u/Maj0rTac0

Friday night Steely Dan session.

Arya Organic + FiiO K17.

I get now why Steely Dan gets used for “listen to the instruments” sessions. Everything feels so cleanly placed. Bass lines are easy to follow, the keys sit nicely in the mix, guitars come in without fighting the vocals, and the drums have that snap and space around them.

“Do It Again” has that smooth groove, percussion, keys, and bass locked in together. “Black Cow” sounds clean and polished, with the horns and backing vocals sitting right where they should be.

But “Aja” is the one. That drum section is just crazy on the Arya. Big stage, great separation, and enough room to hear the band without it turning messy.

Diana Krall on the DX270 tonight.

Oysters, beer, and the new tan case getting its first night out. Not really in the mood to analyze anything, just enjoying the music and the Saturday night vibe.

I finally feel more confident using the Tab S11 Ultra with the Pro Keyboard now that I have the screen, back, and camera lens protected.

The screen film was installed at a local shop near where I live. The back cover and camera lens protector were from AliExpress. The Pro Keyboard feels much better to use now without worrying too much about scratches on the back or the exposed camera area.

FYI: the stickers are attached to the back cover, not directly on the tablet itself. Just wanted to personalize it a bit while still keeping the tablet protected

DX270 as transport tonight into the xDuoo DM-01, paired with the Arya Organic.

Playing Dire Straits — “Private Investigations” from Money for Nothing. This little hybrid tube robot does wonders with the Arya. The track already has that slow, dark, cinematic feel, and this setup gives it space without making it sound thin.

The Arya keeps the stage big, the DM-01 adds a bit of body and glow, and the DX270 just feeds it clean. Weird-looking setup, but it works.

HD650 + Feliks Audio Echo 2 tonight, playing Jeff Buckley’s Grace.

This combo is made for vocals. The HD650 already has that intimate midrange, then the Echo 2 adds just enough warmth and body. Jeff Buckley’s voice on this setup is something else. Almost angelic at times, especially on Grace, So Real, and Lover, You Should’ve Come Over.

No need to overthink this one. Just sit down and listen.

Post-swim session with the Hidizs MP145 Pro Titanium Limited Edition, playing Guns N’ Roses’ Use Your Illusion I.

“You Ain’t the First” is such a fun track. Izzy on vocals, acoustic guitars, that dobro/slide feel, bass, and backing vocals all sitting together nicely. The MP145 Pro gives it that open space so it doesn’t sound cramped. Izzy’s voice sounds relaxed and raw, which fits the song.

Then “November Rain” comes in and becomes a different thing completely. Piano, strings, drums, bass, rhythm guitars, and Slash doing Slash things. I like how the MP145 Pro separates everything here. The piano is still clear, the background instruments don’t blur together, and Axl’s voice still carries the emotion.

Not bad after a swim.

CrinEar Reference out for Sunday afternoon coffee with the DX270, playing Robert Plant’s Band of Joy.

This set works nicely with this album. Banjo, mandolin, steel guitar, acoustic guitars—lots of little things happening, but the Reference keeps everything clean without making it boring.

“Cindy, I’ll Marry You Someday” stood out. Robert Plant’s voice sounds forward and husky, but still has that classic Plant feel. Good coffee with good music.

Aerosmith, a cold beer, and the Ibasso DX270.

Sometimes that’s enough.

I wasn’t expecting the Hercules Audio Noah to stick around in my collection this long.

I’ve bought and sold a lot of gear over the years, and usually when something new shows up, something else gets pushed to the side. But the Noah never really got less listening time.

The first thing I noticed was the body—not just bass, but actual weight. Instruments and vocals feel grounded. Male vocals especially sound natural and full without getting thick or muddy.

I remember one night, sitting on my couch in Penang Malaysia, just listening to “Heaven” by Dave Douglas through the DX270. The trumpet had texture, the instruments had space, and nothing felt forced. I wasn’t even trying to analyze the sound. I was just enjoying the music. That’s rare for me.

