My SMSL AO-300 is the most impressive piece of audio kit I've ever owned, and it's not even close. It drives everything I hook to it; it's got great flexibility and adjustability for sound-shaping, and it's $285. It's the AL-200 but with a subwoofer output and a much more aesthetically pleasing chassis design IMHO. I've owned amp/preamp combos with no DAC that cost considerably more than 10x as much and not been as impressed with the sound or the drive capability on an *absolute* scale.
Hey! Love your videos! And that you always respond to comments 🙂. Great products you suggested though it was tough to see what I was looking at with the b-roll footage. I found it was too shallow depth of field for me to get a good look at what you were recommending for me. So I ended up having to peel through the product pages to ground me with thoughts like “oh yeah, I’ve been meaning to check that one out” or “between those two products, I much prefer the look of X”. Hope my intent is not lost on you. You’re my fav audio RUclipsr. Cheers
No problems at all and I take your meaning and intent. I didn't film fresh B-roll for this video and when I filmed B-roll in the past it was often for emphasis of a particular feature on a product rather than a full picture of the product which was provided elsewhere in the full reviews the B-roll was from.
I love the way the m15 looks, and it seems like it would be my perfect choice for a dongle. Not sure I can justify the purchase now I have Mojo2+Poly, but it’s good to know it pairs so well if I can justify it in the future. Mojo2 (under $500 in my part of the world) also sounds absolutely awesome with the Arya Organics (just picked up for 890 new) btw. The DSP and Crossfeed settings work amazingly and you can quickly change the sound based on your mood, volume or genre. If you’re also lucky enough to add a Poly down the road, it’s just takes things to another level for features, functionality and ease of use on the go. Especially if you’re an SDcard, Apple or Roon user. All the best!
Since you were on a SMSL kick, I recently purchased the SMSL P2/D2R stack and it honestly blew me away for the price. Never owned any SMSL products before and only purchased it for the esthetic that I was pursuing for my bedroom setup. Needless to say, it now sits on my desktop where my Conduct 3X GT V7 Classic Op-Amp used to be.
A nice little round up. Should also have a listen to Adam Audio T5V active monitors, they look less like a PC speaker and would pair well with a sub £500 Topping or SMSL dac, in fact for around £600 you could probably pick up these monitors with foam isolation pads, some XLR cables, and a Topping or SMSL dac with a headphone output for a great little PC desktop monitoring system.
I think if I wanted a dac/amp for under 500 I'd get a Mojo 2. I can't even afford that though and I'll just have to make do with the Zen Dac II I bought a couple of years ago.
Mojo 2 is an awesome device to upgrade to down the line. I’m sure used ones will pop up at some point and should be viable, because it’s built like a tank…
Love my mojo2, especially with my new Arya Organics (890). It’s not under $500 everywhere though. Mojo2 could be great as a used option. The battery Is actually user replaceable, and the mojo can be ran without a battery installed. People still buy very cheap mojo1s without battery’s on eBay to use as desktop only DACs, or to replace the battery themselves. The battery’s are a type commonly used in RC hobby, but I’m not sure how easy they are to source for mojos or what modifications may be necessary to adapt one. All the best!
You sold me on the Xenns Mangird Top, it’s my dally earphone now. And I just ordered the xDuoo TA-66 to use as a preamp with a couple of bridged Fosi ZA3. I hope the TA-66 will work in that setup.
Hey Lachlan, a few little things: First, thanks for this review. Good to see less expensive equipment that performs well. I have a technical question. Are the tube sockets in these amps made of plastic or ceramic? Next, some recommendations: First, two IEM'S you should listen to if you get the chance: The Juzear Butterfly T61 and the Juzear Dragonfly T81. Both under $500.00US. I also have a speaker recommendation, if you can get them in Oz. The company, Gallo Acoustics, used to be based in the US, but since the founder Anthony Gallo left the company, they're now based in Scotland. However, if you can get a pair of the aDiva Ti speakers in for review, I think you'll be impressed. They do need a subwoofer, but they are unique little speakers with a full range driver and some of the best imaging you'll ever hear. I think a pair comes in at about $600.00US. Cheers!
Great tips! Thank you. I haven't seen an amp with plastic tube sockets for a long time (maybe some of the cheaper Chinese amps using 5654 tubes?) so I'm 99% sure that the amps mentioned here are all using ceramic sockets.
Love the Project Ms. I don't notice any fatigue or a lot of treble, but then again I'm older and have been married for 25yrs so my hearing has gone... In terms of Dongles. The Onlix Alpha is still pretty good at its price point. The DC Elite is more money and better overall, but still under $500.00. The Alpha has some warts but for the price...a great sound if you can work around the warts. (e.g. use external battery. ) That said... if you don't need anything... save your money... There's a lot of goodies in the $500.- $1000 price point that you may want...
