[neuron]

Wide and clear doors opening sound ....
I usually made a test using bells, piano, clavier , voices... will try the doors now. This album sounds amazing.

Actually, I also didn't like the Hugo by USB sound...
The liquid 3D Hugo signature I only can find via optical input, Coax is also fine.
The direct sound from AK's , is much lovely then HUgo-USB .

But AK, using as a pc dac, also gives mediocre sound (100/120/240)

How is 380 as a strictly DAC ?

I bought the AK380 as a portable standalone DAP, and have no intention to use it as a DAC. Perhaps other AK380 users can share their experience in this aspect.
I am enjoying the AK380 with the Noble K10 and rediscovering CDs that I have years ago. I will be very interested to hear if the AK380 with amp can drive the Abbys.

 

[deafanddumb]

I bought the AK380 as a portable standalone DAP, and have no intention to use it as a DAC. Perhaps other AK380 users can share their experience in this aspect.
I am enjoying the AK380 with the Noble K10 and rediscovering CDs that I have years ago. I will be very interested to hear if the AK380 with amp can drive the Abbys.

The Abyss are a nightmare to drive....the best phone I heard with the 380 was actually the taylor made AK tweaked version of the T5p...wow. I'm guessing their new T1 version will be similarly awesome.

 

[neuron]

The Abyss are a nightmare to drive....the best phone I heard with the 380 was actually the taylor made AK tweaked version of the T5p...wow. I'm guessing their new T1 version will be similarly awesome.

On a separate note, I have heard the Abyss driven by my Chord Hugo setup with Asus notebook and Jriver. It was one of the best sound I have heard, though not portable.

 

[mysony1]

Would be great to heard your review.

Planning to have the same headphone to go with the ak380+ak amp.

I'm looking forward to getting my paws on the 380 AMP to drive my Abyss headphones.

 

[musicday]

So in other words you guys cannot decide if AK380 sounds more natural then Hugo?
I have heard Hugo with Hidisz AP100 with T1 and the last sounds was much better then AK380 and T5P alone.
So more expensive doesn't mean always better.

 

[Duncan]

And this is where it falls apart... Define natural, everyone's interpretation is different...

For point of reference my own sense of if something sounds natural or not, after a listening session, does the outside world sound 'normal' or does it sound off / coloured.

Some high end gear taints the real world, and that shouldn't happen if you're striving for natural!

(That isn't inferring the 380 does this, just stating overall point)

 

[bflat]

You are all incorrect. There is only ONE natural sound:
 

 

[Rico613]

^ oh wow . . . 
 
 
BTW, my like new AK 380 is up for sale on Buy Sell Trade . . .

 

[raypin]

  You are all incorrect. There is only ONE natural sound:
 

 
 
mmm.......best post of the week in this thread. lmao.  Awwright, daddy groovy!

 

[vnmslsrbms]

I'm more impressed that it was a 3 disc set.  

 

[musicday]

Rico why are you selling it?
Are you buying a Hugo instead?

 

[Rico613]

Rico why are you selling it?
Are you buying a Hugo instead?

I want to stay with something lighter in weight to take to the gym, AK240 works better for me.  Not sure about Hugo, I'd still need a source right?  And it looks heavy . . . but I never really checked it out.

 

[musicday]

If you want something light and best sound that's the Tera player, 80 gr with 15 hours battery life.

 

[Kvud]

240 was no worse for its price!

1.  

 

[my-2000]

I bought the AK380 as a portable standalone DAP, and have no intention to use it as a DAC. Perhaps other AK380 users can share their experience in this aspect.
I am enjoying the AK380 with the Noble K10 and rediscovering CDs that I have years ago. I will be very interested to hear if the AK380 with amp can drive the Abbys.

 
I don't have Abbys so can't confirm, but I can't imagine any headphone that AK380 amp can't drive per se - probably not to its limit depending on the headphone, but should be able to drive at least. High gain on AK380 amp is pretty powerful.