UnderwaterB0i
Head-Fier
I do not vibe with that guys style at all, but he seems to know a thing or two about sound, so I guess him liking the R4 is a good thing.
I like the ZX300 for what is especially with the MrWalkman firmware. Pretty amazing DAP at a pretty good price (~$200) used. But I really miss not having PEQ or having Tidal on the app. Especially having PEQ is a cheatcode to fix peaks or up recessed freqs. And sometimes if you're feeling like a different sound you can switch EQ profiles and such. Also, having to transfer music files to the DAP and managing playlist on two places are really annoying. The ZX300 sound is fun and warm but changes the sound too much. I prefer a more neutral, balanced sound so that the natural IEM tuning curve comes out.If you've acquired a taste for the ZX300 (as I have), especially one with the MrWalkman firmware, then you probably won't find another DAP that sounds the same, or is better at what it does. It's unique.
Something like the R4, along side the equally affordable black knob version of the Tempotec Variations V6, with all their DSP flexibility (MSEB, Plug-ins, Parametric EQ, etc.), either will give you the best inexpensive entry into the Android world of streaming apps plus local file libraries. Without DSP they will sound much less warm than the Sony. Add MSEB settings, and they will get closer, perhaps close enough for you.
In any case these audiophile Android DAPs are very complementary to what the Sony has to offer.
My only complaint about R4 is that with PCM content, the stage feels flat and 2D even with best classical recording and most “holographic” IEM in my collection. The severity of the effect depends on the IEM, but something harder to drive like Symphonium Meteor and TGXear Serratus seem to be impacted more. Such problem was not in my note when testing R6 P2.from your memory, what the main difference between r4 & r6p2 soundwise?
still not sure to buy r4 or just goes to r6p2 to change my cayin ru7 for outside usage .... my impulse buying mind wants r6p2 but i only gonna use it maybe 2-3hrs a week, and most of time my listening session is at home with desktop setup (k9 pro)
tried r6p2 months ago & like it , and the secondhand market looks not bad at $400-450 ish
So sound wise R4 and R3II are not far apart?If you don’t use the DAP a lot, I would just go with R4. Both R3II and R4 are “enough” in SQ, at least to me (meaning I do enjoy listen to them rather than forcing myself to listen to write the review article)
So sound wise R4 and R3II are not far apart?
I know some folks can’t hear / couldn’t careless about IEM stage, so R4 is probably the best bet.
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So sound wise R4 and R3II are not far apart?
Count me in among those who can't hear IEM stage (by default, without a binaural room impulse response applied, on regular stereo recordings)...
I am indeed and I don't listen without DSP : )) (and of course such DSP is totally doable without much faffing around on the R Android series)I think by stage, you are thinking about soundstage of 2 channel systems. Without DSP, I don’t think any headfi gear can sound like that
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I am indeed and I don't listen without DSP : ))
So to get a comparison impression of IEMs that roughly corresponds with what others are hearing, I need to obtain / create BRIRs that are tonally neutral / transparent. I have just that
Same. I’ve never had a dap before. Curious if I’ll be able to tell a difference between it and my current setup with my iPhone + dongleThe wait for audio gear is like one of the 12 labours of Hercules!
Who else is checking their order status multiple times per day?
Is it just me?
Let's see a show of hands...
I've had an R3 and an R5 in the past.Same. I’ve never had a dap before. Curious if I’ll be able to tell a difference between it and my current setup with my iPhone + dongle