I love my Edition XS and have never had any complaints about the sound staging. Is this comment more for music because I tend to game mostly on them? That being said I’ve heard the original Ananda but not the Nano yet. Maybe they are way better. I guess that’s the problem with audio gear. There’s so much to try you could think something you have is amazing at one thing or another but you have yet to hear a headphone that actually does it well. 🤷♂️ Great video.
Yep, I'm focussed on music when discussing soundstage. I've actually found that flatter staging can be preferable in gaming because it makes all of the sound cues more available.
@@PassionforSound I have heard many people claim too much sound stage affects detail retrieval in games. Things in the distance being drowned out because of how quiet they are and such. That being said does it affect the ability to tell how far away something is or is that more around the games engine itself. I mostly play PvP games but I have always wanted something that is great for immersion and details. I enjoy a well done story game here and there. I should try Cyberpunk I hear its engine is impressive for immersion. I have thought about buying the Ananda Nano or Arya Organic one day as an upgrade but I don't think I'd trade the detail of my Edition XS for better soundstage if it doesn't retain detail retrieval in games. Then again the HD800s is supposed to be great for games and supposedly has a massive soundstage. I am not new to audio but very new to headphone audio lol.
@ I came from home theatre. Bought a couple different set ups and fell in love with the second. Still have it 15 years later. Still love it. Headphones however are the most finicky and subjective hobby I’ve ever encountered. Lots of people say the XS has tons of soundstage. Some say they have none or only width. Honestly I’m not blown away with them (coming from home theatre how could I be) soundstage wise but I think depending on the source they impress. But I am convinced something better overall for what I’m looking for is out there. It’s just much more frustrating and time consuming to find then a good speaker set up. The quest continues lol.
@dustinmihalcheon5013 yes. Everything you've said there is accurate in my experience. Although, I think we adjust to the deeper soundstage if we use a headphone like that for a while. The problem is more that switching from one to the other creates greater contrast in the brain and can trick us a bit, I think. I'd definitely give a deeper staging headphone a go if you can. As you said, they can be way better for immersion.
Buy Right, and Have Fun. That's what it is all about. Because the best stereo system is the one you can afford. And thanks to smarter people than the rest of us, and technology today we have the opportunity for some of the best stereo equipment ever made. Example: Kali IN-5 (3 way) powered studio monitors that work just as well in the home. Tri-amped being one of the beauty of the designs They will blow you away, and completely change your view what an affordable speaker and monitor can do. Keeping the price down by simplifying the cabinet design. A little over today's price range, but better than items 2x their price. Don't let their size fool ya and subwoofer "optional". And we do it ALL for the Music! Have Fun and Enjoy!
Chord mojo 2 with edition xs is a great combo. And the built in crossfeed fixes the flatness for me. Mojo 2 can be a one and done amp/dac for most headphones/ iems. You can find the mojo 2 on sale for $550.00.
Great overview, though I confess I’m a bit surprised at the RU6 over the RU7 as folks generally seem to prefer that one. I have the RU7 myself and love it, even as a DAC via line out to my Violectric amp when powering something like my ZMFs. Never had the chance to compare to the RU6 though, so would love to hear it at some point.
I haven't tried the RU7 and didn't actually know about it until I was putting my links together for the description. I imagine most people seeing this will end up researching and buying the RU7 instead. 🙂
Since Lachlan has gone slightly over budget on a few items, I throw my suggestion into the ring, the Hifiman Arya Stealth. Original retail was something like $1,700, then more recently down to $1,300. I found mine on a pre-Black Friday sale for $599! They are great sounding and you just can't beat a deal like that. I don't know what the current price on them is, but I'm sure they'll hit that $599 level again.
@@PassionforSound I had decided that I was willing to spend up to $2K for my next pair of headphones, and these were on my list of potential purchases. When I saw them for $599, it was like, Duh. It would be ridiculous not to pick them up.
Pretty sure that’s the new price. Hifiman ran an 11.11 sale, however they seem to have kept the reduced prices from that sale after releasing the new unveiled models. It’s already caused some confusion online. I was saving 1100 for the Organics, but considering the Stealths too. I had saved 800 and then Organics were dropped in the 11.11 sale. I found them for 890 new, and I couldn’t resist anymore. Now I’m running a Mojo2+Poly with the Arya Organics as my first headphone system. It sounds fantastic, especially with some minor DSP and Crossfeed enabled. All the best!
I have reviewed one of their speakers, but that's all at this stage and I have no current plans for any more. Is it a "thing" at the moment or something?