Compared to my Top Pro, the Noah does something different. The Top Pro is the one I grab when I want energy, speed, and excitement. The Noah is the one I reach for when I want to relax and get lost in the music. Neither is better. They just do different things.

I noticed that difference again with “Fly Like an Eagle” by Steve Miller Band. The Noah gave the bass more body and presence. Not necessarily more bass, just more weight behind the notes.

The best compliment I can give the Noah is simple: I stop thinking about gear when I listen to it.

In a collection that includes the Xenns Top Pro, Final Audio A5000, CrinEar Reference, and Hidizs MP145 Pro Titanium, the Noah still has its place. Whenever I’m not in the mood to analyze or compare, I usually end up reaching for the Noah.

That’s probably why it’s still here.

Poolside session tonight with the iBasso DX270 and Xenns Top Pro, spinning some Rush. This combination just works. The DX270 delivers a clean, powerful, and effortless presentation while the Top Pro brings the energy, punch, and separation needed to keep up with one of the most technically gifted bands in rock history.

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Rush isn't just about the songs—it's about following three world-class musicians playing at the same time. Neil Peart's drums, Geddy Lee's bass lines, keyboards, and vocals, along with Alex Lifeson's layered guitars, can easily become congested on lesser gear. The Top Pro shines here with its speed, imaging, and bass control, allowing each instrument to occupy its own space while keeping the music exciting and engaging. Xanadu is a perfect example—what starts as a spacious, atmospheric build-up gradually expands into a complex arrangement of percussion, bass, guitars, synths, and vocals. The Top Pro keeps everything organized and easy to follow, yet never loses the emotion and scale of the performance. Tracks like Tom Sawyer, Limelight, YYZ, and Xanadu remind me why the Top Pro remains one of my favorite IEMs for progressive rock.

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Hidizs MP145 Pro Titanium LE + FiiO Q15

Streaming Qobuz through UAPP for bit-perfect playback to the Q15.

I've been enjoying this pairing quite a bit lately. The MP145 Pro Titanium LE brings the spacious, airy presentation that many people enjoy from planars, while the Q15 adds plenty of power, control, and dynamics.

What stands out to me is that the Q15 seems to smooth out the treble presentation a little, giving the MP145 Pro a more relaxed and natural balance without losing the detail and openness that make it special.

I originally thought about selling the Q15 after getting my DX270, but setups like this remind me why it remains part of my collection.

Today's recipe:

🎧 Hidizs MP145 Pro Titanium LE

🎵 Qobuz via UAPP

⚡ FiiO Q15

☕ Coffee

🍳 Breakfast

Hard to complain.

The new Pro Keyboard really changed how I use my Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra. Before this, I still treated it more like a tablet. Now I’m actually bringing it out to work and get things done. The trackpad works better than I expected, the keys respond really well, and the whole setup feels much more productivity-focused. Funny enough, I’m starting to use the S Pen less because the keyboard and trackpad already feel so natural. It’s expensive, but for me this is the accessory that made the S11 Ultra make sense as a serious work device.

Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra Pro Keyboard just arrived. Immediate first impression: this is the one. Way better key feel and travel than the Slim, and it finally makes the tablet feel like a proper laptop. Also paired it with a Hagibis USB-C hub with 100W PD charging and 10Gbps data transfer. Really liking this setup so far.

Listening to Amy Winehouse – “Back to Black.” Her vocals sound full and weighted on the Noah, especially when she hits the lower notes. To my ears, the Noah gives her voice good body and texture without making it sound muddy or too thick.

Not the most technical impression — just enjoying the pairing with some beef noodles for lunch. 🎧🍜

Spent some time with Nat King Cole on the Hidizs MP145 Pro Titanium, and male vocals are definitely a strong point here.

His voice sounds full, centered, and well-textured, with good weight but still clean around the edges. Bass is present without getting in the way, and the overall sound stays smooth and controlled.

This Limited Edition is quietly becoming a special listen in my rotation.

DX270 + CrinEar Reference has been an easy listen lately. Clean, balanced, not harsh, and just lets the music come through without trying too hard.🎧