afireinside
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Dec 14, 2005
- Posts
- 366
- Likes
- 13
It showed up a bit earlier today along with my KnuKonceptz eKs-R1 ICs. The x-fi adapter isn't here yet so I had to test it with a cheap sony DVD player as a transport. I hardly own any CDs but thankfully I have two of my favorites, Metallica's S&M and Tool's 10,000 Days. Keep in mind that I've only had the K701s for a week and that I completely suck at using audiophile terms still.
So anyway I pop Tool in and right away it sounds the same. I was a bit confused but as soon as the vocals kicked in I was in heaven
I particularly like the beginning of Vicarious because I can easily tell right away how simbilant and forward vocals are on my setup. The sssssss sounds didn't seem to drag at all and the vocals were much more separated than on the x-fi. I was finally hearing the "Airy" soundstage of the K701s that I have read so much about.
Next up was S&M. Now I never listen to classical music and I probably couldn't tell a trombone from a tuba but the brass instruments were incredibly realistic with this DAC. It sounded like they were actually playing in front of me. Listening to some of the tracks again on my x-fi was mightily disappointing in that aspect. Instrument separation was also great and I can easily pick out exactly where I was hearing everything. While on the topic of it creaming the x-fi, it's very transparent and really transports me into my own little world with the music. I can't get enough!
At 40 dollars i was pretty surprised to see these ICs came in a box and all.
I'm not sure how good these cables really are as I have nothing to compare them to but the build quality is top notch. Thick, sleeved, and heatshrinked locking RCA connectors.
Looks like any other Zhaolu D2.5 other than this sticker and the missing headphone jack/volume knob
My overall setup minus the DVD player. Sorry for the dark pictures my lighting is poor.
Yeah it's a monster cable coax, only one I own. Ordered a toslink not knowing Ori disabled it.
Thank you Ori for the great mods, he was a pleasure to deal with. I likely won't be upgrading my source for years to come, that's how good it is! (well that and the fact that I'd need to spend at least a grand to beat this
)
So anyway I pop Tool in and right away it sounds the same. I was a bit confused but as soon as the vocals kicked in I was in heaven
Next up was S&M. Now I never listen to classical music and I probably couldn't tell a trombone from a tuba but the brass instruments were incredibly realistic with this DAC. It sounded like they were actually playing in front of me. Listening to some of the tracks again on my x-fi was mightily disappointing in that aspect. Instrument separation was also great and I can easily pick out exactly where I was hearing everything. While on the topic of it creaming the x-fi, it's very transparent and really transports me into my own little world with the music. I can't get enough!
At 40 dollars i was pretty surprised to see these ICs came in a box and all.
I'm not sure how good these cables really are as I have nothing to compare them to but the build quality is top notch. Thick, sleeved, and heatshrinked locking RCA connectors.
Looks like any other Zhaolu D2.5 other than this sticker and the missing headphone jack/volume knob
My overall setup minus the DVD player. Sorry for the dark pictures my lighting is poor.
Yeah it's a monster cable coax, only one I own. Ordered a toslink not knowing Ori disabled it.
Thank you Ori for the great mods, he was a pleasure to deal with. I likely won't be upgrading my source for years to come, that's how good it is! (well that and the fact that I'd need to spend at least a grand to beat this
