[NymPHONOmaniac]

"Just the Tip"
For an excellent review of the BGVP DMA, I would suggest @NymPHONOmaniac write up, on Head-Fi: link to BGVP DMA review

For an excellent review of the BGVP DMA, I would suggest @NymPHONOmaniac write up, on Head-Fi: link to BGVP DMA review

The contenders:
AZLA SednaEarfit Crystal Standard
&
Linsoul (inhouse) blue foams
The Azla's are a wide bore. In contrast to the more conventional aperture of the Linsoul foams

Bearing in mind that I'm a basshead. You may actually prefer the wide bore Azla's playback; as it's more along the lines of an authoritative BA
With the Azlas, the hard hitting (thanks to the bone conductor) subwoofer range sounds disjointed, from the mid range. Male vocals sound slightly thin, as they lack some of their lower range. I'm guessing there's a soft spot around 100hz

With the foams, BASSHEAD nirvana. On a song like Lil Wayne's, "Lollipop", the subwoofer notes now have an increased presence, with a notable decay and chest thumping. Male vocals have also benefitted from a moderate bump to that 100hz - 120hz (just a guess, to the frequency range)
Bearing in mind that I'm a basshead. You may actually prefer the wide bore Azla's playback; as it's more along the lines of an authoritative BA

tx for sharing bro cause you confirm these a great for rap, as I think but im not ultimate rap connoisseur...more about female r&b meet soul and rap territory...i mean, these are quite bassy and the BC push vocal presence above this big bass slam that is speedy and great quality too...

ps: i'm jealous of your color! not sure why i get pink salmon color lol

 

[NymPHONOmaniac]

following above post about ear tips swapping joy....let say i play alot with tips on ISN Neo3 lol

still unsure which i prefer, seem like its Penon Fan2 blue short wide bore ear tips....after Penon Liqueur (which is nice but not as crazy open soundstage wise and KBear KB07 (warmer thicker sound but less good in imaging too) i decide to try short wide bore cause i see all those driver are tubed. might seem strange but making the sound pass thrue 2 tube (driver tube and nozzle tube) is something that either compress or congest sound projection....

i already know i was in love with Neo3 at first listen but with Fan2 eartips it goes next level it seem. holographic presentation is even more magnify due to spacious layering and we get all planar highs benefit too. vocal are smoother, their less upper mids concentration like with Liqueur, sub bass is mid bass are better layered, macro dynamic is more articulate, neo3 feel more mid centric less plain V shape....i mean, overall flavor stay the same these aren't intensely bright IEM, warm W shape i would say since we got everything...its logical with 3 drivers of this type. i find them quite similar to Penon 10th in signature...slightly less sparkly on top but the planar treble is very special,


so question is: anybody try these blue eartips?

female vocal a sublime wit Neo3, male vocal too are great and far from being thin or recessed or too warm-muddy too

 

[Redcarmoose]

The NiceHCK F1 Pro is now (finally available) on Amazon for those that want it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CSW8D8JG

 

[PhonoPhi]

Being quite happy with my current IEM collections (the current hypes for Simgot, Olivetti etc. are not convincing to me), I went to a perhaps a bit sacrilegious dimension of using different IEMs for left and right channels- with some recordings, it can be quite interesting and surprising, so I got the connectors to be able to do it with all combinations of my current IEMs:

Also I got few cables on a good deal - one of my favourite colour combinations of supple and flexible 16 cores. In my limited experience $5-10 cables may not worth it (unless experimenting), while $10-$20 cables can perfectly do the job - I am blessed not hearing (and not trying to imagine) any cable difference for the cables with the similar impedance .

Also on the order, orange and black liquer tips and Dunu S&S tips from Penon - love their flexibility of selection (ordered, L, XL, XL) and a 2.5-mm balanced impedance adaptor of 25 Ohm - a great tool to explore IEM tunabilty

 

[cobrabucket]

Howdy folks,

I’m going to review a few Android DAP. Can you suggest something you always wanted to see in a DAP review but has been missed? I might be able to address them when planning for the video.

