Astell&Kern Acro CA1000T is a $2299 USD Tube DAP or Digital Audio Player, with a display, microSD slot, insane-level 4 headphone outputs, volume wheel, separate charging and USB Data ports, RCA outputs, 4.4mm Line In, and Optical, Coaxial Input. The only players that really compete are other Astell & Kern …
Natural
SMSL DO300 Balanced DAC – Perpetual Upgrade Of S.M.S.L
SMSL DO300 $549 USD is a high-end DAC for desktop systems with ES9039MSPRO DAC Chips from ESS, MQA Hardware Decoding, a Full Function Remote, and with a built-in power supply. It also has Bluetooth 5.0 and 11 high-end Dual OP-AMPs. It will be compared to other high-end desktop DACs, including …
OLLO S5X Dynamic Studio Headphones – Immersive Production
OLLO S5X is a $489 USD Dynamic Headphone with an open-back design, a flat frequency response, made in EU. It is designed for studio usage, but also can be used for audiophile / enthusiast music listening, and it will be compared to other similarly priced headphones, including SIVGA SV023 (499 …
SMSL C100 DAC – Stereo Desktop HiFi, Type-C With MQA, Optical and Bluetooth Decoder
SMSL C100 / S.M.S.L C100 is a $119 USD Hifi Stereo USB Desktop DAC designed by SMSL and sold by Aoshida Store, with a strong DAC decoder inside, namely the AK4493S DAC chip, and with MQA decoding abilities, Optical, Bluetooth, USB and coaxial input, and with a remote. It will …
Cleer Enduro ANC – Noise Canceling Spelled Right
Cleer Enduro ANC is a $129 USD pair of Bluetooth Headphones with ANC or Active Noise Canceling, up to 60 hours of battery life, and a 40mm dynamic driver for your hearing and silence pleasure. They will be compared to other Bluetooth headphones, including PadMate Pamu Explore (56 USD), Valco …
Salnotes Zero IEMs – 7Hz’s Latest Trickery
7Hz Salnotes Zero is a $25 USD IEM and will be featured in a mini review, where we’ll explore how they sound and if they’re any good. Introduction 7Hz and Salnotes are pushing their luck once again with a product that’s priced extremely low, so it will be interesting …
Shanling UA5 DAC – AMP – Dongle – Spin The Wheel For More Power
Shanling Ua5 is a 211 USD DAC / AMP with a Dual DAC chipset, Balanced Headphone Output, a tiny OLED Display, and will be compared to other high-quality DAC/AMPs, including Lotoo PAW S2 (279 USD), Questyle M15 (250 USD), Khadas Tone2 PRO (250 USD), and iFi Audio hip-dac2 (190 USD). …
Astral Audio Pulse Cable – Starfield Source Of Music
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 Audio Sakeishi …
IKKO Zerda ITM02 – Sweetest Smallest Dongle
IKKo Zerda ITM02 is a $59 USD DAC/AMP with the smallest design I’ve seen so far, up to December 2022. It will be compared to other super affordable DAC/AMPs, including TempoTec Sonata Hd V (70 USD), FiiO KA1 (49 USD), Periodic Audio Rhodium (49 USD), and IKKO’s own Zerda ITM01 …
KLH Model Five – Acoustic Suspension 5 Hifi Stereo Speakers
KLH Model Five is a 2499 USD Per Pair / 1249 USD Each Hifi Stereo Speaker setup with huge 10-Inch Bass Drivers, 3-Way Design, and superb 3/4″ MDF enclosure. They will be compared with other speakers I reviewed, including NHT C3 Bookshelf HIFI Speakers (1250 USD), Buchardt S400 (1800 USD), …
TRI x HBB KAI IEMS – DLC Sound
TRI x HBB KAI is a pair of 79 USD, IEMS designed and produced by TRI with the added marketing that they got a tuning curve / Frequency Response or FR from HBB, a reviewer who does measurements on audio equipment. It has a DLC or Diamond like Carbon Coating, …
HIDIZS AP80 PRO-X DAP Music Player – Mini MQA Versatility
HIDIZS AP80 PRO-X is a 199 USD Portable Music Player with MQA Playback abilities, a Dual DAC design, LDAC Bluetooth, USB DAC function, and multiple color options. It will be compared to other entry-level DAPs, including Hiby R3 PRO (200 USD), xDuoo X20 (250 USD), and FiiO M9 (300 USD). …
