CanJam SoCal 2023 Impressions Thread

[XERO1]

My Short-n-Sweet CanJam SoCal 2023 Highlights:


Questyle M15 ($249) - I really loved the way this dongle sounded. When I compared it directly to my iBasso DC04Pro, the M15 had the same level of resolution but virtually all of the digital glare that you usually get with a compact dongle was completely gone! It sounded so smooth but also still sounded very resolving. I only wish it had a dedicated volume control on it.

Timsok TS-316 ($499) - This IEM was a pleasant surprise. I was told by the rep that Timsok is an OEM for quite a few well-known IEM brands and this is their current TOTL IEM that they are releasing themselves. It uses a single 10.2mm DD driver. While that's as common as dirt in the Chi-Fi market, what wasn't common was it's overall SQ. I really thought they nailed it with the TS-316. I really liked their simple yet elegant design, and while I told them I thought that $500 was perhaps a bit on the pricey side for a 1DD IEM from an unknown brand, it's excellent SQ would embarrass quite a few other IEMs from many more famous brands that cost waaaaaay more than $500. They definitely get a big thumbs-up from me.

Letshuoer Cadenza 12 ($2299) - I'm currently in the market for an end-game (for me) IEM that's under $2500, and I listened to quite a few at the show at all different price-points and I heard a lot of great-sounding contenders, but unfortunately I'm quite sensitive to 'BA-timbre' and almost all of the hybrid IEMs that I heard had a bit too much of it for me to be able to live with them long-term. But when I auditioned the Cadenza 12, I knew that this was probably the one for me. It has a wonderfully balanced Harmon-ish tuning with excellent resolution that also maintains the tone and texture of the music as well, and its BA-timbre stayed low enough even at high SPLs that it never bothered me, which is a heroic accomplishment in and of itself!! Just a superbly voiced IEM and one of the few where I felt its relatively high price was justified.

Schiit Midgard ($219) - When the Magnius was first released, I bought one, and within just a few minutes I quickly realized it was the worst-sounding amp Schiit had ever made! And if I recall correctly, I went on a bit of a rant about it. Well thankfully, I'm happy to report that Jason has totally redeemed himself!! The Midgard sounded great from it's balanced output. It's has a fully-discrete circuit design (the Magnius only used op-amps) and it's gonna be a great addition to Schiit's amp line-up.

Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000 ($1999) - Now this wasn't the first time I'd heard the ADX5000. I had heard it a couple of times before at past shows, but I obviously hadn't heard it powered by a proper amp that could handle its 420 ohm impedance. But that changed at this CanJam. A AT-DAC100 DAC and a AT-BHA100 hybrid amp were being used to drive it and it sounded significantly better than I remember it sounding in the past. It had a nice amount of bass for an open-back and it just sounded 'dynamically alive' in a way that really impressed me. So now it's back on my radar.

Austrian Audio The Composer ($2699) - OK, this headphone has been getting a lot of hype over the past few days. And in many ways, it totally delivers. It has a fantastic industrial design, it's really light, it's really comfortable, it's also really efficient and easy to drive. But just like every headphone ever made, SQ-wise, it's not going to be for everyone. It's super-resolving, and while it has a really nice and punchy bass range, to my ear it has a noticeable "W-shaped" sound signature and therefore everything sounds a bit amped-up. But some of this was definitely coming for the Full Score One amp it was connected to because when I connected it to my DC04Pro with a 4.4mm cable, some of that hyped-up SQ went away, and it sounded more well-balanced. So the jury is still out on it, but I think with the right DAC and amp pairing, The Composer could sound quite amazing.

Drop x Grell OAE1 Signature ($TBD) - This is another very interesting upcoming headphone. While I wasn't crazy about the headband design and its adjustment mechanism, or how stiff the earpads were, I was told that the demo units they had were not the final production versions, so those things could potentially improve on the final version. But as for their SQ, they sounded pretty darn good overall. They had nice punchy bass, and a bit of a V-shaped signature, but they had good overall tonality from top to bottom. Somewhat surprisingly for how crazy their drivers are angled, their soundstage was only average in size. But I'm really curious how the final version is going to turn out.

