6Channel
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- May 4, 2004
- Posts
- 122
- Likes
- 62
scottm18, I hear ya. The 9038PRO's will surely yield some great SQ; but, if you haven't spent much time with THX-equipped players, I recommend you check one or two out - I have only experienced soft transients & noticeably squashed dynamic range compared to non-TXH'd. Hopefully, for 1700 smackers they're making the whole package dance !The biggest audio difference between the V30 and the V40, other than tuning... Is the V30 doesn't have any of those schlocky settings that can mess with the sound. There's no DTS expansion option & no equalizer...nothing but pure sound from the DAC.
I know from my testing, about 80% of materials sounded better through the v40, but I specifically remember groups like Peter Paul and Mary with their ethereal harmonies sounded had more presence through the V30 with my headphones.
That's why I'm about to pull the trigger on the Fiio M17 beast, that will have the same ESS (but PRO sound).
You hit on one of my prime diff's between V30 & V40: my live recordings sound markedly better (than on just about anything else I've listened in to, so far) on my old V30.