The problem I’ve found with planars is the hard to drive ones tend to be inefficient and have impedance less than 50 ohms. In other words, they need an amplifier designed to deliver a lot of current. Tube amps without an output transformer like the FV can deliver a lot of voltage, but not so...

I suspect a little equalization would have gone a long way with the LCD-X. It had the technicalities, but just didn’t have the euphonic tonal balance of the VC and Clear. I’d say the same for the Moondrop IEMs. Technically brilliant but the tuning doesn’t work with CCT.

So this evening I was comparing my various headphones, IEMs amps, etc. with the goal of seeing which combo sounds best when playing Tool’s Chocolate Chip Trip (CCT). I’m a big Tool fan so CCT has been high on my favorites list for a while but I’ve never listened to it when comparing gear before...

Well I ordered the LIM version. Should be here next week some time

I think your post has pushed me over the edge. I’ve been really happy with my BF2, but now I’ve started thinking a Yggy may be a cost effective way to improve my system. Admittedly, I’m talking “cost effective” in the realm of high end audio.

Interesting combination. I’m about due for retubing and this seems like something I’d enjoy if the imaging, detail and dynamics are there.

Tried my new Moondrop Variations on the FV. For those who aren’t aware, the Variations are IEMs and there’s probably some risk hooking them up to the direct output of four tubes per channel. I did it anyway though and the sound was superb. No weird impedance issues, no gain issues, just amazing...

Never heard the W4 but compared to my other gear I’d say the R6 Pro II is pretty neutral. That said, small differences in tonality I quickly adapt to. More significant are differences in sibilance, clarity and imaging, which my brain does not tune out. How does the W4 compare in those areas?

So I’ve had an R6 Pro II for a couple weeks now and I have to say I’m really impressed with the sound. I expected a high level of detail and clarity, which it delivers, but it’s also quite musical and effortlessly drives full size headphones (at least fairly efficient moderate impedance ones...

Update- tried the Variations with my Folkvanger tube amp. It’s not probably not the safest thing to do with IEMs given it’s a 10 tube monster with no transformer and no capacitors on the output, but I have to say it sounds pretty awesome. Speaks to how capable the Variations are.

I think you explained it just fine. I’ve found the difference between meh and fantastic is how it makes you feel.

TLDR: The Moondrop Variations is eye opening good. Best IEM I’ve heard and impressed by the ES performance. Also, I don’t know much about IEMs.. Below are my opinions on the Moondrop Variations. Keep in mind that I’m not a professional musician, recording engineer, or anything other than a...

The way I see it, you have 3 Brimars, which is like 6 mars, or as we educated types like to say, Sexamar in Latin. :)

Received the Variations today. Very enjoyable sound. I haven’t listened enough to form an impression beyond that yet, but overall nice tuning and engaging sound. I don’t actually care much about neutrality as long as the sound is euphonic, so while definitely V shaped it’s well executed IMHO.

I found the LCD-X to be easy to drive so I’m sure you’re right.

Exciting day for me- Amazon says my Hiby R6 Pro II is out for delivery! Will post my impressions in a day or two, but really looking forward to seeing how it performs. Any recommendations for set-up? I’ll be using it mostly with Tidal in offline mode with a variety of I guess mid-fi IEMs like...

Don’t know if this has posted up here yet. Starts slow, but eventually winds up into a world class guitar God jam about 4-1/2 minutes in. There’s a bunch of live versions of this jam and worth exploring.

I found my DCA Aeon Closed (OG) to be truly great at low volume (which is what I usually listen at) but the FV runs out of power fast if I turn it up. The 13 ohm impedance and low efficiency is a bit of a struggle, even with the IM on and set to low gain. The lack of power manifests primarily as...

The Clear IMHO is a good pairing with the FV. Dunno about the Elear, but my old Focal Elex sounded good so I suspect the Elear is a good match too.

In my experience the Folkvangr is better than most transformerless amps in dealing with low impedance, but it really prefers 50 Ohms or more and an efficiency of 94 dB / mW or better. There’s some fuzziness around those numbers depending on the headphone, but low impedance and inefficient isn’t...

Congrats on picking up a Folkvangr. For all the unusual topology, at the end of the day it’s a very enjoyable amp, especially with high impedance phones. The Verite Closed is my favorite HP with the FV, so I think you’ll enjoy the combo. The VC adds quite a bit of detail and layering compared...

I don’t know for sure I’m at my end game, but I haven’t bought any new gear for a while now so I figure I’m close. The chain is a WiFi Tidal streamer -> Schiit Bifrost2 -> Schiit Saga preamp -> Schiit Folkvangr -> ZMF Verite Closed. I have a bunch of other gear as well, but the above is what...

Well that’s disappointing to hear. I’ve been trying to convince myself for a while now that the Yggy isn’t a worthwhile upgrade from my BF2

It picks up a couple other sources, but mostly for the remote. A strong martini introduces a certain amount of couch lock.

Thought I would share this evening’s activity- FLAC recordings of instrumental jazz through a Bifrost2 -> Shiit Saga -> Folkvangr -> ZMF Verite Closed. Accessories include fireplace with fire, lab dog sleeping in front of the fire, a Hendricks martini, ekornes leather seat and 5 above zero...