Recent content by CedarX

In addition, @Kennyknetter data is an "average/aggregated" view. I don't think distortion always works that way: sometimes, it's the distortion of a specific peak that I notice even if, on average, distortion is not noticeable. Coming back to the Castor (I own both the "Harman" and "Bass"...

A fair question… I would agree with @restorer-john if stated that way: “But we I know headphones that follow the Harman-curve are far from neutral or accurate for me.” As measured by Oratory, the SE846 is not too far from the Harman in-ear 2019 target, and pretty close to something like the...

I have not noticed any clipping issue (I may have missed it!). I suspect that’s why the FreeDSP app limits the filter gain to +3dB: they may have a built-in, default, -3 or -4dB preamp gain.

It is an issue as it modifies the presets calculated by AutoEQ, but since AutoEQ is an optimization calculation based on an average target and an imperfect HP/IEM measurement, it is close enough IMHO, and makes it for a very good baseline to start messing around with…

I use AutoEQ quite often with FreeDSP: I select “Custom Parametric EQ”, delete the default shelf filters, and add some to get 9x peak filters. On each one I set the min & max gain to -3 & +13dB +12dB(FreeDSP constraint) and, in the Optimizer section, I enter 40-10,000 as Freq. range. This is...

See @Phenoez8 review of Moondrop MAY—most likely the same cable—here: https://audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/moondrop-may-usb-c-headphones-review.52396/ …and Headphones.com review of FreeDSP here: https://headphones.com/blogs/reviews/moondrop-free-dsp-review-measurements...

GoldenSounds ran his ABX tests with a Holo Audio May DAC—his preferred DAC. I noticed he was quite critical of the Denafrips R2R DACs he reviewed, particularly the “misleading” NOS mode. Not surprisingly (in a good way!), he appears quite knowledgeable about R2R DAC technology. Is the May DAC...

From another one of his blog posts, I did not know about these circa 2010-2017 “Open Baffle” designs: Another unconventional design? I also noticed that Tekton did publish measurements 15 years ago: Fostex FE126E & dual 10-inch subwoofer home theater system (Oct 2009)

If I use an ESS-based DAC that has the THD compensation registers exposed for adjustment, and I record two files of the same track: one with the registers set for min. THD and the other with the registers set for for max. THD. If I do an ABX comparison between these two files and I can ear a...

There might be some ‘technical’ issues/concerns with the details of the ABX tests he did, but to be positive, let say it’s a good ABX test… The part I’m questioning is what he uses the ABX test for: he demonstrates that, granted his young age, exceptional hearing, a treble boost applied to an...

Not sure I understand your logic here… You’re free to use whatever DAC/Amp you want with the analog cable. They give you the option of a USB-C cable that also happens to have a DSP… but you don’t have to use it. You can use, say a Qudelix 5K with the analog cable and have DSP, or a phone app...

Don’t disagree with your assessment, but the battery may be seen as a big negative by some, and the 5K did not measure great as an USB DAC/Amp (due to the use of the QCC5124 as USB bridge?). FiiO is another option.

Are the actual files used by GoldenSounds for his ABX comparison available somewhere? I couldn’t find them…

From Head-Fi, a link to Chinese social media teardown pictures: https://tieba.baidu.com/p/8998433945?obj_source=wise&obj_name=a0-bpb-c8998433945-d0-e0&obj_param2=safari&has_token=1&bdid=603D256DD30E1A982FB15077CC659043&qd=scheme&invoke_method_type=1#/ The DAC/Amp is a dual CS43131:

I would disagree here: ASR’s reviews are about informing, and discussing audio products, based on facts. I don’t think it’s about dictating what members should or shouldn’t purchase… or did I miss something? I don’t wish Tekton to implode or get bankrupt… I wish they learn from Amir’s review...