Happy New Year. Wishing you much success in 2022. You are easily the most underrated audio/headphone reviewer on KZread and deserve way more attention and subs imo.

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks JTB. Hopefully the growth will continue in 2022 and open new opportunities... 🙂🙂

Thanks for the review Lachlan! All the best for 2022!

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

My pleasure! Happy New Year 🙂🎉

What an awesome video, considering these exact 2 before even finding this video

@PassionforSound

6 ай бұрын

I'm so glad I could help! 🙂🙂

Very balanced and well thought through review mate. Cheers and happy new year Lachlan! 🌟

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it - thanks Juha! Happy New Year to you too 🙂🎉

A very happy new year to you Lachalan, thank you for your clean and detailed review, as usual

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

My pleasure! Happy New Year to you too! 🎉🙂

Happy New Year Boss! Excited to see what you’ve got in store for us this year🙌🏾

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

I have some good stuff coming I think. Hope you love it. Happy New Year 🙂🎉

Great review, sir! And Happy New Year!

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

Happy New Year to you too! 🙂🎉

Really like the new intro. Have a Happy New Year. Great review as usual.

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you like the new intro! Happy New Year 🙂🎉

Starting off the new year as a subscriber :) Cheers

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the sub! Happy New Year 🙂🎉

Eyeing the K5 ESS to power my hifiman. Every review gave very good reviews on the K5 but its an old unit. Thats the only thing holding me back, the K11 is another option. But i will have to get balanced cable for that. Additional cost😮.

Digging the new intro, happy new year !

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you like it! Happy New Year 🙂🎉

The glamour video looks very nice.

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it!

Thank you for your review. I have the COS engineering H1 and really like it as a DAC/amp, primarily because the amp sections isn't just an afterthought as with many such units. Only issue is that it needs to be fed clean power- it really does not sound very good at all otherwise.

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

Not one I've come across before - thanks for the tip!

Happy New Year Lachlan! Nice review as usual. I saw a few comments about iFI Zen Dac, and know you’d said it’s difficult to get one where you are. If you can, do the zen DAC V2, it’s a DAC amp. iFi has an amp for Hifiman called HFM and another amp called 6XX too.

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

I'd love to, but the iFi situation remains unchanged

@BillyKueekSG

2 жыл бұрын

@@PassionforSound, understand

Old 'K5 Pro' that you got used is now replaced with 'K5 Pro ESS' with ES9038Q2M chip, old one discontinued, slightly different specs.

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for letting me know. Because I grabbed this secondhand, I didn't do my normal research into the new product.

@JumboRelic

2 жыл бұрын

@@PassionforSound i wish you would have because it would have been a better comparison with the same chips.

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

It still comes back to what I can actually get my hands on and FiiO gear tends to be harder for me to source

@JumboRelic

2 жыл бұрын

​@@PassionforSound All good. Looking forward to the next video!

i have the k5 pro last 2020 priced on sale $120 and have been very satisfied with it, i paired it with beyer dt990 pro

Loved the nice and calming voice although looking at you I imagine hardened MMA fighter. Thanks for sharing

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

Haha. I'm so far from a hardened MMA fighter, but glad I can look tough and sound gentle 🙂

DAC-M1 into K5 Pro.... I think I would have tried it for curiosity's sake. Enjoyed the review.

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

It might have been interesting, but I couldn't really see anyone buying both products to use in that way. Glad you enjoyed the review

Love the design of dac-m1, its unique.. 😀

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

I really like it too and it's nice that it has a fairly small/narrow footprint

I’ve been happy with the K 5 pro

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

It's a really nice unit

Lovely video mate. I have the k5 pro AKM chip version paired with Sennheiser HD660s which sounds great. I'm thinking of getting the Sundaras (37 Ohm / 94 DB) or the new hifiman edition XS (18 Ohm / 92 DB) Do you think the K5 would be enough to power those planars ? Thanks!

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

The K5 is a pretty powerful unit for what it is so it should do fine

Hi, thank you very much for all your wonderful reviews. How would the DAC from the K5 pro stack up against the DAC from Dragonfly Red in your opinion?

