Jan 22, 2025 at 4:08 PM Post #142,891 of 144,714
Snap23.jpg


It's not exactly GOLD foil, but even the KZ Sonata's advertising appears to be going down the "premium" KitKat wrappers route?? LOL !! (Chi mes they are a changin')
 
Jan 22, 2025 at 4:15 PM Post #142,892 of 144,714
You're in luck, @bithalver has both at hand as we speak and can surely chime in.

Here's what I think. Mind you, this was a rather quick A/B session I had, but what I can say with ample certainty, is the MMk3 is similar tonally, but puts on the big boy shoes and improves upon every single aspect of the Hype 4. Bass is punchier and better controlled, midrange is more natural and less veiled, treble is way smoother while still extracting all the details. So if you like the Hype 4 tonally, as in balance between bass/mids/treble, and want much of the same but polished and dialled in, get that MMk3.

Whether the difference in price is worth it can only be answered by the man spending the dough.


It is. But there are warm and lazy sets that also fall flat with texturing and control and musicality, and then there is the DQ that nails all of that.
Thanks for your take.

Curious if anyone has compared the Monarch MK3 to the Origin?
 
Jan 22, 2025 at 4:25 PM Post #142,893 of 144,714
Snap23.jpg

It's not exactly GOLD foil, but even the KZ Sonata's advertising appears to be going down the "premium" KitKat wrappers route?? LOL !! (Chi mes they are a changin')
So does this mean that KZ's marketing is saying that the Sonata is as good as the Empire Ears Odin?! Of course, that's the reference! The gold foil Kit Kat that came with early orders of the Odin LOL Seems KZ is making a more subtle proclamation?!
 
Jan 22, 2025 at 4:25 PM Post #142,894 of 144,714
Ahh, I see where you're going with this. I like your style. First the Shawshank.

Then, when they least expect it, BOOM, the Shawshank Redemption. What you thinking ... double the price? 2.5×?
Exactly! We have to allow for sequels.
 
Jan 22, 2025 at 4:27 PM Post #142,895 of 144,714
Competes with DCE? I have this on the way, and just ordered the Hiby cable.

Yep. Most definitely. To me, DCE sounds like an outstanding dongle or a good midfi DAP. Clarinet sounds like a good amp. It layers on power and refinement. More authority, more dynamism, cleaner separation. Feels like a larger stage, or at least one with more and better defined space delineating each element. More atmosphere in the upper treble and space for notes to tail off (upper treble is one of the things the DCE isn’t terribly keen on imo).

TBH I’m not convinced that the Cayin cable (and probably the Hiby one as well, by extension) is the best option for the Clarinet. After considering it a while, I find it too finicky, having to pull the plug out just that little bit to get sound (if you read the Clarinet thread I linked to in my previous post) and I still want to explore options that provide a more stable connection while sounding as good.

I have a USB C to RCA coaxial cable already on the way, which I plan to use with the RCA-3.5mm adaptor that came with the Clarinet. That, at least, ought to be customised to the Clarinet’s slightly idiosyncratic pinout.

I also have an SMSL PO100 on the way, since some folks have had good results with it in the thread. Neither has made it out of China yet, so no idea when they will arrive, what with their impending new year shutdown.

All my latest desktop sources added since last November sound incredible via coaxial. It was never really a thing before tbf, and has certainly piqued my interest regarding the Dethonray Clarinet. Imo all DAP's should offer 3.5mm coaxial out. For instance, if you're not happy with, say the house sound of Shanling's M1 Plus, firstly you try transforming it via DCE/G Link Max? However to reduce battery drain, connect it via coaxial & BOOM: instant BOSS level. It's blown me away several times via the Cayin N3 OG & HiBy R6 Pro!
As I'm a huge fan of connecting DAP's via coaxial, which I've recommended many times over the last few months, The Dethonray Clarinet is now top of my porta amp list for sure...many thanks for the rec!

I have to say I know nothing about coaxial apart from it sounding fabulous on one device. I take it that Dethonray’s coax implementation was particularly well done but is it also something inherent in the tech?

I do wish there was some sort of standard in getting coaxial out from DAPs, instead of each manufacturer having their own.

