[o0genesis0o]

Any thoughts on shanling H2/H5 or astell and kern hb1?

I’m very curious about Shanling H series because they can play audio independently thanks to built in SD card and OS. However, the high output impedance is concerning to me, since I only use IEMs. Shanling themselves are quite confident about H5, pitching it against the likes of M6 Ultra, which is quite a good DAP.

No idea about HB1. I have never seen one in real life.

Tbh, I’m not that into source part of the audio chain. I got the DX300 to never have to think about sources again, and then Hifigo pulls me back to the game by inviting me to review the SnowyNight. And (dongle) madness returns

 

[Hypops]

The Mojo has no amp, right? Driving directly from the DAC. I remember Ivan at E1DA makes a big deal about the advantage of that design of his DAC.

Rob Watts has nuanced this description a bit. I don't remember (and frankly didn't totally understand) the exact nuance, but the long and short was that it does have an amp (as do most/all standalone DACs?), but it's a bare-bones circuit. It means that the Mojo 2 is essentially just a variable output DAC with 3.5mm headphone jacks for outputs instead of standard RCA/XLR outputs.

 

[saldsald]

I just received this together with A CABLE (actually last Friday) and the OG and I am not sure if I am supposed to show any pictures of it?
Anyway, let me take a listen first.

https://hifigo.com/products/effect-audio-x-elysian-acoustic-labs-pilgrim

 

[theintention]

I’m very curious about Shanling H series because they can play audio independently thanks to built in SD card and OS. However, the high output impedance is concerning to me, since I only use IEMs. Shanling themselves are quite confident about H5, pitching it against the likes of M6 Ultra, which is quite a good DAP.

No idea about HB1. I have never seen one in real life.

Tbh, I’m not that into source part of the audio chain. I got the DX300 to never have to think about sources again, and then Hifigo pulls me back to the game by inviting me to review the SnowyNight. And (dongle) madness returns

I am hoping that my R4 doesn’t combust like the rest but if it does, I’ll just keep saving for a kilobuck DAP. The DC-Elite has solved my need for anything else, desktop or portable since I live an EQ-free lifestyle haha.

 

[saldsald]

Brace yourself—potentially controversial post ahead.

Yesterday, I was unprepared for what was about to unfold. It all began innocently enough: “I’m curious about how my ST7 sounds with its stock cable…” but it quickly escalated to a more profound question: “How can different cables alter IEMs sound so significantly?” and then, the perhaps a touch paranoid and blown out of proportion: “When we are talking about the same IEM on the forum, are we really talking about the same IEM? More precisely, how can we possibly be having the same experience?"

Consider this: Most of us end up pairing our IEMs (especially cheaper ones) with different cables, leading to considerably varied experiences. And that’s not even factoring DACs and tips into the equation.

Let’s focus on the ST7. During my tests, it transformed from a warm and relaxing presentation, with a good quantity of bass and a precise yet smooth treble (paired with my TRN RedChain) to an almost crystal-clear sound with just sufficient bass and a sharper and brighter treble (using the stock cable). The TRN T2 Pro found a middle ground, while the NiceHCK BlackCat and NiceHCK BlackInk offered entirely different experiences. And, absurdly, the differences were far from marginal—I’d likely mistake them for 4-5 distinct IEMs in a blind test.

The point of the post? I don't think there is one precisely, but potentially many. As for me, I will limit my conclusion to this:
Re-cabling an IEM it's a process that many of us do as a "due step", especially with cheaper IEMs. However, thanks to this newfound awareness of mine (in particular of the extent of said alteration) it's starting to feel more like an "analogue equalization" rather than an "effortless due step necessary to make an IEM show its full potential"

Also, I have a doubt, and I would be very thankful if some more experienced users on the forum could help me dissipate it: do companies design and tune their IEMs with their stock cable in mind, or is the IEMs tuning completely ‘unrelated’ to the cable they will later pair said IEMs with? I’m quite skeptical of this probability because it would make the stock cable a de facto fortuity, and the tuning of IEMs would be created based on an impossible ‘cableless’ experience. Furthermore, this will make the ‘vanilla’ experience of an IEM (with the stock cable) not differ from any other, so, as I said, a fortuity.

By the way, if you don’t believe cables alter sound, more power to you! Arguing is not the purpose of this post; I’m simply sharing my experience and thoughts, and I’m also curious to hear your opinions on the matter (and potentially clarify the abovementioned doubt of mine).

That's why I think all reviews should be stuck to the OOTB experience with all the included accessories only (and even that we cannot isolate the variation in sources, DAP, desktop setup, etc.) or there should be another section with the reviewers' cables/tips, which, they are supposed to list down. Our brain is not a linear instrument and we tend to magnify things. Even a small subtle change, like 1% of sibilance we may perceive as a night and day difference.