@PassionforSound

Жыл бұрын

That's a good question and I've never tested the two, but I'd expect the K5 Pro to perform better because of the dedicated power supply (not powered by a noisy USB output)

Hey, I'm thinking of buying the M1 but I have one question that you might be able to answer: I have read that in some of these chinese DAC/AMPs, if you double press the mute button it switches the outputs from headphone to RCA and vice versa. If you still have this DAC can you test if a double press of the on/off button or the volume knob it switches the outputs? I need that feature for my setup. I would expect it to only work in the "RCA or HPO" output option. Thanks!

fiio is going to update the K5 Pro with using an ESS dac chip from now on due to the AKM factory caught on fire recently, so hoping that you will review the updated version of it soon

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

I'll see what I can do, but FiiO gear is a little harder for me to get

Happy New Year

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

Happy New Year to you too 🙂🎉

Have you tried any opamp rolling with the dac-m1? Any suggestions? :) I'm looking for something that can tame the upper midrange a bit and make it overall a bit more balanced/ natural sounding.

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

I didn't - sorry. Maybe try the MUSES02 and OPA627. They're two of my go-to op-amps and always se to be an improvement. Just be aware of fake MUSES02 chips and be sure to buy from a reputable outlet (e.g. Mouser, etc.)

Nice review, but your going to get lots of comments about the ifi zen dac, it really is a killer product for the money 💰 add the zen can and you can drive 99% of headphones 🎧.add a HD600 and all i can say is aw my god, if Ifi read this please send one to passion for sound, you keep sending muppet reviewer's your products, how about sending one to a real reviewer thanks...

@kyron42

2 жыл бұрын

Great idea. You probably don't need to add a Zen can unless you have difficult to power headphones and you like to listen loud.

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Steve, but the issue isn't iFi themselves - it's the local Australian distributor

@chefsteve8381

2 жыл бұрын

@@PassionforSound Well ifi should tell them to grow up because its costing them potential customers especially when ifi gear is more obtainable than lots of other gear here in Australia...they may very well lose one in me, as i was looking at getting their electrostatic energiser...

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, I've tried discussing with iFi and some other brands are stuck in the same boat (e.g. Audeze) so no reviews of those products unless a viewer/patron loans it to me or I happen to have sufficient personal interest and opportunity to buy one secondhand

happy new year, Speaking of amp / dac combo, have you heard TOPPING D30 PRO DAC + A30 PRO AMP?

@RajinderKaur-yz6ro

2 жыл бұрын

It’s a STACK, not a combo

@sabumiah3421

2 жыл бұрын

@@RajinderKaur-yz6ro what’s the difference plz?

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

I haven't tried the 30 Pro products

Hello, I like to ask what dac/amp combo in 200 dollars range can you recommend? Im looking for something that didn't sound to much in top end with all this sparkling noises, I like more juicy , fat, vibrant and warmish sound over crystal clear , clinical one, or something between. I was thinking about Topping dx3 pro plus but what I see in another reviews people saying that Topping is very top end sounding. I will use it for my laptop and mostly for not expensive Iem's.

@PassionforSound

Жыл бұрын

I'd jump straight to the FiiO K7. It fits exactly what you're describing: kzread.info/dash/bejne/n3-es8NxYtTRlNI.html

Not sure if you can advise on this one but I already have the fiio k5 pro and I'm considering to buy the arya stealth as I can get it only a very good deal (new @ £800). Do you think it's "worth" getting a stronger dac/amp such as the k9 pro or will the k5 pro be enough.

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

You'll definitely benefit from a higher quality source with the Aryas. The K5 will do fine, but the Aryas can perform above what the K5 provides

@zqa20

2 жыл бұрын

@@PassionforSound Thanks man. I'll buy the k9 pro + arya for £1300 then.

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

Enjoy!

The newish Topping DX3 Pro+ is a direct competitor to these products. It's a $200 AIO.

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

Yes. I haven't had a chance to try that one as yet

I believe the K5 Pro is not available for sale anymore. Because of the international chip shortage, this model was substituted by the K5 Pro ESS, built around a more featured chip, and its price is over 200 dollars now.

