Skyfall
Member of the Trade. (Cable maker)
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- Jun 3, 2014
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I didn't get to listen to all of it but some had left me impressed:
Astell & Kern Kann vs Opus #2
When I entered the show I immediately went to AK booth and listened to their newest pre-order unit the Kann. I am not going into details about this new DAP other than what I think about their SQ. The new Kann felt pretty good in my hand despite of their bulky appearance and it's not as heavy as I thought either. I listened to it with both AK T5p and Sennheiser HD800 on balance. After a few minutes of listening to some files, 44.1K and DSD honestly, I wasn't impressed and a little disappointed. Yes, it drove HD800 straight from the balance mode but that's it. The Ui is laggy and slow to respond, it sounds is less transparent - it doesn't have a black background - makes the layering and depth a little murky and less holographical. The sounds has more weight than AK320 but again, less detailed, less airy and less cleaner. My AK120II sounds better although it is not as transparent either.
On the other hand, Opus#2 is really amazing it is very close to the sound of AK320. Note: Opus DAP has three different models : #1 - Burr Brown, #2 - Sabre ES 9018, #3 - Cirrus Logic CS4398.
Hifiman Edition 6 vs HE1K
Edition 6 has VERY very wide stereo image and large soundstage..almost twice the size of HE1K. IS it a Good thing ? I said no. It is too wide and too hard to focus and enjoy, the overall presentation felt like it had been stretched to it's max. Moreover, I am hearing the whole soundstage is actually inside-and behind my head, so weird. HE1K sounds a little warmer compare to it because of the fuller and "narrower" soundstage.
Edition X V.2 sounds really crystal with wider stereo image and good depth. But what I didn't like the bass wasn't dead centered, it sounds too wide following the width of everything else.
My favorite in these lines is actualy the very humble and affordable HE400S. It simply does everything RIGHT ! I will get this one.
NOBLE Audio
Trident - there's a spike somewhere between 5K-8K range. Bass and everything else was good and listenable.
Sage - the bass is definitly has more sub extention, a little boomy - too much maybe ?
Django - Warmer, deep and muscular bass, rolled off highs.
KAtana and Encore - the best sounding of all, balanced, tranparent, punchy a little forward and extended.
Mr Speaker Flow vs Aeon
I listened to Flow last year's Canjam and I was impressed I thought it sounds better than HD800 and more detailed than LCD X. But this time I wasn't. Out of Biforst/Mj2 it sounds very clear and clean, good bass but not much impact (compare to My LCD X) and more stereo width then the depth. On the other hand, the Aeon has noticeably better instruments layering and a bit warmer or fuller due to smaller soundstage compare to Flow. I enjoyed the Aeon better..similarly the way I enjoyed HE400S.
The ALL NEw LCD PRO
Good built, much lighter and much more comfy and easy to drive. The sound: I LOVE it. It's warmer,intimate yet with very good depth and macro details. Soundstage is smaller than LCD X also less extended but it feels just as wide once you're accustom to it's sound sig. There is plenty of Slam and impact on the bass dept and very satisfying too, vocal is clear. Overall, to me this is what Audeze was famous for to begin with but much better soundstage and imaging even though this is non-fazor. GOtta have it.
Isine 10 vs 20
The 10 sounds a bit warmer and meatier while the 20 has more airy and more balance sound. The bass texture and impact is the best I've heard on the IEM other than Layla. Both has a very good imaging, depth and texture. The 10 is pretty similar sounding to K Encore if I'm not mistaken. Tremendous value !
HUGO V2 and DAVE
V2 is a tremendous improvements over the older one which now sounds f__lat and less engaging. Hugo V2 has now much much better layering and much darker background making it absolutely fast and accurate. The sound also has more body and depth. Listening to DAVE and LCD 4 is absolutely engaging - excellent!