[WorksUnit]

So, Stock on the ESS model is starting to show up in Canada now. The price went from 950.00 for the AKM ( which i own ) to 1350.00 for the ESS.

LOL.....that is some price increase.

Ouch. ESS version around 970 from UK authorised dealer.

I still *really* enjoy my AKM.
It isn`t something I reach for all the time, but that sense of of lateral staging and detail is beguiling.
Curious to hear any perspectives between the two versions.

 

[GGSuperMe]

Ouch. ESS version around 970 from UK authorised dealer.

I still *really* enjoy my AKM.
It isn`t something I reach for all the time, but that sense of of lateral staging and detail is beguiling.
Curious to hear any perspectives between the two versions.

Yeah, I saw the price yesterday for Canada. I'm so happy I pulled the trigger on the AKM version which I love. At $1350, I would be looking at other options.

 

[G8torbyte]

I still *really* enjoy my AKM.
It isn`t something I reach for all the time, but that sense of of lateral staging and detail is beguiling.
Curious to hear any perspectives between the two versions.

Zeos did a follow-up on the ESS after reviewing the AKM version.
In short, ESS made some enhancements but AKM owners don't need to fret over the changes.

 

[padawan25]

Zeos did a follow-up on the ESS after reviewing the AKM version.
In short, the ESS has a some enhancements but AKM owners don't need to fret over the changes.

Ya….I’m so glad I picked up the AKM4499 version while it was available. At 1350 cdn now for the ESS model…….that would’ve been a easy pass from me.

 

[Bob Ley]

Thanks for sharing the great combination.
I am happy now.

Same set up here. LOVE it!

 

[Bob Ley]

Sorry if this is off topic, just wondering if anyone has this same experience?

I've been curious about DAP's lately, wondering if they sound any better than a rooted android with V4A installed.

I've been using V4A for so many years and spoiled with it that I don't know if I could listen to music without it.
Anyway, I bought a Fiio M11 Plus to answer my curiosity and unless I'm doing something wrong with it, sounds exactly the same as the phone without V4A, maybe just a tad better but certainly nowhere as good as my S21Ultra with V4a. Dap's can be rooted but what's the point?

Anyone's thoughts appreciated.

 

[llysender]

Hmmm if electromods review is accurate then the difference between the AKM and ESS version should be minimal since the same praise can be said for the AKM version as well.

 

[WorksUnit]

Kudos for adding the stickers with the latest version.
Would be lovely if these could be available to existing AKM owners.

 

[quawn0418]

Hmmm if electromods review is accurate then the difference between the AKM and ESS version should be minimal since the same praise can be said for the AKM version as well.

Yea it definitely sounds like he’s describing the akm version also, i don’t get caught up into the single/dual dac chip stuff, if you ask me, the akm chip was a part of fiio’s original plan. Of course the akm factory fire got in the way of that, but companies usually went with akm when designing their flagship products, ess was always a close second in my experience. I’m glad i caught the akm batch, i am however eager to here the ess version. I think the price increase is purely due to the dual chip implementation and high praise of the original release (akm). I’m not expecting to hear much difference if any at all.

 

[Robert Waller]

if there’s an AKM owner who would like the stickers for free I am not going to use mine and will mail them to you just ask I’d be happy to do so

 

[syazwaned]

Hi, can anyone

Can anyone compare Fiio k9 Pro ess against Centrance Hifi m8 v2 + Ampersands in term of sonic quality?

 

[padawan25]

if there’s an AKM owner who would like the stickers for free I am not going to use mine and will mail them to you just ask I’d be happy to do so

I have the AKM version......what stickers are you referring to ?

 

[llysender]

Thank you AV1 Singapore for letting me A/B with the new ESS verion.

Needed about an hour of burn in before it started sounding good. ESS dynamics and noteweight are somewhat reduced compared to the AKM version. What the ESS version excells at is being more transparent in the top end. Also the ESS version pairs very well with audeze planars for adding back that noteweight while synergising with that smoothish mid range. Overall doesnt pair as well with dynamics HD800s HE-R9 and single DD iem like fiio FD7 due to thier more revealing nature showing the lack of detailed texture.

Plays well with my mostly morden music like nightwish, t+paz, aviators, Nana mizuki. Subbass is slightly strong but can be somewhat wanting texture wise. Works best with non synth based music that doesnt rely on minor changes to the bass. Iron maiden sounded fantastic with its sharp and precise notes and transparent topend. Overwall its a lighter more transparent topend sound but still very nice in its own way. Just isnt the texture and microdetail monster that is the akm version.

 

[quawn0418]

Thank you AV1 Singapore for letting me A/B with the new ESS verion.

Needed about an hour of burn in before it started sounding good. ESS dynamics and noteweight are somewhat reduced compared to the AKM version. What the ESS version excells at is being more transparent in the top end. Also the ESS version pairs very well with audeze planars for adding back that noteweight while synergising with that smoothish mid range. Overall doesnt pair as well with dynamics HD800s HE-R9 and single DD iem like fiio FD7 due to thier more revealing nature showing the lack of detailed texture.

Plays well with my mostly morden music like nightwish, t+paz, aviators, Nana mizuki. Subbass is slightly strong but can be somewhat wanting texture wise. Works best with non synth based music that doesnt rely on minor changes to the bass. Iron maiden sounded fantastic with its sharp and precise notes and transparent topend. Overwall its a lighter more transparent topend sound but still very nice in its own way. Just isnt the texture and microdetail monster that is the akm version.

Sounds like you prefer the akm, can you give some more burn in, say 50-75 hours and give us an update? You are very much appreciated my friend.

 

[llysender]

Sounds like you prefer the akm, can you give some more burn in, say 50-75 hours and give us an update? You are very much appreciated my friend.

Sadly I cant bring it back home for demoing, will go back a couple of weeks later to give it a second try after its burnt in.