[Vidal]

Quote:

Is that what I said?  

 
 
You said
 
Quote:

  While IEMs do not require amplification, in many cases, adding an amplifier can help to round out the sound or fill out certain frequency ranges, it's not just about the volume.  it doesn't justify the wholesale write-off of the use of amplification for efficient headphones

 
The discussion in context was the ZST (amazon review) stating it needed an amp to sound good. They don't need an amp and if you want to improve the sound quality a DAC/DAP is better investment. Based on your follow up I'm now guessing your comment had no relation to the ongoing discussion and you just jumped in without reading the context? My apologies for thinking your comments were relevant and my mistake was believing you were adding something to the points being discussed at the time. I hope your crusade against 'anti-audiophile zealotry goes well.
 
My view is that using an amp to alter/improve the sound of low impedance IEM is like cutting your hair with a stanley knife, scissors (DAC) or trimmers (DAP) are better tools for that. Especially when you consider some amps will add noise.

 

[chickenmoon]

My view is that using an amp to alter/improve the sound of low impedance IEM is like cutting your hair with a stanley knife, scissors (DAC) or trimmers (DAP) are better tools for that. Especially when you consider some amps will add noise.

Well, a DAC needs an amp and many DAPs have a line out output setting, I wonder why this is...? :rolleyes:

 

[stuck limo]

I got some KZ ZS3 today. Can anyone recommend a good replacement FOAM eartip? The silicone rubber that comes stock hurt my ears and I'm having a real hard time getting a good fit.

 

[Vidal]

Well, a DAC needs an amp and many DAPs have a line out output setting, I wonder why this is...?

 
With low impedance IEMs I genuinely can't think of any DAC that does need an amp. Fiio K1 doesn't, Chord Mojo doesn't, Dragonfly doesn't, Meridan Explorer doesn't.
 
DAP has a line out (setting) because people connect them to home HiFi, Car HiFi or to an amp when they have higher impedance headphones such as AKG K701, Senn HD600 etc.
 
I hope that helps with the wondering 

 

 

[wgrish7]

I use these:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2-Pairs-4-Pieces-Comply-T200-Earphone-Tips-Memory-Foam-Sponge-Ear-Pads-For-4-0mm/32725601009.html
 
I use them because one of my ear canals are not like the other, and silicon tips hurt.

 

[Montyburns]

  I use these:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2-Pairs-4-Pieces-Comply-T200-Earphone-Tips-Memory-Foam-Sponge-Ear-Pads-For-4-0mm/32725601009.html
 
I use them because one of my ear canals are not like the other, and silicon tips hurt.

 
Comply TX-400 Isolation Plus Ear Tips. I also use the Comfort version. Night and day from silicone tips. 

 

[stuck limo]

   
Comply TX-400 Isolation Plus Ear Tips. I also use the Comfort version. Night and day from silicone tips. 

 
OK, I see on Amazon they have the Comfort Plus series and the Comfort Series. Any major differences? What's the diff between Isolation and Comfort series?

 

[wgrish7]

Isolation tips are longer, going further into your ear canal, thus "isolating" more. I found that comforts don't hold in my ears well.

 

[chickenmoon]

With low impedance IEMs I genuinely can't think of any DAC that does need an amp. Fiio K1 doesn't, Chord Mojo doesn't, Dragonfly doesn't, Meridan Explorer doesn't.

All those are actually integrated DAC/Amplifier units if I am not mistaken...

DAP has a line out (setting) because people connect them to home HiFi, Car HiFi or to an amp when they have higher impedance headphones such as AKG K701, Senn HD600 etc.

Or maybe also for those people who want a higher quality amplification than the built-in amplifier stage their DAP provides...

 I hope that helps with the wondering   

Rhetorical question as you've certainly noticed...

 

[B9Scrambler]

Can this just stop please. Jesus...

 

[Vidal]

All those are actually integrated DAC/Amplifier units if I am not mistaken...
Or maybe also for those people who want a higher quality amplification than the built-in amplifier stage their DAP provides...
Rhetorical question as you've certainly noticed...

 
Context to this discussion -
 
* Amazon reviewer says KZ ZST needs a amp to fill out it's sound
 
I'm saying that it doesn't need an amp and that if you're trying to fill out/improve the sound then a DAC or decent DAP would be a better investment.
 
Not aware of any dac that doesn't have an integrated amplifier in some form, even one that outputs to phono has to have some sort of amplifier to output as an analogue signal. Maybe I've missed it but please name a few?

 

[To.M]

Shoo, off you go people and listen to some music! ...with or without an amp at your discretion

 

[stuck limo]

  Isolation tips are longer, going further into your ear canal, thus "isolating" more. I found that comforts don't hold in my ears well.

 
That's what I was worried about --- not holding. I got some Isolation tips to see how they work. Thanks for the help.

 

[chickenmoon]

Context to this discussion -

* Amazon reviewer says KZ ZST needs a amp to fill out it's sound

I'm saying that it doesn't need an amp and that if you're trying to fill out/improve the sound then a DAC or decent DAP would be a better investment.

Not aware of any dac that doesn't have an integrated amplifier in some form, even one that outputs to phono has to have some sort of amplifier to output as an analogue signal. Maybe I've missed it but please name a few?

You should connect line out to any line in but not phono which has a preamplifier stage and is for use for signals coming from turntables if I am not mistaken.

Most if not all high end standalone DAC as well pro-grade PC soundcards don't have built-in amplifiers, they just convert a digital signal to an electrical one which gets amplified in another device you connect them to, for example my lovely ESI Juli@ card.

Context to this discussion is also all the crazy statements made by Ruben in the last few pages...

As for the ZST issue, I've decommissioned mine as well as most of my other KZs it because they don't hold a candle to my better IEMs on my desktop setup, they scale up OK on lower end devices where my better IEMs can't fully express their potential however. YMMV.

 

[Ruben123]

Take over this discussion to the Sound Science board -which none of you would actually- and discuss further over there. The many audio engineers etc. who post over there would be happy to explain and not find my statements to be crazy at all chickenmoon...