[Hinomotocho]

After so many years I would say my favourite portable combos are on this picture..
It's a bit strange there are only Sony's IEM/TWS left on the podium.. I am maybe more sensitive to Sony's sound science then many other people, I can't fully enjoy other items from B&O, Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic, JVC, Vision Ears, Apple, Tangzu, Kiwi Ears, Technics, ... I also own, but I definitely use far less often.

I've used Sony portable audio gear since my first yellow sports Walkman in the 80s. Even their first or second generation MP3 player's supplied buds were those cheap ones that sat loosely in the ear, offered no isolation, leaked sound and sounded tinny. It wasn't until about 2006 when I got a colour screen 8gb NW-A808 that the supplied earphones changed to in-ears that gave me my first experience of sub-bass, and what I deem to be the classic Sony V-shaped sound - I've been hooked ever since. Even when I looked to broaden my experience with other brand iems, whenever I put a pair of Sony iems in I just smiled (cheesy, but absolutely true) and ended up with them. I don't doubt there is a small factor of brand familiarity and confidence helping my purchase, but when you demo and it puts a smile on your face as it hits the sweet spot...
I recently bought the XBA-Z5 for the third time, and now I'm considering the N3 and M9 when I go to Japan in December.

 

[ATOZ]

This is what I am rocking these days for on-the-go:

- AFUL Performer 8
- Chord Mojo 2 (Crossfeed on, DSP Shelf: 3kHZ +2dB and 20kHZ - 2dB to compensate for the iem's dip at 4k)
- Xduoo Xd-05BL BT receiver (LDAC/digital coax)

Sound so natural, that I constantly drift away. Really hard to "actively listen" to this combo.

 

[PhenixS1970]

634ears.com Miroak-II (1xDD) with ipod 2019.

 

[Amadeo Nospherathu]

 

[F700]

Thursday night rig

 

[kmmbd]

Kiwi Ears Quintet + Cayin RU7

 

[paggio]

They grow up so fast

 

[stersa]

ARYA ORGANIC+TEMPOTEC V6..Nice Combo

Best Regards

Sisco

 

[Auricon]

Cayin N30LE x Meze 109Pro

 

[Amadeo Nospherathu]

 

[F700]

Welcome to the Romi BX2Pro club

 

[Nostoi]

Very curious about your impressions on this amp.

 

[Amadeo Nospherathu]

Welcome to the Romi BX2Pro club

Thank you!

 

[Amadeo Nospherathu]

Very curious about your impressions on this amp.

In short, it's an interesting device. Despite class A, it is very powerful, which is a plus for working with energy-intensive headphones. It works well with planars, AMT, etc. Both in pure and hybrid configuration. So this combination with the Ra is not just for the photo, the amp really gives them dynamics. On the other hand, it is class A. And it has its own color. Analogue, slightly smoothed. For me this is a minus, so for me the amp works well with neutral sources like LPGT. When the source has more warmth, like the AR-M2, the output sounds too warm and analog for me. However, these are taste preferences.

Of course, when it comes to portable use, for me the size and weight of the device makes it not portable, unless it's portable around the house, etc. It has quite large dimensions and weight, probably commensurate with the Cayin C9.
So I won't take him for a walk, except to go from the room to the terrace, etc.
After all, this is a pure amp, so it needs a good source of a line signal.

Also, I know it can run on external power, but I haven't had a chance to test how that affects the sound.

 

[F700]

In short, it's an interesting device. Despite class A, it is very powerful, which is a plus for working with energy-intensive headphones. It works well with planars, AMT, etc. Both in pure and hybrid configuration. So this combination with the Ra is not just for the photo, the amp really gives them dynamics. On the other hand, it is class A. And it has its own color. Analogue, slightly smoothed. For me this is a minus, so for me the amp works well with neutral sources like LPGT. When the source has more warmth, like the AR-M2, the output sounds too warm and analog for me. However, these are taste preferences.

Of course, when it comes to portable use, for me the size and weight of the device makes it not portable, unless it's portable around the house, etc. It has quite large dimensions and weight, probably commensurate with the Cayin C9.
So I won't take him for a walk, except to go from the room to the terrace, etc.
After all, this is a pure amp, so it needs a good source of a line signal.

Also, I know it can run on external power, but I haven't had a chance to test how that affects the sound.

Thanks for that Amadeo. Agree with you. The PSU makes the sound a bit more transparent, but also improve the low-end, being more tactile and clean. Separation and imaging are leveling up too.