[joefig44]

I've just acquired an Empyrean + WA11 Topaz and would like to make the most of it.

I use my iPhone Pro 11 primarily for transport, on which I have a fair amount of AAC files of my favourite music (converted from my larger FLAC file library on my NAS), and I use Spotify quite a bit.

Questions:
1. Is there a device that I could use to allow me to be tether free with my iPhone to the Topaz but yet will not degrade any sound quality?

2. Should I be converting my FLACs to use on my iPhone in a different format than AAC to audibly improve sound quality?

3. Regarding Spotify, my whole family uses it, but I've considered also adding a Tidal subscription. Is it worth it?

4. On the Empyrean cable, it will only come with the stock one: I've heard that using a balanced cable, especially with the Topaz, would provide a significant improvement in quality. Is this the recommended cable to upgrade to that would work with the Topaz? https://www.headamp.com/products/me...pgrade-headphone-cable?variant=28220540518464

 

[joefig44]

Can anyone provide any input?

 

[PaganDL]

I've just acquired an Empyrean + WA11 Topaz and would like to make the most of it.

I use my iPhone Pro 11 primarily for transport, on which I have a fair amount of AAC files of my favourite music (converted from my larger FLAC file library on my NAS), and I use Spotify quite a bit.

Hi @joefig44,

1. Is there a device that I could use to allow me to be tether free with my iPhone to the Topaz but yet will not degrade any sound quality?

The short, honest answer is NO.
Not if you want to have the Topaz as your primary DAC/AMP & your Pro 11 as the Source device.

However, numerous Bluetooh devices exist in various sizes & budgets so depends what you're looking for though the minor issue is doing this kind of defeats the purpose of having the Topaz in the first place as there is no convenient way to make it tether free & still use it's onboard DAC instead of the DAC bulit in with the BT Transmitter/Receiver.
One possible way around this is to use a wireless bridge like a DANTE Adapter but the same issue applies as above.
This is all before the fact Pro 11 doesn't even support AptX which is the minimum high quality codec one needs so your source device won't even be sending optimal sound quality in the first place.

I suggest simply getting a Digitial Audio Player (DAP) which supports any of the following codecs before considering using being unthered so to speak :

Aptx
Aptx HD
LDAC
HWA


But the same issue of will remain if you want to use that Topaz untethered, so to speak, as your primary DAC/AMP or output source.

2. Should I be converting my FLACs to use on my iPhone in a different format than AAC to audibly improve sound quality?

Similar to above answer to your first question, up to you.
As a format, in terms of sound quality you can actually hear as opposed to the numbers on paper, there is not much difference sonically though overall FLAC nowadays is more stable in ecoding & recording quality than ACC.
So there may be a difference, there may not be, only you can tell...

3. Regarding Spotify, my whole family uses it, but I've considered also adding a Tidal subscription. Is it worth it?

Tidal has a 30 day trial, feel free to try it, see if you notice any difference in sound quality but it is highly unlikely, I also suggest making sure High Quality Playback in Settings is also selected.
Honestly, you don't need a higher subscription plan like HiFi or MQA as subjectively & personally, I hear no difference though your mileage will vary but if there are any changes, it's more likely due to perception & expectation bias.

4. On the Empyrean cable, it will only come with the stock one: I've heard that using a balanced cable, especially with the Topaz, would provide a significant improvement in quality. Is this the recommended cable to upgrade to that would work with the Topaz? https://www.headamp.com/products/me...pgrade-headphone-cable?variant=28220540518464

Once again, similar to the answer to question 2, difference in sound quality with depend largely on you, how you perceive sound, your head shape, ear shape & size, ear canal shape & size.
Those factors will matter more than the actual cable itself, Balanced or not, though in general real world terms, Balanced Signals make the audio signal stronger, this doesn't mean better though once again, your mileage will vary.
Just keep in mind that perception & expectation bias.
Your source itself will have more to do with sound quality & recording quality than the cable or even the headphone but it does depend...

Though I question why you would get the cable from Headamp when you can get it directly from Meze for the same price unless you didn't want to pay import & duty though direct from Meze might be easier to service if anything in the unlikely event goes wrong.
Up to you.

Hope this all makes sense, feel free to ask more.

Hope you have a great day !

 

[joefig44]

Hi @joefig44,





The short, honest answer is NO.
Not if you want to have the Topaz as your primary DAC/AMP & your Pro 11 as the Source device.

However, numerous Bluetooh devices exist in various sizes & budgets so depends what you're looking for though the minor issue is doing this kind of defeats the purpose of having the Topaz in the first place as there is no convenient way to make it tether free & still use it's onboard DAC instead of the DAC bulit in with the BT Transmitter/Receiver.
One possible way around this is to use a wireless bridge like a DANTE Adapter but the same issue applies as above.
This is all before the fact Pro 11 doesn't even support AptX which is the minimum high quality codec one needs so your source device won't even be sending optimal sound quality in the first place.

I suggest simply getting a Digitial Audio Player (DAP) which supports any of the following codecs before considering using being unthered so to speak :

Aptx
Aptx HD
LDAC
HWA


But the same issue of will remain if you want to use that Topaz untethered, so to speak, as your primary DAC/AMP or output source.





