Without wanting to divert the Discovery Thread away from what some might prefer to see (more IEMs), I just want to share my own experience with this. I have spent more money than I care to admit chasing smaller returns to find my 'perfect' sound. Could I tell you exactly what I was chasing...

More impressions of the EPZ 530 here: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/epz-530-discussion-and-impressions.969086/ I do miss my mine, probably the only IEM I regret having sold. It was tuned well to my sensitivities and taste plus the build quality and fit was lovely.

My advice: swim to the side frequently, maybe even spend some time at the riverside and watch it all go by. You may find yourself more grateful for the view.

I owned the Alita and wrote a glowing review for it. It's a very good all-BA with great stage, resolution and layering. If I had a choice, I would take Aurora over Alita, predominantly for the DD bass, dynamics and a lick more treble definition. The stage on Aurora is more intimate, however, and...

Excited for all those awaiting Ascension and looking forward to reading impressions. If I were on the market for another IEM though, I'd probably pick up the Aurora! There was something truly easy-going, yet very musical about it. The fit for me was brilliant.

In my experience DD for bass has more natural characteristics for strings compared to BA. More often than not, BA bass sounds too tight and disembodied, providing apparent resolution but not the right body within the note or a convincing attack or decay. This isn't surprising when you consider...

Not sure if you're being sarcastic. Yeah, everyone prefers a different balance and quantity to their bass (more sub than mid or more mid than sub) and some also prefer different qualities. Some like a softer / slower onset and offset while others want tighter control. My point is that Abel...

Nailed the standout feature of the Aurora: timbre. The low end is textured all the way down and it really helps with jazz and instrumental. Apart from the EoH cable I didn't manage to find a cable that paired perfectly with it. Is the Rosenkranz still working for you? As for the current talk...

Your wish is my command (compared using with what I believe are stock Ripples full foams & Blue Moon with VE donuts (tuned with these)): Ripples is warmer, has more midbass quantity and less treble emphasis creating an overall warmer and weightier tonality Extension and air is hard to...

How do you like the OH700VB? How does it compare to the OV800? I had a great time with the tour unit you kindly arranged, my finances just never really matched up with a purchase at the time. The Od200 looks very good. Filter difference is significant which means better genre versatility. The...

There will always be a 'what is next' moment for me and it's probably because of what you mention - they all have different signatures. I don't know what's coming next but it will probably offer a different flavour of greatness.

I think I'm in the same camp as you, preferring a little more weight in general. Again this is very source sensitive, though. As Desolation Sound is gaining a new lease of life on a new chain I am running. Much more weighty and capable than I first assumed.

A little time away from my earbuds to recover from a cold but I'm back with them again this evening. Center stage tonight, the Ibis. This earbud has the most fulfilling instrument timbre out of all the earbuds/IEMs/headphones I have listened since I started my journey into this hobby...

I thought that might be the case. Great to hear it doesn't suffer from a thin note. If Jim ever makes another run of these I'll go for it.

Indeed, an asset to the earbud community and just a lovely chap all around. How do you find Totem for classical? What does it offer vs the other models, let's say for example, Alpha?

Go Bar is actually a neutral bass boost sort of sound with good air extension. The Cirrus chip is quite clean sounding too. I've not heard the Yinman but it might pair well from a tonal perspective. As for power, there was plenty on tap but it was never enough to supplant desktop power for me...

This is the key with Zen SU. Get a powerful desktop chain that runs neutral-cold to really hear the appeal. I have only held onto mine because it does a select few genres better than any other earbud out there. I don't gel with the fullness in the low mid and mid mid for much of my instrumental...

You're welcome! I'm very glad they suit your tastes. It's always a risk recommending a set and APWS is one of the more unique sounds (niche may be another word I could use) that there's a good chance it may not work for a lot of people. I don't look anywhere else on my desk for intimate and...

If I had the money I would get the Yinman but alas, I did not manage my finances well enough to join in on this 11.11. :k701smile:

I think it can be quite easy to taken in by the claims of IEM marketing and the mass market options. Mainstream sets (e.g. Air Pods) aren't inherently bad and there's some good out there but the Google algorithm will kick up heavily affiliated links for these brands and they are reviewed by...

I would be interested to hear how you feel SBS improves on Ripples treble if you get a moment. My other thought for metal might be (Red) Serratus but only from a warm and powerful source. Warm to soften the treble spike and powerful to bring out its separating quality.

Alpha, the omega. :beyersmile:

I'm in no hurry to hear them, either! Very much enjoying the journey right now. I really do look forward to hearing your thoughts on the Blue Moon whenever it falls into your lap - it's a real stunner. A timbre-tone-tech sweet spot.

Nice top 5! Absolutely spoilt for choice there. The Black Dragon has been on my radar for some time now. I've been quite reluctant to go for it due to price/build quality. Shelling out circa $1k for Zen SU was a bit of a one-off for me and I think it would take a lot of praise to see me spend...

Purchased this DAC recently from Amazon as 'Like New'. So far I love, love, love the character of it. 'Cozy' but not smothered or without air and detailed but effortlessly natural, especially in the upper mids and treble. No 'glare' there whatsoever and I'm particularly sensitive to it. I was...