Attempt #2. Sorry I whacked out my "Live Notes" earlier this evening
Setup
- TG!334 with 000 FitEar cable in single ended Oyaide 3.5mm plug
- AK240 (1.09 firmware, nothing special enabled)
- HM-901 (on 1.084 firmware, HD Setting, balanced OPA627-based module)
- AK240 Jazz vocals are more front forward whilst on the HM-901 feels quite distinctively left & right (kind of like sitting too close to speakers)
- HM-901 has deeper and greater sub bass impact
- HM-901 also seems to have greater bloom in mid-bass to lower mid range
- AK240 seems to shift a little more towards the middle and upper of the midrange
- AK240 trebles seems to be a little bit more forward but a little compressed
- HM-901 trebles are slightly less crisp but feels more airy and spacious
- Overall staging though, AK240 feels more expansive but fills that space well whilst HM-901 sounds a little more intimate by comparison
- Both are highly detailed
The AK240 is very smooth though. Together with it's expansive soundstage, these would be the sonic selling points of the AK240. The HM-901, on the other hand with it's warmth and analogue-styled sound feels more mature.
P.S. I'll report on using the DAPs as "source only" with an external amp later.