Improving my IPhone to use as my portable music player.

[Womaz]

Hi I am seeking some guidance please.

I have been using an IBasso DX200 for my portable use, however I am unhappy with how Tidal works with it especially offline. There are other reasons why I am now looking to combine my DAP with my phone but I will not bore you with the details.

So I am now looking at the possibility of using my IPhone for music. I have a big music collection but I am only looking to have Offline Tidal capabilities for the portable music option.

My portable use is rare but I do have the CA Andromeda in ears and they sound great with the DX200. I was hoping I would not hear much of a difference when switching to the Iphone, but I can .

The IPhone sounds a bit harsh and the treble not as sweet as it is with the DX200. So I am thinking I need to tame the highs of the IPhone a little.

I will probably be getting one of the X models in the next few months but for now I have the IPhone 8.

I am considering the IFI iematch and also possibly the Dragonfly Red. Can anyone offer any advice on any of these with the IPhone or any other recommendations for me to consider. It has to remain portable though.

Any suggestions welcome.

 

[Womaz]

Is there anyone who can give me some advice on this . ?
I am reading a lot about the ifi products too

 

[evolutiontheory]

I am not the expert. I have the Fiio Q5, I feel it is a bit sharp especially for your taste.
Maybe try the iFi xDSD or iFi micro BL if you can take the size, as it is a bit more musical per the reviews. Also wait till the Fiio announcement happening in a few days. If they announce more amp modules that can color the sound a bit, the Q5 could be a lot more versatile.

+1 on using your phone as the source via bluetooth. On iphones you cannot control the volume via the phone though which can get annoying as you switch between playlists; you need to reach out to the amp in the pocket/desk, unless you plan to stack them via a double velcro or something. On android it works like a charm. I use Spotify, not sure if tidal lets you control the volume. (Purists prefer the amp controlling the sound, but to me the convenience matters)

 

[Womaz]

Thanks for the reply. I think I have decided to not have a separate DAP and to use my iPhone . I just feel that this is easier for me when away on holidays etc.

I have just ordered the ifi iematch so I will see how that works .

For me with the andromeda I just hear a bit of harshness compared to the DX200 so I guess I am trying to get the iPhone closer to that performance .

 

[Womaz]

Just an update, I have cancelled the ifi iematch as I am not sure which way to go with this. I would love some more input from anyone who uses the IPhone as their music source.
I have been reading a lot and I guess the Dragonfly Red is taking my interest the most. I am really keen to keep it portable as that is the whole point of doing this.
Some of the Ifi products get excellent reviews and its not the cost that puts me off its the size of them.
So I guess thats why I am favouring the DF Red or the ifi iematch.
Any input would be greatly appreciated

 

[ProtegeManiac]

My portable use is rare but I do have the CA Andromeda in ears and they sound great with the DX200. I was hoping I would not hear much of a difference when switching to the Iphone, but I can .

The IPhone sounds a bit harsh and the treble not as sweet as it is with the DX200. So I am thinking I need to tame the highs of the IPhone a little.
---
Any suggestions welcome.

Look for a global EQ app (preferably with variable center frequency) and apply this:

2000hz : -2dB
3000hz : -1dB
5000hz : -2dB
8000hz : -6dB

 

[Womaz]

Look for a global EQ app (preferably with variable center frequency) and apply this:

2000hz : -2dB
3000hz : -1dB
5000hz : -2dB
8000hz : -6dB

I never considered this, but I may investigate this option, although I am not sure how I would get this information
Thanks for the post

 

[ProtegeManiac]

I never considered this, but I may investigate this option, although I am not sure how I would get this information
Thanks for the post

Go to an Apple iOS forum and ask if there's any global EQ app that will work with any other media player app currently in use.

Like Neutralizer for Android, although that one is a semi-automatic tuning app that plays a test tone and then you increase or lower the gain at each test tone until everything is pretty much even to your ears. Nothing like Neutron Music Player's manual tuning but 1) Neutron is a player app that happens to be like the software equivalent of a high end Alpine car audio processor, so it can't apply its tuning to any other media player app other than locally or NAS-stored files played through it, and 2) Neutralizer provides easier verification with the test tones and a wide Q factor and is useful for when you can't find a response graph of a headphone you're tuning with it.

 

[Womaz]

Does anyone use the dragonfly red with the iPhone ? I would be interested to hear your views

 

[buke9]

Does anyone use the dragonfly red with the iPhone ? I would be interested to hear your views

I have a DFR and have used it with my iPhone but mostly with my iPad. What is it you want to know?

 

[Womaz]

I have a DFR and have used it with my iPhone but mostly with my iPad. What is it you want to know?

Thanks for the reply
Does it offer much improvement over the IPhone alone? I think the IPhone can sound a little harsh at times with my Andromedas.

 

[buke9]

I would not say a huge amount but more than anything is more power and is a not at all harsh but don’t have real sensitive Iems like the Andro’s.

 

[Womaz]

I would not say a huge amount but more than anything is more power and is a not at all harsh but don’t have real sensitive Iems like the Andro’s.

Thanks. I am not sure I need more power as it seems to have enough for what I use it for. I think the only way I will find out is to buy one and see what I think. I may wait as i am also considering a second hand LGV30 also.
Decisions decisions

 

[IkSak]

I use my iPhone with an Cayin C5 for listening in bed and when travelling. That's a wonderful pair and the Cayin is a great portable amp. You can throw anything at it and it'll respond nicely. It's about as large as the iPhone, hence I recommend you to keep this in mind

 

[Womaz]

Ok after some extensive reading and browsing this site I think I have narrowed this down to either the ifi Iematch, the Dragonfly Red or the Fiio Q1mk2.
I will be honest and say I am only making this decision based on a lot of reading.
I would like to get a richer more fuller sound from my Andromedas if possible. Maybe the Fiio amp will do that ? A lot of reviews say it has a sweet sound.
I am not enjoying the Andros out of my Iphone and infact I now prefer to use my Sony XM2 wireless when portable. I use it with a treble boost in the Sony app and I feel this suits my preference a lot more.
So I am trying to achieve a fuller sound with my Iphone and Andros . Has anyone used any of the above combinations as your input would be much appreciated