Takstar Pro 82/GM200 Review, impressions and discussion thread

[BenF]

I have really high hopes for 601S - I strongly prefer 12AU7 tubes over 6N11.
Even if 601S has the same Chinese tube as P10, it should sound great, plus there are a lot of other brands available for tube rolling.

I would be extremely disappointed if 601S doesn't end up being part of a synergy combo with EL-D01.

So I ended up buying it last night - 75$ instead of 89$ thanks to coupons and discount codes.
If it's using the exact same Chinese 12AU7 tube, the chance for synergy is really high.
If not, I may need to tube roll. Either way, I'm sure it will be either best sounding or second best sounding (after P10) tube amplifier I have.

 

[ARPortugal]

So I ended up buying it last night - 75$ instead of 89$ thanks to coupons and discount codes.
If it's using the exact same Chinese 12AU7 tube, the chance for synergy is really high.
If not, I may need to tube roll. Either way, I'm sure it will be either best sounding or second best sounding (after P10) tube amplifier I have.

Any news on the 601S?

 

[BenF]

Any news on the 601S?

I have received it, but didn't get a chance to test it yet - all my Pro 82s are either in remote storage or in remote office - and I haven't visited either one in a while...
However, I'm very confident that even if it won't have synergy, it will at least sound great anyway.

Right now there is a huge sale on AliExpress, which ends in 11 hours from now - at midnight PST.
601S is discounted from 89$ to 75$, and with 8$ coupon "24AN08" it's down to 67$ - take a chance on it!
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002003423447.html

 

[BenF]

Here are (almost) all the coupons for the AliExpress sale:

This list is missing the "8$ off 69$" or "8€ off 69€" coupon - code is the same as other coupon codes, but ends with "08".
BTW, looks like outside of US and "others" the sale ends at different time - for example, in Europe at midnight GMT, which is almost there...

 

[Plumbus the Wise]

the chance for synergy is really high.

lol

 

[BenF]

New coupons to be used for Takstar Pro 82 v2 / GM200 / HF580 and all FIIO products, including FIIO BTR3K from the TakstarAudio store:
5$ off 60$ - https://a.aliexpress.com/_oo51Ds2
10$ off 100$ - https://a.aliexpress.com/_oDSQoCA
These coupons are valid until July 29th 2024

Don't forget to ask Ellie to mark a lower package value to avoid customs.

These are exclusive coupons, please don't share them outside Head-Fi!

Takstar Pro 82 v2 - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32808454492.html
Takstar GM200 - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33012705103.html
FIIO BTR3K - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006673970584.html
Takstar HF580 - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32997885429.html

 

[BenF]

There is a sale going on at AliExpress until midnight May 7th.
Here are the coupons:

"Others code" should work in most countries, including ones with their own codes.

Coupons are "first come first serve" - don't wait too long, they will be used up!

Some Ideas for purchases to which these codes can be applied on top of other discounts:
Takstar Pro 82 v2 - A timeless classic https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32808454492.html
Takstar GM200 - Takstar Pro 82 v2 with an elevated bass https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33012705103.html
FIIO BTR3K - Best sounding Bluetooth adapter, beating much more expensive BTR5 and Q5K. I buy one of these on almost every sale. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006673970584.html

And don't forget the TakstarAudio coupons in the post above - you should be able to use both types of coupons.

 

[SweetEars]

There is a sale going on at AliExpress until midnight May 7th.
Here are the coupons:


"Others code" should work in most countries, including ones with their own codes.

Coupons are "first come first serve" - don't wait too long, they will be used up!

Some Ideas for purchases to which these codes can be applied on top of other discounts:
Takstar Pro 82 v2 - A timeless classic https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32808454492.html
Takstar GM200 - Takstar Pro 82 v2 with an elevated bass https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33012705103.html
FIIO BTR3K - Best sounding Bluetooth adapter, beating much more expensive BTR5 and Q5K. I buy one of these on almost every sale. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006673970584.html

And don't forget the TakstarAudio coupons in the post above - you should be able to use both types of coupons.

Thank U......

 

[ryder78]

It has been quite a while since I visited this thread. I recently acquired the Simgot EA500LM and although it's IEM, the clarity, detail, separation, bass, treble, basically everything sounds better than the Takstar Pro 82. The Takstar sounds muddy and washed-out in comparison.

I was just wondering if there is a pair of full-sized headphones that are comparable to the Simgot EA500LM in sound quality if not better it. The earphones/headphones will be used with a mobile phone only, nothing else.

 

[BenF]

If Pro 82 sounds muddy to you, it's 100% in your chain (unless you have Pro 82 v0.9). No mobile phone can drive it properly.
Try listening to Pro 82 over FIIO BTR3K (wired or wireless, doesn't matter), especially the balanced output - it is crystal clear, yet not too clinical.
There is a discount coupon for BTR3K in the first post.

 

[ryder78]

Is the BTR3K or KA3 a better choice solely on sound quality? I don't really need wireless. The KA3 looks rather sleek and nice.

 

[BenF]

Is the BTR3K or KA3 a better choice solely on sound quality? I don't really need wireless. The KA3 looks rather sleek and nice.

Go with BTR3K, it sounds amazing with Pro 82.

 

[dstarr3]

You might have the bass port sliders wide open, too. I remember experimenting with mine, the first position is very lean and neutral bass, middle position is elevated but still controlled bass, but in the third position, the bass became a flabby uncontrolled mess, lol. Might be worth checking to make sure you don't have the sliders in the Bad Position

 

[BenF]

You might have the bass port sliders wide open, too. I remember experimenting with mine, the first position is very lean and neutral bass, middle position is elevated but still controlled bass, but in the third position, the bass became a flabby uncontrolled mess, lol. Might be worth checking to make sure you don't have the sliders in the Bad Position

Great point, the bass ports must be closed.

 

[SweetEars]

It has been quite a while since I visited this thread. I recently acquired the Simgot EA500LM and although it's IEM, the clarity, detail, separation, bass, treble, basically everything sounds better than the Takstar Pro 82. The Takstar sounds muddy and washed-out in comparison.

I was just wondering if there is a pair of full-sized headphones that are comparable to the Simgot EA500LM in sound quality if not better it. The earphones/headphones will be used with a mobile phone only, nothing else.

I dont think there is any... in my expereince of using headphones (like e.g. in the $50-$100 range) , they never sounded as clear as IEMS and earphones in the same price ranges. THey mainly lack in in sound transarency but in terms of hearing minute details. they are better than IEMs. Something to do with the drivers in your ears vs over your ears and driver size (8mm vs 40mm Drivers)

I am using KZ ZSN ( 1DD + 1BA) and Creative Aurvana Live SE headphones ( single large driver) intercheageably.

The Creative Aurvana Live SE headphones wins in huge soundstage, mid bass and details retrieval seaparation but loses in clarity and transparency ( bigger drivers produce more audible details i guess) . There is a kind of muffleness present in headphones which makes the sound signature tame and soft. IEMS have more energetic sound but does not mean they are better.

KZ ZSN IEM wins in clarity , highs and mids, sub bass but less on details retrivical ,separation, midbass and stage

I am sure there are headphones that can win IEMS but these are usually in the hundreds or thousands of dollars range.