I had driven my headphones with an old vintage heavy iron analog 60 watt RMS per channel power amplifier with a frequency response of +- 2 dB from 0 to 100,000 Hz. Nothing sounded better, maybe except a Stax headphone setup. The problem was so much headroom and virtually no distortion, keep cranking the volume up till blowing up headphones. All worth it! This Colibri sounds interesting and much more portable, maybe I'll try it.
Suggest sticking your REL sub in the corner and using a minidsp Dirac on it. Placing the sub in the corner is ideal since it typically produces peaks rather than dips. Dirac works better when removing peaks for EQ. Look forward to hearing about it.
Interesting. I have two REL T Zero MkIII in a small room (12’x12’ w/8’ ceilings). I have one pretty close the the wall, and the other pretty close to the corner. Because it’s the best spot and they sound great there for my desktop setup. But when using them on my mains. The corner one takes over the other one, unless you turn it down a bit. And this makes me think that maybe I should get the other one in an opposing corner and use DSP. Because they definitely are helped a lot by the corner in output already. But I didn’t even think about it producing peaks, although it makes perfect sense now that you mention it. Seems like the sub won’t have to work as hard this way, and has the potential to last longer because of this also. Thanks for the tip. 👍 ✌️
@@tallpaull9367 Thanks Paul. Hey aren't you the guy in the Chifi thread too? Lol Just noticed that. Anyway, I've actually got an SHD Studio already. I tried it when I got it, but couldn't get it working on my computer. I've just recently bought 2 new ones though. A Dell XPS 13 laptop, and an i3 Intel NUC that I'm using as my source right now. So I'll try it again soon. It's on the list. 😉 🙂
Great review, and a great product too. I do have a question though, and if you answered it in the video. I apologize, but I didn't see it myself. Is there any issues with noise if you're using efficient iem's on the balanced connection? And one only needs a balanced cable to do this? Thank you, love the videos. Please keep them coming. 👍 ✌️
Yes, you just need a balanced cable with 4.4mm connection to use it. I've tried it with very sensitive SeeAudio Bravery and didn't notice any hiss whatsoever.
@@iiWiReviews Thanks for the reply. I was actually looking at those (bravery) iem's the other day, because of your channel. But they're not cheap at all. I'm not sure I want to spend all that much. They do look really nice though. I really want a pair that gives a nice even presentation like my HiFi does. No emphasis on any one thing basically, but that doesn't seem to be very popular with iem's. Which leads me to a general question for you, but also for anyone else too. Any ideas on something like that? An iem that has a fairly flat frequency response? Or does it not work that way? I'm 50 yrs old, and know HiFi like the back of my hand, but this stuff is definitely a bit different it seems. So any help is appreciated. 🙂✌️
Hm, IEM with flat response tend to sound very lean (I'll make a video about it sometimes cause it's an interesting phenomenon) so those are rarely made. IEM that sounds natural should have at least slight emphasis on the bass region. Depending on your budget, take a look at Moondrop Kato or Hidizs MS2... Both are reviewed here on this channel and are great offerings.
@@iiWiReviews That's all I'm asking for is a natural sound at my ears. If it takes a bass bump to get it, then I'm fine with that of course. Maybe I should have specified that the frequency response on paper isn't the concern, so much as what is hitting my ear drums. Thanks very much for the recommendations. I'm going to watch those videos, possibly for the 2nd time I suppose, and see how they look. Thanks a lot for all your help. I really appreciate it. Have a great day (or night) my friend. ✌️
How does bass and sub-bass compare with the Cayin RU6 with and without bass boost? And how does is sound compare to it's predecessor the Sparrow and to the L&P W2? Thank you.
thank you for the review! Could you please say some words regarding soundstage depth and layering (and maybe height) of the BU2 compared to other portable dac amps? Or otherwise say, which of them gives the deepest soundstage and most separated layering?
