Yeah, that's basically what I've wrote
But it's the driver character, that's at the source of the problem.
Anyway, why are you looking for a source with "new 32-bit Cirrus Logic"? That's just a DAC like any other DAC, depending on the implementation it can sound awful or great or mediocre... You should never look for gear, based on the specification - that what years of experience in audio have taught me. To choose the right source you need to try it, there's no way around that. To a limited degree you can rely on others opinions, but there's too many hypes and it's very hard to filter opinions.
I agree with you about the N5005. Good armature drivers will always give more wow effect in midrage, but in the long run I always prefer dynamic driver characteristics - it's more subtle and elegant presentation of sound.
Arsyn, Schiit are not just an "amp company" they make a range of products including various source devices. Their innovations are well known, making great sounding kit for not much money! They're a good example of those you should give attention to as they promote desktop set-up's which are so much better when not listening on the move. Despite your comments about amps, they're probably as well known for making superb sounding Dac's, especially multibit one's. These are very different to the like's of Cirrus Logic who like their peers seem to continue on the high bit rate quest, which often doesn't seem to improve sound quality. I'd say to you, listen to your Pro Gold's on a mid range desktop system (computer, multibit dac and amp) and tell me how it compares to using your phone and mobile devices.
I totally agree about Head-Fi and them favouring those who sponsor the site and advertise. Head-Fi have become as bad as the worst print media culprits did in the 80's and 90's where if you didn't adverstise with them, they weren't going to give your kit a positive review. Cynical maybe, but its the way the commercial world works. And having plenty of internet / online only and ad free independent websites is the only way to keep places like Head-Fi and their type honest. Its why many of the more enlightened headphone users have abandoned Head-Fi and follow them more avidly instead. Its why I don't post here very often either!
I see there have been several new posts here since my last visit and am unsure if theres been any more followup responses to me, but I'll reply to them soon. Tuesdays typically are not good days for me healthwise, so I'm going to take a break posting until tomorrow, when I plan on trying the Zorloo Zuperdac to hear if I can detect any tizz on my FlaresGold.
Jonathan, while I'm not quite in agreement with awayeah about tizz on the FlaresGold, there definitely is, at least on the unit I had of it, on the FlaresPro. I absolutely guarantee its not a source or recording issue. It most certainly is with the actual unit. Now where I disagree with awayeah, is in the belief its related to the driver technology, believing that the FlaresPro and FlaresGold have the same problem because of it being "the same driver".
The difference is in the tuning, and as I've been saying all along, there are similar treble tuning between the two in which its pushed to the limits, but on FlaresGold it stops prior to reaching the point of harshness in tuning, where the FlaresPro goes over the limit. I'm very curious as to where in the frequency response this happens. I suspect in the upper treble range, but at which point exactly I don't know.
Now regarding awayeah's claims of hearing the tizz on the FlaresGold, its possible based on source and tips. I did hear a slight push in the direction of harshness when I used the Bluetooth, but regardless of those hear who seem to love Bluetooth for whatever reason, I just hate it. I can tell a huge improvement in quality with wired over wireless.
Regarding dacs, starting with Schiit, I see they are highly respected here, so the company must be doing something right, just that I don't care for the headlines on the main page every time theres a new chapter of the book published here, meanwhile Flare gets no attention there. I do have issues with the nature of the amp industry not innovating enough on mobile, as I've mentioned in another post.
I am eagerly waiting for a portable wired dac to feature the same Cirrus Logic 32-bit system thats in the Nexum Aqua+ wireless dac. The reason being that its a dedicated hardware dac solution, unlike the more software-oriented nature of the Meridian Explorer2. The reason for my wanting the Cirrus Logic specifically though is because I've read it focuses on a leaner bass output, mid-range emphasis with treble improvement, similar to ESS Sabre, but with less bass. The ESS Sabres I've tried lately from the LG V20 and Zorloo Zuperdac are too bassy. I did like the implementation in the LG V10 though.