Introduction

 

The A83 have been on my wish list for a while now, saw them at a reasonable price so thought why not snatch them up. So here we are I finally have the lovelies plugged into my ears and what a joy it is!

 

Initial impressions

 

I'm having to write this as I've noticed quite a significant amount of adjustment since the A83 and I first met.

 

Well my initial impressions had me feeling a little lost didn't quite know how to sum them up, couldn't get a good read on them at all.  The sound was good at best and the fit well that was just plain awful. Don't get me wrong I didn't feel these sounded bad just a little off considering what I was expecting.

 

The highs felt rolled off, the midrange lacking the raw emotion I'd heard so much about and a bass that didn't know where it belonged. Good thing after having a few finickity earphones recently, I now know source and tips can be incredibly crucial in bringing out an earphones true character.

 

Packaging

 

Ooo lovely I just love getting new toys in the mail hehe. 

 

I've posted some pictures below as you can see:

 

A nicely presented box, inside we find; 

 



 
 

A solid foam earphone holder which is rather handy if you’re anal about neatness like myself 

 

 
 
 

 

An incredibly tactile plastic carrying box

 



 

 

And last but not least all your standard accessories i.e Ear Tips and adapters etc. (Unfortunately not receiving the unit brand new I'm missing some ear tips but ah well)  

 

Build quality/Design/Fit

 

If it's one of the things that contributes to that half a star drop it would be in this section. The build quality is fantastic solidly built shells encase the drivers and every contour joined together perfectly. 

  

The design is as you can see a typical over ear hook which is fine most of the time unless of course you have fit issue like myself. Even with the Dunu 2K ear tips I still can't seem to get a great deal of comfort for listening longevity. In all honesty I would probably buy this earphone all over again, with no upgrade to sound, if the bloody things would fit comfortably for longer listening sessions without faff but I digress.

 

As of yet no problems have occurred with the connectors, but as you can see in the picture the left earpiece doesn't quite sit flush like on the other side. I think this may be due to a problem with my cable connector not the iem itself. Thankful I had a friend to hold them so I could get a better picture the left earpiece being the blue and the right one in red.

 



 

 

 

Apart from my moans and groans overall they seem very solid and the cable looks like it's built like a tank so all is good.

 

 

Sound impressions after playing

 

As a disclaimer I just want to point out what works for me might not necessarily work for you. Now that being said I found my ideal ear tips thus far have been the Dunu 2K's grey silicon tips. You can find more information with regards to ear tips and sources on the thread. (A winning combo seems to be the Shozy Alien Dap and JVC spiral dot tips) which I have yet to try.

 

The first source I started using was the AR-M2 player, which I have been smitten with for some time now, but partnered with the A83 it just sounded a little unflattering like everything I mentioned in regard to my initial impressions. So I pulled out my good old Meridian explorer, plugged her in and using my newly acquired Quickstep amp began really enjoying my music, no like really enjoying.

 

There is this lovely quality about Fidue's house sound which really allows you to start enjoying your music again. I had the same feeling with one of their younger model the A63. Anyway with the correct source and tips everything said about these bad boys began to ring true. 

 

Highs

 

The treble isn't subdued by any means but a little more relaxed sounding than something like the Dunu 2K. I really quite like the treble and timbre the A83 portrays. Detail retrieval is pretty damn good not the best I've heard but certainly enough to keep up with most if not all TWFK designs I've heard to date. 

Truthfully extension is fairly good but it could do with a touch more to really bring out all those nuances we all love to hear so much. Whilst on the subject of improvements I wish the presentation had a touch more space with slightly airy treble to accompany a wider deeper stage but I will get to this later.

 

Midrange

 

There is much to love about the A83 and the way it lures you in with its vocal reproduction. I would call the mids slightly forward sounding and absolutely packed with fun. I don’t find them quite as enjoyable as the ASG 1Plus however, that being said these are very addictive earphones to listen to. Vocals don't come across overly thick and there is a great detailing to match which add to the ambience. I think the A83 strikes an almost perfect balance between a fun and serious listen experience.

 

As much as I love the mid range there is still room for improvement. One thing I would have hoped for is a touch more air to surround the mids, this could have really made a great thing even better.

 

Bass

 

Texture is great you get a real full bodied sound with spades of detail to match. Immediately coming from some bass lighter earphones I thought the midbass was a little overcooked. However, with a bit of time and after brain burn in kicked I started to hear a rather clean bass. Don't get me wrong there is still a little mid bass bleed but not as much as I'd initially thought.  Personally I’d like a touch less mid bass and an added bit of sub bass to clean everything up a hair but overall the bass is very well done. The speed is great keeping up with complex passages and manages to stay out of the way when needed 99% of the time. 

 

There is a touch lack of extension when reaching to the lowest of bass notes but nothing to complain about, or would even be picked up upon unless critically listening. 

 

Imaging/Soundstage

 

This again is an area which I feel is good really quite good but not quite great. Firstly let us start with the soundstage, I am still trying to get my head around this one, it is wide but not overly so I would say depth is lacking slightly detracting from that traditional open stage monitor kind of signature.

 

Moving on to the imaging side of things the A83 are competent everything is where is should be you get to hear those clicks in the mix as you listen in and get swept up by the music. Once again I find myself coming back to this point of air I love an airy sound signature but with the A83 I feel they are lacking that separation I desperately crave. Certain passages just felt a touch congested this could be due to the mid bass bleed but I am nit picking now.

 

I wouldn't call this a complaint just personal preference as the A83 still deliver an overall stunning package for the price if I had a restricted budget I would choose these over the 1Plus but only if funds were absolutely inflexible.    

 

Conclusion

 

I know it seems like the A83 have been picked apart by a seemingly uninspired review but I assure you this earphone is still a beauty. I think with the price performance ratio, despite a few shortcomings, this is certainly one of the most enjoyable earphones I've had the privilege of listening to. I really hope Fidue don't change too much and work on some improvements I certainly will be first in line for the A83 2.0.

 

As always if there are any questions or comments feel free to ask away. Hope you guys enjoyed this review.  

 

 
The Anticipation (Skip to the review part if you need to)
 
I first got the chance to hear this sleek beautiful piece of art during the Headroom Show down in London. I actually remember passing it by initially thinking I haven’t ever heard of that company before perhaps I will try it a little later. Well after trying out everything on offer and just before leaving I remembered that oh too curious, unknown shiny box.
 
You know what they say though save the best to last. By this time I had already had the pleasure and privilege of listening to the famous Astell&Kern AK240 married to the brand new Layla by JH Audio. So quite a winning combination, running straight from balanced mode and playing DSD files no less! Long story short I thought it was a great sounding bit of kit although, for the price I was hoping for some kind of mesmerising unheard of sound. I will say this though I still have never heard anything as coherent, refined and mature yet, so in regard to that aspect it simply was perfect.
 
For comparison I only had my trusted Dunu 2000 for a quick A and B test from one player to another. Recalling from memory my Dunu 2000 sounded better out of the AK240 over my iPhone 6, just not an extra £1,790 better (If you can quantify sound with a price tag). Anyway I promise this is leading somewhere, so continuing toward the end of the show feeling a little weary after the five hours spend on my feet and all the traveling I stumbled towards Sennheiser’s booth.
 
