[antdroid]

Hey thank you so much. I have been looking at a leather that has the cut-out. Ordered the last one.

Did you receive the M15S case yet from Easecase? Wondering how it turned out!

 

[Audiowood]

Yes I got it. It doesn't fit well. The case is a little loose. - easy to slide out if its upside down. but the cut-out kinda makes up for it. It so easy to press now.

 

[Mungam]

I used these tools to punch holes in the original case, works great: https://www.amazon.de/BGS-Locheisensatz-565-9-tlg-Kunststoffkassette/dp/B000PTQ9YM

 

[Audiowood]

I used these tools to punch holes in the original case, works great: https://www.amazon.de/BGS-Locheisensatz-565-9-tlg-Kunststoffkassette/dp/B000PTQ9YM

Care to show your masterpiece

 

[antdroid]

Yes I got it. It doesn't fit well. The case is a little loose. - easy to slide out if its upside down. but the cut-out kinda makes up for it. It so easy to press now.

my cutouts look like that too. I actually didnt even notice they were that far off, but it is due to the curvature of the sides. While mine is also not a perfect fit, it does not slide out at all when I'm using, and even if I'm trying to shake it out, it still wont move. I have to push it out with the usb cable connected to get it out.

 

[Audiowood]

Another issue - the case height is taller so the top is not flush. The case is higher making the volume harder to grab. I added some tissue at the case bottom and now it sit flush. I do feel like cutting the holes in the original case since it fit so well. Just want the cut out.

 

[Audiowood]

My daily listen- Truthear zero pair with Whiplash TWgf 20 and M15s using spinfit W1. = oh wow... (I EQ some bass and throw away the imdependence adaptor - lol).

​

 

[Erolo]

@FiiO I want to use the 3.5mm coaxial output and need information about the 3.5mm plug. Is it 4-pin? What is the pin assignment? How is it different from the 3-pin ibasso plug?

 

[seanwee]

Compared the M15S vs Cayin N7 and Sony WM1A M2

Cayin N7 vs FiiO M15S


I had a brief listen to class A/AB and it's DSD oversampling modes and I settled with class A amplification for its bigger body, and DSD 512 over sampling for a smidgen better clarity.

On first listen it was clear that the N7's huge holographic soundstage and great instrument separation was going to be the star of the show. There was lots of air between instruments making every note, detail, instrument effortless. It's the antithesis of congested sounding.

Presentation wise it's like a combination of the best of the DX260 with best of M15S.

It has really good clarity with great dynamics but with better soundstage than either.

That said, there is an intensity to the sound. Treble seems to be straddling the edge of harsh in treble heavy tracks but it never quite goes over. It's not a problem in most songs though.

I really like the treble presentation personally, very clear and firm but not thin or soft. Comparatively speaking the treble on the M15S is slightly soft and the DX260 is thin.

The only part where the N7 falls short is it's bass. Mid bass is present and bold, but the sub bass doesn't go as deep as M15s to give that guttural rumble, and at the same time it's not as precise as DX260 bass.

Overall I'd say in all aspects but bass it's better than the M15S, but at the same time the tonality has shifted from warm-neutral to reference-neutral like the DX260 so it's not a direct upgrade path either. If you like deep powerful bass you will also definitely miss something with the N7.

WM1AM2 vs M15S


I really did not expect to be surprised. Sony moving away from their warm dark tonality?

But change they did, and the WM1AM2 now has a neutral tonality. Audiophiles rejoice!

Even from memory it's very clear (pun intended) the detail is much improved with a very clear sound compared to the old WM1A and even more so WM1Z which sounds muddy in comparison. To me it now sounds like refined DX160, maybe even the DX240?

I haven't read any reviews or follow the WM1A/Z M2 impressions thread but I am sure this tuning change is going to be very divisive.

WM1A/WM1Z users who prefer the warm/dark/analog sound are sure to hate this sound.

I was never a fan of the WM1A/WM1Z sound (too veiled, rolled off and muddy) until Mr Walkman ported over the DMP-Z1 sound over to the WM1A/WM1Z (yes, Sony uses dsp to segment and "tune" their daps).