NITSCH x JupiterAudioResearch JAR600N ($TBD) - I think this one definitely slipped under the radar at the show. There was only one at the Schiit booth for only a few hours of the first day. I think this will be NITSCH's first headphone collab and even though I only got a quick listen to them, I was really impressed by what I heard. Imagine a turbo-charged HD 600 with virtually none of the 'Sennheiser veil' but with all of it's famous silky-smoothness still intact! I think I literally said "Whoa!" like Neo in The Matrix! But I was told they won't be cheap, and are primarily for the few die-hard HD 600 lovers out there (you know who you are) that would love to see their favorite headphone taken to the next level!

I had a ton of fun! It was so nice seeing my old (and new) Head-Fi Friends and just seeing how much genuine enthusiasm and positive energy there was at the show. And I can't wait to do it all over again next year!!

 

[d m41n man]

AFUL Cantor - Imagine improved version of P8 - punchy bass, great tuning, details and no BA timbre. BA is custom developed by AFUL. I had someone who hated all BA set listen to it and he loved it. His words were "I can't believe it." No pricing and not the final tuning according to Hifigo. I tried to buy the engineering sample and got denied.

AFUL 1BA - warm set, strange tonality, not for me. Apparently big hit in UK. Also, not the final tuning.

Thanks so much for the insights! Really looking forward to this set since lovin' the P8 smooth non-fatiguing mids glide yet airy treble. Underrated I would say but one to watch out for.

 

[Tex Irie]

Many many thanks brother. I heard that there are some software issues with N7. Do check before buying.

Noted!! What software issues are you referring to @deep2285 ?

 

[geoffalter11]

Did anyone get a chance to hear the Hifiman Prelude? If so, please share your impressions....

Thanks

 

[deep2285]

Noted!! What software issues are you referring to @deep2285 ?

I am not so sure but I have read on Headfi that it suddenly stops while playing or something like that. Do check N7 threads.

 

[bigbeans]

CJ SoCal 2023 Show Report Part 2:

Link to Part 1

Hi folks, back with Part 2. This time I shall cover all my experiences at CanJam from start to finish, some audio related, some not. For those not able to attend a CanJam, please enjoy this chronicle of adventures!

CanJams are like a holiday, a time to escape the stress of life and enjoy friends with the finest personal audio the industry can offer. Holidays are generally more fun with family and friends, consequently I brought my father along to CanJam as he introduced me to the hobby many years ago. We set off to Irvine and arrived early, planning to meetup with the Watercooler for a pre show meeting. @HiFiHawaii808 and @Rockwell75 greeted us in the lobby like old friends even though we haven’t met for a long time. Arriving in the lounge, I noticed some familiar faces in the corner of the eatery. There was @Natesdailies , @goldwerger , @Skyediver, @Zachik and others whom unfortunately I can’t remember . We introduced each other more formally over coffee and the conversation quickly turned to gear. We started taking out what we brought to the show to share some of our favorites. On a hunch I brought my prized DMP Z1, the source I use as my reference. If a gear doesn’t sound great on the DMP, I don’t consider it further (or return it if already purchased). Much to my surprise, it garnered quite a bit of attention at the table. @Rockwell75 immediately asked to demo it with his Trifecta. However he was crowded for nearly 10 minutes with 7 others taking pictures. He was grimacing, too polite to ask everyone else to ‘bugger off and let me listen’. While this was going on, @HiFiHawaii808 kindly offered me to try out the Ragnar Viking Damascus. When he opened up his IEM case, I noticed a EA Centurion in there. I commented that it would be hilarious if it was my previous Centurion. He asked me who I sold mine to. I told him it was @bluestorm1992, and he immediately pointed at me and exclaimed that’s who he got it from! However, I must admit the Centurion wasn’t mine originally….I purchased it from @Damz87. From @Damz87 to me, to @bluestorm1992 and finally to @HiFiHawaii808 . This is the beauty of the Watercooler, if you hang around long enough, your gear may end up traveling through the group. I wonder who will buy @Damz87 ’s third DMP Z1 .

