Totally agree, two different worlds. Just answering the OP that they sound nothing alike 🤷🏻

Sadly they don't sound anything alike. MDR has more forward mid/upper treble, and lacks the resolution of the IER across the range. Still a fantastic sounding headphone though, with probably the best build quality I've seen on any headphone.

Yes, Anni 23. My ears aren't compatible with those new thick Elysian nozzles 😕 Still a great IEM!

Annihilator falls short of Z1R bass quality (it's not even close imo) but it does have more quantity and better treble. Very different IEMs imo, but YMMV. I really like both. PS. Ironically for all the jokes about Z1R fit, it fits me much better than Anni. I wouldn't buy Anni primarily because...

Short answer: yes. Long answer: depends on what you're looking for from a newer flagship IEM and what you're willing to spend. Nothing I've heard sounds quite like the Z1R, so if you want that Z1R sound, you still have only one real option.

I use black too.

Congrats, great choice!

Hey guys, my review of the excellent solid-core duo, Code 24 and 24C, is now online here. Thanks as always to the one and only @JordonEA

Oh now you're opening a can of worms. I'm forever balancing out numerical sequences. If two pieces of gear have the same sequence number, they automatically have to go together. Xe6, Rn6, two peas in a pod. R8 II, RS8...really need the RS8 II to balance the scales. I can go on and on but my...

Not sure what you mean by 'layer', but Xe6 is one of the best IEMs ever made so it's not really surprising.

I hear you, which is why I'd never use my R8 II without the case 😅 Thankfully I discovered that with a little bit of pressure, both Pentaconn OEM, Beat Audio and PWA 4.4mm plugs actually DO fit without issue. Tight, but they fit. That removes any restriction for me for using the case, so...

@tjzurlaaa @Eric Chong - sincere apologies, it seems I simply wasn't fitting my OTL Versa mmcx correctly, and it DOES INDEED support IE-mmcx connections. Please disregard my previous comment - Eletech Versa fully supports IE900/600/300/200.

That's a good point. I tried my OTL Versa and it doesn't fit IE900 - my bad! Maybe if we ask @Eric Chong really nicely he'll consider making IE900-compatible Versa for IE900 🤗 Couldn't agree more. Wait till you hook it up to a TOTL DAP with a TOTL cable...it really scales, even though it's so...

Eletech Raphael will probably work well then. Sounds amazing, more affordable too, and you can buy it with Versa to use with multiple IEMs.

I have a clone PWA 1950s on mine. Beautiful synergy. The OG 1950s will have the same sound/ergo. It's not cheap though, more than the IEM itself, but can probably be found used for ~$900-$1000.

Won't be an issue at all. Just connect your R4 using the headphone out (either 3.5mm or 4.4mm) to the line-in on your amp, and away you go. Quality will be more than fine. You'll be able to adjust volume with both the R4 and amp.

Reporting back, I've had mine streaming in high gain, with plugins enabled, WHILE CHARGING for the last hour or so, and while it's moderately warm, it's nowhere near hot. Seems mine is working as intended.

I think if @Joe Bloggs confirmed an issue, there probably is one, but hopefully isolated to a few units. I'm sure HiBy will take care of it quickly and fuss-free.

Interesting, I didn't notice mine heating up too much during testing, but will test specifically for this now. Hopefully it's only batch related and not a widespread issue.

Haven't heard Singularity but even if I love it, it won't replace IE900 for me. Easily the most comfortable IEM I have ever used (and I have 4 customs currently), and the bass is simply world-class. The rest isn't too shabby either. I sold it once, never again. It's one of my 'for life's IEMs...

Hey guys, my full review of R4 (featuring Project Ace) is now online here. Enjoy!

WAV is PCM, so is FLAC. DSD is its own format, and R4 has separate audio circuits for playing WAV/FLAC/MP3 (all PCM) and DSD. In my experience the DSD circuit sounds more 'analogue' (warmer, slightly rolled off transients) and the PCM circuit more 'digital' (sharper, cooler, with a hint of...

How would you rate CMA18P vs RS8 head-to-head?

Only if the amp is designed with IEMs (or very sensitive headphones) in mind, with Ultra low-noise circuits. PS. If you're going to desktop-amp IEMs, make sure they're not the sensitive kind. Aura and Trifecta might give you trouble, possibly Jewel. I generally avoid ultra-seneitive IEMs as...

I would have put the Z1RMK2 while we're playing 😎