[HiFlight]

Without owning the uber, I don't, of course, know what I am missing, but even without it, the sound is better than anything I have previously owned or heard. IMO, it is the best audio money I have ever spent.

 

[HiFlight]

My configurations:

For pocket excellence: Tera-Player > Ref.1
For bedside excellence: iBasso DX100 optical out > DAC/Amp One > Ref.1

I am a happy camper!

 

[nazrin313]

  My suggestion to you is to get the Ref.1 without considering the uber for the moment.  It'll give you the most obvious difference for the money you put behind it.

okay thanks...will definitely consider that...

 

[CosmicHolyGhost]

My configurations:

For pocket excellence: Tera-Player > Ref.1
For bedside excellence: iBasso DX100 optical out > DAC/Amp One > Ref.1

I am a happy camper!

My configurations:
 
For pocket/walkaround excellence: HM-901 (minibox) > Ref.1
For in-the-bag/transportable excellence: ipod touch > Chord Hugo > Ref.1
 
I am a happy camper x 2

 

[flymetothemoon]

 
they are "better" for me.

Same here

 

[nazrin313]

Damm it, whats the turn around time for the ref 1? Seems like gotta sell my 1plus2

 

[nazrin313]

How is the ref 1 with edm? Love a good deep bass and kick with details aplenty

 

[warrior1975]

I'm dying to get these. Won't be much longer for me.

 

[nehcrow]

You guys and your money...

 

[HiFlight]

You guys and your money...

Well, it's gone now!

 

[warrior1975]

Well, it's gone now!

Lol, unfortunate, but true.

 

[nazrin313]

Hahaha what money? Head fiers havr audio gear but no money

 

[warrior1975]

I've learned that lesson rather quickly here.

 

[holeout]

1. [img]http://cdn.head-fi.org/d/d6/100x100px-LS-d6457e8e_DSCF0196.jpeg[/img]

1. spkrs01
2. Member of the Trade: Tralucent Audio
3. 
4.  
5. offline

1. 2,602 Posts. Joined 6/2011
2. Location: Hong Kong/London

   
It's not actually boosted, but rather all DAPs lower the volume across the entire spectrum when EQ is switched on even with the bar at neutral +/- 0 db. The reason EQ is made to behave this way is to prevent over boosting beyond a certain cap and risk damaging the internal circuitry according to someone who posted on the iBasso thread. For example, I have experienced the same lowering of volume on DX90, FiiO X5 and AK120 when the EQ is enabled with the bar at neutral.
 
In the case of AK240, the max increase is +5 db. I have tested the exact amount lowered by enabling the EQ is around -2.5 db. So basically you just need to push the bar up to +2.5 db across the entire frequency spectrum to get back to the original sound volume with EQ off. You can try it for yourself by creating a new EQ preset with +2.5 db to all parts of the spectrum and then keep switching EQ on/off to check the volume change.

 
My bad, you are absolutely correct. I tried just now.....
 
But I must say that there's is a discernible difference sonically, when the EQ is on and at 0db.


 




From my perspective, there should be a sonic differences in changing the "general" volume level vs using the eq function to boost/lower the volume across the eq range. When you implement eq frequency bands, the frequency equalised is not linear throughout the range or bandwidth. e.g. if you cut 2db at say 6000hz, then at 5000 and 7000 hz you may be cutting 1db (depending on the slope of predefined equalisation parameters). So this is probably not linear from one eq frequency to the next and to the next ..., whereas, changing the volume level should be linear across the frequency range (turning the volume knob).
 
I'll try to experiment more on this, but I'll have to say that i do prefer the SQ with EQ On @ Flat vs EQ Off.

 

[flymetothemoon]

How is the ref 1 with edm? Love a good deep bass and kick with details aplenty

Ref. 1 won't disappoint you!