CrinEar IEMs by Crinacle

[Bernard23]

I probably won't have the treble issues you have with them as my hearing stops at 13kHz

 

[zonk]

I've just ordered the daybreaks after investigating options for a set of IEMs that don't need EQ.

The Daybreak follows perfectly the IEF Preference 2025, which I personally like very much. It's my preferred target.

 

[Bernard23]

If the UAPP app streamed locally saved files I wouldn't have bothered, as I'd have a perfectly usable PEQ for offline listening. In those instances I use a KA17 dongle which has dsp but jesus it's a real pita to set up. Fiio hardware is fine, but their software devs need to go back to school.

 

[zonk]

If the UAPP app streamed locally saved files I wouldn't have bothered, as I'd have a perfectly usable PEQ for offline listening. In those instances I use a KA17 dongle which has dsp but jesus it's a real pita to set up. Fiio hardware is fine, but their software devs need to go back to school.

For IEMs I use Qudelix 5k. It's such a great tool. The EQ can configured directly in the app for the device, but in my opinion it's more comfortable to upload txt-files from the computer. There is a plugin for Chrome available for accessing the Qudelix 5k.

 

[Tell]

The Daybreak follows perfectly the IEF Preference 2025, which I personally like very much. It's my preferred target.
View attachment 474721

Doesn't look perfect too me, that upper bass/lower midrange is up 2dB and would bother my ears at least.

 

[Jimbob54]

If the UAPP app streamed locally saved files I wouldn't have bothered, as I'd have a perfectly usable PEQ for offline listening. In those instances I use a KA17 dongle which has dsp but jesus it's a real pita to set up. Fiio hardware is fine, but their software devs need to go back to school.

UAPP can do just that- can render UPNP and DLNA on a NAS etc

 

[Bernard23]

UAPP can do just that- can render UPNP and DLNA on a NAS etc

How does that work on a plane at 30k feet? Genuine question!

 

[Bernard23]

For IEMs I use Qudelix 5k. It's such a great tool. The EQ can configured directly in the app for the device, but in my opinion it's more comfortable to upload txt-files from the computer. There is a plugin for Chrome available for accessing the Qudelix 5k.

That's got to be better than wavelet that I've dabbled with. Should add, the KA17 has an app directly connected to the dongle but inputting a custom profile is tortuous compared to using the toneboosters PEQ that's used in uapp. It's just a UI issue, sonically it's no different that I can detect.

 

[zonk]

What is the experience of the "Project Meta" and "Daybreak" owners? Is still EQ needed?

 

[Bernard23]

Give me a week and I'll give a opinion. I compare all of my headphones using same target. Unsurprisingly they mostly sound similar but there's an obvious difference between say zero Red and zero 2 set to the same 10 band target profile. That's the first step. Second step is then the delta to meet my own preference settings, which is where any objective comparison become meaningless without knowing something about my HRTF etc. Actually all of it will be highly subjective but it might give some comparative info that is useful.

In truth, I could have stuck with the Dunu I bought a few years ago, they sound perfectly fine for most of the time and like many of us I'm really just wasting money on a hobby / obsession.

 

[Somafunk]

What is the experience of the "Project Meta" and "Daybreak" owners? Is still EQ needed?

Perfectly happy with my meta's, no need for eq with them, same with my other iems in signature - quite happy picking any of them up for a listen.

Although I was thinking about selling them all (except xba-n3) and buying the Thieaudio Monarch MK4 with its two tuning options as a one n' done set, less stuff for my bro/mum to deal with when I decide I've had enough of living with spms.

 

[Jimbob54]

How does that work on a plane at 30k feet? Genuine question!

Im going to say "it doesnt" but for that I'd put a flight's worth of tunes on my phone memory and play via UAPP.

 

[Bernard23]

Im going to say "it doesnt" but for that I'd put a flight's worth of tunes on my phone memory and play via UAPP.

It won't play any files saved locally on my phone, I've read there is a workaround but not sure how to implement it. I've also read random comments of folk using the app to stream online and local

 

[Jimbob54]

It won't play any files saved locally on my phone, I've read there is a workaround but not sure how to implement it. I've also read random comments of folk using the app to stream online and local

You mean files downloaded from Tidal/ Qobuz or actual files youve acquired ? It wont do the former but does the latter

 

[Bernard23]

You mean files downloaded from Tidal/ Qobuz or actual files youve acquired ? It wont do the former but does the latter

Ah, OK, that explains everything. I'm trying to play offline Qobuz tracks, not my own flac library saved to my phone.

 

[Jimbob54]

Ah, OK, that explains everything. I'm trying to play offline Qobuz tracks, not my own flac library saved to my phone.

Yeah, think all the streaming services lock downloaded tracks to their own apps . For obvious reasons.

 

[Bernard23]

Yeah, think all the streaming services lock downloaded tracks to their own apps . For obvious reasons.

Indeed, hence partly my confusion when I read folks were using the app offline. Back to the hardware implemention then!

 

[Bernard23]

Just got my set of Daybreak, and my first impressions are very good. Without EQ they are perfectly listenable for me, occasionally you think they're a bit bass light, and then a track with some real heft and sub bass tells you there's nothing missing here. These are subjectively a noticeable step up from the Zero-Reds. I ran AutoEQ below and there not really much benefit in adding any EQ, I tried adding a bit of a bass shelf but in truth it doesn't need it. My ears stop at 13kHz so I haven't bothered with anything above that frequency, but for my ears I don't need to add anything. I guess I'm one of the lucky guys for whom a generic preference target works really well. I swear I'm hearing detail on tracks I've not heard before, double tracking of instruments, extra voices in harmonies etc.

I'm mostly using either a repurposed LG V30 or a Fiio KA17 dongle with UAPP + DSP + Qobuz as the source.

TLDR: They're going to massively hyped because of the Crin effect, but they are really impressive. I hope mine don't succumb to some of the QC issues that others have reported.

 

[Matias]

Protocol Max dongle released, but apparently sold out?

CrinEar Protocol Max Portable DAC-Amplifier

FULFILMENT TIME: 4-5 DAYS! The Protocol Max marks CrinEar’s bold entry into the source gear market, bringing our philosophy of acoustic precision to digital-to-analog conversion and amplification. With up to 600 mW of clean power on tap from its balanced output, the Protocol Max effortlessly...

hangout.audio

 

[Somafunk]

Protocol Max dongle released, but apparently sold out?

CrinEar Protocol Max Portable DAC-Amplifier

FULFILMENT TIME: 4-5 DAYS! The Protocol Max marks CrinEar’s bold entry into the source gear market, bringing our philosophy of acoustic precision to digital-to-analog conversion and amplification. With up to 600 mW of clean power on tap from its balanced output, the Protocol Max effortlessly...

hangout.audio

I can add it to my basket and proceed to checkout so apparently still available for myself her in Scotland, not that I’ll be buying one.