Astell&Kern SA700 - Past meets Present
Apr 3, 2020 at 1:38 PM Post #197 of 705
I heard the Lavricables Ultimate balanced on the 700 with the Ananda ... wonderfully detailed, locatable mids and highs. Now and then almost too shrill.
But from the middle down, dry, narrow, reserved, that's not what I like.

With the Forza Claire HPC MK2, that changes in favor of warmth and bass. But the mids and highs are more reserved again ... a little. Somewhat more restricted in the room.

I'm not an experienced explorer of hearing sensation now ... sorry.

I have now ordered another cable for the Ananda,
balanced https://audioverse.de/produkt/stealth-series-y-split-kopfhoererkabel
 
Apr 4, 2020 at 10:16 PM Post #198 of 705
The embedded Tidal app reads the mqa files, but it wont on my apk/xapk downloaded Tidal app. Anyone else have this problem? I thought this would’ve been fixed with the recent update.
 
Apr 5, 2020 at 10:47 PM Post #199 of 705
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Just updated. Besides this volume limit warning, it says that this version update also improves on the stability of the device. It may be placebo effect, but I do feel the responsiveness of the SA700 improves noticeably. Pressing back and forth on it seems faster.

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Just a quick listen to 3 tracks. Whitney Houston - I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me): The strong vocalist who could command such a strong presence in vocals as well as hitting the high pitch moments in this track. Simply enjoyable to listen to this diva.

Alphaville - Big In Japan: When the bass enters at 0:05 it was still as punchy and powerful but not overwhelming. The moment the lead vocalist of Alphaville, Marian Gold started to sing at 0:25...I still could hear the instrument maracas shaking “chick chick chick....” on my right side ciem. It is very clear.

G.E.M. - 倒数: A rather fast track sang by the most popular female singer in the Mando pop scene right now. Closing your eyes and listening to this track is just so endearing, like she’s just standing in front of the stage and I’m right in front of her in her concert. Her trademark is her 鼻声, where she can evoke and pronounce the lyrics of some parts of her song to “output via her nose” so well.

So yup, the SA700 still sounds that amazing after this latest v1.21 firmware update!

Where can i buy Mando pop hi res tracks? would you know? No access to CD's here in manila

The embedded Tidal app reads the mqa files, but it wont on my apk/xapk downloaded Tidal app. Anyone else have this problem? I thought this would’ve been fixed with the recent update.
sa700 can read mqa files....but not those downloaded with tidal app...needs to be via Tidal
 
Apr 5, 2020 at 11:01 PM Post #200 of 705
sa700 can read mqa files....but not those downloaded with tidal app...needs to be via Tidal
The apk/xapk Tidal wont reflect the mqa files through LED’s. Whereas the embedded/streaming version does
 
Apr 7, 2020 at 3:04 PM Post #202 of 705
Can try Apple Music store. In .w4a format.
Or try mp3juices.cc

second link doesn't allow to download =/

i'd like to buy DSD for 王菲 albums

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Just received this yesterday morning.

may i know where u get your sacd files for mando/cantopop?

or rather is there somewhere i can buy'em online?

looking for faye wong in dsd or sacd etc.
 
Apr 7, 2020 at 10:39 PM Post #204 of 705
may i know where u get your sacd files for mando/cantopop?

or rather is there somewhere i can buy'em online?

looking for faye wong in dsd or sacd etc.
I mainly rip the dsf files myself from SACDs. Just need to have a compatible SACD player for the process.

You can download from hifitracks.com
Hdtracks, Qobuz also have selected Asian artistes for download.

I don't think those sites have releases from Faye Wong.
 
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Apr 11, 2020 at 3:57 AM Post #205 of 705
Hi

I listen mainly to Tidal using Mojo or Hugo 2 and A12ts. I want something more portable and am considering SA700 or 1000M. I listen to jazz, soul, pop etc i.e. not classical. I'd appreciate any thoughts.

Ian
 
Apr 11, 2020 at 11:01 PM Post #206 of 705
Hi

I listen mainly to Tidal using Mojo or Hugo 2 and A12ts. I want something more portable and am considering SA700 or 1000M. I listen to jazz, soul, pop etc i.e. not classical. I'd appreciate any thoughts.

Ian

SP1000M for the better battery life. SA700 for the forward sounding mids and the price is cheaper too. I did contemplate between these 2 model too but I chosen SA700 in the end coz of the sturdier stainless steel body. It feels solid when holding onto it as compared to aluminium body of SP1000M.
 
Apr 12, 2020 at 12:47 AM Post #207 of 705
SP1000M for the better battery life. SA700 for the forward sounding mids and the price is cheaper too. I did contemplate between these 2 model too but I chosen SA700 in the end coz of the sturdier stainless steel body. It feels solid when holding onto it as compared to aluminium body of SP1000M.
SA700 is built like a tank. It feels amazing!
 
Apr 12, 2020 at 12:48 AM Post #208 of 705
Hi

I listen mainly to Tidal using Mojo or Hugo 2 and A12ts. I want something more portable and am considering SA700 or 1000M. I listen to jazz, soul, pop etc i.e. not classical. I'd appreciate any thoughts.

Ian
You could also use both Mojo and SA700 to amp more “difficult to drive “ headphones. Although SA700 can drive pretty much everything with a 2.5mm balanced output
 
Apr 12, 2020 at 3:41 AM Post #210 of 705
why would you want to include the mojo when there is an AK4492 in there..??
For more hard-to-drive headphone with 3.5 out or 2.5. SA700 for source, and mojo for amp. I’ve only seen it once.
 

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