Gamers, What's Your Audio Set Up?

Maybe there is a trigger somewhere that depending on the connected hardware config, that it just works in small cases?

Raymond Lin said:
"End game for 99% of people audiophile."

That's a serious recommendation, and white one looks the best.


p.s. his unit runs cool too!
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He hasn't heard the K13 R2R yet though, aside from the headline power output, which let's be honest is exclusively overkill for most things out there anyway! I suspect once he does the same sort of video for the FiiO that a similar tune will apply but bearing for those who prefer a wider soundstage and refined stereo imaging from a smoother sound signature. 2.4 watts is still more than enough to drive nearly everything out there too. I'm assuming Topping has now also fixed all of the reported issues with the firmware so it should be in a good state now.
 
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mrk said:
Maybe there is a trigger somewhere that depending on the connected hardware config, that it just works in small cases?
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I don't think so. As that ASR thread I linked to earlier alluded to (via that RoPieee's developer response) it's a USB chip firmware issue. And the DAC/AMP isn't inteligent to distinguish what it is plugged into. Given there are also people who report workarounds on Mac OS, my guess is that the Youtuber reviewer in this case hasn't noticed it on the other devices. Maybe they had a program running that kept the audio open. Although we have both noted there are devices out there that don't have this issue; inc. X9, Creative Sound Blaster X1 (apparently all Creative SB's don't suffer from this issues according to someone on Reddit). I think the behaviour of the DAC is the same irrespective of OS, i.e. it either goes into this power save mode, or not. That's my guess.
 
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One thing is clear, now that it's out in the open, noticing it is all too easy and becomes an annoyance when you can't fix it on something that doesn't have a control panel or toggle - It would sway a buying decision for sure.
 
mrk said:
One thing is clear, now that it's out in the open, noticing it is all too easy and becomes an annoyance when you can't fix it on something that doesn't have a control panel or toggle - It would sway a buying decision for sure.
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I get that. Reminds me of that aforementioned PS5 issue - once you've noticed it, it's hard to ignore.
 
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mrk said:

Finally a review of the new ZH3, and note what he shows at this timestamp:

DQ8jCnC.png


That's what we were talking about before about the initial audio start delay.

It does not look like Fosi provides a USB DAC driver so on Windows the delay will be there too unlike with Eversolo/FiiO that has a driver control panel to turn on streaming or always has streaming on.

A deal breaker really, shame as would have liked to try the ZH3 out otherwise.
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AudioScienceReview gives it a positive review: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-zh3-balanced-headphone-amp-dac-review.65913/

Raymond Lin said:
"End game for 99% of people audiophile."

That's a serious recommendation, and white one looks the best.


p.s. his unit runs cool too!
Click to expand...

Dual ES9039Q2M like my SMSL DO100 Pro,so no wonder it is quite capable.

mrk said:
Maybe there is a trigger somewhere that depending on the connected hardware config, that it just works in small cases?


He hasn't heard the K13 R2R yet though, aside from the headline power output, which let's be honest is exclusively overkill for most things out there anyway! I suspect once he does the same sort of video for the FiiO that a similar tune will apply but bearing for those who prefer a wider soundstage and refined stereo imaging from a smoother sound signature. 2.4 watts is still more than enough to drive nearly everything out there too. I'm assuming Topping has now also fixed all of the reported issues with the firmware so it should be in a good state now.
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Unless you are really using some hard to drive headphones, even 2.4 watts is probably OTT at normal listening volumes.
 
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To be fair even 1W is more than enough for loud listening on most headphones. There are only a handful of headphones I can think of that require more than just wattage to be driven loud, Susvara being a prime example.

I had to whip out the K13 as was missing it, something about it is just excellent, maybe the simplicity of the design, maybe the window, maybe something else but I think it's going to be a running theme of keeping it connected and switching between X9 and K13 from time to time.

ytsJWIt.jpeg
 
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It's either that or the K13 R2R, nothing else in this price (both the same) can currently compete and all boils down to 2 things and both are preferences:

1: Which sound signature someone prefers, one is warmer, smoother with wider soundstage, the other is clinical/sterile but considered more "transparent".
2: DX5 needs Topping Tune software, it doesn't have a headphones DB, K13 PEQ works via a web browser, has a massive headphones DB with curves in its database to get started with etc.

Otherwise both are very similar in many ways outside of sound and PEQ.
 
Luxsin has linked to a cool factory video which is interesting:


Also, the 2 new spectrum displays on the X9 update are nice, reminds me of WinAMP:

av_x9_spectrum.gif
 
mrk said:
Luxsin has linked to a cool factory video which is interesting:
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I imagine that's fun to do, including the audio show at the end. The 'customer feedback' PR message got a bit grating though.

I did get a shock yesterday seeing another YT video; for a $600(!!!!) Steelseries wireless headset. I won't link to it, but some Youtube channels were clearly lined up to talk about it yesterday. I assume it's like GPUs and there is a market for these mass-market headset makers to see how far they can push.
 
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