Now never being a huge fan of the HD700s against my better judgment I placed them over my head to hear what this magic box was doing to them. After seeing a few grinning faces I figure it’s worth a shot. WOW yep capital W.O.Ws I simply hadn’t heard the HD700 sound so good. Shortly after this I plugged my earphones in and just the same again stunned by the spacious clean sound being reproduced. This thing was even making my humble Dunu 2000 sound better in a few areas compared to the AK240 Layla combination I had heard prior to this. Maybe this was synergy gone mad maybe this was just plain better recordings and files who know but I know it sounded good!
 
After a brief chat with the product manager and a brief chat with Robert arrangements were made to have it shipped out for review when available.
 
The Review
 
So today I finally have the jewel in my hands and it is definitely an honour. I can see this being a very popular product, if given the chance with the long line of audiophile daps now available, but please if you can get your hands on it grab the opportunity.
 
Due to the nature of this review and product I will try and manage each section into nice bite size chunks. Focusing mainly on; Sound quality, User interface, Practicality, Functionality, Features, Power and Accessories.
 
For this review I will be using my Dunu 2000, Audio Technica ATH-50 (Re-cabled by Forza Audio Works using their Hybrid cable) and the Beyerdynamic T 90 using mainly Spotify all at extreme quality.  I will shed some light on the differences when using higher bit rate files which, in my opinion does give a perceptible boost to audio quality.
 
The Package
 
Although, for some this may still seem an awful lot to pay for a digital music player I do believe it is a little more reasonably priced in comparison to some of its competitors.
 
That being said don’t expect an array of accessories you will still get all the basics though. So what do we have inside, let us find out? Included is; A USB cable, a soft draw string pouch, a few selections of adaptors and a USB plug socket. Really not much to get excited about but hey they have certainly provided the bare essentials.
 
I am not too concerned with the lack of accessories, as when purchasing anything to do with audio, sound will always be my primary concern. However, even a nice leather case or a memory card could have been the cherry on top to sweeten the deal but I digress.
 
Below are some pics of the box accessories etc:

 

 

 

 
 
Features
 
- 5 inch OGS HD IPS colour display screen
- Easy-to-use Multi-touch “MusicSurf” GUI 
- Android OS base, tuned for pure music
- Pure Lossless Audio Path bypassing Android OS totally
 - High capacity battery 4000 mAH - 9hrs average battery life
- Duralumin metal housing - tough and good-looking
- Dedicated line out
- Headphone out
- Easy to use play, pause and track selection buttons
- Burr-Brown PCM1794A Current Output DAC
- 64GB built-in memory plus flexible storage expansion through Micro SDXC
(Expansion Up to 200GB)  
The 64GB internal memory could be conceived as a touch limiting. Perhaps a 2.0 version could be launched in the future with an internal capacity of 128GB. Fingers crossed guys.
 
 
Full Wi-Fi streaming capability
 
I thought best to add a little sub section on this so as not to interfere with the rest of the review. The connectivity is great I've not experienced any problems although, I can say the range won’t be at the level of most smartphones today. Generally speaking for home use you are free to roam and still have quick access to live streaming, browsing and whatever else you like to do with your internet.
 
Also a nice bonus feature, with the use of a personal hot spot means, if you sync your phone and AR-M2 together you can stream anytime anywhere, which is great to have on tap if you happen to like streaming music now and then. I really have been enjoying this feature because as good as the iPhone sounds for a mobile device it certainly isn't anywhere near the level of the AR-M2 but with the hot spot it’s like having the best of both worlds. You get all the browsing time you wish and what is essentially an unlimited library at your disposal.
 
YouTube and browsing are all fairly nippy but YouTube sometimes takes a few moments to load even with a great connection. Surfing the web is all the same as today’s modern smartphones like a mini laptop on the go.
 
If I were to use an analogy this is practically a Sony Z1060/iPod touch on steroids.
 
High-power headphone amplifier
 
- Power output (THD < 0.01%)

- 32 ohms 400mW + 400 mW 

- 300 ohms 43mW + 43mW

- Ultra-low-distortion at max output <0.01%

- Supports 16 ohms to 600 ohms headphones/earphones

- Ultra high slew-rate, genuinely responsive to Hi-Res content
 
I am going to include driveability in this section as I feel it best suited seeming as this is the headphone amp section. The player has some serious power to give and will probably drive just about anything.
 
I did manage to get some testing done with Beyerdynamic’s T 90’s thanks to the guys at Richer Sounds. The AR-M2 certainly has enough power to drive them comfortably when using the inbuilt player. However, I don’t know if there is an undiscovered setting but the power certainly dropped when using Spotify causing me to crank up the volume considerably more.
 
Just a forewarning if you go to switch between the two remember to lower the volume gain or you may end up blowing your ears off.
 
The T90’s sing with the AR-M2 what was essentially a little lifeless is given new breath with this player. Everything from soundstage to coherency was simply bliss. The most noticeable improvement made, other than driveability, were the subtle details suddenly revealing themselves and the vastly improved soundstage with an added sense of space and air making you clearly aware what instrument is playing and where.
 
Supported File Formats
 
The AR-M2 plays the following audio formats (WAV, AIFF, FLAC, ALAC, APE)
Plus DSD64/DSD128 & DXD
Custom developed Hi-Res DSP processing
Upgradeable to support other new formats
 
I have also uploaded a link with a more in-depth write up of what the AR-M2 is all about               pricing, origin, more specs, the why and the what and so on : http://d19cgyi5s8w5eh.cloudfront.net/eml/lWrBIjt3SKK9H899uT2L0A?e=dnundra%40aol.com&a=uBK-4duzQTC6RTNE7PY2zA&f=&t=1
 
Now back to the review.
 
User Interface
 
Disclaimer I haven't had the pleasure of using countless high end DAPS but I will say for usability this is by far my favourite in all those that I’ve used. Anyone who is familiar with an android or OS operating system will be able to learn and pick up the basics very quickly.
 
Navigation is swift and really easy to use. It is essentially a hybrid OS Android based operating system. Anyone who has used a smartphone will be able to use this device without hassle.
 
So far this is the most responsive DAP I have tried and I would like the chance to compare it something like the new Sony NWZ-ZX2. I have consistently switched out applications, changed songs and browsed the internet but still not even a single flinch or glitch.
 
This is such a contrast to say something like the Cowon Z2, no offence, which was just abysmally slow. I used to get frustrated waiting for songs to load and browsing the internet was just a joke.
 
I really like the interface on the AR-M2 it actually reminds me an awful lot of the Sony Z2 phone, very nippy and doesn't bug out when handling complicated commands. Now although I know thought has gone into making sure this thing doesn't overheat I will pre warn you, you will most likely feel a little warmth being dispersed when pushing it, browsing the net, running apps and especially using higher rate files.
 
 
 
Below I have uploaded a few pictures of the Dap’s UI:
 

 

 
 
Functionality/Design
 
Some of this is obviously going to be very subjective as I’ve already noticed a few unfavourable comments on the design. But to each there own I actually quite like the simple, sleek and brick like design. I know that sounds like a negative but I really like the feeling of this manly machine in my hands. This to me is a real bloke’s music player solid, rugged, thick and firm so let’s keep the comments clean. J
 
I do remember holding the AK240 and as innovating as the design is, which I did like by the way, I was slightly worried I might have dropped the dainty little thing. Aside from that I still find this player will be one of those marmite designs, for me I love it, actually reminds me of a hybrid iPhone 4s and iPhone 6.  Here are the official dimensions; 136.5 h x 71.1 w x 15 mm deep, with a weight of 245 grams. Not bad at all, for comparisons sake I've uploaded a picture of it next to the iPhone 6, which I’m assuming most have had a chance to see in real life.
 

