These arrived yesterday, ZMF Verite Closed Ziricote. 
I am an unreformed ZMFer! 
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To think there are ziricotes everywhere were I live, what an incredible cut tho
I got the ath-r70xa
I was almost certain id prefer the OGs but to my surprise I didnt, I traded my OGs due to miscommunication and these were on discount
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A little bit of action on the side, need to keep it on the down low. I don’t want Ben at Mojo to know. Let’s see how this goes.
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Back-to-back posting!? I’ve never been so fortunate… Thieaudio Valhalla landed on my desk this week. Wicked as they may be they don’t knock your hair back however, I am enjoying them quite a bit as smooth listening all-rounders.
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I have been curious about these but I was leaving the IEM game by the time I had a chance to knab a pair.
Don’t get me wrong they are unmistakably flagship tier iems however, it’s the all BA setup that i think people hem n’ haw with regards to the sound. Once i’ve had a few more hours of listening notched into my belt i’ll probably post something in the appropriate thread.
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Yes, some do have a problem with all BA IEMs. When I heard Symphonium Crimson and Let Shuoer Mystic 8, I didn’t hear any limitations with them being all BA sets 
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I bought two DACs this week… The second one I bought arrived first. Just letting it warm up. For those of you not already familiar, this is the X30, not the R30.
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Man, this may be premature, but I may have just reached endgame. This X30 is killer; I’ve only listened a little but I so far have zero complaints.
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From what I’ve been able to tell, the X30 copied and (in my opinion) improved on the DAVE and the R30 did a lot to copy the Wavedream Signature Balanced and in a lot of ways did improve on it. Gustard is killing it imo. Feed that thing I2S and it probably comes alive if its anything like the X16, X18, X26 Pro or R30. They tend to have great USB but really really transparent I2S.
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Thanks for the tip. I’ve got an AQ Carbon HDMI on the way to maximise this chain (within my budget).
Just starting listening again now and the first thing that strikes me is that the sound stage is much taller than my Wavelight and D1se2. Sonic images are bigger within that stage, too.
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Don’t ask me how I did it, but I got lucky enough to get an opportunity on buying a brand new Tungsten DS V2 from Ryan. I went with the black swirl grill since I already own a hex grill and will be using that. I sold the V1 to jump on the V2, I hope I made the right choice!
Add on: Holy shit!!! That extra 2db of sensitivity from 78db to 80db feels huge lol. Feels like I can drive this way easier than V1, but going to mess with more amps on it later…
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Need better pics! 
I’m quite interested what you think, as I have a DS v1. And also what amps you’re using with it, I don’t recall what you have at the moment.
I reconnected my Violectric V590 v2 as I still have not sold it, which really drives my Tungsten quite well. But I did a direct comparison with my Cayin HA-3A, and it really does drive the Tungsten shockingly well, I haven’t A-B’d them in some time. It kind of reaffirms my initial inclination to sell the Vio, since the Cayin does such a good job. Don’t get me wrong though, the Violectric is an excellent amp.
Anyway, do post more when you feel like it. Congrats on your V2!
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I only bought the V2 Tungsten with the default pads and hybrid pads. I still got my mods that I bought for the V1 throughout December like the spacers, DTR, and hex grills. I will try them later in the month on the V2. The amp I am currently using is the Orchard Audio Valencia going to the Supratek Cabernet DHT preamp as that is my usual reference amp. I will probably try it with Allnic HPA-5000XL amp after settling on a combination of mods.
In terms of sound, it sounds like a slightly more refine Tungsten V1, nothing too dramatic besides being easier to drive. I’ve been running mostly fusion pads with the DTR mod since that’s what I ran with the V1. I think I really like the Ultra Perf on the V2 the most compared to the V1 because that slightly refine and more clear mids, making it really enjoyable to listen to. But I got to listen to all the pads and mods more before settling.
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LCD-24 courtesy of @M.J .
Initially, I was a bit underwhelmed with more contemporary music, but then while digging through some late-’80s to early-’90s kayōkyoku and city pop, followed by some smooth jazz, it completely came alive.
I can attest, like many others, to its spatial effects. The D8000 Pro and Fostex biocellulose cans, from memory, were more lateral and layered; the HD800S was evenly diffuse and less localized. This, on the other hand, really morphs based on what you’re listening to. Most suitable with my typical rotation, minus rock. I’d still actually take the 2.2pf w/ the Dekoni vegan pads for rock and metal.
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“Finishing” my chain. AQ Carbon IIS for my SU-6 to feed whatever bloody DAC I settle on.
Another ifi iPower X. This second one is for the SU-6.
Two more DACs on the way, both landing on Tuesday. Hopefully one of them is a keeper.
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One of my next two DACs arrived a day early, the VMV (SMSL) D2. Picked this up off Head-Fi for a few pennies. At the time (2021), it was SMSL’s most expensive/most ambitious DAC. Only “bested” by the D3. Both the D2 and D3 were limited runs due to part availability.
I decided to buy this for audition because the D1se2 (note the 2 in the title D1se2, not the first iteration, D1se) is the DAC that has come closest in sound stage presentation for my preferences. In short, out in front, sonic images discrete. I find that this presentation makes it very easy for me to “see” (listen) into the stage and pick out the drums, bass guitars, etc., i.e. the parts of the music I care most about.
I’m gonna let this warm up and give it a listen on Wednesday as I’m away with work tomorrow. Hopefully I’ll have time tomorrow evening to get my other new DAC plumbed in and warming up, provided it arrives as scheduled.
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Aaaaand number 2, Pontus 15th.
Happy to see this had landed when I got back from a long ass day at work. I’ve plugged it in and will give it 48 hrs warm up before listening 
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The Pontus 15th is basically the old Venus right?
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