Another great review Srboljub! Earman seem to have produced an exceptional portable Amp/DAC for listeners wishing to use balanced cables with their earphones and IEM’s. You describe the performance of this device with exceptional clarity. Well done 👍. Which comparable quality balanced IEM’s or Headphones would you choose to listen to your music using the Colibri?
Great review. I will check it out once back in stock. BTW, I'd like to see your thoughts on the Hidizs DH1000. To be with Focal Clears it's far better than the S9 Pro, DH80s and others like the Chord Mojo, Dethronay Honey H1 and RU6.
Thoroughly enjoy all your videos. Thank you. May I ask something unrelated to this particular video. I have the Opus #11 from TheBit which is nearing it's end of life battery wise. I'm sure you may have come across this some years ago. Looking to replace it and since the Khadas Tea is also an ESS chip perhaps it may be a good choice. I love everything about the Opus #11. Living in South Africa, I would need to import so I need to be careful I make the right choice. I have HiFiMan i400 headphones. Any advice would be appreciated. I have someone who will be in Germany end of the month and could get something you suggest maybe from there. I listen at home always and never need anything too portable but semi-portable would be required. Thank you if you are able to suggest anything
Hi Srboljub, many thanks for great review👍👍👍, it seems that earmen has a house sound (clarity, impact, fullness) I have the Tradutto in one setup and I love it... so this Colibri will be my next choice for IEM. (unfortunatelly it is not available now). I have also S9Pro and like it also very much.. , do you think, that Colibri is similar sound signateure like S9 pro, but step-up? many thanks, Petr
Shanling UA5 will give this a run for its money. I'm really contemplating if or not ua5 will be a great upgrade to my ua1 pro. That also has a battery and even better hybrid mode so can be used even when battery is drained fully. If you could get ua5 sent to you then it would be great to hear your comparison.
Great review! I am also into portable Dacs and dongles. I would like to ask you about a device that it seems to be an excellent product, specially for its price: Venture Electronics Megatron. It would be also great to hear your opinion about it!
Thanks. This is the first time I'm hearing about Megaton... I'll google it later. But basically, I have so many DAC dongles review offers that I have to choose interesting ones and refuse some... It's a very crowded market.
I have problems with devices with battery inside. I always think that battery bad for longevity of a product. They could bloat after years of usage, the power they could store decrease after each charge to the point where the battery no longer could store any power and if you plan to store a device with a battery inside for long term, planning to use it again in the future, you better hope that the battery didn't leak and destroy the electronics inside the device.
Balanced connection is inherently technicaly superior, that's why it's on the rise. If it sounded the same as SE connection that would defeat the purpose of its existence.
enjoy all your device reviews, they make our job of finding value to price audio equipment much easier, keep rockin these reviews
Must let you know how enjoyable all of your narratives are. Your presentations are second to none🤙
Beautiful application of language to sound.
Thank you for the excellent review!
I had driven my headphones with an old vintage heavy iron analog 60 watt RMS per channel power amplifier with a frequency response of +- 2 dB from 0 to 100,000 Hz. Nothing sounded better, maybe except a Stax headphone setup. The problem was so much headroom and virtually no distortion, keep cranking the volume up till blowing up headphones. All worth it! This Colibri sounds interesting and much more portable, maybe I'll try it.
Suggest sticking your REL sub in the corner and using a minidsp Dirac on it. Placing the sub in the corner is ideal since it typically produces peaks rather than dips. Dirac works better when removing peaks for EQ. Look forward to hearing about it.
Interesting. I have two REL T Zero MkIII in a small room (12’x12’ w/8’ ceilings). I have one pretty close the the wall, and the other pretty close to the corner. Because it’s the best spot and they sound great there for my desktop setup. But when using them on my mains. The corner one takes over the other one, unless you turn it down a bit.
