[deafdoorknob]

it was the express bus from shatin to central to wanchai. it's a 50-70 mins commute so ppl tend to take their porta-fi seriously lol

for those curious wrt the local 2nd hand market:

https://www.dcfever.com/trading/listing.php?category=87&page=6

divide by 7.8 for prices in USD. note how saturated the market is for CFA and JHA, used andros in v. good condition are less than 50% of retail.

i got my pair of mint TG334 (sold) for around 800 usd and parterre for 500 usd.

CE-5 for around $650usd

 

[hamhamhamsta]

yah, today was a little more extreme than usual, otherwise i wouldnt have brought it up. i had on my andros, the guy next to me had the EE, the guy in front of me had etys, the woman two rows in front ot me had the imr. the others i saw while getting off the bus.

You guys should look direct in the eyes, give a knowing nod to one another without a word exchanged.

That woul be funny lol

 

[hamhamhamsta]

I had the Phantom universal for a while, and on the universal, the comparison was different for me. The Phantom's thicker and denser mids made it sound less airy and clear than the SE5U.

This is true, Phantom seperation is not as great as SE5U. But timbre wise is better. SE5U is more neutral I think.

 

[Mimouille]

This is true, Phantom seperation is not as great as SE5U. But timbre wise is better. SE5U is more neutral I think.

I agree with that. However I have custom SE5U and universal Phantom (I had it on loan for a while) and I believe the custom Phantom could be a bit different. It will also depend on source. On my LPG and WM1Z I prefer SE5U but maybe on SP1000 or the like, Phantom would be more suitable.

 

[474194]

spotted on the bus to work this AM,
white andromeda
EE (cant tell which one)
IMR R1
CFA Orion
Ety (cant tell which)
Fender FXA2
Fender FXA6
Oppo PM3
Sennheiser Momentum
Kumitate Trio

welcome to hong kong

How times have changed. Back in 2005, there were only a handful with customs in all of Asia. No Jaben or anything remotely resembling a HF store. Unfortunately, my enjoyment of customs only lasted a few months as I cracked my UE10s in Macao (1 hour across the pond from HK) after winning in the smoke-filled wild west foul language casinos and couldn't contain my excitement. R.I.P UE10s, no re-shelling services.

Now you can just order some 64 Audio Universals or Chord Hugo2/DAP online from Fortress at a whim and just pickup at the nearest Fortress store possibly the same day:

https://www.fortress.com.hk/en/search?q=64+audio&sort=relevance

https://www.fortress.com.hk/en/product/hugo-2-portable-headphone-amplifier/p/BP_11780989

https://www.fortress.com.hk/en/shop...new:supplierFormCategory:Digital+Audio+Player

Mong Kok not convenient, Fortress just 5 minutes away... Amazing.

Crossing fingers for the Sha Tin to Central Link.

 

[hamhamhamsta]

I agree with that. However I have custom SE5U and universal Phantom (I had it on loan for a while) and I believe the custom Phantom could be a bit different. It will also depend on source. On my LPG and WM1Z I prefer SE5U but maybe on SP1000 or the like, Phantom would be more suitable.

I think that probably describe your sound preference, more towards bright than too warmth. Probably you value separation and clarity as well as resolution highly. Phantom is very good, sometimes I wish it has more impact, closer to SE5U.

On other news, get EarStudio ES100 bluetooth. It sounds amazing for bluetooth wireless dac; comparable to wired dap. It has LDAC and APTX-HD and sounds really good on 2.5 mm balanced x 2 current. It uses 2 AK chips. You can get it in Amazon for $99.I'm really amazed by this device, it sounds so much better than Mojo, and its very convenient and if I lose it, its just $99, I can easily get another one. It sounds amazing with SE5U and Warbler Prelude using EQ. It's EQ is very good. You'll like it with both Phantom & SE5U. My guess ES100 sound quality on LDAC probably 50% north of SP1000. More like 70% to 80% but that's just my guess.

 

[Mimouille]

I think that probably describe your sound preference, more towards bright than too warmth. Probably you value separation and clarity as well as resolution highly. Phantom is very good, sometimes I wish it has more impact, closer to SE5U.

On other news, get EarStudio ES100 bluetooth. It sounds amazing for bluetooth wireless dac; comparable to wired dap. It has LDAC and APTX-HD and sounds really good on 2.5 mm balanced x 2 current. It uses 2 AK chips. You can get it in Amazon for $99.I'm really amazed by this device, it sounds so much better than Mojo, and its very convenient and if I lose it, its just $99, I can easily get another one. It sounds amazing with SE5U and Warbler Prelude using EQ. It's EQ is very good. You'll like it with both Phantom & SE5U. My guess ES100 sound quality on LDAC probably 50% north of SP1000. More like 70% to 80% but that's just my guess.

One thing that happens to me, is that, since I list a for long periods of time, mostly the whole day, I tend to get some sort of ear fatigue. So in-ears that are dense / thick sounding tend to sound congested at the end of the day and I hate that. Never happens with either SE5U or VE8.

 

[flinkenick]

Phantom and 5-Way both reside in a similar class of warm and natural tunings. In their overall sound they are kind of similar, although they have differences throughout their presentation as the others have mentioned. Phantom has a little more mid-bass, and thicker and more forward vocals. 5-Way has a nice midrange bump so its vocals have good density, but they are more neutrally placed in the centre of the stage. Similarly, its note size is a bit more neutral, so its separation is a bit better. In terms of tone, they are both on the warmer side, but Phantom has a little bit more lower treble presence, which increases its articulation and gives string instruments a little bit more bite, while 5-Way is smoother. In addition, I would say Phantom's transparency is a little bit higher. However, 5-Way might have a bit higher quality extension, even though it has less treble quantity. As a result, the control of the bass is better, resulting in an airier stage.

 

[thebratts]

This thread has to few CIEM closeup pictures, so .. i took my CIEM family out for a photo session today.. First result.

Original size for those of you wanting to look even closer...

 

[hamhamhamsta]

This thread has to few CIEM closeup pictures, so .. i took my CIEM family out for a photo session today.. First result.

Original size for those of you wanting to look even closer...

Nice cable haha

Just joking I how do you like VE8 I assume

 

[thebratts]

Nice cable haha

Just joking I how do you like VE8 I assume

Well, in my tri-weekly rotation i find it to be best covering all genres, it performs fantastic in every genre and has enthusiasm, space, energy and enjoyment.. Even though my inner basshead would cry a bit, between the Zeus, VE8 and Legend-x i would if needed to keep only one, keep the VE8 (and i would miss the intimate sessions with the zeus and any singer songwriter)...

 

[thebratts]

Speaking of the legend-X, about those closeups. Here with an appropriate full size backdrop..

 

[FastAndClean]

wow they use tubes for the wire inside

 

[thebratts]

And just to not make my Zeus jealous..

 

[cantsleep]

Anyone get to hear both U18 and A18? Which one do you prefer, just in terms of sound? And legend x, too, if anyone hear them both in universal and ciem format