 
 
Installation and File Transfer + Boot speed
 
Now on to the functionality, well it works huzza as it should. Kidding aside I think the design makes for a real functional and practical solution.
 
This really couldn’t be easier simply plug in your device and your computer will do the rest. There is no need for driver installation and file transfer is just a simple drag and drop. I absolutely commend this firmware implementation, a tip of the hat, it’s nice to have an audiophile dap without the typical firmware glitches that usually accompany them.
 
Thankfully due to the operating system everything works smoothly without any bugs I haven’t had a chance to transfer any DSD files over yet as I don’t own any but I assume there should be no issues there.
 
Just keeping this diminutive, from a fully shut down position boot time is about 15-20 seconds before you’re up and fully operational.
 
App Installation
 
Typically speaking if your thinking of purchasing this player it is not to play games or download a crap load of bloat ware that being said some apps maybe a vital need in my case Spotify. Installation of apps is fairly simple, initially upon receiving a new unit I had a few issues trying to download through Google play, instead of using a straight apk if you have any issues downloading any apps always try downloading the apk file first with security switched off. Once this was sorted had no problems getting what I wanted installed just download open and let it do its thing.
 
Volume Control & Keys
 
One thing I really quite like is the volume knob, don’t ask me why I just like fiddling. The volume knob is located at the top of the device simply scroll left or right to turn the volume up or down. In terms of realism it is quite useful to have it located there. It is a very smooth operator no clicks just glides from side to side, I love it as you can probably tell. But you have to be quite careful due to the lack of resistant the volume can be adjusted a little too easily.
 
Let’s say for example with the iPhone a song happens to pop up and it’s a little quieter or louder than the previous song I always find myself having to pull my phone out of my pocket to mess around with the volume, with this on the other hand it’s just right there on the top so without even having to faff I can safely adjust the volume to my desired volume.
 
Another plus for me and it baffles me why some companies did away with the play, pause and track selection buttons is just the simple convenience of having them there on the side without having to open the device. For me I can tell someone really sat down and thought ok guys what would we like form this device, what is going to be practical, and how are we going to combine the two effectively oh that’s right let’s bring back that classic bit of common sense.
 
That’s essentially what I feel they have created a really functional and practical design; the buttons are firm and feel well implemented no complaints here.
 
Display
 
Now on to the screen what more could a person really want! It is clear, un-pixilated and just a pleasure to look at. If there is one criticism I have here it’s almost too shiny on a sunny day I can see this certainly picking up some glare, but really I am nit-picking now.
 
Unfortunately, as you will find with most if not all big touch screen DAPs and smartphones alike finger prints are just going to be smitten wanting to get a piece of that sexy sheen all over the front, and back so make sure you keep something to wipe her down if your anal about her remaining prestige. 
 
I am going to throw album art, videos and pictures in here just for the sake of it. After pushing in my Micro SD card all my videos, pictures and music were available instantly. As of yet there has been no problems with viewing any of the aforementioned. In fact all the pictures and videos were displayed incredibly clearly probably due to the stunning display. Album art for most songs were all there, I know there has been few issues with previous audiophile DAPs not displaying album art but there seems to be no problem here.
  
Output Location
In terms of the headphone out and line out location I’m not really sold on the idea of them being at the bottom of the unit. With the volume knob being located at the top naturally I would have assumed the headphone out would have also been located there for convenience but alas you can’t have everything you want.
 
Memory+ Expansion
 
Now there is something I have left to the last section as I really have had a slight issue with the SD card slot. Aesthetically this is probably one of the sleekest designs I’ve seen on portable music device. The problem lies when after I’ve slotted the memory card in it is just a pain to get out unless you have nails or something quite slim to poke down in there. This could have done with a touch more thought but I will say I love how the slide down cover masks the appearance of any additional bits or bobs. 
 
Battery Life
 
This is a nice step in the right direction on average I’m getting about 7-8ish Hours out of a full charge but bear in mind most of my listening is done via live streaming. I think with pre-loaded files held by the internal memory and with connectivity off you should be able to get the claimed 9 hours out of it. 
 
Charging time is really quite good give about 4 hours and your good to go that should last you about double the time if you’re a little conservative during use.
 
Sound quality
 
I am sure this is the main point why we’re all here so let me sum it up quickly it sounds really, really good. Oh the irony if I were to just leave it there no I’ll elaborate on this stunning piece as we go on I am going to break it down into file sections as I feel each hold their own level of quality.
 
All listening was done using the headphone out but I have added the little sub section below mentioning the quality of the line out.
 
Line out quality
 
Simply super-duper clean the line out adds nothing and takes away nothing. In comparison to say the Meridian Explorer’s line out you can hear the difference in an instant so synergy is a lot more important in this instance. I personally love the Meridian’s sound but it has a tendency to add its own personality to whatever amp you decide to partner with it.
 
I only have my trusty Vorzuge Pure ii amp for reference but what I hear is just what you’d expect to hear from such an honest milky amp. I have plugged my Pure ii into a few devices with some adverse effects not the case with the AR-M2 it’s exactly how it should be everything that holds true to the character of the Pure ii the sound is simply there without any mess or sudden schizophrenic changes.  
 
Online Streaming Using Spotify
This is my preferred method of listening because I didn’t feel to transfer my entire music library and it also means I have an almost limitless selection of music at my disposal.  First things first with good Wi-Fi connectivity there have been no problems I have encountered at all. Streaming has been smooth, quick and very responsive.
 
All the audio seems to have a beautiful composed tone that makes everything sound incredibly clean and effortless. I can sense a slight lift in the vocals when using most earphones and headphones. But I am warning as a vocal lover some tracks did display a slightly V shaped response.
 
One thing in particular I love about the way this device portrays the music is how clear and detailed the music is without ever sounding hard edged or sharp. Every detail is there from clicks to the subtle breaths of the singer as they inhale to exhale there next word.  Soundstage is very realistic it has great width, depth isn't the greatest but still very good however I don’t think many will pick up on this unless you are clinically listening.
 
It is worth mentioning the earphones I’m using do not hold the greatest depth of soundstage but the Meridian + Vorzuge set up I use holds the edge in this department. In comparison there is certainly a noticeable difference when switching from my iPhone 6 which is a touch more mid centric and has a much more 2D sounding soundstage.
 
Higher Bit Rate 24/192
 
Now whilst all of the above hold true for the following write up without repeating myself too much I’ll try and explain some of the most important differences when you are listening to up scaled music.
 
I wouldn't have thought many would really hear a night and day difference between the iPhone 6 running Spotify and the AR-M2 if I am completely honest. On the other hand when switching to some of my acoustic music, which I effortlessly uploaded from HD Tracks, there is a difference and yes it is clear.
 
The best way I can describe it would be to present you this image so use your imagination if you will. You’re driving in your Aston Martin Vantage 2dr 420 down a long, winding, smooth, sunny road and during your exhilarating journey you notice the subtle warmth of the sun as it kisses your face. Then you suddenly remember you can let that luxurious soft top down and experience this pleasure in its rawest form. The top slowly descends and as it does you feel the truth, that unexplainable embrace of fresh air and friendliness as all becomes clear. You’re enjoying the journey the way it should be no restraints just pure unadulterated love flowing as you wind and dance with the road and your surroundings.
 
