The Watercooler -- Impressions, philosophical discussion and general banter. Index on first page. All welcome.

[Rockwell75]

Wouldn’t go as far as calling it grainy, this is still an excellent IEM just like UM TOTL ones, but there’s just a slight hint of it. Of course this was tainted by the fact that I had just heard the Odyssey right before the Ragnar, and Annihilator not too long before that. In fact, after hearing annihilator, I couldn’t get its treble out of my head and kept comparing all IEMs to it.

Annihilator treble with VE mids & EE bass would be a massive treat.

 

[UniqueMelody]

Win: ZMF Caldera. This is the new ZMF Planar headphone

I am in. The Caldera is a must have to me. It sounds so good, like you said it has the best world from planar and dynamic. I spent half hour in Zach's room demoing Caldera, they are a wonder.
There was a time, I was not very impressed by ZMF( I think it was Auteur), but Verite has dragged me back on the way and now Caldera conquered me. My only wish is if they can make a greenish one to match my Verite Closed.

 

[HiFiHawaii808]

Did anyone that heard Odyssey this weekend take their Odin’s to do a direct A/B comparison? Curious to hear impressions that aren’t based off of memory.

I had mine with me. I intended to a/b test, but I ran out of time. So many product I did not get a chance to hear

 

[HiFiHawaii808]

Annihilator treble with VE mids & EE bass would be a massive treat.

I think it would be an incoherent mess. Cannot have 3 quarterbacks on the team. Someone needs to take the lead

 

[Rockwell75]

I think it would be an incoherent mess. Cannot have 3 quarterbacks on the team. Someone needs to take the lead

That's an interesting way to think about it and I think you made this same point the last time I said something like this. Still, some degree of balance would be possible though-- I wonder how far you could push it.

 

[normie610]

Soon everyone will own a Viking Ragnar.

Not me. Too sibilant for my ears (disclaimer: I’m very very sensitive to sibilance).

Discard: XE6, but only because of its overpowering bass. I’d thought I’d like it more, but I’m not sure if a lot of brain burn in would help it. This isn’t a declaration that this IEM is bad, but this cup of coffee is a bit harsh for my liking.

I feel you. If you have the chance, do try the spiral dots++ with Xe6’s Scorpion cable and black atom module. The sound will be much more balanced, but still with bass emphasis.

There is nothing at all fatiguing about this IEM

Thanks Jeff. This is really useful.

but for those who like a more relaxed presentation this may not be the best option.

I agree.

 

[HiFiHawaii808]

That's an interesting way to think about it and I think you made this same point the last time I said something like this. Still, some degree of balance would be possible though-- I wonder how far you could push it.

I think it is possible to make it work with one master tuner. It was very interesting listening to Zach describe how he invents a new headphone sound. It is months and months of tweaking everything. He is not forced into a set of technology. He just keeps playing with it and making slight changes until he invents a sound. I think locking a genius into a driver config or tuning concept can disrupt the creative process. .

 

[Rockwell75]

I think it is possible to make it work with one master tuner. It was very interesting listening to Zach describe how he invents a new headphone sound. It is months and months of tweaking everything. He is not forced into a set of technology. He just keeps playing with it and making slight changes until he invents a sound. I think locking a genius into a driver config or tuning concept can disrupt the creative process. .

Not getting to check out the ZMF room is my biggest d'oh of the weekend. It was super packed every time I looked inside.

 

[Amadeo Nospherathu]

Class A + r2r? yes please.

And in the end, you can successfully get a heavy low-power muddy soap heater.

When I tested the Cayin C9, it quite neatly changed the sound when switching to class A (and it is not very powerful - that's why it is so common, for example, class D) and tube mode. And tube mode + class A was too much for some sources and headphones/IEMs.

Of course, the choice is yours, but I haven't come across any R2R that sounds neutral. And any class A amp.

 

[Amadeo Nospherathu]

And keep the tubes out of it. No need for the Pillsbury dough boy to make an entrance.

Warm tubes and fragrant masala tea with milk - what helps to survive the cold rainy autumn)

 

[Doug2507]

That's an interesting way to think about it and I think you made this same point the last time I said something like this. Still, some degree of balance would be possible though-- I wonder how far you could push it.

Is this not what Ragnar is to Jewel? Just a more energetic reference...

 

[Amadeo Nospherathu]

RS8 is stupidly heavy-- heavier than the WM1ZM2 I think. You could knock someone out cold with it pretty easily.

The further I go, the more I am convinced that the construction of players is moving somewhere in the wrong direction.

No, when it comes to something like the recently announced Fiio R7, I have no questions, it's logical.

But damn. Every 2 years, the number of resistors in devices doubles. Smartphones are becoming lighter and more technologically advanced. And only player manufacturers continue to claim that they makes portable devices.

At a time when they no longer fit in pockets. What happens next? Will they stop fitting on the table and in the room?

 

[Chronos]

Annihilator treble with VE mids & EE bass would be a massive treat.

This would be godly. I actually tested my EXT during CanJam with the RS8 and it just confirmed how good they are even amongst so many amazing IEMs. The emotional mids are irreplaceable.

 

[Amadeo Nospherathu]

Del

 

[Amadeo Nospherathu]

Oh god. We are nearly reaching the day and age that DAPs could weigh 1kg....

I have friends who use a 0.8kg DX220 Max brick on the road in backpack.
He looks normal and even satisfied.
But damn, it's too much.
I'm too old for this.