Currently on iPhone 8 + Shure SE846. Worth replacing iPhone 8 with a portable player to upgrade sound?

Jan 15, 2019 at 2:47 PM Post #16 of 20
fiio q5 is another option

FiiO Q5 is a perfect option. Fantastic quality via bluetooth or lightning. Supports DSD and High-Res over USB from the iPhone. I've replaced both my desktop amp and my portable amp with this one unit.
 
Jan 15, 2019 at 4:00 PM Post #17 of 20
Is that via the Camera Kit cable? Can it really pass DSD? How about192k files? How are the files stored on the iPhone? Thanks.
 
Jan 16, 2019 at 8:21 AM Post #18 of 20
I dont think the OP needs to be schooled on using his IEM's. He's after a sound source quality boost.

What about balanced cables for the Shure iems?

I have never heard the improvement but have one on order and am keen to hear what it does.

That sounds interesting. Do let us know your observations once you receive your package.

Is that via the Camera Kit cable? Can it really pass DSD? How about192k files? How are the files stored on the iPhone? Thanks.

I connect the Se846 to the iPhone 8 via the Apple Lightning to 3.5mm convertor. I play music via Apple Music, which I believe streams music at something around 280kbps.
 
Jan 16, 2019 at 8:34 AM Post #19 of 20
Is that via the Camera Kit cable? Can it really pass DSD? How about192k files? How are the files stored on the iPhone? Thanks.

The Q5 comes with a lightning to micro USB cable that goes between them. If using the Fiio music app, you open it and enable wifi transfer, open a browser on your PC, and drag and drop files to it. It stores the files in the app. There are other third party apps that can play back DSD/High-Res as well but I have no experience with them. I'm also unsure what the max sample rate it supports on iOS is.
 
Jan 16, 2019 at 8:39 AM Post #20 of 20
I wanted to purchase the Shure SE846 since the time it was launched. I was on Shure E3C (a really old, but really good pair). Last year, I finally purchased the SE846.

I was somehow underwhelmed by the sound on the SE846. They're good, but not great. Maybe it's because the source is iPhone and Apple Music, I don't know.

I have some income to dispose and thought maybe it is the right time to finally buy a high quality portable player. Also, when I buy next hifi headphones, I can use it to drive them too.

I've heard that the Shure SE846 don't really benefit from DACs and portable audio players like the ones from FiiO and Sony.

I wanted to know whether it is worthy to upgrade to a portable music player, for a genuine sound upgrade on the Shure SE846. Price is not an issue, but it should be worthy of the sound upgrade. I will be purchasing from AliExpress.


Ip 8, idk. But ip4/s and 6 is known good audio out.
But, this thing is importance : it sound clean, clear, have layering, fair FR respond, .... but flat, boring, dry, no space (sound stage), no soul sound.
Samsung, example Note8, have not as clean, not as fast (I mean slow cut-off and have decay longer...), highs is not extend and crystial clear as in ip.....etc, but sound "better" to hear, have soul, wider soundstage, musicallity.

So if use as a source for amping and speaker, ip is good. For put direct to earphone it is not.

-> change your source.
 

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