Amping is overrated if the source is good to begin with, many times i bet it's placebo
I completely agree. I think a lot of times it is placebo type affects. In fact, I don't think anyone should go out and buy a c5 just to improve their fuze. I think the difference is small enough that most people might be disappointed (unless they think the difference is even greatee because of placebo type effects) for the price. However, there is a difference that is easy for me to hear. Part of the reason I would argue this isn't placebo, is because I honestly thought it didn't sound better for a while. However, now with my flatter eq and longer listening sessions with the er4s the difference is more apparent.
Man, the er4s are amazing. Especially with the c5. I'm listening to the alan parsons project right now in bed. They always sound amazing in bed. It's like the relaxing allows me to focus even better or something. Anyhow, with just my small eq these things are so transparent it's ridiculous. I really hear things close to my studio monitors. I keep debating if i should just sell my pfe112. They're so good, but these are indeed better. Mmmmmmm....
lusident, don't you find C5 (due to its opamp) a little bit to slow and less airy? Although I've never heard C5 and I know that implementation of a given opamp is the most crucial aspect of the sound of a given amp, but on my DIY Amp there is a difference in sound between OPA2227 (as I understand this opamp is used in C5) and for example AD8610 (which was used in C421 and currently is used for example in Leckerton Audio UHA-4); OPA2227 have very good bas but does not have this amount of air, instrument separation and neutrality which AD8610 have.
The reason I'm asking is because I'm looking for a new amp for my iMod and my ER4s. I want to have very neutral amp wich does not change much in the audio signal which comes from iMod.
Here's the thing. The C5 doesn't make a big difference with the er4s. In fact it makes a very small difference. I find the er4s is less source dependent than most iems. Not that the sound isn't different between sources, but just not as great a difference as other iems can be.
However, with that said, the c5 does improve the sound, and I do prefer it over the fuze alone. I think the difference is small enough that it might be hard for some people to hear it. I'd be really curious if you can hear it gnarl over the amp you have.
I would say the opamp is the opposite of how you described it Krismarzyk. I know john at jds has done a great implementation of the whole design, so maybe that is why it fares better than other amps with the same opamp? I don't know. But i get the opposite result. The c5 opens up the sound a tad and if anything gives more air. It basically makes the music sound ever so slightly more dynamic, clear and "light" sounding. Not light from lack of bass or anything. The frequency response sounds identical. It's more that the treble sounds a bit less congested or more effortless.
I can't stress enough that this is a small change. I believe it is there and easy for me to hear, but it's not something I'd say "yeah go buy the amp it sounds so much better". However, there are some songs where I notice the lack of treble openness more when I'm not using the amp. I can volume match the devices and do a quick plug change and easily hear the difference. But after a lot of listening I think I know what to listen for. If you just jump in you might think "what's different".
Although, as one thing gnarl mentioned, I think it might be easier for some people to "feel" the track and not a/b one little part. Not that you shouldn't do that too, but I definitely get more of a "wow... this does sound good" feeling with the amp.
So again, small difference. VERY small difference. But I personally feel as though I can hear it. And I think if you listen to the c5 you might hear it too if you focus on those things. I don't know how to prove it isn't placebo other than to say that I'm very aware of that sort of effect and I'm very familiar with "listening" for things in audio. I record and mix my own music and sometimes get picky down to .5 db changes and very slight panning changes, eq, etc. that I can hear. So although no one is perfect, I really do believe this is a real difference. But beyond that I can only say you'd have to try it yourself and see what you think. Is it worth $180 or so to upgrade to the c5 with a sansa player? I'd say no. But i already have one.
hehe. And I do prefer it. From a lesser device? Definitely....