My late Christmas present

[Antonmb]

Just before Christmas I did custom ear molds with my audiologist and my new toys just arrived on Friday:
Westone ES50 Custom In-Ear Monitors
So far they sound excellent, and block even more sound than my long-time favorite Shure ES350. I also liked that I could custom order them in different colors (red for right, blue for left with a nice finish). Can't wait to try them on my next long flight. Now I just need to decide on the upgrade for my old trusty ipod - Pono, A&K, Sony?

[Yamaki]

We custom mold hearing protection for a lot of employees at work and I have had several sets made for me over the years. I never thought about adding sound!

Those look great, Tony.

[radio times]

Rock and Jazz just on 320 kbps sound fabulous on the Sony A17 with my H3s, and yours are superior.

[Antonmb]

Originally Posted by radio times

Rock and Jazz just on 320 kbps sound fabulous on the Sony A17 with my H3s, and yours are superior.

Thanks, that's good to know, I've been leaning in that direction. I tried the Pono at a dealer a couple of days ago, and while it sounded great, the shape bothered me - wasn't comfortable in my hand or in my shirt pocket, which is important for me for travel.

[radio times]

It's an in ear Dap methinks, but I'm not complaining.

[Puma Cat]

I recommend Astell & Kern....compared the Pono to it, and it couldn't hold a candle to the A&K. More on this later...

[Antonmb]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

I recommend Astell & Kern....compared the Pono to it, and it couldn't hold a candle to the A&K. More on this later...

Thanks Stephen. I'll watch for further info from you. Since I only use a mobile player for plane and train travel, does the A&K sacrifice battery life and weight for features I wouldn't use, like line in & out, balanced connections, network streaming, etc?

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by Antonmb

Thanks Stephen. I'll watch for further info from you. Since I only use a mobile player for plane and train travel, does the A&K sacrifice battery life and weight for features I wouldn't use, like line in & out, balanced connections, network streaming, etc?

No, it has excellent battery life. And while it's not a featherweight, it's beautifully constructed and will last a lifetime. And unlike the Pono, it has a much larger display that is touch-sensitive, and it is a much more practical shape than the Toblerone-esque Pono. I wouldn't want to slip the Pono into a bicycling jersey or even in to my laptop briefcase, or the cubby in the console in the car. The Pono's shape is really only suitable for sitting on a desk. The A&K will fit in your shirt pocket nicely while traveling on the plane or train. And it will sound KILLER with your new Westone CIEMs.

[radio times]

No Dap will last a lifetime, and if you've got, as you must have, files of 320 kbps or more, you will find the A17 at the same dining table as the AK line. One chap compared it to the 120 on head-fi. For roustabout use why spend anymore?

[Glisse]

Those Westones look good. I think these are their top model are they not? Which means you will want a pretty decent player to get the most out of them.

I own both the AK120II and the Pono, but not the Sony.

The A&K is beautifully built, but it is a chunky device. About half as heavy again as the Pono. And 3 times the weight of the Sony A17 that Radio Time refers to.

I've just read Puma Cat's excellent review of his AK100II, and whilst I agreed with much that he wrote, my view of the AK vs Pono is differs. I think it depends on the match with the 'phones. I was surprised at the sound quality of the Pono, although in every other aspect I think it is a pretty ordinary device.

For maximum portability, that Sony looks hard to beat. No idea what it sounds like though, and how it will drive the Westones, although most IEMs are not difficult to drive.

And Sony have long irritated me with their attempts to build closed systems and screw the consumer as a result. They have, deservedly, paid the price for doing so. I also find it completely bizarre that Sony's high resolution players cannot handle DSD files. What a weird company they are.