Audeze LCD-1 & Rosson Audio Designs RAD-0 Headphones
December 17, 2019 Comments Off on Audeze LCD-1 & Rosson Audio Designs RAD-0 Headphones
“While the Audeze LCD-1 attempts to tackle the lucrative, but competitive $500 mark for personal audio enthusiasts, the RAD-0 has a more bespoke approach to design and cost. For those familiar with both company’s RAD founder Alex Rosson started working at Audeze and was among the founding cast of the LA-OC based company. His first dip into the market appears at the higher end of the hobby, with most headphones costing around $2,600. A look at his product page gives you a better idea of the custom leanings he has” chosen, no two headphones appear at first glance to be colored the same.
ABYSS DIANA V2 $4000 REVIEW
December 16, 2019 Comments Off on ABYSS DIANA V2 $4000 REVIEW
https://www.headfonia.com/abyss-diana-v2/
“Diana V2 has an organic sound, with excellent body throughout the entire signature. It sounds life-like with really good imaging and resolution. The Diana Phi in comparison sounds more open, faster and more precise. But the Diana V2 has this meaty sound, that makes listening to it a big pleasure.
Both headphones give the listener a respectively different approach to music. While Diana Phi uncovers just about every little detail there is, Diana V2 invites you to sit back and just enjoy your music in the highest form.”
Astell & Kern SR15 A&norma Review
December 16, 2019 Comments Off on Astell & Kern SR15 A&norma Review
https://www.innerfidelity.com/content/astell-kern-sr15-anorma-review
“If you’re looking for something pocket-friendly that can take advantage of digital audio in both a wireless and wired world and replace your mobile phone as your main music experience that does streaming services like TIDAL, Qobuz, Deezer or Spotify via wi-fi, has gobs of internal storage, can handle every file type imaginable, and won’t break the bank, then the Astell&Kern SR15 at $699 USD is a no-brainer. The increase in SQ over the iPhone/Lightning/Buetooth pairing is obvious, and the fact you don’t get interrupted by a call or text while listening is a huge bonus for me personally. When I’m listening to music, I’d rather not be distracted with social media, the Internet, etc. That said, the fact that the A&norma is a separate unit, it allows unhindered listening while you work on your laptop or scroll Instagram on your phone, so it’s a bit of a win-win from either angle. For the level of SQ, wired and wireless feature set, and future-fi that the SR15 has built-in at its price point, I can only highly recommend it.
IBASSO DX160 REVIEW
December 15, 2019 Comments Off on IBASSO DX160 REVIEW
“The DX160 will operate as both a transmitter and a receiver and connect to multiple wireless devices using Bluetooth 5.0. You can also access some app control features though this will largely depend on the apps you are using.
I found it relatively easy to connect my Samsung Note 9 to the DX160 and by simply switching on the ‘Bluetooth DAC+AMP Mode’ in the Bluetooth menu after doing the initial BT pairing process. I was able to automatically stream audio from the Note 9 to the DX160 using any music app. That also included streaming apps such as TIDAL which sound excellent on the DX160 via the Note 9 BT connection.
Because BT5.0 allows Bi-Directional support you can also flip the audio experience and stream your audio from the DX220 to a receiver of your choice such as a smartphone or another DAP since it is backward compatible with BT4.2. I had no issues streaming from the DX160 to the R2R200 Black, for example, or any Bluetooth active wireless speaker within range.”
Naim Nait XS 3 Integrated Amplifier Review
December 13, 2019 Comments Off on Naim Nait XS 3 Integrated Amplifier Review
https://www.hifinews.com/content/naim-nait-xs-3-integrated-amplifier
“Mind you, the Nait XS 3 is no one-trick pony. As I said, the phono stage is the eye-catcher, but that sonic balance is maintained across the line inputs too, and slotting it into my system in place of the Naim Supernait 2/HiCap DR I’ve been using off and on for quite a while now, was less of a hardship than I was expecting – or is that dreading? True, the XS 3 doesn’t quite have the resolution and swagger even of the Supernait 2 alone, let alone when HiCapped, but this is a decidedly fast and punchy little amplifier by any standards. It certainly has a useful extra turn of speed over the XS 2, as was confirmed by a recent brief back-to-back listen, despite also offering a richer, more solid delivery of lower frequencies.”
