[Ike1985]

 
Thanks bro for your sharing, that definitely helps. Just a small detail though: I don't want to be off-topic but could you be more precise on which X7 you are suggesting? I guess that's the AM2, as the AM 3 or AM 5 can hardly go with IEM despite being indeed very impressive when pairing with some full-sized headphones. But even between the default AM1 and the AM2, people tend to say that the AM 1 would still be the preferable choice for IEM, and I've also experienced the same thing.

 
You're going to pull the trigger on a large expense, why not check out Jelt's reviews and wait for some of these reviews?  That way you can be happy, as you said you want "end game" which means you won't be buying again.  IMO, if you want endgame you should wait for the reviews to be finished.  Many of these are so new they don't even have that many reviews yet.

 

[Ike1985]

   
Go for AM3, balanced amp module.  To my ears, it's the best one out of AM1, AM2, and AM5.  FiiO finally nailed it.  But as Michael suggested, other DAPs are great too but expect to pay a premium, except DX200 is still a flagship under $1k

  Loving it!

 
DX200 vs Mojo?

 

[Mimouille]

Thanks bro for your sharing, that definitely helps. Just a small detail though: I don't want to be off-topic but could you be more precise on which X7 you are suggesting? I guess that's the AM2, as the AM 3 or AM 5 can hardly go with IEM despite being indeed very impressive when pairing with some full-sized headphones. But even between the default AM1 and the AM2, people tend to say that the AM 1 would still be the preferable choice for IEM, and I've also experienced the same thing.

Twister answered and knows better than me in this so refer to this post.

 

[DWbirdseye]

  it is already difficult enough to compare one flagship totl iem to another, let alone score and rank them. kudos to @flinkenick , wish you all the best in getting the accuracy you wanted.

@DWbirdseye
i think that could be done, separately, maybe. but then you would have to accept a lot of subjectivity and bias, since the criteria/'spot' for one's 'listening pleasure' may differ from another.
 

 
I appreciate what you're saying, but a subjective opinion based on personal preferences is exactly the point. Regarding objective analysis based on certain criteria, it is true that there will always be a personal preference, regardless of the ranking. 

 

[twister6]

 

   
Go for AM3, balanced amp module.  To my ears, it's the best one out of AM1, AM2, and AM5.  FiiO finally nailed it.  But as Michael suggested, other DAPs are great too but expect to pay a premium, except DX200 is still a flagship under $1k

  Loving it!

 
DX200 vs Mojo?

 
I'm probably the last person on Head-fi who never tried Mojo lol!!!  Might have to correct that if I get a chance to listen to it during CanJam this weekend.  But based on everything I heard and read about it, Mojo is smooth and musical, while DX200 will be more revealing and neutral.  Hopefully will get a chance to listen to it over the weekend (not sure if Steve bringing his along).

 

[davidcotton]

   
I'm probably the last person on Head-fi who never tried Mojo lol!!!  Might have to correct that if I get a chance to listen to it during CanJam this weekend.  But based on everything I heard and read about it, Mojo is smooth and musical, while DX200 will be more revealing and neutral.  Hopefully will get a chance to listen to it over the weekend (not sure if Steve bringing his along).

Nope, I haven't tried it either.  KISS is my motto (keep it simple, stupid).  Dap and iems for me.

 

[jmills8]

Hugo easily destroys any dap. Yes Im sticking my neck out knowing many wont agree. I tried every dap and almost every dap/amp out there.

 

[flinkenick]

@flinkenick hey Nic I would imagine that it's very difficult for you to listen to music without dissecting the technical apects of the iem, but is it possible for you to gravitate towards an iem for pure listening pleasure that does not possess all of the best technicalities?

Hi Bob, it has indeed become very difficult to listen to music without turning off the analytical component. Sometimes I wonder if I enjoyed music more back when I was blissfully ignorant hehe. 
 
An iem doesn't necessarily have to compete with the most technical iems for it to be enjoyable. However, I do get bothered if the resolution is lower than average, the imaging is sloppy ore the stage is congested. But that also counts for the signature, like if a vocal presentation is too thin or there's harshness. No aspect has to be the best, but it shouldn't be the worst
 
Quote:

  With that being said, I guess that the SE 5 - ultimate is the one to go. In fact, I've just made the impressions according to the Spiral Ear requirements today and their shipments are planned to be made by the end of this week. However, an instant before pulling the trigger, I find this thread and consider delaying the whole process to make sure I will be able to pick Mrs. Right. To be honest, I hardly chose the SE 5 - ultimate over the Noble Kaiser Encore, have once considered the W900 and somewhat to a lesser extent the 1964 A18.
 
That's that, I am very opened to receive any comments from your parts. Should I change for the Leonidas? Should I upgrade the DAP? Should I be keen on the SE 5 - ultimate or leading towards something else? Thank you in advance !

I don't think you can go wrong with the 5-Way based on your requirements. As for the cable, it would usually make more sense to wait for the 5-way to arrive and then decide what you'd like to hear given your X7 combo. Maybe you could check with Effect and see if they can hold your order and give you tailored advice based on your preference at that point. 

