The Watercooler -- Impressions, philosophical discussion and general banter. Index on first page. All welcome.
Sep 19, 2023 at 9:40 AM Post #64,711 of 91,330
Sep 19, 2023 at 9:45 AM Post #64,712 of 91,330
However, I personally (like I wrote several posts ago) hear huge differences between cables. It's a make or break of the experience for me. A synergistic match may be "S tier" for me, whereas a non-synergistic may fall as low as "B tier", for example. I wouldn't spend so much time on this if this wasn't important to me. Even my wife respects that :wink:

Such quotable things get said on Watercooler these days.
 
Sep 19, 2023 at 9:56 AM Post #64,713 of 91,330
Soranik Basilica

6 drivers configuration: 1 DD, 1 Magnetostatic, 1 Open driver and 3 BAs.

The Basilica is for now Soranik's flagship. It costs 1.500$. There's also a real wood version which retails by around 2.600$. Build quality is impeccable and fit is excellent as expected from a proper build CIEM.

The Basilica is very sensitive to sources and cables. It's not a warm set but it's punchy. Neutral sound signature with bass boost. The presentation is energetic with very good dynamics. Bass texture is pretty good too. Treble is spicy but not fatiguing. It seems to be a versatile set too. However, the most impressive feature for me are the soundstage and imaging. Really great and very accurate, like a cinematic experience. I was told the wood version is even better.

For me best the pairings have been the Mojo2 and the 475. Not so impressed with MAX, sounds a bit lean and brighter. I'm really enjoying the Basilica. A fantastic set that definitely punches above it's weight.

Hieu, Soranik's founder, is great to deal with and he's not afraid of embracing new technologies. I'm so happy with them that decided to place an order of theirs MEMS IEMs. The MEMS-2 (1x xMEMS microspeaker, 1x USOUND microspeaker) and MEMS-3 (1x xMEMS microspeaker, 1x USOUND microspeaker, 2 BAs).

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I have heard the Prototype at Canjam Singapore and thought they were outstanding for the price. The wooden version I tried was also very nice to look at.

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And the staging experience was indeed particularly immersive. More people need to hear it.
 
Sep 19, 2023 at 10:01 AM Post #64,714 of 91,330
challenge empirical evidence
What you call empirical evidence are the claims of a bunch of people that also claim that the technology that can develop and manufacture chips made of billions of transistors that implement algorithms to deliver information using multiple GHz electromagnetic waves over the air to a mobile phone as it travels 120 km/h in a car is not able to assess what happens when we send a maximum 20 kHz signal over a maximum 2m cable. Doesn't sound very convincing to me.
 
Sep 19, 2023 at 10:07 AM Post #64,715 of 91,330
What you call empirical evidence are the claims of a bunch of people that also claim that the technology that can develop and manufacture chips made of billions of transistors that implement algorithms to deliver information using multiple GHz electromagnetic waves over the air to a mobile phone as it travels 120 km/h in a car is not able to assess what happens when we send a maximum 20 kHz signal over a maximum 2m cable. Doesn't sound very convincing to me.
Also very quotable.

The counter argument is, that DAPs with outdated and buggy software, inferior silicon hardware and otherwise overpriced and overkill electrical parts in them, manufactured by small size en vogue audio design companies will surely beat the phone made by companies owning (or being one of) the most prestigious audio firms of the last 100 years or so and having access to their research and staff, including their own ridiculous budgets to invest into more of it:D


YMMV and mine does as well. It's not a question with a definite answer:p
 
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Sep 19, 2023 at 10:50 AM Post #64,716 of 91,330
Happy to report that my Nightjar Singularity + 4-wire Vanguard has shipped!

MASS-Kobo 475 will be here on Thursday.

Very excited! :)
 
Sep 19, 2023 at 11:31 AM Post #64,717 of 91,330
Talking about discounts and secondhanded gear, I am starting to see the Traillii being resold at the 2k USD range (in HK), which is mindblowing... but also for anyone that wants an amazing TOTL IEM (it's still the best one I have), you can't get a better bargain or more accessible entry point to high-end IEMs.
 
Sep 19, 2023 at 11:45 AM Post #64,718 of 91,330
Just got the Kiwi Ears Quintet, very very good. Coming from the Aful P8, I like the Quintet more... :)
 
Sep 19, 2023 at 11:46 AM Post #64,719 of 91,330
How and where can we order this? They don't even have this on their website :) Measurements would be greatly appreciated too!

Let me update our website this weekend! These have been sold mostly locally so I haven't got round to updating the content yet.

As for measurements, feel free to PM me directly!
 
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Sep 19, 2023 at 12:05 PM Post #64,721 of 91,330
Jumped the gun on this one (the OG version). Cant wait to hear it!

The enthousiasme of @Sajid Amit and @Rockwell75 convinced mee 😄

(Also the Sony NW-WM1ZM2 is now on its way, because of you Amit 😋)
Jumped the gun on this one (the OG version). Cant wait to hear it!

The enthousiasme of @Sajid Amit and @Rockwell75 convinced mee 😄

Will share impressions later.

(Also the Sony NW-WM1ZM2 is now on its way, because of you Amit 😋)
Looking forward to these impressions! I recently got the Sony DAP and the Xe6 and I love it to death on the wondering how the trifecta will synergize as well. That might be my next Iem :)
 
Sep 19, 2023 at 12:13 PM Post #64,722 of 91,330
Talking about discounts and secondhanded gear, I am starting to see the Traillii being resold at the 2k USD range
Whoah, where? Let me know and I'll buy them all
 
Sep 19, 2023 at 12:24 PM Post #64,723 of 91,330

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