@blorg8206

2 жыл бұрын

$199 on Amazon for the new ESS version. Much smaller price difference between them now.

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the update. I didn't dig too deep on this one because I bought the product secondhand. Sorry for not clarifying this detail!

@lorenzoridolfi6739

2 жыл бұрын

@@PassionforSound No problem, I bought the new version at Amazon some days ago, before watching your video, and I'm expecting it to arrive here in Brazil. I'm driving a Hifiman HE400se with a tiny FiiO E10, and I'm anger to have more power!

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

I think you'll really enjoy the results. Happy listening!

@nickthaskater

7 ай бұрын

I just got the K5 Pro ESS for black Friday straight from Fiio's official Aliexpress store for $90 USD. Such a steal.

hi.. the k5 pro you tested was the ESS version? thanks

@PassionforSound

Жыл бұрын

It was actually the old version. I produced the review JUST before the new ESS version was released ☹️

@TheMaurob1979

Жыл бұрын

@@PassionforSound ok thanks

Wondering if it can work with Foobar for DSD512 native playback?

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

I don't use Foobar so can't say specifically. I also don't have any DSD512 content so you'd have to go by the specifications

It'd have been an even more interesting comparison with the Ifi ZEN DAC (either V1 or V2) added

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

I'd love to include the iFi gear, but I can't get my hands on it without buying it and I can't afford to keep buying gear for reviews

@N3ukenInD3K3uken

2 жыл бұрын

@@PassionforSound ah sucks I'd lend you one but Australia is on the other end of the world unfortunately

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

That's ok - thank you for the thought 🙂

@wemustgo

2 жыл бұрын

You can check another review of FX Audio DAC M1 on YT. In the comment you should find the comparison

In Vietnam FX Audio DAC M1 costs 140-170 USD, Fiio K5 Pro 170 USD.

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

Interesting how the prices change. Thanks for sharing

K5 pro ESS still $199. local in NYC retail at B&H. For bedside micro system, still to add smallest CD player or transport with digital out, which will be more pricey. Forced online otherwise. Not much choice in NYC for in store audio except for a few high-end, by appointment only small audio boutiques. It is a poor situation in audio and recordings availability in-store here in NYC.

@PassionforSound

Жыл бұрын

I haven't tried the K5 Pro ESS. Good price though. Bricks and mortar stores are hard to come by for quality audio gear in many places unfortunately.

@nickthaskater

7 ай бұрын

I got the K5 Pro ESS from Fiio's Aliexpress store for $90 USD for Black Friday.

"Spending you more lets you explore."

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

This is true! 😁

Fiio K5 Pro vs Topping DX7 Pro

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

If I happen to get my hands on them I'll be glad to do that comparison

actually the new Fiio K5 Pro ESS uses the same chip ESS9038Q2M cause Fiio can't source the AK ones anymore and it's been out for 1 year wht are you reviewing the Old K5 Pro version and Not the New who knows

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

You should probably check the date of the review before criticising... The ESS version wasn't released then

Draco R2r should be everybody's first dac. Don't do measurements route with sigma delta. Sound better is always better than measure better in dacs but not so much with preamp or amplifiers.

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

I haven't heard the Draco yet - I'll have to add it to my list...

@wric01

2 жыл бұрын

@@PassionforSound Buy some 2 aucharm red nano silver fuse 20$ it'll blow you away. Similar to the opamp sparkos 3602 did to my dx7 pro. Anyways never went back to it after.

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

Very interesting. That's a rabbit hole I hadn't even considered yet!

Those cheaper brands use fake chips. Take those op amps out and put real ones in there.

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

They're all SMD in this size device. Not worth the time and hassle (for me at least)

@ranbymonkeys2384

2 жыл бұрын

@@PassionforSound Definitely worth it to me, I even put a OPA627 in the Topping E30 I have a video on what I did.

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

Nice one!

No hip dac, no party 🤣

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

Haha. Yes, this channel is sadly devoid of iFi content ☹️

@prabinpaudel5572

2 жыл бұрын

@@PassionforSound I'll go yell at ifi marketing guys on Facebook then. 😉

@PassionforSound

2 жыл бұрын

Haha. Thank you! 😁