Quote: Why don't you upgrade your IEM's instead of wasting more money on source? Speakers offer more of a sound quality improvement or change than an AMP or DAC. If you're happy with the SE535, then so be it...

The Objective 2 amplifier will drive the AKG K701's just fine. 

Quote: No, it's just the low output impedance.

Get the JDS Labs Objective 2 amplifier. Hiss problem = solved. If the source feeding the line out to the Objective 2 has audible levels of distortion, than you'll still hear hissing through the O2. The O2, in itself, has ZERO hiss.

There's one thing I hate about the ES5. And that is, it makes it hard to listen to lower-end headphones or IEM's. 

Quote: The O2/iPod Touch combo made me sell off my HM-801.

Quote: The HRT Streamer is great option or you can wait 'till the end of this month for the ODAC.

Quote: Hey, if you want to lose your hearing, that's fine. 

Quote: Okay, but if you're going to be using the ES9018 DAC for music listening, I don't see the point in wasting so much money on specs that will never be fully utilized. It's like buying a Bugatti Veyron for driving to the supermarket. It's pointless. People are so caught up on having the...

Quote: Are those higher specs even necessary for an audibly transparent musical playback? No. The ES9023 can be audibly transparent if properly implemented, like in the ODAC.

Quote: Which doesn't mean the top of the line DAC is better than the entry level chip. It's all about implementation.

Quote: Have you heard the ODAC itself or a board that happened to have the DAC the ODAC uses implemented onto it? If it's the latter, like I've said before, the implementation of the DAC is more important than the DAC chip used. Also, I find it amusing how you guys always associate an...

Quote: It's not about the DAC chip used, it's about it's implementation. According to the ODAC's specs, it's audibly transparent.

Quote: Chances are, I'm not going to get a 901. It won't be audibly transparent. 

Quote: Didn't know someone would make up specs as a marketing tactic when they receive zero money from the project. 

Quote: The best way to test a car is to put it on a controlled track ( sine waves ) vs. a public street with other cars ( music ). All of that can be measured to see if the gear would fail during intense voltage swings and impulse. The O2 amp has extensive documentation on it's specs that...

Quote: L.O.L

Quote: Hmm, let's see if you would hear this "flat and sterile" sound when you didn't know when the FiiO LOD was connected...

I can't wait to pick this up. If this can provide similar performance to the O2 amp, then I'd be one very happy man.

Quote: The build quality for my ES5's are good. There's a few air bubbles inside the shell, but that's about it. If you want exceptional build quality, go for Unique Melody.

Does anyone else find that the sound of your ES5 or other custom IEM gets a bit muddled when you lay on your back? 

  Quote:   Hahahahahahahahaha. 

  Quote:   The iPhone 4 would be good enough for the Miracles. Adding an amp will really only increase the volume output. As long as the amp has a low output impedance, low noise, low distortion and sufficient power, it's good enough. The iPhone 4's built in amp covers that. Don't let...

  Quote:   Get the JH5 Pro or Westone AC2.

  Quote:   All of those amps/DAP you mentioned are generally rip offs. Go for the JDS Labs Objective2 ( $165 ) amplifier which most likely measures better than those 3 devices and never look back.