[Carpet]

Interestingly, shimin li and esx will be polar opposite.

Not sure whether im gonna get shimin li but its looks damn pretty and considered as heartmirror upgrade...

Neutral bright isn't exactly in my usual comfort zone. But for $35 I can include it for variety. If I hate it, I can always listen to it occasionally, to make my other IEMs sound better by comparison!

 

[r31ya]

Neutral bright isn't exactly in my usual comfort zone. But for $35 I can include it for variety. If I hate it, I can always listen to it occasionally, to make my other IEMs sound better by comparison!

Yeah thats the thing, i dont take heart mirror because its not my thing
But for $35 with easier to drive, better quality bass and texture? I'll consider it.

 

[baskingshark]

New Moondrop dac-amp coming:
Called the DAWN



Seems it is only 4.4 mm output.

https://www.facebook.com/MoondropLa...7D7oM7CFR4EPjSXnMrfpuGqREKPVTPVFzJgQuNx9hEgBl

So the new Moondrop Dawn dongle has been launched: https://www.facebook.com/MoondropLa...WSoEA8T6TCpTDJ8vakyrfGcAFhvB8WcNcfSRGH8Ad1Kcl

4.4 mm only, quite interesting they are eschewing the commoner 3.5 mm unbalanced output that perhaps more mainstream consumers use, and straight away going for a 4.4 mm balanced output.

Dual CS43131 and supports DSD256 and PCM 32Bit/ 768kHz.

$69.99 USD

 

[Dsnuts]

Interesting. Fiio is making something very similar. Just announced KA2

 

[ian91]

SG01 is two step pricier. It should be at least one step above them in technicalities compared to ESX or EDXUltra.
Review so far is pretty damn good for OVA.

It depends on what you consider to be 'one step'. The price to performance relationship in the sub $100 bracket is blurring quite quickly and KZ/CRA have a technically competent driver/housing that is setting them in a very strong position. Technically I consider most of the newer single DDs I've tried (Chu, CRA, CRA+, SG-01 OVA) all competitive for the price. My point is, it's not a night & day difference in peformance between the SG-01 OVA and the CRA+ that justifies double the price IMO but it is very natural, expansive and the shell is tiny and I will take comfort over subtle (imo) differences in technical performance.


@DBaldock9 I have the SG-01 OVA on a balanced CEMA UPOCC cable and I'm using Moondrops Spring tips that soften the higher frequencies just a tad.

 

[ian91]

Not sure whether im gonna get shimin li but its looks damn pretty and considered as heartmirror upgrade...

I'm waiting on mine. I didn't hear the Heart Mirror though...so won't be able to provide comparisons. I'm hoping for as close to neutral as possible across the board with good DD timbre. I have neutral BA sets but a DD could fit nicely somewhere.

 

[InvisibleInk]

So the new Moondrop Dawn dongle has been launched: https://www.facebook.com/MoondropLa...WSoEA8T6TCpTDJ8vakyrfGcAFhvB8WcNcfSRGH8Ad1Kcl





4.4 mm only, quite interesting they are eschewing the commoner 3.5 mm unbalanced output that perhaps more mainstream consumers use, and straight away going for a 4.4 mm balanced output.

Dual CS43131 and supports DSD256 and PCM 32Bit/ 768kHz.

$69.99 USD

Is there going to be a lightning version?

 

[Jmop]

Is there going to be a lightning version?

That's what I'm saying, other sources really can't hold a candle to Apple when it comes to gapless. They always do some kind of subtle fade from one song to the next rather than giving you that perfectly intended album playback.

 

[WAON303]

Only having 4.4mm connection is very odd, I've never seen a dongle that only has a 4.4mm jack.

The vast majority of dongles have 3.5mm jacks because it's by far the most common termination type.

Wouldn't be surprised if this causes the dongle to land dead on arrival because while audiophiles do have 4.4mm cables, the average joe probably won't have one.

Maybe the trend of having swappable terminations on stock IEM cables might alleviate this alienating design choice to some extent.

 

[r31ya]

Only having 4.4mm connection is very odd, I've never seen a dongle that only has a 4.4mm jack.

The vast majority of dongles have 3.5mm jacks because it's by far the most common termination type.

Wouldn't be surprised if this causes the dongle to land dead on arrival because while audiophiles do have 4.4mm cables, the average joe probably won't have one.

Maybe the trend of having swappable terminations on stock IEM cables might alleviate this alienating design choice to some extent.

i think its aimed for enthusiast after seeing Ibasso DC04 relative success.
It has the 4.4, the dual dac, and the rest is design to make it as cheap as possible so people wont mind to buy relatively cheap good 4.4 only beater dac.
considering moonriver2 dac, if this retain quite amount of that thing capability at less than half the price, i'll consider it.
i'm not sure how long it'll last but considering the price, if it last over a year, i won't cry if it got broken afterwards

 

[Carpet]

So the new Moondrop Dawn dongle has been launched: https://www.facebook.com/MoondropLa...WSoEA8T6TCpTDJ8vakyrfGcAFhvB8WcNcfSRGH8Ad1Kcl





4.4 mm only, quite interesting they are eschewing the commoner 3.5 mm unbalanced output that perhaps more mainstream consumers use, and straight away going for a 4.4 mm balanced output.

Dual CS43131 and supports DSD256 and PCM 32Bit/ 768kHz.

$69.99 USD

So if you buy one of these, you won't want to buy any of their IEMs that come with a 3.5 cable?

 

[Jmop]

Just hope the dongle pumps quality sound, otherwise why even bother with balanced.

 

[Carpet]

Only having 4.4mm connection is very odd, I've never seen a dongle that only has a 4.4mm jack.

The vast majority of dongles have 3.5mm jacks because it's by far the most common termination type.

Wouldn't be surprised if this causes the dongle to land dead on arrival because while audiophiles do have 4.4mm cables, the average joe probably won't have one.

Maybe the trend of having swappable terminations on stock IEM cables might alleviate this alienating design choice to some extent.

Swappable terminations often end up being, longer than usual straight plugs. An utter PITA for mobile use unfortunately.

 

[Carpet]

That's what I'm saying, other sources really can't hold a candle to Apple when it comes to gapless. They always do some kind of subtle fade from one song to the next rather than giving you that perfectly intended album playback.

You can hold a candle to Apple, but a blowtorch is so much more satisfying!

 

[baskingshark]

That's what I'm saying, other sources really can't hold a candle to Apple when it comes to gapless. They always do some kind of subtle fade from one song to the next rather than giving you that perfectly intended album playback.

Disclaimer, I'm not an Apple user, but I'm just saddened that Apple likes to launch proprietary connectors, such that one needs to spend more on these aftermarket proprietary adapters. Smells like a cash grab?

Just hope the dongle pumps quality sound, otherwise why even bother with balanced.

Agreed, actually I would prefer a well implemented single ended source than a badly implemented balanced one. It is interesting that in some sources with both unbalanced and balanced output, it appears sometimes the unbalanced 3.5 mm one is deliberately throttled and made inferior in sonic fidelity (not talking about absolute power output).