The discovery thread!

[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.

 

[mathi8vadhanan]

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.

They fit like customs but with shallow fit. It's very comfortable and never needs any fine adjustments during continuous use.

 

[baskingshark]

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

Hmm, the timbre of the Nightingale is not the most natural IMO, it has the typical planar sheen due to a too fast truncation of notes/transients.

The soundstage is a bit 2D too, is is very wide but has not much depth/height.

I see the Nightingale as a specialist IEM, it is definitely not an all rounder and will only suit specific tastes/genres better. But in a sea of Harman and V-shaped and "meta" tuning, I think the IEM enthusiasts might be looking for this unique midcentric type of tuning to complete their collection.

 

[Jmop]

Hmm, the timbre of the Nightingale is not the most natural IMO, it has the typical planar sheen due to a too fast truncation of notes/transients.

The soundstage is a bit 2D too, is is very wide but has not much depth/height.

I see the Nightingale as a specialist IEM, it is definitely not an all rounder and will only suit specific tastes/genres better. But in a sea of Harman and V-shaped and "meta" tuning, I think the IEM enthusiasts might be looking for this unique midcentric type of tuning to complete their collection.

Gotcha, probably gonna be a pass from me but I appreciate the detailed description as always. I’ll let you know if Final gets back to me about the custom cabled E500 but I’m not even expecting a response tbh lol.

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

Mail call!

I also still have an Aful MagicOne to review as well... Notes all done, just about fully writing out my thoughts.

Also the S12 2024 has been with me since CanJam but I forgot to share that I had it. Thanks again @thaslaya

I got all those, and enjoy all three immensely!!! You are in for a treat!!

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

I put up my ONIX Alpha and 7 IEMs up for sale. Culling a little bit more, and hopefully someone can make good use of the Alpha dac, as I have barely used it since I got the DCE, and even then, it was more of a "forcing" myself to use it so it didn't just sit. So someone can put it to good use, and get some great IEMs at the same time, and if it sells, that puts me at $1,300 in cull funds, but dang, if my case doesn't look anemic!! LOL Lowest amount in a decade.

 

[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?

You reposting my DAC theory made me find a spelling mistake. It should have said more current, instead of correct current, I went back and fixed the original post. Thank-you!

 

[Ozboyblu]

The displays look different. Just one look and you could tell the difference in colors.

The volume Animation is cool. Different to the original.

My very first full charge.

Time 1hr : 58 mins. To charge to 100% . Started from 50% Battery

Note 3.796 watts trickle charge. This happened after 80% full.

At 50% the HiBy was charging at around 15 watts. But I was using it, and listening to music while charging at the time.

The charging would reduce 8 watts if the thermals increased while in use. So very good management.