Got my monk plus from massdrop today. Reviews are accurate, this thing redefines low-cost high quality audio. Doesn't exactly replace my full size rig but for buds these have impressive sound. Amp sensitive,, different results with cmoy, topping, etc

Another fan of good mono...if its well recorded. No phase problems, lower surface noise on vinyl, more natural presentation.

I own the nx1. When USB is plugged in, small red LED lights up near connector. Light turns off when fully charged. I don't know if this device can be overcharged, probably best to disconnect USB when done, but not a big concern for me.

For those who own the best high-impedance phones such as hd600, dt880, etc, if you upgraded, did you switch to low impedance? Amplification would be easier and cheaper, don't know if I should take this route.

A carefully chosen, matched and properly positioned room-audio setup can be a thing of beauty. It will be less detailed and less neutral than headphones...but maybe more forgiving of most recordings. Nearly all headphones sound hyper detailed and too precise compared to a live acoustical...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sd3ZSx5ZGUs Songs and dances...bass drum extraordinaire, silky vocals, instrumental combos, tests entire range of your audio setup

Spent half my life as classical musician, I got good results with dt770 80 ohm and tiny little topping nx1 amp...such a small amp not much of a sacrifice to carry around and costs very little. They pair up magically, and you get good acoustical isolation from sealed design. I have not yet heard...

I'm somewhat suspicious of the specs on this. Sure, it sounds amazing, especially detailed mids and highs but there isn't much gain. Something fishy about an amp using a small 3.5v lithium battery lasting 300 hours. I suspect its more of a buffer. Works best with highly efficient headphones.

No set answer...it depends on the output voltage of your computer or DAC, as well as the input impedance and suitable gain for your amp. If you hear distortion at lower volume, then try reducing the DACs output first. If the system sounds weak, increase the DACs output.

Most older recordings are mastered for home audio speakers to achieve the desired stereo seperation. Reverb is much harder to figure out as some listening rooms are acoustically live and some are relatively dead. With more listeners using headphones, I suspect mastering has changed. A cross feed...

Not so much "dry" but hyper detailed. Most micro dynamics and extreme closeness of sound is softened in the space of a concert hall. A slightly obscured or veiled headphone or amplifier restores this quality. With true binaural recordings it is not so problematic.

https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD5uhb8VQj7Wo9Uz9A_tjeekWKp8EzqeD Miklos sugar....defies description. A bit of classical contemporary with experimental electronics.

Recently purchased koss pro dj100, with upgraded pads. Excellent for the price, mates well with portable amps like 18v cmoy and headroom bithead, light weight, good mids and detail.

Milex--it's probably because the noise floor and phase issues inherent in a vinyl stereo lp obscures the artifacts from the original mix/master. I often prefer vinyl too but acknowledge this masking makes things just sound better. An lp played upon a true high end turntable can be maddening as...

The humble headroom total bithead really surprised me as amplifier only. Koss pro DJ 100. Mid size over ear done right. Topping nx1 amp

Mostly frequency response--dip in treble? A more beefy amplifier makes a noticeable difference, but not always. My dt770 80 ohm always sound open and spacious no matter what, but my koss DJ pro100 can sound closed or moderately open, but never cavernous.

Just FYI, foam surrounds are light weight and perfect for some woofer designs. The older AR/Teledyne stuff comes to mind. Yes, the surrounds may rot after 15-20 years, but to date, no other material has the same properties...and can be easily replaced. Bose was never a high-end company, but not...

My nx1 is near perfect match with beyer dt770 80 ohm with acoustic and classical music. Tames the bass just the right amount, better portable than my 18v cmoy, but objective2 perhaps better by a slight margin.

No, won't "match" cd, but original post inquired about quality of sound, not just  matching the pros and cons of digital. Many audio enthusiasts including myself have LPs and can directly compare digital remasters. Often the original analog wins out for midrange timbre, instrumental textures...

In a properly set up and balanced system, LPs can compete with digital sources provided the records are properly recorded, and given a clean pressing. A recent Rega P3 (not a Planar 3 from decades ago), isolated from parasitic vibrations, using a good cartridge, into a decent phono stage, you'll...

One of the better nature tracks. Distant dog barks, real birds surround you, water. Too many naturescapes are poorly edited, manipulated and artificial sounding but not this one https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DfbpOfBoewY

Comparing audible differences in DACs can be easy and inexpensive...many older tablets end up in the used marketplace for about $20-$30. Compare an Alcatel pop 7 to an Azpen a727 for noticeable, consistent differences. At those prices, I could save for better headphones or amplifier, or better...

Excellent track for testing low-volume resolution and high frequency reproduction. The clavichord is a soft (quiet) acoustic predecessor to the harpsichord, so your volume level should be low, like a classical guitar a room away. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WFuy-9zAzsU[/URL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oa_oGbkBzKo   Early music enthusiasts will like this one...from a recording standpoint, instruments sound fleshed out and valid. Check out that growl on the low string of the gamba!  Harpsichord twang is evident. This type of music is not easy to capture accurately.

This short video will put things in perspective... https://vimeo.com/25761812