My Little Phony
100+ Head-Fier
Being new to this Expressway to Bankruptcy I have the Astell & Kern AK70 Mkii DAP (playing 16Bit & 24Bit FLAC) with Senheisser IE80S IEM's with Forza Audio UPOCC copper/silver (Hybrid Series) cable, 2.5mm TRRS Balanced connection, and to my ears it sounds incredible.
DAP:
To my ears the sound of the AK70 MKII is incredible too.
Cable(s):
I always used the 3.5 mm output of my players simply because that were the only output type the hardware offered. As i received the AK70 i wondered if its worth to give the tiny 2.5mm balanced output a try because i have already been happy with the sound coming out of the 3.5mm output.
I now have tested the balanced output with some quick available "cheap" china (from "Amazonas") cables in the price range of $40 (IEM) and $80 (headphone). The term "cheap" does not refer to the sound-quality of the cables. But they had a very stiff plastic braiding heavily prone to microphonics.
I have to agree with the fellow members already using the Ak70s balanced output that this is the true way to fully enjoy and get the best out of the AK70 device.
Now im hot for getting an awesome custom 2.5mm TRRS to 2x 3.5mm balanced cable. There are not many (like 0 in Germany) aftermarket cables available with that specs you can buy with a quick delivery.
Most cables length is between 1,2m, 1,5m or 2m length. Too long for my taste. 1m will fit my use perfectly.
I have a nicely equipped small workshop so i could directly start making my own cable but... i had to order the connectors overseas and now i wait and wait and wait. I already got ViaBlue EPC-4 Cable, shrinking tubes, etc... its only the connectors. I orderd a good handfull so i dont get into temptation to just build one cable. Building custom things is fun.
Headphone:
Denon AH-D5200 + AK70 MKII + balanced cable =
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