Thanks

Battery life when using a dongle with a DAP.
I know it's odd, but I use dongles frequently with my R6 Pro II to give me a "different sonic flavor."

 

[kaeswiss]

Man listening to the Twilight after such a long time. I was busy listening to other stuff to compelete some pending reviews and today just thought of giving myself a break and enjoy the Twilight. It's like home, the embrace of this IEM is out of this world. It captivates me every single time i put these into my ears. There have been only two IEMs to date that have brought me to tears, first is the Oriolus Trailli(vocals <3) and then the Twilight. While i can't have the Trailli since it is way out of my league in pricing, I simply enjoy Twilight to its fullest.

Pairing today with my iPhone 15 Plus and Quloos MUB1.

ROCKETSHIP IN MY EARS!! BLAST OFF!! Did some amp, tip, cable, and `filter rolling this morning.

First discovery...Oriveti OD200 with BLACK filter, Simgot silver cable, Penon Lacquer tips playing out of the warmer Sony A306 with the Fiio Q1 amp = Right cross and uppercut to my ears! Just an amazing sweet spot hit for me! The highs are crystalline, so beautifully extended (they match the EA1000 with this filter), and the bass isn't so damned omni-present like the silver filter. So to lift the bass some, I just turn on the bass boost on the Q1, and voila, I got more bass presence! The imaging and stage are wide, spacious, and the mids are beautifully presented. I started with the silver tips, because all the early reviews suggested this filter, but no, this is a basshead (kinda) filter, and i'm more of a linear, clear, and quick bass lover, with crystalline highs, and this is what I get delivered. Gonna be hard to wean myself off this rig combo!

But I did pull myself away from it for a few to try out the Salnotes Zero with some rolling done. BLECH! Nothing I do, and no tip or cable will add any weight to these IEMs. Sad, because the highs and timbre are fantastic, as is the cavernous stage, but the mid bass is truly anemic. Before you suggest the Salnotes Zero 2, already heard them. Got them for my son for christmas, and though yes, the tuning was improved to give more bass presence and mid heft, the treble was messed with too much, and so it lacks the sparkle and shimmer of the OG Zero, so now it's just a random bassy set, which is perfect for my kid, but not for me. I switched to the HBB X Z300, and this thing is much better to my ears. Again, not as good from a timbre and crystalline mids standpoint, but a better all-arounder than the Zero. Great for fun music!

@gadgetgod, get your hands on the Oriveti OD200. I like them better than the EA1000 (WHAT?!?!). Don't hate...We're allowed to swerve mid trip! LOL

It's been a while since I've listened to the Twilight and the OD200 so they're getting some ear time this evening. I swap nozzles on the OD200 every other time I use them so the black nozzles are currently in use with a copper cable.

Man, they're so different. The Twilight is warm and fuzzy while the OD200 on the black nozzles is bright and energetic. It's gonna be a laid-back kind of night so the Twilight wins ear time tonight.

Howdy folks,

I’m going to review a few Android DAP. Can you suggest something you always wanted to see in a DAP review but has been missed? I might be able to address them when planning for the video.

Thanks

I don't check out DAP reviews all that often, but when I do, here are a few things I wish were covered aside from the obvious sound impressions.
And I know that I'm in the minority with these, but hey, you asked!

• Physical aspects
  • Size comparisons with a cell phone or common objects like a deck of cards. You know, or a banana for scale.
  • Will the DAP fit in your pockets if you're not wearing skinny jeans?
• Tech aspects
  • How responsive is the OS?
    • Opening/closing apps, tapping through screens, etc.
    • Performance when using third party streaming apps.
  • Local File Management
    • Are there any cool new ways to transfer music to the DAP or SD card?
    • Ease of file management, playlist management, etc.
  • Bluetooth
    • Does it work as a BT receiver?
    • If so, is there any audio/video delay?
  • Battery Life
    • How does streaming music or watching videos affect battery life?
    • Manufacturer battery specs seem fairly accurate, but that's only when playing local files.

