The discovery thread!

[FranQL]

 

[pmichaelro]

I've got three externals. One 1TB, one 2TB, and one 4TB, and I keep all my music on all three duplicated, so that if anything happens to one, there's always a backup. Plus I got SIX 1.5tb microSD chips that I store a lot of my collection on (obviously not all, until I'm able to spent on a 2TB chip), that are slotted in 6 different daps (N3U, Sony A-306, Sony A-55, iBasso DX170, FiiO JM21, and Hiby R3 II. I need to get one more for the M1P.

Interesting setup...are they SSDs or HDDs? Need to review some SSDs for recommendations...seems like all have an "expiration date", even if you just write data once and leave it untouched, in a number of xx years it vanishes.
How large has your actual collection gotten? 1-2TB? And then what's the format?
I've just got an album yesterday (Bibio - PHANTOM BRICKWORKS (LP II) (2024) - really awesome background music) in FLAC 24bit and it has 645.1MB for 10 tracks. So roughly in 1TB we could stuff...~1625 albums of the same size.

---

Also...on another note, I've been looking into Linear PSUs...I have a FiiO PL50, has just 1 single output though, and I was looking into getting one with 2 outputs, 12V and probably 5A at least.
Not sure if anyone has experience with picking up the right transformer and other layers of filtration.
AliEx is filled with a lot of them but hard to discern which is of actual value and which is...yet just another power supply.

 

[FranQL]

 

[jbfps116]

Well the store I bought the Trinity from isn’t making it easy to cancel lol. The keep sending me the few reviews there are to convince me it’s good. As well as offering an additional $14 off. I am still wanting to cancel so hopefully they oblige me lol

 

[FranQL]

 

[jbfps116]

Awesome! Welcome to the Nautilus club haha. I’d ditch that very noisy cable and get a nice gold-plated copper one. This one has a real emotionally rich treble response that always blows me away.

 

[FranQL]

 

[Xinlisupreme]

NiPO A100 first impressions I found here…
https://m.weibo.cn/status/P4ZIeFyN3?jumpfrom=weibocom





The NIPO magnetic DAC headphone amplifier, which has attracted much attention, is limited by power consumption. The A100 uses 9039Q2M this time, but many technologies on the N2 have indeed been transferred to the A100, such as current mirror conversion, excellent limitation and very excellent load capacity. As for USB decoding, many USB-related optimizations have also been made, such as ADI's digital isolation, femtosecond crystal oscillator, thickened gold-plated USB wiring, and of course, there are magnetic kits for non-Apple users, which are perfectly compatible with Apple's magsafe.

Figure 2 also demonstrates an ultra-short digital cable that NIPO is developing, which may be almost "invisible" on the phone in the future. The sound is still the same as N2, and I think the sound is basically the same. But if you listen to the yellow version of the machine on site, because it is newly assembled and not aged, the sound will be brighter and harder. I later compared the green version, which was burned in, and it can achieve the same feeling of both surging and looseness as N2/N1. For more detailed listening experience, please follow my subsequent exhibition reports.

Because my new NG flagship private model was also completed in the past two days, it is a plug that requires a lot of thrust. I didn't expect that it could be pushed almost to the full on A100. The large dynamic and low-frequency landing feeling are comparable to N2, but the sense of space and imaging performance are still a bit behind, including the delicateness, which may be limited by the power supply and volume. I think A100 wants to highlight the "quality" more, which is reflected in its emphasis on density and thickness, for fear that users will not be able to hear its high quality at first glance. It is not as calm and stable as N2, and there will be a certain energy gain in the high frequency.

But how should I put it? Experienced users should know that in low-end and mid-range devices, it is often difficult to take into account the keyword "stable and calm" at the same time with explosive dynamics. A100 has done its best. Although it is so thin, its hardness and thrust are both first-tier within 5k, and it has good control over ultra-low-impedance headphones (low impedance is a heavy load). Therefore, even if you put aside its own "magnetic tail" attribute and good workmanship, buying A100 is definitely a choice to spend all your money on sound quality.

