2021 Golden Schlong Nominations

@purr1n already said they’re not in consideration so anything after that post is basically just noise.

This is a thread to talk about products people feel should be nominated and tptb will decide in part based on that but like it says in the first post it’s not a popular vote and adding anecdotal counterpoints to the thread for products you disagree with isn’t really productive as every product likely has a thread more suited to that kind of discussion.

 

When you say this, you mean with or without speedball upgrades?

I'd take a Vali 2+ over a Magni 3+ any day of the week.

 

I think it was an incredibly impressive year for Schiit. We just can't give them all the awards.

 

Sorry, it's probably a bit late but I am seconding the 7Hz too. I think it's the first "normal" planar IEM that has affordable pricing, normal fitment and fairly neutral and yet slammy and fun tuning.

I know IEM is not that popular in this forum but this is definitely something interesting to try because of its planar driver.

 

Goes to show our varied preferences. For hard rock, IMO Susvara does not compete with the likes of the Abyss 1266TC or Utopia. And I own all three. To top it all, one needs to change the ear pads and certainly those pathetic stock cables.

 

I'll second, third, fourth, whatever the Yggdrasil LiM (E) nomination. Also, is it too soon to bring Verite into the (L) category? My enthusiasm for my Open and Closed hasn't waned and, if anything, has grown since the "new toy" period.

 

@purr1n

Cheap and warm:
MOTU M2 and M4
MOTU AVB line for tons of channels

Unmatched sound for new street price:
Schiit Modius
Apogee Duet 3
Apogee Symphony Desktop

best drivers:
RME
Lynx
if you want to play digital synths and amp sims on a laptop, save and get an RME Babyface Pro FS.

 

@Psalmanazar certainly not wanting to get off topic but I didn't' see much when I searched.
have you tried the Symphony Desktop? Very interested in your thoughts on it vs MOTU AVB.

M2 & M4 are good in that price bracket but man I found the occasional USB lockup/drop annoying AF. Luckily my setup doesn't require that flexibility, I won't use a bus powered unit again.

 

In that case, a LV nomination for Chromecast Audio. Still found new in boxes for $50, still an astoundingly effective and high quality streamer with none of the stuffing around associated with DIY solutions. Works great with Roon, Tidal, Spotify, SoundCloud etc. There's nothing else in its class, IMHO.

I've spent hundreds of hours setting up other streaming solutions, and that's led me to me admire the CCA far more now than when it first arrived all those years ago. We see a lot of consumer-grade gear marketed as audiophile. This is the rare audiophile-grade product that was marketed to consumers.

 

I legitimately like the Babyface Pro FS more than the ADI-2 Pro (but that was before their black ultra whatever edition updates). For a bus-powered recording interface with rock solid drivers, it's fantastic. For desktop hifi use only, I don't think it's quite enough to deserve any schlonging.

 

My biggest issue with HFM product is that it's HFM and a lot of the stuff doesn't last. ~$2-4k for a new Audeze, MrSpeakers/DCA, ZMF, or even Focal with their ridiculous RMA rates, but if dumb stuff happens, you're covered for quite a while. $2-4k for a HFM and their warranty is next to useless if something happens. That and they need to stop gouging the non-Chinese market (i.e. I can go to China or HK and buy HFM for about 1/2 - 2/3 the $). And yes, stock pads could be better but the stock cables are usually... very lacking.

In terms of sound, the Susvara definitely has the new Soft-fi-man sound and a lack of "push and direction" - i.e. it feels like trying to push something with a cooked noodle. That and the timbre is off for me. On the flip side, I do want to hear their next evolution of the Arya and Susvara as both of these seem to be promising headphones.

 

This. HFM build, stock cables & warranty are brown star fish worthy.

 

I would also say Focal stock cables are also brown starfish territory. The feel/handling is atrocious.

I'm a non-cable-believer, and swore I would never ever buy an aftermarket cable. I broke that rule within a week of receiving my Focal Clear.

 

I know nothing about the product, but to OT a little... maybe this is something @rhythmdevils should look at, given all his problems with Rpi and moode?

 

Motu is colored next to even warm old apogee gear. Very obvious and more drastic warmth imo. Apogee has more detail but drinking the Apple Kool-Aid hard cost them a lot of sales.

 

Active noise cancelation still works with Android. The only things that don't is the audio sharing and that weird fit feature with the app.

Audio sharing will start to happen with others as that is mostly from newer Bluetooth 5.0 broadcast feature.

 

I think this is a fair mindset but I also feel that good things are good and worth exploring, even if it's FOTM in other places. I remember Moondrop IEMs were also viewed with skepticism here before members finally warmed up to it.