Kiats
Headphoneus Supremus
If you want a more desktop solution, perhaps you can ponder the Shanling M30. Lotsa flexibility and options with that one. Only question is whether you like the sound signature. But it does have 3 options to choose from: bypass, resistor or tube.
Tanalasta
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Looking for something with the sound signature of the DCS Bartok. But with the footprint of a Moon 230 or Topping A90. Don’t need the fancy DAC or network streamer as can connect the Hugo2/2Go to it.If you want a more desktop solution, perhaps you can ponder the Shanling M30. Lotsa flexibility and options with that one. Only question is whether you like the sound signature. But it does have 3 options to choose from: bypass, resistor or tube.
Don’t ask for much do I? If the C9 will do the trick I’ll be a happy camper. Distributor has to order in stock so it’s a 2 week wait!
Trailli and SP2K comes close
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Tanalasta
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I would wait and see whether they update their unit. The Naim is a fantastic 'all in one' on paper and really needs a decent Headphone Amp.
What tier of desktop amp would the C9 compare to? I suppose for easy to drive IEM's and headphones (e.g. Utopia ; Stellia) the C9 should have more than enough headroom.
I removed the screws from the C9 and put then into a protective case for storage in my C9 bag along with the screw driver. The C9 case holds the battery tray in place very nicely as it sits in the back. This will make changing the batteries a lot easier. I am going to try this for a while to see what happens. Anyone see any big negatives to operating the C9 in this way?
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bluestorm1992
Headphoneus Supremus
Seems to me like a great solution
Just some initial impressions from a few hours with my new purchase of the C9, paired with the Shanling M8:
Line in vs Pre (Tube/Class A)
Pre – warmer, less detail esp in harmonics and tonal nuance, mild hiss
Line – cooler, larger & deeper stage, more detail, blacker background
My preference with M8: Line out mode, Low gain (M8), Low gain (C9) - line in to C9 is a clear winner.
Timbre/Amp
Class A/B – impact, Class A – less aggressive
Tube – more transparent & forward mids, slower attack – greater decay
SS – balanced presentation
Tonal accuracy hard to choose, Tubes have slight advantage
My preference with M8: Tube / Class A for the majority of my music
Shanling M8 (high gain) + MEST MK2 vs Shanling M8 LO mode (low gain) – Cayin C9 (Tube/A/low gain) + MEST MK2
With C9
Overall, several steps up for both the 3DT + MESTMK2. My concern prior to purchase was producing a warm-on-warm signature that would detract from things (due to a lack of true LO on the M8). While we all have our preferences and point at which things may become ‘too warm’, I certainly haven’t reached that point – thankfully! In fact, there was an almost immediate appreciation that things sounded less congested, more transparent and more detailed with the C9 which, I feel, has offset any cumulative effect of double amp’ing in this scenario that could risk warming things too far.
What’s clear in the few hours of listening is that the line in (and line in mode on the M8) is superior in presenting the technical ability of the IEM when compared to the preamp function. For those pairing M8’s, ensure that when you switch to line out mode that you then alter the gain to low gain as it defaults to ‘turbo’.
Another point is that my MEST MK2 has seemed to benefit more from this upgrade than the cheaper 3DT, likely because the C9 helps it work to its strengths, seeing an improvement in technicalities which were clearly hamstrung to a degree with M8 alone.
Obviously take my initial impressions with a pinch of salt, but its all good so far! Thanks for all the help and advice along the way guys.
Line in vs Pre (Tube/Class A)
Pre – warmer, less detail esp in harmonics and tonal nuance, mild hiss
Line – cooler, larger & deeper stage, more detail, blacker background
My preference with M8: Line out mode, Low gain (M8), Low gain (C9) - line in to C9 is a clear winner.
Timbre/Amp
Class A/B – impact, Class A – less aggressive
Tube – more transparent & forward mids, slower attack – greater decay
SS – balanced presentation
Tonal accuracy hard to choose, Tubes have slight advantage
My preference with M8: Tube / Class A for the majority of my music
Shanling M8 (high gain) + MEST MK2 vs Shanling M8 LO mode (low gain) – Cayin C9 (Tube/A/low gain) + MEST MK2
With C9
- Bass tighter, reaches deeper
- Mids brought forward (towards my preferred signature!)
- Deeper & more spherical staging
- Greater transparency
- Possibly blacker background (may be due to the deeper staging and tighter dynamics giving the impression of greater contrast?)
- Looser macrodynamics / ‘smoother’ presentation
- Mids lacking body (for my preference)
- Shallower & less spherical stage / greater intimacy
- Less detail (but not necessarily in a bad way at times; can make for easier listening)
- Less transparent
Overall, several steps up for both the 3DT + MESTMK2. My concern prior to purchase was producing a warm-on-warm signature that would detract from things (due to a lack of true LO on the M8). While we all have our preferences and point at which things may become ‘too warm’, I certainly haven’t reached that point – thankfully! In fact, there was an almost immediate appreciation that things sounded less congested, more transparent and more detailed with the C9 which, I feel, has offset any cumulative effect of double amp’ing in this scenario that could risk warming things too far.
What’s clear in the few hours of listening is that the line in (and line in mode on the M8) is superior in presenting the technical ability of the IEM when compared to the preamp function. For those pairing M8’s, ensure that when you switch to line out mode that you then alter the gain to low gain as it defaults to ‘turbo’.
Another point is that my MEST MK2 has seemed to benefit more from this upgrade than the cheaper 3DT, likely because the C9 helps it work to its strengths, seeing an improvement in technicalities which were clearly hamstrung to a degree with M8 alone.
Obviously take my initial impressions with a pinch of salt, but its all good so far! Thanks for all the help and advice along the way guys.
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