So this is a welcome change for me.

Now onto how it compares with the FiiO M15S

As alluded to with me comparing it to a refined DX160, its not on the same level as the FiiO.

Soundstage is flatter and a bit less wide. I would say it has average depth but with average to good width.

Overall tonality is also thinner compared to the M15s which is definitely not something I'd say about the older WM1A/WM1Z players (I'm still surprised Sony did such a 180° change)

Bass is weaker with less extension.

Treble is also on the thinner side, but it also gives an impression of better clarity like on the DX240.

Dynamics is also clearly not as good, like DX240.

Now I realised that I have compared this more to the DX240 than the M15S, and that's exactly what this sounds like but without the detail level of the DX240.

The DX240 also already has a successor in the form of the DX260 which definitely beats the WM1A M2 in all aspects imo.

So if you have heard and like the sound and tonality of the WM1A M2, I implore you give the DX260 a try. It may very well be your next DAP.

 

[seanwee]

Preamble

Astell & Kern SP3000 impressions
(Goodbye for now A&K)



I've loved the A&K SP series since the SP1000 up to the SP2000T. In fact the SP1000 was the first player that struck me as wow, now this is high end sound.

So I struggled to figure out why exactly I couldn't fall in love with the SP3000.

And so I listened, immersed myself in the music. Then it hit me, the SP3000 was the first SP series to not be holographic sounding.

The soundstage is big and has good depth don't get me wrong, but the lack of holography and air between instruments makes it sound less immersive and engaging to me.

Instrument separation suffers as a result giving it an impression that it is less detailed and congested. Mind you the detail is still there, it's just not as present, but like how a TV with poor contrast presents a picture, the finer details are harder to see in a dark scene.

The SP3000 also lacks bite which I suspect is due to the 4499EX (will have to see how the R6 Pro II and M23 sound). Eveything has a sort of softness to it affecting overall perception of clarity and dynamics. It's not like the SP1000 with an ethereal presentation, but rather like a blunted feel to the sound, it doesn't snap when it should. Doesn't help that the dynamics aren't class leading to begin with.

According to the store owner, a fellow audiophile, the Sp3000 returned to the old AK tuning, ie AK380 old. A more "cohesive" tuning according to some.

I recently heard someone describe a holographic signature as bright and artificially large. Which, as someone who has gone down the speaker rabbit hole, isn't how I would describe it at all.

I find that the airy feeling allows for the "out of your head" feel (with a suitably good pair of iems) that seemed to be the goal when I first started my audio journey more than a decade ago. And I'm happy that I have gear at or even beyond my wildest dreams.

But like how people are returning to analog R2R systems and the resurgence of vinyl, I guess people just long for a nostalgic tuning.

And that's ok. But till next time A&K

Ps: I was asked to try the HB1 which has the Sp1000 tuning and the holographic nature, while mild, was immediately noticeable. Guess it's really a tuning choice. Still unclear how sources are "tuned" to have a holographic sound.

Astell & Kern SP3000 vs M15S



... It's has got to be a mismatch right?

But the fact is, daps have gotten so good that the you no longer have to pay past $1000 to get flagship sound.

The super high end is now reserved for daps with special sound coloration options like R2R or vacuum tube options imo, which makes the SP3000 one of the $3000+ holdouts with only a "standard" configuration.

Tonality wise, the SP3000 is closer to neutral while the M15S has a slight warm tint. That said, this isn't a normal neutral vs warm scenario. The SP3000 has a soft presentation while the M15s is crisp and punchy but not harsh as well.

For classic dac + solid state Daps, being able to hear every detail isn't an achievement anymore, it's a low bar to clear around or below $1000.

That said, detail jumps out at you more on the M15S due to its combination of better dynamics, holographic soundstage and crisper sound. Not in an in your face way, but like peering out a window rather than looking at a picture, there is a better perception of depth and consequently, you are able to separate the layers better.

On the SP3000, you get a slightly wider stage, blacker background that makes it sound deeper in some simpler tracks but in complicated/busy tracks it's clear the instrument separation is worse due to the lack of a holographic soundstage making it sound congested at times.

