Audio Technica Appreciation Thread

[uelover]

I got HA26D today. Nice pair with AD2000/ESW10jpn but unlucky with W5000. Maybe my next headamp Yamamoto HA02 can beat it ... I'll report in last month, still waiting for building

I have a huge headache to find headamp for my favourite cans AD2000.

I am using Svetlana 2 to drive my W3000ANV and it is heaven. It should work very well with the W5000 as well. Something for your consideration.

I am waiting to see how it will drive the AD2000X in time to come =)

 

[yellow_bird_fly]

*Edited out*

 

[Randius]

I got HA26D today. Nice pair with AD2000/ESW10jpn but unlucky with W5000. Maybe my next headamp Yamamoto HA02 can beat it ... I'll report in last month, still waiting for building

I have a huge headache to find headamp for my favourite cans AD2000. HA26D use AK4396 for DAC like my old soundcard SQ210a+ then i'm wondering it make my sound dry and much more attack but now i have a good signal. Currently don't have optical cable, then i use RCA from my soundcard Onkyo SE200. My first impression bass quality, treble, detail improve very well and mid-range still sweet. Hope optical output better like this

Really a happy day

imageshack.us/photo/my-images/703/img7821xf.jpg => Sorry i can't post image

Congrats on the purchase. Unfortunately, your W5000 needs something more than the HA26D to bring out its potential. How about the W2002 or W5000(ANV)?

 

[uelover]

Congrats on the purchase. Unfortunately, your W5000 needs something more than the HA26D to bring out its potential. How about the W2002 or W5000(ANV)?

HA2002 or HA5000ANV you mean

 

[Randius]

HA2002 or HA5000ANV you mean

Alas, I must be poisoned too deep by the headphones liao. Wanna type HA2002 and HA5000ANV also become the headphone models

 

[kusanagivn]

Very hard to find HA2002 + W2002 combo now, HA5000ANV can be found on yahoo auctions but it's price too high. ATH is always an brand with too much limited products

 

[shsh91]

In a dilemma, don't know if i should keep my ESW11LTD and W3000ANV. I don't use them much due to my IEM and speakers. I don't think I have maximized the potential on W3000ANV due to my amp, don't have plans to upgrade it.

 

[kenz]

In a dilemma, don't know if i should keep my ESW11LTD and W3000ANV. I don't use them much due to my IEM and speakers. I don't think I have maximized the potential on W3000ANV due to my amp, don't have plans to upgrade it.

Between the two, would keep the W3000ANV.

Sexier finishing, classy sounding and just overall feels better in the hands and on the head.

 

[shsh91]

Between the two, would keep the W3000ANV.

Sexier finishing, classy sounding and just overall feels better in the hands and on the head.

not selecting between 2. Don't know if i should sell them both and upgrade my player/dac and extra IEM. Since im only using IEMs now.

 

[kenz]

not selecting between 2. Don't know if i should sell them both and upgrade my player/dac and extra IEM. Since im only using IEMs now.

i see. Am also in a somewhat similar situation.

Though will keep my W3000ANV as it is such a fine gear for home.

Any player/dac and IEM in mind?

 

[shsh91]

i see. Am also in a somewhat similar situation.

Though will keep my W3000ANV as it is such a fine gear for home.

Any player/dac and IEM in mind?

Hmm i just ordered my Ocharaku Flat 4 Kaede.

Currently using J3 > Vorzuge duoamp > Flat 4 Sui.

Planning to get ALO International and FAD Piano Forte IX. (If i decide to sell my ATH Gears.)

For DAP, still can't find a good one that match my requirements.

 

[Haonan]

Hmm i just ordered my Ocharaku Flat 4 Kaede.

Currently using J3 > Vorzuge duoamp > Flat 4 Sui.

Planning to get ALO International and FAD Piano Forte IX. (If i decide to sell my ATH Gears.)

