[DeeKay10]

Look at all that money stacked together.
Seems I'll be one of the few connecting this to USB. Actually, an Yggdrasil is in the pipeline, although not this year.
Wonder if the KSA1500's DAC is better than the one in the Fiio X5 (my current source). Don't suppose anyone has both?

 

[Uncle E1]

 

[musicday]

Very pleased to see more KSE1500 owners.Does the sound change with the burn in time of the DAC?
Anyone here heard Chord Dave? How the two compare.

 

[raypin]

mmm.....it grows on you. It does not impress immediately but give it time. My short experience thus far footprints my experience with the Layla.

 

[robm321]

  Look at all that money stacked together.
Seems I'll be one of the few connecting this to USB. Actually, an Yggdrasil is in the pipeline, although not this year.
Wonder if the KSA1500's DAC is better than the one in the Fiio X5 (my current source). Don't suppose anyone has both?

 
If I go for these, I'll be doing the same. I'd rather have simple on the go and just use my phone. At home, I can use it on main rig. But I am not interested in getting to anal about it. My speakers will sound better anyway. I doubt anyone is going to be missing detail with these no matter what source they use. 

 

[raypin]

mmm.......nothing wrong with just using a smartphone as source but having cycled through my equipment, the KSE 1500 DESERVES to be paired with the best possible source. It really scales nicely (meaning the better the source, the better the KSE 1500 performs). I don't mean to put down the DAC of the KSE 1500. I'm not just a fan of it. Right now, I'm listening to the ancient iBasso DX 100 + KSE combo. It is really, really good (although not in the level of the AK 380 which is still my favorite portable source for the KSE).

 

[robm321]

^ I agree. My main point was, on the go, I'm not trying to get all tangled up in wires and stacks of components. I'd rather just enjoy it as is and connect it to the home system to scale higher when I need isolation and can appreciate the nuances better. 

 

[WhatToChoose]

  mmm.....it grows on you. It does not impress immediately but give it time. My short experience thus far footprints my experience with the Layla.

That is terrific news. I found that headphones that are truly excellent are the ones that are subtle to unimpressive at first listen, but have some quality that keeps you subconsciously hooked. The ones that blow me away away at first get really boring after about 15 hours....

 

[robm321]

^ Exactly.

 

[Uncle E1]

did a comprehensive DAP pairing via line-in (analog) audition today.
 
Astell&Kern
AK380
AK320
AK240
 
FiiO
X7
X5ii
X3ii
 
iBasso
DX90
DX80
 
Sony
ZX2
ZX100
A15
 
Results were inconclusive as there were so many variables with the settings of the amp.  Will be doing another comprehensive session next week.
 

 

 

[audionewbi]

My review is 70% done, all is left is checking for grammar and doing the final source testing. There is a good chance I might not include the source matching section as I am getting too many inconclusive result, meaning kse1500 as a unit is decent enough and I see no point in investing in other stuff. 
 
I will take some picture perhaps pairing the kse1500 on various sources for the sake of size comparison but hopefully that woudnt be an issue with members. I am happy to answer any question regarding source matching and possibly I will post an update later with that section.

 

[kikouyou]

  My review is 70% done, all is left is checking for grammar and doing the final source testing. There is a good chance I might not include the source matching section as I am getting too many inconclusive result, meaning kse1500 as a unit is decent enough and I see no point in investing in other stuff. 
 
I will take some picture perhaps pairing the kse1500 on various sources for the sake of size comparison but hopefully that woudnt be an issue with members. I am happy to answer any question regarding source matching and possibly I will post an update later with that section.

Did you solve the warm source requirement that you currently have? If yes with a warm DAC or with a tube preamp (I think there is only one?)

 

[Mimouille]

My review is 70% done, all is left is checking for grammar and doing the final source testing. There is a good chance I might not include the source matching section as I am getting too many inconclusive result, meaning kse1500 as a unit is decent enough and I see no point in investing in other stuff. 

I will take some picture perhaps pairing the kse1500 on various sources for the sake of size comparison but hopefully that woudnt be an issue with members. I am happy to answer any question regarding source matching and possibly I will post an update later with that section.

Dont chèque four gramor its Okey.

 

[audionewbi]

 
Did you solve the warm source requirement that you currently have? If yes with a warm DAC or with a tube preamp (I think there is only one?)

It is not a real big issue currently for me. I am fortunate enough to have a few sources in my disposal and I truly believe variety is the key in this hobby and as a result there truly can never be a one true end game device. My main aim currently is to best utilise the minimalist approach for the KSE1500 so in large I will be focusing on the kset1500 as a complete unit with minimum add. Currently testing the internal DAC which in contrast to my first impression it does the job. I feel once again what we hear is largely to do with the earpiece itself. When microdetail is not lost from the recording the ambiance becomes much more natural and this is where perhaps the strength of the unit is. 

 

[blackwolf1006]

 
Yours?