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

[Mageborn23]

Well, you are comparing a specialist IEM in AP to a more generalist, more safely tuned IEM in Clara. I don't think that this is an apples to apples comparison as AP is incredible at what it does but simply doesn't work with all music genres.

I think Clara is excellent overall (briefly had Clara Ti over for a listen) as long as one owns a source, where finer volume tweaks are possible and there is no hissing. I found that it was all good with my Hugo 2 (with a bit of background hissing), Mojo 2 and DC Elite. What I found lacking in Clara was detail retrieval/resolution- I don't think the Ti is worth given the high price. I would have happily kept Clara had I ordered the resin version instead.

I completely agree about the AP, I only compared it because i happened to have it on hand. It's a loan from a friend, and he also lent me the Trailli Ti for a couple of days and the AP is tuned more to my preference. While the Trailli Ti is amazing, it's way too neutral for me.

 

[FranQL]

Superb sound....



Rhapsodio Bomber V2

 

[BORUSSIA]

I actually have the pleasure of having a Amber Pearl on loan. And I compared them. And agree with all your points. The Amber Pearl is definitely better, But comparatively to the price of the Clara, it's simply outstanding. The Amber pearl is not $6k better. For long listening sessions I would actually choose the Clara over the pearl since UM loves not to put venting holes on their iems. It can get a little fatiguing for me.

Thank you!
The AP is actually vented. The bass vent is located just under the 2 pin connectors.

 

[Stu Paddasso]

We have very different listening volumes. For me low gain (amp) and high gain (DAC) with volume around 7 is plenty loud enough, which probably makes me more sensitive to amp noise and gives me less volume control than I like.

Why would you use high gain on dap when to my understanding high gain causes more hiss?

 

[Kerouac]

Superb sound....



Rhapsodio Bomber V2

Nice! And I totally believe that that iem delivers superb sound!

Over the past days I've been listening a lot with this combination myself...

Sony ZX707 (JP) + Rhapsodio Solar (+ EA Cadmus)

I ordered these Solars during 2015 and if any of the (10BA) drivers broke down in the meantime, I certainly haven't noticed it. It still sounds fantastic to my ears after all these (10!) years! So it seems that Sammy's stuff is also build to last and I'm glad that I've never sold them

Enjoy your Bomber V2!!!

 

[aaf evo]

Why would you use high gain on dap when to my understanding high gain causes more hiss?

The high gain is for the DAC portion, not the amp.

 

[Stu Paddasso]

The high gain is for the DAC portion, not the amp.

So the gain setting has no effect on line out?

 

[aaf evo]

So the gain setting has no effect on line out?

It does but I’m confused. First you’re talking about hiss and now line out? Haha. I’m not really sure what you’re asking overall. The DAC gain makes a very very small different in overall volume output so I keep it on high regardless.

 

[Stu Paddasso]

It does but I’m confused. First you’re talking about hiss and now line out? Haha. I’m not really sure what you’re asking overall. The DAC gain makes a very very small different in overall volume output so I keep it on high regardless.

I'm not a tech. But someone here explained that it was always better to use low gain for less hiss and distortion. So everyone went to low gain and said thank you. Slowly but surely everyone went with their ears and returned to the settings that sounded best to them. I guess the moral of the story is always to trust your own ears.

 

[RTodd]

It does but I’m confused. First you’re talking about hiss and now line out? Haha. I’m not really sure what you’re asking overall. The DAC gain makes a very very small different in overall volume output so I keep it on high regardless.

That is a question I need answered for my 2 channel. The Rossini Apex DAC has 4 settings for output voltage to the preamp, default is 2V.
The highest option is 6V. Mine is set to 2V. My preamp can handle 6V though I am affraid to change it. I have a question out, and on Feb 10th DAGs president Bill will be visiting me so that would be the time to try it with his blessing. It sounds absolutely great now, totally dark, if there is no hiss in the original I do not hear one, if there is one then that recording is better not listened to with this system since it will be crystal clear, if it is coming from one of the microphones used I can isolate which one. Crazy level of detail. What raising the voltage does to the preamp circuit I just do not understand but want to, so I am asking.

 

[aaf evo]

I'm not a tech. But someone here explained that it was always better to use low gain for less hiss and distortion. So everyone went to low gain and said thank you. Slowly but surely everyone went with their ears and returned to the settings that sounded best to them. I guess the moral of the story is always to trust your own ears.

Oh right, yeah I just use low amp gain almost all the time unless it's a super power hungry IEM and I want more dramatic increases between volume steps.

 

[Mageborn23]

Thank you!
The AP is actually vented. The bass vent is located just under the 2 pin connectors.

Whoops thanks for the correction

 

[Erkil]

Hi everyone.

I hope i am on the right thread.
I need some recommendations for a IEM.

Till 100 euro( if justified can be a bit more), comfortable, with a good fit( so it is not falling easy out) good sound quality and a great looks( colorfull, with drawings).
I am like the bird, that collects nise and shiny things. I just like nice looking things, they are like small art pieces.
I will use it with the PC, maybe with mine Singxer SDA2 amp and when walking outside with a phone.

Thanks

Do you have any sound preferences? Or maybe tell what kind of music you usually listen to? Or maybe you have IEM´s already and can say how you like them?

 

[drftr]

That is a question I need answered for my 2 channel. The Rossini Apex DAC has 4 settings for output voltage to the preamp, default is 2V.
The highest option is 6V. Mine is set to 2V. My preamp can handle 6V though I am affraid to change it. I have a question out, and on Feb 10th DAGs president Bill will be visiting me so that would be the time to try it with his blessing. It sounds absolutely great now, totally dark, if there is no hiss in the original I do not hear one, if there is one then that recording is better not listened to with this system since it will be crystal clear, if it is coming from one of the microphones used I can isolate which one. Crazy level of detail. What raising the voltage does to the preamp circuit I just do not understand but want to, so I am asking.

High output voltage means less gain. Less gain means less influenced by noise as you get a blacker background / less hiss.

drftr

 

[Conan1974]

Do you have any sound preferences? Or maybe tell what kind of music you usually listen to? Or maybe you have IEM´s already and can say how you like them?

Hi
I don't have any IEM.
I listen to almost all kinds of music.
Preferences? Just clean, full sound, with crisp hights, but not sharp, voices as natural as possible. Maybe a neutral or balanced sound. With good lows, when present in the song.
I like when the things i buy, look pretty. Yes, I do buy with mine eyes
I have noticed one thing, so far. All the brands of IEM's are very difficult to find in EU? Would I be forced to shop abroad?