[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

KZ ZS10 pro 2 third party graph spotted

Seems fairly similar to the Lings, which I love. If the top end has a tad more controlled extension with less grain, I might bite?

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

... you're writing in comparison to the EA 500LM. How many people, as many ears. I would say the exact opposite... The Trio may be great, but the EA 500LM, in my opinion, noticeably outperforms it in all of the categories mentioned. I use the gold nozzle one

Not to my ears! Nooooooo....yes, it's a fantastic new shiny, but I have the advantage of having the EW200 and owning and selling the EA1000, and I had both of those when the Trio landed on my doorstep, and it was the Trio performance that pushed me to sell the EA1000. So no way, to my ears, does the EA1000 or EA500LM have better staging and imaging than the Trio. It just doesn't. EW200 is actually a beast for left right out of head staging, but it's just not a very refined beast, with very thin note weight and light on bass.

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

New!

$119.00
https://penonaudio.com/ISN-Audio-T-OCC

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/isn-t-occ-triple-copper-hybrid-audiophile-iem-cable.27177/

ISN Audio T-OCC 2 Shares Triple Copper Hybrid 2Pin Audiophile IEM Earphone Cable

Specification
Brand：ISN AUDIO
Model: T-OCC
3 kinds of copper combination, 3 kinds of diameters
2 shares, 181 cores per share
Outer diameter is 2.5mm, 18AWG wire
98 cores 0.08 frozen single crystal copper
48 cores 0.06 Quenched single crystal copper
35 cores 0.05 Copper-silver alloy
OFC 2-pin 0.78mm connector
3.5mm audio/4.4mm balanced OFC plug
Aluminum CNC alloy cutting integrated slide
The solder joints is silver–contained tin
Secondary oxidation gold foil gold ring
Cable length: 1.2M

LOL $119 for a cable. PASS.

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

You mean the one that was hundreds of years old?

LOL Great catch!

 

[Leonarfd]

greetings

Any impressions to share about mega 5 est

DMS seems to like it alot

I believe @Leonarfd has one?

One of my favorite IEMs under $1K, I recommend it if you want a allrounder with neutral warm tuning and okay technicalities.
Love the way it is not as agressive in the upper mids, also have good extension in both the low end and highs(without being excessively bright or warm)

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/hisenior-mega5est.26822/review/33101/

 

[FreeWheelinAudioLuv2]

Simgot EA500LM really come to life with DSD. *chef's kiss*

 

[o0genesis0o]

HiBy R4: I will buy this the second it goes for sale. My Tempotec V6 is on life support. I basically live on HiBy's R4 product page, waiting.

If you like the usual ESS sound, I think you will like it quite a bit. Otherwise, system-wide EQ in both MSEB and PEQ could mitigate the ESS annoyance somewhat, given that the amp stage is not lacking (e.g., trying use EQ to bandages devices with weaker amp like the old BTR5 is a no go). If my R4 sample were my own unit I would use quite a bit of DSP on it permanently.

 

[ToneDeafMonk]

If you like the usual ESS sound, I think you will like it quite a bit. Otherwise, system-wide EQ in both MSEB and PEQ could mitigate the ESS annoyance somewhat, given that the amp stage is not lacking (e.g., trying use EQ to bandages devices with weaker amp like the old BTR5 is a no go). If my R4 sample were my own unit use quite a bit of DSP on it permanently.

My R4 sounds like a relaxed analog set not ESS like at all quite laid back in comparison.

Post in thread 'Cayin N3Ultra: an Entry-level Portable DAP that Delivers a Complete Vacuum Tube Audio Experience' https://www.head-fi.org/threads/cay...um-tube-audio-experience.971920/post-18081729

One thing is for certian you can not generalize DAC Chips it more about the rest of the chain inside the unit and how it's implemented that makes electronics sound the way they do.

A ESS can sound warm and and A AKM bright or possible transparent.

 

[o0genesis0o]

My R4 sounds like a relaxed analog set not ESS like at all quite laid back in comparison.

Post in thread 'Cayin N3Ultra: an Entry-level Portable DAP that Delivers a Complete Vacuum Tube Audio Experience' https://www.head-fi.org/threads/cay...um-tube-audio-experience.971920/post-18081729

One thing is for certian you can not generalize DAC Chips it more about the rest of the chain inside the unit and how it's implemented that makes electronics sound the way they do.

A ESS can sound warm and and A AKM bright or possible transparent.

My unit is anything but relaxed and analogue. It pushes the midrange forward to form a flat but wide and tall stage just like how my Topping G5 sounds. The midrange has that edgy crisp sound just like G5. We have to agree to disagree here. This is not the neutral detailed sound signature of CS DACs inside the likes of W4 and Aful Snowy Night, and certainly far cry from the truly sweet and analogue sound of, say, L&P P6 Pro. To my ears and my library, this is “ESS proper” sound, which some people would enjoy and the intended market would not complain.

