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6/23/2025, 8:23:24 PM
Monoblock impressions
>Benchmark AHB2 + Sonnet Pasithea
Not good, I prefer stereo. Running mono actually sounds worse in terms of timbre – it’s even more sterile-sounding, and resolution takes a massive hit – there’s a lot of microdetails that gets smoothed over (maybe because I’m afraid to turn the volume up).
In terms of pros, monoblock AHB2 stages slightly better and drives Duality better than the Holo Bliss, but that’s about the extent of it. It could be misconfigured settings on the Sonnet or AHB2s, but I’m not inclined to problem-solve such a gimmicky setup.
Stereo AHB2 good, mono AHB2 bad.
>Sonnet Kratos + Sonnet Morpheus
Noisy configuration, not meant for IEMs. It’s a shame because it seemed pretty good with the modhouse tungsten.
>iBasso Amp 14 card
Similar performance to the Amp 16. Good tube coloration in that it sounds warm and sparkly without becoming muddy. Makes the stock Amp 15 sound cold and flat in comparison.
However, amp 16 is still my pick because you get the option to choose between tube and class A/B, meanwhile amp 14 is stuck on tubes.
Hearing the amp 14 also solidified my opinion of the Cayin RU9 being a massive meme and FOTMslop to bait tube newfags. The Korg-tube on the RU9 is thick and harsh-sounding, and a far cry from Cayin’s own C9ii.
>Benchmark AHB2 + Sonnet Pasithea
Not good, I prefer stereo. Running mono actually sounds worse in terms of timbre – it’s even more sterile-sounding, and resolution takes a massive hit – there’s a lot of microdetails that gets smoothed over (maybe because I’m afraid to turn the volume up).
In terms of pros, monoblock AHB2 stages slightly better and drives Duality better than the Holo Bliss, but that’s about the extent of it. It could be misconfigured settings on the Sonnet or AHB2s, but I’m not inclined to problem-solve such a gimmicky setup.
Stereo AHB2 good, mono AHB2 bad.
>Sonnet Kratos + Sonnet Morpheus
Noisy configuration, not meant for IEMs. It’s a shame because it seemed pretty good with the modhouse tungsten.
>iBasso Amp 14 card
Similar performance to the Amp 16. Good tube coloration in that it sounds warm and sparkly without becoming muddy. Makes the stock Amp 15 sound cold and flat in comparison.
However, amp 16 is still my pick because you get the option to choose between tube and class A/B, meanwhile amp 14 is stuck on tubes.
Hearing the amp 14 also solidified my opinion of the Cayin RU9 being a massive meme and FOTMslop to bait tube newfags. The Korg-tube on the RU9 is thick and harsh-sounding, and a far cry from Cayin’s own C9ii.
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