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

[aaf evo]

Based on how you like Fugaku, which one is closer to your preference between Moses and Satin?

From what I read about Moses, and the driver configuration, I have impression this IEM may sound a little bit similar to Alter Ego (IEM that I truly like), but with more advantage in technicalities.

Well let's remove Fugaku from the equation because IMO nothing sounds like it... haha. I guess if I have to give an answer I'd say the Moses, but they're quite different sounds. The mids on the Satin sounded bigger and more spacious by having less bass and treble/BCD. The Moses is more U shaped in comparison. I get the Moses demo tomorrow.

Moses is definitely brighter than Alter Ego, I know that for sure. It's got an "Elysian-esc" type vibe to it's tuning, whereas I found Alter Ego more warm and relaxed.

 

[Audioenophile]

Hey everyone. For an IEM-only listener, can you recommend a desktop DAC/AMP for use with IEMs like the 2023 Anni & PMG APX SE, for example? I know I don't need one, but when I'm at home, I feel like I should be getting the best out of my IEMs. Considering just Amps too. I loved the L&P EA4, if that gives an idea of price point, but then I would always need to use my DC-Elite and iPhone as the source. I think that's a fine option too, but considering DAC/AMP combo now as well.

I don't think I need a DAP. I feel like I would be spending extra $ for portability and music file storage that I do not need. Unless someone here begs to differ.

I'm not interested in a stack at this time either. This would be for my desk and I do not have that kind of real estate.

I'm currently using a Sound Tiger Potenza with the DC-Elite and/or Nunchaku with my iPhone. It sounds great, but hearing the L&P EA4 made me want better. I'm also occasionally using my Musical Fidelity MX-HPA, but it sounds pretty beefy with the APX SE. It adds a lot of bass and fills out the lower mids a lot. Great for brighter IEMs though, and it's pretty powerful.

I will likely sell both the Potenza and the MX-HPA soon. Maybe the Nunchaku as well. Trying to unload multiple small items to invest in a better desktop setup.

I would be grateful for any advice.

Edit: Forgot to mention that I also have my old A&K SP1000M. I could use that as the source to an amp instead of buying another DAP. I should have sold the A&K when it was worth something.

Thanks!

 

[TheMiddleSky]

Well let's remove Fugaku from the equation because IMO nothing sounds like it... haha. I guess if I have to give an answer I'd say the Moses, but they're quite different sounds. The mids on the Satin sounded bigger and more spacious by having less bass and treble. The Moses is more U shaped in comparison. I get the Moses demo tomorrow.

Moses is definitely brighter than Alter Ego, I know that for sure. It's got an "Elysian-esc" type vibe to it's tuning, whereas I found Alter Ego more warm and relaxed.

My bad about Fugaku, I shouldn't did that

Interesting that Satin actually less treble than Moses, I thought the other way around. Satin at CJ NY supposed to be the final tuning I guess?

Yeah Alter Ego is pretty relax, currently I like Brise Shirogane paired with it (from a person that have hard time to like pure silver cable, but this pairing is exceptional)

 

[theveterans]

Hey everyone. For an IEM-only listener, can you recommend a desktop DAC/AMP for use with IEMs like the 2023 Anni & PMG APX SE, for example? I know I don't need one, but when I'm at home, I feel like I should be getting the best out of my IEMs. Considering just Amps too. I loved the L&P EA4, if that gives an idea of price point, but then I would always need to use my DC-Elite and iPhone as the source. I think that's a fine option too, but considering DAC/AMP combo now as well.

I don't think I need a DAP. I feel like I would be spending extra $ for portability and music file storage that I do not need. Unless someone here begs to differ.

I'm not interested in a stack at this time either. This would be for my desk and I do not have that kind of real estate.

I'm currently using a Sound Tiger Potenza with the DC-Elite and/or Nunchaku with my iPhone. It sounds great, but hearing the L&P EA4 made me want better. I'm also occasionally using my Musical Fidelity MX-HPA, but it sounds pretty beefy with the APX SE. It adds a lot of bass and fills out the lower mids a lot. Great for brighter IEMs though, and it's pretty powerful.

I will likely sell both the Potenza and the MX-HPA soon. Maybe the Nunchaku as well. Trying to unload multiple small items to invest in a better desktop setup.

I would be grateful for any advice.

Thanks!