 

[mrsergey]

Although the iems from moondrop were big disappointment for me, i must say that their DSP cable is excellent.
Some iems (like the aful explorer and the Odyssey) sound actually better with moondrop DSP cable than with my $170 dongle.
The explorer doesn't work well with the yuki dongle.
On the other hand, bqeyz autumn and YU9 Yan (4.4) sound much better with the yuki than with the DSP cable.

Iems that I'm interested in them for 2025:
1. Penon turbo (90% I'm going to purchase them during the next big sale).
2. Epz P50 (if they gonna get good reviews).
3. Softears Volume S (if they gonna get good reviews).

 

[Syan25]

LETSHUOER CADENZA 4

My latest review has been released. Thank you so much to anyone who takes the time to read, like, or comment. I do these for the community, and hope it helps with buying decisions or indecisions.
You can find it at this location.

@FreeWheelinAudioLuv2

This is an excellent review!

 

[Goggie]

Well, the old year came to an end and I was just now able to finish my Album Of The Year 2024 list. While I was primarily using music to listen to headphones this past year, I still managed stay up to date witch current releases (according to RYM I ranked 189 albums this past year). This year, I want to put music itself more into focus. I think I found my dream rotation of IEMs (let's see for how long before a new contender shows up):

- 7th Acoustics Supernova
- Symphonium Meteor
- Dunu DK3001BD 'Brain Dance'
- Dita Project M
- Softears Studio 4

With these, I feel I have all my needs covered and can rest for the moment. Attached you find my AOTY 2024 list as well as a playlist I created with my favourite songs from each album. To a great 2025 with amazing music and IEMs that make the music shine.

 

[bithalver]

Happy New Year, Xmas, Hanukah, Ramadan, birthday of Richard Dawkins ! Choose as you wish.

Board game... modern. I don't even own a Monopoly set. These are modern strategy games [and some card games] that are way, way better designs than the classics of old.

If my administration is correct, we (with my girlfriend) own 179 boardgames . Only Euro and filler ones; no cooperative or wargame.

How do you guys choose your music?

Sometimes my choice depends on my mood; sometimes I choose to be in a specific mood. I need a spin-up ? Korm, Metallica or Marilyn Manson. Relax ? Very monotone ones (like this). Want to listen deeply ? Classical, primarily violin concertos). And so on.
Dark Ambient goes a long way in the last ~2 years (Cryo Chamber is my No.1 label nowadays).

I live in big waves of mood (some spans months, some years); I had some years when I listened to the full album "El Greco" from Vangelis at least one time every day.

I've got three externals. One 1TB, one 2TB, and one 4TB, and I keep all my music on all three duplicated, so that if anything happens to one, there's always a backup. Plus I got SIX 1.5tb microSD chips that I store a lot of my collection on (obviously not all, until I'm able to spent on a 2TB chip), that are slotted in 6 different daps (N3U, Sony A-306, Sony A-55, iBasso DX170, FiiO JM21, and Hiby R3 II. I need to get one more for the M1P.

BTW..where do you guys actually store all your music/songs?
I'm referring to the original copies (sort-of-say), out of which you actually pick what you're going to be transferring on them microSD cards) HDDs/SSDs? Capacity?

Interesting setup...are they SSDs or HDDs? Need to review some SSDs for recommendations...seems like all have an "expiration date", even if you just write data once and leave it untouched, in a number of xx years it vanishes.

The tales of Grimm brothers are with us but the story-tellers are not: you keep the information not the carrier. Please check the word "meme" (not the meaning of "joke" but the original created by the legendary visionary Richard Dawkins).

The modern man has to learn that info on any digital storage differs from info on paper in at least one aspect: paper could be kept for hundreds of years without any maintenance but digital storage can not.
Every 2-3 years you should copy everything again (even to the same device); every 5-10 years you should discard the old carrier by getting a new one. All the important data should be kept in at least 4 copies; at least one of them should be at a very different location (definitely not the same building) (as I already mentioned).
Yeah, I know, digital tapes (DLT, for example) can keep data for 20-50 years but those are too expensive for the average consumer; speed is also a concern in today's impatient world (where we all want everything from everywhere without any delay).

