[baskingshark]

Haven't been moved to pick any up, though the MP145 would be a pick up if had for under $70?

Most of us consider the MP145 to be a benchmark $100ish planar set, together with the new S12 2024.

$70 is a great price. It has 3 tuning nozzles to confer a U-shaped to L shaped tonality, so it wouldn't be as trebleheaded as your usual preferences, but the MP145 has a massive soundstage when amped well. The size is a bit contentious though, so not sure if you can try a pair first before committing to purchase, or maybe get it from somewhere with a good returns policy.

Yincrow RW2000. Quite bright so not the best pairing with neutral and technically leaning DX180, but it's wildly resolving for an earbud.

If you are not using any foams with it, it will surely be very bright at the upper mids 3 kHz region.

Most of the earbud aficionados are using full foams with it, which makes it more balanced and smoothens that upper mid region, though with slight losses in resolution.

Another sell off gonna happen, which will include a few lower rotationals and the ONIX Alpha. Great deals all.

Yeah I just sold off my Onix Alpha 2 weeks ago. Since it was hyped to the moon, I was surprised I managed to sell it off at no loss haha.

Anyways, best to get rid of unused gear ASAP. Things move so fast in the CHIFI industry that something can be considered obsolete in a matter of weeks when a "PRO" version comes out, so best to sell fast if something needs to be sold, otherwise it would be unsold forever.

 

[Jmop]

Sivga Nightingale - wild outlandish sound that sounds great on male vocals and jazz in general. I'll use @Hypops description, like being in a dark & small jazz club.

What other genres can you use with these besides jazz, or are they that niche?

 

[Vonbuddy]

What other genres can you use with these besides jazz, or are they that niche?

I am interested in this answer as well.

 

[baskingshark]

What other genres can you use with these besides jazz, or are they that niche?

I am interested in this answer as well.

The Sivga Nightingale is one of the uncommon "Midcentric" tuned IEMs.

By Midcentric, I mean that there is an upper treble and sub-bass roll-off, so it lets the lower and upper midrange be the true predominant frequency band:

8 kHz is a coupler artefact peak


So in essence, these Midcentric types shine at midrange focused genres, eg acoustic, jazz. But if you play bass focused genres eg EDM, hip hop etc, the Nightingale falls flat due to the bass roll-off. So it shines at some genres but synergizes poorly with others - a one trick pony or specialist it is.

But the good thing is the Nightingale drivers take quite well to EQ, so no biggie boosting a few dB here and there to better mitigate the lack of bass.

 

[MakeItWain]

Initial listening impressions:

If I was a bright head/treblehead/neutral'ish head, Dita is probably a good fit. I'm not, though.

I'd probably say Pilgrim is better to my tastes and ears.

ISN H60 - alright, I get the hype. These are good. Warm, musical, but solid detailed and technical performance. Bass comes in when needed. Could use a bit more impact but some tracks work well. So far, Like a more technical DaVinci? Or a warmer Estrella?

 

[jbfps116]

One has to be specially bad at their job to mess up a budget single DD nowadays, IMHO

HAHA... [QKZ nervously retreats] We shall see... I didn't hate the AK6 Titan, but I actively dislike the SK5, for fit and a general cheap sound. We shall see if the new crop of ultra-cheapos are garbage fodder or hidden gems!

I don't think this model comes with the dsp. The JD10 TC shows coming in November.

wowwwwww I see. I even bought a fancy lightning to USB C [audio output approved] adaptor for this. Turns out, I guess this first wave will be only a 3.5 cable included! Oh well, it will still be fun to see how a CHEAP DD from a respected company fares against some from a ... less than high-end company.

 

[Jmop]

The Sivga Nightingale is one of the uncommon "Midcentric" tuned IEMs.

By Midcentric, I mean that there is an upper treble and sub-bass roll-off, so it lets the lower and upper midrange be the true predominant frequency band:

8 kHz is a coupler artefact peak


So in essence, these Midcentric types shine at midrange focused genres, eg acoustic, jazz. But if you play bass focused genres eg EDM, hip hop etc, the Nightingale falls flat due to the bass roll-off. So it shines at some genres but synergizes poorly with others - a one trick pony or specialist it is.