I use the Shure SRH1840 Open backed headphone they are very accurate natural sounding with an Arcam RHEAD for home use connected to a Wiim pro that is connected to my tv by optical so also use it for tv and film listening as well On the move when I’m travelling in the car I use a chord mojo 1 with the Shure SRH1840 Again. I use the Shure SE535 IEMs for travel when I don’t want to disturb anyone with the mojo
I have been interested in the HiFiMan EF-500 it is under $500 do you not consider it a good value proposition with the included R2R DAC? Other reviewers seem to like it. But you didn't mention it here so it makes me wonder if it is not up to par with the other options here.
@@PassionforSound Awesome, thank you for the reply. I have been intending on buying one, sorta just to clean up my desk a bit as I have way too much going on with dacs, amps audio mixers and so forth. So I figured if I could eliminate some stuff would be nice. So I have been looking into a good combo
Here are the best value units I know on the market. Audio Note Cobra, Technics g700m2, Technics su-r1000, AN-e LX and spe/he speakers. And then the OTO se signature and basic Meishu model. All of those models also work especially good on AN-e Speaker. IMO you need not try anything else on the market in terms of value at the high level.
Haven't heard much positive things about the 5+2... I do have the Explorer though. Love it to bits. Pairs perfectly with a quality dram and a rainy afternoon
Hi Lachlan, I wanted to like IE 900 but it won’t reach deep into my ear canal. Without pushing with my fingers it’s unusable despite any tip i tried. (Spinfit, final etc.) Is pilgrim or pilgrim noir competitive? I didn’t have this experience with any other iem in my life despite owning many since childhood. Help. 😂
The IE900s are a shallow fitting IEM so trying to insert them like other IEMs will always fail. The trick with the IE900 is to choose the right tip to seal securely in the opening of your ear canal, not for a deep insertion. The Pilgrim is a more traditionally shaped IEM so it will probably work better if you need a deeper insertion.
I Not sure how you can say that the XS is flat and not 3 dimensional. There is no coloring and the XS is very natural. “I would say it is not flat the bass is well controlled the sound stage is big wall of sound. Imaging is great I even gamed with them. I am really going to take audiophiles opinions with a grain of salt
I'm talking about the soundstage, not the tuning. As you said, "a wall of sound". That's not how live music sounds. For gaming we need different things so a good gaming headphone isn't necessarily a good music headphone and vice versa.
@ when I said a wall of sound , I meant the sound is huge considering the ear cups cover half of my face. The sound stage is bigger than the dt 1990. I love the XS a lot and as much as my dt1990. I understand where you are coming from and got to taste all expensive goodies but for me the XS perfect
Me too, I love mine. Mojo2+Poly with my new Arya Organics sounds fantastic. I also love it with my EDIFIERS3000PROMKII active speakers, it’s so versatile and easy to use. It’s not under $500 everywhere though.
Bought the Ananda Nano and Topping DX5 for £620. The DX5 was £230 - how does it compare to the SMSLRaw MDA1 at that price? I guess these usb dac amps have some latency over usb like an audio interface- I hope it’s very minimal.
I never compared the DX5 to the MDA1, but both are great units so you'll be very happy with your setup. Latency via USB is small enough to be insignificant on these devices.
@PassionforSound I had the m15 for about a year then picked up the Ibasso DC07 pro. Richer with more layering, wide soundstage with a analog sound that somehow has excellent detail.
I like your attitude towards Class D amps. Class A/B is the way to go if you want "true" HiFi. Just like digital connections (fiber optics) is the "only" way to get "true" surround sound. There will never be a better connection for audio than fiber optics because of the amount of information it can quickly send.
I don't know enough about fibre optics and surround sound to comment on that, but my thoughts on Class D amps are focused on all the budget ones I've tried lately. I'm yet to listen to a premium one.
Yes, probably the XS, but none of them are particularly good for punchy bass because they're tuned flat. I'd look to Focal or some other brands (depending on budget) for punchy bass.
Your channel is an excellent resource for headfi gear (headphones & dac/amps). However, let's not confuse it with great two channel or multichannel hifi. For $10k a headfi enthusiast can assemble a fantastic setup. For the same $10k a two channel enthusiast can only build a decent system and a multichannel Home theater enthusiast an entry-level system.
Let me get this straight your passion is for sound, not for music. So, we should listen to the equipment not the music. I don't get the logic but right you are if you think you are. Take care.
