TRI earphone impressions - I4 and I3, Starlight, NEW Starsea
unifutomaki
500+ Head-Fier
Never mind government facilities, I think fellow subway commuters would be calling in the sighting of a suspicious object that looks like a bombHaha should try bringing this thicc stack to any airport or government facility. The police will jump on you or at least the metal detector will be going ballistic!!!


Slater
Headphoneus Supremus
Sam L
1000+ Head-Fier
yes, you're definitely correct that the double amping can result in amplifying any noise coming out of the first amp'd signal, but the result depends on how clean the source is. I have to double check the measurements on the sonata hd pro but I think I recall that it has really clean output. As far as damage, that happens rarely and only if you're not paying attention to both device volumes -- lots of old school portable amps were intended to take headphone out to line in (amp). Its speaker out to line in (into the amp) that is a recipe for disaster.The sonata HD Pro has an amp inside already, it will constitute "double amping" by running it into another amp. I'm not an expert in this area, but I try to avoid double amping as I'm not sure if it might screw up any electronics? An experienced audiophile once told me that double amping can also introduce distortion, maybe some experts can advise??
Wow u must be quite a hardcore audiophile to bring the L30 around!!! It needs a power supply and RCA inputs, and can get quite warm sometimes, I prefer to leave it as a desktop setup, but of course YMMV.
I think double amping is fine with most modern sources. At least I've never experienced any distortion or decreased SQ myself. As always Ymmvyes, you're definitely correct that the double amping can result in amplifying any noise coming out of the first amp'd signal, but the result depends on how clean the source is. I have to double check the measurements on the sonata hd pro but I think I recall that it has really clean output. As far as damage, that happens rarely and only if you're not paying attention to both device volumes -- lots of old school portable amps were intended to take headphone out to line in (amp). Its speaker out to line in (into the amp) that is a recipe for disaster.
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Alternately there's also hip-dac, which is ZEN DAC but fully portable and with batteries insideI value portability, so I was considering an ifi zen dac but I don't mind lugging around the L30 in my backpack.

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Sam L
1000+ Head-Fier
Thank you for the suggestion but I'm not considering a battery operated unit. I'm tired of buying dac/amps with batteries that will eventually die yet have perfectly functioning electronics. Frustrating.Alternately there's also hip-dac, which is ZEN DAC but fully portable and with batteries inside![]()
By the way, I bought the micro DSD on release. Fantastic device. I traded it later as the battery life started to degrade.
ShakeThoseCans
100+ Head-Fier
He gettin' ready to play Hoopz Barkley in "Barkley: Shut Up and Jam: Gaiden."


There’s a possible solution for that. You have to find a cellphone repair shop that has the ability to do component level repairs. The right technician will have a proper solder/desolder station, to replace the battery.Thank you for the suggestion but I'm not considering a battery operated unit. I'm tired of buying dac/amps with batteries that will eventually die yet have perfectly functioning electronics. Frustrating.
By the way, I bought the micro DSD on release. Fantastic device. I traded it later as the battery life started to degrade.
ShakeThoseCans
100+ Head-Fier
Will there be any deals on the Starsea for the 11.23 AliExpress sale for loyal KBear customers [purchased the Diamond and LarkFriend, here.
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Cool! Thanks and understoodBy the way, I bought the micro DSD on release. Fantastic device. I traded it later as the battery life started to degrade.

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Hi friend, yes, Starsea will have a big discount with a price of $109.65 from 11.23.Will there be any deals on the Starsea for the 11.23 AliExpress sale for loyal KBear customers [purchased the Diamond and Lark]

Here the Starsea prodcut link: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001524289463.html?spm=2114.12010615.8148356.2.1ba93d62qaMk6B

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ShakeThoseCans
100+ Head-Fier
Nice!
Black Friday is coming soon!! Great price can be enjoyed from 11.23!! Cheer up, folks!!
More products, just follow KB EAR Official Store: https://www.aliexpress.com/store/50...m=a2g0o.store_home.pcShopHead_1000001819183.2
More products, just follow KB EAR Official Store: https://www.aliexpress.com/store/50...m=a2g0o.store_home.pcShopHead_1000001819183.2



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Nimweth
Headphoneus Supremus
My review of the Starsea is now available here:
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/tri-starsea.24691/reviews#item-review-24785
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/tri-starsea.24691/reviews#item-review-24785