[fidshimmer]

New IEMs in todays mail from 11/11 sale

The new KZ PR1 pro planar.
https://kz-audio.com/kz-pr1-pro.html
I picked them up for $42.58, insane value for this level of fidelity. Seeing some stores on Ali Express listing them under $65.
Build quality is good and supplied cable is ok. Tip selection was sparse as well as packaging, but its KZ.
These are more comfortable then my 7Hz timeless planars.

First impressions on these was WOW, very clear high end and fast bass. Male vocals seem a bit back in the mix, but female vocals and acoustic guitar really shine.
again these need some break in.

listening on:
KZ PR1 pro < SMSL HO100 < SMSL D6 < roon < Qobuz

Breaking them in gradually with some old favorites, starting tonight with

https://open.qobuz.com/album/0060075368232

 

[ArChaos]

Sennheiser HD250 Linear > Pioneer SX-680 > Topping D50s > PC(Foobar 2000)
Great musical meaty sound out of a good seventies vintage amp...

 

[rids57]

JRiver Media Center (PC) > SMSL SU9 > Schiit Asgard 3 > Denon AH-D7200

Sabbath Bloody Sabbath by Black Sabbath - Heavy rock perfection, an absolute belter of an album, and what a run, their first six albums are all classics - and then sadly, the drugs just got too much. It may have been the album that broke Ozzy but it's also one of the best they ever made. It has a more experimental sound than any of their previous albums, with synthesizers added to the mix and a more mature sound overall, hell they even had Rick Wakeman on one track (Sabbra Cadabra). Hard to pick a favourite but it would be between Sabbath Bloody Sabbath and Killing Yourself to Live (about Butler and Ward's problems with alcohol).
The D7200's got taken off the mug tree for tonight's Sabbath session, I've also played the first four albums before this one, and I wanted to feel Butler's bass.

 

[jonathan c]

JRiver Media Center (PC) > SMSL SU9 > Schiit Asgard 3 > Denon AH-D7200



Sabbath Bloody Sabbath by Black Sabbath - Heavy rock perfection, an absolute belter of an album, and what a run, their first six albums are all classics - and then sadly, the drugs just got too much. It may have been the album that broke Ozzy but it's also one of the best they ever made. It has a more experimental sound than any of their previous albums, with synthesizers added to the mix and a more mature sound overall, hell they even had Rick Wakeman on one track (Sabbra Cadabra). Hard to pick a favourite but it would be between Sabbath Bloody Sabbath and Killing Yourself to Live (about Butler and Ward's problems with alcohol).

The D7200's got taken off the mug tree for tonight's Sabbath session, I've also played the first four albums before this one, and I wanted to feel Butler's bass.^^

^^ Time to invest in Beyer DT-1770 Pro?

 

[rids57]

^^ Time to invest in Beyer DT-1770 Pro?

I have thought about it but the Denons do a pretty good job already

 

[pataburd]

Your posts really make me want to track down a pair of these. I think there's actually one for sale in the classifieds right now. I know you and I hear the MM-500s in much the same way so, despite the pretty mixed reviews I have seen out there for these, I'm thinking I just might like them based on your impressions.

Unfortunately, QA was not consistent for the Mikros 90 on the first critical production run(s). At one point, I owned seven pairs and no two of them sounded the same within subjective tolerance. I opened up several pairs and the workmanship was all over the place, ranging from excellent to very poor (e.g. hot glue trails poking up or hanging down everywhere). Performance-wise, too, some reported anemic bass, others prodigious; some reported harsh treble, others extended and transparent; some reported midrange glare, others clean, liquid and detailed . . .

If ML had kept their operation stateside--at least until the manufacturing process was under strict control, the Mikros 90 and their progeny might still be with us to this day and Martin Logan would have captured a respectable share in the headphone market, or so I have opined/theorized.

The best-sounding pair for me was that very first pair I bought (for $69(!) on deep discount from NewEgg). They fit flush on the ears, were assembled solidly and sounded just about perfect. I subsequently made (what in retrospect was) the mistake of (irreversibly) modding them to further plumb their bass capacity (there was surprisingly more there). The one pair I have left, though ill-fitting, sound very good, but not quite as good as that very first pair (at least that is what my mind tells me, what my memory gleans and what my sentiments ruefully echo).

If you do get a pair--post caveat, let us know . . .

 

[jonathan c]

[Capricorn: July, 1973.]

 

[Zaplanc]

Tidal >> Shanling EM5 >> Hifiman Edition XS

 

[Elegiac]

Colorfly C3 + Koss KPH40. The Colorfly takes the thick warm mids of the KPH40 and slices tight exactitude into them.
Sounds so good I don't like listening to this DAP or headphones any other way. Made for each other.
But the C3 is real value. Penon is selling them cheap, and without any noticeable battery degradation despite them being an old unit.

 

[Luis Mad]

The quality of this performance and recording is outstanding, an amazingly clear sound.
Mozart violin concertos are quite something but the number 5 is my favorite

flac 24-192- sony nwa55L as dac with Mr Walkmanns firmware- Etymotic ER4XR

 

[BournePerfect]

Ether 2>>Eximus dp1>>Rag 1

 

[Zaplanc]

The quality of this performance and recording is outstanding, an amazingly clear sound.
Mozart violin concertos are quite something but the number 5 is my favorite

flac 24-192- sony nwa55L as dac with Mr Walkmanns firmware- Etymotic ER4XR

Enjoying this on Tidal .... Thanks for the tip.... Hifiman Edition XS

 

[snapple10]

Tidal > W4S 10th > BHA-1 >HEKV2

 

[BobSmith8901]

Tribit XFree Tune Bluetooth headphones<--Asus BT-500 USB BT dongle<--PC audio via JRiver Media Center 25/ local FLAC Green Earrings

These Tribits are about the best $56.49CDN I've spent on anything audio. Just great, decent, balanced sound and all track changing and volume/pause from the right can, works equally well on Windows or Android.

 

[timb5881]

For tonight’s listening pleasure:
Jethro Tull “Thick as a Brick” from
Topping D10 to ARC LS7 to Cary Rocket 88 to Koss E10 to Koss ESP10