[Illidan]

I was doing a long time search aiming to get a proper device for UE11 Pros and eventually down to the MZ-EH1. This tiny box matches the UE11 so perfect that even better a lot of synergy with iPod and amps. The EH1/UE11 combo provides a fullness and musical sound with details. There ain't a natural crystal clean sound like Pico or over excited highs and lows as Hornet. The low frequencies are much stronger than iPod you can get and with nice controlling which is also better than the Hornet to me. Vocals are slightly forward and very touching. Opened up soundstage with accuracy and no hiss issues. I'm not give any judgement on other dap or amps listed, but the EH1 is very protable and good sounding. Right now i'm pretty impressive.

 

[Illidan]

Be interested in cable upgrade BTW.

 

[chowk]

Thanks Illidan - did you find any non-MD devices that pair well with the UE11?

I'd be interested if other owners have found good ampless combinations with UE11. Zune possibly?

 

[pendles]

This was a great thread! When I first bought my UE-10Pros, no seemed to understand how killer the product was! They sound so similar to my HP-1000 drivers and are very reference as well... I went on to build three more highend bass monster headphones, so I probably won't purchase an UE-11, but it sounds like a fantastic product!!!

 

[Illidan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chowk /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks Illidan - did you find any non-MD devices that pair well with the UE11? I'd be interested if other owners have found good ampless combinations with UE11. Zune possibly?

From my experience the UE11 though are very sensitive but they still require a relative high current to drive with, my sound card has a huge step toward iPod which mainly due to the output level imo.
I haven't heard the Zune but maybe they are fine pair with the UE11 since the high output.
Other options: Creative Zen, iPod Classic, Kenwood players
I think it depends on personal music preference, but kenwood did a overall best job among them, the only issue is that they hiss a lot

Hope these can help you

 

[chowk]

Thanks Illidan - with sensitive IEMs, my biggest concerns besides SQ are hiss and volume control (the increments are too large making it difficult to find the right volume, and not all support volume leveling).

Using a portable amp + lineout dock solves these gripes but that comes with additional bulk.

We seem to agree on the Kenwoods - I tried them out while I was in Japan but the hiss was just too much.

 

[manaox2]

I know how shocked I still am that the UE11 require a high-end amp despite their sensitivity. I was sad to seek an amp upgrade. I can't think of any straight up portable player to do it right. My 1st gen shuffle is the best I've tried so far without an amp, I still have a lot to test out though.

 

[chef8489]

The Ue-11 sound amazonig out of my classic unamped. The amp just fills out the sound a bit more.

 

[manaox2]

The bass was too bloated for me. That is my main reason for owning an amp, although I am so glad I have the fullness and texture that a good amp provides now that I have it. I want to hear a classic and compare it with an original shuffle.

 

[Jalo]

I asked Ken at ALO about possible custom cable for the UE 10/11 pros. This is what he said "You're right the UE10s do not have any alternative cable option. I have looked into this and because they do not offer a prong to mate with the drivers I can not make a cable for it. Also trying to cut into the prongs is very difficult so I do not offer any options for these earphones. Sorry about that. I am at the CES show now and will look for the UE people and ask them about this."

 

[Illidan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by manaox2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I know how shocked I still am that the UE11 require a high-end amp despite their sensitivity. I was sad to seek an amp upgrade. I can't think of any straight up portable player to do it right. My 1st gen shuffle is the best I've tried so far without an amp, I still have a lot to test out though.

No hiss excellent sound and matched color they are perfect combo to me indeed.

 

[manaox2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illidan /img/forum/go_quote.gif No hiss excellent sound and matched color they are perfect combo to me indeed.

Now thats style. I really like.

 

[matt8268]

I use my UE-11s with an iMod+vCap and a Tomahawk. Love the combo. I mean love love love it. I have never enjoyed music so much, out of anything, portable or not. Bass to my ears is perfect. Note I did NOT like the UE-11s with my old iMod 4G and Tomahawk. Bass hump was awful (think of booming car subwoofer). Note also my UE-10s with the iMod 4G and Tomahawk was also a great combo.

Just for fun, I recently did something I had been meaning to do but haven't in a long time. Mid-song, I unplugged my UE-11s from the Tomahawk and plugged them straight into the iPod's headphone jack. I figured I'd hear a difference, but I was blown away at just how unlistenable it was. The difference between that headphone out and the iMod to vCap to Tomahawk out is subSTANtial. Separate, individual instruments and voices arranged beautifully all around my head were instantly jumbled up in a big salad (with lots of dressing), mushing together all the sound. I have done this test before with other rigs and other headphones, but never have I heard such a dramatic shift. That iMod+vCap is a gem of a source, and the UE-11s are the soundstage king that will let you hear just how good.

 

[number1sixerfan]

How often does UE release a new custom model? I just wonder if they would release something in the near(1 year or 2) future that would be even better. $1000 is a lot of money for a product that will be replaced soon.

 

[manaox2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by number1sixerfan /img/forum/go_quote.gif How often does UE release a new custom model? I just wonder if they would release something in the near(1 year or 2) future that would be even better. $1000 is a lot of money for a product that will be replaced soon.

It seems doubtful. This was their first update in at least 3 years. The UE10 has been around almost since the beginning of the company, its going to be REALLY hard to improve upon either the UE10 or UE11 as far as I can tell. I don't know what would come next. 6 drivers? I really don't think anyone is going to regret getting this due to any future upgrade.