My first IEM experience

Hi Marc,
Similar situation here. After 40 years up to my ears (and beyond) in two channel audio and being happy with my system, cash flow no longer supported seemingly endless upgrades. So the obvious move was to head-fi. I started with IEMs, my second try: the DD Sennheiser IE900 has stuck. Then a few dongles, finally arriving at the iFi xDSD Gryphon. Chip set in the Gryphon with the IE900s was a bit too bright for me and lacking in midrange richness (yes, my sonic preferences are no longer heavily analytical and now more emotional impact based, rhythm (timing) and timbral bloom, OK, warmer), but a little Parametric EQing, based on a reviewer’s specific recommendations, did the trick.

Mostly, I am using a MacBook Pro running JRiver media Center as source. JRiver has good PEQ. Occasionally when traveling, I use an android phone running DBPower Amp player (also good PEQ), but I also take my MacBook with me when I travel so it is very easy to take the Gryphon with me too. I am also into upgrade cables and Effect Audio’s Fusion ! cables brought the desired final satisfaction. Then, in addition to music, I began using the Senn 900s for movies, very enjoyable. I look forward to some movies for the soundtrack as much as the video. (Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour: “Remember That Night”" at Royal Albert Hall - wow.)

I have good DACs now in the mix too, though of course I do not travel with them, an old Playback Designs Merlot and a newer Holo Audio Spring3 KTE, both FPGA R2R, both probably a more than the IEMs need, but I am fortunate to already have them. The DACs sound a little different, one warmer, the other more detailed, but I enjoy both of them. Then I recently added a headphone amplifier, Cayin HA H3 and I am probably finished with the building of a head-fi system. Happy listener here.

Except … . . having been stricken with the wonderful affliction of Audiophilia Termanalis . . . I have a set of ZMF headphones on the way, then some more upgrade cables . . . and then . . . Well, I will have to stop spending for awhile. This phase of the adventure has taken about 18 months.

For me it was also definitely necessary to ditch the the stock Senn wires and ear tips. I tried 8 or 10 different tips and landed with the Sedna Earfit XElastic II, put them in to try them and never moved on to anything else. Comfort & sound are good for me, seal is not perfect but then I prefer not being completely shut off to my surroundings. I have never been completely satisfied with a 3.5mm connection and have always opted for a 4.4mm balanced connection which provides more power and more information from the source. Most dongle dac/amps now have them.

I have deliberately avoided technicalities and simply stated my personal journey in this context, not hesitating to be specific about the gear. Of course, each of us hears differently and has different sonic preferences, and so the specifics of the gear synergy that will satisfy them will differ. I hope there is something here that may help you.

May the journey be fun and the arrival be a source of ongoing enjoyment and satisfaction,
Until the next journey begins, my best wishes,
Leon

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Well one more datapoint, my new BTR15 has both 3.5 and 4.4mm jacks so I changed out the 3.5 for 4.4 and gave it one last go. It definitely sounded different, a bit fuller and a little more volume, but no better on the lows.

The T10 Pros go back to Amazon tomorrow. I’m pretty sure I won’t be buying any more IEMs in the near future.

Truthfully I’m very surprised after all I have heard how good my existing gear sounds. Even the Apple Dongle which has no right to can easily drive some old Sennheiser cans. The Edifier sound excellent (I do believe they use Audezee drivers, which would explain that) and even my old old Apple Airpod Pros sound excellent and have great (ok good) noise reduction. I also have a set of Dyson Ontrac that are the ones I take to the coffee shop where it’s REALLY loud, and they overcome all that noise and make me really happy with the sound they produce.

Thanks for all the advice,
Marc

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