[endless402]

I’m guilty of it myself. I have listened to Raven and RN6 (while I had it) quite a bit on my desktop and it’s glorious. Sometimes, despite how comfy my Meze’s are, I just don’t want to wear headphones.

agreed. some of us just dont like to wear full sized headphones at the desk all the time, especially at the office
there's just much more value in desktop gear

 

[drftr]

agreed. some of us just dont like to wear full sized headphones at the desk all the time, especially at the office
there's just much more value in desktop gear

Funny thing is that 2 or so years ago I enquired if anyone ever tried a desktop setup with their IEMs and nobody (except @aaf evo) was even interested in the question. I return to HF 1.5 years later and suddenly it's the best thing since sliced bread! Go figure. Still nobody tried Wadia, right?

drftr

 

[szore]

Cross-post for all interested headfier.

A&K SP3000 vs Shanling M9+

Disclaimer: I only received the M9+ yesterday afternoon. I notice the signature is still changing, it hasn't had a burn-in yet. I won't go into details because that would really take too long. Impressions are pretty mixed so far, it is too early to make a safe decision.

Basically, both are quite different. About the signature: the SP3000 is neutral-warm, the M9+ is warmer. The M9+ has a stronger bass foundation and more sub-bass and mid-bass punch with longer note delay. The SP3000 is a little lighter in the lower end. The transition from sub-bass to mid-bass is faster, so the note delay is quicker. This means a little more texture and resolution in this area. The mids/vocals and upper mids of the SP3000 are brighter, clearer, more dominant and with more resolution. However, I'm not so sure that this is such a positive thing. In fact, this aspect always bothered me and I tried not to focus on it because I didn't want to change the DAP. But now this could potentially even be a dealbreaker for me. Because, watch out here: 1. bright, clear and dominant vocals sometimes sound a bit strident. This is very clear with Mentor. In fact, there are some tracks and artists (e.g. Muse, Cocteau Twins, Kölsch, CamelPath, Rüfüs du Sol) that I simply can't listen to, it just bothers me. 2. and my second dealbreaker is connected to this point: when the mids and upper mids are so dominant, they rob the scene in the bottom end and the air in the top end. This is particularly noticeable in the soundstage: the focus is on the mids and the volume is geared towards them. As a result, information is lost in the background (i.e. again: in the bass and treble range). The soundstage sounds like it's lacking, precisely because the mids are dominant. This is particularly noticeable when you compare the SP3000 with the M9+. However, I particularly like the treble. They are clear and defined. The contrast with the bass range is quite good, but not with the mid range, as this is already bright per se. That's why some music (in which the mids and treble are bright and forward) simply doesn't sound good, it just bothers me.

Now comes the M9+. The sound is in the analog and emotional range. I have already written about the bass foundation. The mids are warmer than on the SP3000 and (only!) a little more in the background. The highs are smoother. This results in a full-body sound. This has the advantage of great immersion in the music. The soundstage here is really incredible. It is notably larger in three dimensions than the SP3000 and above all more holographic, there is also more air in between. I had such "wow" moments earlier with the Xe6 and Mentor that I never had with the SP3000. Everything melts together here, there is no dominance of the mids and no element in the frequency range that somehow interferes. In this sense, the M9+ is more coherent. Fir Audios sound so freaking good. The music is a single flow and you swim in it. What I would like to see is more energy on top, then the M9+ would really be perfect. But it's still too early to draw any conclusions as the device is still new. The sound will certainly continue to change.

By the way: now I understand why I couldn't like the Traillii: bright and dominant upper mids - yep, just like the SP3000, you've been paying attention! Too bad I don't have it anymore, I'm very sure that Traillii with the M9+ would have been a really good pairing! Still: Mentor tends to be sibillant with the SP3000 (again: upper mids/lower treble), but with the M9+ it sounds really good. The same applies to Anni. Yep, that's real: stronger AMP, the M9+ drives Anni better than SP3000.

