[dmphile]

what do you guys use as your mobile source(s) for your dorados?

I've got mine paired with M11 Plus ESS. Brings out the boombastic bass, with airy smooth sparkly trebl. Vocals and mids still shine and do not feel as recessed as some have said. Great detail and resolution with a wide and deep soundstage.

 

[johnnyarks]

I wonder how much better something like these AK SR25ii or M11 Plus would sound vs a dongle dac on my phone.

 

[7Lions]

It's the only IEM I have at the moment because I do not desire anything else....yet.

I shared this ranking over at the Head Fi FB group and one of the most pleasant surprises was how many people came out of the woodwork to say how much they enjoyed the Dorado 2020 and how nice it was to see it ranked so highly. It is an overlooked and underrated gem and a top tier IEM for me.

I have the 64a duo so it's a good frame of reference. How does the soundstage of the dunu zen pro, Dorado 2020, OG Solaris compare with each other? I'm on the hunt for something wide/deep/tall/3d/holographic and insert any other buzz words haha. Or should I be looking at another set completely. TIA!

 

[johnnyarks]

are you guys using the included cable? I very quickly got the Linsoul Tripowin Zonie 16 cable, wondering if going balanced makes any difference for IEMs.

 

[Rockwell75]

dunu zen pro, Dorado 2020, OG Solaris

If 3-d holographic stage is your priority OG Solaris is the best by far of those 3 but there are probably better options out there if that's your priority.

are you guys using the included cable? I very quickly got the Linsoul Tripowin Zonie 16 cable, wondering if going balanced makes any difference for IEMs.

Balanced means more power which in my experience means better sound...especially with DD driven IEMs.

 

[7Lions]

If 3-d holographic stage is your priority OG Solaris is the best by far of those 3 but there are probably better options out there if that's your priority

What other options can you recommend?

 

[Rockwell75]

What other options can you recommend?

What's your budget?

 

[7Lions]

What's your budget?

Perhaps within $1.5 - $2k. Not opposed to buying on classified if there's a good deal also.

 

[Rockwell75]

Perhaps within $1.5 - $2k. Not opposed to buying on classified if there's a good deal also.

Look for a used MEST Indigo. You can get one for about $1800.

 

[rasse1977]

I wonder how much better something like these AK SR25ii or M11 Plus would sound vs a dongle dac on my phone.

What do you mean by “much better”?

The Vega and Dorado sound really good from my iPhone (old XS Max). There is a difference using my Mojo2 but it’s not massive.

 

[BartekR]

What do you mean by “much better”?

The Vega and Dorado sound really good from my iPhone (old XS Max). There is a difference using my Mojo2 but it’s not massive.

I use iPhone 12pro max > ifi stock usb cable > Gryphon > Dorado2020 and it sounds much better than just iPhone > Dorado.
Same with dongles - Sparrow, Violectric Chronos - much better than straight from an iPhone.

Also tried Iphone 12pro max > apple OTG adapter > usb cable > Gryphon > Dorado2020 but for my ears it's exactly the same as just using ifi usb cable provided with Gryphon. It seems like iphone12 doesn't require OTG so happy to have 1 cable less..

 

[johnnyarks]

I'm headed to audio46 next week to see if they have any DAPs I can demo... It would have to be a pretty dramatic difference to spend another $700+ on DAP over my existing setup.

 

[iFi audio]

I shared this ranking over at the Head Fi FB group and one of the most pleasant surprises was how many people came out of the woodwork to say how much they enjoyed the Dorado 2020 and how nice it was to see it ranked so highly. It is an overlooked and underrated gem and a top tier IEM for me.

Excellent stuff, very readable very useful, thanks a lot!

 

[iFi audio]

I use iPhone 12pro max > ifi stock usb cable > Gryphon > Dorado2020 and it sounds much better than just iPhone > Dorado.

If this is of any help to anyone, we've been getting feedback that Dorado 2020 work with xDSD Gryphon far better than with the original xDSD. IEMs such as these really benefit from an external DAC/amp device. It doesn't even have to be ours. Thanks!

 

[rasse1977]

I use iPhone 12pro max > ifi stock usb cable > Gryphon > Dorado2020 and it sounds much better than just iPhone > Dorado.
Same with dongles

I hear you and I agree that a good dac/amp makes a difference.

Just saying that statements like “much better” and “massive difference” dosen’t always make sense.

I’ve used some of my non-audiophile friends to test the Vega and Dorado. All of them could hear the difference between the two. Not everyone could tell the difference between iPhone > iem vs iPhone > Mojo2 > iem