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

[tjzurlaaa]

I don't think you should fry your brain over it. From everything I have read so far about the Aura and Annihilator, it seems to me that their presentations are quite different.

I am pretty sure that Aura will be better on some tracks and Annihilator on others.

Does it sound fair?

Yeah, definitely track specific as well and I was just having fun with it. I don’t mind frying my brain That’s why I spend so much money on this stuff.. musical pleasure and mad science

 

[deep2285]

Yeah, definitely track specific as well and I was just having fun with it. I don’t mind frying my brain That’s why I spend so much money on this stuff.. musical pleasure and mad science

I totally get it. I am slowly marching myself into this territory by the end of the year and as fun as it sounds, it is a bit terrifying

 

[eruilluvitar]

External DAP –> LO 4.4mm –> Cayin C9 in Tube mode

I can't speak to the other chain, but I can tell you that the C9, while it sounds really good, is quite a pain to live with. Its recharging/grounding circuitry is pretty convoluted, and if you don't use it often enough, you'll need to replace all the batteries every time you want to turn it on. You can't charge both it and your source device simultaneously - if you do, it forms a really severe ground loop. That being said, its class a solid state mode is among the best portable solid state modes I've heard to date. The tube mode isn't as tubey as, say, the WA23, but it's pretty decent. Overall, I'd rate the C9 a 5.5/10 - 4.5/5 for SQ and 1/5 for liveability.

 

[eruilluvitar]

Getting in a quick workout by the water. Great way to rest my mind.




Oh, and Top 3 currently, in alphabetical order:

AüR Audio Aurora - warm-neutral hybrid

Night Oblivion Butastur - neutral-bright all BA

Sennheiser IE600 - energetic V-shaped single DD

I'm curious: what tips are you using on the IE600? SpinFit?

 

[WDitters]

I can't speak to the other chain, but I can tell you that the C9, while it sounds really good, is quite a pain to live with. Its recharging/grounding circuitry is pretty convoluted, and if you don't use it often enough, you'll need to replace all the batteries every time you want to turn it on. You can't charge both it and your source device simultaneously - if you do, it forms a really severe ground loop. That being said, its class a solid state mode is among the best portable solid state modes I've heard to date. The tube mode isn't as tubey as, say, the WA23, but it's pretty decent. Overall, I'd rate the C9 a 5.5/10 - 4.5/5 for SQ and 1/5 for liveability.

Thanks . I heard stories about that indeed, but I also know that I will never do simultaneous charging .. And would be using it on a daily basis .. Fingers crossed I guess

 

[Animagus]

Hey guys! Just published a review of 4 premium cables from Astral Acoustics' lineup - Eclipse, Reference Silver, Pulse and Voyager. If you haven't come across Astral Acoustics before, they are a cable brand based out of Hong Kong and make some of the supplest and most comfortable premium litz cables that have the least amount of downward pull I've had the pleasure of trying. I've included several pair-up impressions with popular IEMs as well as ideal pairing recommendations for each cable in the article. Have a read and let me know if you have any questions about 'em. Cheers!

Brand Spotlight - Astral Acoustics Cables

 

[maegnificant]

Nothing has changed, as I have not purchased anything new:

1. Shure KSE-1200 (with Crinacle Target EQ)
2. Goldplanar GL-AMT16
3. Shure SE846 (white filter and Crinacle Target EQ)

 

[named name]

…it's time for our seasonal 3 IEMs that own your heart at this moment poll. I'm not looking for your all time favorite 3 or anything (though of course you can submit those if you want). This poll is more meant to take the temp of the Watercooler at this moment in time.

Go!

Rn6 - getting most of my ear time
DC Ti - recently demo’ed again
VE X - want to hear again

 

[chickenmcnug]

Remember lads, though it's Head-Fi and through all the shiny toys, remember why we're all here in the first place, to enjoy the music.
No need to explode your head over which is better.

 

[Tex Irie]

Early days for me but it's a stunningly beautiful pairup. I haven't heard the 21 Anni since I owned it last year and from memory the 23 seems to fix what was the only real issue with that IEM-- the bass. Previously it was what I would call "minimally acceptable" but here it's something of a highlight. Tighter, better extended, more present. Annihilator doesn't "need" lots of power but it sure does benefit from it. Trhough the RS8 on high gain/turbo it makes for a hell of an experience. RS8 has a really natural, analogue, authoritative yet liquid tonality that suits this IEM like a charm.

In other news we're two weeks into fall and two days past CanJam SoCal-- it's time for our seasonal 3 IEMs that own your heart at this moment poll. I'm not looking for your all time favorite 3 or anything (though of course you can submit those if you want). This poll is more meant to take the temp of the Watercooler at this moment in time.

Go!

1. Kinera Imperial Loki (Green)
2. Aroma Audio Fei Wan
3. Noble Audio Viking Ragnar

I would have listed more, because I demoed a lot at the show that resonated with me. I definitely like what the Aroma Jewel, 64 Audio U18s, QDC Anole V14, Unique Melody MEST MKIII, Unique Melody Amber Pearl, Hifiman Svanar, Westone Mach 80, Noble Kublai Khan, and Fat Freq Grand Maestro bring to the table; Differing presentations that all evoke emotions...

I have a newfound respect for Aroma Audio. I wouldn't mind spending more time with the Jewel and Fei Wan.

 

[eruilluvitar]

Thanks . I heard stories about that indeed, but I also know that I rarely will do simultaneous charging .. And would be using it on a daily basis .. Fingers crossed I guess

Well, if you're interested in it, I'll happily sell you mine. I'll also include a new set of replacement batteries, since the ones already in it are almost certainly dead by now

 

[Piotr Michalak]

DC Ti

Just learned about this. Where to order a ciem? Jaben Singapore?
Anybody has a measurement? Or impressions?
Titanium shell in custom is my dream come true.

 

[eruilluvitar]

Also, does anyone know how to get the CanJam badges on their profile? I should have 3, but I have none

 

[weexisttocease]

Just learned about this. Where to order a ciem? Jaben Singapore?
Anybody has a measurement? Or impressions?
Titanium shell in custom is my dream come true.

Probably from Jaben SG but I believe it's a complicated process. Fit ear doesn't accept STL files, so you will need to send them the physical impressions. If it's not acceptable for the CIEM they will ask for new impressions.

 

[kajetanjazz]

if you don't use it often enough, you'll need to replace all the batteries every time you want to turn it on. You can't charge both it and your source device simultaneously - if you do, it forms a really severe ground loop

Hmm I’ve really rarely used my unit in past months, sometimes not for a week or two and not single time it had any glitch. For the charging I imagine it’d be pretty unhealthy anyway charging and playing at the same time, since C9 as class A amp gets quite hot on itself

With WA8 I find it a big problem since it has only 4h battery life and no dedicated desktop mode… With how hot it gets and adding charging to it, that’s brutal