Cypher Labs AlgoRhythm Solo - Discussion and Impressions Thread

[Jalo]

I have been playing with balance portables ever since they first came on the scene over two years ago, First, it was the Protector, then the SR 71b, then the PB2. And of course I also have balance desktop set up also. So I can say I am very familiar with the balance sound signature. As soon as I hear the MKIII, I immediately recognized that signature-bigger, cleaner and intimate sound, especially in the portable arena. I know it will eventually catch on.

Yes, they are a little more than the rest mainly because of the increase cost of manufacturing. But I think PB2 is really a steal with it's price at $329.00. the sound of the PB2 actually is very very nice. The only thing that I didn't like about the PB2 is the form factor. I really like the thinner profile of the SR71b. So for those of you that want a good and cheaper balance amp, you need to send e-mails to Ibasso to let them know your preference. it is true that the MKIII does have an advantage of having the exact same form factor as the Solo. I think by now most of us have been heavily conditioned and spoiled and addicted by/to the earth shaking bass of the LCD line and we wanted that in our listening experience. Therefore, the addition of the bass boost pot on the MKIII is really a welcome feature that other balance amps do not have.

If Ibasso can come up with a balance amp that is thin, with a bass boost pot and retain their current mid and treble signature and cost about $300.00. They will be selling like dim sum . Even better is if they can combine their DB2 into the same enclosure, that with be almost unconscious. I will be a distributor just to sell that item. So start shooting your mail at them .

 

[Minh3184]

Hahaha! Dim Sum is the new hotcakes
 
I contacted ALO about if whether the CLAS comes with a univesal charger, and they said nope. I'm from the U.K and so could anyone recommend the right kind of adaptor to be used?
 
Thanks!

 

[googleli]

Turns out that it is not Moon Audio's fault that the cables arrived late. It took USPS half a month to deliver this package marked "extremely urgent". I think I will stick with Fedex in the future. I will compare the fully balanced portable system (iPhone 4 -> CLAS -> Moon Audio Black Dragon short coaxial -> iBasso DB2 coaxial in -> iBasso DB2  balanced out -> Custom made Silver Dragon balanced cable by Moon Audio -> Balanced input SR71B -> Balanced output SR71B -> LCD2 with ALO balanced cable for SR71B) with single ended input for the SR71B soon. These will be obsolete once the CLAS balanced version comes out, but until then, this, or a chain with the PB2 replacing the SR71B, will be the only fully balanced "portable" solution with an iPhone.  
 

 
 

 
 

 

[Guidostrunk]

Yeah are postal service is almost bankrupt.

 

[Girls Generation]

These will be obsolete once the CLAS balanced version comes out,

Atleast you can keep one to reterminate the Hirose 6pin to both sides Kobiconn to use for your BClas + MK3

And you can always sell the coaxial since there'll always be someone looking for one.

 

[googleli]

I sense a bit of graininess in the mids. Time to make use of the ibud for non stop burn in again. I should have thought better and burn in the DB2 in advance instead of letting it sit here and wait for the cables. But even the cables need burn in (don't start),  so comparisons will follow later, maybe on Friday when I feel the burn in is enough.

 

[Girls Generation]

I sense a bit of graininess in the mids. Time to make use of the ibud for non stop burn in again. I should have thought better and burn in the DB2 in advance instead of letting it sit here and wait for the cables. But even the cables need burn in (don't start),  so comparisons will follow later, maybe on Friday when I feel the burn in is enough.

No problemo !

 

[SpudHarris]

Quote:

Hahaha! Dim Sum is the new hotcakes
 
I contacted ALO about if whether the CLAS comes with a univesal charger, and they said nope. I'm from the U.K and so could anyone recommend the right kind of adaptor to be used?
 
Thanks!

It does come with a charger (2 pin). You will need a shaver adapter to use it. Mine died after a few months so I bought a decent 3 pin equivalent off the bay....
 

 

[DigitalFreak]

Quote:

Let's skip this cable stuff (we will never reach a conclusion), and keep focused on CLAS

Agreed

 

[googleli]

 I expressly said "don't start" in my cable burn in comment but still...
 
Anyway, snake oil or not, the coaxial cable and the DB2 to SR71B cable are what I needed for the fully balanced brick rig and just happens that Moon Audio have them both so I ordered. I will post some impressions (on the balanced setup, not cables) on Friday.

 

[AnakChan]

Quote:

The one thing I have to complain about the CLAS is when its surface scratches against the amp (happens to all portable amps I own), the feeling and sound is just horrible. Just like Freddie in Nightmare in Elm's Street using his steel fingers to scratch against a blackboard in one of the crap movies. The maker of Fostex HP-P1 has clearly thought about it and used a leather surface for the unit instead.

The only thing I'd like to comment though is that my HP-P1 is peeling and there's not much I can do to protect it. Even the case that came with it causes it to peel.
 
I do have a few questions here :-
1) There's another thread of CLAS not recognising iOS5. However that thread has gone dead. Can anyone else here confirm it is the case & if so, has anyone gotten any updates from Cypher Labs?
2) Has there been anyone who moved from the Fostex HP-P1 to the CLAS? I'm a HP-P1 owner and I hardly use its amp (I use a Pico Slim). As a DAC the HP-P1 is great but somewhat to big to just use is as an Amp. I've also read the HP-P1 vs CLAS thread where (to my understanding) the CLAS is more "clinical". If that means more detailed/analytical (& less musical), that actually appeals to me. However that thread has also ended. If there's anyone who has moved from the P1 -> CLAS, do let me know if you're happy with your decision or if you have any regrets, what are they?
 
#1 would be a show stopper for me to get to #2.
 
Cheers,
AC
 
 

 

[googleli]

As I have stated in somewhere, the CLAS sounds a bit more clinical to me, but is a great match with the RSA amps. On the other hand the HP-P1 has warmish and a bit grainy mids (on Filter 1) and is a good match with the Stepdance.
 
The CLAS works perfectly fine with my iPhone 4 which has been upgraded to IOS5.

 

[AnakChan]

@googleli, cheers. Yes it was your review it being more clinical that piqued my interest. That is great news that the CLAS is iOS5 compatible. I may go to check the CLAS out this weekend in a 2nd hand store in Tokyo. The only thing is it sells for USD$713 (used).

 

[Guidostrunk]

It's a shame that good threads get ruined by the " C " word. This cable topic has been argued time and time again. Please don't ruin this thread. I hear differences in cables, but i understand not all agree with my views.To each there own .Hopefully this thread can stay on topic.

 

[googleli]

Better bring your own iPhone to test out - my iPhone 4 and CLAS does not represent the same combination across the board. My iPhone 4s is arriving next week so I will be able to test whether it works with the CLAS as well. Lucky that you live in Japan - you've probably got yourslef the iPhone 4s already!