[longbowbbs]

Quote:

 
FWIW, I used to have HF2 with ACS, ER4ps, 500/535, and I'm fairly certain this is by far the best IEM experience I've had.  These are the first IEMs that make me feel okay forgetting headphones.  I'm going back and forth between these and my Thunderpants, which are excellent, and don't feel I'm missing too much.

It took a bit getting the ear molds done and waiting for ACS, but it was well worth it. Much better isolation and deeper bass for sure. I would love to hear the UE's or some of the high end IEM's to compare.Another benefit of the Dragonfly! High quality comparisons without a pile of gear...

 

[DefQon]

Interesting....it's been a while since I've heard another Audio Request product receive some positive feedback. Heck I still have there original Nitro Pro Music server.

 

[bobeau]

Quote:

It took a bit getting the ear molds done and waiting for ACS, but it was well worth it. Much better isolation and deeper bass for sure. I would love to hear the UE's or some of the high end IEM's to compare.Another benefit of the Dragonfly! High quality comparisons without a pile of gear...

 
You might want to give these a shot as they're cheap, $150 (talking about EPH-100)... I too had ACS molds w/ an HF2 and thought they were fine at the time but still much preferred headphones out of my desktop rig.  There's one guy in the EPH thread saying he prefers them to all his higher end IEMs except for Melody Merlins, and they're not far off for the overall enjoyment factor, and at least a couple others claiming they got rid of their headphone collection after getting these.  I think I'm going to be in that latter category, esp. if the DragonFly performs with these like O2/ODAC.

 

[longbowbbs]

Quote:

 
You might want to give these a shot as they're cheap, $150 (talking about EPH-100)... I too had ACS molds w/ an HF2 and thought they were fine at the time but still much preferred headphones out of my desktop rig.  There's one guy in the EPH thread saying he prefers them to all his higher end IEMs except for Melody Merlins, and they're not far off for the overall enjoyment factor, and at least a couple others claiming they got rid of their headphone collection after getting these.  I think I'm going to be in that latter category, esp. if the DragonFly performs with these like O2/ODAC.

If the current ACS molds will work, that would be fun to try. ACS said they will keep the molds on digital file for 5 years so you can order another set when necessary.

 

[bobeau]

Quote:

If the current ACS molds will work, that would be fun to try. ACS said they will keep the molds on digital file for 5 years so you can order another set when necessary.

 
They're fairly large bore dynamic IEMs so probably not.  That said, I find the fit fantastic for me, much better than triple/bi-flange I've used in the past (I can get a seal without having pressure from occlusion and no need for a deep insert).

 

[longbowbbs]

They look good. I'll have to keep an eye out for a pair to demo.  Thanks for the heads up!

 

[bixby]

Well done review Jude, thanks!
 
Bixby

 

[belisk]

Would also like to know how the amp fairs.
 
Would it power the Q701?
 

 

[LordDantalion]

I got tired of battling stuttering with my udac2 on windows 64 bit. So I ordered one of these. Hope is worth it.

 

[Kojaku]

any chance you could bring one of these by the LA Meet, Jude?
 
Kojaku

 

[our martin]

Sabre 32, very nice It's the best dac chip you can get, it's what all the top stuff from krell and mcintosh use!

 

[bixby]

Quote:

Sabre 32, very nice It's the best dac chip you can get, it's what all the top stuff from krell and mcintosh use!

LOL!  
 
You might find a few folks who would question that.  Besides a dac chip alone does not a top notch dac make

 

[bobeau]

Quote:

Sabre 32, very nice It's the best dac chip you can get, it's what all the top stuff from krell and mcintosh use!

 
That's incorrect, this is a 24 bit Sabre chip (9023), it tends to show up in alot of devices around the $500 price bracket and is relatively power and cost efficient.
 
The one people make a fuss over is the 9018.  The only portable device I'm aware of sporting one is the DX100.
 
EDIT: Sabre marketing material for their various chips: http://www.esstech.com/index.php?p=products_DAC

 

[our martin]

Quote:

LOL!  
 
