[BeerLover]

Output impedance: 10 ohms (may induce coloration depending on cans used)
There's a recent lengthy discussion on the subject of budget sources that do well with low impedance stuff (which manages to stay on topic as it relates to driving the ZS5v1's 4.8 ohm load). Here's a search to get you started - the discussion kicks up around 3-4 pages back in this search: https://www.head-fi.org/search/3821576/?q=dac&t=post&o=date&c[thread]=698148

ok thanks...
I think my Beyerdynamic T51i should be around 32 Ohms impedance
no idea how much the ZS3 and ZS5 earbuds or Einsear ohms impedances are....

what is a limit to say low impedance? Under 60 Ohms?

 

[NymPHONOmaniac]

What are the best cable-down mmcx cables (for Svara Red)?

Cause most of the cables have that memory wire that goes around your ear...

Best I don't know, but this one is nice and can do both, be over ear as well that cable down, and it the better of both world cause even for over ear IEM I don't like pre fabricate curve that make strange wings above your ears....I pay 5.5$ in the time...but mmcx connection is hardcore, wich is a plus and a drawback, when you plug it it's hard to unplug it. Still, its silver plated, very light, and beautifull too. Perfect for warm IEM.
Take a look:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Tin...-Line-Wire-HIFI-Headset-Line/32718958325.html

 

[NymPHONOmaniac]

Im always a fan for QCY IEM earphones. However despite trying many other models from QCY, i still find QCY QY8 is the best as it produce nice clear vocals while good deep bass. Is it me or you think other QCY earphones could have matched up or even better than QY8?

Only QCY I try was pure crap.....nice look and kind of revolutionary design, but sound was tin, dry and near audible, wich is a big problem, and BT isn't serious stuffs.....sorry if I look harsh, but I'm very suspectful about Aliexpress positive comments on crappy QCY Q29.
Strangely, Amazon buyers have an opposite view and an average of 2.5stars out of 5. I suggest people to read this instead of perhaps false praising from Ali, wich isn't a new phenomenon.

https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-QCY-Bluetooth-Headphones-Smartphone/dp/B01MSMUSWE

 

[NymPHONOmaniac]

Guys, as i m fairly new on this chifi/ hifi thread

i m just curious if anyone can suggest a chinese DAC/AMP for connecting to my laptop? I know about the fiio e10K, but i wonder if there is a similar usb dac for less money on the chinese market?
(i know it's not the perfect thread topic, but maybe a quick answer might solve my search...?)

budget should be under 80 USD or so
Greetings

With 80$, you can begin a game of different ''entry level'' chifi DAC-AMP.
Like with a Sabre ES9018 (detailed sound):
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Hot...id=1fb044ac-fcdf-47ad-977f-267983e5ccb7&tpp=1

Or withotu casing their plenty of choice....that offer out of this world sound value. My dear Doukaudio CM108 have the best vocal of all DAP DAC I try....like for real, and a sweet warm analogish soundsignature, and volume controle. Plug and play, it drive well my 60ohm ISK HF2010 I have on head right now. Not super detailed sound tough, easy listening stuff. Really mid centered.
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/252298238894?ul_noapp=true

Will comment this one once I receive it too, inner part look darn serious so amping should be too:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/NEW...phone-Output-Support-for-PCM/32788755737.html

EDIT: I plug ultra sensitive and brightish PMV A01 MK2 on the 16$ Doukaudio CM108...and now these IEM have fowards vocals!! This little thing will never stop to surprise me! The PMV is a complete different IEM, warmish an detailed with sweet foward vocals.

 

[Happy Hacking]

What are the best cable-down mmcx cables (for Svara Red)?

Cause most of the cables have that memory wire that goes around your ear...

I bought these:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/New...32813302637.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.VV1Nfi

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Aip...4.html?spm=a2g0s.13010208.99999999.363.aMMiCh

The one in the first link I dont think has memory wire.
The one in the second link probably has memory wires, but I have a similar cable to these (2pin for KZ), and have successfully removed the memory wire with relative ease.
I really dig the look of these.