Yes, ESS can sound anyway manufacturers want, as I usually mentioned how Shanling makes warm DAC with dual ESS in UP4.

 

[Rambone]

If you like the usual ESS sound, I think you will like it quite a bit. Otherwise, system-wide EQ in both MSEB and PEQ could mitigate the ESS annoyance somewhat, given that the amp stage is not lacking (e.g., trying use EQ to bandages devices with weaker amp like the old BTR5 is a no go). If my R4 sample were my own unit use quite a bit of DSP on it permanently.

ESS implementation is a hit or miss for me but when it hits, it's soo stinking good. Luckily I have a good idea of what to expect with the R4 coming from the lower end HiBy R3 Pro Saber models. I'll most likely have to use a little DSP magic on it to hit the sweet spot.

 

[o0genesis0o]

ESS implementation is a hit or miss for me but when it hits, it's soo stinking good. Luckily I have a good idea of what to expect with the R4 coming from the lower end HiBy R3 Pro Saber models. I'll most likely have to use a little DSP magic on it to hit the sweet spot.

The DAC chip used in the R4 seem to be the same of slight revision of the one in R3 Pro Saber.

That reminds me, I need to compare the R4 with R3II. I have only been testing against the W4.

 

[Rambone]

My R4 sounds like a relaxed analog set not ESS like at all quite laid back in comparison.

Post in thread 'Cayin N3Ultra: an Entry-level Portable DAP that Delivers a Complete Vacuum Tube Audio Experience' https://www.head-fi.org/threads/cay...um-tube-audio-experience.971920/post-18081729

One thing is for certian you can not generalize DAC Chips it more about the rest of the chain inside the unit and how it's implemented that makes electronics sound the way they do.

A ESS can sound warm and and A AKM bright or possible transparent.

I am pleased to hear that actually. I love analog sounding stuff as it works quite well with headphones and IEMs I like to use.

I firmly believe that one cannot generalize DAC chips and I ended up learning this lesson time and time again. For example, My Topping D10s to me sounds rather dry and analytical while my lavaudio D600 that uses the same ES9038Q2M chips sounds more analog and relaxed. Infact that D600 is a hidden gem.

Basically I just end up having to either listen to things for myself or get word of mouth on what to expect.

 

[kalibri]

New!

$119.00
https://penonaudio.com/ISN-Audio-T-OCC

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/isn-t-occ-triple-copper-hybrid-audiophile-iem-cable.27177/

ISN Audio T-OCC 2 Shares Triple Copper Hybrid 2Pin Audiophile IEM Earphone Cable

Specification
Brand：ISN AUDIO
Model: T-OCC
3 kinds of copper combination, 3 kinds of diameters
2 shares, 181 cores per share
Outer diameter is 2.5mm, 18AWG wire
98 cores 0.08 frozen single crystal copper
48 cores 0.06 Quenched single crystal copper
35 cores 0.05 Copper-silver alloy
OFC 2-pin 0.78mm connector
3.5mm audio/4.4mm balanced OFC plug
Aluminum CNC alloy cutting integrated slide
The solder joints is silver–contained tin
Secondary oxidation gold foil gold ring
Cable length: 1.2M

Looks great but similar cables can be had for $30 to $50 from AE shops like Ivipq or Xinhs, they do custom orders. I have a few done with modular connectors and different wire colors. I have quite a few with different connectors, different wire thickness, etc.

Apologies for the crappy photo.

 

[Redcarmoose]

Looks great but similar cables can be had for $30 to $50 from AE shops like Ivipq or Xinhs, they do custom orders. I have a few done with modular connectors and different wire colors. I have quite a few with different connectors, different wire thickness, etc.

Apologies for the crappy photo.

Enjoy.

 

[Hypops]

If you like the usual ESS sound, I think you will like it quite a bit. Otherwise, system-wide EQ in both MSEB and PEQ could mitigate the ESS annoyance somewhat, given that the amp stage is not lacking (e.g., trying use EQ to bandages devices with weaker amp like the old BTR5 is a no go). If my R4 sample were my own unit I would use quite a bit of DSP on it permanently.

This seems like the best one can expect from such an inexpensive, versatile device IMO.

I've been on the fence about jumping into DAPs for a while now, but this is the first one that seems finally to combine the price and functionality I've been waiting for. I know I could probably spend more for improved sound quality, but since DAPs aren't generally upgradeable, I wanted something cheap enough that I could replace it in 4-5 years without regretting how much I originally spent on it.

Thanks for all the thoughts and info.