Not many reviewers have reviewed "xelento 2nd", and i know you did it a year ago. In my region, this one is selling at the price range of 550$~600$ (a lot discount), and as i was thinking about getting new iem, "Q1" what should i choose(what w you recommend)? 1) xelento 2nd vs 2) dita project m vs 3) pilgrim I'm looking for a iem that has great detail and instrument seperations, and great soundstage(large one would be awesome, but imo localization is more important.). I think ie900 may be the best one suitable for this sound signature, but ..hmm this one's still too expensive with no discounts still.. "Q2" And is xelento 2nd still remarkable thesedays compared to such chi-fi iems like mangird tea pro or pilgrims? I know that the sound signature is not like the ie900 which has great details and dry textures. BUT does it has a decent clarity and resolution compared to ie600, or some chi-fi iems under 1000$? if not, what price point should the xelento be compared to, among the 2024 chi-fi iems"? Is it one the level of ie600..? Thanks for sharing us your honest and detailed review. Your recommendations on this video is so much similar to my taste, so any kind of answer would be really appreciated
I would definitely choose the Xelento 2 at that price over the others you've mentioned. If you like the sound of how it's tuned, it's super comfortable, delivers excellent soundstaging and separation and is lots of fun.
@@PassionforSound Thanks a lot. Actually I tried the 1st gen one recently and was disappointed about the clarity compare to the ie600 for sure and, was on the level of 400$ chi-fi iems(like o400).. Maybe the 2nd one has pretty greater clarity than the 1st one, so that it could be compared with or even exceed the ie600 inferring from what you commented! I should definitely try one then..
@AmordeDios-f7r yes, definitely give them a listen if you can. I never tried the original but the 2nd gen is great. The IE600 is another brilliant option.
Hello, can you help? Is the TA-26 too strong for IEMs and does it lead to distortion. Thank you and I look forward to your reviews in distant Bosnia and Herzegovina👍
You might struggle to get enough volume range for IEMs, but also it's likely to alter the frequency response of your IEMs due to the high impedance of the amp. I'd look at something like the Apos Gremlin or xDuoo MT-601 or 602.
My SMSL AO-300 is the most impressive piece of audio kit I've ever owned, and it's not even close. It drives everything I hook to it; it's got great flexibility and adjustability for sound-shaping, and it's $285. It's the AL-200 but with a subwoofer output and a much more aesthetically pleasing chassis design IMHO. I've owned amp/preamp combos with no DAC that cost considerably more than 10x as much and not been as impressed with the sound or the drive capability on an *absolute* scale.
Hey! Love your videos! And that you always respond to comments 🙂. Great products you suggested though it was tough to see what I was looking at with the b-roll footage. I found it was too shallow depth of field for me to get a good look at what you were recommending for me. So I ended up having to peel through the product pages to ground me with thoughts like “oh yeah, I’ve been meaning to check that one out” or “between those two products, I much prefer the look of X”.
Hope my intent is not lost on you. You’re my fav audio RUclipsr.
Cheers
No problems at all and I take your meaning and intent. I didn't film fresh B-roll for this video and when I filmed B-roll in the past it was often for emphasis of a particular feature on a product rather than a full picture of the product which was provided elsewhere in the full reviews the B-roll was from.
The Questyle M15 and Arya Organics go together so well.
I can imagine that. I've never tried them together, but that makes total sense.
I love the way the m15 looks, and it seems like it would be my perfect choice for a dongle. Not sure I can justify the purchase now I have Mojo2+Poly, but it’s good to know it pairs so well if I can justify it in the future.
Mojo2 (under $500 in my part of the world) also sounds absolutely awesome with the Arya Organics (just picked up for 890 new) btw. The DSP and Crossfeed settings work amazingly and you can quickly change the sound based on your mood, volume or genre. If you’re also lucky enough to add a Poly down the road, it’s just takes things to another level for features, functionality and ease of use on the go. Especially if you’re an SDcard, Apple or Roon user.
All the best!
@aj8ky unless you need a truly pocket friendly dongle, the Mojo 2 is clearly better IMO.
@@PassionforSound Thanks, It’s just for a decent back up option tbh. Thought it’d make a better option than my Apple dongle.😂
All the best!
Since you were on a SMSL kick, I recently purchased the SMSL P2/D2R stack and it honestly blew me away for the price. Never owned any SMSL products before and only purchased it for the esthetic that I was pursuing for my bedroom setup. Needless to say, it now sits on my desktop where my Conduct 3X GT V7 Classic Op-Amp used to be.
SMSL tend to make some really solid gear. I'm so glad you're enjoying the new setup so much.
A nice little round up. Should also have a listen to Adam Audio T5V active monitors, they look less like a PC speaker and would pair well with a sub £500 Topping or SMSL dac, in fact for around £600 you could probably pick up these monitors with foam isolation pads, some XLR cables, and a Topping or SMSL dac with a headphone output for a great little PC desktop monitoring system.
Adam's T5V are great indeed. hardly to find better speakers in the price range.
I've actually got each of their 7" options (T, S and A range) in for reviews over the coming months. They're definitely impressive.
Yes, do a video revisiting the XS with this mysterious mod you mention; You can't leave us hanging! 😁
I fixed a pair of thick earpads to mine. 💯✔️💯
That video is produced and scheduled. Coming soon...
