[lee730]

I agree on investing more so on your IEMs or heaphones before spending big bucks on sources. Although you can do it both ways regardless.
 

 

[audionewbi]

I'm using GR07s ($250) with T1 amp ($250) and AK100 ($640) while I wait for my Miracles to come back and the sound is exceptional for just over $1100. As good as with Miracles? No, but this combo already beats iPod 5G with T1 and Miracles so if I had to choose I'd go with AK100, amp, and good lower priced IEMs.

Depending on taste there are a few options like GR07, etc. Also AK100 and Heir Tzar 350 is another possibility without needing amp.

What sound signature do you like, Ivabign?

I think the key argument till now constantly has been why do we need to have a need for a n amp from a unit which has advertised itself as an audiophile all in one solution?'

 

[Overkill Red]

Still not sure if I want a RWAK100 to use with my TG!334s/HD25s and complement my HiFi-M8 when it arrives or if I want to just spend the money on a beater earphone and something like the Ultrasone ED8s..
 
Decisions decisions...

 

[Gintaras]

i still stand by my opinion, C3 plus a good amp like T1 or C5 might be a ticket to high end sound while OP can wait till Fiio X3 will be released.
 
what pains me is that people wait for the release of X3 since a few months already but there is no sign Fiio is moving on the issue... so the risk is you may wait far longer.
 
alternatively AK100 and Heir's should be a great combo too.
 
choice is yours.

 

[Fidelity182]

Will the sound breakup if volume is increase ?

 

[Gintaras]

Quote:

Will the sound breakup if volume is increase ?

 
cannot say for sure, i think volume increase will help a faster burn in but i doubt higher volume will help immediate break-up, so you will have to wait... 

 

[uelover]

Quote:

Will the sound breakup if volume is increase ?

 
Your iem will breakup if the volume is increased.

 

[Loquah]

Speaking of IEMs. Does anyone here have AK100 and Heir Tzar 350?

 

[heliuscc]

Or AK100 with westone 4R??

 

[Fidelity182]

With Headphone or earphones, this player would sound real good, but what if its use as a main source for playback in a normal hifi condition ? Will it jitter ? or breakup ?  I have done several test using my ipods as a main source through server, its breaks and purse a little, and then reconnect again. However, when  connect them using cables, sound wise still loses to a main deck transport system itself.

 

[Gintaras]

Fidelity, you can use AK100 as transport via normal toslink cable and 3.5 toslink adapter into player. this will be safe and reliable connection without nitty gritty software and else things, just plain simple with 3.5mm adapter into player then toslink cable into DAC in your system, so far so happy :-D
 
btw, i always hated connecting via software drivers and always prefer to run my Mac into USB-SPDIF adapter and then from adapter into DAC, brings outstanding result, i find it much better than going USB or FW.... call me old fashioned.

 

[TheLastDevil]

Is it worth it to mod my stock AK100 to a RWAK100? Heard some good review about it.
Currently using the JH16. Kinda new here too

 

[Gintaras]

TLD, i do not know... i bought RWA AK100 in order to avoid asking this question 

i heard a few users preferred RWA mod to stock AK but then many people find AK great when matched with the right IEMs... what RWA version allows you is to forget about impedance issue and look for any IEMs you like while stock version will require more careful IEM selection.
 
PS: i love RWA version, have no idea about sound of stock version though.

 

[TheLastDevil]

I guess my JH16's 18ohm impedance doesn't really suit the stock AK100's 22ohm impedance isn't it.

 

[Fatalethal]

Quote:

I guess my JH16's 18ohm impedance doesn't really suit the stock AK100's 22ohm impedance isn't it.

 
on white paper it doesnt perform as intended.
 
But if your ears like what you are hearing... why not? Personally i love my Merlins with stock AK100. sounds like a perfect pair made in heaven together.