Views 29,718 JDs Labs El AMP II+ Balanced is a 249 USD Balanced Headphone Amplifier / Preamplifier, and today’s variant will be with Balanced TRS Inputs, RCA outputs, and will be compared to other headphone amplifiers, such as Feliks Audio Echo 2 (800 USD), Burson Funk (650 USD), and Rebel …
Midrange is the area where the effect of diminishing returns starts to kick in, and you don’t get as much improvement with each dollar spend, as you’d with entry-level products. This is where the sweet spot is for most folks, especially since the products are reliable, fun to use, and usually still affordable.
You can find my reviews on midrange products below, and also the best midrange products here: https://amzn.to/3GhsrSU
2. Midrange
JDS Labs El DAC II+ Balanced – Higher Resolution and Better Connectivity
Views 30,510 JDS Labs El DAC II+ Balanced is a $299 USD DAC designed by JDS Labs and part of their Element series of products. It will be compared to other high-end DACs, including SMSL DO200 MKII (469 USD), HIFIMAN EF400 (599 USD), Pro-Ject Dac BOX DS (430 USD). …
Astral Audio Pulse Cable – Starfield Source Of Music
Views 26,926 Today we focus on the 550 USD Astral Acoustics Pulse Cable, an aftermarket 4-Wire, 23 AWG Copper cable for IEMs. It will be compared to other aftermarket cables for IEMs, including STE AG W16 (580 USD), Plussound Copper+ (999 USD), Effect Audio EVO 1 (440 USD), and Ares …
SMSL DO200 MKII MQA DAC – Exploring The Upgrade
Views 30,229 SMSL DO200 MKII is a 469 USD DAC, fully upgraded version of the original SMSL DO200 DAC that I reviewed previously on Audiophile-Heaven. A big part of today’s review will focus on what’s been changed from the original DO200, especially as the release dates are only months apart, …
HIFIMAN EF400 Balanced DAC/AMP – The R2R Music Magician
Views 51,416 HIFIMAN EF400 is a 599 USD balanced DAC/AMP with an R2R DAC inside, the Himalaya recipient of 2022 VGP Technology Award in Japan, and with a fully balanced design for the headphone output part. It will be compared to the best DAC/AMPs I reviewed on Audiophile-Heaven in the …
Dethonray SG1 Pegasus Bluetooth DAC/AMP – High Resolution Bass Receiver
Views 32,418 Dethonray SG1 Pegasus is a 400 USD Bluetooth DAC/AMPlifier, with DPPU (Desktop Plus Power Unit), support for LDAC, aptX HD, aptX LL, aptX, and a large 3000mAh battery. It will be compared to other DAC/AMPs, including iFi xDSD (400 USD), iBasso DX160 (400 USD), Palab M1 Mini (500 …
Westone Audio Mach 40 IEMs – The Golden Age BA Party
Views 45,637 Westone Mach 40 is a 600 USD IEM or In-Ear Monitor, in the truthful sense of the word, being designed for actors, singers and musicians, having superior passive noise isolation from what you typically see out there, and a totally unique design. They will be compared to other …
iBasso DX170 DAP Music Player – Relaxed Warm Music Key
Views 45,098 iBasso DX170 is a 449 USD DAP or Music Player made by ibasso, with Dual Cirrus CS43131 DAC Chips, DSD setup, a 5″ IPS Display, and 3200mAh battery. It will be compared to other high-end DAPs and music players, including Shanling M3X (350 USD), iFi Audio xDSD (400 …
Oriveti Affinity II Modular IEM Cable – Source Options For Music
Views 22,722 Oriveti Affinity II is a 299 USD Modular Cable for IEMs, with 0.78mm 2-Pin connectors for IEMs, and both balanced and single ended connectors. It will be compared to other cables I previously reviewed on Audiophile-Heaven, including STE Cu W16 (400 USD), Effect Audio EVO 1 (440 USD), …
Lotoo PAW S2 Dongle DAC AMP – Equalized Presentation
Views 30,928 The Lotoo PAW S2 is a 279 USD portable DAC AMP with an AKM4377 DAC inside, and up to 150mW at 32 OHMs of power over the 4.4mm Balanced Output. Given the price which is higher than most dongle DAC AMPs, Lotoo PAW S2 will be compared to …
TempoTec V6 Music Player DAP – Super Performer
Views 30,196 TempoTec V6 Variations is a 399 USD Music Player or DAP, with a decent battery life, balanced headphone output, and DXD support, MQA support, USB DAC function, and Android 8.1 operating system. It is also often named TempoTec V6 Variations. It will be compared to other high-quality DAPs …
Periodic Audio Ti V3 Titanium – Terminator Earphones
Views 31,525 Periodic Audio Ti v3 Titanium is a pair of high-end In Ear Monitors priced at 299 USD, made with a titanium driver coating, and a single dynamic driver. They are going to be compared to other high-quality IEMS in today’s review, including 7Hz Eternal (249 USD), Lotoo LE-M1 …
iBasso AMP13 Amplifier Module For DX320 – Portable NuTube AMPs
Views 30,922 iBasso AMP13 is a 269 USD Amplifier module for their DX320 music player, with NuTube AMPs, and it has only 3.5mm single ended outputs, one with low noise and one that has a maximized power output. It will be compared to AMP11MK2s, the original module that DX320 comes …
1More EVO ANC TWS IEMs – Alien Design For Natural Music
Views 38,133 1More EVO ANC is a pair of Bluetooth TWS or True Wireless IEMS priced at 169 USD at the moment of writing today’s review, and they have LDAC technology, Sound ID EQ Options, along with a wireless audiophile sound. They will be compared to the best TWS IEMs …
RAPTGO HOOK-X Earphones – Mini Planar Drivers Rock!