I think if I wanted a dac/amp for under 500 I'd get a Mojo 2. I can't even afford that though and I'll just have to make do with the Zen Dac II I bought a couple of years ago.
I’m considering the JDS Labs Element 4 (now $550 US) but I normally prefer all in ones just for the simplicity.
Mojo 2 is an awesome device to upgrade to down the line. I’m sure used ones will pop up at some point and should be viable, because it’s built like a tank…
Love my mojo2, especially with my new Arya Organics (890). It’s not under $500 everywhere though.
Mojo2 could be great as a used option. The battery Is actually user replaceable, and the mojo can be ran without a battery installed. People still buy very cheap mojo1s without battery’s on eBay to use as desktop only DACs, or to replace the battery themselves. The battery’s are a type commonly used in RC hobby, but I’m not sure how easy they are to source for mojos or what modifications may be necessary to adapt one.
All the best!
I agree. It's actually in the video for $500-1000 😁
@@PassionforSound Ah, I'm in the UK and it's £395 here.
Hifiman xs is not flat but on the opposite the sundara is flat, I have xs it has very strong bass and good treble
Interesting video Lachlan. I love your t-shirt too.
Glad you liked it. It's a cool t-shirt, isn't it? I got it from Threadheads
the Xduoo TA22 dac/amp @ $489 and TA20 amp @ $499 are also great audio gear too...
You sold me on the Xenns Mangird Top, it’s my dally earphone now. And I just ordered the xDuoo TA-66 to use as a preamp with a couple of bridged Fosi ZA3.
I hope the TA-66 will work in that setup.
Nice choices! That should sound great!
Hifiman XS no brainer
Great video,thank you so much!!!
My pleasure!
Helm bolt dac is a favourite of mine. Simple, smooth and a nice listen. 👌
I never got a chance to try that one, but it looked interesting
Hey Lachlan, a few little things:
First, thanks for this review. Good to see less expensive equipment that performs well.
I have a technical question. Are the tube sockets in these amps made of plastic or ceramic?
Next, some recommendations:
First, two IEM'S you should listen to if you get the chance: The Juzear Butterfly T61 and the Juzear Dragonfly T81. Both under $500.00US.
I also have a speaker recommendation, if you can get them in Oz. The company, Gallo Acoustics, used to be based in the US, but since the founder Anthony Gallo left the company, they're now based in Scotland.
However, if you can get a pair of the aDiva Ti speakers in for review, I think you'll be impressed. They do need a subwoofer, but they are unique little speakers with a full range driver and some of the best imaging you'll ever hear. I think a pair comes in at about $600.00US.
Cheers!
Great tips! Thank you.
I haven't seen an amp with plastic tube sockets for a long time (maybe some of the cheaper Chinese amps using 5654 tubes?) so I'm 99% sure that the amps mentioned here are all using ceramic sockets.
@@PassionforSound
Thank you very much. 🍻
Edit: One more thing about those speakers. They will likely pair best with a fast subwoofer.
Love the Project Ms. I don't notice any fatigue or a lot of treble, but then again I'm older and have been married for 25yrs so my hearing has gone...
In terms of Dongles. The Onlix Alpha is still pretty good at its price point. The DC Elite is more money and better overall, but still under $500.00.
The Alpha has some warts but for the price...a great sound if you can work around the warts. (e.g. use external battery. )
That said... if you don't need anything... save your money... There's a lot of goodies in the $500.- $1000 price point that you may want...
I love my Edition XS and have never had any complaints about the sound staging. Is this comment more for music because I tend to game mostly on them? That being said I’ve heard the original Ananda but not the Nano yet. Maybe they are way better. I guess that’s the problem with audio gear. There’s so much to try you could think something you have is amazing at one thing or another but you have yet to hear a headphone that actually does it well. 🤷♂️ Great video.
Yep, I'm focussed on music when discussing soundstage. I've actually found that flatter staging can be preferable in gaming because it makes all of the sound cues more available.
@@PassionforSound I have heard many people claim too much sound stage affects detail retrieval in games. Things in the distance being drowned out because of how quiet they are and such. That being said does it affect the ability to tell how far away something is or is that more around the games engine itself. I mostly play PvP games but I have always wanted something that is great for immersion and details. I enjoy a well done story game here and there. I should try Cyberpunk I hear its engine is impressive for immersion. I have thought about buying the Ananda Nano or Arya Organic one day as an upgrade but I don't think I'd trade the detail of my Edition XS for better soundstage if it doesn't retain detail retrieval in games. Then again the HD800s is supposed to be great for games and supposedly has a massive soundstage. I am not new to audio but very new to headphone audio lol.
