Budget IEM (Chit Chat)

[skyline72]

Can try out at the next Canjam...but from experience....need those few k to 20-30k setups then can get any difference between PCM and DSD de?

Me felt more snake oil then real upgrade...but hor....Audiophile journey...mileage do differ ....buddies might want something more....while many dont see the need for the upgrades?

I believe the source is the most important factor of the whole chain. Even if you have $$$$-$$$$$ setups, if the source is cui, you are still listening to the cui music.

 

[skyline72]

Here is an example.

Apple Music, follow by wav, follow by DSD.

 

[Prince_Of_Darkness_Dracul]

What DAC are you using?

using fiio X5 and hidiz AP80 DAPs, no DAC

 

[skyline72]

using fiio X5 and hidiz AP80 DAPs, no DAC

Okay la. Both chip can play DSD.

Do you listen to Mandarin songs?

 

[BlackWing1977]

agreed
but DSDs are not that easy to find?
if the same song in 320kbps, flac/wav or DSD, can really hear significant differences?
I got a few pairs of headphones and earphones but I never got to try or experience much differences

Most full quality audio source you can find are CD... and ripping CD and encoding it to either PCM Wave file or FLAC is going to be best it can be... is there really a point for DSD.. since it is not going to improve quality... I think DSD album is too niche already.. it probably had to be re-mastered at a studio or something..

 

[Prince_Of_Darkness_Dracul]

Can try out at the next Canjam...but from experience....need those few k to 20-30k setups then can get any difference between PCM and DSD de?

Me felt more snake oil then real upgrade...but hor....Audiophile journey...mileage do differ ....buddies might want something more....while many dont see the need for the upgrades?

I no money 20-30k fixed setup, just a peasant with a dap and some earphones

Okay la. Both chip can play DSD.

Do you listen to Mandarin songs?

usually listen to very wide genre
I remember coming across some info, those DSD usually from those old vinyls Chinese songs or those very niche artists or records or something? maybe that's why DSD is not so common found for the more modern English pop/rock or other genres?

 

[BlackWing1977]

usually listen to very wide genre
I remember coming across some info, those DSD usually from those old vinyls Chinese songs or those very niche artists or records or something? maybe that's why DSD is not so common found for the more modern English pop/rock or other genres?

Because imagine you take a CD.... which is already encoded in digital format... try to re-encode to DSD... it is not going to sound better than the CD...

So from vinyls... using high quality hifi system and recording microphone... maybe lor... I mean for sure you can say it is going to sound better than a vinyl....

 

[Prince_Of_Darkness_Dracul]

Most full quality audio source you can find are CD... and ripping CD and encoding it to either PCM Wave file or FLAC is going to be best it can be... is there really a point for DSD.. since it is not going to improve quality... I think DSD album is too niche already.. it probably had to be re-mastered at a studio or something..

I guess so too
I was sometimes wondering if my ears aren't good cause even with my current most capable planar magnetic or my old KZs or audio technica, the best I can discern seems more to the differences in their tuning characteristics but I can't seem to hear the key differences between 320, flac and wav; only 128 to 320 can hear some differences

 

[GotBetrayed]

Dap: Sony WM1ZM2

FITEAR Custom iems all with Fitear 007B 4.4mm OFC cable:
MH334
MH334 SR
MH335DWSR
Private 333
C435
Aya Snow

universal FitEar iems:
TG333
To go! 334 black
TG 335
TG 334 blue (sold this a while back)

 

[Mila Azul]

Not sure if this is the correct place to ask, but do you all know where to find lossless Canto/Mandarin songs? So difficult to find sia.

Try



w

t

f

 

[skyline72]

Most full quality audio source you can find are CD... and ripping CD and encoding it to either PCM Wave file or FLAC is going to be best it can be... is there really a point for DSD.. since it is not going to improve quality... I think DSD album is too niche already.. it probably had to be re-mastered at a studio or something..

If it is native DSD, it's a whole new level.

 

[skyline72]

usually listen to very wide genre
I remember coming across some info, those DSD usually from those old vinyls Chinese songs or those very niche artists or records or something? maybe that's why DSD is not so common found for the more modern English pop/rock or other genres?

I'm out now, when I get home or tomorrow then I share with you.

 

[skyline72]

Try



w

t

f

I know, I'm using that and the other one.

Some can't find, some are fake flac; upsampled from 256/320 or even 128.

 

[Prince_Of_Darkness_Dracul]

I know, I'm using that and the other one.

Some can't find, some are fake flac; upsampled from 256/320 or even 128.

how to tell real true source encoded flac from those 128 or 256 upscale or re-encode to flac or wav?

 

[huihong]

Any lao jiao have recommendation for S$300 IEM? use with DAC dongle for iphone Spotify listening. never had any IEM before.

Currently i gotch Airpod Pro 3 and Audio Technica ATH-R70xa, listen to many diff genres of music, rock, 80s, city-pop, jazz, instrumental, metal.

Me like neutral sounding audio with a tiny kick of bass.

​

 

[LoUsyGamER]

Any lao jiao have recommendation for S$300 IEM? use with DAC dongle for iphone Spotify listening. never had any IEM before.

Currently i gotch Airpod Pro 3 and Audio Technica ATH-R70xa, listen to many diff genres of music, rock, 80s, city-pop, jazz, instrumental, metal.

Me like neutral sounding audio with a tiny kick of bass.

​

Go to the few audio shop and test.

It is easier and cheaper than keep buying.

 

[BlackWing1977]

how to tell real true source encoded flac from those 128 or 256 upscale or re-encode to flac or wav?

Hard to tell lar... I mean in MonkeyMedia.. I can easily take any mp3 re-encode to flac.. but no meaning lor...

 

[BlackWing1977]

Any lao jiao have recommendation for S$300 IEM? use with DAC dongle for iphone Spotify listening. never had any IEM before.

Currently i gotch Airpod Pro 3 and Audio Technica ATH-R70xa, listen to many diff genres of music, rock, 80s, city-pop, jazz, instrumental, metal.

Me like neutral sounding audio with a tiny kick of bass.

​

I only know budget.... Castor Pro (Bass) less than $20, Vader Pro (Bass) around $30+, AM16 (Bass) around $50+...

I only got the 1st, 3rd one I have but mine is Balanced, Vader I have the OG non-pro.

I suggest get basic one like Castor Pro (Bass) + JCALLY JM6 Pro 2 (The original pro is super popular) like that just below $40... I assume your iphone have type-c port??

But those I suggest are not really neutral though... mostly V shape or U shape...

 

[BlackWing1977]

Any lao jiao have recommendation for S$300 IEM? use with DAC dongle for iphone Spotify listening. never had any IEM before.

Currently i gotch Airpod Pro 3 and Audio Technica ATH-R70xa, listen to many diff genres of music, rock, 80s, city-pop, jazz, instrumental, metal.

Me like neutral sounding audio with a tiny kick of bass.

​

Or you go visit Crinicle shop to test.. confirm they can help you...

 

[BlackWing1977]

I only know budget.... Castor Pro (Bass) less than $20, Vader Pro (Bass) around $30+, AM16 (Bass) around $50+...

I only got the 1st, 3rd one I have but mine is Balanced, Vader I have the OG non-pro.

I suggest get basic one like Castor Pro (Bass) + JCALLY JM6 Pro 2 (The original pro is super popular) like that just below $40... I assume your iphone have type-c port??

But those I suggest are not really neutral though... mostly V shape or U shape...

Actually can try the new budget GK Kunten... tiagong using same driver as KZ Zenith which is more expensive...