[x RELIC x]

One of the exhibitors in the recent Fujiya Spring/May Festival commented that majority of festival attendees were carrying either the NW-ZX1 or AK240. I don't think iRiver has to worry about getting ridiculed for their pricing of the AK240, as they're still laughing with the number of AK240's sold out there. As a standalone DAP, it stands alone at the pinnacle of its heap (IMHO anyway).

That's what I'm gathering, they are doing very well with it in spite of the price. Good for them.

There is no where local for me to listen to one and I can't justify the price without an audition. The curiosity is getting the better of me though and I may break down sooner than expected.

 

[AnakChan]

Snapseed at It's finest. *joking joking* :wink_face:  

You're right considering this is shot is off my phone!

 

[H20Fidelity]

You're right considering this is shot is off my phone!

Haha! May the seed be with you! She's pretty flash!

 

[Dymloslouire]

Thanks a lot, both ALO MK3 and The Pan Am should be powerful enough. Most likely they're OK with Dreamline then.
 

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REP-1030 should be the latest product from Ranko and you could already get that for 60 bucks shipped

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ranko-Acoustics-REP-1030-Rodium-Plated-3-5mm-Stereo-Plug-/221462027170

Most likely it's quite an upgrade when compared to that relatively cheap plug from Ranko.
 

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Those mini plugs from Furutech / Oyaide / Switchcraft / ViaBlue might not be the most durable, that's understandable since they just don't cost that much to begin with.

Recently someone mentioned much better ones from ATL / Sound Bridge / WireWorld

http://www.mobile01.com/topicdetail.php?f=180&t=3939009

When compared to Oyaide and ViaBlue, the more expensive ones were winners in terms of detail retrieval, wider soundstage, and more musical etc.

http://www.wireworldaudio.com/ConnectorPhotos.html

WireWorld even made both female and male plugs with their Molded Carbon Fiber Silver Tube, acquire both items below and we could create an adapter for tweaking the sound as well as useful tool for Hugo

http://www.atl-newcablestudio.com/PN-6308RH03.html

http://www.wireworldaudio.com/ConnecorThumbs/MJKPEIF3x.jpg
 

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For Hugo's coaxial input, they should know what adapters are compatible since they do sell Hugo

http://www.thecableco.com/Catalog/Adaptors

Besides, we could also terminate coaxial cables with either Cardas GRCM 6 or Switchcraft 3502RA as shown below

http://fs-digital.net/thread-52343-1-1.html

http://www.cardas.com/grcm6.php

http://www.switchcraft.com/productsummary.aspx?Parent=1005

interesting..
i'm looking for the 'ultimate' 3.5mm to pair with my custom cable for my incoming fitear custom.. maybe i'll try that wireworld as well.

 

[seeteeyou]

.

 

[ExpatinJapan]

  One of the exhibitors in the recent Fujiya Spring/May Festival commented that majority of festival attendees were carrying either the NW-ZX1 or AK240. I don't think iRiver has to worry about getting ridiculed for their pricing of the AK240, as they're still laughing with the number of AK240's sold out there. As a standalone DAP, it stands alone at the pinnacle of its heap (IMHO anyway).

May some new toys appear on the horizon in Japan soon and force the price of the AK240 down, down, down on the used market.......for me.

 

[AnakChan]

Speaking of ultimate, these guys reminded me the Gold Saint of the latest CG movie Saint Seiya: Legend of Sanctuary
 

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=36045054624
 

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=39529115090
 

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

http://www.rhapsodiohk.com/products/536094eb131166dbda000027

 
OK I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to electrical conductivity but am I wrong to think that it's crazy to have such high gold (99.99%) content in cables since gold is a poor conductor? Has anyone ever tried any of these cables? Are they for real or are they preying on the uninformed?

 

[ExpatinJapan]

The DITAs take a while to burn in/open up. I am looking forward to your impressions.
 
I found the reference tips great at first, but now find the large bore tips sound great, and the double flange.

 

[AnakChan]

  The DITAs take a while to burn in/open up. I am looking forward to your impressions.
 
I found the reference tips great at first, but now find the large bore tips sound great, and the double flange.

 
I have to admit that I don't like the tips I'm using at the moment. Even on large, the left keeps popping out of my ear. I think I'll try the spinfits on them but been too lazy to find my spinfits somewhere in my drawer.

 

[ExpatinJapan]

   
I have to admit that I don't like the tips I'm using at the moment. Even on large, the left keeps popping out of my ear. I think I'll try the spinfits on them but been too lazy to find my spinfits somewhere in my drawer.

I got some XL(?) or LL sony tips (theres a photo in the DITA-the Truth thread of the packaging) that were close in sound to the reference tips, they fit much better.
 
I find that I have to slide the DITAs in, vertically down to get a good fit. Usually i push tips in straight, or from the back of the ear towards the front.

 

[delrosa81]

   
I know you weren't asking me but Sony ZX1 (transport) -> PHA-2 (DAC section) -> Fiio E12 (amp)
 
Please correct me if I'm wrong!!
 
The PHA-2 is known for an excellent DAC section but a very lacking amp section hence the E12 

Yes yes you are absolutely spot on!

 

[seeteeyou]

.

 

[PETEREK]

Let's see, each cable should cost even more than the flagship Entreq Atlantis in the first place. Does it mean more money for portability but possibly inferior sound when compared to Atlantis?

And then anyone could easily claim 4N gold content without the burden of proof. Not to mention that 24K / 99.99% pure gold should be a notoriously soft and pliable metal

http://goldsilverworlds.com/investing/gold-coins-the-difference-between-24k-and-22k

I wasn't really sure about how feasible such cables really are but apparently some interconnects were already done for a fairly long time

http://www.qables.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=105_117

Sometimes there's a fine line between marketing (perception) and truth (reality) these days IMHO.

When you're that critical over the quality of the cables and interconnects you're using, you need to think about what the internals of the DACs, amps, sources, and headphones themselves are made of. If a signal is passing through nickel first, the rest of the chain's signal can't be any stronger than it was when it left that. That's why I think it's hilarious when people buy these expensive cables and interconnects. I make cables and interconnects myself and for other headfiers occasionally, but the primary objective when making the cable is increasing the portability/usability of their headphones. 
 
Sorry about the small rant, but yes, marketing and truth are really very different. The point of the last paragraph was to say that a company can say their cable increases the audio quality, but it doesn't mean it's 100% true.
 
I'll leave every other part of the signal talk for the sound science threads.

 

[AnakChan]

  When you're that critical over the quality of the cables and interconnects you're using, you need to think about what the internals of the DACs, amps, sources, and headphones themselves are made of. If a signal is passing through nickel first, the rest of the chain's signal can't be any stronger than it was when it left that. That's why I think it's hilarious when people buy these expensive cables and interconnects. I make cables and interconnects myself and for other headfiers occasionally, but the primary objective when making the cable is increasing the portability/usability of their headphones. 
 
Sorry about the small rant, but yes, marketing and truth are really very different. The point of the last paragraph was to say that a company can say their cable increases the audio quality, but it doesn't mean it's 100% true.
 
I'll leave every other part of the signal talk for the sound science threads.

 
I can't tell which way @seeteeyou is leaning towards w.r.t. my question 

. But what you're quite right that components the way are relevant to ensure no bottle necks. Which is why I'm generally not so keen on expensive cables that are terminated with gold plated plugs.

 

[seeteeyou]

.