Ok well I may have embellished on that a touch but on a realistic scale if you are considering buying this player I would do so being prepared to have everything ready to feed it. The differences between a compressed file, streaming and uncompressed are night and day to a discerning ear.
 
You will find stringed instruments suddenly have more room to breathe, there seems to be almost boundless space that surrounds you and it’s like you finally stop getting this persistent urge to analysis the music so you can finally relax.
 
DSD Files
I haven't had the privilege of trying out any DSD or DXD files so I am borrowing a quote from [b][color=red]AlanYWM[/color][/b] hope he doesn’t mind: “I tried DSD on my micro SD card but the machine seemed to be "stammering." It worked fine with 16/44 files. The surprising thing was it played DXD files from its internal memory without any hiccups. So I am wondering if the micro SD card had anything to do with the "problem" I encountered.
 
 
Issues and Improvements
 
So far there has been static sounds when the music is stopped but this mainly seems to occur when connected to Wi-Fi. I have spoken to Robert and he thinks this may be a problem to do with some of the pre-production units so I will keep this section updated as and when changes are made. (After some headphone and earphone switching the problem seems to mainly occur with BA type earphones exclusively. So this is a brief heads up to those looking to partner this with anything BA related sorry guys.)
 
Update ok after the new unit had arrived I experienced no issues with interference or static. This unfortunately didn't last forever since downloading Spotify the same problem has redeveloped I have uploaded some footnotes below emailed to me by Robert to help everyone get a better understanding of what is happening. 
 
Screen Animation and Wi-Fi noise

 

The key for the better sound from the M2 is a full two-stage analogue amplifier.  The headphone amplifier works exactly like a power amplifier and it amplifies everything at full power. 

 

You hear noise because:

- The screen generates noise

- Wi-fi can generate noise

- Without interference, the noise floor is incredibly low

- The amplifier is about 30 to 40 times more powerful than the competition and everything including noise is amplified

- With both screen and WiFi off, no noise should exist

 

Effects

- With large headphones there is no problem.

- With extremely sensitive low impedance IEM, you may hear some noise in silent parts of the music.  

- The noise from activity of LCD touch screen (e.g. full screen animated changes) and Wi-Fi will become audible.  

 

If we make the unit as feeble as the competition, we can avoid the noise.  It’s essentially a side effect of the HIGH-POWER AMPS

 

SCREEN NOISE

Some noise arises from the use of the LCD Screen and from screen animation

As the screen switches off automatically when idling, this should be no problem when listening

 

WI-FI NOISE

Using extremely sensitive low impedance IEM and with Wi-Fi on, you can hear noise if the volume is set high without music playing

However playback music at any sensible volume and you will deliver excellent sound quality and sufficiently dark silence.

 

CLICKS ON PLAY / PAUSE

This is the price for great sound. Again, the key is the full two-stage analogue amplifier (pre-amp and power-amp).  The whole analogue circuit consumes constant high power regardless of output level.  Even if there is no sound, the analogue circuit is consuming the same power as full output.  To keep the high sound quality and deliver a reasonable standby time, we need to shut down the entire analogue circuit when there is no music playback and switch it on only when there is music playback.  Switching the analogue circuit on and off produces a pop/click. This does not affect music playback.

 

CLICKS BETWEEN TRACKS IF THERE IS A CHANGE IN SAMPLE RATE

The M2 uses two Crustal Clocks support accurate playback of two groups of sample rates:

ONE - 44.1/88.2/176.4/352.8kHz, DSD64/128

TWO - 48/96/192/384kHz

 

A click noise occurs when the system switches between these two groups.  

There should is no click noise if the two tracks have sample rate within the same group.

 

You do not hear such noise on classical Android or iOS devices because they actually stick to one specific sample rate (e.g. 44.1kHz only) and convert everything to that specific sample rate by software.  Such product do not really have a real sample rate change in hardware.

 
Yes the pops and static are a little annoying but certainly not a deal breaker.
 
Personally after spending more and more time with this player I am becoming too smitten to go back to any other of my sources. This however will not by any means be an end game product for some. So what is lacking? Well there are so many variables but if we really pick this deal apart in comparison to some of its competitors Fiio’s own X5 doubles as a DAC point Fiio, price is a little steep with new high end DAPs coming out left right and centre Cayin N6, even though I almost feel like saying the AR-M2 is a bargain there are other options out there for a more budget concerned person, then of course outputs no balanced mode for those dedicated to true audiophile nature no optical out etc.
 
But this is where I am putting my foot down. As it stands this is hands down the best piece of equipment I have tried sound is subjective yes but this is a machine built for its purpose and is worthy of the title in my opinion “A True Audiophile DAP”.  In its nature that is exactly what it is a modern day android based Audiophile player no bells and whistles but damn who needs them when you’re enjoying your music this much.  
 
Summary 
                                        
-          Solid build quality
-          Stunning sound
-          Great UI simple and effective
-          Good battery life
-          Lacklustre Accessories
-          Nice design (Matter of opinion)
-          Incredible driving capability  
 
Unfortunately guys there are going to be a few things I won’t be able to shed light on during this review simply because I do not have access to certain pieces of equipment at the moment. If at any point any Head Fiers would like to have some comparisons to other high end Daps they own and would care to lend a hand I’d be more than happy to take the time to write up some comparative notes.
 
Thanks for reading as always if there are any questions please feel free to ask. I will do my best to update the review as and when necessary. 

 
Introduction
 
Well I certainly wasn't expecting to be holding one of these in my hands anytime soon….. Yep, this is my new baby say hello to one of the newest editions to the Aurisonics line up the 1 Plus. I have never had the pleasure of listening to any of their previous earphones until now. However, I have continually kept an eye on what the company has been doing, developing and the stream of positive comments being posted throughout the forum. Long story short I saw this for sale at fairly reasonable price so I snapped her up and I am so glad I did.
 
The 1 Plus features: 

1. One Massive 14.2" Dynamic Driver
2. One Balanced Armature Driver
3. Hybrid design 

 
Included in the package you get: 
 
A Shock/Dust/Waterproof hard case, SureSeal™ tips, cleaning tool, the ASG-1PLUS themselves and a cable.  
 
Cable
 
Finally, gosh this feels right. I haven’t always had the best of luck with memory wired cables mostly due to my glasses, this cable however doesn’t affect them at all. On a side note the cable is secure enough and light enough to jog with, if your into that sort of thing . Not found a ton of of earphones that sound good and are fit for that purpose these, on the other hand stayed nicely glued in as you huff and pant against the elements no matter how hard you go for it.
 
The cable is a detachable silver-plated low oxygen copper cable. I won’t comment on the sound aspect as I feel that needs to be explored more when I have more of a cable inventory. It is a sleek, lightweight, glossy black and simple wire using the traditional two pin plug found on most custom iems. There is a very modest transparent chin slider a nice touch simple and pragmatic.
 
Not much more to say but I do wish every detachable used this type of design as the benchmark. From what I hear it’s basically a Westone replica so should you ever need a replacement and are unable to order directly from Aurisonics there should be plenty on viable alternatives.  
 
