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Schwibbles
99
Feb 7, 2018
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There is an audible hiss when using these with most IEMs. I made a post about it on Reddit in a review in which I tried at least 10 different, popular IEMs. The sound is neutral overall but no better sounding than the Apple adapter. There is audible distortion in the bass at higher volumes when using an Aeon Closed. For reference, the standard Apple Headphone Adapter had no audible distortion with the Aeon or audible hiss with IEMs. I concluded it wasn't worth the money unless you really needed to drive super sensitive IEMs while charging your phone, and didn't care about the hiss. EDIT: I understand the Aeons require a dedicated amp to get the most out of them. I tested them with the Accessport purely out of curiosity.
Feb 7, 2018
zhouharvey
179
Feb 8, 2018
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SchwibblesSecond that. Man, my tears are still there! Why did you sell your MD plus so fast!
Feb 8, 2018
Schwibbles
99
Feb 8, 2018
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zhouharveyHaha I guess you've been browsing the Head-fi classifieds. I've been looking into other IEMs since placing the order for the Plus. The Plus have a U-shaped sound signature with a little too much bass, and a little too recessed upper mids for my tastes. Since I already own an FLC 8S (that I enjoy more), I sold them so I could save up for an Empire Ears Spartan IV.
Feb 8, 2018
zhouharvey
179
Feb 8, 2018
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SchwibblesThanks for your advice!!
Feb 8, 2018
Schwibbles
99
Mar 9, 2018
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My current favorite is the iFi micro iDSD Black Label. It's not advertised as "works with iOS" but I use it with my iPhone 7 Plus multiple times a week with no issues. Just requires the Apple CCK (Camera Connection Kit) adapter or the iPAD CCK (which allows you to charge and play music at the same time). Uses 2 Burr Brown DACs - or one dual core - not sure which. Has a 1/4" headphone out with up to 4W of power as well as RCA Line/Pre Outs. Also has 3.5mm Line input to be used as an amp. Sound is mostly neutral with a slight gravity towards warm. Treble is refined but highly detailed. This is essentially a desktop DAC/Amp that can be portable. It will power your most sensitive IEMs or your hardest-to-drive headphones.
The newly released FiiO Q5 is also excellent. Thoughts are all based on using it with the stock AM3A amp module or DAC Line Out to a HeadAmp Gilmore Lite MK2: It has a more portable size and shape than the iDSD BL but it has bluetooth built in. It has a slightly warm and smooth sound with good detail retrieval. It uses dual AK4490 DAC chips. It is made for iOS and PC. It comes with all the cables required to connect it to a PC, android phone, or iPhone including a lightning to micro-usb cable which is pretty cool (no need for an adapter). The AM3A amp module that comes in the box has a 3.5mm SE out and 2.5mm balanced out. With exception of the RCAs of the iDSD BL, the Q5 has the most connectivity options with USB in, Line In, Optical In, Coax In, Bluetooth In, Line Out, headphone out, and balanced headphone out. This has the "smoothest" sound of the 3.
The Oppo HA-2SE is another nice device. It is made for iOS. It uses a ESS Sabre Reference ES9028-Q2M DAC chip. The sound is very neutral with a gravity towards cool and bright. I have found it exhibits what has been referred to as ESS Glare or Sabre Glare. You can look that up on your own if you'd like but it essentially (and unintentially) adds a little "extra" to the treble. It's hard for me to describe. It has a 3.5mm SE headphone out and Line Out/In. This bests the Q5 in terms of detail retrieval but I personally prefer the sound of the Q5. It has the most portable form factor of these three only beating the Q5 because it is thinner.
Other thoughts: Build quality on all three is excellent as is sound quality (with each being a bit different). The iDSD BL and HA-2SE can be used as power bricks if you need to charge your phone in a pinch. The Q5 cannot do this. The HA-2SE is the only one that can charge your phone while playing music. All three can be used with PC (with driver installation) and iOS. The Q5 and HA-2SE are marketed as 'Made for iOS' while the iDSD BL is not. You'll have to do your own research on battery life for each because I don't know it off the top of my head. The iDSD BL is the only one that has a decent bass boost (if you use that sort of thing). The Q5 and HA-2SE have sub-par bass boost functionality. The HA-2SE doesn't need an adapter to connect to iOS devices as it has a USB-A female connection built in: you can use any standard USB lightning cable. Source: I own all three.
Hope this helps!
Mar 9, 2018
Whatwhat77
6
Mar 10, 2018
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This is what you’re looking for.
Mar 10, 2018
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