Further, the M9+ has a total of 4 gains and the difference between them is audible and I swear I can hear the difference between the filters - I even tested it blind!

I do not consider other aspects (build, UI, etc.).

Sorry for linguistic and conceptual errors, I wrote from the gut without thinking.

I am still in love with my Shanling M8; tons of power, drives my Aryas beautifully.

 

[aaf evo]

Funny thing is that 2 or so years ago I enquired if anyone ever tried a desktop setup with their IEMs and nobody (except @aaf evo) was even interested in the question. I return to HF 1.5 years later and suddenly it's the best thing since sliced bread! Go figure. Still nobody tried Wadia, right?

drftr

Heh I tried it to an extent! It’s just not for me. Right now I’m going through my “convenience is my priority” phase so I’m pretty content with the WM1Z-M2.

In unrelated news, I just spent Thursday through today at Disney World with my fam. This place never gets old and the Disney magic is addicting.

Here’s a few random photos. EPCOT center is definitely my favorite Disney park.



I even got to see a huge sized Fei Wan logo!



The World Showcase at night… #IYKYK



Now I’m sat in the United lounge with an hour and a half to kill before I board my flight back to Houston, at least I have this drowning out the ambient noise in here.



Flights booked again to return at the end of February but to Universal resort, so until next time Orlando!

 

[SweetCans928]

Okay, so now my mission is to search for a tips that allows for a deeper insertion but comfortable for long listening session then. But still, I feel there's something missing when I compared their stock AZLA tips to a less firm eartips like Baroque

You might also try Spinfit Omni and CP1025, Azla Sedna MAX, or any other tips that have a shorter profile and/or a short stem. If you can get your hands on some "petal" tips that are included with the MEST MK3(I don't know if they might be available separately), they are designed to get the body of the IEM making contact with your skin as much as possible.

 

[Scubadevils]

Loki arrived - I’ll need better light / daylight to capture the beauty, but certainly one of the most stunning sets I’ve had the pleasure of laying my eyes/hands on - they feel such high quality, almost like smooth marble to touch. The unboxing experience is second to none too - beautiful case, unbelievable selection of tips, and two cables - stock Kinera and an EA, by all accounts the stock is better suited.

I’m too busy now admiring them to even listen

 

[Deezel177]

Would a custom sleeve work perhaps?


I'd go for durian-mustard ice cream!

drftr

They probably should. Both UM and EE have BCD customs (though EE’s are artist-only and currently unreleased), so they should certainly work.

Funny thing is that 2 or so years ago I enquired if anyone ever tried a desktop setup with their IEMs and nobody (except @aaf evo) was even interested in the question. I return to HF 1.5 years later and suddenly it's the best thing since sliced bread! Go figure. Still nobody tried Wadia, right?

drftr

I’ve always equated IEMs to on-the-go use. Even when I’m listening in the house, I wanna pace around and not be tethered to a monolith on my desk. Unfortunately, the rising power requirements brought on by Sonion’s e-stats have kinda necessitated such set-ups for certain IEMs. I’m fortunate that I’ve usually preferred in-ears that happened to also be easier to drive. My top 3 this year (Fei Wan, VE X and 622B) don’t have e-stats at all.

 

[drftr]

They probably should. Both UM and EE have BCD customs (though EE’s are artist-only and currently unreleased), so they should certainly work.


I’ve always equated IEMs to on-the-go use. Even when I’m listening in the house, I wanna pace around and not be tethered to a monolith on my desk. Unfortunately, the rising power requirements brought on by Sonion’s e-stats have kinda necessitated such set-ups for certain IEMs. I’m fortunate that I’ve usually preferred in-ears that happened to also be easier to drive. My top 3 this year (Fei Wan, VE X and 622B) don’t have e-stats at all.

I'm not an e-stat lover at all and have the latter 2 on my wish list for demos

drftr

 

[szore]

Unless the power conditioner is rated for high current delivery, you can potentially lose a hint of dynamics from your headphone amps compared to straight to wall. This is especially more noticeable on pure Class A headphone amps.

