Swapping out IEM cables - 3.5mm to 2.5mm 4-pole balanced questions

[garetjax27]

I own an Onkyo DP-X1A and I'm interested in switching out the headphone cable on my IEMs for a 2.5mm 4-pole balanced cable to use with the player. The stock cable that came with my IEMs (UE TripleFi 10) uses a 3.5mm connector.

Should I switch out the 3.5mm cable on my IEMs for a 2.5mm 4-pole balanced cable to use with my DP-X1A since the player offers 2.5mm 4-pole balanced capability? Will my IEMs even support this type of cable?

 

[yong_shun]

There will be definitely improvement on the sound quality if you were to use the balanced output of your player because when the player will use both DAC chips to decode the music source to left and right channel of your earphone. It gives you "cleaner" sound because the interference pattern able to cut off a certain level of noise which is embedded in your music source. Of course the level of improvement depends on your recording and the earphone that you are using. UE TripleFi 10 is a good earphone and I think it is worth for you to get the cable re-terminate to 2.5mm 4 pole or get a upgrade cable.