 

[DynamicEars]

FiiO BTR7 no doubt, IMHO

BTR7 is value BT source with very good sound for the price class, KA17 also can be a good consideration if BT isn't really needed. I haven't try KA17 myself but some reviews mentioned the SQ is better than already very good BTR7

You are pretty much done with the source game with Mojo 2. Maybe add a pure amp later if you want. I had excellent experience pairing Mojo2 with G5 in pure amp mode. However, the DX300 by itself sound the same as this Frankenstein creation, so I decided to skip the Mojo 2.

Another kickass dongle is L&P W4. Yes, at the core of it is just two CL DAC chips, but L&P has done something great with these so that they consume little battery and sound closer to DX300 and R6 Pro2 than, say, R3II and R4.

If you can find a discount one, it’s pretty much the end of the source game, IMHO: excellent sound, low battery consumption, stable connection. The KA17 might be as good, but you need to turn on the desktop mode to match the sound of W4, which kills battery. The M15 is also as good, but very loud for IEM use, so not convenient. The list goes on.

If one can’t/ don’t want to afford the W4, I can wholeheartedly recommend the Aful SnowyNight. Slightly less resolving than W4 at a big discount. The stock USB cable is so good that I bought extra from Hifigo for future uses.

Have you try ibasso DC Elite? "Said" it is "better" than dx300 in SQ (not the power), and have great soundstage and imaging. I read also that some prefer Elite than W4 or hiby FC6 or A&K HC4. I'm curious myself and even gonna break my own oath about dongle being hassle if it sounded that good

 

[Surf Monkey]

BTR7 is value BT source with very good sound for the price class, KA17 also can be a good consideration if BT isn't really needed. I haven't try KA17 myself but some reviews mentioned the SQ is better than already very good BTR7

Have you try ibasso DC Elite? "Said" it is "better" than dx300 in SQ (not the power), and have great soundstage and imaging. I read also that some prefer Elite than W4 or hiby FC6 or A&K HC4. I'm curious myself and even gonna break my own oath about dongle being hassle if it sounded that good

The BTR 7 is a very good BT receiver. I find it works especially well for me when I use an AptX HD transmitter with my iPhone, so I imagine that devices with native AptX probably work even better.

For wired I strongly recommend the HiBy FC 4. It has both single ended and balanced output and it sounds better than any other dongle dac I’ve ever owned. It’s exceptionally clean, quiet and accurate.

 

[Redcarmoose]

The ifi hip dac 3 has all the gas needed to make these two headphones totally shine. Involving well done imaging, just asking for mental participation. My first experience with a Burr-Brown DAC chipset, yet it is smooth, but still lets vocals through in contrast, which can be an issue (at times) with these two headphones. Believe it or not here the MDR-Z7 is harder to drive, where the MDR-Z1R can get over the top loud, way louder than any human could stand.

 

[Surf Monkey]

The ifi hip dac 3 has all the gas needed to make these two headphones totally shine. Involving well done imaging, just asking for mental participation. My first experience with Bur-brown, yet it is smooth, but still lets vocals through in contrast, which can be an issue (at times) with these two headphones. Believe it or not here the MDR-Z7 is harder to drive, where the MDR-Z1R can get over the top loud, way louder than any human could stand.

HipDAC is always lurking on my list. The xDSD Gryphon is at the top but I often consider springing for the HD 3 as an interim solution for full sized phones.

 

[Jmop]

Need that new Zen Pro graph pronto.

 

[thaslaya]

The BTR 7 is a very good BT receiver. I find it works especially well for me when I use an AptX HD transmitter with my iPhone, so I imagine that devices with native AptX probably work even better.

For wired I strongly recommend the HiBy FC 4. It has both single ended and balanced output and it sounds better than any other dongle dac I’ve ever owned. It’s exceptionally clean, quiet and accurate.

+1 for the Hiby FC4. It's a great wired option.

 

[Jmop]

Hip Dac 3 vs Shanling H2?

 

[Redcarmoose]

HipDAC is always lurking on my list. The xDSD Gryphon is at the top but I often consider springing for the HD 3 as an interim solution for full sized phones.

Out of the GO blu, the GO link and the GO bar...........(in comparison) the hip dac is maybe the best value. While it doesn't have all the features of the GO bar it is less money, and still (while maybe) slightly less detailed, is still an amazing product. Where probably the most shocking thing was just how normal the "Animals" album was. Meaning get the hip dac a modern recording with spacial imaging and a spread-out stage.........like some modern 2024 mix production, and prepare to be blown away.......at least I was. For the price of the hip dac.......and what it does......especially how smooth and sexy the volume knob is..........it is an easy recommendation.

 

[Redcarmoose]

Hip Dac 3 vs Shanling H2?

Don't have the H2, sorry.

 

[Redcarmoose]

xDSD Gryphon

I don't have the xDSD Gryphon, maybe someday?