Honestly, I don't think there is that significant "audible difference". There is a 5db difference in SINAD(which is quite significant), but at 113 to 118 difference, I honestly doubt I'd reliably be able to distinguish it. As with most audio gear, the returns are diminishing after a certain...

Sure thing. I'd say that the W1 actually drives the HD800 fairly(I only have single ended cables for the HD800, so I can't speak for the balanced output). With Tidal(force volume) and high gain, 75-85% volume is enough to drive the HD800. I'd consider anything over 90% too loud. However, I...

I just got the W1, and the audio kept on cutting out. Thankfully, it was a driver issue and rolling back the driver(which Windows automatically updated) fixed the issues for me. So far so good, better than the HUD100 I've been using. I've been using them with the IER-M7 via balanced out or...

I usually ask for two weeks for reviews, except for ultra high end($1000+) gears(I ask for a month for these). If I purchase the equipment myself, I usually take about a month, or even longer.   If you need a review quickly for a new product, I suggest sending out pre-production prototypes for...

Just finished my full review. http://www.head-fi.org/products/wired-earphones-mixcder-x5-in-ear-earbud-headphones-metal-housing-with-mic-noise-reducing-for-3-5mm-audio-output-iphone-and-other-smartphones-black/reviews/18445

Had about 10hrs of use on the X5s. Here's a brief impression. A full, more developed one will be published with a week.   Decent extension in sub bass. Rumble is pretty decent, and mid bass has a significant boost, enough for me to consider the X5s basshead level. On the bright side, the bass...

As buke9 mentioned, I'd check the enamel coating too. If you soldered with the coating still on, the current won't go through. You can either strip the enamel coating or burn it off(i find buring it off easier).    As I mentioned earlier, it could be that the cables are broken inside the...

Personally a fan of PM3. If you're fan of neutralish sound, you'll find the PM3s to be better. Even techinically speaking, PM3s are pretty good(we have some in-house measurements of the PM3s that hasn't been published) as well.

Well make sure you're not shorting the wires. If uninsulated wires touch, the whole system is shorted. If wires aren't shorted and the soldering was done properly, the headphones should work, unless the drivers themselves are broken. If the cables are detachable, check with a new cable and make...

Keep in mind that the tax rate might differ with different prices too. For instance, you could probably get by the taxes with $300 headphones, but not with $1000 headphones.

1. There are headphones with more supple and flexible wires. Rigid wires tends to creat most "touch noise". Or IEMs with ear guides(wires going behind the ears) tend to have much less touch noise compared to IEMs that are worn straight down. Or of course, you could buy wireless headphones or...

There are filters made for noisy USB jacks. Here are few companies that makes them: Audioquest, Schiit, and ifi audio.

Frankly, I can't tell. All I can tell you is that I don't believe the Advanced DAC's SNR is correct. 122SNR? I am willing to bet that it's not true. The DAC chip they used are probably speced at 122, but it's not fair to say that a product as 122SNR because the chip it uses has a spec of 122SNR...

Depends really.   According to NAFTA, many goods made in USA or Mexico are duty-free when entering Canada. Second hand goods are taxable, although you won't have to pay the tax for the full price, but the price you've purchased them at(or whatever the "fair" market price for that good is)...

Honestly, any solder would work. Some really high end cables use silver solder, but I really don't see much purpose in that.    Try your headphones with a different cable. If it doesn't work with another cable, it's probably internal wiring or the jack that has issues. If the cables aren't...

Just clarify few things: 1. You're looking for headset, on ears, right? Not full sized headphone or IEM. 2. I don't quite understand what you mean by plug in microphone? Are you looking for headsets with a built in microphone?

I think K1 automatically mutes output when there is silence(like when you're changing tracks) and unmutes when there is sound. So what you're hearing is K1's amp turning on an off.    Not sure if it's faulty, but this pop sound is common amongst amps. Most higher end amps have a delay in start...

Firstly, I would take the SNR measurement on GSM arena with a huge grain of salt. Some of their measurements don't seem to be accurate compared to measurement done with more professional gear(like dScope).    On the other hand, the Nexus 7 never was a good sounding tablet(I have one myself)...

Have you tried using the same gear with another headphones(at the exact same volume level). I suspect clipping. Try setting the volume level on your first source to 80(and the DAC, if DAC isn't your first source), and controlling the volume from the last part of your audio chain(amp). If this...

I personally don't think 1More Triple Drivers are the best choice if you're looking for neutral response. Sure they're great, but I always feel like they're a little overhyped, and they are definitely very far from neutral. After all, they're hybrid IEMs meant to be V shaped.  ...

I'm in!   1. kimvictor 2. Boston, MA, USA 3. No. 4. Here's few of my reviews. http://www.head-fi.org/users/333616/reviews 5. No.

I think IE80 uses typical CIEM two pin termination.  http://www.head-fi.org/t/596306/sennheiser-ie8-headphone-connectors-for-diy-cable   The terminations are the same, but the fit might be tricky as IE80 has different jacks for the two pin cable. Google IE80 2 pin. There are a lot of placing...

So what you ordered is a DAC/amp. From what I can see, the audio quality should be fine, unless your TV has some horrible and cheap optical output. Your logic is more or less right in that digital is digital.

It could be the 3.5mm jack rotating around. Is the noise like a sudden harsh pop or scratch? That happens to me on my S7 when I rotate the 3.5mm jack.