Pretty much what I found as well. Even the newest stuff like the monarch mk3 and stuff to me is only alright for the price. It’s all been very inoffensive or very target focused, technicalities have been alright for the range but nothing special (sometimes actually not great, sometimes better than average but still middling), and you’re right they are just very source independent compared to other options
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Couple of reasons for me:
- Don’t have a lot of IEMs available for auditioning where I live, gotta take what I can get
- IE 600, Final stuff often too treble forward, my tolerance is pretty low there with IEMs, the treble on the Clair is inoffensive while still providing great detail imo, just in a different non aggressive way
- I need larger shells and the Thieaudio stuff just happens to fit really well without having to adjust anything
- Clair has taller soundstage than SA6, I prefer that b/c the SS is already pretty limited in other ways
- Not a ton of options around its price point had me interested, Softears RSV or Supernova (not a great value b/c no used options), EJ07M is too thin sounding (Helios probably as well)
- Just want 1 allrounder and be done with it
- Like you mentioned, I don’t have crazy source gear
- Using the Monarch 2 cable, might make a difference (?)
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So Taiko Extreme ha @M0N ?
Heard one, but don’t own one and don’t plan to own one lol. By far the best digital source I’ve heard easily though
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Still going for Oladra? Why this and not Taiko then?
I don’t want to deal with software side of things on the taiko, pretty much only that. Don’t like how closed down and restrictive they are. Just heard things about them that makes me not want one on my network. Probably not a concern for most though
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I noticed you didn’t mention the 800S, is that b/c the OG is just a better value used due to the price difference?
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Oh that’s an error, good catch, should be both. From what I remember the og actually isn’t that much cheaper than the s at this point, and while I like the s a bit more normally, the og sometimes works better on specific amps
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Shifted some ranks a bit, specifically in holy shit amps, added more clarification on the spec and suggestions of some options, updated personal setups, added a few new things as well (no removals this time either)
I still need to finish the speaker section, refresh the shortlist, finish some of the blurbs at the bottom, and go over things again just to check if I still like where I have them, but really I think a lot of it is sort of solidified for now (I say this but I know I’m going to go back and find something to mess with lol)
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I’m going to be taking a break from audio. A really long break. One that’s partially of my own decision but also forced by external circumstances. I guess I should be glad that I was already sort of tired of audio in a sense lately which made this easier to swallow, but it’s still tough. I’m still going to be here, but I don’t really plan to talk about much of anything audio related of my own volition since I won’t have access to a lot of it, and won’t have the desire to discuss it. I still might be in the keyboard thread a little bit, but that’s going to be slow as well for me. But I’ll be here for anything forum management related, or I guess just to chat. I’m just not going to be able to have audio be the center of my life anymore, maybe I’ll pursue other hobbies instead, probably not though.
I might work more on the shit list, but mostly just completing what’s there, not anything new though, it’s not going to be actively updated anymore. The preamp comparison is dead in the water, and I don’t see myself really starting my other article planned either. If you want to ask me something audio related it’s fine if you @ me or PM me but I might end up half assing answers a bit so I apologize for that in advance. If you need anything just let me know, again not leaving, still here, but not going to be doing much either. It was very nice talking with y’all about anything audio related, but I won’t be doing that much anymore
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Hopefully you spend some quality time away from the hobby and come back strong!
I went through a similar period this year being out of work and some other personal issues but am in a much better place headed into ‘24. Positive vibes all around.
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Hopefully, but I don’t really think I’m coming back, and if I do I absolutely can’t say it’s going to be as strong as before I left lol. I’d still like to keep up with it, but it’s really going to be a different direction for the foreseeable future
Awesome, glad things are working out well 
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Breathe, Clear your head for whatever time it takes. Thank you for all you do and have done for myself and many others.
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I tried to make this decision with as clear of a mind as possible, it’s been a good run, I’ll try to keep things as positive as I can
Appreciate all of you being here (and hfg) and all the great audio discussion that we’ve had. All the random personal stuff too lol
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In Buddhism, impermanence, perspective and kindness is what I feel are the core teachings. Impermanence reminds us that all things pass. Perspective reminds us that we all experience life from a million different points of view a million different backgrounds. Kindness however is the one universal constant but we must consciously choose it, unlike the other two that simply are by their very nature.
Be kind to yourself brother.
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As always @M0N it has been a pleasure having you here assist my audio progress, musical growth, and providing recs to get over my mustard-phobia.
You provided a rare place where I met a bunch of very kind and enjoyable people, to the point I broke out of my shell and actually met a few of them in person. I never thought I would be texting other forum members on holidays wishing them and their family “happy & healthies”. This is still one of the few places on the internet I regularly check.
Best of luck with all you have and all your future pursuits. Hopefully you will still hop onto the teamspeak from time to time to let us know how it’s kicking, recommend some good cheeses, clack some vintage keyboards, and get in some general goofing around.
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I hope that whatever the external circumstances are pass and you are able to feel like you are in control of the situation. Regardless of how involved in audio stuff you are, I’ve got nothing but thanks and appreciation for the experiences and information you shared and sincere hopes for nothing but good things for you.
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Wow! Whatever has precipitated this must be major. I sincerely hope you
are ok. You have been a beacon to us all, and a fine example of courtesy even
when others weren’t. Thank you for all your help to so many, myself included.
I wish you the very best and would welcome your return, should you choose
to do so.
Warmest regard,
Tim
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Awesome, and that’s great that the forum has done that lol. It wasn’t just me of course, @Polygonhell is the one running the backend of things and without him this site wouldn’t exist either lol. Same with all the people who actively decide to participate here instead of elsewhere. The goal was a forum by the community for the community when there wasn’t an obvious option to go to (we’re still pretty niche already within a niche lol), and I think we’ve done pretty well with that. I’d like to have it continue to grow in the future, and I’ll still work to assist that in the background too so don’t plan on abandoning this site at all. I like it here too even if I won’t be active in the discussion it was designed for lol. Met some awesome people here (quite a lot of them in fact), and would like to keep talking to them when I can lol
Oh for sure, I’ll still do that when I can. I’ve slowed down a bit, but I still plan to make the time to do it when I’m able, I’ll still be always active on XMPP as well
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It’s more needing to go a different direction rather than something that can just pass, it’s a direction that doesn’t really allow for audio to be a priority (or even something maintainable) for me anymore, so I won’t really be able to get back to where I was. It’s something I’ve just got to come to terms with, and make do with what I can. I just have to think of things positively and go from there lol
Thank you very much
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