 

[Smiped]

Does anyone think that the new KZ ZS6 is durable enough and is a well established enough earbud in the Head-Fi community?

 

[Happy Hacking]

Does anyone think that the new KZ ZS6 is durable enough and is a well established enough earbud in the Head-Fi community?

They are In Ear Monitors(IEMs), not earbuds.

The zs6 are very well reviewed, especially in the much bigger kz thread.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/kno...essions-thread.698148/page-1687#post-13862512

If you are affected by the piercing treble(highs), you'll have to tame it through burn-in, foam tips, or modding. Else, they are an amazing pair of earphones for the money.

Not sure what you mean by 'durable enough', but an aluminum-shell and removable cable is as good as it can get.

 

[BeerLover]

With 80$, you can begin a game of different ''entry level'' chifi DAC-AMP.
Like with a Sabre ES9018 (detailed sound):
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Hot...id=1fb044ac-fcdf-47ad-977f-267983e5ccb7&tpp=1

Or withotu casing their plenty of choice....that offer out of this world sound value. My dear Doukaudio CM108 have the best vocal of all DAP DAC I try....like for real, and a sweet warm analogish soundsignature, and volume controle. Plug and play, it drive well my 60ohm ISK HF2010 I have on head right now. Not super detailed sound tough, easy listening stuff. Really mid centered.
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/252298238894?ul_noapp=true

Will comment this one once I receive it too, inner part look darn serious so amping should be too:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/NEW...phone-Output-Support-for-PCM/32788755737.html

EDIT: I plug ultra sensitive and brightish PMV A01 MK2 on the 16$ Doukaudio CM108...and now these IEM have fowards vocals!! This little thing will never stop to surprise me! The PMV is a complete different IEM, warmish an detailed with sweet foward vocals.

Thanks so much nymphonomaniac (needed to double check that spelling )
That Doukaudio CM108 sounds very economical. Just wondering, what do you use for cover of this dac, it looks quite nude... match boxes?
Does it work out of the box or do i need to screw some things ?

 

[Smiped]

They are In Ear Monitors(IEMs), not earbuds.

The zs6 are very well reviewed, especially in the much bigger kz thread.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/kno...essions-thread.698148/page-1687#post-13862512

If you are affected by the piercing treble(highs), you'll have to tame it through burn-in, foam tips, or modding. Else, they are an amazing pair of earphones for the money.

Not sure what you mean by 'durable enough', but an aluminum-shell and removable cable is as good as it can get.

Yeah, haha sorry. Dumb me. Just goes to show how much of a casual I am.

Honestly I am not too nitpicky about sound; just make the IEM sound decent (doesn't have to be perfection) with sturdy construction and I'm good to go.

Thanks your input sounds reassuring. I might actually go with this IEM unless something negative interferes me with getting it.

 

[Happy Hacking]

Do you generally trust review


Yeah, haha sorry. Dumb me. Just goes to show how much of a casual I am.

Honestly I am not too nitpicky about sound; just make the IEM sound decent (doesn't have to be perfection) with sturdy construction and I'm good to go.

Thanks your input sounds reassuring. I might actually go with this IEM unless something negative interferes me with getting it.

Haha thats alright man, we all have to start from somewhere!

Maybe you could list your preference? Neutral or warm and bassy sound, etc. Removable cables? Cable-down type or cable-over ear? There are so many earphones to recommend but the zs6 is indeed a solid choice.

Do camp out the gearbest thread if you're looking for great deals on the zs6. They have went down to $19.90 a couple times the past week.

https://head-fi.org/threads/11-20th...al-xiaomi-mi-iv-9-99-meizu-ep51-22-99.832367/

Also, the stock cables are not fantastic. They are springy and hard to tame, and feels a little sticky. I recommend you grab a kz upgrade cable if you can. They are around $6~10.

 

[Smiped]

Haha thats alright man, we all have to start from somewhere!