My choices are: 512Gb microSD card in my phone; disk in a standalone PC; disk in NAS; NVMe SSD in an USB case; and of course Dropbox (120EUR / year for 2TB).
My music collection is ~255GB; I have another ~63GB to be valued (mean: I haven't listen to them and I have to select whose I like to keep).

IT engineer here with ~40 years of XP ; feel free to ask any question.

GOLDEN AGE OF IEMs!

Absolutely: I am here just a bit more than 2 years: the revolution is still happening.

Mega Multi Quote.

This is a mother of multi quotes ! Excellent post, but please allow me not to quote the whole.

OCC849 is the first cable I literally heard a difference with the H60 from the original stock ISN Cable. Remembering your impressive cable comparison from your H60 Review.

As we say, this cable is worth it's weight in gold. If you see a sale and you can buy it for 50-65 USD please have at least one in your household !

---

2024 was spendy for me:

Bought and sold Penon Fan3 (new, quite good) and Voltage (used, not my FR).
Bought a real lot of cables; Penon ASOS and Effect Audio Cadmus 8W "Z" were the most expensive. Penon OCC849 (both 3.5mm and 4.4mm kind) (excellent ones for the price); 2 pures silver ones: Yongse Dark General and ISN AG8 (former is OK, later I have'nt tried yet).
In February I bought TSMR X ; it is on a loan to @nikbr . A loved one but now I have better (just read on).
Bought and sold NiceHCK Himalaya: disappointment for me; lost a lot of money on it. Tried EA500 anf KATO nozzles: still sounded average.
In the beginning of June I bought the I/O Volare which is still my most loved one; a miracle have to happen to dethrone it for me.
S12 2024 entered the house; quite sad with original cable (looks OK, but the sound ...). OCC849 saved the day !
Bought ThieAudio Hype 4 for bassy "V" shaped sound (a good one, to be sold) as a stepping stone to ThieAudio Monarch MKIII (bought just a month later) (I really love it; listening to it right now; TSMR X lost the race to this one).
Bought an impedance adapter (haven't got time to play with it).
Bought a used Hisenior Mega5EST Anniv Ed: testing is in the future.

I nearly sold the 7Hz Zero2 (bought in Nov 2023) but I attached the 3.5mm OCC849 and my trustworthy Qudelix5k; this is still my travel and go-to-work set.

A lot of tips entered the house: Spinfit W1 "M" (on Volare); both kind of Coreir (fit feels too deep); EPZ M100 (very soft; fit is good for me). Old and trusted Moondrop Spring tips are still in use (only Moondrop thing kept ).

I still use iBasso DC04Pro (bought in the craze of 2023's 11.11); as it is a bit bassy I use it with the Monarch; for me they sound good together.
Bought Shanling Onix XI1 in June 2024; it is with I/O Volare since.

I still love Fiio KB1 connected to my PC (only Fiio HW I have, but still eying the BTR17 ).

---

I have the Xenns Mangird Tea Pro on a loan (big thx to @nikbr); test will follow.

Plans ? I am at pause game now, so I try to contain my curiosity; sure I like to have more time with Aful P sqrt(98/2). I dodged the ISN H60, EBC80, Lime Ears Terra, Aur Hermit at new price but I do not know how will I dodge'em at used price ... thx for @FreeWheelinAudioLuv2 the EBC80 is now off the list.

---

Fav 2024 music ? Nearly all of them from Cryo Chamber.
The Aberration of Time and Space by Dead Melodies
Void Rituals by Ruptured World

And a 2023 one, an absolute blast : Mechanical Gods by Gdanian (his previous album, Induction is also a loved one).

Collected 2 violin concertos this year: Henryk Wieniawski - Violin Concerto No. 1 with Ray Chen and Sibelius : violin concerto with Hilary Hahn . These are my main 2 test tracks for detail.

Test music for IEMs ?
Korn: Lost in grandeur (for subbass)
Depeche Mode: Pimpf (male and female voice; real lots of layers at the end)
Rammstein: Giftig (treble) and Adieu (bass and treble together)
and whatever I like to listen

---

I can understand why a lot of people just read this topic and do not write anything:
- Reading takes a lot of time.
- This post alone took more than an hour to make ...