Bass is thicker and goes deeper on the M15S which I enjoy more, but unlike on the DX260 the SP3000 doesn't sound tighter due to its soft presentation.

Mids are a similar case where the M15S has more body to the sound but remains crisper than the SP3000.

Treble wise they are pretty similar but the SP3000 has a more natural extension despite both having a softer presentation.

Dynamics is a complete bloodbath, M15S vs SP3000 is like HDR on an OLED vs an LCD. Powerful vocals and instruments like trumpets come through strong, bold and crisp while they are soft, polite and subdued on the SP3000.

 

[Patlezinc]

I had the N7 and the M15s at the same time. I preferred the N7 but kept the M15s because of the desktop mode.
But the thing changing everything is to plug the m15s to an external amp. It takes it to another level (I used a Cayin C9). Other feedbacks said the same when connected to a A&K PA10. Sound is good with m15s only, just going further with external amp (the n7/c9 is just a match in heaven).

 

[seanwee]

I had the N7 and the M15s at the same time. I preferred the N7 but kept the M15s because of the desktop mode.
But the thing changing everything is to plug the m15s to an external amp. It takes it to another level (I used a Cayin C9). Other feedbacks said the same when connected to a A&K PA10. Sound is good with m15s only, just going further with external amp (the n7/c9 is just a match in heaven).

Yup, I'm a C9 enjoyer as well



Haven't tried N7 + C9 though

 

[FiiO]

@FiiO I want to use the 3.5mm coaxial output and need information about the 3.5mm plug. Is it 4-pin? What is the pin assignment? How is it different from the 3-pin ibasso plug?

Dear friend,

Yes, it is 4pin.

Best regards

 

[RIGATIO]

Preamble

Astell & Kern SP3000 vs M15S



It's has got to be a mismatch right?

But the fact is daps have gotten so good that the you no longer have to pay past $1000 to get flagship sound.

The super high end is now reserved for daps with special sound coloration options like R2R or vacuum tube options imo.

Tonality wise, the SP3000 is closer to neutral while the M15S has a slight warm tint. That said, this isn't a normal neutral vs warm scenario. The SP3000 has a soft presentation while the M15s is crisp and punchy but not harsh as well.

For classic dac + solid state Daps, being able to hear every detail isn't an achievement anymore, it's a low bar to clear around or below $1000.

That said, detail jumps out at you more on the M15S due to its combination of better dynamics, holographic soundstage and crisper sound. Not in an in your face way, but like peering out a window rather than looking at a picture, there is a better perception of depth and consequently, you are able to separate the layers better.

On the SP3000, you get a slightly wider stage, blacker background that makes it sound deeper in some simpler tracks but in complicated/busy tracks it's clear the instrument separation is worse due to the lack of a holographic soundstage making it sound congested at times.

Bass is thicker and goes deeper on the M15S which I enjoy more, but unlike on the DX260 the SP3000 doesn't sound tighter due to its soft presentation.

Mids are a similar case where the M15S has more body to the sound but remains crisper than the SP3000.

Treble wise they are pretty similar but the SP3000 has a more natural extension despite both having a softer presentation.

Dynamics is a complete bloodbath, M15S vs SP3000 is like HDR on an OLED vs an LCD. Powerful vocals and instruments like trumpets come through strong, bold and crisp while they are soft, polite and subdued on the SP3000.

100% agree on your sp1000 vs sp3000 impressions. Ive had the m15s and loved it, was sure it would serve me for a couple years but have found a great deal on the sp1000 and took a chance. After short comparison, i sent the m15s back. The sp1000 is just more incisive, dynamic, deep, separated and detailed but still bit more analog and natural. What they have done with both sp1k/2k flagships was really magical. The sound wows you from the frist seconds. And this effortless, holographic and airy soundstage on the sp1000 gives so much fun!

 

[Patlezinc]

I can’t find how to connect a Fiio m15s to the Fiio Q7 to use only the amp part of the Q7. Is that possible? With the c9 I used the line out 4,4mm of the m15s but not 4,4mm input on the Q7