The discovery thread!

[o0genesis0o]

Sounds like you have a great battery champ on your hands, perhaps a keeper on your agenda?

Well, it’s technically HiBy’s property

But yeah, my plan now is to save up and get a tube amp card for my DX300, so I have this R6 Pro Max as the strong solid state device and DX300 as the TOOBS. This would help me improve the “source synergy” part in my future reviews.

I’m not 100% sure why you’re comparing it to the Storm

Not to hype it up that “STORM FOR MUCH LESS! BUY NOW BUY NOW!” of course

But seriously, since the moment I read about the internals and tuning of this IEM, I immediately think of STORM:

• Multi-way crossover with limited overlap. STORM has 7-way crossover whilst Cantor technically also has 7-way, but practically it’s a 5-way design. Very few IEMs do the crossover like these IEMs.
• “Splitting bass woofer”: STORM’s magic in the bass is due to the so-called SLAM woofer, which is essentially a combination of two halves from two BA woofers, each with its own tube and crossover. Cantor uses 2 BA for sub and 2 BA for midbass, and use two different sets of resonant tubes to control them, thus “splitting bass woofer”.
• The tuning and staging is quite reminiscent.

I geeked out about Cantor tech more in my review: https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/aful-cantor.27307/review/35624/

My linux audio systems apparently limit the output to 20-16000Hz. I guess that is related to my EQ settings? I use a lot of DSP and they likely cut off and that rate. One of my tools is an exciter that has such a cutoff function. Anyway i dont care much. This was discovered because I did a sine sweep today. My equipment literally can go from 20Hz to 16000Hz without reducing in volume. Only at 15000Hz it starts to slightly reduce in volume. My Tri i3 MK3 do really go that far with the treble likely extended till 17kHz and beyond.

Anyway the reason I did the sine sweep is because this frequencies actually gave me an headache and some vocals had too much air. Time for me to make another convultion filter for easyeffects. Now it is much better but the treble is weaker after 10kHz. I think many planar drivers have too much treble in the region over 10kHz and this is even visible on graphs.

The i3 has now been properly balanced and it just fits into my chain.

Interesting about the FR limit. What is the audio software stack on you Linux machine?

 

[ExTubeGamer]

Interesting about the FR limit. What is the audio software stack on you Linux machine?

That would be my PipeWire and PipeWire-Pulseaudio backend. Then I am running easyeffects in the background. The sine sweep was done on squig.link in my Firefox browser. I would assume the browser is limiting the output to 16kHz despite my machine is set to 192kHz.

 

[pmichaelro]

Well, it’s technically HiBy’s property

But yeah, my plan now is to save up and get a tube amp card for my DX300, so I have this R6 Pro Max as the strong solid state device and DX300 as the TOOBS. This would help me improve the “source synergy” part in my future reviews.



Not to hype it up that “STORM FOR MUCH LESS! BUY NOW BUY NOW!” of course

But seriously, since the moment I read about the internals and tuning of this IEM, I immediately think of STORM:

• Multi-way crossover with limited overlap. STORM has 7-way crossover whilst Cantor technically also has 7-way, but practically it’s a 5-way design. Very few IEMs do the crossover like these IEMs.
• “Splitting bass woofer”: STORM’s magic in the bass is due to the so-called SLAM woofer, which is essentially a combination of two halves from two BA woofers, each with its own tube and crossover. Cantor uses 2 BA for sub and 2 BA for midbass, and use two different sets of resonant tubes to control them, thus “splitting bass woofer”.
• The tuning and staging is quite reminiscent.

I geeked out about Cantor tech more in my review: https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/aful-cantor.27307/review/35624/



Interesting about the FR limit. What is the audio software stack on you Linux machine?

For now it is...but perhaps you'll be wanting to PTT sometime in the future if all checks out with you during your long stint

What AMP card are you looking at for DX300, them AMP14 I presume right (the balanced 4.4mm one)?
I actually have one on the way for the DX340...but I need to wait for the corresponding faceplate for DX340 to get released this month (can't happen soon enough)
I'm also eyeing the announced DX340 exclusive AMP16 - 2xJAN6418 tubes incorporated vs 1xNuTube in AMP14 + additional DC power supply available to boost the maximum mW power holy god

 

[ToneDeafMonk]

My set will be here by mid week next week, so I'll let you know if I squandered by Christmas gift money or not? lol Right now, rowan's descriptions are rather vague outside of the fabulous mids, but honestly, I didn't buy it for the mids. I bought it hoping I'm getting that micro planar treble texture and extension coupled with nice mids and punchy bass.