For DAP, still can't find a good one that match my requirements.

shsh91 bro getting FAD Piano Forte IX also? Congrats you first, cos ever since I demo-ed their Piano Forte series and getting my own pair of PF IX, it seems there's no turning back in terms of FAD sound appreciation for me now. Really love my FI-DC1602SS and the FI-BA-SS in terms of FAD sound signature and for listening to classical/orchestral or my fav movie soundtracks, just my ideal kind of sound. From my basic understanding of a couple of Phileweb japanese article previews regarding FAD's Piano Forte series, the IX is said to be the most tonally accurate IEM compared to the VIII/X-CC or X-G though, even though all 3 are quite mid-centric colored as mentioned on Head-fi's FAD appreciation thread by many fellow Piano Forte owners.

I'm quite surprised you were all ready to spring for the Ocharaku Flat-4 Kaede (楓) despite it's high pricing and it's non-existent strain reliefs and seemingly lacking build quality (at least frm my own impressions of the Flat-4 Sui version), which i rem was also brought up in some user impressions reviews of the Flat-4 Sui (粋) IEM model on Head-fi.

At least for the Piano Forte IX, with its exquisite build quality and finishing (heard the shell housings are finely-machined and hand-made crafted, thus Piano Forte series in terms of their productions are usually quite slow/limited, and also thus the high cost for producing them) and nylon cloth cablings there's no need to worry abt strain reliefs or build quality QC.

I do have to admit though that although the Piano Forte series housing fit might not be ideal for all kinds of people's ears, there are some silicone mod techniques such as these improvised/contributed by some japanese user, that I have found to be pretty useful for my case, even though all Piano Forte series can actually fit my ears without any probs, however the above mod is quite useful for those situations when I'm lying down on my bed with my head resting flat, and due to the heavy housings of the IX due to their stainless steel finishing, sometimes my right side will get loose with the fit as my right ear canals seemed to be deeper than my left. (with the silicone tip mod, now I can sleep with my PF IX's on my ears

Regarding yr prev question, my own advice is if you think u're not ready to move up fully to headphone/desktop source gears and stuff, better not start now and wait until u're more financially solvent before doing so. I have to admit that although I have a couple of headphones and DACs at hm now, but I still love using IEMs most of them. So I will be re-evaluating my collection also soon, and some ATH stuffs may have to go off too.

Anyway, care to share what's so special abt ALO's International in terms of the sound? Was there any schematics shared regarding it's DAC chip/parts? Cos as far as I know, it's actually a much thicker amp than yr Vorzuge and as far as output option goes, balanced was alrdy avail in their ALO Rx MK3-B released awhile ago.

 

[shsh91]

shsh91 bro getting FAD Piano Forte IX also? Congrats you first, cos ever since I demo-ed their Piano Forte series and getting my own pair of PF IX, it seems there's no turning back in terms of FAD sound appreciation for me now. Really love my FI-DC1602SS and the FI-BA-SS in terms of FAD sound signature and for listening to classical/orchestral or my fav movie soundtracks, just my ideal kind of sound. From my basic understanding of a couple of Phileweb japanese article previews regarding FAD's Piano Forte series, the IX is said to be the most tonally accurate IEM compared to the VIII/X-CC or X-G though, even though all 3 are quite mid-centric colored as mentioned on Head-fi's FAD appreciation thread by many fellow Piano Forte owners.

I'm quite surprised you were all ready to spring for the Ocharaku Flat-4 Kaede (楓) despite it's high pricing and it's non-existent strain reliefs and seemingly lacking build quality (at least frm my own impressions of the Flat-4 Sui version), which i rem was also brought up in some user impressions reviews of the Flat-4 Sui (粋) IEM model on Head-fi.

At least for the Piano Forte IX, with its exquisite build quality and finishing (heard the shell housings are finely-machined and hand-made crafted, thus Piano Forte series in terms of their productions are usually quite slow/limited, and also thus the high cost for producing them) and nylon cloth cablings there's no need to worry abt strain reliefs or build quality QC.