Design/Comfort
 
Below I have uploaded a few photos of my sweetheart. I know I know, she’s a little big, a little curvy but my word I do love her.
 

 

 
 
 
First thoughts when trying to get these in my ears were, ouch mixed with a feeling of disappointment but I’ll elaborate on that in the sound section. The fit and comfort are actually quite superb once the correct tips are selected. According to Aurisonics the construction consists of 3D printing, Digital Hybrid Technology, and the shell fits 95% of ears. Hum good statistics I can agree with that statement I don't see many people having an issue with the shells.
 
On the other hand, tip selection is certainly a bit more tricky and crucial for maximum sound performance and comfort. With the wrong ear tips these can be downright uncomfortable, cumbersome and a bit of a pain. Select the right tips and it really is a night and day difference.
 
Isolation is great and manages to block out most external noise, and with music playing just don’t expect to hear anyone calling your name in fact you may have someone throw something at you in order to grab your attention, a pre warning you've been told. But back on topic on the whole I am really happy with the comfort and well let’s just say I love my red eye candy. I personally find the design quite sleek and eye catching, should you choose to go for the more eccentric red which only enhances her beauty in my opinion. Ok, enough about her body, lets explorer her soul and wow what a beautiful one it is.
 
Sound quality
 
​Equipment used: I used both a combination of The Merdian Explorer Dac > Piccolino Interconnect > Vorgzue pure ii amp, However most listening was done using my iPhone 6 and Spotify.
 
Useful tip if you do happen to own an iPhone 6 and the 1 Plus GET Spotify the synergy is just perfect! 
 
Now to my baby girls’ heart and soul and yes this metaphor will get out of hand but I'm ok with it. The first time I heard her voice I took a step back and melted. No seriously kidding aside initially I was a touch dissatisfied with my impression. Congested, unclear and recessed vocals, somethings not right? Fortunately experience has taught me never give up after a quick listen so tip rolling began. Once I had found a nice small pair that slotted in comfortably I suddenly found all that missing sound.
 
A few reviews and impressions have mentioned the stunning midrange and vocal reproduction. Well after a shocking revelation, when switching to more suitable ear tips, this was the thing that immediately caught my attention. The 1 Plus really adds a natural tone to vocals and the midrange detail is just great. The midrange comes across as forward, not veiled at all but lacks a hair of transparency in comparison to the Dunu 2000. I mainly think this is more due to the overall darker tone of the 1 Plus in comparison to the slightly brighter Dunu. Do not get me wrong though I really like this presentation and find this earphone to have one of the most addictive and immersive signatures I have ever tried.
 
This leads me to that expansive and enveloping staging you hear the moment you lose touch of reality and find yourself adrift in the music. One of the things I love the most about this earphone is how mesmeric the music becomes as you listen in and appreciate the character of this enchantress. It has all the features of a monitor, wide and deep staging that surrounds and encapsulates you in world of notes as meaty bass lines inspire your toes to tap, your heart to listen as vocals draw you closer and your ears begin to eye in on the subtle, crisp, sparkly and yet unforceful treble.
 
The bass isn't without flaw some may find it lacking in extension but it certainly has a copious amount of mid bass and a nice touch of sub bass that almost make up for its short comings. Layering is fairly good and it never feels overrun when complicated bass lines appear. I find myself reverting back to my days as a young audio enthusiast, simply enjoying the music and getting involved with that naughty bass line that has you wanting to shake your ass and bob your head like a pigeon pecking for food.
 
If it’s one area I feel needs a little improvement it’s here but this isn’t due to the lack of enjoyment it is more from a strict technical stand point. I can see some penalising her for her slight lack of restraint and refinement but in a way it’s still who she is and many will love this girl for that type of personality. She may not say all the right words but man she is fun to have around.
 
I suppose that leaves the treble to be explored. To my ears a hidden gem, not a diamond in the rough. I initially thought there was a lack of detail missing in the treble coming from my brighter, slightly airier Dunu but it’s just not the case at all. In fact I am leaning towards this type of presentation having seen the light and experiencing this more relaxed type of character.
 
The treble is very well detailed and tends to blend in nicely with the music, it has a soft overtone and nowhere near the bite that I’ve gotten used to hearing. It could do with a touch of air to lift the treble a touch but all in all the treble is spot on. Cymbals, clicks, kicks and pops all are there just not abusively shouting in your face, as you listen and start to enjoy your music you will undoubtedly start to hear the little nuances most of us have come to find so enjoyable. It has to be said even with that slight criticism due to its nature acoustic pieces still sound absolutely fantastic. You will clearly hear each pluck of the guitar and be swept away with the beautiful timber she presents.
 
Considering the size of the driver used and the additional BA driver you might think these are a little inefficient. You would be wrong, well slightly, these earphones do require a little more juice than something like the Dunu 2000 or the Atomic Floyd Superdarts. However, even considering this I never really found myself having to push the volume anywhere over one notch over half on my iPhone. My prefered listening level is usually under the halfway mark with most earphones when using my phone, but in this case the extra power really aided and adds to all the attributes of this beautiful earphones as aforementioned.  
 
Summary
 
In conclusion this is a great package and I can’t see many people disagreeing with the charm and fun this girl brings to the table. The comfort and isolation with a good fit is superb, there is great detailing partnered with unfatiguing treble, absolutely captivating vocals and boundless staging and to top it all off really musical bass which isn't without flaw but enjoyable nevertheless. 
 
As always if there are any questions please feel free to get in contact and I’ll do my best to respond as promptly as possible. Hope you guys have enjoyed the review a much as I've enjoyed writing it. 

Acoustic Research UA1
 
Firstly I would like to thank Robert and David at Acoustic research for this review sample. Disclaimer I am not now or ever have been affiliated with Acoustic Research all material written in this review is purely subjective.
 
Packaging and contents
 
I have uploaded a few pictures below of the contents and packaging. Included in the luxuriously presented box is the UA1 DAC itself, USB cable, instruction manual and installation C.D. The packaging is minimalistic but well-presented, sort of what you’d expect from a high end restaurant a palatable plate of food with a few basil leaves for added effect. As nice as the presentation is, I do feel a little more could have been added for the price; ideally a ¼ inch adaptor and RCA to Jack cable would have been a really nice attribute to sweeten the deal.
 

 

 

 
 
Appearance and Function
 
Cased in a silver metal shell sized 82 x 135 x 24mm, Acoustic Research are keeping the look minimalistic and eloquent with a plain gloss black rear and front fascia enclosed in a machined aluminium casing. The company’s logo is engraved on the top of the device. The front fascia of the UA1’s features a headphone jack, a knurled knob which uses analogue controlling for the headphone volume and an additional multicolour led indicator showing the sample rate of the output. I must add the volume control is well implemented you get a nice sense of quality as you feel each click and notch. However one thing I feel slightly annoying is it does take a few notches before any audible sound is actually heard, but in all honesty this is just hair splitting.
 
Installation and software
 
Acoustic Research have very generously included a Jriver Media Center 19 for free with an installation C.D. I will not comment on Jriver as I am not reviewing the software, but would recommend it to any audio enthusiasts. Installation of this software is not mandatory just an additional extra should you wish to use it, you will not have to pay for licencing for continued use as the disk envelope has the registration code on the back saving you £50, If you wish to do so.
 