 

[cobrabucket]

It's been a while since I've listened to the Twilight and the OD200 so they're getting some ear time this evening. I swap nozzles on the OD200 every other time I use them so the black nozzles are currently in use with a copper cable.

Man, they're so different. The Twilight is warm and fuzzy while the OD200 on the black nozzles is bright and energetic. It's gonna be a laid-back kind of night so the Twilight wins ear time tonight.


I don't check out DAP reviews all that often, but when I do, here are a few things I wish were covered aside from the obvious sound impressions.
And I know that I'm in the minority with these, but hey, you asked!

• Physical aspects
  • Size comparisons with a cell phone or common objects like a deck of cards. You know, or a banana for scale.
  • Will the DAP fit in your pockets if you're not wearing skinny jeans?
• Tech aspects
  • How responsive is the OS?
    • Opening/closing apps, tapping through screens, etc.
    • Performance when using third party streaming apps.
  • Local File Management
    • Are there any cool new ways to transfer music to the DAP or SD card?
    • Ease of file management, playlist management, etc.
  • Bluetooth
    • Does it work as a BT receiver?
    • If so, is there any audio/video delay?
  • Battery Life
    • How does streaming music or watching videos affect battery life?
    • Manufacturer battery specs seem fairly accurate, but that's only when playing local files.

What a thoughtful, genuine reply.
Cheers!

 

[Singaravelan]

I am super interested in this one! Does anyone have it ? Would love to hear some info on it!

@ToneDeafMonk has it and will rave soon!

 

[baskingshark]

Amazon, the greatest hifi store ever. If only all stores were like them, and we could just try every iem like this.

Haha, there was this reviewer on youtube (setup his own FB group too), that is known for "buying" most of his reviewed IEMs and sources from Amazon.

So he reviews it in a few days before the returns window is up, then he sends the product back to Amazon. "Buys" a new review unit and repeats the process.

Won't mention names haha, but that was his way of testing and reviewing tons of gear without paying much. But last I heard after a few months, Amazon got pissed with this shenanigans and banned him LOL.

I am super interested in this one! Does anyone have it ? Would love to hear some info on it!

Yeah I bought the EPZ TP50 dongle from Aliexpress, it just arrived a couple of days back. Will do some tests and report back.

 

[Singaravelan]

Howdy folks,

I’m going to review a few Android DAP. Can you suggest something you always wanted to see in a DAP review but has been missed? I might be able to address them when planning for the video.

Thanks

1)Streaming battery hours (Apple music and such). Main reason for some to user a dap is to avoid charging phone frequently. Rather than vague hypothetical numbers, just run once whole day with streaming and get the battery hours. No one does it strangely.

2) there seems to be growing perception that most DAPs under 400$ all sound the same. If untrue, this could be broken specifically rather than weak arsely mumbling virgin-porn terms like 'bass seems tighter here'.

 

[cobrabucket]

So, apparently the Shozy P20 is actually using a Planar driver and not a DD as claimed.
Makes sense considering the naming scheme and the fact that the P10 is also a Planar.
Still, makes you wonder how such a mix-up can occur.
It is listed as having a DD on every site I could find it for sale including Amazon, HiFiGo, Amazon, etc.
Lastly, there is speculation that the P20 uses the same third gen. Planar driver as the S15.

 

[bixby]

deleted

 

[grogg]

I just want to revise the impressions of TRN Conch that I shared in this thread a long time ago. I thought they were thin and a bit sibilant when I got them.
I did put foam in the nozzle and I was happy with that mod. I haven't used them in a while and to my surprise now I feel totally different about them.
Great bass and no sibilance at all. Truly wonderful sound, especially for the price!
I have no idea what's behind the change, if it's burn in, brain burn in or if I didn't tighten the screw-on nozzles enough. I have been running them in the background on my second stack though. I always have a set running on that stack, just in case burn in is real.

