Hey Migrator!
I began with a bunch of KZs, thought I’m smart. Then came in my Shures. Then I found Z Reviews (fuck that guy for showing me this world). Tin T1 planar. Tin T2 on the side. CA Andromedas came in on my birthday. I got IKKO OH10 thinking it’s just an itch. Now I’m sitting on Hifiman HE400SE, two DAPs, one Little Bear portable amp, one Toppings MX5, Q acoustics 330i, Topping NX7 and shitty Sony WXM5. What is worse is I want a dongle to go with my laptop. The worst part of all this - I think I’m reasonable. I’m not even remotely rich. These purchases are huge for me. I’m crying now, but damn does my music sound good.
I once thought of purchasing the big boys (for me, in a relative sense) like the Softears RSV, the IER-M9, the Anole VX and perhaps even the U18T.
Then, I reasoned with myself, and thought I’d settle for less. I began aiming for the DUNU SA6 MK2 (I somewhat treble sensitive and the MK2’s graph looked even better to me). Maybe the Oracle OG as a reference set.
Now, I’ve become cheap. I no longer desire for such luxuries, even though it’d be amazing to have them. I now look at the Audiosense DT600 as my preferred target and IEM, and an apple dongle for my laptop and phone.
I do sometimes wonder about the whatifs…the thing is, amidst all of the thinking I did, I didn’t actually buy anything. I’m waiting to be blown away by my endless collection of FLAC when I do get the IEMs I want.
Great collection BTW, but like every other guy on Crinacle’s livestream: try not to stay trapped in mid-fi hell. CA Andromedas are cool though. Ever thought of the IER-M9/U12t for a relaxing signature?
Thanks. You’re way ahead of me.
I agree with you. I want to go beyond. My wallet holds me back most of the times. Other times, it’s because shipping is a problem. But I get you. After listening to stuff, I understand & appreciate anything that does not feel like a task just to wear. Tin2 gave me that feeling - to some extent. The M9 is what I was also considering when I was thinking about the WXM5s. I chickened out because for some reason, my mind associates wear-ability with the sound signature. Yes, I know - it’s dumb, like I said, it’s in my head. U12t is just within my reach. Just. Maybe a New Year present for myself.
I dislike Apple with every shred of my body, but their dongle is respectfully in my good books. Still, I will never stoop that low to have anything Apple as my possession - no offense.
Because I paced through the low tier, by the time I got to where I am, I found good speakers. Work keeps me stuck to the WXM5s, so my ascent beyond the mid-fi has mellowed.
I do aim to mature as much as you, but I want it to be natural. I’m happy accessibility is improving by the minute, both for items & music, so I’m sure it will be soon.
I will mention that even though I haven’t bought the IEMs I mentioned, I have tried them. And every one of them blew me away, bar the ones which are a bit “softer” like the M9/U12t (which I think are better buys for the long-term unless someone has a lot to spend). Also, the M9 is exceptionally comfortable for me
EE Odin was notable alongside the Anole VX as very resolving and fabulously textured. These might be the best TOTLs I have tried. If you have a budget of around $500 I’d suggest looking at the Mega5EST, DMS has a review of it on the Heaphone Show and from the FR it’s an insanely balanced set.
No worries, and I’m not all that you think lol. I really just got lucky with knowing what I want, and my wallet forcing my hand.
Edit: I didn’t know there were shipping issues with the Chinese brands. AFAIK Hifigo/Linsoul/Aliexpress will ship anywhere really
And I completely forgot to say: wait till you listen to TOTL headphones. I once listened to the HE1000v2 pair, and except for the bright tuning, bloody hell they make you feel like you’re part of the sound. It’s a tear-inducing feeling, especially if you’ve never done TOTLs before.
LCDs are also up there, the new LCD-X really hit my warmish-preferences well. I liked that pair. Maybe someday eh?
I’ve learnt this hobby to be like a process- journey sort of. I am thoroughly enjoying it. Thus I do intend to get to a TOTL one day. Maybe a few years. The stuff I have now & get to get my hands on, I think of all of them as my training exercises, teaching me how to enjoy, showing me the nuances & helping me find what I like. I appreciate even the crappy ones. I get to see the other end of the spectrum. They show me what is utter shite or what’s not my taste.
HE1000s- oh boy. Yes. More of such things in the world please. I’m glad there’s no dearth of them. I got to hear susvara ONCE, for a minute or two max, connected to a not-so-new macintosh amp. Just once. It was orgasmic I tell you. The gentleman had a tufted leather chair next to it to enjoy it.
I want to try some electro stats. Never had the chance. I look at stuff from Meze or Focal for eye candy. That’s another aspect. I want my stuff to have that chic look & feel. Electro stats are currently in contrast. Due to their nature, I think.
As I realised I love listening to the good stuff, I have now begun building my collection in terms of the gear. Making sure I have good tracks in my drive, having a solid piece of a player, knowing what breaks down easily, etc. All of this is for those shiny top tier goodies. I have inherited this hobby along with my genes from my father. He never was careful with his hearing & is now clinically unable to hear things at even mildly loud volumes. I am going to take care of my hearing so that I can enjoy my TOLT when I get old & wrinkly. I’ll get my own biscuit tufted chair with an ottoman. That’s my retirement plan.
In-Ear-Monitors. I envy your ignorance. I was once like you. Now I’m broke.
