1.     Don't be a dotard!
    Read these "rules" AND introduce
    yourself     before your first post
  2. A healthy approach to understanding measurements
    Being true to what the artists intended
  3. After being asked for the 308th time, Merv lists top 5 headphones
    (opinion / entertainment piece)
    Dismiss Notice
  4. $1000 to the first to design a headamp using discrete components with better measurements than Magni 3+
    Dismiss Notice
IMPORTANT: New Members Read This Don't Be a Measurement Fascist Merv's Top 5 Headphones - 2023 Edition $1000 Challenge

DAP discussion thread

Discussion in 'IEMs and Portable Gear' started by zerodeefex, Oct 8, 2015.

Page 18 of 84
  1. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2016
    Likes Received:
    746
    Trophy Points:
    113
    No, both were through pm's. Sorry. I'll see if I can dig them up, or ask them again if you'd like?
     
    Warrior, Jun 9, 2016
    #341
  2. Argopo

    Argopo Facebook Friend

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2015
    Likes Received:
    152
    Trophy Points:
    33
    Location:
    NYC
    Although the Cowon Plenue D does sound good, it uses a standard DSP chip (Wolfson?) found in tablets or smartphones. It does have a robust equalizer (JetEffect 5).

    [​IMG]

    It is small when compared to the other mid-priced DAPs (FiiO X5II, L&P L3).
     
    Argopo, Jun 9, 2016
    #342
  3. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2015
    Likes Received:
    14,090
    Trophy Points:
    113
    I'm actually sort of fond of the Sony A17. Underpowered amp section but a very clean DAP to the point where I'm curious about how the Z2 and Z100 sound.
     
    zerodeefex, Jun 9, 2016
    #343
  4. Stuff Jones

    Stuff Jones Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2016
    Likes Received:
    1,791
    Trophy Points:
    113
    How does the CPD SQ compare with the other two?
     
    Last edited: Jun 9, 2016
    Stuff Jones, Jun 9, 2016
    #344
  5. imackler

    imackler Key Lime Pie Infected Aberdeen Wings Spy

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2015
    Likes Received:
    2,021
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Anaheim, CA
    Does anyone know the output impedance of the A17? Would it be a good match for the Andromeda?
     
    imackler, Jun 9, 2016
    #345
  6. PoochZag

    PoochZag The Shadow knows - Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,272
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Boston
    3.5 ohms. I too liked the A17 very much, really did well with portable closed backs such as MSR7 and Oppo PM3. Great form factor and battery life. I got rid of mine when getting into the high end cIEM game, (replaced with DP-x1) because of the output impedance, but I didn't keep it around long enough to give it a try with them.
     
    PoochZag, Jun 9, 2016
    #346
  7. Argopo

    Argopo Facebook Friend

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2015
    Likes Received:
    152
    Trophy Points:
    33
    Location:
    NYC
    My preference is:

    1. L&P L3 with FLC8s (single-ended). The L3 uses the Cirrus Logic CS4398 chip. It has a balanced 2.5mm output which I have yet to try. (I'm thinking of getting one of the Campfire IEMs for use in balanced mode.)

    The pairing sounds nicely balanced. (And note that these IEMs can be tweaked with different filters in 36 combinations.)

    2. FiiO X5II with Trinity Delta V2. The FiiO uses the BB PCM1792 chip. The sound signature of the FiiO is flat. Since the Trinity designs are bass-emphasized, the Delta V2 works well with the FiiO. (Again, the Delta uses interchangeable filters.)

    3. Cowon PD with Shure 425 (or other IEMs). Unlike the other DAPs, the JetEffect 5 equalizer is functional enough to create an acceptable sound signature. So, even with the Shure 425s, the PD is enjoyable. But, in terms of sound-stage and detail, the chips used by L&P and FiiO are just better.

    Firmware wise:

    1. FiiO. The UI is basic, but the very well developed. Buttons and scroll-wheel only.

    2. Cowon PD. I haven't updated to the most recent FW, but it does have a touch interface. You do need small fingers to navigate. On my current FW, no gapless playback for hi-rez files. I did not find the UI sluggish.

    3. L&P L3. The worst FW. No gapless for even 16/44.1 material. Sorting is not good. Certain folder images do not appear even if named and placed correctly. The thread on Head-Fi is full of complaints.

    For me, to get decent playback. either you use an IEM with interchangeable filters, or a DAP with a robust equalizer.
     
    Argopo, Jun 9, 2016
    #347
  8. DrForBin

    DrForBin Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    719
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    The Great NorthWet
    hello,

    i bought @PoochZag's A17 and really, really like it. it does work well sans amp with my HD25's although i usually pair it with my JDS Labs C5. all mid-fi i know, but as my portable use model is public transit, i don't want to lose more than a kilobuck at a time. YMMV.
     
    DrForBin, Jun 9, 2016
    #348
  9. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    89,938
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Padre Island CC TX
    Sony ZX2 owns them all. UI is Android, so small minus points compared to the Sony proprietary UIs, but maybe plus points if you are an Android user and can deal. SQ is jump from the ZX100 > A17 > X. Where the X is already pretty good with exception of low power and high output Z.

    ZX2 caps off the line with monster slam, nuance, and a grip on the driver's as tight as a pissed off latina grabbing her man's balls. It's a bit darker sounding than the rest of the Sony line and most everything else. Super low bass extension and bass balls with natural non rolled- off treble. More resolving with super fine volume gradients than any portable I've heard yet (equals if not exceeds Mojo from a good USB source). No weird digitial nasties too. Again, better than any portable yet in this regard.

