audio-noobMore power than AI-101, 1/4 inch headphone jack vs. the 3.5 mm. I have the AI-101 and like it alot as my desktop solution, but thinking about splurging on a 301DA
audio-noobI would say “yes”. I have both.
I used the 101 for a few weeks. I found the sound signature to be stiff, somewhat lifeless. I didn't feel it ever opened up, and didn’t allow the music to breathe or ebb and flow. It did convey a sense of power, but was mechanical and somewhat soulless. The 301 is so much better in that regard.
My take is that if you can afford to get either one of them, go for the 301 and don’t even consider the 101. I just think the 301 is so much more musical and engaging.
I would actually ever recommend the 101 to anyone I care about after having lived with it for a while.
K.T.NDid you check to make sure that you hadn't pressed the "loudness" button on the remote by mistake? To me you're describing how the unit sounds when that option is turned on.