Feel free to ask questions.

Edit: typos.

 

[JamoBroGuy]

Both Cantor and P7 gave me this response when listening to vocals, especially John Denver. I used to really disagree with AFUL midrange tuning (forward 1.25k similarly to Elysian), but I’m starting to see the point.

This may just be due to my lack of experience but I don't hear a forward midrange in the slightest. Who knows, maybe it's actually ridiculously shouty and painful and I wouldn't know because I haven't heard other IEMs.
With my luck, something like that is probably the case.

I think one of the cons of being a “reviewer” is losing that sense of wonder and awe. I’m daily driving R6 Pro Max + Cantor, and for all intents and purposes, it’s an outstanding, endgame-worthy combo, likely better than that SP2000+U18S combo. But I’m pretty much occupied by finding faults, dissecting the subjective experience, and gathering evidence for my conclusions.

This right here is why I want to try not to listen to any other IEMs until further notice. If I do, I'll start finding faults in the Cantor and I'll be sad. If I don't, it'll stay perfect.
I want to use my lack of experience to my advantage. Right now, no matter how hard I try, I cannot find a fault in the Cantor's sound. It's just bliss. If I start listening to a crap ton of other IEMs, that won't be the case anymore and I'll deprive myself of the enjoyment.

 

[MakeItWain]

Happy New Years!

Look what surprisingly showed up on New Years Day!

KAEI DESIGN Tap1 Pro and PSU2, Running from Cayin N3Ultra in tube mode as well! From the new BC44PRO 4.4 ddHiFi signal cable The AFUL P7 never sounded better!

Switched to the Cantor and really enjoying this combo.

Cant beat huge power to bring out the best with lots of dynamics and headroom!

Next up going to put the DCE in the chain oh what fun.

Did you end up with the Muse M5 Ultra or went straight to TAP-1 Pro? Did you get any op-amps or the dac chipset? Or strictly amp only?

Awesome pictures. Are these purchases or demos that you're checking out?

... Ka is a wheel.

 

[Vonbuddy]

NiPO A100 first impressions I found here…
https://m.weibo.cn/status/P4ZIeFyN3?jumpfrom=weibocom





The NIPO magnetic DAC headphone amplifier, which has attracted much attention, is limited by power consumption. The A100 uses 9039Q2M this time, but many technologies on the N2 have indeed been transferred to the A100, such as current mirror conversion, excellent limitation and very excellent load capacity. As for USB decoding, many USB-related optimizations have also been made, such as ADI's digital isolation, femtosecond crystal oscillator, thickened gold-plated USB wiring, and of course, there are magnetic kits for non-Apple users, which are perfectly compatible with Apple's magsafe.

Figure 2 also demonstrates an ultra-short digital cable that NIPO is developing, which may be almost "invisible" on the phone in the future. The sound is still the same as N2, and I think the sound is basically the same. But if you listen to the yellow version of the machine on site, because it is newly assembled and not aged, the sound will be brighter and harder. I later compared the green version, which was burned in, and it can achieve the same feeling of both surging and looseness as N2/N1. For more detailed listening experience, please follow my subsequent exhibition reports.

Because my new NG flagship private model was also completed in the past two days, it is a plug that requires a lot of thrust. I didn't expect that it could be pushed almost to the full on A100. The large dynamic and low-frequency landing feeling are comparable to N2, but the sense of space and imaging performance are still a bit behind, including the delicateness, which may be limited by the power supply and volume. I think A100 wants to highlight the "quality" more, which is reflected in its emphasis on density and thickness, for fear that users will not be able to hear its high quality at first glance. It is not as calm and stable as N2, and there will be a certain energy gain in the high frequency.

But how should I put it? Experienced users should know that in low-end and mid-range devices, it is often difficult to take into account the keyword "stable and calm" at the same time with explosive dynamics. A100 has done its best. Although it is so thin, its hardness and thrust are both first-tier within 5k, and it has good control over ultra-low-impedance headphones (low impedance is a heavy load). Therefore, even if you put aside its own "magnetic tail" attribute and good workmanship, buying A100 is definitely a choice to spend all your money on sound quality.

How much is this?