Feliks Audio Echo 2 Tube Amplifier – Lamp Refinement
Feliks Audio Echo 2 is a 799 EURO Tube / Lamp Amplifier handmade in Poland, Europe. It is a unique product running on 4 Tubes, with a high 350mW power output, designed to drive high impedance headphones, with 1 pair of power tubes, and 1 pair of driver tubes. It …
Shanling UP5 Bluetooth Receiver – DAC AMP MQA Power Etiquette
Shanling UP5 is a 179 USD, flagship Portable Bluetooth Amplifier / DAC, with Dual DACs, MQA decoding, and up to 240mW / 32 OHMs of power. It will be compared to other DAC/AMPs and Bluetooth Receivers, including FiiO BTR5 (110 USD), Earstudio ES100 MKII (90 USD), Questyle M15 (250 USD), …
Hiby RS2 Darwin Player – Musicality Focused DAP
Hiby RS2 Darwin is a 479 USD DAP with a beautiful aesthetic design, a minimalistic and practical OS design, and full Hiby Support, including R2R DAC and a 256-Tap FIR Filter that’s adjustable. Given the price point, it will be compared to other popular midrange DAPs, including iBasso DX170 (449 …
Westone Mach 60 IEMs – Triple Plan – Bass, Mids, and Treble
Westone Mach 60 are a pair of IEMs priced at 1100 USD, currently found on sale for 879 USD, with 6 Balanced Armature Drivers, and a unique sound to match the super ergonomic design. They will be compared to other high-end and flagship IEMs, including Ambient Acoustics MAD16 (2500 USD), …
Crosszone CZ-BC15Penta4.4 Balanced Cable For CZ-8A – More Power
Today’s review will focus on the 125 USD balanced cable for CZ-8A named CZ-BC15Penta4.4, as well as other Crosszone headphones, and how it can improve your experience when using those boutique, high-end headphones. Since Crosszone Headphones have a unique cable design, with 4 Poles at each ear cup jack, no …
Dethonray SG1 Pegasus Bluetooth DAC/AMP – High Resolution Bass Receiver
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 USD), and …
SMSL C200 DAC / Headphone AMP – Super Resolution
SMSL C200 is 219 USD a DAC / Headphone AMP / Bluetooth Receiver with Hi-Res and DSD Playback abilities, sold and supported by Aoshida Audio, with both a 6.35mm and a 4.4mm output, Hi-Res Wireless Audio support, and with 4 x OPA 1612A OP-AMPs to support the headphone output. It …
Hiby FC4 Dongle USB DAC/AMP – Balanced Driver
Hiby FC4 USB DAC / AMP is priced at 99 USD, and it is a dongle with MQA support, as well as two headphone outputs, one that’s 4.4mm and balanced, and one that’s 3.5mm in size and single ended. It will be compared to other high-quality dongle DAC/AMPs including ddHIFI …
Ambient Acoustics MAD16 IEMs – Crazy Music Colors
Ambient Acoustics MAD16 is an in-ear monitor priced at 2500 USD, designed with 16 balanced armature drivers, under the Main Audio Destination naming scheme. Given the price point, they have to be compared to other flagship IEMs, including CTM Clear Tune Monitors Da Vinci IX (1800 USD), Unique Melody MEST …
AIYIMA Audio D03 Stereo HiFi Amplifier – Power Class High, Price Class Minimal
AIYIMA Audio D03 is a Hifi Amplifier in Class D, priced at 160 USD at the moment of writing today’s review. Given the low price point, it will be compared to other entry-level and super affordable desktop hifi amplifiers, including Arylic A50 (220 USD). Introduction Today is my first …
Soundavo NSA-250 Streaming HIFI Amplifier – Power Hidden In The Network
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). Introduction Soundavo …
Xenns Mangird Tea2 – Orchestra From Outer Space
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 Original Mangrid …
NHT C3 3-Way Bookshelf Stereo Speakers – Music For Life
NHT C3 is a high-end premium speaker priced at 624.99 USD per piece or 1249.98 USD for a stereo setup, with a 3-way design, sealed Box Design, and with a beautiful aesthetic. It will be compared to Buchardt S400 (1800 USD), Aurender S5W (3000 USD), and Audioengine A5+ Wireless (500 …