Similar to above answer to your first question, up to you.
As a format, in terms of sound quality you can actually hear as opposed to the numbers on paper, there is not much difference sonically though overall FLAC nowadays is more stable in ecoding & recording quality than ACC.
So there may be a difference, there may not be, only you can tell...





Tidal has a 30 day trial, feel free to try it, see if you notice any difference in sound quality but it is highly unlikely, I also suggest making sure High Quality Playback in Settings is also selected.
Honestly, you don't need a higher subscription plan like HiFi or MQA as subjectively & personally, I hear no difference though your mileage will vary but if there are any changes, it's more likely due to perception & expectation bias.





Once again, similar to the answer to question 2, difference in sound quality with depend largely on you, how you perceive sound, your head shape, ear shape & size, ear canal shape & size.
Those factors will matter more than the actual cable itself, Balanced or not, though in general real world terms, Balanced Signals make the audio signal stronger, this doesn't mean better though once again, your mileage will vary.
Just keep in mind that perception & expectation bias.
Your source itself will have more to do with sound quality & recording quality than the cable or even the headphone but it does depend...

Though I question why you would get the cable from Headamp when you can get it directly from Meze for the same price unless you didn't want to pay import & duty though direct from Meze might be easier to service if anything in the unlikely event goes wrong.
Up to you.

Hope this all makes sense, feel free to ask more.

Hope you have a great day !

Thanks for the great feedback.

I'll stick to using the wire out of my iPhone 11 Pro to the Topaz. What kind of cable is best to use for that? Obviously a lightning to something I presume? Should I be using that little Apple adapter?
The Topaz only shipped with a USB A-USB C and USB C-C, so I guess I will need to buy a new cable?

Flipping between the same track on Tidal (Hifi or Master) and Spotify directly, I perceive increased clarity on Tidal - but not sure if this is because of some volume difference between the two (although never adjusted the volume on the phone when I'm switching back and forth).

As for buying a balanced cable from Headamp vs Meze, I live in Canada not the US, so import/duty may be same or different - I will checkout buying from Meze. The cable doesn't seem to be available up here in Canada anywhere.

 

[PaganDL]

Hi @joefig44,

No problem, happy to help.

Ironically, it may be cheaper for you getting the Meze Balanced cable direct from Meze in Romania Import Tax & Duty wise as US to Canada Import Tax & Duty as far as I'm aware isn't great for Canadians especially.

Regarding music streaming via Tidal & Spotify, as said, the precieved sound difference is more than likely, as aside from perception & expectation bias, I suggest looking up the Loudness Wars in either Google or Duckduckgo.
Also as mentioned, just stick with regular Tidal.

The 11 Pro comes with a USB C to Lightning Connector cable, which you're already using, just stick with that unless you want to use the Topaz cable though honestly, I doubt it's going to be that much better sonically but you never know, so if you want to try that cable with your 11 Pro, then just get a Male USB C Adapter to Male Lightning Connector, saves you getting a whole other cable for no reason.

Feel free to ask more if you need.

Hope you have a great day !

 

[joefig44]

Hi @joefig44,

No problem, happy to help.

Ironically, it may be cheaper for you getting the Meze Balanced cable direct from Meze in Romania Import Tax & Duty wise as US to Canada Import Tax & Duty as far as I'm aware isn't great for Canadians especially.

Regarding music streaming via Tidal & Spotify, as said, the precieved sound difference is more than likely, as aside from perception & expectation bias, I suggest looking up the Loudness Wars in either Google or Duckduckgo.
Also as mentioned, just stick with regular Tidal.

The 11 Pro comes with a USB C to Lightning Connector cable, which you're already using, just stick with that unless you want to use the Topaz cable though honestly, I doubt it's going to be that much better sonically but you never know, so if you want to try that cable with your 11 Pro, then just get a Male USB C Adapter to Male Lightning Connector, saves you getting a whole other cable for no reason.

Feel free to ask more if you need.

Hope you have a great day !

plugged my new Topaz with Empyrean to my iPhone 11 Pro with its lightning to USB-c cable and only get sound from my iPhones speakers. How do I get it out the headphones?

 

[PaganDL]

plugged my new Topaz with Empyrean to my iPhone 11 Pro with its lightning to USB-c cable and only get sound from my iPhones speakers. How do I get it out the headphones?

Uh, @joefig44,

I would suggest checking if the plugs all connected securely to relevant devices & gear in the correct ports.
I don't suppose you can post a picture showing how you connected everything up?

Topaz has 2 USB C ports, make sure the 11 Pro is connected to the DAC port via USB C, not charge.

There is also a how to video on the Woo Audio website on the WA11 product page, have you seen this to make sure everything is as followed?

Have you tried both headphone outs just to be sure nothing is wrong with the Empyrean?
Also, if you have a another media device, eg iPad, other phone or DAP, does the Topaz & Empyrean work?

Hope this works out.

Hope you have a great day !

 

[Deferenz]

3. Regarding Spotify, my whole family uses it, but I've considered also adding a Tidal subscription. Is it worth it?

I have the Hi-Fi subscription to Tidal which is GB£20 per month. For this you also get content in MQA Master format as well as Hi-Fi. I really like this subscription and I do hear the difference with most master tracks compared to non master. Of course YMMV and all that, but for me personally I'm glad I have this Tidal subscription.