[Uncle E1]

a friend's rig
 
qa360 > coax > hugo > analog > cdm > ps1000
 
 

 

[raypin]

mmm......a very good closed-back transportable/portable rig (ak240, CDM , FAD PHvi), when you are out and about: lush, rich, airy soundstage, highly musical and good sound isolation:
 
 
 

 

[sonickarma]

Really keen to find out if anyone has paired a Tera Player yet - as could prove to be the most analogue sound pairing out there.
 
Anyone ?

 

[Ultrainferno]

Don't have the Tera, sorry

 

[sonickarma]

  Don't have the Tera, sorry

OK - looks like I'll have to buy one to try then

 

[mscott58]

 
OK - looks like I'll have to buy one to try then

Be sure to report back your findings! Cheers 

 

[raypin]

mmm....is it advisable to recharge the CDM with a power bank (with matching output at around 12 volts)?? Asking to be safe.......I have  this at home: http://www.energizerpowerpacks.com/universal-chargers/xp18000a.php

 

[KB]

Home Audio - $10,000 will get you a high end power conditioner, or a decent DAC, or a high end cartridge or perhaps some really good speaker cables and interconnects. I think to have the set up in that post to equal sound wise in a home audio set up you would be looking at easy $100,000. 
 
I am so happy we have a few good review outlets working and healthy.
 
KB

 

[Ultrainferno]

I've been listening to the CDM with stock tubes for 2 full days now (at work with the EL-8 O ). Installing the drivers for DSD playback was pretty easy and all is running smooth so far
It sounds really good and it keeps my coffee warm, what's not to like. I kid I kid.

 

[raypin]

mmm.......not sure if this is normal/by design: but both the iBasso DX 100 and the Cayin N6 DAP have weak volume (even with high gain, full volume of CDM) when paired with the CDM via line-out of dap to 3.5 mm. line-in of CDM. The Sony PCM D100 fared significantly  better/have better headroom. Headphone used: Audeze EL8 Open (unbalanced). By weak volume, I mean normal listening but no further. I like the extra headroom (normal listening volume = 50 to 60% of volume pot). Reason: need open backs to sound louder in noisy environment. Any CDM owner experiencing the same? Or am I committing a rookie mistake? <scratching head>.........iBasso DX 100 or  Cayin N6 + CDM = good pairing. Sony PCM D100 + CDM (with EL8 Open/Norne Solv X) = much better   awesome bassssssssssss!

 

[Uncle E1]

  mmm.......not sure if this is normal/by design: but both the iBasso DX 100 and the Cayin N6 DAP have weak volume (even with high gain, full volume of CDM) when paired with the CDM via line-out of dap to 3.5 mm. line-in of CDM. The Sony PCM D100 fared significantly  better/have better headroom. Headphone used: Audeze EL8 Open (unbalanced). By weak volume, I mean normal listening but no further. I like the extra headroom (normal listening volume = 50 to 60% of volume pot). Reason: need open backs to sound louder in noisy environment. Any CDM owner experiencing the same? Or am I committing a rookie mistake? <scratching head>.........iBasso DX 100 or  Cayin N6 + CDM = good pairing. Sony PCM D100 + CDM (with EL8 Open/Norne Solv X) = much better   awesome bassssssssssss!

 
not really sure ... n6 > cdm maybe a little too warm sounding.  will give it a try tomorrow and revert. 

 

[raypin]

mmmm.....sound sig is not the problem. It is the volume itself. At max of volume pot and high gain CDM  = just my normal listening volume. Same issue with the N6 and iBasso DX 100, but with my Sony PCM D100 = volume pot at around 60% at high gain for my normal listening volume. Interconnected with  3.5 mm. Whiplash via DAP line-out to CDM line-in. Damn.....I'm having great fun with the PCM D100 + CDM as I'm typing this post and they look handsome together (silver and silver/black).

 

[Ultrainferno]

With all the sources I tried, I didn't even need high gain. That's including the he1000 and el8s

Are you sure you are using the LO?

 

[raypin]

mmm....yes, I'm sure. On the DX 100, the line out is between the phone and the gain slider switch, while on the N6, it is to the left of the headphone out with the DAP facing you  and is marked with an icon (box with arrow out to denote line-out). On the PCM D100 (which seems to be working just fine), the analog line out/optical out is separate from the headphone out. Also, the volume controls on the N6 and DX100 are deactivated (line-out active).  I'm having a sms discussion right now with Egghead (my dealer for the  CDM here in Manila) and his theory is some DAPs have a stronger voltage preout which results in stronger amplification. Also, we're wondering: is the CDM tuned/optimized for iems or iems and full-size HPs? He suggested using fully balanced system for the CDM (for instant db gain). Again, by weak volume, I mean max everything results in normal listening volume (for me) and no more headroom in reserve. I'm not expecting the CDM to be as powerful as the iFi iDSD Micro but it is just a small concern of mine since I plan to use the CDM with my headphones, most of which are unbalanced. I did not want to post here pending a test of both DAPs (N6 and DX 100) with another CDM unit. Unfortunately, Egghead already sold his last unit yesterday. Thus, the s.o.s.
 
On an unrelated note, I am reiterating my request for an answer: can I safely recharge my CDM off a power bank, specifically this: http://www.energizerpowerpacks.com/universal-chargers/xp18000a.php
 
If power bank recharging is not possible/unsafe: then I guess I have to rely on my power inverter (to convert from DC to AC) to recharge the CDM while driving. Bummer. As of now, the 5 hours I'm getting is simply not enough for me. Call me a CDM addict.

 

[mscott58]

Thinking about trying to pair up my Geek Pulse Infinity with the CDM, using the DAC from the Infinity with the amp of the CDM. 
 
Need to find a way to take the balanced output from the Infinity and feed it into the CDM. Looks like a 3-pin XLR to 2.5mm TRRS would work like this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/C0-TRRS-2-5mm-Balanced-To-3pin-XLR-Female-Silver-Cable-For-IRIVER-AK240ss-ak380-/261864305783?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item3cf8543477
 
Assume it would be better to tap the 3-pin XLR outputs on the back than the 4-pin XLR headphone out on the front. 
 
Anyone have any thoughts/ideas/pointers? 
 
Cheers