It was a flash sales, Hifiman do that quite often on Taobao. There were 3 since I bought mine last November. I reckon another one may comes up at the end of April because of the national holidays in China

I went with the FLC8S because of the ability to customize the sound. Also, the N40 seem to be more picky on amp

Emotive, Cayin iDac comes to mind for that price range with XLR balanced output

I didn't, got mine from Hifiman eBay store last Black Friday. And found the Taobao store a week later and cheaper than I paid for mine. Keep checking their store for the pleather replacement pad but no luck so far. Can't find any HM5 pads here in Hong Kong either

Saw it on official Hifiman Taobao store going for less than USD200 last week. Might worth a look

Thank you for this great guide, bought a pair of M8100 yesterday and started my first ever tube rolling section, the MK3 is so much better sounding with my HE400i. Bought both around black Friday last year, wasn't impressed but after changing into those M8100 I can't get them off.

Cheers mate

Last second approval from the wife, I am going to Singapore for the Canjam. Great chance to audition the list of gears I am interested in. Any one knows if any of the exhibitors will showcase Schiit products? Many thanks.

Tried with the SE as my friend's pair didn't have balanced cable. Loud enough but flat is I will describe it with my limited experience.

I have doubts about the AK jr driving the Sine to a good level, I am using a HA-2 and Pioneer 300R setup and enjoying it but if I use the 300R without the HA2, result is acceptable but feel like missing some separation.

Tried both SE and balanced output of my Pioneer XDP300R, first set was a test unit sent to me by Forrest with SE cable then I purchase a new set a week later which comes with a balanced cable. The balanced sound better to me as separation and imaging is better.

Just made a cable for my FLC8S, it works but the right connector is very loose. Quality issue. Can anyone point me to a good seller for connectors?

My first ever DIY cable. Took me a couple of hours, it works but tragedy strikes at the end, One of the connectors having QC issue and is very loose....

    Joined the club for a couple of days, I bought the XDP-300R in order to travel light but the Sine just persuaded me to carry a ton of equipment daily. Wonder if a balanced cable can help.   I am also interested in changing to ATH-MSR7 pads.