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

[HiFiHawaii808]

Interesting how we all hear things. I would give the edge to Trifecta over both Mentor and Xe6 when it comes to soundstage. Where Mentor knocks it out of the park, however, is with its resolution and summit fi imaging.

I agree. Trifecta has the largest sound stage. Switching between RN6 and Trifecta really highlights the difference in these sets. You can really hear the difference in the speed of the drivers. The contrast is actually amazing.

 

[phiemon]

While I understand many would use graphs to objectively determine whether or not bass is more impactful, I let my ears ultimately judge the difference (if any) and to me, when paired with Yatono 8w, vs Mentor with same cable, I perceived Ronin to have more impactful bass.

Now that I think about it, I actually have to agree with you: Ronin's bass has more impact. Please excuse the confusion: I was confusing "quantity" with "quality", and Ronin certainly has more "quality".

When I am in heavy listening mode, I listen to 3-4 different IEMS / headphones a day over 6-8 hours. So, I am constantly a/b testing things to determine what I like more and why. Lately, I have dialed it back quite a bit and just focus on a small subset.

I never get to listen to music that long. And I find your approach quite fascinating, only I wouldn't have that much patience.

I have always been, a one flagship TOTL person. When I enjoy something, I want to enjoy it to the full extent and maximize it's value. At least until, something else comes along and dethrones it, in which case, I'll cycle it out but I wont' be the type to have multiple TOTL sets.

Yep, that's how I've always thought too. On the other hand, I've often looked for something new in music listening in the past, getting bored of the same IEM. With this in mind, I had decided to try to have more than one IEM. What I find so exciting about Mentor and Viking Ragnar is how starkly different they reproduce the music. Honestly, the music changes completely with the other IEM. But right now I'm very fixated on Mentor and I'm kind of hoping that I'll get bored of it soon so I'll finally want to listen to Viking Ragnar again .

 

[CodenameBK201]

I tend to have one set-up for each use case scenario:

1) Desk - reference/all-rounder - highest end DAP I can afford -> TOTL cable -> TOTL IEM.
2) Out and about - more fun signature - requires good bass and good seal - really good DAP -> really good IEMs (most likely single or all DD)
3) Gym/working out - good sound but durable, cheap, can be replaced easily - Apple dongle -> upgraded cable but low cost -> best budget IEMs..

So for me right now, this equates to:

1) Hiby RS8 -> Stock Fir Cable -> RN6
2) Cayin N7 9 (incoming) -> EA Cleo II Octa -> MM Eclipse
3) iPhone 14Pro - Apple dongle -> Tripowin Petrichor -> CCA CRA+

Hope that helps...

I literally cannot upvote this enough. You're speaking my language here.

 

[zikarus]

... The thought of any timeline where I don't own my music and some big corporation has the ability to yank it away from their library at any time is downright dystopian.

I can feel you. As can my wallet.

Though I love and would not want to miss Qobuz I recently bought a second NAS to backup my collection which has grown to large to get lost... It's simply not to big to fail but - like the UBS after buying the Credit Suisse - to big to bail

 

[Andricop]

Fantastic look from your EM10, have you been listening to the latest high end iems? how does your EM10 behave against this?

Haven't listen to them lately though I listened to the Grace which are supposed to be the universal model of the EM10 and still really like them very much.
I think it's still a fantastic all rounder especially at that price now when you see TOTL price. EM10 is out from 2017 and price has only increased by 200 € since and it's because they added a second 8 wire balanced cable in the box.
IMO they are highly underrated. Earsonics have also an excellent customer service.
Great review of the EM10 from @davidmolliere here

 

[Delitia]

Well said. I used to write car reviews and it's very similar - you can get all the info you want from a review and specs, but you won't know a car until you've driven it. Some people love Corvettes, but every single one of them I've driven feels like its trying to kill me - subjective take. That goes for every performance car from Chevy I've driven except for the Camaro ZL1

As a 2019 Camaro 2SS owner, I agree, but part of the fun of the corvettes is the feeling like it's trying to kill you and then doing 150 in it on a track. I still really want to drive the new m C8 badly, one day hopefully.

 

[Garney]

I tend to have one set-up for each use case scenario:

1) Desk - reference/all-rounder - highest end DAP I can afford -> TOTL cable -> TOTL IEM.
2) Out and about - more fun signature - requires good bass and good seal - really good DAP -> really good IEMs (most likely single or all DD)
3) Gym/working out - good sound but durable, cheap, can be replaced easily - Apple dongle -> upgraded cable but low cost -> best budget IEMs..

So for me right now, this equates to:

1) Hiby RS8 -> Stock Fir Cable -> RN6
2) Cayin N7 9 (incoming) -> EA Cleo II Octa -> MM Eclipse
3) iPhone 14Pro - Apple dongle -> Tripowin Petrichor -> CCA CRA+

Hope that helps...

This is similar to how I approach my stable as well. Seems to work quite well.

Desk / office - Shanling M9 -> Stock FiR Cable -> Rn6
Home office - above or Modi 3 -> Asgard 3 -> Meze Empyrean
Travel / out and about - iBasso DX300 -> Satin Audio Hyperion 6-wire -> 64A Nio w/M20 module
Gym/biking/yard work - iPhone -> AirPods Pro

I agree. Trifecta has the largest sound stage. Switching between RN6 and Trifecta really highlights the difference in these sets. You can really hear the difference in the speed of the drivers. The contrast is actually amazing.

