Ferdinando1968
Headphoneus Supremus
Anyone already using the new Qudelix T71? https://www.qudelix.com/products/qudelix-t71-usb-dac
I've been using it for a few weeks.
What are you interested in knowing?
Anyone already using the new Qudelix T71? https://www.qudelix.com/products/qudelix-t71-usb-dac
You do this really well tbh. I was waiting for more enthusiasm and drum beating to tell me to go and get this. But it never came. Just calm descriptions of what was going on.All this is why we at Twister6, I as well as Alex (@twister6 ), mostly try to write what we hear in our reviews and leave the decision on the readers to decide if something's for them or not.
Is it worth to buy when I already got Cayin RU6 and Ibasso DC04 Pro and already using PEQ on my PC? Did you compare that Qudelix to several other amps? Will the sound improve even without its PEQ functions?I've been using it for a few weeks.
What are you interested in knowing?
Is it worth to buy when I already got Cayin RU6 and Ibasso DC04 Pro and already using PEQ on my PC? Did you compare that Qudelix to several other amps? Will the sound improve even without its PEQ functions?
Oxygen is one of those timeless legends. I've only got the Hana, and that's great too!I thought Tanchjim Oxygen have forward vocals and sibilance treble, i was wrong, really really wrongit so smooth it make my brain melt, vocal go deep into the stage and midrange detail is just brilliant!
Thats not the case. I still value Oxy as one of the best single DD sets out there. Only the Softears Twilight and Turii Ti able to beat it.I thought Tanchjim Oxygen have forward vocals and sibilance treble, i was wrong, really really wrongit so smooth it make my brain melt, vocal go deep into the stage and midrange detail is just brilliant!
Thats not the case. I still value Oxy as one of the best single DD sets out there. Only the Softears Twilight and Turii Ti able to beat it.
Oxygen is one of those timeless legends. I've only got the Hana, and that's great too!
Thats not the case. I still value Oxy as one of the best single DD sets out there. Only the Softears Twilight and Turii Ti able to beat it.
Here is a brief comparison of Castors (bass and standard) and EDAs (bass and balanced), and few more IEMs - happened to be Fiio F5 and FD11, KZ D-fi and Blon03. I thought to make more comparisons, but run out of time figuring out sources and more.Its there any chance you can compare the EDA balance with Castor Standard, and EDA Bass with Caster bass ? Just wonder how far KZ can improve with the similar price range. Thanks !
The unexpected purchase of the day,Here is a brief comparison of Castors (bass and standard) and EDAs (bass and balanced), and few more IEMs - happened to be Fiio F5 and FD11, KZ D-fi and Blon03. I thought to make more comparisons, but run out of time figuring out sources and more.
My limitations and disclosure:
My favourite IEMs are all-BAs. I do appreciate Aria and HZ Mirror, as two good references, but I am not a DD expert by any means.
All IEMs were acquired with my own personal funds, no any special discounts - so just my purely subjective opinion.
Sources:
I currently greatly enjoy Kuang Pai Plus4 with its special spacious/acoustic option, but then with these two options and much more, I thought to choose a simpler source for this comparisons.
So I first chose JCally JM6-2, new Connexant-based balanced "tail-like" dongle for ca. $20. I also accidentally tested Sonata III (that did not work as great with DDs; its strength is in taming bright all-BAs).
Then I realized that Castors can scale noticeably better with more capable sources, so I ended up using largely Tempotec E44, a neutral-brightish DAC.
Tips:
I fitted TRI Clarion to Castors and D-Fi, other IEMs had close large-bore tips, e.g. Blon03 uses Spiral Dots.
Music:
I used Chesky Disk, and largely Correnteza by Ana Caram with its treble-rich percussions, cello and breathing voice.
I also tested Castors with Tabernacle organ recordings - sub-bass is very good in quantity, and no complaints about quality.
Switches in Castors - preference and comparison:
First, switches are very much functional, especially if changed in pairs (two bass and two treble ones), so four main options overall, while in-between options are there, when needed.
To my ears, Castor-S evolved to be best with "all on" switches.
For Castor-B, my preference is with two bass switches "off" and two treble ones "off" (as close to Standard, as possible).
Actually, Castor-S with two bass switches on, and two treble switches off comes very close to Castor-B with oppositely turned switches, so there is a nice continuum for wide preferences.
Comparison with EDAs:
First, two DDs of Castors clearly make for superior, more independent, more resolved treble, and similarly mids.
Second, likely due to less treble, EDAs feel more bassy in a relative comparison.
Lastly, to my ears bass quality did not differ drastically, compared to treble - a bit more tight and punchy on Castors.
Fiio F5
Old F5, single DD of Dunu heritage.
As per first impressions, too dark for me, midbass dominates, less treble (and less refined). EDAs feel better, and even more so Castors.
Fiio FD11
Clearly sad and disappointing with shabby shells and a semi-proprietary cable, FD11sound is made to please, and reasonably it does. By sound, FD11 offers close competition to Castors. I prefer Castor Standard for more linear bass and more refinement.
Also Castor build is just amazing by contrast.
KZ D-Fi
D-Fi is close to FD11 in being warmer, but then still enough treble for me is there. With preference for a warmer signature, D-Fi may be chosen over Castors.
For more neutral preference, Castor-S can be the choice; for more V over D-Fi - Castor-B may work better.
Blon03
While warmer and organic, I am either lucky with my Blon03, or wide tips work to bring enough sparkle in treble that Blon03 does not feel as dark as F5, but somewhat balanced to feel nice
Blon03 tuning is still special, while
Castors are more Harman.
All are good options, so the choice can depend on preferences, music and mood.
Lastly, to touch on Krila.
Krila are prominently V-shaped as a simple hybrid of a good DD and a simpler updated 30095, nicely improved on previous simple hybrids of KZ.
So Krila are drastically different with Castors, they cater to different preferences.
I really like Krila for engagement of its V (and understand how they are very polarizing). If mids are needed - Castors, and Castors Standard would be less polarizing by the nature of its tuning.
P. S. I may update with more comparisons and few pictures, while done for today/tonight.