Don't think it will leave you wanting the Tiger went under the radar by most well because it ugly as sin, but damn if you love your mid bass it has it and I really do love the planar top end on this set.

 

[o0genesis0o]

That would be my PipeWire and PipeWire-Pulseaudio backend. Then I am running easyeffects in the background. The sine sweep was done on squig.link in my Firefox browser. I would assume the browser is limiting the output to 16kHz despite my machine is set to 192kHz.

Strange My linux machine also uses PipeWire stack and REW measurements show the same FR as on my Mac and Windows machines.

Oh well, since you don’t like treble air, it worked out for the best for you

---

@pmichaelro yup! That’s the amp card I’m looking at. IBasso rep told me that he uses that amp when he wants more 3D soundstage effect, so I follow his advice and aim for that amp. Looking forward for your impressions!

 

[pmichaelro]

@pmichaelro yup! That’s the amp card I’m looking at. IBasso rep told me that he uses that amp when he wants more 3D soundstage effect, so I follow his advice and aim for that amp. Looking forward for your impressions!

Brilliant and thank for the heads-up about another angle on expectations!
My AMP14 pre-own/listen thoughts are that it will consume much less than AMP16 due to NuTube and it will add additional stage, depth, weight and roundness (toobie), now let's wait and see if I can confirm just that (but I'm very optimistic like always)
Whereas AMP16 should be all in on the tubes side of things + more power delivery while not hooked up to the separate DC 12V port and while hooked up...rocket!

 

[Uprox]

Sorry, absolutely not for me. Please do not defend them: there is no need for that (as I am not attacking et all).

I understand you. Sorry.

 

[keesue]

Our ears and brain are not accurate measuring instruments and our perception of sound is easily and significantly influenced by psychology.

This sums it up quite nicely.

Everyone hears differently. The bio-mechanical differences in each of our ears coupled with the physiological processing differences taking place in each of our brains are unique to each of us. Yes, there are commonalities; e.g., we know a bass and a cymbal when we hear them; however, how we perceive the quality of the bass, the intensity of the bass, the pluck of the strings and even who's playing them are unique to each of us. Yes, science can measure in two dimensions with objective accuracy but nothing can measure how one perceives what one hears. Some of us can distinguish differences - others cannot. It's just the way it is and no amount of cajoling will every change that.

Cables. DACs and amps can make a difference to some but not all. They used to call folks who couldn't differences 'tin ears'. Not fair, really, it is just their hearing. In this hobby, the adage, 'to each his own' should prevail. There can be a general consensus but rarely a unanimous consensus. As such, these arguments will never end.

Making the transition to IEMs from full range studio and high end audiophile gear was a revelation for me. The nuanced differences immediately became more pronounced. The damn things are stuck right in your ears and every little change can make a significant difference - "only if one can hear it!" Compound that with "you are not in my head and I'm not in yours" it becomes readily apparent what a fool's errand it is to dismiss another's experience under the guise of science. Again, measurements are two-dimensional. Once we accept the indisputable fact that we all hear differently, then we are free and unencumbered by bias to enjoy another's take on sound without dragging them or the issue through the mud. All that does is ruin the hobby and make sharing pointless.

To resist the messianic compulsion to proselytize requires tolerance and emotional intelligence. It is a very powerful urge for some, but I for one, was relieved when the Sound Science forum was created as a gathering place for like minds. The forum was implicitly dedicated to disputing audiophile heresy. Since joining this site in 2008, the creation of that sub forum was a welcome relief from the flame wars. I fervently support that decision as I fervently support this forum as a place for sharing objective impressions. To that end, I respectfully urge the 'science-is-the end-all-to-be-all' messengers to burn their objective crosses in the backyard created for them. let's not *** this up.

