R-1 NOS vs R8HEmk2/DI20HE
(chain: pc/source-pink faun usb bridge v2 - gothic usb cable - R-1 NOS
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Two very different sounds. The R-1 NOS is very immense with the lowend and a harder hit on the snares/mid. Vocals are excellent, but this dac is a hate or love it thing. It´s far from a balanced sound like the R8HEmk2. However for me R-1 NOS is interesting as I play with the lowend frequencies.
It is soo immense small headphones(HE400SE) without EQ can not hold it, the bass is floating all over. Can you imagine - the HE400SE is not known for the bass?
Changing to HE1000V2S gave the soundstage a bigger headroom and there is more room for the lowend, yes it is that bass heavy. However I see the Arya/HEKs as good, a very good, maybe better pairing than with the R8HEmk2!...
Getting closer with my preset for HE1000V2S
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R-1 NOS is closer to the music. Effortlessly playing the layers like they are all present right in front of me.
Because of the sound profile of the R-1 NOS, it is more engaging in a sense, that I feel the musicians move when they play the instruments, the mid/highs are very pronounced, thicker textured(depending on headphone)
The one thing that keeps me liking this dac is not only the sound but how it vibes, the rythm is that good, it reminds me of the time when I add the DI20HE to the R8HEmk2. That good! - (not talking about separation of the DI20HE, only the vibe, the rythm)
Out of the box without EQ this dac I could recommend for acoustic guitars, orchestral, vocals. When it comes to EDM, HipHop, music with drums/bass, it needs a very capable speaker/headphone to tame the lowend. Without EQ it is fatiguing for me on certain tracks even on HE1000V2S.
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R8HEmk2/DI20HE is a very technical combo and a safe purchase/recommendation, they check all the boxes for a capable sound without compromises, best balanced/leveled music I have ever heard. I find myself not EQ the sound with R8HEmk2/DI20HE vs the R-1 NOS which sound very different after a good EQ, in a good way ofcourse.
Where these two also splits is the soundstage. the R8HEmk2 and DI20HE reminds me of a scene from stranger things(black scene) where it pulls me into the endless soundstage, and I kinda get lost sometimes, which is comfortable in a sense, whereas the R-1 NOS needs my attention and Im listening 100% of the time, those elements/instruments in the mids/highs wont leave me alone, they are making me vibe. I like it over the R8HEmk2 one on one when it comes to the rythm/vibe
R-1 NOS is not charming in a sense where the rythm can feel too energized/faster, and also not overwhelming to me. As I said it does something both the R8HEmk2 and DI20HE does, but with a step closer to the music, because it is more upfront.
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Black background is where the R8HEmk2/DI20HE does something that feels physical between all the layers(DI20HE), I have not experience this kind of background on any other dac I have tried. R-1 NOS does not have this, it does, but very small amount like 10-20%
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Important!
R-1 NOS is definitly not for everybody like I would say R8HEmk2/DI20HE is. EQs won´t save the authenticity, it has to be really good ones. That is why I use Universal Audio DSP card with this Oxford plugin. I like it over any built-in EQs of the free players.
Best recommendation for non-EQ headphones/speakers is you have to have a very capable(soundstage/headroom) headphone that lacks lowend and mids. HE1000V2S seems to get me in the vibe. I think the Aryas will too!
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For me R-1 NOS is a friday night fun music, gaming and enjoyment. The R-8HEmk2/DI20HE is the morning coffee and jazz, total relaxation in the endless soundstage of Susvara without any EQ at all.