XS has no soundstage. 😢
@ I came from home theatre. Bought a couple different set ups and fell in love with the second. Still have it 15 years later. Still love it. Headphones however are the most finicky and subjective hobby I’ve ever encountered. Lots of people say the XS has tons of soundstage. Some say they have none or only width. Honestly I’m not blown away with them (coming from home theatre how could I be) soundstage wise but I think depending on the source they impress. But I am convinced something better overall for what I’m looking for is out there. It’s just much more frustrating and time consuming to find then a good speaker set up. The quest continues lol.
@dustinmihalcheon5013 yes. Everything you've said there is accurate in my experience. Although, I think we adjust to the deeper soundstage if we use a headphone like that for a while. The problem is more that switching from one to the other creates greater contrast in the brain and can trick us a bit, I think.
I'd definitely give a deeper staging headphone a go if you can. As you said, they can be way better for immersion.
Buy Right, and Have Fun. That's what it is all about. Because the best stereo system is the one you can afford. And thanks to smarter people than the rest of us, and technology today we have the opportunity for some of the best stereo equipment ever made. Example: Kali IN-5 (3 way) powered studio monitors that work just as well in the home. Tri-amped being one of the beauty of the designs They will blow you away, and completely change your view what an affordable speaker and monitor can do. Keeping the price down by simplifying the cabinet design. A little over today's price range, but better than items 2x their price. Don't let their size fool ya and subwoofer "optional". And we do it ALL for the Music! Have Fun and Enjoy!
Chord mojo 2 with edition xs is a great combo. And the built in crossfeed fixes the flatness for me. Mojo 2 can be a one and done amp/dac for most headphones/ iems. You can find the mojo 2 on sale for $550.00.
That's a great point about using crossfeed with the XS!
Great overview, though I confess I’m a bit surprised at the RU6 over the RU7 as folks generally seem to prefer that one. I have the RU7 myself and love it, even as a DAC via line out to my Violectric amp when powering something like my ZMFs. Never had the chance to compare to the RU6 though, so would love to hear it at some point.
I haven't tried the RU7 and didn't actually know about it until I was putting my links together for the description. I imagine most people seeing this will end up researching and buying the RU7 instead. 🙂
Since Lachlan has gone slightly over budget on a few items, I throw my suggestion into the ring, the Hifiman Arya Stealth. Original retail was something like $1,700, then more recently down to $1,300. I found mine on a pre-Black Friday sale for $599! They are great sounding and you just can't beat a deal like that. I don't know what the current price on them is, but I'm sure they'll hit that $599 level again.
Wow! $599 for those is brilliant.
@@PassionforSound I had decided that I was willing to spend up to $2K for my next pair of headphones, and these were on my list of potential purchases. When I saw them for $599, it was like, Duh. It would be ridiculous not to pick them up.
Pretty sure that’s the new price. Hifiman ran an 11.11 sale, however they seem to have kept the reduced prices from that sale after releasing the new unveiled models. It’s already caused some confusion online.
I was saving 1100 for the Organics, but considering the Stealths too. I had saved 800 and then Organics were dropped in the 11.11 sale. I found them for 890 new, and I couldn’t resist anymore. Now I’m running a Mojo2+Poly with the Arya Organics as my first headphone system. It sounds fantastic, especially with some minor DSP and Crossfeed enabled.
All the best!
I hVe the topping e70 velvet and i think is good. Excelent video. Thanks
Turn the tv and cell phone off (unless you're streaming) and turn the Music On! It's the prescription everyone is looking for!
Meze 105 AER 🎧🤩
They are great, I had chance to direct comparison with Empyrean.... small difference sound wise.
You should try the fiio Q15 with it's high quality akm dacs.
I started with a pair of HD650 and iFi Zen DAC V2 in October 2022.
Thank goodness I’ve found a reviewer that isn’t reviewing Monitor Audio products.
I have reviewed one of their speakers, but that's all at this stage and I have no current plans for any more. Is it a "thing" at the moment or something?
You should try the FT-1 Pro.
I've got it and the FT1 in for review now, but I'm yet to have a listen.
There's no best, it is merely down to preferences.
I use the Shure SRH1840 Open backed headphone they are very accurate natural sounding with an Arcam RHEAD for home use connected to a Wiim pro that is connected to my tv by optical so also use it for tv and film listening as well
On the move when I’m travelling in the car I use a chord mojo 1 with the Shure SRH1840 Again. I use the Shure SE535 IEMs for travel when I don’t want to disturb anyone with the mojo
I have been interested in the HiFiMan EF-500 it is under $500 do you not consider it a good value proposition with the included R2R DAC? Other reviewers seem to like it. But you didn't mention it here so it makes me wonder if it is not up to par with the other options here.
It's actually just that I haven't tried it, but I suspect it would be excellent based on the EF600 and EF400.
