ZMF Caldera Closed

[Lyssky]

to me CO can hit the hardest and has the best dynamic range. IMO if CO is 10/10

Like an earthquake, hits profoundly.

 

[dguitarnut]

After breaking in the CC’s I can say they can hang in with the CO except for the incredible staging 3D effect the opens bring to the plate,
I love both with the CC being the champ in a more traditional hp execution. When I listen to the CC my brain tells me it doesn’t get better than this, but then I put on my CO I hear some more distinctive layers like a percussive instrument that was hidden or amalgamated with the CC. You might even say the CO can be distracting from the original intent of the piece.

 

[ECKHUAAA]

My order ( ZMF CC ) should arrive next week
Right now I'm using the Dan Clark E3 with RME ADI 2 DAC FS + Violectric V222, on my PC.
I'm going to use Caldera Closed as well, with the same gears, but sometimes I'd like to use it with some portable amp / DAC
I have around the iFi Micro iDSD Signature, but I'd like to purchase something better
What would you recommend, guys ?
I'll use them, connected to my mobile phone ( Android OS ) so, no DAP.
Do you think, iBasso D16 Taipan would be a good choice ?
Thank you in advance

I would suggest going with the New Cayin C9ii it will release this weekend but can be pre-ordered from Musicteck, the amp on it is an improvement on the extremely great amp on the Cayin DAP N30LE providing much more power, detail and transparency than the amp on the N30LE, I currently drive my CC and CO with the N30LE DAP to great Ecstacy.
First picture is my CO being driven by Cayin N30LE AP. The second picture is the Cayin C9ii headphone Amp using the N30LE as DAC and driving a Caldera CO.

 

[bluex]

I would suggest going with the New Cayin C9ii it will release this weekend but can be pre-ordered from Musicteck, the amp on it is an improvement on the extremely great amp on the Cayin DAP N30LE providing much more power, detail and transparency than the amp on the N30LE, I currently drive my CC and CO with the N30LE DAP to great Ecstacy.
First picture is my CO being driven by Cayin N30LE AP. The second picture is the Cayin C9ii headphone Amp using the N30LE as DAC and driving a Caldera CO.

Thank you
Is it just an amp or DAC / Amp?

 

[ECKHUAAA]

Thank you

Is it just an amp or DAC / Amp?

It's a preamp and amp you have to provide a DAC as input or if you like a DAP pre-out as input, thereby bypassing the preamp section of the Amp
https://na01.safelinks.protection.o...GZtHUx/7NyVJtjDiokcu2NR3nc11iHv48=&reserved=0

 

[jamato8]

Thank you
Is it just an amp or DAC / Amp?

I would also, if you are looking for transportable, look into the ibasso PB5 amp. Excellent sounding and the D16 DAC by them, as one of the best sounding dacs I have heard. Both are portable, extremely resolving, musical (most important), dynamics, and huge sound stage.

 

[bluex]

But iBasso D16 Taipan has a DAC and amp, am I right??

 

[jamato8]

But iBasso D16 Taipan has a DAC and amp, am I right??

Yes but if desired, it is easy to bypass or it can be used as a stand along excellent dac/amp. For me the shining jewel is the DAC section, which is very different.

 

[ECKHUAAA]

Yes but if desired, it is easy to bypass or it can be used as a stand along excellent dac/amp. For me the shining jewel is the DAC section, which is very different.

The iBasso and the Cayin N30LE have been compared a lot by users on the head-fi threads so invest some time to make up your mind. The reference to N30LE is because the amp of the C9ii is based on the circuit implemented in the N30LE only more developed and scaled out even more. Then there is also the bitstream DAC on the Cayin N7 very unique

 

[bluex]

It's very difficult to make a decision.
I'd go with a good DAP, but sometimes I'm watching YouTube ( I know, the sound quality on YouTube, sucks)
Is it possible to install the YouTube app, on DAP's?
AFAIK, that's not possible
Thank you

 

[idairyou]

It's very difficult to make a decision.
I'd go with a good DAP, but sometimes I'm watching YouTube ( I know, the sound quality on YouTube, sucks)
Is it possible to install the YouTube app, on DAP's?
AFAIK, that's not possible
Thank you

Most DAPs you can install the Google store. Most DAPs that run Android are going to have APKPure installed. Just be careful about the APKPure store as it is riddled with ads and I don't trust many of the apps there.

 

[bluex]

Thank you
I don't really care about the APKPure, all I want ( besides Tidal / Spotify) is to have YouTube installed
Is the software ( UI, and everything, actually) much slower than a mobile phone?

 

[idairyou]

Thank you
I don't really care about the APKPure, all I want ( besides Tidal / Spotify) is to have YouTube installed
Is the software ( UI, and everything, actually) much slower than a mobile phone?

Yes, it's going to be much slower than your smart phone. The CPU on DAPs is always a few years behind to save on costs. In terms of YT you will most likely be stuck at 480p or 720p and there is a good chance 1080p is out of the question.

You will also be stuck at whatever version of Android the device comes with, so forget about security updates of any kind. I personally do not put my DAP on the internet 95%of the time, and I have a 1.5tb SD card loaded up that houses my entire music library.

At the very minimum you will need APKPure to install the Google Play store.

 

[bluex]

Yes, it's going to be much slower than your smart phone. The CPU on DAPs is always a few years behind to save on costs. In terms of YT you will most likely be stuck at 480p or 720p and there is a good chance 1080p is out of the question.

You will also be stuck at whatever version of Android the device comes with, so forget about security updates of any kind. I personally do not put my DAP on the internet 95%of the time, and I have a 1.5tb SD card loaded up that houses my entire music library.

At the very minimum you will need APKPure to install the Google Play store.

Thank you so much for your reply
I think I'd better go with iBasso D16 Taipan, connected on my mobile phone.
iBasso D16 or maybe ONIX Mystic XP1
I've read a lot of reviews / good stuff /about iBasso D16
Could anyone please compare the two?
Thank you in advance

 

[idairyou]

Thank you so much for your reply
I think I'd better go with iBasso D16 Taipan, connected on my mobile phone.
iBasso D16 or maybe ONIX Mystic XP1
I've read a lot of reviews / good stuff /about iBasso D16
Could anyone please compare the two?
Thank you in advance

If you use Android just make sure that it has Android 14.

Anything earlier than 14 and you will not get bit perfect playback and even on 14 it can be iffy.

By best suggestion is iOS as that supports bit perfect playback. If you're on Android make sure you are on 14 and use an app called USB Audio Player. It will guarantee bit perfect playback, and like Roon you can use it to listen to your Qobuz and Tidal streaming library.

Android on DAPs alter the OS audio path so you can get bit perfect playback.