Campfire - Solaris
Jan 26, 2019 at 1:03 AM Post #3,301 of 12,035
No noise or hiss that I can hear, even in high gain. Then again I'm in my 40s so my hearing is probably not as good as yours :D
hahaha... i felt bad when age come and bring out... I am going to 40s... it doesn't mean my hearing is better....

I decided to wait R6 Pro or DX220, the only things that make me should pass ZX300 : Streaming apps & Cant Cue playlist from single flac file. if you dont think this is a problem for you... Get that ZX300 for Solaris... is good combo....( I believe there is some one who alrd mention about ZX300 & Solaris Combo here)
 
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Jan 26, 2019 at 1:29 AM Post #3,302 of 12,035
hahaha... i felt bad when age come and bring out... I am going to 40s... it doesn't mean my hearing is better....

I decided to wait R6 Pro or DX220, the only things that make me should pass ZX300 : Streaming apps & Cant Cue playlist from single flac file. if you dont think this is a problem for you... Get that ZX300 for Solaris... is good combo....( I believe there is some one who alrd mention about ZX300 & Solaris Combo here)

Yeah, streaming is a hassle, have to stream through bluetooth or connect it via cable. Still waiting for a custom lightning to sony connector that I bought from taobao.
I'm going to sg this march, for sure I will make some time to try a few iems there.
 
Jan 26, 2019 at 1:33 AM Post #3,303 of 12,035
Yeah, streaming is a hassle, have to stream through bluetooth or connect it via cable. Still waiting for a custom lightning to sony connector that I bought from taobao.
I'm going to sg this march, for sure I will make some time to try a few iems there.

Connect via bluetooth to ZX300. is it affect the sound quality ?

Hmm... it will be very interesting if R6 Pro is available when you visit there (terima jasTip ? )
 
Jan 26, 2019 at 1:56 AM Post #3,304 of 12,035
Connect via bluetooth to ZX300. is it affect the sound quality ?

Hmm... it will be very interesting if R6 Pro is available when you visit there (terima jasTip ? )

zx300 supports LDAC with android mobiles, or aptX with iphones. LDAC or AptX should be good enough since spotify premium is only 320kbps.

I think we are way OTT, I'll DM you :D
 
Jan 26, 2019 at 3:27 AM Post #3,305 of 12,035
additional impressions for the combo. .
Simbilance in Twenty one pilot songs... :triportsad:

Which one (I love that band)? From which source I don’t recognize from pics?

I still have to experience sibilance with the Solaris myself...
 
Jan 26, 2019 at 5:44 AM Post #3,307 of 12,035
Jan 26, 2019 at 9:09 PM Post #3,308 of 12,035
20190127_081319.jpg
Have a nice weekend everyone.. .
 
Jan 27, 2019 at 1:35 AM Post #3,309 of 12,035
Slightly heavy bundle but the best mix of sound and set of physical buttons which I could find so far :)

Have a nice Sunday !

6v3F2fz.jpg
 
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Jan 27, 2019 at 2:51 AM Post #3,310 of 12,035
Slightly heavy bundle but the best mix of excellent sound and set of physical buttons which I could find so far :) Have a nice Sunday !

What is that amp?

Curious, how do you find the Gold 16?
After a bit more time with it, I think it’s an amazing pairing with the Solaris... I just wished it didn’t have that old school memory wire (which I carefully removed by the way).
 
Jan 27, 2019 at 3:26 AM Post #3,311 of 12,035
What is that amp?

Curious, how do you find the Gold 16?
After a bit more time with it, I think it’s an amazing pairing with the Solaris... I just wished it didn’t have that old school memory wire (which I carefully removed by the way).
That thing on top looks like that faulty Hifiman.
 
Jan 27, 2019 at 3:54 AM Post #3,312 of 12,035
That thing on top looks like that faulty Hifiman.
It is indeed Hifiman R2R2000 which I connect via bluetooth to 1Z, I would not qualify it as faulty even though it is not perfect of course.

In the meantime, I enjoy R2R sound (better separation, sounds more natural especially on voices) more than 1Z but difficult to compare yet as I have been using the 1z as stand alone device just over 250 hours so perhaps it can improve a bit more in future.

I share DavidMolliere's view on the Gold 16's pairing with Solaris. It is just a perception but it feels like it enhances details on the Solaris without making it fatiguing. Agreed the Memory wire is the weak point, I kept mine for now but when it breaks (as it usually does on Alo audio cables, then I will cut it).
 
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Jan 27, 2019 at 3:47 PM Post #3,314 of 12,035
Just got to try the Solaris for literally one song at Audio 46, demo unit but no clue how burned in it could have been (had to rush to catch a train). Small black silicone tips, not SpinFits but unsure what kind, my guess is the stock ones that come with the kit.

Track:
Lo-Fang - #88 (I used my DSD512 version of it, YouTube link for reference. Plus it's a great track!)

