Beautiful! My ZX 707 (JP) will arrive next Monday. Can't no more wait.My new ZX707 (JP) arrived a couple days ago and it's paired up with the Dita Project M tonight. Loving it so far.
After 5 months of waiting today was the day that the sub arrived. 750lbs of physicality. Somehow the sweet spot has grown to the entire room.
The second amp in the stack is for the sub.
The cross over for the sub is mounted behind the main racks out of sight.
First hours of listening
I am very pleased with the upgrade.
As my Indonesia trip winds down, wanted to drop a quick post and share photos of our audiophile hangout in the lovely city of Jakarta. The meet-ups were coordinated by the rather enterprising @TheMiddleSky.
Of course, Jakarta is not “lovely” in the sense in which Bali is lovely. Its a city with traffic, great steel and concrete structures, and frenzied folks trying to augment wealth and incomes, as they should.
But the city has friendly and hospitable people, the traffic magically seems to have lessened compared to the last time I was here, and the food continues to be one of the best in the world. I am, though, particularly biased towards South East Asian cuisine. Even variants of the noodle soup, between Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand get me excited, so there’s that. I do think its an acquired taste though, which I didn’t quite possess all my life.
Speaking of acquired tastes I spent a bit of time hanging out at the luxury watch reseller market which is somehow rather impressive in Jakarta. Indonesia is a trillion dollar economy mind you, and is forecasted to become one of the drivers of global growth in the coming decades, along with India and a few others. Rolexes, APs, and Pateks go for higher prices in the used market (several models do) but Jakarta prices were far better than prices in many countries.
But, of course, I digress. The real purpose of this post and the enjoyment of this trip was derived at a fantastic little audio store in South Jakarta, known as Beyond the Music, or BTM, in short. We were joined by a select group of audiophiles in Jakarta including a few HeadFi regulars.
A high-point for me was getting to try some of the newer headphone releases which have evaded me ever since I waded into the IEM kiddy pool. Of course, I jest. IEMs are for grown-ups as much as headphones or speakers. But without further ado, photos of some fine products I got to audition.
I posted impressions on the Canpur 622B earlier and while I appreciated its tonal balance and very-impressive-for-BA bass, let’s just say that I wouldn’t personally buy it on the basis of a first listen. The treble was a bit too kind for my liking. I don’t like my treble too kind. I like spice but not so much that I get gas.
Next, I got to try Hedd’s very, very, very-impressive-for-the-price, HEDDphone V2.
The HEDDphone V2 is light, comfortable, super ergonomic, with a tonal profile that is somehow airy for days without getting bright, very resolving, and even has a bit of punch and impact! And it way outperforms most contenders at $2000. It is definitively flying under the radar for most headphone-first audiophiles.
I do have to say I figured out that the chain in question had something to do with unlocking the might of the HEDD V2, namely the Cengrand Silverfox and DS DAC.
I understand that this brand has elicited mixed feelings in the community but another reputable reviewer @project86 has reviewed their amp so do check it out. The thing with this set up, particularly, the amp, is that it has different settings to elicit different sonic profiles, but the chain I listened to was just the Bee’s knees. It was smooth yes, but not in-your-face smooth. It was on the right side of smooth. So it still sounded very textured, with a wonderfully extended treble, a rich organic midrange, and a damn dynamic bass. I understand there are disagreements about its bass, but in my listening, the bass was gorgeous. And you all know by now how much I like my bass.
Overall, there were plenty of wonderful DAC Amps at BTM including the venerable Feliks Envy and Rockna Wavedream, the “punchy DAC”. I have always appreciated the Wavedream with the Susvara.
Meanwhile, I did get to change my mind on DCA headphones. Basically, so far in my audio journey, I have not met a single DCA headphone that I wanted to own. That’s largely why I have never reviewed a DCA headphone. I just couldn’t be bothered. The reasons are more than one but it mostly came down to the non-existent bass impact, at least given my preferences for bass. However, the DCA E3 is a phenomenal closedback, and the hype is very well-deserved. Thankfully, it’s not flying under the radar like the HEDD V2. I love how airy it sounds (partly a result of the tuning and partly the cengrand chain) and it finally has some proper bass slam!
I also got to try the Abyss Diana MR which was all right. But nothing to write home about. Yes, they fixed some of the issues of the previous Diana models, but Diana shaped headphones just don’t work for me sonically, somehow. Yes, the treble is better but still metallic, and the bass is powerful, but the mids are odd and peaky and timbrally off. The MR did stage incredibly well, but it has been overhyped by YouTube reviewers, IMHO. YMMV.
The highlight for me, in so far as IEMs go, was the Vision Ears VEX. If you are treble sensitive or otherwise prefer a warm tuning, then look, absolutely no further, especially if you can afford its price tag of $3000. It is well-priced though and likely outperforms technically and given my subjective preferences for DD bass, tonally as well, many UM IEMs far more expensive. I just loved the VEX in its fit, finish and sort of being able to culminate the VE sound. Top IEM this one.