Views 37,615 RAPTGO HOOK-X is an IEM priced at 239 USD, and features a planar magnetic driver combined with a bone conduction driver. They will be compared with other high quality IEMS, including XENNS Mangird Tea 2 (350 USD), LOTOO LE-M1 Monitoring IEMs (269 USD), and 7Hz Timeless (220 USD). …
Aune X1S GT BT DAC / AMP / Streamer – Flow Of Music
Views 39,176 Aune X1s GT is a 349 USD DAC/AMP with LDAC Bluetooth, Balanced 4.4mm Headphone Output, and Hi-Res decoding. Given the price and design, it will be compared to the Soundaware A1X (700 USD), iFi xDSD DAC/AMP (400 USD), and Palab M1 Mini (500 USD). Introduction Aune Audio …
Periodic Audio Be V3 Beryllium – Musicality Reigns Supreme
Views 31,372 Periodic Audio Be V3 Beryllium is an IEM or In-Ear Monitor priced at 399 USD, and it has a similar design to the rest of the Periodic Audio family, including Carbon, Magnesium and Titanium, and it will be compared to other high quality IEMS, including, Unique Melody 3DT …
Sivga SV023 Dynamic Headphones – Pinch And Punch
Views 35,877 Sivga SV023 is a 499 USD pair of high-end dynamic headphones, with a large 50mm Be or Beryllium Played drivers, and which will be compared in today’s review with other high-end headphones, including HIFIMAN Edition XS (500 USD), Sendy Audio Apollo (500 USD), Avantone Pro Planar (450 USD), …
S.M.S.L SMSL DO100 – DAC Done Well
Views 33,441 S.M.S.L SMSL DO100 is a DAC priced at 284 USD, with DSD support, Type-C USB Input, LDAC Bluetooth, and Hi-Res JAS certification, and will be compared with Khadas Tone2 PRO (250 USD), allo Audio Revolution DAC (260 USD), and Pro-Ject DAC BOX DS (430 USD). Introduction S.M.S.L …
Soundavo NSA-250 Streaming HIFI Amplifier – Power Hidden In The Network
Views 34,768 Soundavo NSA-250 is a streaming Amplifier priced at 300 USD formally, but available on Amazon for 200 USD at this moment, which means that it will be compared to other stereo HIFI Amplifiers such as Arylic A50 (220 USD), Burson Funk (550 USD), SMSL AO200 (280 USD). …
Xenns Mangird Tea2 – Orchestra From Outer Space
Views 39,157 Xenns Mangird Tea2 is a high-end IEM priced with your pockets in mind, at 349 USD, with 7 drivers for eac IEM, 6 BA and 1 Dynamic Driver, and which will will be compared throughout the review with other high-quality IEMs including Periodic Audio Carbon (500 USD), The …
7Hz Eternal IEMs – Timeless Music Playing Now
Views 36,041 7Hz Eternal is an upper midrange IEM or In-Ear Monitor sold mainly on Linsoul, priced at 249 USD, with a huge 14.5mm dynamic driver, and which will be compared to other high quality IEMs such as FiiO FD5 (300 USD), Dunu Falcon PRO (220 USD), and ddHIFI Janus …
Lotoo LE-M1 IEMs – Actual Monitors For Music Production
Views 29,346 Lotoo LE-M1 IEMs – Actual Monitors For Music Production Lotoo LE-M1 is an IEM or In-Ear Monitor, in the true sense of the word. They are priced at 269 USD, and they are designed, created and engineered for music production, rather than music listening. The best part is …
Auris BluMe PRO – Receiver, DAC, Bluetooth, OLED & LDAC
Views 56,245 Auris BluMe PRO is a high-end Bluetooth Receiver / DAC priced at 169 USD, with Bluetooth 5.0, LDAC support, and with RCA Analogue, Coaxial and even optical output, perfect for giving wireless abilities to literally any system out there. If you’re the kind who likes good deals, you …
Tronsmart Bang Bluetooth Speaker – Outdoor Punches
Views 28,450 Tronsmart Bang is an outdoors Bluetooth Speaker with Stereo Sound, Bluetooth support, and a price tag of 159 USD at the moment of writing today’s full written review. It is available on Aliexpress, Amazon and even local shops, in Romania being available even on eMag, the biggest eastern …