As a ghetto-philosopher friend of mine once said at a wedding reception, "What, so now meat loaf I gotta eat every night?"
Youse guys have good ears! I gain a lot for sure and enjoy reading your impressions (some 100+ IEMs later as a result...Jeez...

 

[cobrabucket]

@keesue said:

"To resist the messianic compulsion to proselytize requires tolerance and emotional intelligence."

"Let's not **** this up."

Bravo, sir!
I have been contemplating my response and this sums up my feelings perfectly.
Let's get back to the good vibes and our reason for being here in the first place: to share our love of music with friends from around the world!

 

[o0genesis0o]

To resist the messianic compulsion to proselytize requires tolerance and emotional intelligence

Beautiful and elegant prose, mate. I admire your vocabulary.

And well said.

 

[o0genesis0o]

What exactly do you mean by detailed “to a fault”? If by that you mean it’s excessively detailed to the point where it’s more detailed than it’s supposed to be, then I strongly disagree. I don’t hear any details pop out at me that shouldn’t pop out at me. It’s all there if you listen for it, but it isn’t excessive. I don’t hear any stuff that I didn’t hear with my APP2 (in a good way, it’s as detailed as it should be).
Who knows. I could be and probably am wrong. I’m a novice.

There is one IEM series from HiBy called “Crystal”. They are the ones that truely push midrange details to the front to the extreme. I listened to some weeb music and for the first time, I heard the “mouth shape” clearly, the subtle noise in the recording, even slight ruffle of the singer’s clothes and the very faint sound of music page flipping. I have never heard those, even when I listened to the same track with Annihilator. It’s a … unique experience.

 

[keesue]

Beautiful and elegant prose, mate. I admire your vocabulary.

And well said.

Thank you, sir.

 

[Hypops]

This sums it up quite nicely.

Everyone hears differently. The bio-mechanical differences in each of our ears coupled with the physiological processing differences taking place in each of our brains are unique to each of us. Yes, there are commonalities; e.g., we know a bass and a cymbal when we hear them; however, how we perceive the quality of the bass, the intensity of the bass, the pluck of the strings and even who's playing them are unique to each of us. Yes, science can measure in two dimensions with objective accuracy but nothing can measure how one perceives what one hears. Some of us can distinguish differences - others cannot. It's just the way it is and no amount of cajoling will every change that.

Cables. DACs and amps can make a difference to some but not all. They used to call folks who couldn't differences 'tin ears'. Not fair, really, it is just their hearing. In this hobby, the adage, 'to each his own' should prevail. There can be a general consensus but rarely a unanimous consensus. As such, these arguments will never end.

Making the transition to IEMs from full range studio and high end audiophile gear was a revelation for me. The nuanced differences immediately became more pronounced. The damn things are stuck right in your ears and every little change can make a significant difference - "only if one can hear it!" Compound that with "you are not in my head and I'm not in yours" it becomes readily apparent what a fool's errand it is to dismiss another's experience under the guise of science. Again, measurements are two-dimensional. Once we accept the indisputable fact that we all hear differently, then we are free and unencumbered by bias to enjoy another's take on sound without dragging them or the issue through the mud. All that does is ruin the hobby and make sharing pointless.

To resist the messianic compulsion to proselytize requires tolerance and emotional intelligence. It is a very powerful urge for some, but I for one, was relieved when the Sound Science forum was created as a gathering place for like minds. The forum was implicitly dedicated to disputing audiophile heresy. Since joining this site in 2008, the creation of that sub forum was a welcome relief from the flame wars. I fervently support that decision as I fervently support this forum as a place for sharing objective impressions. To that end, I respectfully urge the 'science-is-the end-all-to-be-all' messengers to burn their objective crosses in the backyard created for them. let's not *** this up.

As a ghetto-philosopher friend of mine once said at a wedding reception, "What, so now meat loaf I gotta eat every night?"
Youse guys have good ears! I gain a lot for sure and enjoy reading your impressions (some 100+ IEMs later as a result...Jeez...

Amen. Preach it.

 

[superuser1]

Yes. Made it myself. I can share with anyone interested!

Please do kind Sir. Much gratitude.

 

[Okcerg]

Timmy's got a new channel, TimTuned.