I had a pair of 650s recabled with a Forza copper series cable.I used them with a Chord 2Qute.I found the combination quite dull to be honest.The TA is quite a bit darker/warmer than the Chord,so I can't imagine it would be a good pairing.The 650s with a hybrid copper/silver cable would be...

Thanks! I've read your very helpful observations on the various firmware updates for the TA and NW series.The TA is certainly quite warm,especially coming from Chord DACs.I have to be careful.I do favour a more romantic sound,as opposed to reference.John Darko did a comparison review between...

Haven't a clue.The ta was easy enough to set up.I've got to grips with the basics,and am really enjoying what I'm hearing.The Isotek unit arrived on Friday,and I've had a big smile on my face ever since! In the UK,the unit sells for £395.There's a Gemini version,as the name would suggest,a two...

I've recently bought a ta-zh1es,and couldn't be happier.I come from a Chord system.I much prefer the Sony in every way.I'm very much a believer in aftermarket cables and power supplies,etc.. I have a Audioquest NRG -Y3 mains cable with a Audioquest Carbon usb cable.I've recently bought one of...

Great review! My feeling is that the Polaris2 has received unfair criticism.They need to be burnt in for 200 hours minimum,and then they really come into focus.I added a Forza Hybrid cable,everything tightened up with extra detail and an insane soundstage.Oddly enough,I find that Senn. foam tips...

I'd been struggling with a pair of Campfire Polaris 2. Too much bass,and to be honest,not what I'd hoped for.200 hours burn-in settled the bass,but still not that exciting.Throw in a Forza Hybrid cable,things finally livened up a lot! Tighter bass,extended highs,and an insane soundstage. There...

How did the Forza Copper cable effect the SQ? I have the Forza Hybrid cable with other IEMs.I very much like Matt at Forza and his products.Thanks!

Does anyone have any experience of Sony Z5 vs Xelento? After much dithering,I'm going to choose one of these,but which one?! Thanks!

Does anyone have any experience of Xelento vs Sony XBA Z5? Thanks.

Well,you've summed up the issue brilliantly.Even I can understand! I'm not in any hurry,I think I'll wait for Xelento Mk.2. I've no doubt that their sound signature would suit me perfectly,but I do get nervous when things go wrong,especially with recurring issues such as this.Many thanks!

I'm lucky because I get a perfect fit with the Senn. large foam tips,plus I have two Hybrid cables.It means everything is interchangeable between the 80 and the 80s.With a different model,I'd need to consider finding tips that fit,as well as aftermarket cables.At some point,I may well get a Sony...

Does the Xelento have any reliability issues or problems? I'm definitely sold on the IEM itself,etc..I've only ever used Senn. ie80 series,and their very solid and reliable."Handmade", implies quality. I do think of Bentley cars,hand everything,look fantastic ,but are one of the least reliable...

Well.it has been pointed out that the Xelento has more of everything that the ie80 and ie80S have,so that sounds great.With the ie80S,I really am listening to albums I've know for many years,and hearing previously hidden details,revelatory! My understanding is that the Xelento has a similar...

I listen to pretty much everything but House/Techno,but it's great to hear from someone who knows both iems.The ie80S is a big step up from the ie80,especially with a hybrid cable.Thanks!

Has anyone had experience of the Sennheiser ie80S compared with the Xelento? I've recently bought the ie80S which are a big improvement on the ie80.I'm still intrigued by the Xelentos.The extra details I'm hearing with ie80S make me think I may be missing out on even more! Thanks!

I have recently bought the ie80S,and I'm very pleased with it.A big improvement in every way.I'm hearing extra details in music I've known for years.It's easy for me sticking with Senns.,I have a Forza Hybrid cable,which of course is interchangeable,and the large stock foam tips give me a...

Anyone sitting on the fence over the ie80s,rest assured,they're a big improvement on the earlier iterations.They still have a large soundstage,tamed but present and focused bass,as well as an airier treble. I've had ie8s,several pairs of ie80,and now the ie80s.I use a Forza Audioworks Hybrid...

Something people don't seem to talk about these days is synergy.When I first became interested in personal audio,around 10 years ago,synergy was always emphasised.There were far fewer products available,but matching them correctly,"warm" with "cold",was key to a good result.A Dacport with Shure...

You've got me worried! Does the 1A have plenty of power to drive a pair of 16 ohm rated IEMs with authority? At present I use a mains powered headphone amplifier with a Chord Qutest.They shine! I'm hoping for a similar result, albeit a portable solution.

You've summed the issue up extremely well.Some things,especially to do with the brains reception and perception of sound,defy logic,in this case 1s and 0s.I looked into this issue some years back,and my ears made a clear decision.I'd forgotten what a contentious subject it is!!

Agree 100%

That's really helpful. I've bookmarked Metadatics,I'll take a look in the morning.It's time for bed here in the UK,at least for me. Many thanks!

Artwork can not be tagged to WAV files.On a MacBook it doesn't really bother me,but on a WM1a I can see it being more of an issue.I had originally ripped my entire CD collection to ALAC without giving it a second thought.After scouring many forums,and reading many conflicting and passionately...

I'd not heard of WMA.I assumed that WAV would be an automatically supported file,but as I say,I've not had to consider it before.Apple do support WAV,albeit somewhat reluctantly I imagine. It would be great to hear from someone who's playing WAV files on their WM1a,or maybe I truly am a...

Thanks! I've been out of the game for some time.The last Sony mobile player I had was a Discman,a very good one at that.This was on the Sony UK site. AUDIO PLAYBACK AAC (Non-DRM), AIFF, ALAC, DSD, FLAC, HE-AAC, Linear PCM, MP3, WMA (Non-DRM) I didn't want to buy a WM1a and find I couldn't...