Source:
iBasso DX200 w/Amp 8. Using Fidelizer Advanced ROM, in conjunction with the Lurker0 mod via USB Audio Player Pro

Cable:
SXC8, 4.4mm

Extremely brief comparison of track on Solaris vs EE Phantom Custom (Ares II 8- wire on the latter)

First thing I was looking for was bass response. I have read here that Solaris is more of a sub-bass specialist, and that it had less mid-bass than the Phantom, but on this extremely brief initial listen and setup the Solaris had less of both. Could be due to a variety of reasons obviously - tips, cable, fit (my Phantom is custom), ambient mode - but in this case I preferred the Phantom, bass sounded even more like a DD in comparison.

Vocals on Solaris had the appearance of being more forward but my hunch is that this was due to the lesser bass quantity relative to the Phantom. Vocals were also clearer and a bit brighter, while sounding huskier and more intimate on the Phantom.

Soundstage was a wider and taller on Solaris, Phantom had better depth.



All in all my opinion of the Solaris is not formed, I will listen to it more at CanJam NY. But as of this far too quick and semi-ratchet demo, the Solaris matches the average mental impression I have of it by reading the thread, save for the sub-woofer-like bass, but I attribute that to the environment I was in, tips, etc since many of the impressions I hold in highest regard come from those who's preferences seem to match mine (@davidmolliere being one of them, esp since he has the Phantom).

If I had to pick based on this though, I would stick with the Phantom, as the overall presentation is more organic and natural, while the Solaris is more of a showcase presentation, meaning a grander, more detailed and clearer stage but also more distant.

As for my preferences I prioritize what I consider to be a more natural and lifelike presentation based on being being around musician friends and attending live performances - forward sub-bass and vocals over a treblehead/enormous soundstage/analytical presentation.
 
Jan 27, 2019 at 5:01 PM Post #3,315 of 12,035
Just got to try the Solaris for literally one song at Audio 46, demo unit but no clue how burned in it could have been (had to rush to catch a train). Small black silicone tips, not SpinFits but unsure what kind, my guess is the stock ones that come with the kit. First thing I was looking for was bass response. I have read here that Solaris is more of a sub-bass specialist, and that it had less mid-bass than the Phantom, but on this extremely brief initial listen and setup the Solaris had less of both. Could be due to a variety of reasons obviously - tips, cable, fit (my Phantom is custom), ambient mode - but in this case I preferred the Phantom, bass sounded even more like a DD in comparison.

Indeed the Phantom bass is one of the best BA bass around :)

Comparing custom to universal especially bass wise is tricky... I know I had to tinker around with tips before finding the best universal tips to get a good bass response on the Solaris (for me that was UE900 tips and one size down for deeper insertion). Now that I have gone custom silicon tips things are even more apparent, even with a good seal and deep insertion the UE900 tips don’t get me nearly as good a result as the Custom Art silicon tips.

Still, regardless of bass quantity, on top of more mid bass the Phantom has a snappier attack on bass notes which plays in my opinon a good deal on bass perception. There is clearly more bass « kick » on the Phantom. Still clearly the subwoofer like quality of sub bass goes to the Solaris with a good seal and deep insertion. Now the Solaris is not as thick as the Phantom so lower mids are much leaner and overall the signature is thinner (not thin, just thinner than Phantom which is quite thick) and brighter (again, Solaris is not bright, but Phantom is much darker than the Solaris). This probably comes into play as well.

Vocals on Solaris had the appearance of being more forward but my hunch is that this was due to the lesser bass quantity relative to the Phantom. Vocals were also clearer and a bit brighter, while sounding huskier and more intimate on the Phantom. Soundstage was a wider and taller on Solaris, Phantom had better depth.

I’d say it’s also thanks to a thinner presentation which more air.
+1 on depth on the Phantom.

All in all my opinion of the Solaris is not formed, I will listen to it more at CanJam NY. But as of this far too quick and semi-ratchet demo, the Solaris matches the average mental impression I have of it by reading the thread, save for the sub-woofer-like bass, but I attribute that to the environment I was in, tips, etc since many of the impressions I hold in highest regard come from those who's preferences seem to match mine (@davidmolliere being one of them, esp since he has the Phantom). If I had to pick based on this though, I would stick with the Phantom, as the overall presentation is more organic and natural, while the Solaris is more of a showcase presentation, meaning a grander, more detailed and clearer stage but also more distant. As for my preferences I prioritize what I consider to be a more natural and lifelike presentation based on being being around musician friends and attending live performances - forward sub-bass and vocals over a treblehead/enormous soundstage/analytical presentation.

I think a longer listen with more time to play with tips would probably change the impressions a bit, also if you listen mainly to the Phantom any other IEM will be an adjustment :wink: the Phantom being so unique in its signature. I know I had to make the adjustment the other way when I picked the Phantom back up after dozens of hours with the Solaris :p
 

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