Viking Ragnar Damascus
The last time I tried a Noble IEM was the Sultan, so my hopes for Damascus wasn’t high. However the praises Damascus got in the Watercooler were from folks I trust and respect, so I was intrigued. Goodness, it’s hard to believe Viking Ragnar Damascus was tuned by Noble. The increased treble information and neutral tuning allowed me to hear more from my old favorites while not being fatiguing. This is like 8K for your ears and I may prefer this more than my Jewel. Speaking of 8K…well that’s the price and it’s discontinued. I am curious on how the sound is impacted between the Damascus vs non Damascus versions. An impressive set for sure, those who took the leap of faith on it are rewarded handsomely with such a pristine sound.

Subtonic Storm
After such a treat, I wondered how can anything possibly followup. Well, in true fashion @HiFiHawaii808 topped it with a Subtonic Storm, paired with a monstrously impressive cable. This was exciting, as I’ve read much about the Storm yet didn’t have a chance to listen to one. The shells are not as heavy as Damascus but still have a solid weight to them. The lacquering of the faceplate was exquisite. While my DMP was going through the Watercooler ‘trial by fire’ with everything from Trifecta to @goldwerger Tungsten, I was offered the DX320 MAX to try with Storm. By far, the most impressive characteristic of Storm is the definition in between instruments. Not even Damascus can get to this level of pure definition and separation. If I can offer an analogy, Damascus can offer a ‘woah’ that I get from an 8K OLED TV. Storm however is a professional 4K monitor, but has perfect color calibration and belongs on the desktops of professional creatives at Industrial Light and Magic. Storm is the best monitor I’ve ever used, but it is not an IEM I would use to enjoy music. While a showcase of impressive technologies, I can’t imagine emotionally connecting with it. Holography (stage depth/layering) is the best I’ve heard, separation (element slicing) is the best, vertical height isn’t as tall as Elysian X but the horizontal stage can expand and contract to whatever the song needs with pin point accuracy. If you want to experience 3D pin point accuracy, you would be hard pushed to find something better than Storm. This is a benchmark IEM, the flag carrier of Singapore imho. After comparing both, I prefer Damascus comfortably but I find what Storm has accomplished is nothing short of miraculous as a reference monitor.

Following these demos, we traded tales about gear, @aaf evo's crusty linens and did some cable rolling. Before we knew it, it was only 30mins until the show opened its doors. Some of us checked in early, so we hung around near the conference entrance. I struck up a great conversation with @Zachik, a fellow bass head who appreciates the Campfire Cascade as well . He gave me some excellent pointers for gear and some sets I should demo at the show. It was great to meet a someone who appreciates ZMF Atticus and Sony Z7 MKI as these sets get overlooked or are controversial with their tuning. Soon enough, the doors opened and the show began.

Cayin+UM Amber Pearl
I beelined for the Musicteck table, intent on trying the Amber Pearl and N30LE DAP. I have already posted my thoughts on them in the first post, but to summarize the AP IEM is perfect for vocal lovers, jazz lovers and classical lovers. The N30LE DAP is finally a step in the right direction for Cayin’s tuning team, the best ‘all rounder’ sound with an addicting sound signature I can’t get enough of. I had zero expectations given the price and controversy of the release of these items, yet I was completely impressed.

Lotoo Mjolnir
Next up and the main reason why I brought DMP was to compare to Lotoo Mjolnir. I pulled out the DMP and Andrew expressed his surprise at why I brought it. When I told him about me wanting to compare to Mjolnir, he quickly procured it for me. Andrew goes above and beyond! He gave me pointers on how to use it, it’s a unique procedure to wake it up and navigate the menus. Before he left to attend another attendee, he asked for me to give my thoughts on the comparisons between the DMP and Mjolnir when I was finished.