 

[flinkenick]

Just saw a live performance, nothing special. But one band member was playing a Gibson guitar - oh man, that has got to one of the most beautiful sounds to my ear. Such a recognisable, great sound. Went back home and had to put on some Chris Isaak

 

[DWbirdseye]

Just saw a live performance, nothing special. But one band member was playing a Gibson guitar - oh man, that has got to one of the most beautiful sounds to my ear. Such a recognisable, great sound. Went back home and had to put on some Chris Isaak

Nothing quite like seeing a live performance to calibrate your senses when evaluating iems.

 

[vicbonaparte]

   
You're going to pull the trigger on a large expense, why not check out Jelt's reviews and wait for some of these reviews?  That way you can be happy, as you said you want "end game" which means you won't be buying again.  IMO, if you want endgame you should wait for the reviews to be finished.  Many of these are so new they don't even have that many reviews yet.

You are just reading my mind Yes I love the Jelt's legendary review, up to the point that I almost read it everyday and start remembering the words. But once getting here, I know that the extra time digging this gold mine of experience and knowledge will surely pay off. The decision concerning the cable should be fixed soon though,as the order request has been sent, taking advantage of the last promotion day offered by an Effect Audio dealer in my region. 
 
@ mimouille and twister6: As of the DAP, you guys just nailed it. Exactly as you suggested. I am indeed very fond of the DX200, kind of prefering it over the Mojo and even most of the A&Ks. I will consider it later on though, because as of now, I am very pleased with the Fiio X7 and can't wait to see how it pairs with my dream CIEM and cable once they arrive

 

[Mimouille]

I'm probably the last person on Head-fi who never tried Mojo lol!!!  Might have to correct that if I get a chance to listen to it during CanJam this weekend.  But based on everything I heard and read about it, Mojo is smooth and musical, while DX200 will be more revealing and neutral.  Hopefully will get a chance to listen to it over the weekend (not sure if Steve bringing his along).

That is not really how I would compare the two. The Cowon Plenue's are smooth and musical, the WM1Z is as well in a different way. The Mojo is very accurate and detailed, with very sparkly treble. The main differences with the DX200 are that the Mojo is very centered, the image of the soundstage is focused on the center. I don't know how to say it. The DX200 is wide and spread, without losing focus of course. Finally the DX200 had more body, the Mojo is a bit more thin.

 

[Ike1985]

That is not really how I would compare the two. The Cowon Plenue's are smooth and musical, the WM1Z is as well in a different way. The Mojo is very accurate and detailed, with very sparkly treble. The main differences with the DX200 are that the Mojo is very centered, the image of the soundstage is focused on the center. I don't know how to say it. The DX200 is wide and spread, without losing focus of course. Finally the DX200 had more body, the Mojo is a bit more thin.

 
I can't wait to hear DX200 for myself. I'm considering an amp purchase down the road so I may end up with something like this:
 
Mojo + V5
Mojo + CDM
 
 or
 
DX200 (Doesn't need amp?)
 
Hearing DX200 and Hugo later this year will determine my course for my end game portable setup.  I was astonished at Mojo + CDM, CDM is truly breathtaking when fed a highly resolute analog signal.

 

[flinkenick]

ANNOUNCING IEM #16

 

Dita Audio “the Dream”​

 ​

 
With the surge of iems as the Rhapsodio Galaxy, Campfire Audio Vega, and Beyerdynamic/Astell&Kern AK T8iE, top tier dynamic drivers have seen a recent revival – but DITA Audio was making them before it was cool. The acclaimed Truth and Answer models made a lasting mark in the community, and have been considered a must have for the dynamic-driven audiophile.
 

​

​

 
DITA strives for perfection. It’s more than a slogan - it’s a mission statement. And you bet it’s reflected it in their design; from the earphone shells down to the cable. In similar tradition of DITA’s previous models, the new ‘Dream’ comes with a special designed high-end cable: the ‘Truth’ cable. And it’s not just any custom cable; it’s manufactured by Dutch cable specialist VandenHul. I can only suspect the sheer dedication and knowhow my fellow countrymen must have put into its design.
 
http://www.vandenhul.com/cable-technologies/3t-true-transmission-technology

 ​

But they’ve tweaked it further with the new modular ‘awesome’ plug. You’ve gotta love a well-chosen name. Fidue’s Sirius came with an excellent novelty: including adapters to use with balanced sources. The downside was that most people were forced to use the adapter, which added weight and length to the cable. The ‘awesome’ plug is a more convenient solution.
 

​

 
I think I might have mentioned I have somewhat of a fondness for cables. Combine that with the scarcity of high-end single dynamic drivers, and DITA Audio’s Dream was one of my highest priorities since I learned of its existence.
 
A special cable, a single dynamic driver, and a price tag in the highest tier – DITA Audio’s ‘the Dream’ brings a lot of flavor to this shootout.

 

[flinkenick]

I decided to release a bit earlier. If there are any trigger-happy people waiting out there - hold on with predictions till I make a different thread.