LETSHUOER S12 - Next big planar? (Impressions & Discussion)
Apr 29, 2022 at 1:15 PM Post #721 of 1,942
Really? why did you preferred the stock cable? What did you not like about the NicheHCK?
I felt the sound was more dynamic from the stock cable + I like a little edge on the treble. As I remember the NiceHCK was warmer. If you like a mildly warmer sound the NiceHCK or even the Faaeal Copper cables would be good.
 
Apr 29, 2022 at 2:07 PM Post #722 of 1,942
So without a DAC dongle, there wouldn't be much difference between the Olina and the S12?

You're right in that my next phone will not likely have a 3.5mm jack. I generally prefer budget phones like the Xiaomi's, but it seems that even the budget phones are moving away from the 3.5mm jack so I might have to get a dongle anyway. But when the time comes, I definitely won't be getting something large. So my next question is, would even a small dongle, like the ddHiFi TC35B, be enough to realise more of the potential of the S12. Or, would I need something bulkier?

I have a HiBy FC3 dongle dac/amp that I use with my iPhone. It’s a great little unit. It can decode just about anything and it’s pretty powerful to boot. Here’s its product page:

https://store.hiby.com/products/hiby-fc3

USB-C on one side, 3.5mm on the other. Runs off your phone’s battery and it’s optimized not to crush it.

They make a version with a balanced 4.4mm too:

https://store.hiby.com/products/hiby-fc5

If they made one with both kinds of output I’d snatch it up in a heartbeat.
 
Apr 30, 2022 at 4:58 AM Post #723 of 1,942
I have a HiBy FC3 dongle dac/amp that I use with my iPhone. It’s a great little unit. It can decode just about anything and it’s pretty powerful to boot. Here’s its product page:

https://store.hiby.com/products/hiby-fc3

USB-C on one side, 3.5mm on the other. Runs off your phone’s battery and it’s optimized not to crush it.

They make a version with a balanced 4.4mm too:

https://store.hiby.com/products/hiby-fc5

If they made one with both kinds of output I’d snatch it up in a heartbeat.

I dunno, that looks way too big and heavy for daily use out and about. I'd image it would a pain every time I take my phone out of my pocket, I'll have to hold that DAC so it isn't putting strain on the phone's USB-C port, and then when I put it back into my pocket I'll have to arrange it so it's not gonna scratch up my phone.
 
Apr 30, 2022 at 7:06 AM Post #724 of 1,942
I dunno, that looks way too big and heavy for daily use out and about. I'd image it would a pain every time I take my phone out of my pocket, I'll have to hold that DAC so it isn't putting strain on the phone's USB-C port, and then when I put it back into my pocket I'll have to arrange it so it's not gonna scratch up my phone.

Huh??

No. It’s tiny.
 
Apr 30, 2022 at 8:43 AM Post #725 of 1,942
So without a DAC dongle, there wouldn't be much difference between the Olina and the S12?

You're right in that my next phone will not likely have a 3.5mm jack. I generally prefer budget phones like the Xiaomi's, but it seems that even the budget phones are moving away from the 3.5mm jack so I might have to get a dongle anyway. But when the time comes, I definitely won't be getting something large. So my next question is, would even a small dongle, like the ddHiFi TC35B, be enough to realise more of the potential of the S12. Or, would I need something bulkier?

I don’t believe it needs to be bulky, but I also don’t think it’ll be cheap. We’re all suggesting the S12 because it sounds better, least wise, to us. Unfortunately, excellent sound doesn’t come cheap. At least, the power from USBC ports on Androids aren’t governed like they are on iPhones, but I’m unfamiliar with all the options available to you…
 
Apr 30, 2022 at 3:07 PM Post #728 of 1,942
Huh??

No. It’s tiny.

I mean it's tiny for a DAC, but still, when you take your phone out of your pocket all the time, it'll definitely be a nuisance. It's heavy enough that when I take it out of my pocket I'll have to hold the DAC as I imaging it'll weigh down the cable and pull on the USB port. When you put it back, you can't just chuck it back in like you would if the headphones were just plugged into the 3.5.
 
Apr 30, 2022 at 4:12 PM Post #729 of 1,942
I mean it's tiny for a DAC, but still, when you take your phone out of your pocket all the time, it'll definitely be a nuisance. It's heavy enough that when I take it out of my pocket I'll have to hold the DAC as I imaging it'll weigh down the cable and pull on the USB port. When you put it back, you can't just chuck it back in like you would if the headphones were just plugged into the 3.5.

Not really. The device is very small and light weight. If you want to sling it around like you describe and think it’ll get in the way, just get a longer USB-C cable between it and the player. I promise you: it’s so small and light you’ll barely notice it.

But you do you. If this isn’t what you’re looking for, no worries. There’s a ton of gear to choose from. I was just mentioning one of the things I use that might work.
 
May 2, 2022 at 12:59 PM Post #730 of 1,942
With eq, can I reach the mids of the LZ A7 with the S12?

I love so much how eletric guitars sound on the LZ A7 (gold nozzle) sound. I'm afraid of buying the S12 and this mid/upper mid region being too thin for that kind of instrument.

Actually, is there any iem up to 400 USd that have that kind of mids, but has better performance overall?
 

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May 3, 2022 at 11:22 PM Post #731 of 1,942
Well. I finally received my Spinfit CP100+ tips and what a beautiful difference. It adds just a bit of warmness to the sound balancing it perfectly, not to mention the clearness and separation. Loved it.

On another note, one thing I noticed is that the S12 sound better with the High Gain setting on my Schiit Heresy amp. How is that? I didnt expected that. It sounds bigger, fuller with a effortlessly highs. Normally, on all my DD headphones (both IEM and over ear) low gain is the best setting with high gain sounding too much, but with the S12 is a total advantage. Pardon my ignorance since I'm still learning, but how is this possible with the s12 being so low impedance? Am I just imaging this?
Never underestimate the power requirement of planars. They are beasts when powered correctly.
 
May 4, 2022 at 3:04 AM Post #734 of 1,942
Really liking the sound but I’m getting a soft hum out of mine when there is no music playing. It’s soft enough to where I can’t hear it with music but clearly audible with nothing playing.
What's your source? Could be hitting the noise floor. I get that when using balanced output off of ifi ZEN DAC
 

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