Author: Paul Cash
-
Holiday Gift Guide For Music Lovers And Audiophiles 2021: 5 Best Christmas Stocking Stuffer Ideas
Analog, Best Buys, Bluetooth, Budget, DACs, Deals, Headphone Amps, Headphones, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Music, News, Portable Audio, Streaming, Videos, WirelessIn this installment of the Holiday Gift Guide For Music Lovers And Audiophiles, we’re here to help you pick the perfect Christmas stocking stuffer gift! This time around, we have five inexpensive gifts you can tuck in a stocking and make someone very happy! Check out our list of the 5 Best Christmas Stocking Stuffer Ideas!…
Written by
-
OneOdio Monitor 60 Review: Are These The Best Budget Audiophile Headphones?
Intro The $79 OneOdio Monitor 60 is the third Studio/DJ headphone I’ve reviewed from this relatively new Hong Kong company, and it’s also by far the most ambitious design I’ve seen from them. The first two I looked at were satisfactory for the price, but ultimately just ok in terms of build and sound quality.…
Written by
-
Bluesound NODE Gen 3 Review: This Wireless WiFi Music Streamer (Still) Does It All!
Best Buys, Bluetooth, Budget, DACs, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, MQA, Music, Reviews, Software, Streaming, Videos, WirelessTL;DR While there may be some streamers out there that are a little more transparent, none at its price point offers the impressive blend of features and quality sound provided by the latest Bluesound NODE. Intro For many years, the Bluesound NODE has arguably been the best value in mid to entry-level music streamers. It…
Written by
-
Cambridge Audio EVO 150 Review: THIS Is The Best Streaming Integrated Amplifier Under $5000!
Best Buys, Bluetooth, DACs, Headphone Amps, Headphones, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, Integrated Amps, MQA, Music, Noise Cancelling, Power Amps, Preamps, Reviews, Software, Speakers, Streaming, Videos, WirelessTL;DR The Cambridge Audio EVO 150 Integrated Amp is a vibrant musical performer that is easy to use, can play music any way you want, with just about any speaker you want. Intro Streaming integrated amplifiers with built-in networking facilities are all the rage right now, with the newest models bringing a level of sophistication…
Written by
-
PAMU Z1 True Wireless Earbuds Review: These Affordable Earphones Have Alluring Sound And Brilliant Noise Cancelling!
Best Buys, Bluetooth, Budget, Deals, Headphones, Noise Cancelling, Portable Audio, Reviews, Software, Videos, WirelessTL;DR If you can get with the youth-oriented design, then the PAMU Z1 has a lot going for it, like a comfortable fit, decent ANC, and nice sound quality for the price. Feature and soundwise it matches up well with some of the best TWS buds at the price point, like the EarFun Free Pro…
Written by
-
Sendy Audio Peacock Review: This Ain’t No Ordinary Planar Magnetic Headphone!
TL;DR While the Sendy Audio Peacock’s build quality and comfort are top-notch, its tuning and overall resolution are just a step behind the competition. Nevertheless, some may find its natural, easygoing sound and wide soundstage appealing. Intro Earlier this year, I reviewed a couple of headphones from SIVGA, a China-based company known for its affordable…
Written by
-
EarFun Air Pro 2 Review: These True Wireless Earbuds Aren’t Perfect, But There’s Still A Lot To Love!
Bluetooth, Budget, Headphones, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Portable Audio, Reviews, Streaming, Videos, WirelessTL;DR The EarFun Air Pro 2 offers several improvements over the original, like better ANC and wireless charging, but unfortunately, it also has minor fit issues along with some harshness in the mids. Intro Ever since I was introduced to EarFun via a company representative back in 2020, I’ve been very impressed by their offerings.…
Written by
-
Audeze Penrose X Planar Magnetic Headset Review: This Is The Best Sounding Wireless Gaming Headset for Xbox and PC!
Best Buys, Bluetooth, Downloads, Headphones, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, Portable Audio, Reviews, Software, Streaming, Uncategorized, Videos, WirelessTL;DR The Penrose X is an excellent gaming headset for Xbox and PC with top-notch separation, detail, and spatiality. It also does a decent job with music once you get it dialed in with EQ. The tight clamp and firm earpads may take some getting used to. Intro If you visit an online audio group…
Written by
-
iFi Audio hip-dac2 Portable USB DAC/Headphone Amp Combo Review: The Sequel Adds Tremendous Refinement!
