Good to know that it will be available with a balanced cable. I was very disappointed to see Focal's new "mid-fi" releases are not able to be run balanced. The design puts it more in league with the 500 line rather than a true closed-back version of the 600 line, but I'm intrigued by it...

But why nerf it by not allowing balanced? It seems to me that balanced is no longer a "high-end only" feature. $150 dongle DACs have balanced outputs.

If they can't be run balanced, then these are truly worthless to me. I would love a lighter-weight, more comfortable closed-back Focal, but not if it can't be run balanced. Seems like these are aimed at "consumers", but I don't know any non-audiophiles who are willing to pay $500+ for wired...

Almost every DAC I’ve owned cuts off a bit of audio at the beginning on my MacBook (not just dongles, desktop amps too), but it depends on the app. It never happens with Qobuz or Roon, but it does with Apple’s built-in Music app or Chrome.

Just received my Zen DAC 3 today! Having a Zen DAC again reminds me how great of an entry-level device this is. I was never happier listening to digital music than I was when I had the previous Zen DACs. That incredibly smooth volume wheel, desktop form-factor yet able to be powered by USB...

The front lights, yes, but I was talking about the rear "ext power" light. That stays on as long as the power is connected.

This has been the case for every Zen DAC I’ve owned. I remember finding it annoying because the external power light was quite bright and would light up my desk when I went to bed.

Is there going to be a Zen Can 3 to match these other devices? :)

Apple wants you to use their AirPods and that's it. I have an iPhone, I'm not dissing Apple, but Apple is very much dedicated to the "walled garden".

I don't think you should have to do that either, and I don't. A headphone that can't be an "all-rounder" isn't a good headphone to me. It has to be able to sound good with everything I throw at it. And the Bokeh does. So you just have to test each combination with your preferred amp and your...

The Bokeh is just overall a warm headphone. To me, the hybrid pads with the included mesh will have the perfect mix of warmth and detail. Another option would be protein with no mesh (as the protein pads tend to darken the highs a bit). To me, the protein pads add a bit too much bass sometimes...

The suede pads are slightly smaller than the other two pads, making them more difficult to put on. However, repeatedly swapping them does loosen them up and make them easier to put on. The solid mesh will tame the highs even further than the included burst mesh, resulting in a darker sound. I...

Well, I just got the back order email from Audio Advisor :( So I guess it’s maybe not quite available yet, and not just in the EU.

I just ordered from Audio Advisor. Unfortunately I no longer own the Zen DAC V2, so I can't do a side-by-side. But it doesn't seem like it should've changed much, sound-wise? I don't think it's a question of whether I'll like it. I know I'll like it. It's just getting to hear a sound that I...

Does every product that offers MQA support have to turn into a fight about it? If you don’t need it, don’t use it. Tidal is dropping MQA support anyway; it’s not going to be around for much longer. Just savor the victory and move on. For now, I’m fine with DACs offering a wide range of supported...

I love the warm Burr Brown house sound. I’ll be looking forward to hearing that again.

Yeah, I'm getting a bit tired of portable amps advertising "buy this DC adapter and unleash the amp's true potential!" Like, I get that wall power is always going to be better than battery or USB power, but at least put the effort into the USB connection so there isn't such a gap in performance...

Just when I thought I was done buying audio products for a while… The original Zen DAC was probably my favorite and most-used DAC/amp for several years and it really helped me get into this hobby. I’m glad it’s still able to be powered by USB alone and USB-C is a welcome upgrade. I think I...

Yeah, but the 2024 roadmap indicated they're effectively discontinuing the Q-line. :frowning2:

To be honest, I do find the Bokeh similar. For me it is like a true successor, at least sonically. It's much heavier and not as comfortable as the NightOwl (few headphones approach the NightOwl's comfort), but "warm, but detailed" perfectly describes the Bokeh. The Bokeh's tuning can be...

They are. The headphone that forms the base sound on which I judge every other closed-back headphone I like. I'd kill for a reboot of the NightOwl... :(

It's getting to the point where I'm preferring the Kensei to the KA17. At first it was a little difficult to choose between them, but after listening to them both side-by-side more, to me the Kensei just sounds like a general "step up" from the KA17 sonically, though the KA17 is certainly a...

^I'd be interested in a comparison between these two as well. It does seem the D16 has few reviews. It is quite expensive, and iBasso is mostly known for DAPs, so that might be part of why. It also seems to be mostly marketed as part of a $3000 stack with the PB5, which makes its appeal even...

Op-apms don’t change the sound? I would argue that different op-amps change the sound more than different DACs. And I’m glad XDuoo didn’t plaster MQA marketing all over the spec sheet or include any nonsense like “what the artist intended”.

I would agree that's the correct way to do it, and with a desktop amp or a larger portable amp I probably would. With a dongle I think it's different; I kind of leave the dongle attached to my headphone and connect when necessary, as if the dongle is just an extension of the headphone. I'd be...