The more I read about it the more I want to hear Trifecta. I know it's a divisive set but that makes me almost want to hear it more. I don't think it'll be a good fit for a large portion of my library but I do think it would make for a nice companion to Rn6 as a different flavor. The 3 DD configuration is very enticing as is the described soundstage.

Pivoting a bit, I know we mostly focus on portable kit here and that's what I'm using a majority of the time as well but I have to say I've been really enjoying the Meze Empyrean this past week since picking them up. Blaming @Scuba Devils for putting the headphone bug in my brain with his D9200 posts and @MatW for humoring my headphone inquiries. I love how easy these are to drive. Shanling M9 in headphone mode has no issues pushing these whatsoever. Stunning build quality as well and uber comfortable.

These and potential future headphones will by no means supplant IEMs and portable audio gear for me but I'm certainly enjoying the ability to mix things up when the mood strikes.

 

[552609]

As a 2019 Camaro 2SS owner, I agree, but part of the fun of the corvettes is the feeling like it's trying to kill you and then doing 150 in it on a track. I still really want to drive the new m C8 badly, one day hopefully.

Yeah, the C8 has my interest, but I'll take something from Porsche or a GT-R over anything from Chevy still. There's also some bad blood in my family with GM, but that's personal - and impacts how I feel about their cars not at all. Also, having driven multiple other rear-wheel drive cars that compete with the Corvettes, they can all put the power down better without trying to kill you (the 2016 BMW M4 needed MORE power haha) - I don't like stomping on the gas and sliding sideways towards the on-ramp wall when I'm already going 30 - not my thing. YMMVAAT .

 

[Andricop]

I sense an upcoming Scubi… while awaiting a bite on my DX320X, I made the schoolboy error of firing it up again yesterday and this evening with Serratus while working - really fantastic together, and I do love this DAP… as per @PeacockObscura, I actually love having a wide selection of DAPs to choose from, even my old ZX300 has been called for duty again recently while out walking. I’m doing a great job here of convincing myself

What's the pen on your desk? Looks nice!

 

[maegnificant]

I tend to have one set-up for each use case scenario:

1) Desk - reference/all-rounder - highest end DAP I can afford -> TOTL cable -> TOTL IEM.
2) Out and about - more fun signature - requires good bass and good seal - really good DAP -> really good IEMs (most likely single or all DD)
3) Gym/working out - good sound but durable, cheap, can be replaced easily - Apple dongle -> upgraded cable but low cost -> best budget IEMs..

So for me right now, this equates to:

1) Hiby RS8 -> Stock Fir Cable -> RN6
2) Cayin N7 9 (incoming) -> EA Cleo II Octa -> MM Eclipse
3) iPhone 14Pro - Apple dongle -> Tripowin Petrichor -> CCA CRA+

Hope that helps...

I am trying to play ball here, my three most used setups (stereo for listening with friends or during my workout etc. not included and I have no money or will to spare for cables or DAPs):


1) At Home, in bed, best, most accurate and also relaxing feeling sound to me:

Poweramp (Android 13) -> Moondrop Dawn Dongle -> TGX Carbon

2) Listening in my garden in the sunshine or other scenarios at home where I need noise blockage

Onkyo HF Player/Shanling M0Pro -> U18s with foam tips and M20 Apex Module

I am still experimenting with the U18s from time to time, but I really like the most closed off sound.

3) Outside, riding my bike to work, blocking wind noise while retaining a balanced signature with good mids:

Onkyo HF Player/Shanling M0Pro -> Bluetooth (not working on MO Pro) or Cable -> Shure SE846 with red Filter and Foam Tips


Also I use both U18s and SE846 with my Roland KV27 drumkit, but I will probably stay with the SE846 since its sound works so well.
The SE846 had the most jaw-dropping brain-burn-in effect for me so far. The signature sound is very unique and works really well.

 

[phiemon]

What's the pen on your desk? Looks nice!

@Scuba Devils Rotring 800? (https://amzn.eu/d/hUWakis)

 

[wazzupi]

As a 2019 Camaro 2SS owner, I agree, but part of the fun of the corvettes is the feeling like it's trying to kill you and then doing 150 in it on a track. I still really want to drive the new m C8 badly, one day hopefully.

I hope you got magnetic ride control xD

 

[wazzupi]

Yeah, the C8 has my interest, but I'll take something from Porsche or a GT-R over anything from Chevy still. There's also some bad blood in my family with GM, but that's personal - and impacts how I feel about their cars not at all. Also, having driven multiple other rear-wheel drive cars that compete with the Corvettes, they can all put the power down better without trying to kill you (the 2016 BMW M4 needed MORE power haha) - I don't like stomping on the gas and sliding sideways towards the on-ramp wall when I'm already going 30 - not my thing. YMMVAAT .

I fear this is user error...

XD

 

[Scubadevils]

What's the pen on your desk? Looks nice!

Rotring 800 - I love pens too!

 

[Scubadevils]

@Scuba Devils Rotring 800? (https://amzn.eu/d/hUWakis)

Well spotted!