brokenwallet
100+ Head-Fier
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- Sep 1, 2004
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OK, i have both ipod shuffles on hand. What i've learned, it's completely about synergy, and not so much about product A being better than product B.
Here's my initial take on them (no amps):
1G Shuffle, sounds great with iM716. HD201 surprisingly sounds really good, the best portable i have tested the 201 with so far. It edges out the generic chinese SD card player i have when powering the HD201 (the generic have strong output, but no refinement). The KSC35 also sounded good from 1G, but ...
Much better on the 2G shuffle! More dynamic, better synergy (for my tastes). And on the flip side, the iM716 is slightly dry-er/brighter on the 2G. The 201 is about the same story, better midbass from the 1G.
The EP-630, well, i'm just now realizing that i happen to luck out with the Rio Forge (and CMI 8738 soundcards). Because on both Shuffles, M-audio Transit, and Conexant HD, it's picking up hiss. But i get complete silence out of the Forge (and CMI 8738). I guess it depends on the source's output strength and sensitivity of the phones.
This was an eye opener, the Forge have a refined (some treble roll-off) sound that i really enjoy, but not enough power to make iM716 and HD201 'sing'. These Shuffles has enough.
Dang it, i thought i had it right with the Forge + ep-630. Now i don't know what to keep and what to give away.
Here's my initial take on them (no amps):
1G Shuffle, sounds great with iM716. HD201 surprisingly sounds really good, the best portable i have tested the 201 with so far. It edges out the generic chinese SD card player i have when powering the HD201 (the generic have strong output, but no refinement). The KSC35 also sounded good from 1G, but ...
Much better on the 2G shuffle! More dynamic, better synergy (for my tastes). And on the flip side, the iM716 is slightly dry-er/brighter on the 2G. The 201 is about the same story, better midbass from the 1G.
The EP-630, well, i'm just now realizing that i happen to luck out with the Rio Forge (and CMI 8738 soundcards). Because on both Shuffles, M-audio Transit, and Conexant HD, it's picking up hiss. But i get complete silence out of the Forge (and CMI 8738). I guess it depends on the source's output strength and sensitivity of the phones.
This was an eye opener, the Forge have a refined (some treble roll-off) sound that i really enjoy, but not enough power to make iM716 and HD201 'sing'. These Shuffles has enough.
Dang it, i thought i had it right with the Forge + ep-630. Now i don't know what to keep and what to give away.
