IFI AUDIO MICRO IDSD BLACK LABEL PORTABLE HEADPHONE AMP, PREAMP, AND DAC REVIEW
November 25, 2017 Comments Off on IFI AUDIO MICRO IDSD BLACK LABEL PORTABLE HEADPHONE AMP, PREAMP, AND DAC REVIEW
“From the outset, the Black Label offered the smooth, engaging, and highly musical presentation we’ve come to expect from iFi and AMR components, but with a significant twist. Specifically, the Black Label offered audibly enhanced transient speed, definition, clarity, and resolution vis-à-vis the iFi models that preceded it. As a result the Black Label breaks with past iFi tradition in a good way, offering a sound that finds the just-right balance point between natural warmth and inviting musicality on the one hand, coupled with dramatic levels of focus, detail, and transient agility on the other. Musically speaking, this combination of sonic virtues is simply intoxicating.”
AROMA AUDIO A10 PORTABLE HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER – REVIEW
October 30, 2017 Comments Off on AROMA AUDIO A10 PORTABLE HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER – REVIEW
“Aroma is a company to watch, their first offering hit it out of the park. If you have one of those really expensive DAPs that needs an external amplifier, or if you would just rather use your phone for your music source, then the A10 is a must have, even if you are only using IEMs, and at a reasonable price. If you are looking for a signal processor that will make a product that actively sounds bad, sound better, then the A10 is not that, but there are plenty of DSP apps that can do the job better than an external amplifier that is in effect degrading the sound (even if you like the results), but if you want to get the most out of your source and headphones then the A10 is a great choice.”
Fiio Q1 MKII Review
October 26, 2017 Comments Off on Fiio Q1 MKII Review
“The Q1 has nice bass extension but sub-bass notes have a slightly softer, looser impact. Mid-bass is slightly elevated, granting additional fullness to its low-end, but also some added bloat when compared to cleaner, more linear sources. This sap a little texture and definition from bass notes though more mid-forward or cooler earphones such as the Rose BR5 MKII find great synergy with the Q1 MKII’s slightly larger bass notes. The Q1 MKII also benefits from a larger stage and generally impressive clarity that aids separation. Otherwise, bass is surprisingly linear, the Q1 MKII is tighter and more defined than its predecessor and appreciably more balanced than similarly priced sources like the Hidizs AP60 that utilize the same DAC chip.”
McIntosh’s New MHA50 Portable Decoding Amplifier $700
October 13, 2017 Comments Off on McIntosh’s New MHA50 Portable Decoding Amplifier $700
“Why am I covering the release of the new McIntosh MHA50 Portable Decoding Amplifier? A few reasons; 1) McIntosh is one brand that sells itself because it has the best brand recognition in the industry (think blue glow), 2) Most people like to buy things that they find attractive (there’s nothing wrong with that, even in hi-fi), and 3) We tend to ignore these 2 very important things.
Massdrop $449.99 Chord Mojo Portable DAC/Amp
September 12, 2017 Comments Off on Massdrop $449.99 Chord Mojo Portable DAC/Amp
“Price drop at massdrop $449.99
Chord Hugo 2 Transportable DAC / Headphone Amplifier $2,200 Review
August 10, 2017 Comments Off on Chord Hugo 2 Transportable DAC / Headphone Amplifier $2,200 Review
“What’s more, it was abundantly clear that the Hugo 2 was not holding either amplifier back. The Hugo 2 has a very nice, wide soundscape, and paired with the Rogue RH-5, which is one of the widest sounding amps I’ve heard, the sheer openness of the combo was absolutely jaw-dropping. Playing with the adjustable crossfeed on this combo with the Sennheiser HD800 was especially interesting, as you could hear the dimensions of the soundscape change in dramatic fashion.”
RHA AUDIO DACAMP L1 PORTABLE HIGH-RES DAC AND HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER REVIEW
August 3, 2017 Comments Off on RHA AUDIO DACAMP L1 PORTABLE HIGH-RES DAC AND HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER REVIEW
“A good example of this would be the ethereal track ‘Hey Now’ from London Grammar’s If You Wait [Sony Legacy, 16/44.1] as played through RHA’s remarkable CL1 Ceramic earphones powered by the DACAMP L1. The CL1 Ceramics are not easy earphones to drive, but the DACAMP L1 really made them sing on this track, neatly revealing the pinpoint precision of Dan Rothman’s guitar work, the profoundly atmospheric vibe of Dominic ‘Dot’ Major’s almost meditative keyboards, and the lofty, upward-reaching beauty of Hannah Reid’s vocals. With help from the DACAMP L1 and the CL1 Ceramics, the listening experience became deeply moving and inspired a quiet sense of reverence—almost like listening to an electronica or pop-inflected take on evensong as performed in a quiet cathedral.”
ALO AUDIO CONTINENTAL V5 PORTABLE TUBE HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER $1,200 REVIEW
July 22, 2017 Comments Off on ALO AUDIO CONTINENTAL V5 PORTABLE TUBE HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER $1,200 REVIEW
” Vinnie of Red Wine Audio set out to create a smaller device with more power, cooler running, better portability and a more defined battery charging status than the CDM. On that front, the Continental V5 has certainly succeeded and redefines a new slice of the market for those looking for hi-end quality for a fraction of the price of the original Continental Dual Mono”
FiiO’s nifty i1 headphone amplifier $40 Lightning adapter
July 20, 2017 Comments Off on FiiO’s nifty i1 headphone amplifier $40 Lightning adapter
“Naturally, we had to compare the two adapters, FiiO and Apple. Starting with a Sennheiser Momentum 2.0, the i1’s bass definition firmed up compared with the Apple Adapter. With “Pink Up” from Spoon’s “Hot Thoughts” album, the drums and vibes have a lot of reverb, and the i1 sounds clearer than the Apple adapter. Not by a huge amount, but the differences are there.”
Shure SHA900 DAC/HP Amp $999 Review
May 31, 2017 Comments Off on Shure SHA900 DAC/HP Amp $999 Review
” The SHA900’s $1,000 price tag is definitely an audiophile price, but I do not see it as overpriced. It is very well built and the audio is top notch. The better the headphone, the better it sounds — and the DAC conversion is first rate as well. Airy, wide and deep soundstage with abundant detail.”
Audiophilepure 
You must be logged in to post a comment.