Out of boredom, I swapped out my Darwin ICs for an old pair of Mapleshade copper ribbon ICs and then, a pair of Zu Audio Mission ICs to see what would happen.
With both of the older copper ICs, I was rewarded with a pleasant, slightly fuller/denser presentation. Highs were recessed compared to the Darwins and it had that nice, reproduced sound to it.
When I put the Darwins back in, the sound became more focused and had that "I'm now in the studio" presentation. The shimmery highs returned, the bass tightened up, and it became much more realistic, in every aspect you can think of. There was no comparison.
Use your ears.
All the best,
Nonoise
With both of the older copper ICs, I was rewarded with a pleasant, slightly fuller/denser presentation. Highs were recessed compared to the Darwins and it had that nice, reproduced sound to it.
When I put the Darwins back in, the sound became more focused and had that "I'm now in the studio" presentation. The shimmery highs returned, the bass tightened up, and it became much more realistic, in every aspect you can think of. There was no comparison.
Use your ears.
All the best,
Nonoise