@@PassionforSound Awesome, thank you for the reply. I have been intending on buying one, sorta just to clean up my desk a bit as I have way too much going on with dacs, amps audio mixers and so forth. So I figured if I could eliminate some stuff would be nice. So I have been looking into a good combo
New DAC by Topping which is R2R sounds ideal for your reviewing skills Lachlan.
I've got one coming, I think...
what do you think about getting the arya stealth over the ananda nano?
I think it's still a good decision. The Arya Stealth is excellent.
Okay Lachlan, pissin' on the XS again... 😜 Give us that video to make them better! 🙏
Haha. It's produced and scheduled. Coming soon...
@PassionforSound thanks mate, love yer work!
I like very much Moondrop Blessing 3 but probably the ones you mentioned are better. It’s around 270 these days
It's a lovely IEM still. 🙂
Here are the best value units I know on the market.
Audio Note Cobra, Technics g700m2, Technics su-r1000, AN-e LX and spe/he speakers. And then the OTO se signature and basic Meishu model. All of those models also work especially good on AN-e Speaker. IMO you need not try anything else on the market in terms of value at the high level.
Can the Fiio ft1 Pro be included in the list? Also the Aful P5+2?
You can recommend them, for sure. I have the FT1 Pro here for review, but I haven't tried it yet.
Haven't heard much positive things about the 5+2... I do have the Explorer though. Love it to bits. Pairs perfectly with a quality dram and a rainy afternoon
@@DrinkWater713 I have the Explorer too. It's an excellent IEM for classic rock.
Portable dac/amp: muse hifi m5 ultra! It’s awesome, give it a try guys 🎉
I've got the review of that one coming in early 2025
@ that’s great, looking forward to that :)
Hi Lachlan, I wanted to like IE 900 but it won’t reach deep into my ear canal. Without pushing with my fingers it’s unusable despite any tip i tried. (Spinfit, final etc.) Is pilgrim or pilgrim noir competitive? I didn’t have this experience with any other iem in my life despite owning many since childhood. Help. 😂
The IE900s are a shallow fitting IEM so trying to insert them like other IEMs will always fail. The trick with the IE900 is to choose the right tip to seal securely in the opening of your ear canal, not for a deep insertion.
The Pilgrim is a more traditionally shaped IEM so it will probably work better if you need a deeper insertion.
I Not sure how you can say that the XS is flat and not 3 dimensional. There is no coloring and the XS is very natural. “I would say it is not flat the bass is well controlled the sound stage is big wall of sound. Imaging is great I even gamed with them. I am really going to take audiophiles opinions with a grain of salt
I'm talking about the soundstage, not the tuning. As you said, "a wall of sound". That's not how live music sounds. For gaming we need different things so a good gaming headphone isn't necessarily a good music headphone and vice versa.
@ when I said a wall of sound , I meant the sound is huge considering the ear cups cover half of my face. The sound stage is bigger than the dt 1990. I love the XS a lot and as much as my dt1990. I understand where you are coming from and got to taste all expensive goodies but for me the XS perfect
I vote for Mojo 2
Me too, I love mine. Mojo2+Poly with my new Arya Organics sounds fantastic. I also love it with my EDIFIERS3000PROMKII active speakers, it’s so versatile and easy to use. It’s not under $500 everywhere though.
Yep. The Mojo 2 is actually in the next video 😁
Bought the Ananda Nano and Topping DX5 for £620. The DX5 was £230 - how does it compare to the SMSLRaw MDA1 at that price? I guess these usb dac amps have some latency over usb like an audio interface- I hope it’s very minimal.
I never compared the DX5 to the MDA1, but both are great units so you'll be very happy with your setup.
Latency via USB is small enough to be insignificant on these devices.
@ Thanks I’m sure it will be great for listening and creating
Me hd800s, S MX4 + Jlap Epic L , Q M15, Loxjie A40 desktop amp + Heco Aurora 300 Speakers
I agree with this video bro
"Coherency" is not a word. Just coherence. Also, something cannot be more or less unique than another, Unique means, quite literally, incomparable.
Maybe do a little research before your next pompous comment. A simple merriam-webster search will help you understand "coherency."
Life without (great sounding) music would be a Mistake!
Frankly, the Wiim Ultra provides me 90%+ of $1000 + more DAC I spent my money on amps and speakers.
Glad you're enjoying it!
thanks for doing this! please do follow up if you find some new gems....
I will. I'll make it a semi regular thing seeing it's being well received
Anyone who would pay $300 for a flimsy little ear bud cable is a damned fool- can you imagine the profit margin that company is making on this?
Yes, I can because I've taken the time to research the cost of the bare wire used. You'd be surprised...
Couple years old triangle bro 3 it will surprise you to hell and they are cheap I don't know for how long.