And this makes me think that maybe I should get the other one in an opposing corner and use DSP. Because they definitely are helped a lot by the corner in output already. But I didn’t even think about it producing peaks, although it makes perfect sense now that you mention it. Seems like the sub won’t have to work as hard this way, and has the potential to last longer because of this also. Thanks for the tip. 👍 ✌️
@@amb3cog Try minidsp 2x4 HD. And 2 subs, each in the corner both sides is super good! Next upgrade, iiwi needs a second sub too :)
@@tallpaull9367 Thanks Paul. Hey aren't you the guy in the Chifi thread too? Lol
Just noticed that. Anyway, I've actually got an SHD Studio already. I tried it when I got it, but couldn't get it working on my computer. I've just recently bought 2 new ones though. A Dell XPS 13 laptop, and an i3 Intel NUC that I'm using as my source right now. So I'll try it again soon. It's on the list. 😉 🙂
@@amb3cog nice, I almost bought SHD Studio, looks like a cool
unit
Sounds like a nice match for the Sennheiser 6 series with a balanced cable.
Great review, and a great product too. I do have a question though, and if you answered it in the video. I apologize, but I didn't see it myself. Is there any issues with noise if you're using efficient iem's on the balanced connection? And one only needs a balanced cable to do this? Thank you, love the videos. Please keep them coming. 👍 ✌️
Yes, you just need a balanced cable with 4.4mm connection to use it. I've tried it with very sensitive SeeAudio Bravery and didn't notice any hiss whatsoever.
@@iiWiReviews Thanks for the reply. I was actually looking at those (bravery) iem's the other day, because of your channel. But they're not cheap at all. I'm not sure I want to spend all that much. They do look really nice though. I really want a pair that gives a nice even presentation like my HiFi does. No emphasis on any one thing basically, but that doesn't seem to be very popular with iem's.
Which leads me to a general question for you, but also for anyone else too.
Any ideas on something like that? An iem that has a fairly flat frequency response? Or does it not work that way?
I'm 50 yrs old, and know HiFi like the back of my hand, but this stuff is definitely a bit different it seems. So any help is appreciated. 🙂✌️
Hm, IEM with flat response tend to sound very lean (I'll make a video about it sometimes cause it's an interesting phenomenon) so those are rarely made. IEM that sounds natural should have at least slight emphasis on the bass region. Depending on your budget, take a look at Moondrop Kato or Hidizs MS2... Both are reviewed here on this channel and are great offerings.
@@iiWiReviews That's all I'm asking for is a natural sound at my ears. If it takes a bass bump to get it, then I'm fine with that of course. Maybe I should have specified that the frequency response on paper isn't the concern, so much as what is hitting my ear drums. Thanks very much for the recommendations. I'm going to watch those videos, possibly for the 2nd time I suppose, and see how they look. Thanks a lot for all your help. I really appreciate it. Have a great day (or night) my friend. ✌️
How does bass and sub-bass compare with the Cayin RU6 with and without bass boost?
And how does is sound compare to it's predecessor the Sparrow and to the L&P W2?
Thank you.
thank you for the review! Could you please say some words regarding soundstage depth and layering (and maybe height) of the BU2 compared to other portable dac amps? Or otherwise say, which of them gives the deepest soundstage and most separated layering?
Excellent
it´s better at the level of hiby fc6? i ask because i want to use it with an iphone and i know it can´t give enough juice for the fc6.
Another great review Srboljub! Earman seem to have produced an exceptional portable Amp/DAC for listeners wishing to use balanced cables with their earphones and IEM’s. You describe the performance of this device with exceptional clarity. Well done 👍. Which comparable quality balanced IEM’s or Headphones would you choose to listen to your music using the Colibri?
Thanks! I don't have that many IEMs but SeeAudio Bravery has been my favourite for some time now.
Great review. I will check it out once back in stock. BTW, I'd like to see your thoughts on the Hidizs DH1000. To be with Focal Clears it's far better than the S9 Pro, DH80s and others like the Chord Mojo, Dethronay Honey H1 and RU6.
hope you feel better soon
Oh thanks, but I'm OK... That thing about aching knees was just an attempt of a joke. 😅
@@iiWiReviews thought you were serious , good to hear my friend, have a great day.
Thoroughly enjoy all your videos. Thank you.
May I ask something unrelated to this particular video.