Maybe you could list your preference? Neutral or warm and bassy sound, etc. Removable cables? Cable-down type or cable-over ear? There are so many earphones to recommend but the zs6 is indeed a solid choice.

Do camp out the gearbest thread if you're looking for great deals on the zs6. They have went down to $19.90 a couple times the past week.

https://head-fi.org/threads/11-20th...al-xiaomi-mi-iv-9-99-meizu-ep51-22-99.832367/

Also, the stock cables are not fantastic. They are springy and hard to tame, and feels a little sticky. I recommend you grab a kz upgrade cable if you can. They are around $6~10.

Awww, dammit lol. I was planning to get it immediately thinking that it was a good deal as is for $27. It is good, but I want cheaper lol. #poorpeopleproblems Guess I'll have to wait around for a better deal. How frequent does the deal plummet to $19?

My preference is just earbuds/iems that have a durable build (like nice feeling exterior made of metal, aluminium, ceramics, etc) but are also detachable through the cables cause so many times the cords are always flimsy and crap out. I have yet to have an earbud/IEM not crap out on me through the cord and I am not even rough with my things.

Thanks for the recommendation for the cables. I definitely want to buy a cable that is sturdy enough to withstand everyday usage because I'm all about maximizing the mileage of my products even if it includes something as replaceable as the cable. I don't want to keep on buying cables.

 

[skajohyros]

Thanks so much nymphonomaniac (needed to double check that spelling )
That Doukaudio CM108 sounds very economical. Just wondering, what do you use for cover of this dac, it looks quite nude... match boxes?
Does it work out of the box or do i need to screw some things ?

You could try the nx3 for
47.99 $ with the code: TPNX3CP

My bad. It's only an amp.

 

[NymPHONOmaniac]

Thanks so much nymphonomaniac (needed to double check that spelling )
That Doukaudio CM108 sounds very economical. Just wondering, what do you use for cover of this dac, it looks quite nude... match boxes?
Does it work out of the box or do i need to screw some things ?

Ahah, yeah....this pseudo name...kinda regret it sometime!

Hum, must admit have been a lazy dude about this and don't even care to cover it lol I try one time with a cigarette pack and it look nasty so, yeah, imagination can solve this problem easily, I wait for the right solid box to fall in my hand.

Something VERY interesting too....is that it work for real with my samsung J3..like tadam! But, one day it do not work, I suspect something I do, like an update or a music program change. first was vlc I use, anyway, it never work again....in fact, any usb dac do not work against so I exchange my phone for a older one just to have usb dac...all work but not the CM108. It wasnt really convenient or transportable with long usb cable they give (yeah they give usb cable too of good quality but LONG!) but it sound so good once pluged on my sound system! With my HP laptop it always work flawlessly, no hiss, no clic, plug and play without driver.

Other wise solution, but sometime risky, is to check ebay for used portable dac-amp auction, got my Ibasso BOA+ (cause I miss the WM8740 sound of my Fiio E7 and need a more powerfull amp than this one) for around 50$cad (35usd).

Their DAP with DAC option too, or even both but i'm not sure, like Zishan and Walnut....some research to make there too.

But if you have more question as me PM or to the other member, so this thread will not became too confusing!!

Cheers!

 

[NymPHONOmaniac]

Does anyone think that the new KZ ZS6 is durable enough and is a well established enough earbud in the Head-Fi community?

Even ZS5 look quite sturdy in my hands IMO so I imagine a metal version of them is even more sturdy
KZ are among best value chifi manufacturer out there, for the moment its impossible to find other 4drivers IEM at less than more or less 60$ (BGVP DM5).
Gearbest have some very nice deal time to time, keep an eye open!

 

[Capmad03]

Does anyone think that the new KZ ZS6 is durable enough and is a well established enough earbud in the Head-Fi community?

I work in a machine shop and these are my daily drivers. Like others have said the aluminum shell and removable cable make these really durable. I've got the upgraded cable and foam tips on them and they're plenty for me sound wise.