The Ibasso DC07 pro is hands down better than the Questyle m15 in every way.
I haven't tried the dc07 Pro
@PassionforSound I had the m15 for about a year then picked up the Ibasso DC07 pro. Richer with more layering, wide soundstage with a analog sound that somehow has excellent detail.
I like your attitude towards Class D amps. Class A/B is the way to go if you want "true" HiFi. Just like digital connections (fiber optics) is the "only" way to get "true" surround sound. There will never be a better connection for audio than fiber optics because of the amount of information it can quickly send.
I don't know enough about fibre optics and surround sound to comment on that, but my thoughts on Class D amps are focused on all the budget ones I've tried lately. I'm yet to listen to a premium one.
each headphones/iems/desktop dacs are still a little out of my price range :( unless I save for a lil while or something :(
I did a video in the price tier down. There's still some awesome stuff at the $200 price range.
@@PassionforSound at a 200$ price range is vary do-able ill check it out TY happy holidays
Iem = Final Audio A5000 and A6000.
Which Hifiman headphone has the punchiest bass?
Xs
You should stay away from planars if you want dynamic dynamics
Yes, probably the XS, but none of them are particularly good for punchy bass because they're tuned flat. I'd look to Focal or some other brands (depending on budget) for punchy bass.
What about the HE6V2? Does that one have the punchiest bass among Hifiman headphones?
@Mssv2013 I'm not sure, but you'll also need to get a solid amp to power those sufficiently so factor that in.
HD 600? Anybody? 😅
I’ve sworn off buying any new gear until 2025. Holy shit! Withdrawals are a bitch!….lol….
😂
My budget is 100$
500$is very very very expensive for me
So a budget for you is not a budget for me so this video's is subjective
Yes. Value is always subjective. I can't please everyone
$400 for a pair of Headphones!!! How is that inexpensive?🥴
When there are headphones costing up to 20x that price and more, it's all relative.
dusk
Your channel is an excellent resource for headfi gear (headphones & dac/amps). However, let's not confuse it with great two channel or multichannel hifi. For $10k a headfi enthusiast can assemble a fantastic setup. For the same $10k a two channel enthusiast can only build a decent system and a multichannel Home theater enthusiast an entry-level system.
I'm not really sure what you're saying here as I agree with you and I don't believe I've stated otherwise...
Let me get this straight your passion is for sound, not for music. So, we should listen to the equipment not the music. I don't get the logic but right you are if you think you are. Take care.
First!
Not many reviewers have reviewed "xelento 2nd", and i know you did it a year ago. In my region, this one is selling at the price range of 550$~600$ (a lot discount), and as i was thinking about getting new iem, "Q1" what should i choose(what w you recommend)? 1) xelento 2nd vs 2) dita project m vs 3) pilgrim
I'm looking for a iem that has great detail and instrument seperations, and great soundstage(large one would be awesome, but imo localization is more important.). I think ie900 may be the best one suitable for this sound signature, but ..hmm this one's still too expensive with no discounts still..
"Q2" And is xelento 2nd still remarkable thesedays compared to such chi-fi iems like mangird tea pro or pilgrims? I know that the sound signature is not like the ie900 which has great details and dry textures. BUT does it has a decent clarity and resolution compared to ie600, or some chi-fi iems under 1000$? if not, what price point should the xelento be compared to, among the 2024 chi-fi iems"? Is it one the level of ie600..?
Thanks for sharing us your honest and detailed review.
Your recommendations on this video is so much similar to my taste, so any kind of answer would be really appreciated
I would definitely choose the Xelento 2 at that price over the others you've mentioned. If you like the sound of how it's tuned, it's super comfortable, delivers excellent soundstaging and separation and is lots of fun.
@@PassionforSound Thanks a lot. Actually I tried the 1st gen one recently and was disappointed about the clarity compare to the ie600 for sure and, was on the level of 400$ chi-fi iems(like o400)..
Maybe the 2nd one has pretty greater clarity than the 1st one, so that it could be compared with or even exceed the ie600 inferring from what you commented! I should definitely try one then..
@AmordeDios-f7r yes, definitely give them a listen if you can. I never tried the original but the 2nd gen is great. The IE600 is another brilliant option.
Hello, can you help? Is the TA-26 too strong for IEMs and does it lead to distortion. Thank you and I look forward to your reviews in distant Bosnia and Herzegovina👍
You might struggle to get enough volume range for IEMs, but also it's likely to alter the frequency response of your IEMs due to the high impedance of the amp.
I'd look at something like the Apos Gremlin or xDuoo MT-601 or 602.
This fall I got the s.m.s.l raw mda1 and Ananda Stealth V3.
I am happy with how they sound. I hope they will last 🫣
Great setup. There's no reason to expect them to not last so enjoy!