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Four Way Portable (Sony ZX2, iPhone 6, AK100ii, Chord Mojo) Shootout w/ Andromeda IEM

Discussion in 'IEMs and Portable Gear' started by purr1n, Jun 10, 2016.

Page 7 of 12
  1. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    No, we're not going to forgive absurd pricing because it's better than a&k.

    We'll see. This looks like it might be targeting the high end market in China which it a different beast.
     
    zerodeefex, Aug 28, 2016
    #121
  2. ButtUglyJeff

    ButtUglyJeff Stunningly beautiful IRL

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    I does depend on who Sony is going after. Are they chasing the A&K and Final Audio customers, or Pioneer, Onkyo, Questyle crowd? I saw the same prediction in pricing, and thought Sony wouldn't go at that price point, but IFA will reveal all I guess...
     
    ButtUglyJeff, Aug 28, 2016
    #122
  3. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    I don't give a shit who your market is, you maintain profitability and serve your customers best + gather significantly more success in the long run by sticking to a set ratio of BOM or OCOGS to MSRP. The avsurd portables at the top end have a significantly higher margin than even the high end products of even a year or two ago and deserve to be called out as bad for consumers. If Sony goes north of the $1200 mark of the ZX2 which i already find absurd, I'll be writing these future efforts off as completely off my radar.
     
    zerodeefex, Aug 28, 2016
    #123
  4. Madaboutaudio

    Madaboutaudio Friend

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    Looks like this is the typical Sony ES series but this time for the Walkman
     
    Madaboutaudio, Aug 28, 2016
    #124
  5. ButtUglyJeff

    ButtUglyJeff Stunningly beautiful IRL

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    3ca077d028f6.png

    Look at the left jack. The balanced jack looks slightly larger...



    @Tyll Hertsens could this be?
     
    ButtUglyJeff, Aug 28, 2016
    #125
  6. zachchen1996

    zachchen1996 Friend

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    Definitely looks to be the new 4.4mm, wish they would stick with 3.5mm trrs but at least it's not 2.5mm haha.
     
    zachchen1996, Aug 28, 2016
    #126
  7. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    Well that's awesome. Let's proliferate another small balanced standard. Let's see what we have?

    Kobiconn
    Mini xlr
    2.5mm trrs
    3.5mm trrs (existing Sony devices)

    And now 4.4mm trrs! AWESOME!
     
    zerodeefex, Aug 28, 2016
    #127
  8. ButtUglyJeff

    ButtUglyJeff Stunningly beautiful IRL

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    image.jpg
     
    ButtUglyJeff, Aug 28, 2016
    #128
  9. Madaboutaudio

    Madaboutaudio Friend

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    Unconfirmed but I heard there will be three dap models, luxury tier gold coated copper chassis, ZX2 replacement and a Lower end model. All will be running Sony's own audio OS instead of android.
     
    Madaboutaudio, Aug 29, 2016
    #129
  10. fierce_freak

    fierce_freak Friend

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    Good timing on picking up a used zx2, I guess =/
     
    fierce_freak, Aug 29, 2016
    #130
  11. Altrunox

    Altrunox Friend

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    Someday, USB c will kill them all !
     
    Altrunox, Aug 29, 2016
    #131
  12. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    I'm in the same boat. Let's see if they actually surpass it though.
     
    zerodeefex, Aug 29, 2016
    #132
  13. fierce_freak

    fierce_freak Friend

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    Yeah, not a given. I'll be watching with interest, though!
     
    fierce_freak, Aug 29, 2016
    #133
  14. zachchen1996

    zachchen1996 Friend

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    Hmmm, not sure how I feel about this.
    It's nice having the option to stream Tidal / Spotify from time to time.
     
    zachchen1996, Aug 29, 2016
    #134
  15. CielBleu

    CielBleu New

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    Can someone tell me the difference between zx2 and dpx1? I'm leaning to dp x1 since it's on android lollipop.
     
    CielBleu, Aug 29, 2016
    #135
  16. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    You should get the dpx1 because it seems that lollipop is important to you.
     
    purr1n, Aug 29, 2016
    #136
  17. thegunner100

    thegunner100 Hentai Master Chief

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    Has anyone confirmed or tested this?
     
    thegunner100, Sep 21, 2016
    #137
  18. fierce_freak

    fierce_freak Friend

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    I read that it's not actually balanced - just that it has two separate grounds. I'm still interested in trying it out, maybe pick up a relatively inexpensive cable.
     
    fierce_freak, Sep 21, 2016
    #138
  19. thegunner100

    thegunner100 Hentai Master Chief

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    That's what I'm getting from what I've read. Personally after having gone through using my UERMs on the balanced outputs of the Jotun and having to then use adapters for my dap and office setup, it's a PITA. There were definitely SQ gains but not worth it for the extra trouble imo.
     
    thegunner100, Sep 21, 2016
    #139
  20. k4rstar

    k4rstar Britney fan club president

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    Okay, ZX2 has landed and I have some brief notes to share. tl;dr the sound coming from this device is amazing, well worth it for the prices they are going used now.

    -unit itself has some physical heft to it, but otherwise is an excellent form factor and has a great feel in the hand.
    -hiss with Andromeda without music playing isn't what I would exactly call faint, but I am sensitive to it and there may be unit-to-unit variation as well
    -hiss isn't an issue with music playing except for extremely quiet passages, think binaural Amber Rubarth recordings
    -first thing that jumps at me over smartphone output is a large improvement in transients, dynamics and staging/imaging
    -with all the DSP garbage off I don't really detect a warm or bassy tilt, but sub bass is powerful and controlled
    -can see why some would consider it slightly dark since there is zero harshness, specifically testing tracks that were sibilant or unpleasant from my phone I find that is no longer the case

    I paid $570 shipped, I would have gladly paid $8-900 and still been happy. If anyone has specific questions about the ZX2/Andromeda pairing let me know.
     
    k4rstar, Sep 22, 2016
    #140
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