutral-head.

For a short period of time, they released two (or more) version of their iem, the bass-boosted/fun-one and the balanced-one.
After that, KZ is dealing with proper crossover critisism and while at it, giving a solution to the bass amount discourse,
kz give their iem a crossover with 4 switch, 3 to adjust bass. 1 for pseudo high gain.

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Unfortunately KZ still miles behind their competition like moondrop, 7hz, TangZu in terms of marketing and fostering an audio community.

While it does get a bit better at marketing right now with several new outward marketing persons. But the bar is f*cking low compared to their predesessor and still not up to par with competition
Exactly!
The bass preference varies significantly among audiophiles and is a great point to address.

Hence, tuning switches and nozzles make all the great sense to me.

Switches manage distribution of current/energy to different drivers or serve as impedance adapters.
AS24 switches are perfect for me from very lean (almost Hexa, no more talk of Hexa around, right? Hexa was saved for me by Penon orange tips) to too much bass (I like my bass lean).
ZAT - just an extreme of lean switches for me makes ZAT really a great IEM that perfectly competes in the $100-$150 range.

Nozzles offer differnt filtering options. One of my best experiences in Head-Fi is to read about different tuning mods (for me, mods are largely removing filters/mesh (I love my sound raw and pristine); my first mod here was done under the great patient guidance of the Master Slater, I miss him so-so much...

P. S. On another note, I really liked what you posted about ZS10 pro 2. If not Rhapsody-like, but good old V - I am all for it. Ordered.
Tangzu Wan'er is so "meh" to my ears, the only KZ competitor under $100, IMO, is Moondrop with Droplet, Chiu IIz Jiu, May, etc. I also love Celest. So those three are my self-imposed limit in ChiFi acquisition now.
 
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Apr 20, 2024 at 9:59 AM Post #99,042 of 131,431
Still in honeymoon phase with the Trio. Settled on UUDU and it sounds balanced with all my sources. Loving the synergy with Mojo2.
Still can't believe this is just $25 on AE. It is weighing quite bit on the ears and get uncomfortable after 30-45 mins. Looking forward to other KZ/CCA offerings with this 8mm driver.
 
Apr 20, 2024 at 10:29 AM Post #99,043 of 131,431
The Android is snappy on R4 indeed. No software bug so far, though I find audio and video are slightly out of sync. It was the case with R6 P2 and my DX300 as well, tested with both YouTube and streaming from my local server.

Maybe I’ll put an emulator on to test how far it can emulate. I guess it runs up to PSP and Nintendo DS.

Re: sound signature: yes, DAC chip company cannot be generalised, what I try to say is the R4 I have on my hand sounds like a generic implementation of ESS saber in dongle and micro DAP format, the edgy and clean one, not the one that “does not sound like ESS”. Side by side with W4, which is already considered neutral, bright, “sterile” by many audiophiles, and the R4 is noticeably leaner and edgier. I’m fresh out of 5 dongle review back to back so I believe that my ears are still “tuned” to listen to source differences, and I have many of them next to me here to test my claim. Maybe there is unit variations or my unit is faulty, but from what I hear with mine, telling my reader that this is “analogue” and invoking the imagery that they can get the sound of an R2R device, heck, even the sound of the DEW4X can lead to bitter buyer remorse.

Again, not saying R4 sounds bad, but just control expectation. I’ll check with HiBy to see if my unit is defective.

I know what you mean tho, I've listened to enough ESS based DACs that sometimes you feel like you know what to expect going into them until you get thrown an oddball or two that turns what you know upside down. While it would be cool if the R4 would invoke R2R or Multibit feels, I'm feeling it is probably more like a Schiit Modi E presentation at best.
 
Apr 20, 2024 at 10:46 AM Post #99,044 of 131,431
The TRN ST7 a new IEM from TRN, successor of the ST5, featuring a hybrid acoustic architecture with 2 dynamic drivers (2DD) and 5 balanced armature drivers (5BA).

When I first saw the driver configuration, I had to double-check the price —only 35 dollars at launch.

Coupon Code for Aliexpress: NQDISR8JA71C
Right on cue i suppose

Waay back then,
KZ ZS10 Pro is competing with the bassier TRN V90.
both are 5 driver (1DD + 4BA) in similar pricing.

and later when KZ resurrect ZS10 Pro X, TRN appears with fancier TRN ST5.
while it have same 5 driver setup, ST5 is a bit pricier than ZS10ProX but it have better metalic shell and fancier DD

and now KZ released ZS10 Pro 2, TRN re-appears with TRN ST7
discounted to be smack dab in range of ZS10 Pro 2.
now with more driver, 2 DDs (low and low-mid) and 5 BAs (2x 50060 mid-high freq, 2x 30095s high freq, and 1x 30019 ultra high freq)

tough while KZ is currently avoiding putting BA in the nozzle for ZS10Pro 2, TRN seems to put 2x 30095 on the nozzle.
hopefully TRN tuned ST7 right, not the shrill misses of TRN high drivers iems, and we could saw ZS10pro2 vs TRN ST7 competition.
 
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Apr 20, 2024 at 10:59 AM Post #99,045 of 131,431
Right on cue i suppose

Waay back then,
KZ ZS10 Pro is competing with the bassier TRN V90.
both are 5 driver (1DD + 4BA) in similar pricing.

and later when KZ resurrect ZS10 Pro X, TRN appears with fancier TRN ST5.
while it have same 5 driver setup, ST5 is a bit pricier than ZS10ProX but it have better metalic shell and fancier DD

and now KZ released ZS10 Pro 2, TRN re-appears with TRN ST7
discounted to be smack dab in range of ZS10 Pro 2.
now with more driver, 2 DDs (low and low-mid) and 5 BAs (2x 50060 mid-high freq, 2x 30095s high freq, and 1x 30019 ultra high freq)

tough while KZ is currently avoiding putting BA in the nozzle for ZS10Pro 2, TRN seems to put 2x 30095 on the nozzle.
hopefully TRN tuned ST7 right, not the shrill misses of TRN high drivers iems, and we could saw ZS10pro2 vs TRN ST7 competition.

What we have here is a veritable historian of the KZ vs TRN budget wars.
 

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