Latest Thread Images

PXL_20240304_231143758.PORTRAIT.jpg
PXL_20240304_230954325.jpg
PXL_20231118_134707660.PORTRAIT.jpg
ue10vshp.png
tshirt.png
ultra2.jpg
mono.jpg usb.png sd.png brit.png dcsclock.png fpgadcs.png h2.png 1.jpg 9.jpg 2.png 3.jpeg desktop.jpg 0.png 4.jpeg
See full thread gallery...
flinkenick's 17 Flagship IEM Shootout Thread (and general high-end portable audio discussion)
Mar 28, 2017 at 10:53 AM Post #872 of 39,414
niouke said:
  just out of curiosity why wasn't any Sony or any bigger brand offering included in this? Too low end?
Click to expand...

It wouldn't be fair to Sony IEMs. They will pretty much be guaranteed a last place.
 
Mar 28, 2017 at 10:54 AM Post #873 of 39,414
chrissc said:
Question for all while we pass the time waiting for Nic's reviews to pour in:
Click to expand...

IMO, Sources foremost. Get a good output signal first, then coax them well to your IEM with a good cable. Cable character needs to be considered. Because then eventually everything will come down to synergy, between your taste and; DAP, cable, and IEM.
A DAP usually is enough to drive an IEM without needing an Amp.
 
Mar 28, 2017 at 10:56 AM Post #874 of 39,414
chrissc said:
Question for all while we pass the time waiting for Nic's reviews to pour in:

Conventional wisdom for order of priority goes iems, dap, amp THEN cables once you've got everything else sounding how you want it. The proverbial cherry on top. Nic's cable philosophy indicates that with the great (read: expensive) cables, you're actually listening to the cable just as much as the IEM. With low impedance IEMs that don't need the power, should one spring for the premium cable and ignore getting an amp? And is the leap from stock cable to premium cable greater than the leap from a decent source (say, an iPhone) to a great source (like RWAK380)?

Tldr: what should be the next upgrade, assuming one has TOTL IEMs, a decent DAP, no amp, and stock cables- cables, DAP, or amp?
Click to expand...
NO, WRONG, your are wrong anybody thinks the cable is the most important. But cables are part of the chain.
 
Mar 28, 2017 at 11:10 AM Post #877 of 39,414
Mar 28, 2017 at 11:35 AM Post #878 of 39,414
chrissc said:
Question for all while we pass the time waiting for Nic's reviews to pour in:

Conventional wisdom for order of priority goes iems, dap, amp THEN cables once you've got everything else sounding how you want it. The proverbial cherry on top. Nic's cable philosophy indicates that with the great (read: expensive) cables, you're actually listening to the cable just as much as the IEM. With low impedance IEMs that don't need the power, should one spring for the premium cable and ignore getting an amp? And is the leap from stock cable to premium cable greater than the leap from a decent source (say, an iPhone) to a great source (like RWAK380)?

Tldr: what should be the next upgrade, assuming one has TOTL IEMs, a decent DAP, no amp, and stock cables- cables, DAP, or amp?
Click to expand...


once said and done with the above, the final step...is plastic surgery. shape your very ear to accommodate the iem in question. end game right there.
 
Mar 28, 2017 at 11:54 AM Post #879 of 39,414
chrissc said:
Question for all while we pass the time waiting for Nic's reviews to pour in:

Conventional wisdom for order of priority goes iems, dap, amp THEN cables once you've got everything else sounding how you want it. The proverbial cherry on top. Nic's cable philosophy indicates that with the great (read: expensive) cables, you're actually listening to the cable just as much as the IEM. With low impedance IEMs that don't need the power, should one spring for the premium cable and ignore getting an amp? And is the leap from stock cable to premium cable greater than the leap from a decent source (say, an iPhone) to a great source (like RWAK380)?

Tldr: what should be the next upgrade, assuming one has TOTL IEMs, a decent DAP, no amp, and stock cables- cables, DAP, or amp?
Click to expand...

 
Well, it will be easy to make a decision, if you can understand what aspect of the sound, each component in the chain can and cannot influence. Cables can affect most of the aspects like tone, signature, transparency, sound-stage and separation. But there are certain aspects that high-end cables can seem to improve like; depth, layering and imaging but source is what is improving those aspects, and the cable is simply able to render it.
 
Also, a cable CANNOT influence the speed and rhythm, which are totally dependent on the source and the IEM. For example if you are listening to fast paced music, you would need a DAP and an IEM that is able to handle the pace and rhythm. Also, if you want some coloration and some good bass impact, an amp could help. But introducing an amp in the chain will reduce the transparency.
 
So it depends. Also, you can be having the best DAP and the best IEM, but without a decent cable, you are not experiencing the best the DAP and IEM could offer.
 
Mar 28, 2017 at 12:11 PM Post #884 of 39,414
Think I'm a candidate for surgery, my one attempt at Customs didn't work out so well in the fitting department...:rolleyes:
 
Mar 28, 2017 at 12:13 PM Post #885 of 39,414
doctorjazz said:
Think I'm a candidate for surgery, my one attempt at Customs didn't work out so well in the fitting department...:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Don't worry, pretty soon they will have implants. I saw a documentary on it recently, implants are becoming the next big thing!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 12 (members: 0, guests: 12)
Back
Top