InstantSilence
1000+ Head-Fier
I hate to encourage anyone to part with more $ than necessary.Really enjoying these, especially with the Audeze profile. If I look at the above post again, and move the midrange to 0db, it's about a +2db boost to the low end / 3.5k range, and a 5db boost to 8.5k. I've been listening to them for several days, and returning to specific albums along the way. The bass is starting to slam more for sure, and I'm noticing more details in songs I didn't notice on the first listen. They just sound slightly more alive than my first listen, and I'm about 25 hours in of burn in.
I'm highly considering upgrading my converters. My current Prism Sound Lyra 2 uses the old Cirrus Logic Flagship CS4398 D/A so it's getting a little long in the tooth and may be holding the 4z back.
Some of the options I'm considering, and they range wildly in price.
Topping D90 ( AK4499 DAC ) $1089 CDN - I would be getting an up to date flagship DAC, with 32bit + 768khz capability. I could pair this with my current AAA THX Monoprice 887 amp , and get it fairly cheap, and possibly picking up something more high end down the line, while also getting an upgrade now.
Chord Hugo 2 $2699 CDN - A little more expensive but this would get me into the Chord 'sound', and also have a dedicated amp that can drive the 4z with digital volume control. I don't necessarily see myself as going mobile with my 4z, but it would give me that option for IEM's at work. My reservation is it's 3 years old and maybe a Hugo3 is coming SOONtm (FOMO), also there is the TT2 ( see below ) & always wondering how much of a jump it would be in sq.
Chord Hugo TT2 $7195 CDN - Big investment. It's not that I "can't" afford this, but if I went this route, I would want to make sure it was something I don't need to upgrade for some years. The bonus is that it would also act as a very formidable headphone amp, and would save me from needing to purchase something more specific if I ever move into other harder to drive headphones.
TT2... You won't regret. And you are future proof.
Things get even better with hqplayer upsampling.! Significantly so.
H2 is also a nice incisive listen, however more brighter, more forward.
TT2 is just H2 but way better with warmth and non aggressive details clarity