Installation of the drivers is simplistic and pretty much self-explanatory. Insert the disk and open the application file then follow the step by step process and eureka you’re good to go. Alternatively if you prefer you can install the drivers by downloading them online through Acoustic Research’s website a link is provided in the installation manual.
 
The UA1 provides installation for both Windows and Mac OS X.
 
Features   
·         An Audiophile oriented asynchronous USB Audio 2.0 interface
·         M-Class audio engine with Burr-brown PCM1794A DAC (Based on the Acoustic Research M1 music player)
·         Gold plated RCA output connectors
·         Windows/Mac OS X music player included for FLAC, DSD 64/128, and DXD playback
·         Optical output
·         ¼ inch headphone output
·         Dual Burr-Brown OPA2134 current/voltage converter
·         High slew rate TPA6120A2 Headphone amplifier
·         POWER (THD < 0.01%) 32 ohms 400mW + 400 mW 300 ohms 43mW + 43mW
 
 
Sound Impressions
 
Firstly I would like to talk about the sound impressions directly from the headphone out. The earphones and headphones used were the Dunu 2000 and Audio Technica ATH-M50 with a Forza Audio Works hybrid cable. I was hoping to get my hands on a pair of Grado SE325e for supplementary testing unfortunately this hasn’t been possible. There is little audible hiss with any earphones although there is a noticeable humming in the background when music isn’t actively playing but nothing to cause too much concern. I will split sound impressions down into four categories for convenience.
 
Bass
 
I will say immediately after plugging in both my Dunu and ATH-M50s the bass did strike me and in a very good way. There is a very nice tonal balance with the bass, it is prominent but not overbearing there is a slight bloom which contributes to a really rich and full bodied sound. In comparison the Meridian Explorer almost sounds a little looser and muddier which I didn’t ever really consider until now. There is stacks of detailing and the layering of each kick is very rhythmic, certainly one of the best DACs I have heard for bass detailing and texture.
 
Midrange
 
Moving on to the midrange I get a sense of open clean space. There is a nice touch of warmth that flows through with the cosy cuddly bass however, I do sense a slight recession in a few songs this occurs more so with male vocals. Vocals come across spotless and grain free but lack the touch of emotion I am consistently drawn to. Thankfully if you have a nice RCA to Jack cable and a good amp changes can be made. After plugging in my trusty Neco V4 amp the vocals soon showed there true colours and life began to flow into my ears again. I won’t add much more but the midrange whilst great could do with a touch of forwardness for added emotion.  
 
Treble
 
I am in love with the details this little beauty produces but admittedly it was not love at first sound. After A and B-ing back and forth against my Explorer with some High res files I noticed an immediate lack of timber, stumped by this I allowed more time for burn in and for my ears to adjust. As I was losing hope I decided to play Ed Sheeran’s new album X.  I have listen to most of the songs on that particular album an unsightly amount of times knowing the melodies very well, with this in mind I also most cried upon listening to the strings starting to cascade. No I am not joking it was as if someone had cleaned the dirty window of a prison cell and rays of natural sunlight had broken in. The timber is very different from the way the Explorer presents its music some will prefer the latter, personally both have their own unique taste it will be a matter of preference. The Explorer is certainly a more coloured sound which was built for an epic soundstage, luxurious vocals and lingering sweet treble. The UA1 had me lost discovering the integrated details of each note as the strings played and the whispers of the melody catch and entrance you. I certainly will miss it when it’s gone.
 
Sound-Stage
 
I am unsure how to word this article, hands down is the most truthful sound I have heard from a source. Not one thing seems out of place the sound-stage is just above average in width and depth just right some may say. Others may disagree here and I am happy for some constructive criticism as others experience this beautiful piece of mastery. I strongly believe this DAC was created for a better more accurate and precise musical experience as a no nonsense source. There is a lovey relaxed quality about the overall sound which is certainly not fatiguing, this in my opinion is a very mature DAC secure in its identity and its place in this world. As much as I adore my Explorer switching back and forth you soon see the dreams and ambitions Meridian were aiming for, and did accomplish which I am not saying didn't work well, but it’s clearly a different approach to the UA1 which emphasises neutrality.
 
Harmon Kardon Soundsticks
 
For this piece I will share some brief impressions on how I feel the DAC performed solely without the use of its internal amp. Certainly there is an improvement over the standard headphone out. The first thing you will notice is an increased level of clarity; separation of instruments are now a little more apparent creating a cleaner airier space between instruments. Sound staging is now noticeably wider and there is less glare in the treble than usual. The sticks usually like to hurl detail at your face sharply but with the UA1 in place the music and treble are presented in a slightly more laid back way, still with oodles of details, but with a truer sense of stereo space that encompasses the music.
 
Conclusion
 
To sum up this is certainly one awesome DAC with very few shortcoming. There is a lot to like about it particularly the sound even down to the simplistic design. If you haven’t figured it out yet I do like this DAC an awful lot, I would highly recommend the UA1 for anyone looking for a semi portable setup especially for those who will be utilising the DAC for any home audio system. The headphone amp is fairly powerful although I can sense it certainly has its limits but anyone using sensitive iem’s or headphones up to about 300ohms should be fine.   
 
If there are any questions you have about the review or DAC I will do my best to answer you as promptly as possible. I hope you have enjoyed the review and a quick heads up I seriously recommend keeping an eye on this company as they will have something very special coming out in the near future . Check out the Acoustic Research M2 thread for more details. 

I borrowed these from a friend as a trial and I can see why he likes them, unfortunately I do not share the same appreciation. Original review updated an extra half a star added. 
 
Let me elaborate on this as it's no justification at all to dismiss these earphones because I have a personal preference. So with over 100 hours of burn in and a pain staking few days getting used to them I feel I can now review and asses the fx750's with brutal honesty.
 
Well lets start off with some positives:
 
Spacious is a word that I find myself picking as I write this. It is so odd coming from my Dunu 2000's which I now consider my reference pair as they have no significant flaws throughout the sound spectrum. Well that being said the 750 are certainly wider, the sound stage is open, the vented design I assuming helps this but I find it can be quite unrealistic. I am a big fan of musicality so a slightly out of head feeling is something I consider a positive. Unfortunately after being spoiled by listening to accurate reproduction through other earphones it makes me question why instruments are coming at me at all angles with no serious positional ques.
 
There is actually a copious amount of detail but I often found these earphones quite picky of sources there is no chance of me getting through an entire minute of music on my old ipod classic 5.5 amp or no amp. However in the spirit of perseverance I tried several other source finally settling on my laptop surprisingly enough. The sources used to try the 750s are as follows: Meridian Explorer, iPhone 6, ipod classic 5.5 with and without Neco V4 and finally Asus K55V straight from the headphone socket.
 
With all sources there seemed to be a lack of detail a hazy sound is the best way to describe it. There was always something missing significantly enough to warrant me pulling them out of my ears within a few minutes.
 
Bass these would like to be all about that bass, sometimes there's no treble. No seriously kidding aside the bass on these earphones complex me a little, I love bass especially bass done right. These are cannons which I can imagine some people enjoying, tons of mid bass which leaves a chasm of depth and texture to be filled. Don't get me wrong I've heard worse but when listening to these earphones you soon come to understand there is such a thing as quality and ergo lack off. I can understand what JVC are trying to do unfortunately it hasn't worked particularly well, I can only assume this was an effort to add warmth and character such a shame it didn't quite work out that way. I am listening to these again as I write this final sentence and there is still an over generous amount of mid bass but this however does add character and warmth to the sound, I am certainly not retracting any thing from what I have previously said but It is certainly not as bad as I lead myself to believe.
 