However, if the AC line is so noisy that you hear high frequency hash that translates to slightly blanketed sound and plugging in to conditioner cleans it up then it’s 100% worth using it for your headphone amp.

This is why I use the Denefrips BIC:500 balanced transformer.

 

[Garney]

Loki arrived - I’ll need better light / daylight to capture the beauty, but certainly one of the most stunning sets I’ve had the pleasure of laying my eyes/hands on - they feel such high quality, almost like smooth marble to touch. The unboxing experience is second to none too - beautiful case, unbelievable selection of tips, and two cables - stock Kinera and an EA, by all accounts the stock is better suited.

I’m too busy now admiring them to even listen

Congrats! Love the design and colors you chose. Are those Kinera logos or did you custom spec them in?

 

[linux4ever]

Currently on AZLA SednaEarfit Light Short based on a recommendation from Jim @HiFiHawaii808 and quite happy with those regarding fit and tonality.
Haven't yet figured out if my new love results from tips or just changing over to P+ AB with AP IEM and stay away from Hyper most of the time

I'm assuming that you're referring to the hyper mode on N30LE. If so, me too. I don't use Hyper mode on it.

 

[BS5711]

There is a tweak you can do to any IEM/tip to have a deeper insertion and also improve SQ.

I have done it to RN6 and it is remarkable how it improved separation, resolution and soundstage. What i like the most is that the whole presentation became more immersive and i became more connected with the music.

It works great with IEM with longer nozzle like FIR.

The tweak, courtesy of @DaveStarWalker is to pull a short silicone ring over the nozzle.
It not only helps with a deeper insertion but also gives a better seal and improves bone conduction.

You can cut the silicone ring from the stem of a spare tip you have lying around.

pull the silicone tip on a stick or a Q-tip so you can cut it straight.


Cut two rings from the silicone tip.


Pull the ring on the IEM nozzle.
You done!


So far this tweak has done wonders to all my IEMs.
I hope you find it helpful!

Edit: after the tweak is done the only thing you have to take care when pulling the IEM from your ear,
you have to pull gently and wiggle the IEM while pulling, so the tip dont get stuck inside your ear.

I did exactly that with my IE600, the extra couple of millimetres effective nozzle length improves the fit a lot for me.

One tip, the Divinus Velvet tips have a very distinct flange at the base of the stem so on an IEM that also has a flange at the end of the nozzle the flange on the tip will lock in behind the flange on the nozzle (if the spacer is the right thickness) stopping the tip from tending to slide off and stay in your ear.

 

[Scubadevils]

Congrats! Love the design and colors you chose. Are those Kinera logos or did you custom spec them in?

Thank you, I love them! They are Kinera logos.

I tried to get a couple more shots in my kitchen - they are very hard to capture!

 

[linux4ever]

There is a tweak you can do to any IEM/tip to have a deeper insertion and also improve SQ.

I have done it to RN6 and it is remarkable how it improved separation, resolution and soundstage. What i like the most is that the whole presentation became more immersive and i became more connected with the music.

It works great with IEM with longer nozzle like FIR.

The tweak, courtesy of @DaveStarWalker is to pull a short silicone ring over the nozzle.
It not only helps with a deeper insertion but also gives a better seal and improves bone conduction.

You can cut the silicone ring from the stem of a spare tip you have lying around.

pull the silicone tip on a stick or a Q-tip so you can cut it straight.


Cut two rings from the silicone tip.


Pull the ring on the IEM nozzle.
You done!


So far this tweak has done wonders to all my IEMs.
I hope you find it helpful!

Edit: after the tweak is done the only thing you have to take care when pulling the IEM from your ear,
you have to pull gently and wiggle the IEM while pulling, so the tip dont get stuck inside your ear.

Azla Sedna Max comes with some silicone rings like them

 

[mgsu]

Azla Sedna Max comes with some silicone rings like them

Thanks bro, good to know!