You might find a few folks who would question that.  Besides a dac chip alone does not a top notch dac make

Question wolfson or burr brown over the sabre 32 chip you mean....And on the 1st page i said thanks jules and it was meant to say thanks jude for the review!

 

[our martin]

Quote:

 
That's incorrect, this is a 24 bit Sabre chip (9023), it tends to show up in alot of devices around the $500 price bracket and is relatively power and cost efficient.
 
The one people make a fuss over is the 9018.  The only portable device I'm aware of sporting one is the DX100.
 
EDIT: Sabre marketing material for their various chips: http://www.esstech.com/index.php?p=products_DA
 

Sorry your right my friend it's the sabre chip not the sabre 32 chip  

Audio DAC Solutions

The SABRE^{[size=x-small]32[/size]} Reference audio DAC series is the world’s highest performance 32-bit audio DAC solution targeted for consumer applications such as Blu-ray player, audio pre-amplifier, A/V receiver and professional applications such as recording systems, mixer consoles and digital audio workstations. With ESS patented 32-bit Hyperstream™ DAC architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator, the SABRE^{[size=x-small]32[/size]} Reference Stereo DAC delivers an unprecedented DNR of up to 135dB and THD+N of -120dB, the industry’s highest performance level that will satisfy the most demanding audio enthusiasts.

Device	Description	Package	DNR (dB)	THD (dB)	I2S/DSD/SPDIF Input
ES9018	SABRE[size=x-small]32[/size] Reference 32-bit 8-Channel Audio DAC	64LQFP	135 (mono) 133 (stereo) 129 (8ch)	-120	Yes
ES9012	SABRE[size=x-small]32[/size] Reference 32-bit Stereo Audio DAC	64LQFP	133	-120	Yes

For information about samples or product datasheets, please contact your local ESS Sales Representative.

The ES9016 SABRE^{[size=x-small]32[/size]} Ultra DAC is the latest addition to the world’s highest performance and critically acclaimed SABRE^{[size=x-small]32[/size]} DAC family. With ESS patented 32-bit Hyperstream^{[size=x-small]TM[/size]} DAC architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator, the ES9016 SABRE^{[size=x-small]32[/size]} Ultra DAC delivers spectacular music with an unsurpassed sound stage, with up to 128dB dynamic range and 0.0003% (-110dB) total harmonic distortion, and free from clock jitter common in digital audio systems.
 

Device	Description	Package	DNR (dB)	THD (dB)	I2S/DSD/SPDIF Input
ES9016	SABRE[size=x-small]32[/size] Ultra 32-bit 8-Channel Audio DAC	48-LQFP	128 (2ch) 124 (8ch)	-110	Yes

For information about samples or product datasheets, please contact your local ESS Sales Representative.

 

With Integrated 2Vrms Driver

 
The SABRE^{[size=x-small]TM[/size]} DAC with integrated ground-centered 2V_{[size=x-small]rms[/size]} driver operates from a single 3.3V power supply to deliver pop-free audio with 112dB of dynamic range, the highest performance of its class. With bill of materials reduced to just a few passive components externally, audiophile sound and quality are now accessible and affordable to any consumer audio products.
 

Device	Description	Package	DNR (dB)	Pop-Free	Power Supply
ES9023	SABRE Premier Audio DAC with integrated 2V[size=x-small]rms[/size] Driver	16-SOP	112	Yes	3.3V

For information about samples or product datasheets, please contact your local ESS Sales Representative.

The SABRE Audio DAC Series is the world’s first 8-channel audio DAC solution to bring true professional digital audio to the mass consumer home entertainment market, setting a new standard for high quality audio performance in a cost effective, compact, easy to use form factor for today’s most demanding digital audio applications.
 

Device	Description	Package	DNR (dB)	THD (dB)	I2S/DSD/SPDIF Input
ES9008	SABRE Reference Audio DAC	64LQFP	134 (mono) 128 (8ch)	-118	Yes
ES9006	SABRE Premier Audio DAC	48LQFP	120	-102	Yes

For information about samples or product datasheets, please contact your local