Yeah, I really wish Erlky/Phonix weren't so sensitive. It makes source matching a lot harder.
I'd imagine it working well with the EXT tho.
New 1Z is an SP2000 with the distinctive Sony flavour, so basically a bit less warm/coloured than the old 1Z with better technicalities (and more bass) which is perfect for me
Hopefully it won't be delayed....
Dayum! Well that sounds perfect honestly. Can't wait! I think they release in Japan tomorrow. I'm being told by the Aussie dealer that they won't land here until mid-April, so still a few weeks out for me.
So...Orpheus basically fixes all the 'issues' I had with EXT for my preferences...
Ha, if only it was that simple
I listened a bit further with Orphy and if im honest, I prefer the stock cable with EXT. I think the Orpheus takes EXT a little too far in that musical direction tonally. It's like adding sugar on an already sickly-sweet dessert. Too much sweetness and you lose the balance.
That 3MAX looks familiar
ok ok, we'll see about that soon (for me at least)
(I am still a Shanling fan having loved the M8 for so relatively "long")
But what about 3MAX vs. M9? What would you say here? I could still see people liking 3MAX (stage, clarity) more than M9 (musicality).
What about 3MAX vs. N8ii? Is the time of 3MAX hype over?
Hehe definitely not over yet
I A/B'd the DX300 Max Ti & N8ii with XE6 and the Max Ti was the clear winner for me. N8ii still sounded great, but compared with Max Ti, it came across overly clean, lacking character and somewhat boring imho.
M9 and DX300 Max Ti are so vastly different in sound signature that I don't even like comparing them. They are both Summit-level sound DAPs with two different flavours. Max Ti for the clarity, resolution, stage and detail. M9 for musicality, immersion and texture.
LOL
You need the "for now" disclaimer in any "End Game" pronouncement.
Don't hold your tongue-- any opinion or impression is welcome here. If people reel over the temptation it just means they need to be stronger.
Sweet I didn't know you had a channel...will check it out.
What about a used Indigo? That could really do the trick based on what I've heard.
Right now:
Next week:
Such is the nature of this hobby. There will always be something better coming down the pipe. I've decided for myself that I need to get off the ride for a bit and enjoy my collection. I'm sure I'll love the n8ii when I hear but I'm not going to let it diminish my joy and satisfaction in the M9 (unless it totally blind sides me, but we'll see).
After WM1ZM2, I'm also getting off the merry-go-round for a little while. Gonna test and compare what I've got, settle on a few setups and clear the dead weight.
Yes, I noticed that when I A/B tested the N8ii vs the N6iiTi A02 +C9. The N6ii had a much lower noise floor. Was very black background.
Yeah, I haven't been impressed with either N6ii or N8ii's noise floor. Quite a bit noisier than the other flagship daps ive tried.
That was one plan but VE got back to me and said they'd do it for free and included a DHL shipping label in the email so I thought I should take them up on it. Also, it will be like a month until the 4.4 connectors I ordered arrive.
Edit: I also have two broken 4.4 cables I will happily procure
@tgx78's services to reterminate if he's willing.
Wow nice! Do you know if they will keep the same hardware? I'd love to get mine reterminated if they use the same hardware.
The rate at which
@HiFiHawaii808,
@aaf evo and
@Damz87 experience new gear and their concomitant reactions, often digging deep into the realm of human emotional experience...it is nothing short of high drama. From the sidelines it's like enjoying a soap opera, or miniseries-- who will stay, who will go? Will
@HiFiHawaii808's heart remain true to the EXT, or will the Jewel sweep in and steal him away on the wings of a passionate timbral affair? Only time will tell and the only way to find out will be to keep tuning in to "These Are the IEMs of our Lives" broadcast live from the Watercooler.
Haha! Well the next soap opera of mine for the Cooler to watch will be the battle of the flagship DAPs
Not all can stay, so I'll be doing some heavy comparing between them with my full collection of IEM's and cables to see who survives. WM1ZM2 will enter the fight as soon as I receive it.
trying to get one with the tubes seems hard for an amateur like me. Maybe someone needs to ship one to @Deezel177 or @gLer 