I do have to admit though that although the Piano Forte series housing fit might not be ideal for all kinds of people's ears, there are some silicone mod techniques such as these improvised/contributed by some japanese user, that I have found to be pretty useful for my case, even though all Piano Forte series can actually fit my ears without any probs, however the above mod is quite useful for those situations when I'm lying down on my bed with my head resting flat, and due to the heavy housings of the IX due to their stainless steel finishing, sometimes my right side will get loose with the fit as my right ear canals seemed to be deeper than my left. (with the silicone tip mod, now I can sleep with my PF IX's on my ears

Regarding yr prev question, my own advice is if you think u're not ready to move up fully to headphone/desktop source gears and stuff, better not start now and wait until u're more financially solvent before doing so. I have to admit that although I have a couple of headphones and DACs at hm now, but I still love using IEMs most of them. So I will be re-evaluating my collection also soon, and some ATH stuffs may have to go off too.

Anyway, care to share what's so special abt ALO's International in terms of the sound? Was there any schematics shared regarding it's DAC chip/parts? Cos as far as I know, it's actually a much thicker amp than yr Vorzuge and as far as output option goes, balanced was alrdy avail in their ALO Rx MK3-B released awhile ago.

I heard the ALO International is using Cirrus Logic CS4398 Chip, really interested in it. I don't have the ALO's international, Im just planning to get it, but not that soon.

I did not tried the FAD series before. I heard that the heaven VI is quite good too. I'm really interested in the FAD products but only jaben carries them. I did ask to audition the PF X but was rejected. Have bad experiences.
I was choosing between Kaede and PF IX, in the end i chose Kaede.
For the Kaede, I heard it is a limited production of 200 at most, I heard that it correct the weaknesses of the Sui.

I don't think headphones are suitable for me. Even at home i prefer my speaker setup. Aktimate Mini+ with Teac UD-H1.

I can only get these if i decided to sell my ATH ESW11LTD and W3000ANV. But i can't bear to sell the woodies!

 

[Haonan]

I heard the ALO International is using Cirrus Logic CS4398 Chip, really interested in it. I don't have the ALO's international, Im just planning to get it, but not that soon.

I did not tried the FAD series before. I heard that the heaven VI is quite good too. I'm really interested in the FAD products but only jaben carries them. I did ask to audition the PF X but was rejected. Have bad experiences.

Wait, you haven't tried any of the FAD Piano Fortes or ALO's International, but were planning to buy them? That's quite gung-ho/brave of you sia, a very high leap of faith you're gonna be jumping there. I would nv be able to do the same like you unless it's ATH, cos ATH stuffs buy until seasoned liao and so far don't have any warranty/build issues with them in terms of my buying experiences so far.

Regarding PF IX, I would still suggest u to go try first at Jaben before considering whether to get it, all 3 series have very mid-colored/contrasty sound to it so it will not fit/meet everyone's listening preferences or expectations, though as I had mentioned above, the PF IX (DC1602SS) is the most tonally accurate IEM in terms of tonal response according to FAD's product description and also frm Phileweb's article coverages. While the X (DC1602SC-C) is said to have the biggest/largest/holographic SS of them all, but I did not try them in detail enough to warrant that statement, while VIII (DC1602SB) to my ears was the most colored/vivid in terms of the sound of them all.

That was all according to my prev memory impressions, but now that I have the PF IX's sitting in my current possession for over 2 mths now and having listened to them for a gd amount of time at hm, I would say that it's sound descriptions are pretty right-on and accurate, these iems are indeed fantastic for all sorts of classical/orchestral genres and in certain ways much more accurate in terms of tonality compared to some of my dynamic cans at hm (AD1000PRM/W100/CD900ST/CD2000, with the latter 2 much flatter in overall response and tonally neutral)

To put my own sentiments in a very bold statement/self-confession, I used to think that my own ATH headphones/IEMs are very excellent in terms of instrument timbre/texture in songs. However upon owning the PF IX, the reality was twisted upon me once again and I have to eat my own words and say, I don't think any of the ATH IEM/headphones I have own/heard so far have rendered those fav classical/orchestral tracks of my that convincingly with good realism for my ears, compared to what the PF IX managed to accomplished with realistic timbre/natural sense of organic sound. That's actually how great the FAD Piano Fortes are, to me at least. (i know i know, prolly kinda exaggerating from anyone's POV, who's nv had a chance to listen to the PF series in detail)