IMHO, DAC/amps from an iPhone is a sound compromise compared to a DAP. iPhone's USB-C out is too noisy that you lose a lot of nuances of a great DAP

 

[Audioenophile]

IMHO, DAC/amps from an iPhone is a sound compromise compared to a DAP. iPhone's USB-C out is too noisy that you lose a lot of nuances of a great DAP

Solid argument for sure. Thank you!

 

[domq422]

IMHO, DAC/amps from an iPhone is a sound compromise compared to a DAP. iPhone's USB-C out is too noisy that you lose a lot of nuances of a great DAP

Is that true? For some reason I've never heard this before... If I'm using a dongle or a BT dongle, is it the same story to your knowledge?

 

[aaf evo]

My bad about Fugaku, I shouldn't did that

Interesting that Satin actually less treble than Moses, I thought the other way around. Satin at CJ NY supposed to be the final tuning I guess?

Yeah Alter Ego is pretty relax, currently I like Brise Shirogane paired with it (from a person that have hard time to like pure silver cable, but this pairing is exceptional)

I heard Satin as a little bright but Moses as more energetic overall once you creep up into that upper mid range. Perhaps the Moses upper mids make the treble less present to my ear? I never got to compare them side by side. For me the Moses had a considerable amount of bass, upper mid, and treble detail, whereas the Satin the mids felt more organic with a tiny bit of treble lift that sat right on the edge of my sensitivity.

The Moses was fun but it had all the refinement to make it not sound sloppy either... I really don't know how else to describe it without just saying it sounds Elysian. I can elaborate more tomorrow though when I get the demo!

 

[nikbr]

634Ears Loak2 TX01

These have recently joined me and I love them. How much more versatile can a single DD get? Covering so much ground, being either calm, delicate and rich like a burgundy tuxedo'ed gentleman or vibrant, energetic and playful as a tank topped teenager.

 

[theveterans]

Is that true? For some reason I've never heard this before... If I'm using a dongle or a BT dongle, is it the same story to your knowledge?

Nope. my opinion only. YMMV as always. It stemmed from Chord Mojo days of noisy USB/lightning out from iPhones. I prefer to have peace of mind of getting rid of noise by using a dedicated DAP altogether. There's nothing wrong with not being able to hear the difference between BT and wired IMHO

 

[TheMiddleSky]

I heard Satin as a little bright but Moses as more energetic overall once you creep up into that upper mid range. Perhaps the Moses upper mids make the treble less present to my ear? I never got to compare them side by side. For me the Moses had a considerable amount of bass, upper mid, and treble detail, whereas the Satin the mids felt more organic with a tiny bit of treble lift that sat right on the edge of my sensitivity.

The Moses was fun but it had all the refinement to make it not sound sloppy either... I really don't know how else to describe it without just saying it sounds Elysian. I can elaborate more tomorrow though when I get the demo!

Thanks man. I quite like Midrange area, so Quill is so interesting for me. Actually the way you wrote sound like "Elysian' helped a lot haha.

 

[drftr]

playful as a tank topped teenager.

I think you posted the wrong pic?

drftr

 

[zlayde]

Solid argument for sure. Thank you!

My suggestion: dx180 in DAC mode is a very nicely resolving DAC into an amp. It's also very reasonably priced.

 

[baneand]

Saw this is selling on Reddit maybe it is someone from here - Jupiter Audio Visionary Origin but I cannot find any info on this, neither where it sells. And seems to fall into higher end of spectrum, anyone has more info maybe

 

[Audioenophile]

My suggestion: dx180 in DAC mode is a very nicely resolving DAC into an amp. It's also very reasonably priced.

Forgot to mention that I also have my old A&K SP1000M. I could use that as the source to an amp instead of buying another DAP. I should have sold the A&K when it was worth something.

 

[THE 001 Music]

Forgot to mention that I also have my old A&K SP1000M. I could use that as the source to an amp instead of buying another DAP. I should have sold the A&K when it was worth something.

In this case, I would suggest the iFi Phantom, because it sports several features that are beneficial for IEM use, such as "IEMatch", "XBass", and earphone-friendly outputs (3.5 and 4.4mm).
Of course, it is recommended for those who use headphones as well as earphones, and moreso, for those who own electrostatics (as do I), due to its cost and its power.

Reverend Dr. Thomas,
The Vegan Vicar
THE 001 Music (ministry)