Rega Planar 10 Turntable Review
December 13, 2019 Comments Off on Rega Planar 10 Turntable Review
https://www.stereo.net.au/reviews/rega-planar-10-turntable-review
“Last but not least is the new RB3000 tonearm. This may look very similar – polished finish notwithstanding – to the old RB300 of 1983, but Roy says the bearing housing and spindle are better than ever. This is thanks to a new manufacturing process claimed to give a micron-perfect fit, resulting in a friction-free tonearm. Like its radical forebear, it too has a one-piece headshell, armtube and bearing housing – one of few such designs to boast this on sale even now. It is made of aluminium rather than magnesium –à la SME – because Roy says the former is far easier to work with. Apparently, it can be shaved down to far lower thicknesses than magnesium and still be strong and stable. This, in turn, means that weight can be taken off where possible, making for a more sensible effective mass – so it can track a wide range of cartridges.”
AURALIC VEGA G1 STREAMING DAC $3999 REVIEW
December 12, 2019 Comments Off on AURALIC VEGA G1 STREAMING DAC $3999 REVIEW
https://hometheaterhifi.com/reviews/dac/auralic-vega-g1-streaming-dac-review/
“I like the sound quality of the UMC-200’s DAC, but subtle details are often lost in the music. I did not notice this so much over the years until I heard the DAC (DA1) in the McIntosh C49 that I reviewed earlier this summer. The PS Audio DirectStream DAC has a warmer, more analog sound. Any digital harshness seemed to melt away from the music. The sound stage was open and very 3D, both in width and depth. Its sound is no doubt flavored a bit by its conversion of all digital inputs to DSD. “
LIME EARS AETHER R REVIEW
December 12, 2019 Comments Off on LIME EARS AETHER R REVIEW
https://www.headfonia.com/lime-ears-aether-r-review/
“The general tuning is to the neutral side but with a high musicality factor and a smooth-ish delivery. With the switch “off” you get a more neutral, balanced an linear tuned sound. Flick the switch “on” and the sub bass comes in to play without changing anything else from bass to mids. Flicking the switch doesn’t dramatically change the sound signature it just makes the low end leaner, bigger, deeper and more impactful. I have to say I keep the subs switched on almost 100% of the time, it’s just more fun. But if you want the sound signature for some songs or sources to be less bass deep, then just use the Aether R with the neutral setting.”
SVS Pinnacle 3.5-Way Floorstanding Speakers Review
December 12, 2019 Comments Off on SVS Pinnacle 3.5-Way Floorstanding Speakers Review
“While manufacturers like ELAC and Magnepan offer a sense of refinement and harmonic complexity the Pinnacle lacks, the Prime Pinnacle counters with scale, rhythm, dynamics, and real low end extension. If you are looking for a speaker that does music and HT equally well, the Pinnacle is an absolute no brainer. If you’re building an audio only system and can’t fit a sub, yet want near full range performance at an affordable price, the Pinnacle may be your only choice. If you’re looking for an audio only speaker to convey the subtle nuances of a saxophone, the complex textures of a cello, or the harmonic richness of a French Horn, and can either utilize a sub or just don’t value what’s available under 40Hz, your options widen significantly. Considering the risk free trial opportunity SVS offers, it’s tough to pass up the chance to give them a try and see if they work for you.”
FIIO FH7 REVIEW
December 11, 2019 Comments Off on FIIO FH7 REVIEW
https://www.headphone.guru/fiio-fh7-iem-stepping-up/
“I began my listening tests with the Balanced filters, the Medium Balanced tips, and the stock single-ended cable with the FiiO M11. Pulling up “Can-Utility and the Coastliners” (Genesis – 16/44.1kHz) on Qobuz it became instantly obvious that tip selection would have to come first. For the Balanced tips, I found the large to be the most comfortable and provide the best seal, but the sound was not what I was looking for in my neutral setting. The midrange was a bit pronounced and the bass was more in the background than I expected.”
Audiophilepure 
You must be logged in to post a comment.