[ezekiel77]

The general upgrade plan for sound quality, is to get better earphones, followed by a DAP, then maybe an amp, and lastly a cable to eke out the last 5%. Talking about cables in certain parts of headfi will get you in an argument lol.

 

[Rin1990]

The general upgrade plan for sound quality, is to get better earphones, followed by a DAP, then maybe an amp, and lastly a cable to eke out the last 5%. Talking about cables in certain parts of headfi will get you in an argument lol.

Amp seems to always be optional for me to be honest. Since IEMs hardly need amping unless they're TOTL stuffs. And as for cables, well...I only go  for what I am recommended should I go that far.
 
But other than that, I am pleased to focus on upgrading to A2H Pro for the time being since it's the most affordable upgrade to me. I am still pleased with my Fiio X1 though. So it'll take a while before I consider a DAP upgrade, let alone an amp unit. 

 

 

[ezekiel77]

Oh? They have it on Jaben Nu Sentral? I'll need to ask them tomorrow. Though I can only audition on Fridays since it's my day off. But thanks for telling me. :atsmile:

Oh yes. I tested my first batch of CIEMs from that very branch. Ended up getting the JH13.

 

[Rin1990]

Oh yes. I tested my first batch of CIEMs from that very branch. Ended up getting the JH13.

Oh? How is your impression on it? I only auditioned the JH5 and Rox.
 
To be honest...I...don't quite like the Roxanne's sound at all for some reason. It sounds so...I dunno..muddy or dark to my ears through my Fiio X1. Is it my DAP bottlenecking? 

 

 

[omastic]

  Considering my budget line I say I am on the latter part.
 
Tempting as it may be, there's just some lines I vowed to never cross when it comes to this hobby of mine. 

All your lines and vows will fly away if you spend enough time around here. You can trust me on that

 

[Rin1990]

  All your lines and vows will fly away if you spend enough time around here. You can trust me on that

Whoa-hoho...let's not jump to conclusions yet. You'll never know. 

 

[ezekiel77]

  Oh? How is your impression on it? I only auditioned the JH5 and Rox.
 
To be honest...I...don't quite like the Roxanne's sound at all for some reason. It sounds so...I dunno..muddy or dark to my ears through my Fiio X1. Is it my DAP bottlenecking? 

 

 
JH13 is a big jump for me coming from ATH-IM03 and GR07. It's incredibly clear and balanced, with a forward, aggressive sound. The amount of bass, mids, treble is just right... and the most realistic cymbal splash I have heard in an IEM. Soundstage wasn't the biggest (Roxanne was far bigger) but I love the tonality a lot more here. Listened to it once, got poisoned, bought it the next day. Roxanne was too V-shaped for my liking. Great bass and treble and soundstage but the mids suffered. Not really your DAP bottleneck I think. Sound sig preference more likely.
 
And just an example of the CTM500 punching above its weight, their mids are better than the JH13, but I like the overall JH13 sig better. Perfect for rock.

 

[Rin1990]

   
JH13 is a big jump for me coming from ATH-IM03 and GR07. It's incredibly clear and balanced, with a forward, aggressive sound. The amount of bass, mids, treble is just right... and the most realistic cymbal splash I have heard in an IEM. Soundstage wasn't the biggest (Roxanne was far bigger) but I love the tonality a lot more here. Listened to it once, got poisoned, bought it the next day. Roxanne was too V-shaped for my liking. Great bass and treble and soundstage but the mids suffered. Not really your DAP bottleneck I think. Sound sig preference more likely.
 
And just an example of the CTM500 punching above its weight, their mids are better than the JH13, but I like the overall JH13 sig better. Perfect for rock.

Ah, thanks for telling me.
 
This is my current setup: Fiio X1 + ATH-CKR9
 
So, I want my first custom upgrade to be good. But who knows...maybe I'll prefer the CTM500 more the next week I audition it (If they have a demo still). But for now my eyes are locked to the A2H Pro.The pricing is almost too good to be true for me.
 
Then I might consider a DAP upgrade (Cayin N5 or Fiio X5 II probably)
 
And I am a 80% Pop (of all kinds) and 20% metal/rock. So...yeah. It might be my preferred sound sig.

 

[ezekiel77]

  Ah, thanks for telling me.
 
This is my current setup: Fiio X1 + ATH-CKR9
 
So, I want my first custom upgrade to be good. But who knows...maybe I'll prefer the CTM500 more the next week I audition it (If they have a demo still). But for now my eyes are locked to the A2H Pro.The pricing is almost too good to be true for me.
 
Then I might consider a DAP upgrade (Cayin N5 or Fiio X5 II probably)
 
And I am a 80% Pop (of all kinds) and 20% metal/rock. So...yeah. It might be my preferred sound sig.

 
I have the CKR9 too! Love that thing. Very fun sound with good bass and mids.

 

[Rin1990]

   
I have the CKR9 too! Love that thing. Very fun sound with good bass and mids.

*high fives*
 
But yeah, I love the sound on it (Burned in about 50+ hours so far) And I like my favorite OMAM music sounds with it.
 
But after auditioning the A2H and W500 AHMorph, I am just intoxicated now. xD

 

[Kerouac]

And with upgrading your iems, upgrading your dap is almost a must to do them justice and get the best sq out of them

The well known "sorry about your wallet'' thing I'm afraid

 

[Rin1990]

  And with upgrading your iems, upgrading your dap is almost a must to do them justice and get the best sq out of them

The well known "sorry about your wallet'' thing I'm afraid

That's about as true as one can say, I believe. 

 
Then again, the CIEM I am aiming for already sound delicious on my feeble little Fiio X1. It's not that hard to beat that DAP and kick it to the curb I believe.
 
I could be going for Cayin N5 (Which I am hearing a lot of great things with and had since auditioned it). or Fiio X5 II or some other DAPs that are around that price range. 

 

[ezekiel77]

  And with upgrading your iems, upgrading your dap is almost a must to do them justice and get the best sq out of them

The well known "sorry about your wallet'' thing I'm afraid

 
Exactly haha, when I bought the JH13 I thought, the best earphones deserve the best DAP... and I bought the AK100ii shortly after.
 
Still happy though.

 

[Rin1990]

   
Exactly haha, when I bought the JH13 I thought, the best earphones deserve the best DAP... and I bought the AK100ii shortly after.
 
Still happy though.

You've the AK100ii? Damn...now I jelly. 

 

[Kerouac]

I could be going for Cayin N5 (Which I am hearing a lot of great things with and had since auditioned it). or Fiio X5 II or some other DAPs that are around that price range. 

 
The upcoming iBasso DX80 might also be a very interesting dap in that price range.
I'm considering it myself to replace my 'old' DX90