[J]-ohn

How does the ED8 compares with the rest of the cans you have? I'm planning to get one myself but need to wait till tomorrow because I'm over-quota for this month.

According to stereo, the adding of drivers are not available for all IEM and those that can have this option have been tested to sound very good, and that's why the availability of this option.

For me the D10 works better with the iRiver + optical, definitely beats the ipod + premium LOD in many aspect.

Tomahawk for the ER4S? Maybe ER4p is ok but ER4S at 100ohms should deserve a better amp IMHO.

I have been using this for years even before Stereo, simple and effective. The coating not only improves the conductivity but only provides a layer of protective coating against oxidation.

For that price I would consider getting a Grado SR60

Was at Stereo this afternoon during lunch and managed to test both W3 and the new UM3x for a brief 15mins due to the people waiting. First impression is that the UM3x seems to isolate noise (lots at Stereo ) better, without any music, the UM3x seem to be able to drown out at least 80% of noise. Wires are the usual Westone braided type and something I really like about Westone when I first got a UM1 3 years back. I actually quite like the sound from the UM3x, it is warm and easy on the ears. Soundstage is decent compared to my Audio Technica CK100 ( Yes, CK100 has a wider soundstage) but is full and tight compared to the W3 which to me is a little bloated and muddy. The vocals felt slightly more forward compared to the W3 although I think that is mainly because the UM3x is overall clearer and cleaner in presentation compared to the W3. Specification wise, although the UM3x is higher in impedance but it is also higher in it's sensitivity so I didn't feel that the UM3x was much difficult to drive, still the UM3x produced lesser hiss (5%, maybe 10%?) on the iqube on low gain setting. I will drop over this Saturday to test again as I might consider getting this for my wife. ( I can use this when she is not.... )

Tried this in Taipei with the HD650 and I wasn't very impressed.

The modded W1000 is not for sale, I've just asked yesterday.

I might be wrong so correct me if necessary. I suspect it is the low sensitivity of the AKG 702, and from your explaination, it is unlikely that the darkvoice is capable of driving the 702 to even it's minimum requirements. Maybe impedance mismatch?

Personally, I find the Ck100 musicality better than the rest of the universal triple drivers. And it has all the factors of my consideration including, sound, comfort, looks and isolation.

I have been thru the contact cleaner tweaks like craig, VDH, Cardas, a few japanese brands and etc, yes it is a must have but paying a premium for one is no longer my choice. As long as you clean them regularly (but not too regularly, if not you might remove the plating as well.), the average contact cleaners work just as well.

The Sennheiser HD414 yellow pads are more comfortable and durable, if you find the details lacking, you can still do the 50cents mod.

I've never used the CK9 so I can't tell if they are the same but as for now the fit and comfort of both the tip and wire is good. It is among the cheaper I found on the internet.

After a second listen yesterday, I got it. Not only I got the Audio Technica CK100, I got myself the latest Ultimate Link Affinity-i.... And the Valgrind Audio pouch for my I-Qube. Impression of the Audio Technica ATH-CK100 This CK100 like the other AT high-end IEM is made in Japan, comes with a very neat black case to hold the IEM. The CK100 is ultra light and easy to wear, it can be wore over or under the ears depending on your preference, personally over the ears provided me with a better fit and isolation. The CK100 works very well with various amps like RSA mustang or Headamp pico, Iqube being my favourite combo. I tried the CK100 unamp with the Sony MP4 player my wife is using and they work well with EQ settings without distortion or sounding bright. I personally have the Shure SE530, UE triplefi10Pro and had just sold off the Westone 3 recently. Comparing to the Shure SE530, I feel the vocals beat the SE530 flat down. Before this, I always feel the UE and Shure had a different sound signature and I might just like any of the vocals depending on my mood or music preference but with the CK100, it was obvious the CK100 was wayyy better in the vocal dept. Having own the SE530 for the longest period among all, I felt that the botton end (mid and low bass) was slightly too bloated (or muddy or loose) for my taste and gives me ear fatigue sooner than the UE. This reminds me when I was once hunting for a headphone and auditioning the Beyer DT770 (SE530) with the Senn HD600 (CK100). UE triplefi10pro was an IEM I quite like but never could get a good seal but I guess I'm not alone. Tried comply and sponge and black olives but non work well enough for me, CK100 seals tight and best of all, I couldn't feel a thing at all when it's in my ears. Coming from the Etymotic ER4S, the treble and midrange qualities of the UE triplefi10pro was the better among the Shure and Westone but still it wasn't smooth enough, and I miss the ER4S. Although I can't say for sure that the CK100 is as good but, listening to the CK100 now, I don't miss the ER4S anymore. Bass. Yes, everyone should be curious how this IEM performs in the bass dept. Bass is tight, clean and define, so if you have a track with 3 bassists playing side by side, you should tell who is who without stressing your ears. The CK100 definitely do not have the bass quantity found in the Westone 3 and Shure SE530 but I very much find that the bass on CK100 is more than sufficient for my genres of music preferences. Impression of the Ultimate Link Affinity-i This was the easiest piece of audio equipment I have ever audition since my journey switched from speakers to headphone. The last time something like this happen was about a decade ago when I tested my first audio grade powercord vs the stock powercord on my VTL power amp. Why do I say that? Simply because the improvements was obvious. I didn't took me long (couple of testing tracks) before I threw my ALO cryo scx, Qables silvercab pro and the former Ultimate Link SM-i into my bag. Do I need to say more? Impression of the Valgrind Audio pouch Frankly speaking this is one expensive pouch considering it is made in China and made of PU leather.... but still a must have. It has a clip behind which can be remove and is specially customize for the Iqube, they have brown and black color available.

Just tested the CK100 yesterday, I'm impressed... finally Audio Technica did something right to their IEM. Will drop by Stereo later after lunch to have a final audition

I'm mostly on the Stax omega now and the W5000 and GS1000 are just collecting dust, they used to be driven by singlepower mpx3 or Earmax silver edition which I have sold off sometime back. Might get Aron to mod on my w5000 after he is done with the w1000.

Thought Ong Radio carries Audioquest?

Perhaps a comfortable budget would help as always. Depending on what DAC you choose, Rameish's suggestion might come close if not more than 4k.

Will try to go, hopefully not oversea on that day. I can bring a Grado GS1000 and Audio Technica W5000.

Any updates?

you are lucky it last you so long, mine died 3 times in 6 months.

For $200, I would pick something else myself. You have got nice choices like Westone um1, UE SF3, Nuforce NE8, Audio Technica CK7 many others, can head down to Stereo to try them.

The silver quad braided is available, and will be Ultimate link's 2009 entry level model, uses the former model - Silver Reference. Quite an eye candy I must say and a great performer with sound, looks and flexibility. Only the ipod version was available yesterday but the mini to mini should be out soon, I'll be dropping by stereo today to return the 2 cable samples he loan me last weekend. What I'm more interested is the new flagship cable, Silver Reference is already pretty good beside the ALO silver cryo which I DIY, the Qables silvercab pro and UL former Silver master but this new one is a totally different level. There is only so much I can say, (if not Aron will kill me later I see him.) will update later when I officially get my hands on it. However the release date is still unknown so wait wait wait....