Fall Edition 2021
Preamble:
This is a first in what is to be a seasonal series of articles published to list my favorite components.
Music is a journey, actually many journeys. This is a very personal project and in no way should be seen as anything but such. I will cover earphones from at least three distinct price ranges and amp/dac dongles and combos as well. This is a continuing documentation of a journey in portable HiFi that I hope you enjoy as much as I do.
Included is a list of many of the tracks I used when listening to all earphones and electronics that pass through my hands. In the end, it's all about the enjoyment of music.
This list will naturally change as additional products pass my way as I become more exposed to great music. This ongoing list will be made up only of products I actually own or have used for an extended time. It is NOT meant to be a comprehensive look at the entire industry.
Favorite Earphones:
Sub $50
Reecho SG01
The Reecho SG01 achieves that rare balance of great sound and moderate pricing in a market segment that is filled with all to many promises and compromises. Clean tight bass, detailed midrange and airy sparkly yet detailed treble make the SG01 tops in the sub $50 price range. Trading blows with the HZsound Heart-Mirror the SG01 has turned out to be the earphone I have in my ears more often.
HZsound Heart Mirror
The Heart-Mirror needs little introduction. Since its release it has garnered arguably the most consistent & long standing following in the ChiFi community. Its staying power is due primarily to its sound which is bright/neutral but with a level of musicality still almost unheard of in its price range. Subdued yet detailed bass, super detailed mids and extended , clean and intricate treble are what's on tap with the HZsound Heart-Mirror. A must have for those getting into the hobby.
Sub $100
Hidizs MS2
The Hidizs MS2 offers a bright/neutral tuning that is filled with details while not being sterile. Fast articulate bass serves as a great foundation to a very alive listening experience. The MS2 is versatile with an ability to sound great across many musical genres. Treble on the MS2 really stands out as very clear, detailed and extended without the harshness too many of its competitors suffer from.
Sub $200
Tforce Yuan Li
Music is much more than just Bass, Midrange and Treble. The element I like to call "Musicality" is as elusive as a unicorn it seems. Once heard it cannot be easily forgotten and becomes sought after. The Yuan Li has that rare element of musicality which just portrays things in a natural space with natural sound. Beautifully balanced with an organic, mature tuning that does not seek to impress with distracting embellishments. Incredible presentation and build quality are just icing on the cake.
Ibasso IT01x
The Ibasso IT01x initially took me by surprise with its tuning which does not follow the tuning styles of the vast majority of chiFi earphones these days. It offers a "darker" yet detailed view into the music that is absolutely engaging. Never harsh nor overdone with deep reaching bass, detailed intimate mids and sweet treble. It did take some source/cable/tip rolling to get the IT01x exactly where I wanted it, but it was worth every minute. Another one of the very few that time spent with passes all to quickly.
Kbear BElieve
Beryllium driver controversy aside, the Kbear BElieve offers a captivating organic and mature tuning which lends itself well to long listening sessions. Another tuning that does not necessarily follow the crowd. Musicality is something the BElieve has waiting for the eager listener. Good textured bass, intimate mids and detailed treble. No longer in production, as of the writing of this article, but may have appeared under a different name by another company. Something to hold on to if you are lucky enough to own one.
Over $200
Audiosence DT600
With the DT600 Audiosense have put forth an earphone that deftly manages to skirt the fine lines between sterile and detailed, Balanced and warm, forward and smooth. It is a wonderful sounding and musical iem with incredible reach and poise. Beauty is not only skin deep with the DT600 and it is one of the very few earphones I've owned that once I settle in for a listening session, time passes all to quickly. "Musicality"!
Favorite Dongles:
Apogee Groove
The Apogee Groove is a Musicality beast! I could stop right there. It has all the elements to make serve as an incredible source for your listening pleasure. Detail, separation, texture, drive. It brings all these elements together into a remarkably cohesive and organic sound that once heard is impossible to forget. This though does come at the cost of high power draw and reputably some issues with lower impedance multi BA driver iems. It played wonderfully with my Hidizs MS2 though and all of my top pics in this article. A must have IMHO for any audio enthusiast.
