[imackler]

Was anyone else disappointed with the C5 and the SE535? The C5 didn't really seem to do much for the sound, maybe because it's already got a warm opamp? But the biggest problem was the digital volume. I had a hard time getting the sound I wanted. I wish it had the same volume knob as the C421. 
 
Is there any portable amp you all just love with the SE535, anything you notice a definite improvement with?

 

[Mooses9]

Quote:

Was anyone else disappointed with the C5 and the SE535? The C5 didn't really seem to do much for the sound, maybe because it's already got a warm opamp? But the biggest problem was the digital volume. I had a hard time getting the sound I wanted. I wish it had the same volume knob as the C421. 
 
Is there any portable amp you all just love with the SE535, anything you notice a definite improvement with?

well the c5 does have a slight bump in the mids, and as the se535 being a mid forward iem, i assumed just this, that you really wont hear the benifits of the mids on a mid centric iem.
 
however with my w4r the slight bump in mids was a nice touch.

 

[imackler]

Quote:

well the c5 does have a slight bump in the mids, and as the se535 being a mid forward iem, i assumed just this, that you really wont hear the benifits of the mids on a mid centric iem.
 
however with my w4r the slight bump in mids was a nice touch.

Did you have any problem getting the volume just right? I kept feeling like there wasn't enough distance between steps to get just what I wanted...

 

[luisdent]

Quote:

well the c5 does have a slight bump in the mids, and as the se535 being a mid forward iem, i assumed just this, that you really wont hear the benifits of the mids on a mid centric iem.
 
however with my w4r the slight bump in mids was a nice touch.

 
Not it doesn't...
 
http://blog.jdslabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Frequency-Response.png
 
No bumps at all.  It's one of the flattest, most reference portable amps I've ever heard.
 
The 535 on the other hand has a lot of mid presence and not a lot of high treble.  Most of the benefit you will get from amping an earphone that is already good quality comes from removing any problems with your source.  If you have something like an iPod you won't hear a large difference unless the earphones are already hard to drive and require power.  The 535 isn't hard to drive.  That is also why you might notice the steps aren't small enough for your liking.  Try to gently and quickly press the button and the steps should be the smallest.  Also, press the volume button in (at a low volume) and make sure the gain mode is in LOW.  That might give you a bit more precision?

 

[luisdent]

Quote:

Was anyone else disappointed with the C5 and the SE535? The C5 didn't really seem to do much for the sound, maybe because it's already got a warm opamp? But the biggest problem was the digital volume. I had a hard time getting the sound I wanted. I wish it had the same volume knob as the C421. 
 
Is there any portable amp you all just love with the SE535, anything you notice a definite improvement with?

 
Nothing against the se535, but with a flat reference grade amp like the C5 you'll hear a bigger difference changing IEMs.  Are you looking for more clarity?  You might like the w4r, more bass try the xba3, etc....  Just a thought.  If you really like the 535 in general but want a little more clarity you could try another amp or use eq...

 

[Mooses9]

Quote:

 
Not it doesn't...
 
http://blog.jdslabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Frequency-Response.png
 
No bumps at all.  It's one of the flattest, most reference portable amps I've ever heard.
 
The 535 on the other hand has a lot of mid presence and not a lot of high treble.  Most of the benefit you will get from amping an earphone that is already good quality comes from removing any problems with your source.  If you have something like an iPod you won't hear a large difference unless the earphones are already hard to drive and require power.  The 535 isn't hard to drive.  That is also why you might notice the steps aren't small enough for your liking.  Try to gently and quickly press the button and the steps should be the smallest.  Also, press the volume button in (at a low volume) and make sure the gain mode is in LOW.  That might give you a bit more precision?

ok well with my expierence with the westone w4r and the c5 and c421, i could definitly tell a difference between the 2 that the mid presentation was slighlty more pronounced with the w4r and the c5 rather than with the c421

 

[luisdent]

Quote:

ok well with my expierence with the westone w4r and the c5 and c421, i could definitly tell a difference between the 2 that the mid presentation was slighlty more pronounced with the w4r and the c5 rather than with the c421

 
I'm not saying you don't hear a difference.  That's not it at all.  I'm just saying it isn't because the c5 has a bump in the mids.

 

[Mooses9]

Quote:

 
I'm not saying you don't hear a difference.  That's not it at all.  I'm just saying it isn't because the c5 has a bump in the mids.

well either way c5 is a really excellent amp for the price.
 
i figured that the c5 would seem like it didnt have much to offer based on the sound signature of the se535.

 

[zenki14]

Out of the ones I tried, I found the iQube (V1 or V2) to be best with the SE535.  Improved treble and clarity quite a lot.  The good mids were still there so this made it pretty addictive.
 
However an iQube costs quite a lot.  Like I posted here before, in the end I felt it's not worth keeping the SE535 and went to JH13.
 
If you're not satisfied with a certain portable setup, you're better off spending more on other IEMs than investing too much in amps.
 
Quote:

 
Is there any portable amp you all just love with the SE535, anything you notice a definite improvement with?

 

[kimvictor]

Quote:

Out of the ones I tried, I found the iQube (V1 or V2) to be best with the SE535.  Improved treble and clarity quite a lot.  The good mids were still there so this made it pretty addictive.
 
However an iQube costs quite a lot.  Like I posted here before, in the end I felt it's not worth keeping the SE535 and went to JH13.
 
If you're not satisfied with a certain portable setup, you're better off spending more on other IEMs than investing too much in amps.
 

I felt the same. I sold my SE535 almost immediately after I heard the UERM.

 

[justie]

I call them, Shure SE535 Ltd Mk II (westone star tips red and chris himself SPC cable)

 

 

[Mooses9]

very nice

 

[Swiftay]

I call them, Shure SE535 Ltd Mk II (westone star tips red and chris himself SPC cable)

you! we have similar 535s red sheathing, except mine has a neutrik instead of an oyaide!

 

[justie]

Quote:

you! we have similar 535s red sheathing, except mine has a neutrik instead of an oyaide!

Haha, i actually picked red mainly because it looked very good on yours ;x
 
Went oyaide cuz its more rugged which is needed since i abuse my iems on the go ><

 

[theUKMrT]

Hi all,

New to Headfi posting. Recently acquired 535s & using with custom built Cmoy which makes s*d all difference with the rest of my iem collection but is great with the 535s. Any suggestions for modestly priced (£100 GBP) cable upgrades?