[crabdog]

I don't suppose the difference in settings affects that traumatically to the battery.....

I wonder if the Fiio BTR3 last longer. Do you have any idea?

BTR3 is rated at 11 hours which is around what I'm getting with it.

 

[Ocelitgol]

BTR3 is rated at 11 hours which is around what I'm getting with it.

Interesting...even though ES100 has 350mah battery no? How is your battery with ES100? (last question I swear)

 

[RockStar2005]

You only need balanced if you feel the single-ended output doesn't have the power to drive your GR07 to its full potential. If you want to use EQ get the ES100. If you just want to plug and play get the BTR3 IMO.

But doesn't a balanced connection also give you better sound (aside from more power)?

 

[harpo1]

But doesn't a balanced connection also give you better sound (aside from more power)?

Blacker background meaning a lower noise floor but no sound improvements. If you had two of them you could do a blind test after volume matching and I guarantee you couldn't tell the difference.

 

[peter123]

Blacker background meaning a lower noise floor but no sound improvements. If you had two of them you could do a blind test after volume matching and I guarantee you couldn't tell the difference.

I have to respectfully disagree with you on that (for the ES100 as an isolated example).

 

[Devodonaldson]

Hello everyone, I'd like to use mmcx iem's with the balanced output on this device and my budget is around $150. Would any you mind recommending some good starter iem's to use with the ES-100? Thank you.

bgvp dmg much more than starter set

 

[paddyberger]

I’m thinking of picking one of these up to pair with my DMGs.

Is it worth picking up a balanced cable also? If so, cable recommendations would be appreciated, in country or the AliExpress route is fine. Thanks.

 

[RockStar2005]

Blacker background meaning a lower noise floor but no sound improvements. If you had two of them you could do a blind test after volume matching and I guarantee you couldn't tell the difference.

Oh ok. I just sort of mashed all of that into one thing I guess. lol To me, it's all a form of improvement.

Hmm ok.

 

[RockStar2005]

I have to respectfully disagree with you on that (for the ES100 as an isolated example).

Yeah I guess I'd have to try it out one day if I get a chance to and see for myself.

 

[harpo1]

I have to respectfully disagree with you on that (for the ES100 as an isolated example).

Well I know of several reviewers that volume match on several different devices and then measure them with no difference in frequency response plus no difference when listening. But hey if you hear a difference more power to you.

 

[brunoyujikc]

Thank you everyone for your input. I think I'll go with the ES100 and get a cheap balanced cable for around $20 to just see if I can notice any difference when using my GR07 if I don't I can return the cable through amazon anyways. I can also test how it will sound with my Soundmagic HP100 and Sennheiser HD598. It's probably not worth it connecting to my HD600 even with balanced cables right?
Hopefully it'll be a nice upgrade over the DAC from the Snapdragon 845 on the Note 9.
I considered getting the Fiio Q1 mk2, but the bluetooth functionality seems more interesting than having a better wired DAC for portable use. I don't know if it's worth sacrificing such portability for an improvement in audio that might not be that relevant since nothing beats listening to music in a quiet environment at home (which I can do with my NFB-11 then)

 

[crabdog]

Interesting...even though ES100 has 350mah battery no? How is your battery with ES100? (last question I swear)

Around 12-14 hours depending on which IEM I'm using in both SE and balanced.

 

[RockStar2005]

Hopefully it'll be a nice upgrade over the DAC from the Snapdragon 845 on the Note 9.

Yeah..........I have no doubt you'll hear a difference. lol

 

[Lurk650]

Thank you everyone for your input. I think I'll go with the ES100 and get a cheap balanced cable for around $20 to just see if I can notice any difference when using my GR07 if I don't I can return the cable through amazon anyways. I can also test how it will sound with my Soundmagic HP100 and Sennheiser HD598. It's probably not worth it connecting to my HD600 even with balanced cables right?
Hopefully it'll be a nice upgrade over the DAC from the Snapdragon 845 on the Note 9.
I considered getting the Fiio Q1 mk2, but the bluetooth functionality seems more interesting than having a better wired DAC for portable use. I don't know if it's worth sacrificing such portability for an improvement in audio that might not be that relevant since nothing beats listening to music in a quiet environment at home (which I can do with my NFB-11 then)

I have the Note 9. You definitely hear a difference. Go with a 6 core Kinboofi 2.5 balanced cable on Amazon.

I just got the Hidizs Sonata HD II DAC cable. It's decent. Gives me better quality from the Note should i not want to take the ES100 with me. It's doesn't sound as good. It's got a bright tilt to it whereas the ES100 is uncolored in it's sig for the most part.

 

[stemplar]

The Sennheiser HD660 S came with the balanced cable (2.5mm).
Very beautiful in detail, dynamically with ES. It was relatively cheap. The cable is a bit stiff, this is the only mistake.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sennheiser-HD6XX-HD580-HD600-HD650-HD660s-Balanced-or-unbalanced-Occ-cable/232875138609?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649