I have the Opus #11 from TheBit which is nearing it's end of life battery wise.
I'm sure you may have come across this some years ago.
Looking to replace it and since the Khadas Tea is also an ESS chip perhaps it may be a good choice. I love everything about the Opus #11.
Living in South Africa, I would need to import so I need to be careful I make the right choice. I have HiFiMan i400 headphones.
Any advice would be appreciated.
I have someone who will be in Germany end of the month and could get something you suggest maybe from there.
I listen at home always and never need anything too portable but semi-portable would be required.
Thank you if you are able to suggest anything
Hi Srboljub, many thanks for great review👍👍👍, it seems that earmen has a house sound (clarity, impact, fullness) I have the Tradutto in one setup and I love it... so this Colibri will be my next choice for IEM. (unfortunatelly it is not available now). I have also S9Pro and like it also very much.. , do you think, that Colibri is similar sound signateure like S9 pro, but step-up? many thanks, Petr
Thanks! Yes, I think it is of a similar sound signature as S9pro just with more authority, more expended soundstage, and better layering.
@@iiWiReviews many thanks man, you are great🔥🔥🔥
what do u think of IFI hip DAC 2? Thank u.
Does anyone knows if it can be used when it runs out of battery? With external power source? Thx and apologize if it was mentioned in the review
Shanling UA5 will give this a run for its money. I'm really contemplating if or not ua5 will be a great upgrade to my ua1 pro. That also has a battery and even better hybrid mode so can be used even when battery is drained fully.
If you could get ua5 sent to you then it would be great to hear your comparison.
I'm getting one to try it out late this month.
@@iiWiReviews can't wait.
Thanks again for the review! May I ask if you have any opinion on how it compares with the Hidizs DH80S, especially on power and clarity?
Power feels very similar but Colibri offers noticeably more clarity and high frequency extension.
Thanks
Great review. Would you recommend or can this be used in a hifi system connected to streamer?
In theory it can, I used similar DACs that way before... But haven't tried this particular one with any streamer.
Colibri vs dh80s? Which one is good Tia mate!
Great review! Which one sounds better? tr amp or colibri or the D80s?
TR-amp has most power for high impedance headphones...but if that is not important then Colibri sounds better than it, and also better than D80s. .
@@iiWiReviews Ok, thanks for your opinion!
Nice review but I'll stick with my ear studio and quelisk 5k. I didn't hear u say anything about an app. Does it have an app.
I miss the tone2 comparison. It has similar power
Great review! I am also into portable Dacs and dongles. I would like to ask you about a device that it seems to be an excellent product, specially for its price: Venture Electronics Megatron. It would be also great to hear your opinion about it!
Thanks. This is the first time I'm hearing about Megaton... I'll google it later. But basically, I have so many DAC dongles review offers that I have to choose interesting ones and refuse some... It's a very crowded market.
@@iiWiReviews I agree.. there are so many options in the market. Thank you!
I have problems with devices with battery inside. I always think that battery bad for longevity of a product. They could bloat after years of usage, the power they could store decrease after each charge to the point where the battery no longer could store any power and if you plan to store a device with a battery inside for long term, planning to use it again in the future, you better hope that the battery didn't leak and destroy the electronics inside the device.
Can't agree more. The inbuilt battery ruins most products in a long run. From this viewpoint sparrow is more logical and capable of last longer.
Hi, can it drive the Edition XS?
qudelix 5k sounds just as good as any of these and has way more features. EQ features alone make the 5k superior to all of these.
S-E and BAL should be designed equally well and sound-matched. Period.
Balanced connection is inherently technicaly superior, that's why it's on the rise. If it sounded the same as SE connection that would defeat the purpose of its existence.
Mojo 2 is better than Colibri?
It is. I will review Mojo 2 sometime soon.
No Bluetooth:(?
No it doesn't have BT.
Can it process Hi-Rez
Yes it can, also DSD and MQA... Everything is covered.
I have an idea for you to execute. Roylaties and exposure. Email me for details.