Equipment used: Headphones: Oppo PM-3, PM-2, HE-560, Aurisonics Harmony, UE900s, LZ-2A, Fiio EX1, RHA T20 Music used: From Röyksopp to Amber Rubarth, Diana Krall to Apoptygma Berzerk, Tom Jones to Sphongle, Yello to Camouflage, mostly FLACs 24/96 or 16/44.1 – some mp3 320kbps, some AAC 256kbps, some DSD files Depending on headphone high or low gain – no EQ Disclaimer: I received the Fiio E12a review unit from www.samma3a.com the local distributor of Fiio products. I have to return the unit, so there is no financial interest. I am not affiliated with Fiio or Samma3a.com Though I really highly appreciate...
If you’re in the market for audiophile-grade headphones, you’ve probably heard of Germany’s professional audio electronics manufacturer Beyerdynamic. In the business of handcrafting premium headphones since 1924, Beyerdynamic is synonymous with hi-fi audio and head-fi enthusiasts worldwide. It’s no surprise then, that when setting out to find a headphone that would deliver high-end performance free from the esoteric claims and sticker shock that have become commonplace in the world of audiophilia, Beyerdynamic’s offerings come highly recommended. Sitting back to enjoy a great stereo system is my preferred listening experience, but due to the fact that I spend more time in...
Well I’ve been wanting this amp for quite some time now and finally bit the bullet, and here it is. I must say I was impressed by the weight of the box and already starting to form a attachment to this product. Top opened and now reveals a glimpse of what’s to come… First impressions, well what can I say after 35 years in this industry this Marzantz was moving quickly to the top of my list. Time to connect some sounds via my iPhone 6. I played a whole host of music ranging from Alternative, Classical, Dance, Electronic, Jazz,...
Sony’s first amp of 2014 is an impressive and well-featured all-rounder at a great price Our Verdict – 5 Stars For Big, immersive sound Lots of detail Well-featured Strong stereo performance Simple set up and operation Lovely user interface Against Can sound bright, so needs careful matching to get the best from it Take a quick glance at the Sony STR-DN850, and you could easily mistake it for its 2013 predecessor. From the outside, at least, it seems like very little has changed. Turn it on though, and you will see just how much difference a year can make. Design...
Say “B&W” to non-audiophile consumers and they’ll probably think you’re mispronouncing BMW, which might be one of the reasons Bowers & Wilkins now prefers to go by its full name. But say “B&W” to any audiophile, and he or she will likely know precisely what you’re talking about: a British loudspeaker manufacturer founded in 1966 by John Bowers and Peter Hayward, and at first named B&W Electronics. Over time, as B&W grew and evolved, it became one of the best-known speaker makers in high-end audio, and in recent years has branched out into all-in-one music systems and headphones. I’m pretty...
Marantz is a company which managed to successfully penetrate the area of home cinema, receivers and modern streamers while preserving audiophile roots and an aura of exclusivity at the same time. It seems that they’ve found a recipe how to balance between the world of modern technologies and this what is proved, classic and desired by the lovers of high-quality sound. If you are interested in the gear from previous ages, and if you like internet profiles with vintage audio, you have surely seen loads of Marantz’s equipment there – beautiful amplifiers, tuners with backlit scales and oscilloscopes, CD players...
With Record Store Day fast approaching, we’ve rounded-up a selection of the world’s most expensive turntables – and they’re quite a sight… We’ve seen plenty of different turntables pass through our test rooms over the years, from brilliant budget decks that deliver excellent performance per pound value, to high-end players that have us eagerly revisiting our record collection. But there’s still a world of super-high-end turntables that we tend not to get our hands on too often, preferring as we do to feature products that the majority of us are more likely to buy. The staggeringly-capable Kronos turntable is the...
Google turns its hand to music streaming, with predictably impressive results Our Verdict Google breathes new (online) life into your old hi-fi For Brings online streaming to offline devices Easy to use Lovely design Against No multi-room audio yet Google knows a thing or two about streaming. You only have to look at the success of the Chromecast, which is now in its second generation. Now the company is turning its expertise to music streaming. Meet the Google Chromecast Audio, designed to bring wireless streaming to your offline speakers and amplifiers. Design What you get is a small disc the...
They might not be cutting-edge tech, but for their look and feel – not to mention an exquisitely fluid analogue sound – you can’t beat vinyl. The only thing your record collection lacks is portability, but there is one way to take those LPs with you wherever you go… We love records. We adore almost everything about them – their look, their feel, the large-scale cover art and easily readable sleeve notes. Most of all, we can’t get enough of their wonderfully fluid analogue sound. There’s just something about an immaculate record played back on a good record player that...
We purchased the new Magnum Term-LAB plus the Magnum Clamp Testing Kit late last year, we have now just had time to install the software on our new laptop. Now before we check out the photo’s here is what Wayne Harris President and CEO of WHE, Inc. has to say… I am really excited about the Term-LAB Magnum. With more than 16 times the resolution of the original Term-LAB, the addition of Bluetooth, an integrated Broadband RTA, and modular digital architecture, the new Magnum is going to revolutionize sound measurement …. AGAIN! General Info and new features; WHE, Inc. is...