    Sony finally got their shit together. They pulled out all the stops on this one. They were serious enough about sound to include a welcome screen to explain that 100+ hours is necessary to burn in the PS caps. Zero noise with super sensitive IEMs like Andromeda. Also enough power to push through UERM so it sounds clear and controlled. Yup. No more piggybacked Leckerton for me, unless it's headphones. ZX2 all the way for IEMs.

    Unless you object to the heftier low end sound or prefer a hotter high end, stop f'ing around and get a ZX2. It's so much more polished than any this Mickey Mouse Chi-Fi (and the overpriced K-Fi) garbage we've had to deal with for the last five years. The physical controls for instance were a godsend when I was on the plane on 15 hours on a red eye flight. And it does high res and DSD too. Good enough that material with a real 24 or 18 bits is discernable from 16. Also tons of storage space and will take an SD card.

    Only problem is that it ain't cheap. But every now and then, Sony hits a home run.
     
    Last edited: Jun 10, 2016
    purr1n, Jun 10, 2016
    #349
  10. Jokko

    Jokko Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2015
    Likes Received:
    95
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Oslo, Norway or Zug, Switzerland
    Just to piss you off <3
     
    Jokko, Jun 10, 2016
    #350
  11. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    89,938
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Padre Island CC TX
    First experience with ZX2 was at THE SHOW with their Z7 headphone. I didn't bring my UERM. Z7 and ZX2 was not a good combo. I still don't think the Sonys will power full sized headphones well. That seems to be where the S-Master stuff sucks and the reason for the PHA-3. I also realized in hindsight that the Sony guys probably had the Clearsound and DSEE options turned on. Those settings are kind of more buried on the ZX2 UI compared to the X.

    All of the DSP shit needs to be turned off. The Clearsound crap completely fucks up the sound. Some of it is on by default. Probably explains why my experience with Z7 was totally different with ZX2 and PHA-3. Not my fault Sony booth dudes are morons or Jude can't get Sony to a CanJam meet. Obviously my experience at Minidisc in Sydney was quite different.
     
    Last edited: Jun 10, 2016
    purr1n, Jun 10, 2016
    #351
  12. Muse Wanderer

    Muse Wanderer Friend

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2015
    Likes Received:
    946
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Malta
    It looks like the EU models of the Sony ZX2 have a lame volume cap called Automatic Volume Limiter System (AVLS) that is not user accessible!

    Our delicate european ears need protection and we are too dumb to show self restraint. Thanks Sony!

    It might be possible that the US version may have the volume limiter as some users have noted.

    Could it be that the sound quality is different between capped and uncapped versions besides maximal volume output?
    The Australian version, like the Asian version, is probably uncapped.
     
    Last edited: Jun 10, 2016
    Muse Wanderer, Jun 10, 2016
    #352
  13. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    89,938
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Padre Island CC TX
    Yeah, I got the ZX2 in Australia. I don't see a cap. I don't get any popups when cranking up the volume. I can't even find AVLS settings.
     
    purr1n, Jun 10, 2016
    #353
  14. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2016
    Likes Received:
    12,597
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Could you root it to bypass the limiter?
     
    Merrick, Jun 10, 2016
    #354
  15. zachchen1996

    zachchen1996 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2015
    Likes Received:
    54
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Las Vegas
    Unfortunately there is no root exploit for the ZX2. That is the one thing stopping me from getting the ZX2. Think I'll just swap my S7 Edge for a HTC 10 and call it a day.
     
    zachchen1996, Jun 10, 2016
    #355
  16. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    89,938
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Padre Island CC TX
    What about replacing firmware with that from another region?
     
    purr1n, Jun 10, 2016
    #356
  17. logscool

    logscool Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2015
    Likes Received:
    69
    Trophy Points:
    28
    How did I not realize that the ZX2 also has a microSD card slot too before? Well I guess I'll just have to add it to the list with the onkyo dp-x1 and questyle QP1R. Ideally I'd like it to drive IEMs with no noise but still be good without an amp with portable headphones like the PM-3.
     
    logscool, Jun 10, 2016
    #357
  18. mulolomu

    mulolomu New

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2015
    Likes Received:
    21
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Is the zx2 has balanced connection/schematics?
    I've been read somewhere that zx2 using 3,5mm TRRS balanced connection.
    Right now I'm using Sony PCM D100, despite their bad big and ugly design, it really sound good...I dont have proper time to listen and test the ZX2, but at very short and brief listening session, my opinion is PCM D100 blows the ZX2 (SQ wise only)
     
    mulolomu, Jun 10, 2016
    #358
  19. Stuff Jones

    Stuff Jones Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2016
    Likes Received:
    1,791
    Trophy Points:
    113
    I'm curious how the ZX2 or similar tier TOTL DAPs compare SQ wise (in terms of levels) to the GO gen 1 with IEMs? Are they close?
     
    Stuff Jones, Jun 10, 2016
    #359
  20. zachchen1996

    zachchen1996 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2015
    Likes Received:
    54
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Las Vegas
    Has anyone heard of the Korean thebit Opus#1 dap? Looks like a poor mans A&K lol.

    [​IMG]
     
    zachchen1996, Jun 10, 2016
    #360
Page 18 of 84

Share This Page