[J]-ohn

Interestingly OT. Covering all your equipment from iem to how to strap the pa2v2 to the nano. Neat thread.

Westone, Shure or Ultimate ears strongly recommends a ear impression ( the mould of your ears ) to be done by a CERTIFIED audiologist, I'm sure aron can do it himself but he doesn't, simply because its not the right thing to do and he doesn't want to be the one who kok up your ear mould. Ear impression done by a certified audiologist cost $60 a pair, and SE charge about $120 ( prices varies) to sent over to Westone in states, Tok2mi should be trying to gather a MO hoping to get a cheaper price I think. Anyway, I got my earmould from SE together with another 2 more HWZ guys 2 months ago.

I guess 1st impression lasts. Hmm, wonder where I got this sentence?

I think after a while of listening to something you don't like, you kinda get used to it.... anyway, don't think armature drivers need any run in.

Why is that so? Because it's Nokia? Or it doesn't look impressively big and expensive enough?

Same thoughts here.

I like the part K81 blocks out female voices....

Remember to post your stand pic...

Was recommend the Mogami and join the Mogami MO at echoloft 2 years ago, yeah nice mids and treble but a little lean on the bass. Still I'll rather go for mogami than klotz g107, and although belden isn't my choice but I suppose its the more balance entry cable to the other two. Just my 2cents.

Yotiao's right, I used to have the slight hiss problem but after I change my IC the hiss seems to disappear, stock cables are terrible and if you're using LDM, then give cardas hp-I a skip because the hiss was still apparent after I use them.

Any pictures to share??

IMO waste of time, but if you must try them, stereo should have one to try.

that's funny.... I think both ex71 and westone or shure all feels like they sit deep into my ears..... could they all mean the same thing?

Can someone tell me what's the different? Thought IEM and canal all the same?

I sure that will be a difference but for the better or the worst? Like when I decided to custom my um2 and turn out only a slight improvement in isolation. I guess if you're fine with normal sleeves shure provides, need might not neccessary be an upgrade when changed to customs. But lets hope ES2 is a totally different experience, like not needing to compare between the 2 (um2 and es2) for too long and the results are obvious enuff.

Ok, my simple review on the Ultimate link Black Emperor. Outside, the Black Emperor cables have a very distinctive appearance, as far as interconnects go, they are quite thick. However, over time, this has gotten much easier to deal with. The trick seems to be not to be shy, and have a good picture in your mind of where you want the cable to go. Then simply bend the cable to fit. If done right, the very stiffness of the cable will hold it where you put it. Benefits of this cable's copious details in the highs were never diminished by any sense of splash or ring, and never came off as overly clinical in the least - never bright. That is, plentiful treble detail and extension, but very smoothly delivered and never fatiguing (unless the recording is fatiguing). it has both sparkling clarity and seductive lushness. Bass extension is deep and the presence strong The midrange emphasis can also pleasantly inject extra verve into pianos and stringed instruments. without a doubt, the Ultimate link Black Emperor, with its wonderful soundstaging, exquisite microdynamic presentation, just-the-right-weight mids, and smoooooth, extended highs. For pure listening pleasure, it was, overall, my favorite interconnect. (For now.....) PORTABLE SETUP USED: Little dot micro (normal gain) Apple iPod video (60GB) iRiver H10 Creative Zen Touch CABLES USED: Ultimate link - Black Emperor Canare - Star quad with Canare F12 plugs Cardas - HP-I MUSIC SELECTIONS: ( CDs that were rip into my MP3 players) Norah Jones Come Away with Me, Feels Like Home Sade Lover’s Rock The White Stripes Elephant Linkin Park- Meteora Eagles -Hotel California (HDCD) Patricia Barber- Modern Cool Renee Fleming & Bryn Terfel- Under the Stars Van Halen, 1984 (HDCD) Renee Fleming Bel Canto, By Request, Under the Stars (HDCD) Andrea Bocelli Sogno, Sentimento, Cieli Di Toscana Hans Zimmer - Gladiator Rachel Podger Antonio Vivaldi: La Stravaganza- 12 Violin Concertos Roxy Music Avalon (Hybrid SACD) Diana Krall The Girl in the Other Room (Hybrid SACD) Hilary Hahn Bach Concertos (Hybrid SACD) Helene Grimaud Credo (Hybrid SACD) Anne-Sophie Mutter Beethoven- Violin Concerto / Romances (Single Layer SACD) Midori Debussy, Poulene, Saint-Saens (Single Layer SACD)

I bought a little dot 2months ago but can't help thinking if there was something wrong with my ears or the amp, because my bass got leaner and treble got harsher which to me is a downgrade instead of a upgrade. Suspecting all this could be due to the stock cable, I change them to the cardas HP-I ($28). The Cardas HP-I seems highly recommanded by headfi members and I know cardas cables as I'm personally using the Golden cross speaker cable in my hifi setup. My first impression of the HP-I is treble roll off, making volin solo more bearable but piano music dead. After 2 tracks, I decide I should sleep and continue my review tomorrow. ( Hoping they will sound better tomorrow) Bought the portable setup to work the next day to do a full test on my ipod video. Classical music sure don't sound as dynamic, missing macro details and a significant drop in soundstage. Rock music sounded better, higher volume minus the harsh treble plus a slight bass boost. Jazz vocal suffers from over laid back character, making almost every singer sound distant. New age music like the grand canyon sounded less dynamic...... hai...... what happen? My ears are failing me? or the amp sucks big time? ( refuse to believe Cardas make lousy cables....haha) Yesterday night, I was at Stereo and Aron suggest I try the Ultimate link. Told him my situation and I end up taking the Black emperor which according to Aron is a good match with the Little dot. I bought it. Crazy, I know but I was in a buying mood..... itchy backside.....but the cable look so good......still itchy backside lol Right now I'm burning in the cables, but man.... even before the burn in it sounds good. At least, I'm starting to like the little dot, gald its not an impuse purchase. Will post more after the burn in. Above statement based on personal perference and liking, please do not flame me.

I own the im716 but didn't like it, even after amping with the little dot. I'm rotating between E4c and UM2.

Audio Technica A900?

Guess it's time to pop by Stereo again.....

The quality of the wires are not determined by the thickness, 5-digit $$ speakers internally wired with Cardas are just as thin if you must know, and in some case it connects from the crossover to a 10" driver. I guess Westone engineers know choosing the right wires for the right application so if it really needed thicker wires, they would galdly change them since the "upgrade" would just means another few more cents... By the way, my old Shure E4c wire melt open, and its just as thin inside but apparently the rubber shield is rather thick.... looks can be deceiving.

funny enough a good IEM like AL iM716 has only 2 users here.... but wait, the wires on the iM716 is the usually wires right? And a volume control on the wire right? Wouldn't that make the wire heavy and affect the sound since the signal has to bypass the volume control? Only white or black also available?

All the problems apparently have been solved in the new version after sending emails to ue, they said there is a batch or two that have the crack problem other than that they are ok. I'm getting the new 5pro once Aron's stock arrive.....

The speakers look like a Dynaudio confidence 3 lookalike, don't see such driver config in many bookshelf speakers.....

you're not happy with your iM716?