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

[Tex Irie]

Mine is still a keeper – portability, power with AMP12, warm CL DAC – despite having less playtime among my Ti bricks.

Oh I'm still keeping mine but definitely looking for something with more resolution and engaging qualities. I am strongly considering the Shanling M9+, Sony NW-WM1ZM2, or a Chord Hugo 2 for my IEMs.

 

[Valrhona]

I actually used Phil Phone created by @Zerousen. It is the best tuned bass oriented headphone on the market imho.



The IEM I use for 90s hip hop Trifecta, it pulls ahead of XE6 and Legend X easily due to its 3D sound, texture and massive slam.

A man loves gold. Eva Mendes was gold in Training Day.

 

[tjzurlaaa]

Oh I'm still keeping mine but definitely looking for something with more resolution and engaging qualities. I am strongly considering the Shanling M9+, Sony NW-WM1ZM2, or a Chord Hugo 2 for my IEMs.

If you hate sibilance the Sony wm1zm2 has been a savior for me

 

[chickenmcnug]

They absolutely do, Ken Ball used the golden brick as his reference equipment when tuning Trifecta.

Kind of feels like he tunes everything with the brick, the OG Solaris sounded perfect with it, matched visually as well
I miss this combo..

*pic borrowed from @twister6's review*

 

[Tex Irie]

Anyone here owned the NW-WM1ZM2 and Hugo 2? If so which one did you prefer and why?

 

[tjzurlaaa]

Anyone here owned the NW-WM1ZM2 and Hugo 2? If so which one did you prefer and why?

Sony is smooth and thiccc sounding, chord is clean thin and detailed very different but both super good and nice compliments to each other

 

[bigbeans]

Anyone here owned the NW-WM1ZM2 and Hugo 2? If so which one did you prefer and why?

That's like comparing trucks vs cars as they are different with the source. Hugo 2 has no screen and the 2go device is quite terrible and frustrating. As a DAC/amp, Hugo 2 has better dynamics and resolution across the board, Hugo 2 still competes with the best gear today. I use it side by side my DMP Z1. Keep in mind sensitive gear like Campfire Audio iems do not work well with Hugo 2, hiss abound.

WM1ZM2, nothing can replace the Sony sound. The mids are unmatched, Hugo 2 doesn't have the mid layering or subtle warmth the Sony has. If you are all about mids, no contest 1ZM2 will make you feel more. While the 1ZM2 won't give you the sheer power of Hugo 2, you won't have 'hiss' issues with sensitive iems.

It's apples and oranges imho. If you are looking solely at sound quality and don't care that much for mids, Hugo 2. Otherwise, 1ZM2 all thw way.

 

[Auricon]

Oh I'm still keeping mine but definitely looking for something with more resolution and engaging qualities. I am strongly considering the Shanling M9+, Sony NW-WM1ZM2, or a Chord Hugo 2 for my IEMs.

I was going to say @Damz87's N30LE but sold.

 

[RonaldS86]

I was going to say @Damz87's N30LE but sold.

That was fast

 

[Tex Irie]

That's like comparing trucks vs cars as they are different with the source. Hugo 2 has no screen and the 2go device is quite terrible and frustrating. As a DAC/amp, Hugo 2 has better dynamics and resolution across the board, Hugo 2 still competes with the best gear today. I use it side by side my DMP Z1. Keep in mind sensitive gear like Campfire Audio iems do not work well with Hugo 2, hiss abound.

WM1ZM2, nothing can replace the Sony sound. The mids are unmatched, Hugo 2 doesn't have the mid layering or subtle warmth the Sony has. If you are all about mids, no contest 1ZM2 will make you feel more. While the 1ZM2 won't give you the sheer power of Hugo 2, you won't have 'hiss' issues with sensitive iems.

It's apples and oranges imho. If you are looking solely at sound quality and don't care that much for mids, Hugo 2. Otherwise, 1ZM2 all thw way.

Thank you @bigbeans & @tjzurlaaa! These answers are very helpful. I can rule out the Hugo 2.. I know my listening habits well enough to say that the Hugo 2 would annoy me long term. I heard the Hugo 2 with IEMs for the first time at the show.. Fantastic piece of equipment.. It was resolving but didn't have the density of something like the Mojo v1. I prefer warmer sources. So it would seem the Sony or Shanling would be the best option for me.

 

[bigbeans]

Thank you @bigbeans & @tjzurlaaa! These answers are very helpful. I can rule out the Hugo 2.. I know my listening habits well enough to say that the Hugo 2 would annoy me long term. I heard the Hugo 2 with IEMs for the first time at the show.. Fantastic piece of equipment.. It was resolving but didn't have the density of something like the Mojo v1. I prefer warmer sources. So it would seem the Sony or Shanling would be the best option for me.

I would recc the Shanling M9+ if it's your main/only DAP. I would be annoyed at the power output of 1ZM2 limiting what gear I can use with it. For eg, don't even think of using Grand Maestro or Nightjar Duality w/ Impedance adapters with 1ZM2. With M9+, you can buy any IEM on the market and have no worries about power. Sony DAPs are great as a second/third/fourth/Ihaveaproblem DAP.

 

[Tex Irie]

I would recc the Shanling M9+ if it's your main/only DAP. I would be annoyed at the power output of 1ZM2 limiting what gear I can use with it. For eg, don't even think of using Grand Maestro or Nightjar Duality w/ Impedance adapters with 1ZM2. With M9+, you can buy any IEM on the market and have no worries about power. Sony DAPs are great as a second/third/fourth/Ihaveaproblem DAP.

It would be my new main over my DX300. I don't really consider any of my current IEMs difficult to drive, but extra power is always welcome and greatly appreciated.

 

[tjzurlaaa]

I would recc the Shanling M9+ if it's your main/only DAP. I would be annoyed at the power output of 1ZM2 limiting what gear I can use with it. For eg, don't even think of using Grand Maestro or Nightjar Duality w/ Impedance adapters with 1ZM2. With M9+, you can buy any IEM on the market and have no worries about power. Sony DAPs are great as a second/third/fourth/Ihaveaproblem DAP.

I have not heard the Shanling m9+ but I heard nothing but good things, and I love the m3 ultra/m6 ultra I can only imagine how good the m9+ is

 

[lllEvo]

Does XE6 have better Sub Bass as compared to the Singularity. Any other IEM at XE6 level which can be good for Hip - Hop?

Not sure if you were into ciems, but Fitear DC kinda fits right in between RN6 and XE6, in musicality, details, bass quantity.

 

[deep2285]

Anyone here owned the NW-WM1ZM2 and Hugo 2? If so which one did you prefer and why?

Sajid Amit owned both