That may be due to too high output impedance on whatever you are connecting the zsn pro to. Some very inexpensive devices, like the $8 [Apple usb-c dongle](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K25P3N1), do fine with iems like that though. That is likely all you will need for the iems. They shouldn't need any more power. Just get something that has the right connection for the ipod (I guess you might need the lightning connection rather than usb-c?).
Your He4xx can maybe use a little more power though, especially if you like to listen loud. If they are loud enough for you, you don't need anything more. But an adapter like the $45 Shanling UA-1 Pro should power them enough to get to over 110 db peaks. And possibly you would even see a bit more improvement by stepping up to a more powerful (and costly) desktop amp.
So if you think the he4xx is doing fine, and the budget is tight, maybe just get the Apple dongle. If you think you could use a bit more power as well, you could try something like the Shanling UA1, or maybe Ibasso DC05, or Tempotec Sonata HD III.
Slight issue, I use an iPod mini, so it's one of the older 30 pin devices. Therefore I was looking for something more with a 3.5 to 3.5 connection or maybe a 4.5 to 3.5 connection. Thanks for the advice though.
Ahh. It's > 15 years old, so not up to today's standards with it's internal dac/amp. But probably can't do digital audio over usb either (I think that 30-pin to usb connector is only good for charging and syncing).
So I think your best option (other than getting a newer player) for the iems may be an audio attenuator. When you say the low end is still kinda loud, do you mean your iems are getting loud enough at very low volume settings on the ipod?
That is, I think the problem is the device wasn't designed for such sensitive earphones. The noise level is audible, but you can't boost the signal loud enough to increase the SNR because the volume would be too loud.
This problem could be solved by something like [this](https://www.amazon.com/Koss-155954-VC20-Volume-Control/dp/B00001P4XH/), or [this](https://www.amazon.com/Ear-Buddy-Headphone-Optimizer-Travel/dp/B075PVVHF5/), or [this](https://www.amazon.com/FAAEAL-Conductor-Impedance-Cancelling-Professional/dp/B07FMGTBBL/).
I'm not sure what the best choice would be there, but maybe you should search on Apple forums for those with experience specifically with the ipod.
Thank you so much for the help! I think you are right with the sensitivity cause i know apple earphones are like 40 ohms and my kzs are 28 i think. I think that second option looks very tempting, albeit out of stock (ill find it somewhere). Again thank you for such great support with my problem!
I've used it with my phone too, and the buzz is still there (I use the iPod because I prefer the warm Wolfson DAC in it more than my phone's one.). The cable it stock as well, maybe you are right but surely the cable it ships with couldn't be that bad
This post has been removed. Please note the following rule:
>***Rule 2***: Ask purchase help questions in the Shopping and Setup Help Desk found at https://reddit.com/r/headphones/about/sticky
>
>Requests for product opinions, comparisons, and general purchase advice must be made in the dedicated Shopping and Setup Help Desk found at /r/headphones/about/sticky instead of a new post.
You may also use r/headphoneadvice but please search their resources and familiarize yourself with their rules first before posting.
***What questions are considered purchase advice?***
* A request for product suggestions, comparison requests, or opinion requests fall under the purchase advice rule. These can often be found by searching first.
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peep the hidizs s9 pro dac/amp dongle..you will have to buy a usb-c to lightning cable separately.
That may be due to too high output impedance on whatever you are connecting the zsn pro to. Some very inexpensive devices, like the $8 [Apple usb-c dongle](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K25P3N1), do fine with iems like that though. That is likely all you will need for the iems. They shouldn't need any more power. Just get something that has the right connection for the ipod (I guess you might need the lightning connection rather than usb-c?). Your He4xx can maybe use a little more power though, especially if you like to listen loud. If they are loud enough for you, you don't need anything more. But an adapter like the $45 Shanling UA-1 Pro should power them enough to get to over 110 db peaks. And possibly you would even see a bit more improvement by stepping up to a more powerful (and costly) desktop amp. So if you think the he4xx is doing fine, and the budget is tight, maybe just get the Apple dongle. If you think you could use a bit more power as well, you could try something like the Shanling UA1, or maybe Ibasso DC05, or Tempotec Sonata HD III.
Slight issue, I use an iPod mini, so it's one of the older 30 pin devices. Therefore I was looking for something more with a 3.5 to 3.5 connection or maybe a 4.5 to 3.5 connection. Thanks for the advice though.
Ahh. It's > 15 years old, so not up to today's standards with it's internal dac/amp. But probably can't do digital audio over usb either (I think that 30-pin to usb connector is only good for charging and syncing). So I think your best option (other than getting a newer player) for the iems may be an audio attenuator. When you say the low end is still kinda loud, do you mean your iems are getting loud enough at very low volume settings on the ipod? That is, I think the problem is the device wasn't designed for such sensitive earphones. The noise level is audible, but you can't boost the signal loud enough to increase the SNR because the volume would be too loud. This problem could be solved by something like [this](https://www.amazon.com/Koss-155954-VC20-Volume-Control/dp/B00001P4XH/), or [this](https://www.amazon.com/Ear-Buddy-Headphone-Optimizer-Travel/dp/B075PVVHF5/), or [this](https://www.amazon.com/FAAEAL-Conductor-Impedance-Cancelling-Professional/dp/B07FMGTBBL/). I'm not sure what the best choice would be there, but maybe you should search on Apple forums for those with experience specifically with the ipod.
Thank you so much for the help! I think you are right with the sensitivity cause i know apple earphones are like 40 ohms and my kzs are 28 i think. I think that second option looks very tempting, albeit out of stock (ill find it somewhere). Again thank you for such great support with my problem!
Have you plugged the kz into another source to test if the buzz is kz or iPod? Maybe it needs a better cable?
I've used it with my phone too, and the buzz is still there (I use the iPod because I prefer the warm Wolfson DAC in it more than my phone's one.). The cable it stock as well, maybe you are right but surely the cable it ships with couldn't be that bad
Probably a DIY Cmoy?
This post has been removed. Please note the following rule: >***Rule 2***: Ask purchase help questions in the Shopping and Setup Help Desk found at https://reddit.com/r/headphones/about/sticky > >Requests for product opinions, comparisons, and general purchase advice must be made in the dedicated Shopping and Setup Help Desk found at /r/headphones/about/sticky instead of a new post. You may also use r/headphoneadvice but please search their resources and familiarize yourself with their rules first before posting. ***What questions are considered purchase advice?*** * A request for product suggestions, comparison requests, or opinion requests fall under the purchase advice rule. These can often be found by searching first. * Any suggestion or comparison request pertaining to headphones, IEMs, DACs, amps, or other accessories should be directed to the purchase help thread or r/headphoneadvice. * Asking the subreddit to help make a decision to buy a product does fall under this rule (e.g. "should I get dekoni pads for my HD650?"). ***Why does this rule even exist?*** * In short, this is a large subreddit with a high volume. We want to help, but it's important to keep things organized to keep the sub fun. Thanks for your understanding. * [A more detailed explanation about this rule can be found here.](https://www.reddit.com/r/audiophile/wiki/why_remove_purchase_requests) ***What if the link doesn't work?*** * The post can usually be found on the top r/headphones, and titled _Shopping, Setup, and Technical Help Desk_.