Same tips, same cable, same gear. I don't think it's brain burn in, since I'm leaning more and more towards rich, full sound and smooth treble, been listening to Fan 2, Fudu and Rhapsody with 1100 config lately.

Just want to share this so that anyone thinking of buying the Conch won't be scared off by my first impression.

which colour nozzle are you using? I might have to check them out again after trying some foam.

 

[DBaldock9]

Two Desktop DAC/AMPS from HIFIMAN, utilizing R2R DAC chips instead of the usual Delta Sigma stuff.


1) HIFIMAN EF500
https://store.hifiman.com/index.php/ef500.html

$459 USD











2) HIFIMAN EF499

https://store.hifiman.com/index.php/ef499.html

$299 USD

The block diagram shown for the EF500 on their website, is actually the one for the EF600 - since the EF600 is the only model with Analog Inputs.

Looking on the web pages, can you determine what feature differences there are between the EF400 & EF500 (other than the EF500's additional 0.15W output power), that would account for the $160 price difference?

 

[emdeevee]

I'm sorry, but "burn-in" is placebo nonsense that isn't provable at all.

Why don't you take a listen to the actual R&D Manager at 64 Audio as he recently commented about this topic in this video (at 7:41). He has every reason to give some crap answer ("oh just listen to our IEMs for 500 hours then you'll see they sound amazing!") but instead he flat out says that the first 5-15 seconds of listening is the best judgement you will have. And this is a guy on the engineering team who actually knows how the drivers work. Listen to the part where he talks about how what you ate can literally affect the sound you hear - now how do you know that your IEM drivers didn't actually "burn in", but instead you are comparing the sound under two periods wherein your literal ear-drum physiology is different?

For those of you who think you can actually hear the drivers "loosening up", "becoming more cohesive", or whatever else: convince me that you're not just priming your brain to EXPECT to hear a difference. It's not complicated: if you convince yourself that the IEM's will "sound better" over time, then you are priming your brain for an expected result. When your brain expects an outcome, it tends to magically "find it". There are so many examples of this very same phenomenon that have been proven in multiple arenas. For example, when MSG became a hot-topic discussion as a flavouring ingredient in food there was an inaccurate initial study which suggested that it would make you feel bad if ingested. Once that "study" caught on among the public, magically everyone and their grandmothers proclaimed that eating food with MSG added was giving them headaches, etc, etc. The guy who initially did the study came back years later and redacted it - his conclusion wasn't even accurate. But yet, because people so thoroughly believed that MSG would make them feel bad in some way, they convinced themselves that eating Chinese takeout was giving them headaches. This myth is actually still active - there are people still convinced that they feel some unexplained ill effects after eating even mild amounts of MSG.

These phenomenons are well studied. Just like when they give someone who has some unexplained ailment a sugar pill but tell them its some magic new medication, and the subject all of a sudden doesn't feel whatever ailment they were complaining about.

The reality is that everyone wants to justify the IEM that they potentially spent hundreds or even thousands of dollars on. "Oh when I first put them in I felt they were pretty good, but then after 100 hours of burn in they became amazing!". "Oh they're pretty good with the stock cable, but this $400 cable (which is just transmitting data lmao) made everything about them better!". Nah dawg, you're just coping. It's pure cope to believe that the tiny drivers in IEM's need hundreds to hours of operation to start working as they should.

After-market cables are the equivalent of thinking that slapping on a $20,000 body-kit on a Honda Civic is going to all of a sudden improve its acceleration.

Then why do even the manufacturers recommend burn in? And why do professional reviewers always do burn in before writing reviews?

I've done burn in and heard zero difference from ootb (but only with all BAs) but every DD based set I have has sounded different to some degree ootb to then 100 hours of burn in (on a rig without listening).

I was sort of surprised when I got the CFA Black Star, a DD based set, and it didn't really seem to change with burn. I posted that in the CFA thread only to find out that they do their own burn during QC.

I found these actual experiences to make sense rather than just declare it all nonsense, but to each his own. YMMV and all that.