Normally I don't write reviews or detailed impressions. This one definitely deserved it ! Sadly I don't have the original Zen DAC anymore as I gave it away to a friend so I can't say what are the differences in sound. From my memory perhaps you are right, it does sound like it has a slightly...

Meanwhile I needed something for the PS5 and I bought this - https://www.head-fi.org/threads/ifi-audio-zen-dac-3-plug-in-world-out.972484/post-18117030 Totally worth it and more !

Zen DAC V3 has finally arrived ! Took a long time. First thing I noticed when I took it out of the box is how lightweight it is compared to the original Zen DAC. I looked at the specifications just to confirm and yes it weighs half the original at just 450g. The new design is an eye catcher...

Fully agree. Judging a DAC based on measurements is no different than doing benchmarks of mobile chipsets, far from real-life scenarios.

ROHM is more for people who listen to vocals. It excels in mid-range.

Any news on the R2R module ?

If you want a DAP that runs without battery, most newer FiiO DAPs have this feature. If you just want a DAC/AMP then look for something like this https://xduoo.net/product/xd05-pro/

You sell DAPs faster than you buy them. Question is: Will this be a keeper, at least for more than a year ?

If you’re planning to buy one know that it’s quite buggy and Sennheiser doesn’t care to fix it. You get some answers here from the rep if you ask for buying a new one, but not if you want something fixed. I have 2 of these headphones just because it offers a very long battery life. However...

That’s not true. If forced the micro sd card can also go in the wrong way and then it’s a pain to remove it, might even cause some damage. @Colif You know you have inserted it properly if the last 20% has a spring motion that clicks into place when fully pushed in. If there’s no spring action...

Looks like it’s based on the same DAC as in the D16 ?

A&K just announced this - https://www.head-fi.org/threads/astell-kern-at-high-end-munich-2024.972668/#post-18105383 The Activo P1 looks much more sleek and pocketable. We’ll have to wait till July to find the details though.

Show us the real thickness of the DAP please.

Sound quality and features !

You can read impressions about the Zen DAC V1 and V2 while you wait. V3 is not so different. Having owned the V1 and V3 on the way I can say for the price, there’s hardly any competition.

IE900 fakes sold in European markets comes from China too, unlike the original which is made in Germany. Audible improvements in Ufeel products compared to what if I may ask ?

Exactly my point. Even more so, these review sites won’t even bother doing a review unless they receive a free review unit. Take for eg. the Hiby R6P2. None of these review sites will rate it at the same level as the AK SP3000 or SP3000T. Why ? One costs 6-7 times lower than the other two.

Review sites almost always rate DAPs based on price. So it’s easy to say that the highest priced DAP will get the best review and the lower the price, obviously lesser the positive remarks.

More like 1, 5, 6 for me. I never use Line Out on DAPs. I don’t hear any difference in filters.

Higher ? It’s exactly double on AliExpress. Chinese markets know very well the west will pay anything for such niche products.

Well this is the full-size Headphones sub-forum. Another reason to consider a closed back like the Z1R for gaming is the noise isolation. Even the most noise isolating open backs still let in quite a bit of noise. Unless you have a quiet PC build like beQuiet or a current gen console like the...

Nevermind which Yuan. Why on earth does it cost more than 100 times that on AliExpress ?

What do you mean fit and heft issues ? I was referring to the MDR-Z1R, not IER-Z1R. The full size 70mm MDR-Z1R is the most comfortable full-size headphones I've owned till date. It's very light for it's size and yet built like a tank.

If you like a bass-heavy IEM but don't want to spend more than 1k, I would suggest the Thieaudio Monarch Mk3. Plenty of bass here with their double DD. I have one of these as well. Although don't expect the mids and highs to perform same as the EXT. It is decent still. The most bass heavy IEM I...

VE EXT is a more mid-centric IEM, same as all other VE IEMs. Source: I own one.