What do you use your IEMs with?

What do you use your IEMs with?

  • Dongle DAC

    Votes: 14 48.3%
  • Digital Audio Player (DAP)

    Votes: 15 51.7%
  • Desktop DAC/Amp

    Votes: 6 20.7%
  • When Traveling

    Votes: 5 17.2%
  • At Home

    Votes: 13 44.8%

  • Total voters
    29
Jan 6, 2025 at 5:03 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 16

HiFiGuy528

Member of the Trade: Woo Audio
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I enjoy my collection of IEMs mostly at home driven by my Sony DMP-Z1 desktop DAC/AMP connected to Mac Studio. Although I have DAPs, I don't use them much due to their lack luster software.

Lots have changed in the last 3-5 years how we use our devices so I'm curious how you guys / gals are using your IEMs? and at home or when traveling. With amp, DAP or dongle DACs?

Pictures of your setup would be fun too!

IMG_5468.jpg
 
Jan 6, 2025 at 7:17 PM Post #2 of 16
At home the Topping L30 II, nothing beats it. For travel the Tanchjim Space or just the Apple 3.5mm adapter with USBPlayerPro. Been using the Momentum 3 ear buds more these days, but still will grab a 7hz Timeless when I can or the Moondrop Chu 2 for bad weather when I don't want to risk something more costly.
 
Jan 7, 2025 at 10:04 AM Post #3 of 16
Mostly pi2aes>D90>A30 next to couch but occasionally DAPs (dont think ill buy new ones) and when im moving around fiio btr 5/15 or qudelix.
 
Jan 8, 2025 at 11:27 PM Post #6 of 16
I use IEMs at home driven from DAP. I don't like to move around with devices tethered to each other which is mostly the case with dongle DAC/Amp.
Airpods when I go outside.
 
Jan 9, 2025 at 1:02 AM Post #8 of 16
L&P W4 in office. HiBy FD5 at desktop at home. Hiby R3II for outdoor. iBasso DX300 for when I really want to listen to music, usually on a comfortable chair.
 
Jan 9, 2025 at 2:00 AM Post #9 of 16
Not many votes yet but so far everyone use high-end IEMs at home, like me. lol.... when traveling convenience of dongle or BT seems to win over sound quality.
I’m travelling right now and I’ve left all the more expensive stuff at home. I did bring my A5000 with me for when I get the chance to plug something a bit better in, but other than that I’m using the WH1000XM5 on the plane and a selection of BT earbuds for when I’m walking out & about
 
Jan 9, 2025 at 4:38 AM Post #11 of 16
Just a note: It does not make sense that only two answers are allowed, since the questions are towards two different topics (what and where) . For example, I use my IEMs with a dongle, at home AND travelling.
 
Jan 10, 2025 at 4:32 PM Post #12 of 16
Just a note: It does not make sense that only two answers are allowed, since the questions are towards two different topics (what and where) . For example, I use my IEMs with a dongle, at home AND travelling.
appreciate the feedback. updated to 3 choices.

I am surprised to see BT dongles used with high-end IEMs. Doesn't seem like it can deliver the designed performance of high-end IEMs.
 
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Jan 10, 2025 at 5:14 PM Post #14 of 16
Lots have changed in the last 3-5 years how we use our devices so I'm curious how you guys / gals are using your IEMs? and at home or when traveling. With amp, DAP or dongle DACs?
When at home: DMP Z1, Chord Hugo 2Go

When traveling: Chord Hugo2Go, OG WM1Z (NP Mod, EXPMv5 Shiny Edition)

I hope to add Luxury and Precision DAP to my traveling equipment at some point.

I keep two dongles for emergencies in my bag (iFi Gold Bar and FiiO BT17).

IMG_0616.jpeg
 
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Jan 10, 2025 at 7:09 PM Post #15 of 16
appreciate the feedback. updated to 3 choices.

I am surprised to see BT dongles used with high-end IEMs. Doesn't seem like it can deliver the designed performance of high-end IEMs.
Thanks for updating the questionnaire! :)

About your comment:

Well, first of all, most BT dongles can also be used as a wired dongle (the BTR17, for example)- so you have the BT flexibility on the go and wired (lossless, if you need) sound quality when you use them stationary with your computer...for me that`s a perfect solution! Sound quality wired on a BT dongle basically is the same as any other "only wired" dongle.

Second, from my personal experience, in our days it`s a "hifi myth" that BT dongles in BT mode cannot let high end IEMs sound really good. Sure, a lot worse sound quality might have been the case years ago, in times of SBC, weaker DAC chips and amplification....but as someone already mentioned: Have you actually tried a modern high quality BT device with LDAC in a blind test (the Aroma Air, for example)? You would be surprised how close it gets to wired, for many ears even indistinguishable.

Of course the "limiting factor" is, that BT still is not completely lossless. But to be honest, from all factors in a hifi chain, codec is definitely one of the lesser important ones (which is scientifically proven). A good implemented DAC chip, proper amplification and well tuned tonality can - in some cases - let a BT device sound even better than some wired devices, even though those are lossless....simply because sound quality is not just defined through the data rate (again: implementation and tonality are the key words here).

In the end, portable hifi is always a compromise between portability and sound quality (because a portable setup will never sound as good as a desktop speaker unit). So in my opinion, it is just consequent to use IEMs with small BT dongles for real portable use, because you still get, let`s say, at least 85% SQ out of them, compared to a DAP that sounds only sliiiiightly better but is just bulky and difficult to use on the go.
And if you want the best sound quality at home...a desktop unit with speakers (or open cans) outperform IEMs & DAP anyway.. .

:L3000:
 
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