[Hisoundfi]

I just found this thread. Here's my take:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/products/noble-audio-katana/reviews/17095

 

[FullCircle]

  I just found this thread. Here's my take:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/products/noble-audio-katana/reviews/17095

 
 
 
Awesome photo

 

[warrior1975]

A friend of mine is loaning me his Katana... Really look forward to listening to it. Normally not my sound signature preference, but ya never know.

 

[9bphillips]

Love the color of the universal katana

 

[John Culter]

Just out for curiosity - are these the same silicone tips (ones with red core) found in Noble universals packaging?
 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01N1JMW72
 

 

[FullCircle]

They certainly look similar, that being said, from my experience the look isn't a telling feature.   Sometimes they look the same, but they don't have the same texture, or even vary in size.  Such as the "small" isn't the same size as the Noble small.
 
 
 
In other words.....   hard to say

 

[John Culter]

  They certainly look similar, that being said, from my experience the look isn't a telling feature.   Sometimes they look the same, but they don't have the same texture, or even vary in size.  Such as the "small" isn't the same size as the Noble small.
 
 
 
In other words.....   hard to say

Of course, hard to say .. so in other words - only way to get the same tips, is to order from Noble shop, right? Are these shipped in the same nice metal holder? Thanks!

 

[FullCircle]

Of course, hard to say .. so in other words - only way to get the same tips, is to order from Noble shop, right? Are these shipped in the same nice metal holder? Thanks!

U should contact Brannan via the noble web site for an answer to that questio, as he processes orders sent out from the California office

 

[raypin]

Mm..pulled the trigger and got the Katana from HK dealer (Let's Go Audio in Wanchai)....... to make 3 Nobles in my collection. Impressed with the SQ. Paired it initially with the Labkable Takumi then the Samurai. I got the Samurai (much better).

 

[Fr_eak]

Mm..pulled the trigger and got the Katana from HK dealer (Let's Go Audio in Wanchai)....... to make 3 Nobles in my collection. Impressed with the SQ. Paired it initially with the Labkable Takumi then the Samurai. I got the Samurai (much better).

Think we have similar taste! Cable also bought in the same shipping centre but different shop lol.

 

[raypin]

Mm...got my Labkable Samurai from DMA Audio in Sim City Mongkok. Lovely-sounding cable and it pairs well with the Katana. Airier than the Takumi.

 

[Mojo777]

I've never heard a TOTL IEM. My experience stopped at the 535. Are they as good as say a LCD-X? Curious if I should be saving up for something special like the Katana's

 

[raypin]

Mm...the LCD X and the Katana offer far different experience. There are far more irreconcilable differences than similarities so comparison between the two will not be of much use. I use my LCD X whenever I want the Audeze sound and the planar magnetic sound and enjoyment in a quiet and comfortable environment. I use the Katana whenever I want a balanced- sounding in-ear in travel mode (outside home). The Katana should be compared with other in-ears, not headphones. But setting aside those differences, are the sound signature similar? Somewhat yes. The LCD X is a neutral-sounding headphones (more neutral than other Audezes like the LCD 3F). Same with the Katana. By neutral, I mean a balanced performance where the highs, mids and lows work in a coherent fashion. Tonally, the Katana is just right.

A lot depends on your needs. If you do not usually have that much time to listen outside your home, you will be better off (and better served) using a more reasonably priced in-ear rather than spending upwards of 1700 usd for a high-quality in-ears. But if you need just one in-ear, the Katana easily earns my recommendation. There are others to consider as well like the Campfire Vega or the HUM Pristine or the AKT8ie, and, if you prefer to go CIEM, there's the Empire Ears Zeus XIV.

I love both in-ears and headphones in equal fashion and regard them as complementary rather than competing product categories.

 

[Fr_eak]

Mm...got my Labkable Samurai from DMA Audio in Sim City Mongkok. Lovely-sounding cable and it pairs well with the Katana. Airier than the Takumi.

I bought mine from DMA too, but the shop in Wanchai instead.

I was comparing the Effect Audio and Plussound cables but ended up with the Samurai 3. Like you said, great synergy with the Katana, crisp, clean, fast, air, without any harshness.

 

[raypin]

Mm....yup. I also auditioned the PlusSound hybrid with the Katana but the Labkable Samurai is special. Like you, I am using the Katana with the AK380 cu/cu amp. As you say, we have similar taste in cable, in ear and DAP. Only the very best will do....lol!