My actual level of excitement over this combo:
I caught only two hours of sleep last night. A combination of going to sleep late due to work and having to wake up for more work as Easter is coming led me to sleep only two hours. I had to work for the past eight hours and then I barely managed to make time to pick iDSD BL up. Romania celebrates Easter and we need to make space in our work schedule to afford a few days of time off, so I was in one of the worst moods I've been in a while due to all this fatigue.
I unboxed iDSD BL to see how it looks in person. Was pleasantly impressed by the packaging and many accessories, but I can barely keep my eyes open...
I said I should start a single song to see how it actually sounds like. Wasn't expecting much, and knowing that I'm both tired and kinda sad that I didn't even finish all my work, I thought I was going to stop after a single song and put it back in its box and continue looking at it after Easter.
It has been over a hour now. I should have been sleeping a day ago, but I can't stop listening to this thing!!!
I am literally wearing iDSD Micr BL + Meze 99 Neo and I can't stop. I didn't get this enthused about Wa22 and other devices. The clear, balanced, detailed, well placed and natural sound of iDSD BL is incredible.
To describe it, iDSD is transparent. But compared to many other DAC/AMP (s), it feels to me like it renders details really well, gives instruments a lot of air to breathe and the soundstage is so good.
The separation between instruments is incredible as well.
I'll probably fall asleep or fatigue pass-out while still listening
Sorry, I'm just excited that I found something to give me this levels of enjoyment. The last few days I had to do so much work that I was feeling a bit down
The natural, enthusiastic and warm/friendly tonality of the combo is baffling to witness.The bass is strong, fast and well controlled. Dynamic range is insane. I... It is freaking insane. I always thought that my past devices had a good dynamic range. This is a while new level entirely. The textures are incredible as well. I honestly never imagined that a DAC/AMP could make this much of a difference...
The control and authority iDSD has over the headphones is also something unique. I love how it makes the headphone sound more controlled. More defined and refined. This happens with all headphones that are plugged in.
(I have none of the enhancements engaged, power on the middle setting and no DSP, no EQ, just iDSD BL + Meze 99 Neo)
Hope that everyone is having the same levels of fun!!
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Time to stress test this witchery!
Okay.
So the song for this will be something insanely difficult with tons of instruments and effects and that can easily distort and sound awful on a setup.
Found it.
Dance Gavin Dance - I'm down in brown town
This song has 3-4 guitar notes sang at a 1/4 of a second difference at the same time the drums are hit with breath taking speed and the voices almost never stop during the song.
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And it does it.
In fact, I never heard this song sang so well. There is zero trace of distortion. The guitars are spot-on both in detail, texture and tonality. The bass is also whole and natural sounding. It is strong and slams when it needs to.
Time to stop writing and enjoy the sound until I can't stay awake anymore!