[AnalogandDigital]

But I bought this on a semi-whim, main use-case streaming while in bed/reading the news.

My use scenario exactly--or maybe some long trips in the car. Since "portability" is not an issue I could consider the M17 as well, but as expensive as it is I keep coming back to the N8ii and that sound profile. I am used to and prefer tube sound via my HT Conrad-Johson tube preamp and both my local media and streaming service is top-notch (100% DSD files and Qobuz 24-192 streaming). Even my main cans collection of the botique Final Audio Sonorous X, and *both* Pioneer SE-Master1 and SE-Monitor5's are certainly no slouches--so they would resolve every nuance the N8ii is capable of. It would probably also be closest in sound to the frankly amazing (but zero online capable) Calyx M.

Live in BFE in terms of try before purchase option...but I'm thinking i should just bite the bullet for the N8ii and be done with it for a looooong time

That's what I did finally and pulled the trigger last week
Now I have the C9 here already
Only issue I probably might have is ... that I waited to long to get the N8II ...

 

[NYanakiev]

Got the Diana TC on demo, both N8ii and DAVE had lots of difficulty driving it.

N8ii especially- as expected.

 

[AnalogandDigital]

Got the Diana TC on demo, both N8ii and DAVE had lots of difficulty driving it.

N8ii especially- as expected.

Look at the new AK Kann MAX
15 Vrms ...
Or add a C9 as I did

 

[NYanakiev]

Look at the new AK Kann MAX
15 Vrms ...
Or add a C9 as I did

No way in hell am I buying another DAP, given the cost of N8ii
Will stick to easier to drive gear.

I actually think that the c9 won't help much either.

 

[mungster]

Got the Diana TC on demo, both N8ii and DAVE had lots of difficulty driving it.

N8ii especially- as expected.

Only desktop amps drives planar to highest standards.

 

[NYanakiev]

Really, someone in this forum said N8ii drives abyss tc 1266 beautifully. I guess everybody have different standards. Lol

Lol. TC sounded anaemic as hell.
It was such an underwhelming experience that I gave up after a few minutes.

To confirm, I used P+ power mode. Tried both A and AB.

 

[AnalogandDigital]

No way in hell am I buying another DAP, given the cost of N8ii
Will stick to easier to drive gear.

I actually think that the c9 won't help much either.

Not a lot in power totally
And yes a few headphones are hard to drive
That's why I never bought a Susvara yet
Since I'll be stuck in one spot for listening to it
Maybe I'll get a HE1000 V1 instead
Or the Arya Stealth

 

[ECKHUAAA]

Not a lot in power totally
And yes a few headphones are hard to drive
That's why I never bought a Susvara yet
Since I'll be stuck in one spot for listening to it
Maybe I'll get a HE1000 V1 instead
Or the Arya Stealth

However you can get the HE1000SE that implements the Stealth magnets and it is 96db/mW, it's the closest to Susvara when looking at openback planars and easier to drive

 

[AnalogandDigital]

However you can get the HE1000SE that implements the Stealth magnets and it is 96db/mW

That's another option but many told me a bright pair so ...

 

[jmills8]

Lol. TC sounded anaemic as hell.
It was such an underwhelming experience that I gave up after a few minutes.

To confirm, I used P+ power mode. Tried both A and AB.

Ifi portable amps works well , Im talking about their big portable amps.

 

[bluestorm1992]

Let the burn-in begin.

 

[ECKHUAAA]

That's another option but many told me a bright pair so ...

Not at all as you can see I have used the pair, it's extremely musical rich and I used it with both the Arctic Cable Magnus all copper then upgraded to the Integra for even more top-end detail, the sound with the N8ii is really natural with deep bass, by the was I had the Arya Stealth before trading up to the HE1000SE...so I have heard both FWIW

 

[AnalogandDigital]

Not at all as you can see I have used the pair, it's extremely musical rich and I used it with both the Arctic Cable Magnus all copper then upgraded to the Integra for even more top-end detail, the sound with the N8ii is really natural with deep bass, by the was I had the Arya Stealth before trading up to the HE1000SE...so I have heard both FWIW

Good to know
I was actually looking into the HE1K V1 for the bright 'issue' but this opens doors

 

[scottm18]

I live in BFE in terms of try before purchase option...

How ironic/shocking I just found out I live about a whopping 15 minutes from the US distributor...but that's unfortunately not a dealer. Does anyone know if there's any "public access" to this location to where I could listen to it? Guessing no but I thought I'd ask here

 

[AnalogandDigital]

I live in BFE in terms of try before purchase option...

How ironic/shocking I just found out I live about a whopping 15 minutes from the US distributor...but that's unfortunately not a dealer. Does anyone know if there's any "public access" to this location to where I could listen to it? Guessing no but I thought I'd ask here

Ask Andrew perhaps ... ?