Transparency does exist and my sincerest apologies if that sounds sarcastic. There is with the right source a clarity to the sound particularly violins shine and shimmer through with some pretty great timbre. I have reevaluated the earphones in an effort to make sure everything is done in fair justice.
 
Mids and treble.... Well it isn't bad there is actually a substantial amount of detail here especially hidden in the treble it's just a little more subdued than I've gotten used to.
 
I would say due to the slightly recessed mid range there seems to be a lack of detail, but when doing some critical listening it becomes a little more apparent its only an effect. On the contrary there is about as much detail as I've ever heard from any dynamic driver. The mids are a marshmallow with metallic sprinkles for treble. With the right source and song the treble is actually presented rather nicely there is a natural tone to stringed instruments which I have missed many times listening on inaccurate sources. The mids are presented but take a back seat to the music and that ghastly, messy mid bass covers them when the bass line pumps. There are some benefits to this as it does lead to a warm rich sound. All in all these are not the strongest earphones for vocals but they do there best to not mess anything up. 
 
Fit well the long and short is these were not built for my ears. These earphones have been a pain to get to seated. I've tried various tips ranging from the spiral dots to comply and back. If you are seriously considering getting a pair please try get a demo if at all possible. I only say this as a pre-warning as I know the frustration of having a beautiful pair of earphones made unlistenable due to comfort and fit issues.
 
The overall signature is warm with generous detailing, great timber and good transparency . I would love to hear it's bigger brother in hope it may be a more refined version with greater transparency, more control and a more accurate presentation. In conclusion these are not bad earphones its only due to hearing rivals in a similarly price category I can't whole heartily recommend them.

After reading so much and so little about this beast I decided to take a leap of faith and purchase, when I saw it of the forum for a respectable price it was an opportunity not to be missed.
 
Sound Impressions
 
I had a rough idea what I was expecting to hear when I first plugged this thing in, maybe the reason I felt a touch underwhelmed by my initial experience. Sure it didn't do anything wrong but there wasn't anything to justify what I was hearing was any better than other portables I've owned. So after plugging in to variable sources I eventually found some amazing synergy between a family member's iPhone 5 and the Vorzuge wow. I started hearing details with more life nuances becoming more apparent, I then decided to take the next step and order a better interconnect. Once I plugged the triple hybrid mini jack in all became clear this amp was hear to stay. (Cable use was a mix of pure silver, mundorf- silver 1 % gold and pure copper) . Shortly after I received my Dunu 2000 I soon realized this was a match made in heaven. All impressions will made be using the following set up: Vertere Pulse D-Fi usb > Meridian Explorer > Hybrid interconnect > Vorzuge Pure ii > Dunu 2000 (Online streaming via Grooveshark)
 
 
Bass: I will start with the bass as I feel it will be the shortest part of the write up. Controlled and well extended not overly dominate but defiantly present. The bass does a great job of staying out of the rest of the frequency's but adds a warmth to the midrange which is great as it adds to the overall experience. 
 
Mids: I love the midrange this little baby pulls out of my earphones. It's simply gorgeous I've yet to hear an amp so smooth and forgiving yet has every subtle detail portrayed and presented in each note. I don't think the amp really adds any coloration to the overall sound it just takes whatever its given and pushes its best out of it. There is a certain buttery effect to the presentation but it never feels like your missing out on any details, the transparency is top notch. I will add with the right source iem and interconnect this thing will definitely bring the most out of your set up I simply keep rediscovering my music all over again as cliche as it sounds I don't care I'm a man in love.
 
Treble: The treble shares similar traits to the midrange with its sheer smoothness and extension. It's quite an interesting treble it almost as if what you knew what treble should sound like but didn't until you've heard this. I won't comment too much on this area as I truly feel the Dunu 2000 are a limiting factor in this assessment due to it's slightly rolled off bright treble. Timber is presented very nicely with a beautiful lingering decay which is not too fast and not too slow.
 
Soundstage: Accurate I can't really understand how the pure ii does it ? On the one hand I almost feel it shrinks the soundstage of my earphones but at the same time it makes the positional cues of instruments so much more vivid and accurate. Imaging is very good the texture is amazing as you listen you can hear the integrate layers of the music.
 
Conclusion: This is a state of the art piece of equipment and if your in the market for a new portable amp I highly recommend you take a look at this amp. It's worth noting if you do purchase the amp I recommend getting it straight from Vorzuge themselves as they don't seem to be very responsive to warranty claims by people who have purchased via third party sources. I have had a few issues with the amp but every time I have inquired the support team have been a lot less responsive after finding I purchased the amp externally, in fact i'm still awaiting a response I will update with accurate information once they have got back to me. Update response back is due to it being bought 2nd hand any repairs will cost a nice tidy sum so just forewarning for anyone looking to purchase second hand.

Prologue:
 
Lets start with a story of a young man on a desperate mission to rediscover the beauty of music. Long long ago there was a man a man named Dan he had a plan to try a DAC but many seemed to lack true emotion and heart.
 
OK skip a few chapters the introduction would be far too long and I'm not that eloquent fortunately, this wonderful piece of equipment is. I was out in Birmingham on a day trip when I stumbled onto the uncovering of a Super fi, the sales staff were very helpful leading me to the back room showing me various DACs, headphones and earphones. Feeling rather disappointed by the turn out the gentleman next to me turns and asks for my opinion on the headphones he is looking to purchase. Of course being an audio addict I jump to idea of throwing in my two cents. As I place the headphones onto my rather accommodating ears I notice this silver, shiny, glowing rod being the Meridian. Anyway after a few listens with various iems and headphones my decision is final I need me one of these and oh yes the gentleman did manage to make a decision in the end. 
 
So my apologies for the lengthy start but now we have been introduced I feel I can share the journey of exploration this fabulous machine has had me on.
 
The DAC is fairly easy to set up even on a windows computer. It's fairly self explanatory just download the drivers from Meridian and follow the step by step.
 
Sound:
 
The first thing I noticed when plugging my earphones or headphones into the Explorer is depth and musicality. Just stuns me upon every listen. Don't get me wrong its not entirely accurate but it gives such an immerse feel to the music like being center stage as the music surrounds and notes cascade and dance around you.
 
There is a beautiful lush, liquid sense to the mid range which helps vocals just melt into you ear and slip into your heart..... Humm true love.  I am a self confessed ex bass head now I really struggle writing anything bad about my love but to write honestly has to be imperative. The bass is beautiful, plump and bouncy however, this is an area I really feel could do with tightening a touch not loads so as to lose the true nature of what she is but just enough to add refinement.
 
Timber and treble detail are quite fantastic subtle and slightly shadowed but fairly extended if not a touch rolled off. This is though a soft footed princess who loves shimmers and sparkles but never at the expensive of losing her delicate character. I won't be comparing the Explorer with my CLAS solo-db but I will say they are two different takes on musicality, one being a hot chocolate by the fire another being a walk on a stunningly clean beach just before the morning sun comes to warm the refreshing grains of sand between your feet.  
 
There is so many good things about this DAC to summarize its one of the few pieces of equipment I can truly say I don't have buyers remorse after purchasing !
 