Wow N3 OG, the one that got away - for me anyway. I ordered it from China way back in the day, the tracking showed it went on a round the world trip, after which it vanished completely. I got my refund but have to this day never seen or heard the N3 OG.

The Volume S through XD05T, with Bass Boost activated, is absolutely phenomenal.
The additional low-end depth brings a perfect balance, and the sub-bass is now rich, resonant, and wondrously immersive.
It completely satisfies my inner basshead, delivering a deep, full-bodied experience.
Dua Lipa's vocals are nothing short of mesmerizing—sublime and spine-tingling.
The treble shines with pristine clarity, maintaining a smoothness that never strays into harshness or sharpness.
Spatial cues and layering are executed flawlessly, offering an impressively wide and detailed soundstage.
Additionally, timbre is exceptional - warm and natural.
I have to admit, I honestly didn’t expect this, but this IEM completely redefines what’s possible in the sub-$350 price range.
It punches far above its weight, IMHO.
I’m absolutely thrilled to add it to my collection of audio treasures...
Highly rec'd!!!

I gotta say I’m more interested in what the XD05T is doing to make it so good :)

But that’s because I’m still so satisfied with my IEM acquisitions of 2024 that literally nothing calls to me now and I’ve turned all my attention to amps and sources.

I’m intrigued partly by the XD05T’s 6N16B tubes. I do love some of my vintage Soviet tubes like the Voskhods and Novosibirsks but have no experience with these ones and I wonder if they impart a different character compared to the JAN6418 that are so popular?

Man i have been reading a lot on the internet now a days as I am looking for a powerful desktop amplifier. I actually grabbed the Hifiman HE6SE V2 during the Hifiman year end sale. Does anyone here have any suggestions about which one to get for this power hungry headphone? My budget would be around 600-1000$(The cheaper the better).

Sorry mate, I’m IEMs and transportable only these days (moved away from headphones years ago) but I’m sure others here would have good recs. I have been reading up on amps though and XD05T stood out for the amount of power it apparently has.

Absolutely. The SC tips remind me of the Corier tips without the metal bit, really excited to try them out on some other sets. Everything is a bit “no-frills” but there so much good stuff, who cares! It really is the year of the micro-planar.

As far as I can tell, the SC tips are very similar if not identical to the Penon PAC LStips, except for the colour of their stems.

Could I get some recommendation to good "this gen" IEMs, preferably with some tuning options, south of the 1000 bucks limit?

I am quite sensitive to strong bass (yet I learned to tolerate Timeless OG and to large extent MEST I), do not mind treble, and prefer strong mids, with vocals in front.

Have you considered anything by Penon? Mids are after all their speciality. The Voltage, perhaps. Or its predecessor, the Volt, which imo has some of the best mids in the business.
 
Jan 22, 2025 at 4:28 PM Post #142,896 of 144,714
I've always liked the Hype 4 - but this combination is just plain ❤️‍🔥
Hype 4 with the Deuce IA - Clarinet - Undertaken by RA

So nice!IMG_0760.jpg
 
Jan 22, 2025 at 4:41 PM Post #142,897 of 144,714
So does this mean that KZ's marketing is saying that the Sonata is as good as the Empire Ears Odin?! Of course, that's the reference! The gold foil Kit Kat that came with early orders of the Odin LOL Seems KZ is making a more subtle proclamation?!
Now having the ZA12 in my ears....I'm seriously starting to wonder tbf. It's a subtle marketing ploy for sure. One that I wouldn't have considered previously, having quashed any notion of neu KZ stepping into the hallowed ground occupied by the Empire Ears Odin. My thinking now is, via this symbolic reference they're alluding to the DNA of?
Maybe the Sonata proclamation has some traction who knows? I guess soon enough you'll be able to verify whether KZ have released a Pokémon ster or not?
 
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Jan 22, 2025 at 4:43 PM Post #142,898 of 144,714
MAIL CALL!!!

So the KZ KA12 landed (finally!! It's been "out for delivery" since Monday). My only review goal here is to compare it to the TRN ST7 and KZ ZS12 Pro X, and determine where it falls next to these two hybrid titans of budget?