But the good thing is the Nightingale drivers take quite well to EQ, so no biggie boosting a few dB here and there to better mitigate the lack of bass.

Is there anything noteworthy besides the tuning? Like does it have an interesting timbre or sense of space?

 

[kaeswiss]

Just saw the graph of the QDC, why did I not look into these? Very promising for a single DD. Is this an upgrade from the Que??

I haven't heard the Que, but.... it's time for you to buy one with a 39% discount! I'm actually going to pick one up for my brother.

https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/gp/product/B0866BT3ST

 

[Jmop]

I haven't heard the Que, but.... it's time for you to buy one with a 39% discount! I'm actually going to pick one up for my brother.

https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/gp/product/B0866BT3ST

Tempting! Do the bumps on the inside of the ear pieces bother you at all? I guess if I really like em I can do some voodoo and custom mold silicone to fill it out or something aha.

 

[Jmop]

Should have HZ Luna tmrw, and Spiral Dot Pros.

 

[kaeswiss]

Tempting! Do the bumps on the inside of the ear pieces bother you at all? I guess if I really like em I can do some voodoo and custom mold silicone to fill it out or something aha.

These are the best fitting IEMs for me actually. I was just telling someone earlier today that I've been using the Superior EX all day and my favorite thing about them is the fit. They just disappear in my ears.

 

[Ozboyblu]

R2R DACs
From the 1990s, such resistor ladder DACs can do 16bit, even 18bit……still never (can they do) 24bit or 32bit. So no R2R DSD playback in correct resolution. The word is explained as such……

16-bit word results in 96dB
24-bit word results in 144dB
32-bit word 192dB

PCM DACs with a 16bit word:
The signal word header says what to do. Then the actual word shows the above 16 bit counts using on or off 2-4-6-16-32.

R2R DACs:
On and off 16 switches, each switch has to be joined to a precision resistor. These are precision resistors therefor even better than good resisters that have 1% accuracy.

Why different?
R2R resistors have greater accuracy are put into row of switches and resistors on a board.

R2R resistors have .0001 accuracy resistors, typically obtained and used in R2R DACs. These on and off signals are 44,000 times a second, more current higher voltage, less correct lesser voltage thus a signal. Current to voltage converter is then used to make music by up and down voltage. Regular DACs Sigma Delta modulator 1 bit, 2 bit, and 3bit does DSD and is needed for conversion to PCM. Though there are DSD DACs which don’t do the PCM conversion and leave the signal in DSD. Here with R2R we see an analog volume knob, and the R1 does not get super loud, but is more about a smooth quality with a glow.

HeartField R1
$159.00
R2R PORTABLE DAC & AMP

• R2R Technology
• Meticulous Sound Tuning
• Wide Range of Applications
• Only 19.8g Lightweight Design

First impressions:
Very much the most analog device I have ever heard minus the vinyl rig set up. Pure and natural though not really super loud and could not drive full-size headphones.

But the stage.............my god the stage is so big thick and up and down forward and back, just giant, probably bigger than the juiced-up MrWalkman's firmware WM1A?

Big!
Yep, that big. Though the same time mine has a static sound that if you try for too much output it gets distorted. Not a big deal as right below that distortion is the most fully adequate and fluid presentation for the HeartField BLANC. Like these two were ultimately made for one another! I can't stress that enough that the beautiful forward midrange combined with just what the R1 is doing sounds as good as a multi-thousand dollar DAP. The total opposite from the digital and powerful rest of the Dongle community. More fluid than any Dongle than I have ever heard. But keep in mind, this will not probably power hard to drive Planar IEMs. There is even a slight artifact of my songs so far that the right channel gets a low output (rumble) ghosting only when the song ends............this device is so quirky, but I love it anyway! This could go away after bum-in..........but I really don't think so. It's so quirky.............so wild. This could be end-game as a source for people that have easy to drive IEMs, I could see a few riding off into the sunset with this..........despite not getting super loud.

Edit:
I’m getting a replacement unit. Still I will use this one in the time being as I just can’t seem to pull myself away from the sound? Totally enchanting, I guess that’s the best word for it! Cheers!

I love this. The volume knob reminds me of an old pocket transistor radio. So analog. The see through circuit board is so good.