Shanling UA2
The UA2 offers a well separated and articulate sound with good musicality and ample power. The addition of a 2.5mm balanced out is another standout feature of this well appointed and built device. There is a slight bass emphasis which synergizes well with brigh/neutral tuned earphones. The UA2 is a keeper.
EIDA 9038s G3
The 9038S marries great sound with geeky versatility. BY way of a companion app, many dofferent operating parameters can be altered and firmware changed which will affect the sound. The 9038s's sound is super clean & clear with great separation and impressive driving capability. High power draw can be an issue when used with older phones and the sound improves when used with a laptop or pc.
VE OdysseyHD
A simple unassuming dongle but blessed with a clean and airy sound. Can be used with most phones and adds a bit of warmth and sparkle to the sound. Very price conscious as well.
Favorite Amps:
Topping a50s
Clean room cleanliness which some will call sterile, the a50s has proven itself to be an excellent tool when comparing and reviewing earphones. It adds very little if anything "coloured" to the signal which can be off-putting to some who prefer a little embellishment, but this cleanliness imho is a desirable trait as I still hold on to that home audio mantra of "Straight Wire With Gain". Power output is fantastic and the a50s has no issues driving anything I've managed to plug into it. The balanced output is slightly more dynamic and open than the single ended but both are very good and its form factor is very versatile.
Xduoo MT-602
The MT-602 is a hybrid amp with dual tubes. It's sound can be characterized as smooth and detailed with a slight bass emphasis. The "Joys" of tube rolling can be yours and given the stock 6J1 tubes does not have to be all that costly. The MT-602 has great driving power but does better with less sensitive earphones which may be subject to some noise at the lowest volume settings. A great little amp all around and a fantastic entry into the world of tubes for headphone audio.
Music:
Music is a very personal thing. That can't be said more clearly. Music touches the emotions directly and as such is very powerful. Below are some of the tracks I use when both evaluating new gear or just kicking back and relaxing.
Ronny Jordan - Vanston Place 12am
Phil Perry - Closer To Heaven
Norman Brown - Rain (Vesta Williams Mix)
Norman Brown - Just Between Us
Marcus Johnson - All The Things Your Man Won't Do
John Stoddart - Tenderhearted Lover
Massive Attack - Protection
Massive Attack - Angel
Massive Attack - Inertia Creeps
Cleo Sol - When I'm In Your Arms
Brandon Williams - I Love You (feat: Anesha & Casey Benjamin)
Marcus Johnson - 18th Street Lounging
Jonathan Butler - Surrender
Roy Ayers - Mystic Voyage
Roy Ayers - Running Away
Wayman Tisdale - Circumstance
Anita Baker - Been So Long
Anita Baker - You Bring Me Joy
Anita Baker - Giving You The Best That I've Got
Michael McDonald - I Keep Forgetting
Grover Washington Junior - Just The Two Of us
Caiiro - Agora
Caiiro - Behind The Sun
Caiiro - Abobaba
Godfathers Of Deep House - Senseless
Vick Lavender - Beautiful Lie
Dennis Brown - Here I come
Dennis Brown - Promised Land
Gregory Issacs - Cool Down The Pace
Beres Hammond - They Gonna Talk
Beres Hammond - Double Trouble
Soundgarden - Black Hole Sun
Lost - Blue Motion & Identified
AlB & Subdivision - Lately
Proxsym - Transitions
Donell Jones - U Know What's Up
Kindred & The Family Soul - Where Would I Be
Ledisi - Alright
Such - Before Dark
Outro:
Music and its enjoyment is personal and I stand by that statement 100%. Gear just is an attempt to get closer to the source and touch it if we can. Gear may go in and out of style but music has staying power. If you are reading this then thanks for sharing my ongoing musical journey. More to come!
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