FiiO K11 R2R $159 Review
September 18, 2024 Comments Off on FiiO K11 R2R $159 Review
K11 R2R has a well-thought-out back panel for the price, housing a variety of inputs and outputs, including USB, optical, and coaxial inputs alongside 4.4mm, 6.35mm, and RCA outputs. This assortment of connections makes K11 R2R ready to pair with a broad array of sources, from consoles (thanks to UAC1) to phones and computers.
There are some practical design choices here as well; thanks to the big and wide silicone anti-slip pad, the device stays firmly in place, while the RGB logo lighting on the top lets you know the sampling rate with a quick glance. The illumination is pleasantly uniform and easy on the eyes.


Wells Audio V8 Level II Tube Headphone Amplifier Review
September 16, 2024 Comments Off on Wells Audio V8 Level II Tube Headphone Amplifier Review
Once again Jeff Wells has shown that he can make a great amplifier whether solid-state or tube, and the Wells Audio V8 Level II Tube Headphone Amplifier has proven to be one of the better OTL amplifiers I have heard, with excellent detail, solid imaging, a linear tonal balance, a large soundstage, fantastic dynamic range and above all musicality. It works well with a broad spectrum of headphones, bringing out what that headphone does best.
Like most OTL amplifiers, the V8 is not particularly forgiving of source working best with high-resolution musical DACs rather than analytical DACs. What you put in is what you will get coming out, in that sense the V8 does exactly what a reference amplifier should; alter the sound as little as possible while providing dynamic range and sufficient power and damping to drive any headphone.

The Manley Labs Absolute Headphone Amp $5,500 Review
September 3, 2024 Comments Off on The Manley Labs Absolute Headphone Amp $5,500 Review
AURIS AUDIO HEADONIA 300B REVIEW
September 2, 2024 Comments Off on AURIS AUDIO HEADONIA 300B REVIEW
The Headonia 300b logically uses 300b power tubes, and it combines it with 6SN7 input tubes, delivering 7W of power, driving even the most power-hungry headphones. The Headonia 300b of course has a low and high gain setting, but I hardly ever needed that. More on that later.
Here are some of the Headonia 300b features:
The power supply inside the Headonia is designed to provide a staggering 1000 times less ripple than standard PSU units. Complemented by amorphous double C core output transformers, meticulously tuned input and output impedances ensure optimal performance


WELLS AUDIO V8 LEVEL II TUBE HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER REVIEW
August 30, 2024 Comments Off on WELLS AUDIO V8 LEVEL II TUBE HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER REVIEW
Once again Jeff Wells has shown that he can make a great amplifier whether solid-state or tube, and the Wells Audio V8 Level II Tube Headphone Amplifier has proven to be one of the better OTL amplifiers I have heard, with excellent detail, solid imaging, a linear tonal balance, a large soundstage, fantastic dynamic range and above all musicality. It works well with a broad spectrum of headphones, bringing out what that headphone does best.

Volumio introduces Motivo Streamer transport and headphone amplifier £1,500
August 23, 2024 Comments Off on Volumio introduces Motivo Streamer transport and headphone amplifier £1,500
At its heart lies a SABRE ES9038 DAC that supports hi-res PCM music files up to 384kHz while outputs include XLR balanced and RCA unbalanced outs, coaxial and optical (up to 192kHz PCM), USB (up to 768kHz) and I2S HDMI (up to 384kHz PCM and DSD256).
Users can enjoy AI music discovery, controlled and configured via an app, while Spotify, Tidal, Tidal Connect, Qobuz, Roon Ready, YouTube, Bandcamp, Pandora and Fusion DSP are all available via the Volumio Premium software included on the device and plugins. With casting to Sonos and Google Cast, the Motivo is fully integrated with Web-Radio Directories, it also boasts AirPlay and CD playback and ripping. Finally, the built-in stereo headphone amplifier is optimised for both high and low-impedance headphones


STAX SRS-X1000 EARSPEAKER SYSTEM $980 REVIEW
August 18, 2024 Comments Off on STAX SRS-X1000 EARSPEAKER SYSTEM $980 REVIEW
For many audiophiles, electrostatic systems represent the pinnacle of headphones. However, the price of entry is steep for most of the systems, leaving out a large group of potential listeners. The STAX engineers have created a system that costs less than a decent pair of headphones, thus placing ownership within reach of most of us. When I unpacked the SR-X1 earspeakers and the SRM-270S amplifier, my first impression was just how tiny and almost toy-like this system was. When I previously reviewed the STAX SR-L500 MK2, I had to clear my desk and re-arrange my gear to make space for the energizer. This time, nothing got moved. The SRM-270S amplifier sat on top of my Topping, with room left over for the Topping remote, and the SR-X1 earspeakers took up almost no airspace hanging from a headphone stand. It makes it possible to add an electrostatic system to an existing system. It gives someone not familiar with electrostatic headphones, a way to explore their unique sound with hardly any additional impact to valuable desk real estate.

FERRUM AUDIO ERCO 2 REVIEW
August 9, 2024 Comments Off on FERRUM AUDIO ERCO 2 REVIEW
With the full reprogramming of ERCO’s software in combination with crucial changes in the analog circuitry, we are introducing a newer and better ERCO. The ERCO Gen 2 will bring our entry-level DAC one step closer to the performance levels of WANDLA, our flagship converter.
DAC-wise the ERCO 2 still features an ESS Sabre ES9028PRO chip but it now allows PCM up to 768k@32bit and DSD up to 512 (22.6 MHz / 24.6 MHz). For the full sample rate overview, check out the technical specs below. The ERCO 2 does render MQA for those who believe in and like to listen to the format.
The ERCO sports ultra-wideband ICs and according to Ferrum they’re fine-tuned for audio use to achieve the best possible analog quality. All digital ports are optimized for audio, MQA decoding and rendering is optimized for use with internal ARM chip. The signal path in this device is truly balanced

Warwick Bravura Electrostatic Headphones Review
August 6, 2024 Comments Off on Warwick Bravura Electrostatic Headphones Review
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