The discovery thread!
May 10, 2024 at 3:38 PM Post #100,771 of 131,437
That cable is ergonomically amazing, and built really well with locking modular plugs.
NiceHCK released another cable from their IEMs:
The BlueLuna from the Himalaya:

NiceHCK Blue Luna.jpg

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006968990569.html

Price: 50 USD - Code = 35 USD

-15 USD Coupon code in spoiler below:
Code:
LUNAAA

Wow that is a very nice looking cable for $35 and modular too? I definitely don't need more cables but this is super tempting!

Modular cables... I don't need more cables, either...

giphy.gif
 
May 10, 2024 at 3:39 PM Post #100,772 of 131,437
May 10, 2024 at 3:40 PM Post #100,773 of 131,437
I think it’s all a question of how much people are willing to spend on an IEM and what their ultimate goal is.

For me, I’ve never considered buying anything over $200, simply because, nowadays, I’m more than satisfied (and often amazed) with products that cost way less. Additionally, purchasing cheaper sets allows me to experiment more frequently with different tuning and driver configurations. Ultimately, the purpose of this hobby (and any other, really) is to be engaged and satisfied with the experience your purchases offer you. So, since I am happy and completely pleased with IEMs in the $20-$200 range, what’s the purpose of stretching to buy a $500+ one? Furthermore, given the incredible advancements in the IEMs market recently, it wouldn’t surprise me if, in a few years, I could get the same level of “quality” that a $500+ IEM currently offers with just a $100 investment.

As a side note, I can’t already justify the price disparity between my $20 IEMs and my $150-$200 ones. Most of the IEMs I’ve purchased recently (even the $15 ones!) feel more like sidegrades than actual upgrades to my more expensive sets. The fact is that the more I listen to music and different gears, the more I lose track of what’s good and what’s bad—or, to put it better, what I like and what I dislike (aka like less). Is more resolution always better? If you’d asked me this question years ago, I would’ve immediately said yes. Now? Not so sure. Do I prefer faster transients or slower ones? I couldn’t say. Bigger soundstage or more intimate? Mmm… Now let's add to the equation that from one day to another my already unsteady preferences seems to shift...

Now another concept that I would like to integrate to this post is this: what’s considered objectively better doesn’t necessarily mean it’s effectively better for me. To take this concept to the extreme, even a dirt-cheap $2.99 IEM can offer me an experience that a $1000 IEM could never provide—and, obviously, vice versa. Now, let’s think about all that lies in between these two extremes...

As time passes, I find myself believing that price means very little in the world of IEMs, especially if we try to correlate it directly to personal enjoyment.

That’s my stance on the matter… now I’ll go take my medications. 🫡
makes sense to me!
 
May 10, 2024 at 3:43 PM Post #100,774 of 131,437
And the sound……?
Well, sound comes from the IEM, so it would depend what you joined it to. But with the Himalaya it’s great, as there is no-way NiceHCK would shortchange themselves there. It really feels and sounds like a flagship cable. To comment on sound, I guess I would place it in the warm but purely non-colored category? That’s the Himalaya in a nut-shell too! :)

The Himalaya is neutrally warm! Just ever so slightly warm and balanced! Cheers!
 
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May 10, 2024 at 3:49 PM Post #100,775 of 131,437
Speaking of rotating, today's IEM is the OG Wu Zetian by Tangzu. These things love Sony DAPS (currently using the A306, but the WM1A is it's perfect sonic mate) and amps. When synergized that way, these things really sing. Now they will always lack bass heft, and so I try to avoid bass heavy music with them, but for metal and hard rock, or classic rock, oh boy do they provide a smile. WILL NEVER SELL. Also they are discontinued.
 
May 10, 2024 at 4:00 PM Post #100,776 of 131,437
I'm not sure if it's been posted before but I talked to a rep from Hifigo about the Dunu DaVinci and they said the targeted release date is around May 15th so hopefully we will see them debut next week.
 
May 10, 2024 at 4:05 PM Post #100,777 of 131,437
May 10, 2024 at 4:14 PM Post #100,778 of 131,437
Well, sound comes from the IEM, so it would depend what you joined it to. But with the Himalaya it’s great, as there is no-way NiceHCK would shortchange themselves there. It really feels and sounds like a flagship cable. To comment on sound, I guess I would place it in the warm but purely non-colored category? That’s the Himalaya in a nut-shell too! :)

The Himalaya is neutrally warm! Just ever so slightly warm and balanced! Cheers!
Thanks! Will try it with Avalon and Baldr. Warm can be good.
 
May 10, 2024 at 4:35 PM Post #100,779 of 131,437
Just swinging by, been meaning to work on a Dusk review but I've been dragging my feet on really getting impressions on all the presets. But, in the mean time, I got the Xuan NV and have been floored by how much I enjoy them. So, yeah, here's my Review in case anyone's interested.

1000032135.jpg
 
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May 10, 2024 at 4:46 PM Post #100,780 of 131,437
That weird feeling when you a/b a $150.00 IEM and the $25.00 TRN ST7 and you realize in many aspects, the TRN has better technicalities, transparency, and instrument separation/spacing. The advancements are staggering.
 
May 10, 2024 at 4:48 PM Post #100,781 of 131,437
May 10, 2024 at 5:28 PM Post #100,783 of 131,437
That weird feeling when you a/b a $150.00 IEM and the $25.00 TRN ST7 and you realize in many aspects, the TRN has better technicalities, transparency, and instrument separation/spacing. The advancements are staggering.
For what it’s worth, I’m already in love with the ST7.

I can’t believe that they are able to sell this IEM for just $25 without losing money. 2DD and 5BA, perfecly balanced tuning and, as you’ve already mentioned, the technicalities are extremely solid. What stands out to me the most about them is their ability to be very detailed while also sounding pleasantly smooth. TRN has outdone themselves here.

P.S. And I swear to God, I'll never believe a FR graph again. Look at this! How can this mother****er possibly sound this good!? 🤣

TRN ST7.jpg
 
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May 10, 2024 at 5:41 PM Post #100,785 of 131,437
One of a kind album! Budget doesn’t matter, I’ll just sell more if it’s something I have to have lol.
Here are my recommendations based on how I like this album.

- Canpur CP54e
- FiR RN6
- Kinera Verdandi
- AlphaOmega RA
- Oriveti OH700VB
 

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