The cable is awesome as well, at least as far as stock ones go.
I also had listening time with the AK Odyssey. I was surprised to find an unsold unit in Jakarta and as always, it delivers some incredible EE bass.
Last but not least, I got to try Hiby’s R8 II DAP. The Alcantara reminded me of Surface laptops and given my subjective preferences for aesthetics and design, I wasn’t feeling it. At all. Creative, yes. But not a design aesthetic that is likely to catch on. I also didn’t feel the red colorway. The shade of red or crimson didn’t work for me but of course this is hyper-subjective territory.
Sonically, the DAP was a pleasant surprise in being able to trade blows with my trusty WM1ZM2. I quite liked it. But I prefer the vintage sound of my Sony still. It has a Sony sound and I can’t get enough of it.
There was plenty more to try and perhaps talk about, but I will end here, since the goal was to share some immediate thoughts, in case they are of help to some of you.
A big shout out to the @TheMiddleSky once again. He is super cool.
And to the group of lovely folks who turned up to hang out with me, what a pleasure it was to meet all of you in person and get to know you. I am certain we will keep in touch and hope to see some of you in Canjam Singapore.
Have you ever checked Target racks, Nico? Class leading for 4-5 decades and very light weight. They may have been the first to only focus on racks, and they may still be the best.
Just came back from a month in HK and China mainland.
My oh my ...After 5 months of waiting today was the day that the sub arrived. 750lbs of physicality. Somehow the sweet spot has grown to the entire room.
The second amp in the stack is for the sub.
The cross over for the sub is mounted behind the main racks out of sight.
First hours of listening
I am very pleased with the upgrade.
As my Indonesia trip winds down, wanted to drop a quick post and share photos of our audiophile hangout in the lovely city of Jakarta. The meet-ups were coordinated by the rather enterprising @TheMiddleSky.
Of course, Jakarta is not “lovely” in the sense in which Bali is lovely. Its a city with traffic, great steel and concrete structures, and frenzied folks trying to augment wealth and incomes, as they should.
But the city has friendly and hospitable people, the traffic magically seems to have lessened compared to the last time I was here, and the food continues to be one of the best in the world. I am, though, particularly biased towards South East Asian cuisine. Even variants of the noodle soup, between Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand get me excited, so there’s that. I do think its an acquired taste though, which I didn’t quite possess all my life.
Speaking of acquired tastes I spent a bit of time hanging out at the luxury watch reseller market which is somehow rather impressive in Jakarta. Indonesia is a trillion dollar economy mind you, and is forecasted to become one of the drivers of global growth in the coming decades, along with India and a few others. Rolexes, APs, and Pateks go for higher prices in the used market (several models do) but Jakarta prices were far better than prices in many countries.
But, of course, I digress. The real purpose of this post and the enjoyment of this trip was derived at a fantastic little audio store in South Jakarta, known as Beyond the Music, or BTM, in short. We were joined by a select group of audiophiles in Jakarta including a few HeadFi regulars.
A high-point for me was getting to try some of the newer headphone releases which have evaded me ever since I waded into the IEM kiddy pool. Of course, I jest. IEMs are for grown-ups as much as headphones or speakers. But without further ado, photos of some fine products I got to audition.
I posted impressions on the Canpur 622B earlier and while I appreciated its tonal balance and very-impressive-for-BA bass, let’s just say that I wouldn’t personally buy it on the basis of a first listen. The treble was a bit too kind for my liking. I don’t like my treble too kind. I like spice but not so much that I get gas.
Next, I got to try Hedd’s very, very, very-impressive-for-the-price, HEDDphone V2.
The HEDDphone V2 is light, comfortable, super ergonomic, with a tonal profile that is somehow airy for days without getting bright, very resolving, and even has a bit of punch and impact! And it way outperforms most contenders at $2000. It is definitively flying under the radar for most headphone-first audiophiles.
I do have to say I figured out that the chain in question had something to do with unlocking the might of the HEDD V2, namely the Cengrand Silverfox and DS DAC.
I understand that this brand has elicited mixed feelings in the community but another reputable reviewer @project86 has reviewed their amp so do check it out. The thing with this set up, particularly, the amp, is that it has different settings to elicit different sonic profiles, but the chain I listened to was just the Bee’s knees. It was smooth yes, but not in-your-face smooth. It was on the right side of smooth. So it still sounded very textured, with a wonderfully extended treble, a rich organic midrange, and a damn dynamic bass. I understand there are disagreements about its bass, but in my listening, the bass was gorgeous. And you all know by now how much I like my bass.