I kind of wish FiiO had done this with their desktop R2R. But the gaming light is a good trade off for the price and sound quality.

I’ll be closely watching out for your 2nd R1 to see if it sounds the same.

Fiio JD10



10 mm polymer composite diaphragm
0.033mm Japanese CCAW voice coil
3.7 grams

$7 USD only. Yes $7 USD you didn't read that wrongly.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007869823672.html

$7 USD is Nuts. Curious how this sounds. I’m almost tempted just because of the novelty of FiiO making this one so Budget Extreme.

It seems someone is doing some crazy mods on the R4



https://m.tb.cn/h.gFUlLgJ?tk=Twgi3P1RpQy

Curious about this. Would be so cool If HiBy released a R4 with the circuit board showing

Yincrow RW2000. Quite bright so not the best pairing with neutral and technically leaning DX180, but it's wildly resolving for an earbud.

These look cool. But where are them wires going to?

 

[Redcarmoose]

I love this. The volume knob reminds me of an old pocket transistor radio. So analog. The see through circuit board is so good.

I kind of wish FiiO had done this with their desktop R2R. But the gaming light is a good trade off for the price and sound quality.

I’ll be closely watching out for your 2nd R1 to see if it sounds the same.

$7 USD is Nuts. Curious how this sounds. I’m almost tempted just because of the novelty of FiiO making this one so Budget Extreme.

Curious about this. Would be so cool If HiBy released a R4 with the circuit board showing

These look cool. But where are them wires going to?

I'm just waiting for a scratchy sound, but no, it is silent.


Penon Pyramid VI cable:
Just received the Penon Pyramid VI edition. This is 6 wire, the regular Pyramid is 4 wire, and there is also an 8 wire available. The first thing you notice is yes this is a substantial size difference from the regular Pyramid 4 wire. Having so far used the 6 wire for about 6 hours I can say if you were wondering if getting the 6 wire instead of the regular Pyramid would be a substantial difference I would say yes. The difference is in how the stage is displayed out, and items inside that stage are placed in a more comfortable bigger seat location with simply more room. This new 6 wire works just like the original 4 wire with every style of IEM both BA sets and Hybrids. What it offers to the SHOCK is a kind of promoted midrange that fully actualized the SHOCK potential.........but more than that the potential to become more balanced, than other cables.

SHOCK Balance:
It seems that way due to the forward clarity inside of the vocal positioning? To where the first Pyramid made points on the cable community by simply offering realism, realism of reality found in life like creations of regular human functions like singing. The plus is that stuff like bass is also provided for into a kind of extra V shape of style that will go both with all BA sets and Hybrids. And this VI simply goes ahead to offer both more slight warmth and stage positioning, plus the midrange and vocals cling-on to that new level of positioning and get promoted outwards...........too!

Physically the VI came with-out ear hooks (but you can order the VI with ear-hooks) and while it is probably the same size as the ASOS+X, the ASOS+X I have has ear-guides (ear-hooks). Both are rare the large size, but I would never trade their performance for a lesser cable in size.........but that is just me?

I can't wait to use the VI with even more gear. Due to sound balance there is no IEM or DAP the VI doesn't improve, and maybe, just maybe it is more ergonomic than the ASOS+X.........to gain recognition here at Redcarmoose Labs.........for the long run!

 

[JEHL]

That's a weird price limit for me, cause most of my favourites are 'just' over that.

If it seems weird. It's the MSRP of the Sony WF-1000XM5, AKA the most expensive in-ear that regularly breaks 1k sales per month on Amazon.

If I use 10k+ sales per month instead, it becomes even more restrictive as that title belongs to the Apple AirPods 2 Pro with an MSRP of $250 but seems to have permanently dropped to $190.

For headphones is more generous pricing wise. For 1k+ per month, it belongs to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra at $430, and for 10k+ per month, it belongs to the Sony WH-1000XM4 at $300.

And no, the fact that ALL of these are wireless doesn't escape me.

... But if I was looking for a TWS, it'd probably be the Moondrop Ultrasonic. Unless someone has any objections.

 

[Jmop]

Maybe I’ll buy the toy Fiios lol.