No secret, I’m not a huge fan of Lotoo house sound yet I am a fan of Chords Hugo 2. To those who’ve sampled both Chord gear and Lotoo will notice even though they go for similar ‘resolute neutral’ tunings, there are subtle differences which apparently make a world of difference for my ears. I was curious whether Lotoo was able to overcome the shortcomings I found with the Paw Gold Touch, notably the brighter tonality in the upper registers without the reciprocal slam in the lower frequencies to balance it out. The interface of the Mjolnir is reminiscent of NAGRA recording gear, to wake up the Mjolnir screen one has to flick a toggle switch, similar to switches you would find on field recorders. The feel of the toggles and buttons on the Mjolnir was solid and mechanical, one can confidently expect them to last for a decade at least. The front screen displays song information, while the top screen is purely for navigation. The top screen has the same dimensions of the Lotoo Paw Gold Touch screen, which is a borrowed concept of the DMP Z1. The DMP Z1 screen is the same dimensions as the WM1Z/A, it seems Lotoo wanted users to be familiar with an interface directly lifted from their portable players. All the toggles and controls can be a bit complex and I do prefer a simpler interface such as the DMP, however given the sheer library of functions of the Mjolnir I can understand the more complex interface. While Mjolnir doesn’t have ‘streaming’ it does have Roon Ready endpoint and supposedly will support Tidal. However do not expect Spotify, Apple Music etc… The OS is a closed Lotoo operating system and you are expected to connect the Lotoo via USB C to a source for added streaming functionality. Moving to the sound, I will cut to the chase. Mjolnir was the biggest disappointment for me at the show. The Lotoo sound quality was simply divine, clean, resolute, well defined. This is the very best Lotoo house sound I’ve heard and corrects the ‘brittle bright’ tonality issue I had with the Gold.

Why is Mjolnir disappointing then? Well, there’s a device on the market which matches or exceeds Mjolnir (in some areas), and this is the Chord Hugo 2. Hugo 2 also allows phenomenal cross feed and different sampling rates (filters) to allow more perceivable sound shaping abilities, where as Lotoo is limited to the AKM filters. The Mjolnir is certainly astounding given it’s a DS product, I didn’t know AKM chips could produce sound approaching Chord Hugo 2, this is an incredible feat. However due to Chord’s technology, it has the advantage with transparency, better bass slam and more extensive noise shaping. Chord Hugo 2 can be picked up for 1400-1600 USD on the used market or 2300-2500 USD brand new. Mjolnir is 7000 USD. If one does require a DAP with the array of interfaces Mjolnir has, impeccable craftsmanship, replaceable batteries etc, there is no alternative like Mjolnir. Other players in such a class like DMP Z1 is discontinued and doesn’t have replacement batteries. However I struggle to see the justification of the extra cost and bulk of Mjolnir when Hugo 2 can accomplish a better execution of the ‘transparent resolute’ approach which Lotoo and Chord aim for. If one prefers a lusher SQ with a similar level of connections (and more built in streaming abilities), one can pickup a Shanling M30. Shanling M30 also has higher power amp modules available and the Qualcomm 665 DAP module is set for release later this year which provide a much better streaming interface. However for those who wish to have simply the best Lotoo experience, there is no substitute for Mjolnir.

Comparing to DMP Z1, the Sony provided more warmth stemming from the lower midrange and a richer tonality. There couldn’t be more differences in house sound between Mjolnir and DMP. For instance, the warm XE6 on DMP Z1 is simply too much of a good thing. It’s like a wearing a hat on a hat. On the Lotoo Mjolnir however, it was simply the monitor and the music without any component interfering with the sound. I didn’t have my Hugo 2 with me, but I felt the bass slam and vibrancy in the detail on the Hugo 2 added more intensity that was missing from the Mjolnir. If one desires a Chord like transparent sound without that ‘intensity’ from Chord gear and a very slight AKM smoothness, I can see Mjolnir fitting in this niche perfectly.

