requal
100+ Head-Fier
CCA Rhapsody is balanced and still praised nowadays. Main problem of this set is bulkiness of the shells
Knowledge Zenith (KZ) impressions thread
- Thread starter bhazard
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Brain Damage
100+ Head-Fier
These may be if interest to you:
JCALLY AP7
7Hz Seven Hertz 7
Colorfly CDA M1P
Shanling UA3
MightyBalzaq
New Head-Fier
Yeah...I'm just about ready to pull the trigger on the KA11. Just kinda making absolutely sure of everything before I do so. If that's the way I go ill be sure to check back in and let y'all know how it goes.
Thanks for the detailed post.
SpaceOperaVillain
100+ Head-Fier
I don't envy you having to make a choice with so many options!
For the same reason you don't ask weed addicts what their favorite strains are, I'll jump in anyway and ask if you saw the recent reviews for the TP20 Pro? Fitty bucks - dual cirrus chips, balanced outputs, warm'ish profile, and 170mW total output. Could be a great fit for planars. No idea about longevity or quality but the early reviews and spec sheet are impressive for the price point. https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/epz-tp20-pro.27136/
MightyBalzaq
New Head-Fier
I don't envy you having to make a choice with so many options!
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/epz-tp20-pro.27136/
Yeah...I was actually looking at that one yesterday.
It's definitely one of the many options that is making this decision a bit more difficult.
I still think I'm leaning towards the KA11 though.
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KZ Merga graph curves are kinda impressive for a single DD cheap IEM, but I don't know if I like the imbalance of too little bass, mids and a harman treble.
SpaceOperaVillain
100+ Head-Fier
fwiw, Merga is a dual DD 10mm & 8mm. They claim each driver is dual ported or something bizarre like that. There are so many multi DD pokemon here that I have a hard time believing any are going to be better than the Trio.
WhereAreMyEars
Head-Fier
My AS16 Pro really isn't holding onto paint very well, and for some reason it's mostly going off on the right one, the left one has just a tiny bit chipped off. They sound good, but if you also like the look - it doesn't last 
As for using "balanced" on IEMs, I don't tnink most would actually benefit from that... they're tiny things and need tiny power. Sure, mine PR3 needs the volume to be cranked up a little bit compared to other ones, but I use them on both 3.5 and 4.4 outputs on my Dawn Pro and there's no audible difference. Maybe like baskingshark said, it might work better if the device used has poorly implemented single-ended outputs.
As for using "balanced" on IEMs, I don't tnink most would actually benefit from that... they're tiny things and need tiny power. Sure, mine PR3 needs the volume to be cranked up a little bit compared to other ones, but I use them on both 3.5 and 4.4 outputs on my Dawn Pro and there's no audible difference. Maybe like baskingshark said, it might work better if the device used has poorly implemented single-ended outputs.
o0genesis0o
Headphoneus Supremus
What a cool post!tl;dr: I agree with you and have done the same, but I think the amp itself has more effect on the sound than the actual DAC. Ideally the DAC output should be flat, and any sound coloring (for better or for worse) should come from the amplification. In small devices like a dongle there's only so much you can do to step-up USB supplied current into high quality power.
---------------->> old geezer rambling commences <<--------------
n00bs should know that there's a whole lot more to this than first meets the eye. We're talkingmonthsyearsdecades long rabbit holes of research, testing, and sampling with one's own ears. I'm not ashamed of being cheap in this hobby, but I will say that one of the reasons I went with the BTR3k over BTR5 was because of the 3's dual AKM chipset, even though it's "only" 24 bits and not 32. For pop and even most classical recordings I can't really tell a difference when using budget IEM between 24 and 32 bit. Still I wouldn't call it warm by any means. At least to my ears, the sound profile is a lot closer to neutral than the first reviews led on to believe but it is indeed a crystalline clean sound as advertised and it's been a great source that's about the same size as a cigarette lighter. IMO neutral is the ideal, but many chase after warm and that's fine. I think iFi are masters at this.
It's a shame that Tri discontinued the TK2 - that thing was a beast for < $300. It uses dual Sabre ESS9038 pros and the bottom end was really punchy and full without being colored. If you spot one used - snatch it up, you won't be disappointed. My only beef with those (including units like the Diablo) is the form factor. That class of amplifier is really constructed to drive full size over-ears; it's massive overkill for IEM and a bit wasted on most KZ products if we're being honest ...
Volume: reasons why I EQ
When used in DAC line-out mode with IEM of 25 ~ 32 ohms and 105 db/mW sensitivity, 80-85 dB output comes at a volume level of ~11 of 32 clicks on my BTR3k, and it's putting out ~ 115 mW at an ear damaging / soul-piercing 124+ dB at the full 32 clicks. Remember, it's not a mini dongle but this is still the small one!
The output is not at all linear, either. At 85dB we're talking about less than 0.01 mW, and we're typically judging amps on being acceptable when they're over ~ 60 mW. When reviews talk about IEM and 32 ohm sets being easy to drive, this is what they mean. (you can calculate / play with the figures for different phones here: headphonesty volume 'n power calculator).
Closing in on 90 dB on rock and metal tracks is causing pain in my ears and even 80-85 will result in fatigue after about an hour if I sparkle-up KZ's already notoriously trebly profiles. The problem is that our perception about the quantity and composition of frequencies across the output spectrum can be wildly different at different sound levels for the same headphone. Because of this, my preference is to EQ boost to taste and spend most of my listening time in the 40-70 dB range. Right now I have the GK10s plugged in with a balanced cable at 61 dB and, at least for me, this is plenty loud enough for casual listening and I hear full range on the bottom end without EQ. ZEX Pro? I have to screw with them.
And then I have the PowerDAC 2.1 ... that thing goes to almost 600 mW balanced. I have to be very careful to not hurt my ears if using it with IEM. I tend to use it more for my over ears at my desk. I would describe it as ruthless in it's precision and presentation. For me this was end-game for having a details oriented amplifier of any size, type, or cost. There is some distortion and hissing at the top end of the power range, but you don't notice it after the volume comes up, and it's not detectable at all when using with IEM. With the CRAs plugged in balanced it's like my old Yamaha bookshelf speakers are sandwiched to my head. It's also energetic enough to be tiring - I don't actually use it all that often and have been snooping around tube amps for awhile to use as my main power source as I get older and my tinnitus less tolerant to IEM use.
As basking said, the single-ended KA11 is pumping 200mW at 32ohms - and the PR2 is only 15 ohms. At 200 mW on the KA11 you're still looking at big power numbers there, even single ended. I am tempted to toss one of these in the cart for myself to use with my growing collection of DD sets but I need more gear like I need more holes in my head. The thing I like about FiiO is that all their gear seems to be made to a high standard and is still affordably priced. Looks like you decided on the KA11 - let us know how it works out!
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