Let’s talk about your collection
Hey Migrator! I began with a bunch of KZs, thought I’m smart. Then came in my Shures. Then I found Z Reviews (fuck that guy for showing me this world). Tin T1 planar. Tin T2 on the side. CA Andromedas came in on my birthday. I got IKKO OH10 thinking it’s just an itch. Now I’m sitting on Hifiman HE400SE, two DAPs, one Little Bear portable amp, one Toppings MX5, Q acoustics 330i, Topping NX7 and shitty Sony WXM5. What is worse is I want a dongle to go with my laptop. The worst part of all this - I think I’m reasonable. I’m not even remotely rich. These purchases are huge for me. I’m crying now, but damn does my music sound good.
I once thought of purchasing the big boys (for me, in a relative sense) like the Softears RSV, the IER-M9, the Anole VX and perhaps even the U18T.
Then, I reasoned with myself, and thought I’d settle for less. I began aiming for the DUNU SA6 MK2 (I somewhat treble sensitive and the MK2’s graph looked even better to me). Maybe the Oracle OG as a reference set.
Now, I’ve become cheap. I no longer desire for such luxuries, even though it’d be amazing to have them. I now look at the Audiosense DT600 as my preferred target and IEM, and an apple dongle for my laptop and phone.
I do sometimes wonder about the whatifs…the thing is, amidst all of the thinking I did, I didn’t actually buy anything. I’m waiting to be blown away by my endless collection of FLAC when I do get the IEMs I want.
Great collection BTW, but like every other guy on Crinacle’s livestream: try not to stay trapped in mid-fi hell. CA Andromedas are cool though. Ever thought of the IER-M9/U12t for a relaxing signature?
Thanks. You’re way ahead of me. I agree with you. I want to go beyond. My wallet holds me back most of the times. Other times, it’s because shipping is a problem. But I get you. After listening to stuff, I understand & appreciate anything that does not feel like a task just to wear. Tin2 gave me that feeling - to some extent. The M9 is what I was also considering when I was thinking about the WXM5s. I chickened out because for some reason, my mind associates wear-ability with the sound signature. Yes, I know - it’s dumb, like I said, it’s in my head. U12t is just within my reach. Just. Maybe a New Year present for myself. I dislike Apple with every shred of my body, but their dongle is respectfully in my good books. Still, I will never stoop that low to have anything Apple as my possession - no offense. Because I paced through the low tier, by the time I got to where I am, I found good speakers. Work keeps me stuck to the WXM5s, so my ascent beyond the mid-fi has mellowed. I do aim to mature as much as you, but I want it to be natural. I’m happy accessibility is improving by the minute, both for items & music, so I’m sure it will be soon.
I will mention that even though I haven’t bought the IEMs I mentioned, I have tried them. And every one of them blew me away, bar the ones which are a bit “softer” like the M9/U12t (which I think are better buys for the long-term unless someone has a lot to spend). Also, the M9 is exceptionally comfortable for me
EE Odin was notable alongside the Anole VX as very resolving and fabulously textured. These might be the best TOTLs I have tried. If you have a budget of around $500 I’d suggest looking at the Mega5EST, DMS has a review of it on the Heaphone Show and from the FR it’s an insanely balanced set.
No worries, and I’m not all that you think lol. I really just got lucky with knowing what I want, and my wallet forcing my hand.
Edit: I didn’t know there were shipping issues with the Chinese brands. AFAIK Hifigo/Linsoul/Aliexpress will ship anywhere really
And I completely forgot to say: wait till you listen to TOTL headphones. I once listened to the HE1000v2 pair, and except for the bright tuning, bloody hell they make you feel like you’re part of the sound. It’s a tear-inducing feeling, especially if you’ve never done TOTLs before.
LCDs are also up there, the new LCD-X really hit my warmish-preferences well. I liked that pair. Maybe someday eh?
I’ve learnt this hobby to be like a process- journey sort of. I am thoroughly enjoying it. Thus I do intend to get to a TOTL one day. Maybe a few years. The stuff I have now & get to get my hands on, I think of all of them as my training exercises, teaching me how to enjoy, showing me the nuances & helping me find what I like. I appreciate even the crappy ones. I get to see the other end of the spectrum. They show me what is utter shite or what’s not my taste. HE1000s- oh boy. Yes. More of such things in the world please. I’m glad there’s no dearth of them. I got to hear susvara ONCE, for a minute or two max, connected to a not-so-new macintosh amp. Just once. It was orgasmic I tell you. The gentleman had a tufted leather chair next to it to enjoy it. I want to try some electro stats. Never had the chance. I look at stuff from Meze or Focal for eye candy. That’s another aspect. I want my stuff to have that chic look & feel. Electro stats are currently in contrast. Due to their nature, I think. As I realised I love listening to the good stuff, I have now begun building my collection in terms of the gear. Making sure I have good tracks in my drive, having a solid piece of a player, knowing what breaks down easily, etc. All of this is for those shiny top tier goodies. I have inherited this hobby along with my genes from my father. He never was careful with his hearing & is now clinically unable to hear things at even mildly loud volumes. I am going to take care of my hearing so that I can enjoy my TOLT when I get old & wrinkly. I’ll get my own biscuit tufted chair with an ottoman. That’s my retirement plan.