Synergistic Research Voodoo Music server Review
October 27, 2025 Comments Off on Synergistic Research Voodoo Music server Review
Aurender’s A1000 Network Music Server/Streamer/DAC Review
August 17, 2025 Comments Off on Aurender’s A1000 Network Music Server/Streamer/DAC Review
I’ve been playing with computer-based digital audio for well over a decade now, and I’m fairly confident in my abilities to will any particular device into functionality. That said, operating systems running a Linux-based OS can be a tad tricky, but it’s perfect for audio applications. The no-frills, barebones Linux OS minimizes background processes that interfere with music playback, and also runs fanless, eliminating a potentially vexing source of system noise. After looking through the quick-start information, I connected the A1000 to my home network, set the volume control to fixed output, and made the connection to my S.M.S.L. DAC. The S.M.S.L. VMV D2R utilizes a Japanese-made Rohm BD34301EKV chipset; the Rohm chips are some of the most impressively musical on the market, and this DAC came highly recommended to me by the folks at Euphony Audio.
I couldn’t locate a spare Solid State Drive for insertion into the A1000’s internal slot, so I initially connected my existing music library (on a pair of 2TB Samsung EVO SSD’s) to the USB 3.0 port. I then downloaded the Aurender Conductor app to both my smart phone and an Android tablet I used with the Euphony setup. A tablet-specific Conductor version is available, and provides a better interface for the size format, but my tablet wasn’t running the correct version of the Android OS. Regardless, the standard Conductor app worked surprisingly well on the tablet, and once I’d figured out its functionality, I had no complaints—at least until I attempted to play music.
For starters, Conductor showed the contents of the SSD’s attached to the A1000, but the album artwork wouldn’t display, either on the tablet or the unit’s front panel during playback. As the selected file played, the display featured a generic icon along with incorrect bit and sample rate information. After re-reading all the help info and trying a number of different approaches, nothing seemed to work, so I caved and sent in a service request to Aurender. While waiting for a response, I had a bit of an epiphany, and started digging through a storage box of excess computer gear. Surprisingly, I located a Samsung EVO 960 500GB SSD and immediately inserted it into the A1000’s internal storage slot. Once properly formatted, I began populating it with frequently played albums using the Conductor app on my smart phone as I continued working on my laptop.
EverSolo DMP-A10 Music Streamer and DAC Review
July 12, 2025 Comments Off on EverSolo DMP-A10 Music Streamer and DAC Review
Moon 891 streaming preamplifier $25,000 Review
February 22, 2025 Comments Off on Moon 891 streaming preamplifier $25,000 Review
https://www.stereophile.com/content/moon-891-streaming-preamplifier
After switching cables and apps, I revisited some of the same tracks using the considerably more expensive Innuos Statement Next-Gen/PhoenixNet combo with the Innuos Sense app and InnuOS. The sound wasn’t incrementally better; it was way better. Leaps and bounds better. Bass that had lacked firmness was now absolutely firm and clear. Fuller as well, and in correct proportion to instruments and voices higher in the range. Transparency and air notably increased, the soundstage grew dramatically in sound and depth, etc., etc. Amen. You know the story. Veteran review readers have heard it a thousand times. But that doesn’t make it any less true.
This was anything but a case of “diminishing returns.” It was a major improvement, albeit one costing well over double the price. (Hey, if you use cables as costly as mine, you’re approaching triple the price.) An unfair comparison, to be sure. But it confirmed something friend Scott had said over 850 words ago: Given a better streaming source, the excellence of the 891’s DAC and preamplifier stood out. Together, they reach into music’s heart and soul, lay it out for all to hear, and do so with a transparency and truth that deserve copious praise.
World Premiere Review!FiiO S15 Music Streamer
February 12, 2025 Comments Off on World Premiere Review!FiiO S15 Music Streamer
I connected a generic Ethernet cable from our home router to the S15’s LAN input. Our home’s Wi-Fi router is in the same room as my system, only about six feet from the equipment rack. Its LAN input was the source I used for much of the review, although I used my music server, connecting Wireworld’s Starlight 7 USB 2.0 cable, which ran to FiiO’s S15 rear panel USB input.
FiiO’s S15 analog outputs were connected to the linestage, usually a vacuum-tube powered Nagra Classic Preamp, but sometimes the two-chassis Pass Laboratories XP–22 linestage.
This system used for review would likely be more advanced than one that purchases a $1000 streamer. However, the FiiO S15 performed so well that it was suitable at home while I auditioned for this system.
I also listened to the FiiO S15 through headphones for much of this review. A very long run of Cardas interconnects terminated with RCAs ran between the analog output of the S15 to my headphone amplifiers. Most of the time I listened through a Woo Audio WA2 headphone amplifier. A while ago I replaced its stock input tubes with a matched pair of NOS (New Old Stock) Amperex 6299s and the larger output tubes with a matched pair of Tung-Sol 6080s. The other headphone amp was a very good-sounding solid-state Pass Laboratories HPA-1 that I acquired in 2016.
Whether listening to the FiiO S15 through my main audio system or headphones, I enjoyed listening to a wireless signal sent from my iPhone using Airplay. I heard no difference in using the Qobuz and Tidal apps in this way compared to using the apps on the front screen of the S15.
Audiophilepure 
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