^ and my flatulence at 200 points! Thanks for the reference. 81 points sounds very promising indeed considering you're referencing a home rig.

Oh dear that is disconcerting to hear. But I did like the stock AK100. Perhaps my impression might be a little different.

Woohoo thanks! Exactly what I needed. Ok I'm on board the RWAK train.

Would like a clearer explanation or an article that relays the same information. I cannot simply accept statements like that as fact unless there's a good explanation for it. So anyone here would do us the honor of explaining it?

I just read it. So it really depends on how flat the impedance to frequency curve of the headphones/earphones are. The flatter it is, the less important impedance matching is. For the dap to be versatile it should have less output impedance so maximum amount of voltage can power the headphones...

Can CraftyClown or someone else please explain to me that rule of thumb? Why is that so? I started reading this very technical paper on impedance. All I understood from it, was that if the output impedance is too high, energy from the source will come back around and cause reflections or...

Isn't the 4ai impedance about the same as the AK100 output impedance? I had a listen with my 3A and the impedance is the same as the 4ai. It was pretty damn good. I didn't hear any distortion. I think as long as your impedance matches you're fine. When I get one I will definitely not be modding...

Tried the black one today. Great synergy with my Heir Audio 3.A. Loved the sound, menu seemed a tad laggy, but nothing I can't deal with. My only gripe is that fiddly volume knob. Seems like a manufacturing oversight. If I didn't have travel commitments I would have immediately picked up the...

Well, I haven't the faintest clue, but sometimes I find jerking the volume up on my amp gives better dynamics on different headphones. My audio engine A5 speakers sound better past a certain volume level, I find it a little uncomfortable to listen at that level though so I tend to lower it any...

I tweeted some of your feedback to iRiver already. They've responded that their development team is looking into it.

Try twitter. They've been most responsive. @iriver_us

Lee I suppose any amp with gain settings would help with that. I thought the circuitry was designed to cut off the DAC when the signal is boosted to maximum output.

I've got a question. Aren't you suppose to run the AK100 at 100% volume (75) to negate the effects of built in DAC when connecting to an external amp?

I have passed this information on to a Canadian friend and a Canadian born cousin, both of whom reside in Edmonton (Deadmonton). They might have some interest in stopping by for a listen.

Oh dear, all this back and forth about how it sounds is quite disconcerting. I saw the less than stellar review by Headfonia as well. Perhaps I really should look into hearing a set before jumping on the band wagon. Can't let it's good looks dictate my dollar bills, just like my love life. 

Will that Indonesian fellow please update us with the Coaxial upgrade? Preferably with pictures to accompany the impeccable write up.    A Coaxial lineout would be something I'd be interested in if it succeeds in bypassing the DAC completely without manipulating the volume knob. I'm a little...

I had the same idea with the Silver. So much for leaving the world of Head-Fi lol.   

Ah great a proxy service! Thanks for the tip! Got a clue how much Jaben is charging for the same thing? They're being quite elusive when it comes to the pricing for some very strange and mysterious reasons.

Anyone living in Japan here willing to proxy one of those silver beauts?

Yes oxidization doesn't change the sound. But rust does. It really was rust. It was so bad, it made those sections of brown really brittle. When I touched it, it was like brown powder. On top of which I was observing how the brown rust creeped up the cable from the iem pins. Thankfully I could...

Check my work, I know what I'm talking about.   The corrosion wasn't oxidization. It was brown like rust. There was sound degradation, in fact, it was so bad, my multimeter was having trouble finding consistent continuity.

90% humidity and 36 degree Celsius heat. Top it off I use my wire while cycling and whatever I'm doing. Sweat coupled with the environment just aren't wire friendly. I've had copper wired corroded on the inside. I have no clue how that happened.

Very nice, what's the strain relief like? More durable than an over mould? I've been using the Chinese connectors and encasing it in epoxy. Pretty durable, break downs still happen though, I blame the weather.

Cogs what kind of westone style connectors are those?   I've mostly given up on CIEM cables because I've gotten lazy and mine have needed repairs from the active lifestyle I lead. Humidity and sweat aren't cable's good friends.

Interesting stuff Jude! I'm surprised Audeze is moving into the closed headphone scene, not quite their MO.