Something like the upcoming Aristotle or Euclid, assuming they have a smoother treble rendering. I haven't heard either, by the way, but hope to soon.

As a corollary to this, there's also huge variance in how each of us perceives differences. For example, I can also make the case that for casual listening to streaming (especially compressed bitrate streaming like Spotify), I don't hear 'that much' difference between a certain level of IEM...

I wasn't a fan. Trifecta needs a cable that smoothens its treble imo.

Raphael for your budget, OTL.as one of the greatest cost-no-object cable synergies I've heard with Xe6.

It's excatly that. If you can't hear or appreciate the nuances from a high-end player, good for you, money saved. Just don't call yourself an audiophile 😉

Oh you'll be surprised. I've seen people trying to shove most of the shell into their ears!

Apologies in advance for the ear shot (hopefully not too gory, but I've put it inside a spoiler anyway). Just wanted to share how Z1R fits me as I think this demonstrates why I think it's perfectly shaped (at least to my ears). This is a relatively deep fit for me too compared to many other...

I don't know why but this brought a smile to my face...or was it an evil grin? 🤭 Either way I look forward to the carnage your write-up.

Generally speaking it doesn't have to cost $10,000 either (IEM+cable), but hey, it's only numbers right? 😅

Does the same question apply to Orphy users? 🤔😉 PS. Orbit is easily Orphy level imo... 😯

Haha, yes, discussions on "value" at this level are totally moot. That said - and trying to see objectively through the honeymoon period fog - this combination is something very special. I first had it on Xe6, briefly, but long enough to suggest the Rn6 pairing might be even better, and so far...

If you want a real wood IEM, Jerry Harvey is by far and away the master if this craft. I'm yet to see wood and metal IEMs as beautiful as the ones he makes. The 'Copper Waves' (not wood, but still) is probably the most beautiful IEM I've ever seen. I'm yet to hear a JH IEM I like though, so...

Cable rolling at 10,000 feet. This is the way! 😎

Yeah, if I was deskbound anyway I'd have a fat stack on my desk still. And headphones.

The counter 'argument' to this is that, sound quality aside, I personally switched to IEMs and DAPs to get away from having to sit at a desk to listen to music, or worry about clean AC power, or mess with digital cables and DDCs. Yes, of course SQ will generally improve between DAP and desktop...

Cool artist this, thanks for the tip!

As someone form whom Z1R is an easy and perfect fit (only with the 'right' tips of course), I'm amazed how much time people spend trying to get them to fit when they don't. I guess it's probably because they're so good, so when they don't fit it's quite upsetting. My own view is that if an IEM...

It's just physics. Larger desktop amps have far more real estate for larger capacitors and other high-grade audio hardware, plus a much beefier power supply. This gives them far more drive, and if an IEM is able to scale to take advantage of that drive, it will sound 'bigger', more spacious...

Most (many) audiophiles equate brightness with more detail and clarity and therefore hear 'brighter' IEMs as more technical. Even Z1R derives its 'technical performance' (like resolution and stage size) from its high level of clarity/treble forwardness/sparkle. That's mainly my understanding of...

Funny you say that, I still remember the first time I heard U12t thinking "this sounds absolutely right". Very few IEMs ever managed to replicate that for me. Z1R comes closest, as long as we're not comparing bass. I usually find flat neutral boring, too analytical. I imagine the 18t is tuned...

I was going to ask, price aside, which is the better IEM between M9 and U12t for you? I suspect it'll still be the U12t, but possibly depends on preference. They U12t is still the pinnacle of all-BA IEMs for my taste, the most balanced between musical and technical - and excellent at both. And...

Something that will maximise its strengths. Depending on your budget, something like the neutral-musical HiBy R6 Pro II might be a very good fit.

It would, very much so. I shudder to think how much more of the U12t's sound potential you'll hear with a good DAP. Apple dongle has lovely tonality but is quite limited technically.