aaron-xp

There may still be differences as the amplification and DAC of the PCDP may be better than that of the iPod nano. However, not all PCDPs are better than DAPs in the first place as some are rather cheaply made and their main selling point is either their price (most common), design or brand name. If you really want to go into PCDPs, you may want to do a search on headfi or ask some of the members here who are more familiar with PCDPs so as to find out the better regarded PCDPs. The difference between a MP3 file and a CD may or may not be enough to justify the bulk you add. That would depend on your personal preference.

You can try them out if I'm not wrong. The CD5001 I have was more or less bought because of its price and reviews. I didn't try it out, but it turned out to be a good buy at the price range. What headphones amplifier will you be using, and what headphones? Given that you have (a decent?) amplifier, a decent headphone out (ie. CD5001) would not really be needed. I don't really think there is an actual answer to this question. It is the same as asking whether a $300 headphone or a $600 would be a better buy. It'd be good, though, if you could state which "mid-range" sources you are looking at.

Congratulations. Won't ask for any discounts.

I'm not really sure about this, but you could always drop uncle Wilson an email (which I believe is adelphi@jaben.net). It should be soon, and almost definitely within April.

In my opinion, the EP630 is better than the CK5 (I don't really like the fitting of the CK5 as well). The MylarOnes, on the other hand, sound even better than the EP630s. You could wait for a while (few days? A week or two?) for the new MylarTwo and MylarThree to be released. I heard from the others that they are rather good. http://z10.invisionfree.com/headphonehaven...?showtopic=1493

Do you mind canalphones which go into the ear canal? If you don't mind it, the Crossroad mylarOnes is a good deal, at about $50. There has been some QC problems lately, but faulty units can be easily replaced when bought at Jaben at Adelphi, which is opposite Funan Centre. Another choice is the EP630, which is slightly cheaper. I personally prefer the mylarOnes, but you could always try them before buying.

Try the K81DJ before buying it. If you don't like it, don't buy it. Buy something that would suit you. Another choice would be the Grado SR60, though I forgot the exact price. It it below SGD200 though.

Yes, though it'd be better if you drop him an email before going down (I heard the limited edition triple fi.s have all been snapped up). Not too sure about the costs, it'd be better to ask to man himself.

The Shure E500 is available in Singapore (unless it is sold out). The UE Triple fi. is available as well. As for the Westone, it is not out yet (as in, it has not been released world-wide).

^ You may at Jaben and SE. Bring along alcohol swabs if you feel that this is unhygienic (which it is).

^ Hearing aids are much like IEMs, if IEMs would damage hearing, hearing aids would probably do the same. This is pretty much anecdotal evidence, so don't take it seriously. The problem with the ipod sounding bad with the stock buds is the buds, not the ipod. There should be no problem with the IEM iPod combination, unless you are really the ultra discerning listener.

Big boys into noise cancellation? I can't really think of many of the "big boys" who make active noise cancellation stuff, other than Sennheiser, which I think markets these noise-cancellation headphones to business travelers rather than the audiophile. Since the average business traveler would not mind less than perfect sound, but needs noise cancellation, he would be looking at the noise-cancellation models. Also, these business travelers may find the idea of IEMs rather silly, given that they look rather uncomfortable, and although they may sound better, it isn't much of an upgrade to them. Stax does make IEMs, in the form of SR-001, though it is not very portable when you factor in the amplifier needed. Grado, on the other hand, is a family-based business which does not aim to build it itself into a mega-big company, hence, it chooses to focus on it's supra-aural headphones. Most other big headphone companies do make IEMs/canalphones, think of Audio Technica with the CK7/9, Beyerdynamic with the DTX50, Sennheiser with the CX300. The only other company I can think of which does not make IEMs/canalphones is Ultrasone.

Do you mind using In-ear earphones (otherwise know as IEMs, or In-ear Monitors). They isolate much better than noise-cancellation headphones, though some might not like something stuffed into his/her ear (I personally find them rather comfortable). A model within the budget would be the UM1 ($160+) and ER6i ($200+), though I am sure that there are others within the budget.

If I am not wrong, these are rather highly regarded in all aspects other than isolation, hence, it should be considered an equal, rather than a poor sibling to IEMs of the price range, <$200. Isolation is not the most important factor in portable hearing, although it is certainly nice to have some. I see no problem sticking to the Sonys (is there anything wrong with the brand?) instead of changing to "real" IEMs. After all, Sony did have some incredible headphones.

You may want to post in the portable audio subforum for more response, since you are mainly looking at portable audio. I'd recommend the K81DJ, as it is closed, but it is always good to try it before buying it.

Beware though, there seems to have been some QC issues with certain pieces still. It really depends on your usage and mainly, luck.

Chill it guys. Back to the portable/home use question - The MDR XD300 is closed, right? That would make it slightly more "listenable" than an open-back on, especially while commuting in either noisy trains or buses. The only non-open back headphone in the list is the A900, which is so huge that it'd look rather ridiculous wearing it outside. If you do use them at home, what would be the source, a computer with a soundcard? Or a DAP? Or, even better, a CDP? Some higher impedence headphones wouldn't really be able to be driven straight out from a DAP.

Will it be for portable or home-use?

I'd personally go with the SR325i, which would be around $450 (if I am not wrong). You can then buy a handphone (or be closer to the price of the phone you are targeting in the first place). Of course, you could try other headphones of that price range (K601, my personal favorite as a home headphone, HD595, AD900, A900, SR225 and MS2). If you were to start listening at home, headphones are the way to go (in my humble opinion), but if you were to continue to listen on the go, you could sell off your current IEMs to fund the new Westone 3 (or ES2 or Triple fi., for that matter).

Was wondering about your impressions. I personally loved instrumentals and jazz with the Azur 640c + MF Xcan V3 + K701 combination in Stereo.

Yes, haha. This is a bit off-topic, though. I was carrying the T10. It's rather amazing how Uncle Wilson remembers all of us.

^ Something tells me that we met, but weren't introduced. Was with classmate who also tried the MylarOne. I personally found it great for the price (blows away the EP630), but a tad bit distant.

They carry different ranges (Stereo has the higher-end Sennheisers, whereas Jaben has the Beyerdynamics), though both would carry most of the Grados. Jaben should carry Alessandros if I have not mistaken. The MS2 would be a step up from the MS1 in terms of sound (If MS1 is based on the SR80, then the MS2 would be based on the SR325). It's a few steps up based on aesthetics alone, but would cost quite a bit more.

To point you towards an already ongoing discussion on Bose. http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=223648

The interconnects come free with the amplifier purchase (usually). You can buy aftermarket ones though.