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Loaner: Quad Dong Tour '22

Discussion in 'Closed Loaners' started by jexby, Jul 14, 2022.

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  1. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    This is a tour of all the TOTL dongles of 2022.

    Shanling UA5
    Cayin RU6
    iFI GO Bar
    iFI GOld Bar

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    RU6 courtesy of @yotacowboy
    iFI bars courtesy of @iFi audio
    Shanling UA5 courtesy of Shanling

    Will come with a lightning to USB C OTG cable as well as USB C to USB C cables.

    Standard rules.

    -Open to ALL friends and contributors on case by case basis but do not be shy to ask
    -7 days per person
    -Insure for 660$
    -FedEx UPS only
    -Impressions required in new thread I’ll help create with the first person on the list.
    -Post with your location if interested

    -**If you are the last person on the list send me a pm when your time is up for shipping instructions. Do not just tag me or hold onto the gear.**

    LIST

    1. @jexby CO
    2. @Azimuth TN
    3. @YMO FL
    4. @sheldaze DC
    5. @Qildail IA
    6. @will_f AK
    7. @Tchoupitoulas NJ
    8. @jexby
     
    • Like Like x 6
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    • List
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 26, 2022
    jexby, Jul 14, 2022
    #1
  2. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    I didn't think there was any difference between the iFi Go Bar and the iFI Go(ld) Bar, other than the Go(ld) bar casing was of course gold, and they were a limited run.
     
    Azimuth, Jul 14, 2022
    #2
  3. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    Edit- see post below
     
    Last edited: Jul 14, 2022
    rhythmdevils, Jul 14, 2022
    #3
  4. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    there are 2-3 extra capacitor parts in the iFi GOld Bar, that are not present in regular GO.

    Looking forward to impressions from folks trying the Turbo Mode on the GO Bars, a feature I was unable to test.
     
    jexby, Jul 14, 2022
    #4
  5. Tchoupitoulas

    Tchoupitoulas Friend

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    I'd love to hear these, if possible, please, especially now that I've had a taste of how good dongles can be - thanks to @yotacowboy for offering a second consecutive personal loaner of his RU6, and to Shanling and iFi. (I'll be sure to check out the Turbo Mode). NJ, for my sins.
     
    Tchoupitoulas, Jul 14, 2022
    #5
  6. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    Portland, OR, please and thank you!
     
    Merrick, Jul 14, 2022
    #6
  7. Soups

    Soups Sadomasochistic cat

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    Awesome. Have an RU6 but would love to hear the rest. In WA.
     
    Soups, Jul 14, 2022
    #7
  8. will_f

    will_f Friend

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    I’d like to be considered please. I’m not an expert by any means but I wouldn’t mind hearing what’s possible in a dongle and perhaps ditch my DAP.

    That, and I always appreciate an opportunity to bloviate.

    Anchorage, Alaska
     
    will_f, Jul 14, 2022
    #8
  9. YMO

    YMO John Bomber

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    YMO, Jul 15, 2022
    #9
  10. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    If this ever makes it to Canada, myself and a couple local guys would be interested. We can't be first though, because customs hates us guys in Winnipeg.
     
    Armaegis, Jul 15, 2022
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  11. sheldaze

    sheldaze Friend

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    Dongle madness - MD (suburban Washington, DC)!
     
    sheldaze, Jul 17, 2022
    #11
  12. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    I would like to join in the dongle fun please. Also in Maryland/Suburban DC.
     
    gaspasser, Jul 17, 2022
    #12
  13. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

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    It's all good, the difference is rather subtle, but many folks who got the chance to compare both our Bars said that the golden unit was noticeably better all in all. Looks are a subjective matter however ;)
     
    iFi audio, Jul 19, 2022
    #13
  14. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    Ok, count me in.
     
    Azimuth, Jul 19, 2022
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  15. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    Fair enough.

    Are any more Gold Bars going to be made?
     
    Azimuth, Jul 19, 2022
    #15
  16. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

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    That's unlikely. Our intention was to make "only" 1000 and stop there.
     
    iFi audio, Jul 20, 2022
    #16
  17. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    Quad Dong tour has started!

    shipped today to @Azimuth
     
    jexby, Jul 26, 2022
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  18. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    Quad Dong box received.
     
    Azimuth, Jul 29, 2022
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  19. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    Umm…it seems he RU6 is not acting right. It is like the last module is not working as when the volume is cranked, it just gets very choppy.

    I will do some more testing and different sources and cables.

    Also note that the iFi Gold Bar Lightning to USB-C only really works with the Gold Bar. I could it get any other dongle working correctly with it.

    However, the little black Lightning to USB-C works with everything but the Gold Bar. At last on my iPhone 13.

    More testing later. I post this here instead of the review so everyone here on the loaner is aware. My full findings I will post in the review. I just hope this RU6 is not broken.
     
    Azimuth, Jul 29, 2022
    #19
  20. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    the last listening of the RU6 for me was only with IEMs on low gain and volume never above 25, using Balanced output.
    never cranked it to reach the volume levels in question.

    Agree that the Lightning to USB-C cables are hit and miss.
    the iFi cable i had worked with Gold, not with RU6. the Cayin Black Lightning USB-C cable worked fine with RU6.
    reasons unknown.
     
    jexby, Jul 30, 2022
    #20
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