Quick notes on the Moondrop KATO...still testing and comparing...
Super coherent, everything well measured, absolutely superb overall presentation. Way more cohesive/homogeneous than the Starfield (=KXXS).
Not the punchiest bass but realistically dosed; so-called audiophiles will love it for being realistic. The boom-boom guys will not. Tighter low end than Starfield.
Mids finally not thin and neutral anymore. Body and temperature added to match the bass. Superb vocals presentation, absolutely natural. No shoutiness.
Treble: sweet with good extension.
Stage: deep, tall, I am not sure it is wider than average, but it is certainly not outright narrow.
In summary: biggest traits are the homogenous presentation and sugar mids, I much prefer the KATO over the ($800) Moondrop Illumination and ($700) Cayin Fantasy...which is subjective.
I used the KATO for several hours yesterday and did not want to take them out of my ears...which rarely happens. Good synergy with AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt and Earstudio HUD100.
I think Moondrop have raised the bar in the <$200 segment.
Wait, he can laser-etch custom names for you???So...I splurged on cables! From XINHS, presenting...
SCC74 - 7N Single Crystal Copper 4 Core
SS48 - 4N Pure Silver (Sterling Silver) 8 Core
CARBON4 - Single Crystal Copper Silver-Plated Graphene 4 Core
COPPERHEAD - Alloy Copper 4 Core
WHITECRANE - Silver-Plated Furukawa Copper 4 Core
COUPLET - Alloy Copper + Silver-Plated Furukawa Copper Hybrid 4 Core (Customised)
Except WHITECRANE, all the other names were given by me. XINHS was kind enough to laser-etch those names on the splitter.
That is great,So...I splurged on cables! From XINHS, presenting...
SCC74 - 7N Single Crystal Copper 4 Core
SS48 - 4N Pure Silver (Sterling Silver) 8 Core
CARBON4 - Single Crystal Copper Silver-Plated Graphene 4 Core
COPPERHEAD - Alloy Copper 4 Core
WHITECRANE - Silver-Plated Furukawa Copper 4 Core
COUPLET - Alloy Copper + Silver-Plated Furukawa Copper Hybrid 4 Core (Customised)
Except WHITECRANE, all the other names were given by me. XINHS was kind enough to laser-etch those names on the splitter.
Apprently, he can, and did mine, free of cost. But then, I ordered a lot. It was a group buy, we ordered 15 cables.
ah, I already spent $200+ on their cables,
My order alone isn't far behind you
crossed $200 and then some.Yeah,My order alone isn't far behind you
Thank you for the impressions. What genres/songs are you listening to with the Kato? Do you have experience with the 2021 Hana or FD3? If so, please post comparisons. ThanksQuick notes on the Moondrop KATO...still testing and comparing...
Super coherent, everything well measured, absolutely superb overall presentation. Way more cohesive/homogeneous than the Starfield (=KXXS).
Not the punchiest bass but realistically dosed; so-called audiophiles will love it for being realistic. The boom-boom guys will not. Tighter low end than Starfield.
Mids finally not thin and neutral anymore. Body and temperature added to match the bass. Superb vocals presentation, absolutely natural. No shoutiness.
Treble: sweet with good extension.
Stage: deep, tall, I am not sure it is wider than average, but it is certainly not outright narrow.
In summary: biggest traits are the homogenous presentation and sugar mids, I much prefer the KATO over the ($800) Moondrop Illumination and ($700) Cayin Fantasy...which is subjective.
I used the KATO for several hours yesterday and did not want to take them out of my ears...which rarely happens. Good synergy with AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt and Earstudio HUD100.
I think Moondrop have raised the bar in the <$200 segment.
Smoothed over treble on a Dunu?! you don't say?! LOL