OOTB switch settings (UUDD). Spinfit CP100 tips.

OOTB observation? Driver flex. Technical. Lacks warmth.

IMG_6527.JPG
IMG_6528.JPG
 
Jan 22, 2025 at 4:48 PM Post #142,899 of 144,714
MAIL CALL!!!

So the KZ KA12 landed (finally!! It's been "out for delivery" since Monday). My only review goal here is to compare it to the TRN ST7 and KZ ZS12 Pro X, and determine where it falls next to these two hybrid titans of budget?

OOTB switch settings (UUDD). Spinfit CP100 tips.

OOTB observation? Driver flex. Technical. Lacks warmth.

IMG_6527.JPGIMG_6528.JPG
Right on cue...yeah OOTB underwhelming...driver flex is annoying af. Give them an hour though from Pokémon ster > Pokémon star ?? You decide LOL>
 
Jan 22, 2025 at 5:00 PM Post #142,900 of 144,714
MAIL CALL!!!

New year, new toys! But.. I'm going to let them come to room temp before checking them out. It's like 10º F today and the boxes are frozen. That's -12.2º C for the rest of the world.

Btw.. apparently Bloom ups their candy game when you buy nicer things. I'm used to getting snack sized bags of Skittles or a couple Starbursts with my orders.

1737582906132.png
 
Jan 22, 2025 at 5:07 PM Post #142,901 of 144,714
Snap23.jpg

It's not exactly GOLD foil, but even the KZ Sonata's advertising appears to be going down the "premium" KitKat wrappers route?? LOL !! (Chi mes they are a changin')
At CanJam London this year Sonata will definitely be worth a listen......just out of curiosity killed the "KITKAT" !! :L3000:
 
Jan 22, 2025 at 5:10 PM Post #142,903 of 144,714
Yep. Most definitely. To me, DCE sounds like an outstanding dongle or a good midfi DAP. Clarinet sounds like a good amp. It layers on power and refinement. More authority, more dynamism, cleaner separation. Feels like a larger stage, or at least one with more and better defined space delineating each element. More atmosphere in the upper treble and space for notes to tail off (upper treble is one of the things the DCE isn’t terribly keen on imo).

TBH I’m not convinced that the Cayin cable (and probably the Hiby one as well, by extension) is the best option for the Clarinet. After considering it a while, I find it too finicky, having to pull the plug out just that little bit to get sound (if you read the Clarinet thread I linked to in my previous post) and I still want to explore options that provide a more stable connection while sounding as good.

I have a USB C to RCA coaxial cable already on the way, which I plan to use with the RCA-3.5mm adaptor that came with the Clarinet. That, at least, ought to be customised to the Clarinet’s slightly idiosyncratic pinout.

I also have an SMSL PO100 on the way, since some folks have had good results with it in the thread. Neither has made it out of China yet, so no idea when they will arrive, what with their impending new year shutdown.
Good to know, thanks. I plan on using something like a small o-ring or rubber washer on the 3.5mm to keep it from bottoming out. I also read that a standard 3.5mm interconnect should work fine with iBasso daps, so I have that option as well.
 
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Jan 22, 2025 at 5:17 PM Post #142,904 of 144,714
MAIL CALL!!!

New year, new toys! But.. I'm going to let them come to room temp before checking them out. It's like 10º F today and the boxes are frozen. That's -12.2º C for the rest of the world.

Btw.. apparently Bloom ups their candy game when you buy nicer things. I'm used to getting snack sized bags of Skittles or a couple Starbursts with my orders.

1737582906132.png

What a haul, dang!
 
Jan 22, 2025 at 5:22 PM Post #142,905 of 144,714
MAIL CALL!!!

New year, new toys! But.. I'm going to let them come to room temp before checking them out. It's like 10º F today and the boxes are frozen. That's -12.2º C for the rest of the world.

Btw.. apparently Bloom ups their candy game when you buy nicer things. I'm used to getting snack sized bags of Skittles or a couple Starbursts with my orders.

1737582906132.png
DX340 and Mecha, a pretty solid combo man!!
 

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