The discovery thread!

[Redcarmoose]

Sincere regards, but there is one statement in your post that I cannot agree with. You write that "But the killer is the TA1 Max sounds horrible from a phone, as you need power to help the TA1 Max perform".

In the case of the TRN TA1 Max, these are IEMs that don't really need power from the amplifier. They are extremely easy to drive, which is confirmed not only by my experience, but also by their parameters: impedance 22 ohms / sensitivity 118 db. SuperTFZ Force1 are a bit more power-hungry according to their parameters: impedance 32Ω / sensitivity 105dB.

I myself use the TA1 Max on the balanced output of my DAP, and I have to go very low with the volume. For comparison, I just tested them on the single output of a regular phone (POCO X3 pro) and I have to say that he has more than enough power to feed them. I also didn't notice any significant change in the nature of the sound for the worse when using them with my phone.

The overwhelming majority of published reviews also agree that the TA1 Max is easy to drive. I would rather not be intimidated by their demand on amplifier power, because the reality is different.

That’s cool, I’m glad you like them off a phone. This was only my single experience...........that I’m referring to. Maybe I simply (somehow) thought such a thing? I’m not arguing, you may be correct. Thank-you for the heads-up!

 

[jmwant]

TinHiFi releases the T2 2022 with an upgraded 4th gen DLC driver.

 

[Redcarmoose]

TinHiFi releases the T2 2022 with an upgraded 4th gen DLC driver.

Nice!

 

[Ichos]

It should be here in a couple of weeks.

 

[Redcarmoose]

Here in a matter of days.........I hope?

It should be here in a couple of weeks.

 

[Ichos]

Here in a matter of days.........I hope?

Oh, I was pretty sure!
I wonder where do you find all this time for writing the reviews.
My schedule is so tight and overloaded that new items have to wait about 40 days before getting their turn.

 

[Opia]

Hi all, got the KBear Dumpling earphones last week for $8 with an Amazon coupon.
To my ears they're really good, nice timbre, soundstage, just very energetic sounding.
Looked at grabbing a backup pair for the new coupon price of $10, hesitated, then this morning they were $6! Unbelievable!
Backup on the way.

 

[Opia]

KBear Dumpling, prime only deal, I think.

 

[kappazeta78]

Ok, remember this is by memory as it’s late, and....I can’t turn any lights on to do side-by-sides. But actually I spent a ton of time with the TRN TA1 Max just recently as that was a big part of the review I just posted for the TRN ST5!

To be truthful I almost like the TRN TA1 Max more than the TRN ST5 as it comes off smoother to me, and slightly more analog than this new ST5. But the killer is the TA1 Max sounds horrible from a phone, as you need power to help the TA1 Max perform. So both of these comparisons will be from memory but using the Walkman WM1A and 4.4mm balanced power. The TA1 Max is slightly simpler and offers not as refined response as the Force 1. So remember too, the Force 1 is way more money! But the TA1 Max has a charm, just not as spread out and open (or balanced) as the Force 1. Truly the Force 1 inspired me to write that review. I don’t ever have to make such a long winded review as that Force 1 review. I was trying to get my points across for people to take notice of what the Force 1 truly is! I could have put out 1/2 the effort or even put out 1/3 of what was in that review, but I became inspired. The problem is both IEMs came with not so great cables. The TA1 Max can be forgiven as it’s a cheep IEM, the Force 1........well you read my review.

The Force 1 is the ultimate stepping stone if you like the TRN TA1 Max but you want to jump into another league, just buy it! No worries needed here, as both are great, but the tune of the SUPERTFZ Force 1 is insane! Both IEMs share a warmish smooth style of the same response. Yet, you get what you pay for, plus more magic with the Force 1. It’s a higher definition TV, of a bigger size, yet working with much of the same tones!

By the way, easy comparisons as both are driving the exact same direction, it’s just the Force 1 is a bigger, faster and more expensive car! It’s a little unfair, but a big part of that review was the ISN SC4 cable at $99.90.....extra. That cable even changed the Pinestone Sea into a special IEM, so the Force 1 is great with any cable, but takes on a whole new life with the SC4. And with that SC4.........the combo of the two is a lot more money.......way more than the purchase of the TRN TA1 Max. So much of the focus of that review was Force 1 and ISN SC4.

Wow you gave me more in-depth impressions than I hoped for: thank you very much!
Only one thing puzzles me slightly: I use the trn ta1 max with a USB dongle dac ( VE Abigail/Avani or CX31993) and I am definitely satisfied with them in terms of dynamics and fullness. When you say the ta1 max sound horrible do you mean directly attached to the 3.5 of the phone without a dac?

 

[freelancr]

Hi all, got the KBear Dumpling earphones last week for $8 with an Amazon coupon.
To my ears they're really good, nice timbre, soundstage, just very energetic sounding.
Looked at grabbing a backup pair for the new coupon price of $10, hesitated, then this morning they were $6! Unbelievable!
Backup on the way.

Are the fantastic kbear premium tips like 07 or 08 included?

 

[4ceratops]

Wow you gave me more in-depth impressions than I hoped for: thank you very much!
Only one thing puzzles me slightly: I use the trn ta1 max with a USB dongle dac ( VE Abigail/Avani or CX31993) and I am definitely satisfied with them in terms of dynamics and fullness. When you say the ta1 max sound horrible do you mean directly attached to the 3.5 of the phone without a dac?

If you are interested in my opinion on this question, you can find the answer here:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/the-discovery-thread.586909/post-17157318

 

[Opia]

Are the fantastic kbear premium tips like 07 or 08 included?

No, they are just basic silicone tips, seem fine.

 

[Redcarmoose]

Wow you gave me more in-depth impressions than I hoped for: thank you very much!
Only one thing puzzles me slightly: I use the trn ta1 max with a USB dongle dac ( VE Abigail/Avani or CX31993) and I am definitely satisfied with them in terms of dynamics and fullness. When you say the ta1 max sound horrible do you mean directly attached to the 3.5 of the phone without a dac?

Yep, only basic phone or IPad.......not my thing.

I simply report what I find. And I don’t go by what anyone else says.....except if I can’t figure out a sound signature, at times I will learn what others think, if they have the IEM. I was the first review of the TRN TA1 Max around here. And at one point in my review I did comparisons of sources, and yes a basic phone or IPad was not that great, but anything else, like a Dongle or DAP seemed to make a difference. Note, that one thing was the only thing listed in my review at the top regarding derogatory items or features, in red or green. But remember I was ditching the cable and going 4.4mm balanced most of the time. I’m simply reporting my one singular experience, others may have alternative findings.

Cheers! Glad you’re happy with them, they are incredible.....pretty close to my desired sound signature!

 

[Opia]

Are the fantastic kbear premium tips like 07 or 08 included?

No, just regular silicone tips, seen fine, haven't experimented with tips yet.

 

[jmwant]

It should be here in a couple of weeks.

Let us know when you get yours. Wish TinHiFi gave us a graph compared to the og T2.