UM Prototype (MEXT Plus?)
The next demo was the UM Prototype. Leo remarked it remained nameless and the topology is a mystery. Based on my experience with it, I will guess it’s a BC+DD+4BA and will likely be a mid level priced IEM, in-between MEST III and MEXT and this is how I would rank it as well. The overall sound signature is a sub bass boosted, W shaped iem however I found the highs a tad brittle. The midrange is excellent, with the BC driver giving Indigo levels of imaging with female vocals. I hazard a guess this is an improved MEXT model and addresses all shortcomings with the MEXT, notably removes the ‘muddy’ sound. I heard some tuning similarities between the Singularity and this prototype, it seems UM is learning from the competition and taking the best parts of the sub bass from Singularity and incorporating it with their excellent midrange presentation. The prototype IEM suits best with pop music, top 40, and general OST. This is an everyday clear sounding iem with enough sub bass to satisfy even the most discerning bassheads. Great job UM, I will keep an eye out for this one.

Thank you for reading so far, please stay tuned for Part 3 tomorrow featuring Aroma Audio, Empire Ears, Oriolus and more! Happy listening

 

[Jaytiss]

Some Purchases I got from the Can Jam.

I really thought Aful Cantor, Dunu Mirah, Chopin, Nova, Crimson, U4s, U12T, Elys Anniliator, Diva, and Fat Frequency Grand Mystero were all excellent.

Very cool stuff. Some awesome headphones as well.

 

[ma151]

Any more impressions on CFA Bonneville so far ?
(Rockwell impressions got me pretty interested )

 

[deep2285]

Any more impressions on CFA Bonneville so far ?
(Rockwell impressions got me pretty interested )

Same here. Never thought I would pay attention to CFA IEM but @rockwell

 

[emdeevee]

Same here. Never thought I would pay attention to CFA IEM but @rockwell

Don't forget that @Rockwell75's favorite iem is CFA Trifecta. So far, CFA have done better for him than any other, correct @Rockwell75 ?

 

[AudiophileJargon]

Nitro cold brew $6.00

Tickets for the weekend at Canjam Socal 2023 $40.00

Meeting Axel Grell and thankfully having the legend himself sign my personal HD580. Shortly after measured the frequency response at Brüel & Kiæer with type 5128. Finally, plugging it into a Nagra tube dac.

$Priceless

 

[ThanatosVI]

Meze didn't have any angled pads for me to try on my Empyreans. Love the Elite pads on Empy.

That sounds horrible, you need to audition these pads on zur Empyrean

 

[ericpalonen]

Category 2 - Good Golly Miss Molly

• Sennheiser HE-1
  • As close to my speaker system as I've ever heard. Fantastic overall. Was being powered by a laptop running Tidal in a browser window -> internal DAC. Wish there was a better music source.

It was great to meet you and give you some HE 1 time! I mention this now and again, but want to disclose our stance on using a ton of 3rd party gear--it's a balancing act. No, the internal DAC is not the latest, but still sounds invisible to most ears. That said, if we demonstrate the HE 1 with a top-heavy amount of 3p components, it's easier to question where the magic is coming from. The HE 1 has plenty of I/O to accommodate 3p DAC/sources, so if the ultimate owner wants to integrate their own, they are welcome to. Perhaps in the future if we can get multiple units in one CanJam space, we will offer a variety of configurations, but for the limited time we have, TIDAL seems to be the goldilocks solution of being able to search for stuff you like at a respectable level of quality. We did tell everyone they could bring their own source, and a few did, but never had a problem letting anyone hot-plug a device. FWIW I've been dying to get a great vinyl setup feeding the HE 1, but time-wise that stretches us pretty thin at these insanely busy (in a good way) events. Again, super happy you got the chance to hear it and we're working on multiple setups for the future. Cheers!

 

[Aramaki]

Any impressions of the Questyle CMA18 portable and desktop? I've had a M15 for a long time which I love and am curious how their higher end gear compares.

Loved the portable (more dynamic sounding) vs the M15, only issue for me is the input selector (I had to squint to see the lettering on the circuit board), hopefully priced at $500 instead of $800 when released.

 

[deep2285]

Don't forget that @Rockwell75's favorite iem is CFA Trifecta. So far, CFA have done better for him than any other, correct @Rockwell75 ?

Trifecta has divided opinions amongst audiophiles. I guess it is just a matter of taste with some IEMs. I have heard a few others who have really enjoyed it.