Can it get any better ? Well I have a few amps to my disposal plugged into the line out of the Explorer the sound can be tweaked to your preference. I personally love the Vorzuge Pure amp ii when partnered with any iem as I feel both sounds just complement each other so well. I highly encourage you to try any of your favorite amps, I was more than satisfied with the sound of the Explorer directly. Nevertheless in this hobby we are always looking to squeeze that extra 2% out if we can, so experiments began and well I am satisfied for now. In the mean time I wait expectantly for the new arrival of the Explorer2 which I hope improves on an already impressive DAC.  
 
Bottom line if you can afford one and can get it cheap do so, worth every penny. 

As there already four reviews I shall keep this one short and sweet.
 
Initial impressions: Holy cow! Accessories galore, beautiful balanced sound and more accessories.
 
The sound has grown on me over the months and actually changed my sound preferences. Overall these are what I would call neutral but not necessarily natural. The flavor consists of dry, clean, transparency with a bite of lemon.
 
Treble: In a nutshell basically the treble is very detailed but doesn't quite have the extension to reach its ambitions. It can be very sharp at times with a bad recording and prone to sibilance with the wrong tips and spacers. I find it a little brittle and forced but timber is pretty good and it tries its very best to throw as much detail at you as it possibly can. 
 
Mids: Wow this is one thing I love so much about these iem's. Clear and transparent I wouldn't call them forward but they certainly aren't recessed and with a slight volume boost can be brought forward to your own liking. Coming from the Fischer amps Fa-4e XB I suddenly realized what I had been missing all this time, emotion ! Although the mids can be a little thin at times with the right track, ear tips, spacers and volume the mid range can become highly addictive as you get caught up in each instrument and listen to vocals shining through their pronounced transparency and emotion into your ears and into your heart. The 2000s have made me rethink what I like most when listening to music and the mid range whilst not quite perfect has shed some light on what I love most.
 
Bass: Surprises is what the Dunu offer in the bass department. I am a self confessed bass head and although I would not call these bass heavy by any stretch they have this innate ability to just slam, bang  and rumble when awoken. The bass to me is almost perfect, ask me about eight months ago to listen to these and say that statement I would have laughed in your face. But then again preferences change and these have altered my thinking, I now know music doesn't have to be clouded with a heap of artificial bass to sound musical. It's a pleasure to listen when the sub bass kicks in it always reaches deep with such great quality and texture one can only really expect from a dynamic driver.    
 
Sounstage, Instrument Separation: Where to begin this is kinda a mixed bag on a good day these things have a great soundstage, well placed not entirely three dimensional but fairly encompassing shines with some good trance tracks . I don't know how to fully articulate this part of the sound signature as it really varies from track to track all I will say is width is great but over all height could be improved for a more holographic sound. These do posses the skills to separate instruments very well and present the music in an airy manor giving each instrument its own personal space to breath.
 
In conclusion I find these to be an incredible bargain for the price. If you're after a balanced iem with great transparency and great sub bass just get these and be done with it. There are areas where I feel like things could be improved but this is a touch more subjective rather than objective.
 
Warning: Do not pull the grey wings to hard back as I managed to pull the back piece of my earphones off, whilst still fully functioning its not recommended you do this I almost cried thinking I had broken them, although nothing a bit of super glue can't fix ha.
 
Gear used: Clas Solo-db + Duet + Balanced interconnect.  Tips, spacers used: Finally settled on the blue spacers and foam tips due to overall comfort and isolation. 

Let gets started a little background i have tried over 20 dedicated bass head iem's ranging from the well know Future Sonic Atrios to the lesser priced Skull candy 50/50. I know hardly should be able to compare the two but everyone's journey starts somewhere. Anyway it has to be said these are the best bass heavy iem i have heard to date hopefully this review will shed some light on why so lets get in to it. 
 
For arguments sake we will start with my main gripes to get them out of the way:
 
COMFORT:
These have to be one of the most uncomfortable earphones without the correct tips, in fact i was about to dispose of them had it of not been for some comply tips i had lying around. I would encourage you to purchase these separately if looking to purchase these as its almost essential to enjoy them fully. Without the comply's installed i tried various tips from specialized tips such as the ear ports to bi flanges and triple flanges. ( Side note i spoke to the product manger of JVC based in the U.K and this information was taken on board :so for U.K users we may see a set included in future sets so fingers crossed) However with comply's installed fit isn't uncomfortable in fact they fit quite snugly seal is great and this does effect audio reproduction as we all know. 
 
DESIGN:
ok admittedly these do look ridiculous sticking out your ear they could have been better designed ergonomically. Although this is something that can easily overlooked when listening to them so i will leave this section as short as possible. Just to add the wires don't ever seem to tangle my earphone are always looked after inside a tin which can cause tangle issues but these happen to be ready to use every time so truly impressed.
 
  
ISOLATION:
It's fine but it doesn't block things out as much as others for example fischer audio eterna do a better job but its understandable considering the design. It's not a big issue unless you want to use them in the subway or a noisy area and once again i must add comply do a great job of boosting isolation but if you do chose silicone don't expect anything to substantial.
 
Now to the important bit how do these sound. 
 
Main source used Asus laptop K55V >  Gold / Silver Mundorf Interconnect > Neco V4 ( AD8065 ) 
 
Highs - Ok one thing that did catch me off guard was how well these earphones handle treble, detail and timber are top notch far more pronounced than the Atrios partially due to the difference in sound signature .There is a nice amount of air between each instrument and the treble never really becomes harsh i haven't noticed them being sibilant. In tracks with stringed instruments timber is conveyed very well natural and an added bit of sparkle, its quite beautiful to hear considering most bass heavy iem's usually go one of two ways dark or overly bright due to a v shape frequency.  
 
Mids -  Detailed and informative can lack full emotion on certain tracks but overall there is a great sense of balance as another reviewer previously noted there almost on eye level with the highs. There doesn't seem to be much coloration to the sound just personal preference i would like the mids slightly more forward, but then you would be changing the dynamic of how this beast works. Overall the mids are great far from recessed but not center stage by any means at least to my ear.
     
Bass - I am bass hear me roar lol. That isn't to say the bass messes or interferes with the rest of the spectrum however these do have a dedicated sub woofer so....  Admittedly i was initially disappointed with the overall quality even my silver bullets did a better job of producing deep bass. But this is where a bit of persistence was needed i would like to add before writing these things off make sure that they are burnt in and you have a good seal ! So with this in mind things have changed before these factors were added the bass was distorted and muddy, now however it has become a different story suddenly the bass has become deep controlled and incredibly addictive to listen to. I would love to add more to this section but i will say this in closing if you are after the best iem for bass in particular and overall sound quality i have yet to find an iem i would pick over them..
 
Soundstage - The soundstage is quite interesting i haven't really heard anything quite like it. In essence it reminds me slightly of the UE triple fi 10vi except not as wide but with more depth. I suppose having three drivers helps add to the effect it's quite three dimensional.
 
Overall if you are after a great bass head iem grab them without hesitation and a pair of complys . I must add although not needed an amp is vital in bringing these beasts to life and seeing them shine in there full potential will require a fairly decent amp. In fact a brilliant combo is the dragonfly dac which i had the privilege of demoing the synergy was great really tighten up the whole sound anyway hope you enjoyed my first review. ( I'm not an audiophile just love earphones and music and sound is subjective just a thing to bare in mind and thanks again )