Overall, there were plenty of wonderful DAC Amps at BTM including the venerable Feliks Envy and Rockna Wavedream, the “punchy DAC”. I have always appreciated the Wavedream with the Susvara.
Meanwhile, I did get to change my mind on DCA headphones. Basically, so far in my audio journey, I have not met a single DCA headphone that I wanted to own. That’s largely why I have never reviewed a DCA headphone. I just couldn’t be bothered. The reasons are more than one but it mostly came down to the non-existent bass impact, at least given my preferences for bass. However, the DCA E3 is a phenomenal closedback, and the hype is very well-deserved. Thankfully, it’s not flying under the radar like the HEDD V2. I love how airy it sounds (partly a result of the tuning and partly the cengrand chain) and it finally has some proper bass slam!
I also got to try the Abyss Diana MR which was all right. But nothing to write home about. Yes, they fixed some of the issues of the previous Diana models, but Diana shaped headphones just don’t work for me sonically, somehow. Yes, the treble is better but still metallic, and the bass is powerful, but the mids are odd and peaky and timbrally off. The MR did stage incredibly well, but it has been overhyped by YouTube reviewers, IMHO. YMMV.
The highlight for me, in so far as IEMs go, was the Vision Ears VEX. If you are treble sensitive or otherwise prefer a warm tuning, then look, absolutely no further, especially if you can afford its price tag of $3000. It is well-priced though and likely outperforms technically and given my subjective preferences for DD bass, tonally as well, many UM IEMs far more expensive. I just loved the VEX in its fit, finish and sort of being able to culminate the VE sound. Top IEM this one.
The cable is awesome as well, at least as far as stock ones go.
I also had listening time with the AK Odyssey. I was surprised to find an unsold unit in Jakarta and as always, it delivers some incredible EE bass.
Last but not least, I got to try Hiby’s R8 II DAP. The Alcantara reminded me of Surface laptops and given my subjective preferences for aesthetics and design, I wasn’t feeling it. At all. Creative, yes. But not a design aesthetic that is likely to catch on. I also didn’t feel the red colorway. The shade of red or crimson didn’t work for me but of course this is hyper-subjective territory.
Sonically, the DAP was a pleasant surprise in being able to trade blows with my trusty WM1ZM2. I quite liked it. But I prefer the vintage sound of my Sony still. It has a Sony sound and I can’t get enough of it.
There was plenty more to try and perhaps talk about, but I will end here, since the goal was to share some immediate thoughts, in case they are of help to some of you.
A big shout out to the @TheMiddleSky once again. He is super cool.
And to the group of lovely folks who turned up to hang out with me, what a pleasure it was to meet all of you in person and get to know you. I am certain we will keep in touch and hope to see some of you in Canjam Singapore.
But where is Daniel? (@Deezel177 )
Maybe you neglected to break them in a minimum of 100 hours.Mine sound very good after 130 hours of n continous musicTried the Project M and the FiR e12 today and I thought I have mistakenly swapped the pricing of the two, because the Project M sounded like it would sell with e12's price, while the e12, well....
The biggest highlight is how natural the M sounds and has noticeable soundstage depth, which is quite an achievement for a 300 dollar IEM and is not something you find even on 1k+ IEMs. The e12 has great bass and....basically nothing else. The mids are literally missing, and I am baffled at how a single DD IEM can sound so unnatural and incoherent across the FR. The rendering of female vocals and uppermids frequencies sounded like they are from a cheap BA - very forward, thin, dry, bright, empty without texture. For a similar signature I find the IE900 to be much better. Honestly quite a disappointment for me.
Maybe I need to get my ears checked. Will have a second go at both soon as I was out of time today.
I have to buy a Project M, do people accept body parts as payment lolTried the Project M and the FiR e12 today and I thought I have mistakenly swapped the pricing of the two, because the Project M sounded like it would sell with e12's price, while the e12, well....
The biggest highlight is how natural the M sounds and has noticeable soundstage depth, which is quite an achievement for a 300 dollar IEM and is not something you find even on 1k+ IEMs. The e12 has great bass and....basically nothing else. The mids are literally missing, and I am baffled at how a single DD IEM can sound so unnatural and incoherent across the FR. The rendering of female vocals and uppermids frequencies sounded like they are from a cheap BA - very forward, thin, dry, bright, empty without texture. For a similar signature I find the IE900 to be much better. Honestly quite a disappointment for me.
Yes, the portable use case.
Happy Birthday!I will write down a very detailed post about the whole journey soon when I get more pictures, but let me just say, the Sennheiser trip to Tullamore and all the people there were awesome!
I arrived back in Germany today, immediately followed by celebrating my birthday in the local Jazz Club at the Open Session, which was a lot of fun, more people came than I expected and now I am BEAT. What a dense couple of days! I will look back to these fond memories for a long time.
PS.: An HD 540 Gold Edition and a brand new HD 600 are on their way to my door...