Cirrus CS4398 DAC chip, i see i see that's interesting. IIRC, then this seems to share the same DAC chip as that KORG DS-DAC-10 1-bit DSD capable DAC, which was released in JP based pm limited production back in Nov last yr, before KORG decided to release them for normal production retail again recently. However, I don't think it's very nice to judge a product based simply on what kind of DAC chipset it uses, as in terms of audio how the overall circuitry implementation was done does matter alot too, as in most cases. (but okay, since we are talking abt Ken Ball and ALO here, i guess there's nth much to worry abt here)

Well gd luck with yr Flat-4 Kaede! If really got problem trying to audition the PF IX properly and you happen to live in the East area, feel free to drop me a PM can always arrange an audition for you, no prob mate! ^ ^

 

[shsh91]

I don't really audition the IEMs that I buy cause they are not available in SG. Like the Ocharakus, I got the Sui before jaben brought them in. Don't think jaben carry Kaede. Anw where did you get our PF IX.

 

[Haonan]

I actually got my Piano Forte IX's direct frm JP as usual just like my ATH stuffs, you didn't think I was gonna be a carrot head and let Jaben chop me like that right, afterall they are retailing these for more than SGD 1.9k when i checked with them. Obviously since i'm not buying any amp or headphone bundles from them, it's pretty hard for me to bargain for a gd pricing also, but I suppose if u are buying something from them next time, maybe can just ask them for a best bundle offer like what they are usually good at.

I spent slightly north of 1.2k purchasing the IX's after the necessary exchange rates and paying for telegraphic xfer/shipping fees to my friend after checking up Kakaku.com page for the cheapest pricings, price listings seemed to have gone up quite abit according to latest updates as I got my when it was still ard 78k yen, not sure whether is it because of PM Abe's policy move to correct the aggressive yen gains in order to weaken jpy currency, then the stores made certain adjustments to domestic products, cos according to Amazon JP's price listings for some of the latest ATH products like CK100PRO, I also seem to noticed that their prices have gone up quite abit as well.

 

[shsh91]

I actually got my Piano Forte IX's direct frm JP as usual just like my ATH stuffs, you didn't think I was gonna be a carrot head and let Jaben chop me like that right, afterall they are retailing these for more than SGD 1.9k when i checked with them. Obviously since i'm not buying any amp or headphone bundles from them, it's pretty hard for me to bargain for a gd pricing also, but I suppose if u are buying something from them next time, maybe can just ask them for a best bundle offer like what they are usually good at.

I spent slightly north of 1.2k purchasing the IX's after the necessary exchange rates and paying for telegraphic xfer/shipping fees to my friend after checking up Kakaku.com page for the cheapest pricings, price listings seemed to have gone up quite abit according to latest updates as I got my when it was still ard 78k yen, not sure whether is it because of PM Abe's policy move to correct the aggressive yen gains in order to weaken jpy currency, then the stores made certain adjustments to domestic products, cos according to Amazon JP's price listings for some of the latest ATH products like CK100PRO, I also seem to noticed that their prices have gone up quite abit as well.

Oh I don't have any friend over there. I buy from musica acoustics. Have to pay extra but still cheaper than jaben.

 

[weng]

hmm suddenly interested in the piano forte. so jaben has demo?

btw the pf series really is just stuff into the ears without silicon tip? interesting..

 

[shsh91]

hmm suddenly interested in the piano forte. so jaben has demo?

btw the pf series really is just stuff into the ears without silicon tip? interesting..

Yes, jaben has demo. There is no tips and heard that it has zero isolation.

 

[weng]

Yes, jaben has demo. There is no tips and heard that it has zero isolation.

isolation is not an issue for me since i mostly listen at home anyway. just find it weird that it's meant to be inserted like that. maybe no wonder no isolation also wondering if it can even stay still in the ear. gotta try soon!