[baronbeehive]

Somehow I'm not into IEMs and DAPs. I could have but I just wasn't into it. I don't move around with a ear bud in my ears. Did not even want to get the Apple iPod Pros.

Agreed, it's nice to hear the sounds of the countryside some of the time.. or the cursing on the golf course... .

 

[UntilThen]

There's a time for everything. Time to smell the roses, hear the birds sing, Tee off with that perfect drive, or hop on my Specialized.

 

[Maxx134]

Somehow I'm not into IEMs and DAPs. I could have but I just wasn't into it

I been using my iBasso 220max dap's line out, as my primary source for a while.
Sold off the desktop Dacs for a Dap.
By doing so, I avoid ALL the problems of computers and the software players, and interconnect/USB cables, spdif adapters...etc and all their associated jitter issues.
Just a line out to my amp.

 

[UntilThen]

I'm just spoilt with the convenience of my PC. Did think of buying a Roon Nucleus Server... Aside from that, there's always the turntable and CD player.

 

[UntilThen]

The day of auditioning Utopia vs He1000se. Taken on the 31st May 2021. It's already 2 months. How time flies.



Empire Ears Odin with a Astell&Kern dap. Same day at Minidisc. This iem retails for 5k plus, has 11 drivers and you can hear everything. Only thing it doesn't have that He1000se has is the big soundstage and orchestra size tone of the HiFiMan. For incisiveness and cutting edge details, the Odin wins. Bass is what make me smile. Can a tiny device make such astounding bass? It sure can. Not the Audeze LCD4 kind of bass but nevertheless impressive for an iem.

Banish the thought of the iem. Saving my money for an Abyss 1266 TC or Susvara.

 

[UntilThen]

A most interesting day listening to Rock Classic from Apple Music in lossless format. I remember listening to Summer of 69 with He1000se and Elekit 8200 and thinking to myself that it's really good.

Imagine my surprise when I swap to Oblivion. Now this is an awakening. There's a sweetness at the top end with amply voiced mids and bass. This did sound better to my ears.

Last to listen to is Destiny. This is where Oblivion and Destiny do what they do best. Destiny's mids and bass is a moving experience while Oblivion is just more linear through out and I'm almost certain that Oblivion is more tubey now than when I first had it.

 

[baronbeehive]

A most interesting day listening to Rock Classic from Apple Music in lossless format

Didn't know Apple music did lossless, is that for listening or downloading?

 

[baronbeehive]

Empire Ears Odin with a Astell&Kern dap. Same day at Minidisc. This iem retails for 5k plus, has 11 drivers and you can hear everything. Only thing it doesn't have that He1000se has is the big soundstage and orchestra size tone of the HiFiMan

Yep, soundstage can't be done with iem's IMO. Have you tried the HE1000SE direct from the Astell and Kern?

Banish the thought of the iem. Saving my money for an Abyss 1266 TC or Susvara.

.

I was never comfortable with IEM's, painful after a while, not to mention kept dropping out!

 

[baronbeehive]

I been using my iBasso 220max dap's line out, as my primary source for a while.
Sold off the desktop Dacs for a Dap.
By doing so, I avoid ALL the problems of computers and the software players, and interconnect/USB cables, spdif adapters...etc and all their associated jitter issues.
Just a line out to my amp.

So your Holo Spring DAC is no more?

.

 

[UntilThen]

Have you tried the HE1000SE direct from the Astell and Kern?

No. My iPhone can drive the He1000se but until you experience that headphone with the likes of Oblivion, Destiny and Elekit TU-8200, you wouldn't know what it can do.

For that matter He1000se sounded really good with v280, Taurus and Questyle CMA 12 but I just prefer it with a tube amp.

 

[OctavianH]

I been using my iBasso 220max dap's line out, as my primary source for a while.
Sold off the desktop Dacs for a Dap.
By doing so, I avoid ALL the problems of computers and the software players, and interconnect/USB cables, spdif adapters...etc and all their associated jitter issues.
Just a line out to my amp.

You are right, but many of the aforementioned problems can be solved with a JCAT Femto USB card externally powered and a decent USB cable. I do this, works flawlessly.

 

[SonicTrance]

@UntilThen
Here's the completed Odyssey, finally!













I'll let it cook for two days then ship it to you Matt!

 

[baronbeehive]

@UntilThen
Here's the completed Odyssey, finally!

What a beauty sonic!
.

 

[Roasty]

@UntilThen
Here's the completed Odyssey, finally!













I'll let it cook for two days then ship it to you Matt!

that is beautiful!
cant find it on your website. is this a build to order?
any price/specs available?

 

[SonicTrance]

What a beauty sonic!
.

Thanks baron!

that is beautiful!
cant find it on your website. is this a build to order?
any price/specs available?

Thanks Roasty!

Right, there's no pics yet on the website. Odyssey is a custom SET build. This particular amp has the following add-ons:

- Sowter transformers

- Ability to choose between a dual triode driver tube or EL11 drivers.

- Several inputs with selector switch

- Yamamoto sockets

- Triode/Ultralinear switch

Output tube is KT88 with lots of rolling options.

Power output is about 15W in triode mode and 20W in Ultralinear mode into 8 ohms.

Contact me for price and options