getting a higher grade of cable for something like that would be OK but your better off getting a source with some SQ and power. I would do minimum Fiio K3. Those dongle SQ is like a sidegrade from onboard stuff. Just slightly different and way underpowered. It makes more sense to have a decent source before getting a decent cable for an IEM.
That saying good stuff in = good stuff out applies. The better your source the more benefit you will hear from using nicer cables. If you have a gimicky dongle that barely improves the sound quality from your onboard sound. The best your gonna hear is onboard sound quality.
Thanks for your reply. Well the dongle itself is competent (I prefer it to my THX onyx with the Timeless) but yeah I get your point. I'm using this setup on the go so anything bigger is not really an option for me but I guess I could benefit from the better cable on my desktop setup then (merely out of curiosity as I'm more often using headphones at home).
Do not forget to look at the following cables: Cema Tianwaitian and MoonDrop Shirokawa that are exactly the same as Penon Totem and also MoonDrop Bort II.
I think they are high-end cables, low price and reputable brands that will maintain the level of quality.
By the way, I don't know if the Tianwaitian and the Totem are the same cable.
Maybe same basis?
Because the totem is far more stiff (really : no comparison...) than the Tianwaitian.
And sonically wise, these two cables seems to be different to my ears : Totem more euphonic (tones, textures) and planted (bass), energetic, vs a fastest Tianwaitian (transients) but a little cold, tone wise (in comparison to), and less concrete.
By the way, I don't know if the Tianwaitian and the Totem are the same cable.
Maybe same basis?
Because the totem is far more stiff (really : no comparison...) than the Tianwaitian.
And sonically wise, these two cables seems to be different to my ears : Totem more euphonic (tones, textures) and planted (bass), energetic, vs a fastest Tianwaitian (transients) but a little cold, tone wise (in comparison to), and less concrete.
Hi.
Always wanted a Totem for my Penon Volts, but it's beyond what I can afford to spend on a cable. I was looking for it discounted or second hand witout success. I read about the Moondrop Shirokawa through this thread, and seeing that it was apparently the same composition, I bought it when it was on sale. I have to say that, although it is not a bad cable, I did not feel the spectacularity that I had read in the descriptions of the pairing of the Totem with the Volt. It is true that in the Volt I had an ISN Solar, which had already done part of the improvement journey. Still, I've always suspected that the Shirokawa is similar to the Tianwaitian, and somehow mimics the Totem with its same components, but they're not the same. I think your analysis confirms this. I keep hoping one day to be able to hear the Totem with my Volt.
Even with Cema, you have at least 3 coaxial cables, and two of them whom aesthetics are very close (the Tianwaitian and another cable, far less expensive, white too... I have forgotten the name...).
So I don't know.
And think about the Liquid Links Venom... My Kingdom this is the same basis....
Etc.
By the way, all I know is that the coupling with the Aure Elixir is exceptional. G.O.A.T.
Really.
Never had this feeling with the Tianwaitian. Which is very good, no question about that statement at all, but... not the same feeling of "obviousness".
While adding just the right amount of authority and vividness, the Adapter Cable, gives a taste of what the whole Totem is about. I love the ISN SC4 with the ISN EST50 with the Totem Adapter front-end.........seemingly adding just the right amount a deeper energy?
Also here with the ORB, the included cable gains an ounce or two of extra authority with the Penon Totem Adapter in place!
While adding just the right amount of authority and vividness, the Adapter Cable, gives a taste of what the whole Totem is about. I love the ISN SC4 with the ISN EST50 with the Totem Adapter front-end.........seemingly adding just the right amount a deeper energy?
Also here with the ORB, the included cable gains an ounce or two of extra authority with the Penon Totem Adapter in place!
Finally, finally a cable to make the Penon Vortex all it can be!
The Penon Obsidian!
Take note of 18K reflections and sparkles!
Yep.........it works well with the Sands too!
And the Fan 2......only bettered by the Totem cable combination!
And finally the Noble Audio Encore..........so very perfect with the Obsidian Cable! After 45 minutes I just wanted to leave it on forever. Why?
Due to enhanced lower midrange presence and warmth, extended bass detail and blackness of background. Plus it worked with the Encore midrange/treble boosts to dial it in! Bringing everything into separation and clarity. Side-by sides were performed again with ISN's own new S2, C2 and H2 and while the new ISN cables are great, there was profound presence enhanced with both the Totem and the Obsidian Cable.
Take note that the only reason the Obsidian was perfect for the Sands, Encore, Fan 2 and Vortex was due to its inherent add of darkness and authority where other cables (H2, C2 and S2) became the better choices for darker items and different response characters I will go over in my subsequent review.
Below is the Fifty Strings White Hwak 21.6 AWG NeoTech Silver Plated 7N UPOCC copper litz type 6 4-Wire:
Sound impression: Huge soundstage with more width than height and very wet treble. Very good bass response and resolution. Bass is more on the fun side with a big and more spread out impact. The treble is a bit forward and coloured due to the wet sound and that adds a lot more texture to the sound, very benefitial for vocals.
And this is another Fifty Strings cable called Night Hwak which is a Neotech Silver Plated UPOCC copper (24 AWG core) with UPOCC copper shielding (overall 21 AWG) 4 wire coaxial.
There is extreme clarity in the treble and very good bass rumble. This cable is so clear and crisp and you get a very wide and tall stage with all that 3D imaging. Bass is faster than the White Hwak with less spread so more impactful however the quantity feels a little less. And since this is a fast cable there is little colouration. Can't recommend this enough but it's probably not easy to buy it but this is a much less forgiving cable compared to the White Hwak as it is not nearly as wet.
What I really like about these two cables is you can "feel the beat" as there is so much dynamic to get your body moving.
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