Budget, DACs, Headphone Amps, Headphones, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, MQA, Music, Portable Audio, Reviews, Videos, WirelessTL;DR With improvements in its detail and separation, the iFi hip dac2 is a worthy upgrade to the original. Intro Back in January of 2020, iFi dropped a new battery-powered portable amp that was slimmer and lighter than anything they had released to date. It was called the hip-dac, named as such because the design…
Written by
-
KLH Albany II 2-Way Bookshelf Speakers Review: Captivating Clarity And Stunning Soundstage!
TL;DR Overall, the handsome and compact KLH Albany II is capable of an extremely musical performance. But like many speakers its size, the rhythmic drive and engagement are sometimes constrained by the lack of deep bass. You’ll probably need a sub. Intro Budget Bookshelf Speakers seem to get better year after year, giving you more…
Written by
-
GoldPlanar GL2000 (Double Magnetic Circuit) Review: These Stunning Planars Are An Engaging Listen!
TL;DR The $ 639 GoldPlanar GL2000 Planar Magnetic Headphone (Double Magnetic Circuit) isn’t the most refined headphone at its price point, but it’s good-looking, super comfortable, and quite exhilarating to listen to. It’s no wonder why many feel it’s the best headphone they’ve ever heard. Intro There’s not a lot of full-sized Audiophile headphones between…
Written by
-
Hidizs S9 PRO Balanced & Single-Ended DAC AMP Combo Review: Epic Power & Tantalizing Detail!
TL;DR The Hidizs S9 PRO USB Dac/Amp Combo is well-built and has everything you need to turn your smartphone into a Hi-Res digital audio player. The sound is clean and crisp, plus it has the power to drive most of the headphones out there. The only thing to watch out for is a little bit…
Written by
-
S.M.S.L AO200 Digital Amplifier Review: This Scaled-Down Integrated Amp Has Jaw-Dropping Power!
Best Buys, Bluetooth, Budget, DACs, Deals, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, Integrated Amps, Music, News, Power Amps, Preamps, Reviews, Speakers, Streaming, Videos, WirelessTL;DR As long as you measure your expectations, the eminently affordable S.M.S.L AO200 is an enjoyable Class-D amplifier that gives you just enough detail and imaging to bring life to your music. Pick up a pair of decent bookshelf speakers, and you will have an enchanting system for a small apartment or bedroom. Overview If…
Written by
-
Audeze Euclid Closed-Back Planar IEM Review: Astonishing Planar Magnetic Headphones That Fit In Your Pocket!
DACs, Headphone Amps, Headphones, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, Integrated Amps, MQA, News, Portable Audio, Uncategorized, VideosTL;DR Audeze’s first closed-back planar magnetic earphones aren’t cheap, but they do an excellent job of distilling the exciting performance from their full-sized headphones into a much smaller and lighter form factor. Overview Back in 2016, Audeze released the iSine 10 and 20, the first planar magnetic in-ear headphones, and while they were exciting, no…
Written by
-
OneOdio a70 Bluetooth Over-Ear Headphones Review: Wonderful Comfort And Captivating Bass!
TL;DR The OneOdio a70 is a cheap and comfortable pair of wireless/wired headphones with crisp highs, deep bass, and good battery life for the money. They also look pretty good. Disclaimer: The OneOdio a70 was sent to us by OneOdio in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to them for the opportunity! Specs: Play Time…
Written by
-
EarMen TR-Amp Review: This MQA DAC Amp Combo Has Superb Detail With Massive Power!
Best Buys, Budget, DACs, Headphone Amps, Headphones, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, MQA, Music, Portable Audio, Power Amps, Preamps, Reviews, VideosTL;DR The big brother of the venerated EarMen Sparrow and Eagle has a sound that is just as smooth, detailed, and expansive as its smaller brethren but with a little more juice. Great pick if you want a refined sounding MQA DAC/Amp that’s compact but still has the grunt to drive all your power-hungry headphones.…
Written by
-
SMSL HO200 Headphone Amplifier Review: The Best For Astonishing Power And Detail!
Best Buys, Budget, Headphone Amps, Headphones, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, News, Preamps, ReviewsFor the last year or so, if you were looking for a powerful, yet affordable headphone amp for your desktop, the $499 Topping A90 is the one most people would recommend. The A90 is fully balanced with XLR input/output, a 4.4mm jack, a pre-out, a 3 step gain setting, plus a smooth volume control knob…
Written by
-
Denafrips ARES II R2R DAC Review: You Need To Hear This Digital To Analog Converter!
The Low Down: The Denafrips ARES II R2R DAC may use older technology, but when done right, resistor ladder Digital To Analog Converters can provide a natural, engaging sound. Many feel it’s a sound that more recent chip-based Delta-Sigma DAC designs can’t match. That’s exactly why the ARES II (1098 SGD, about 800 USD) has…
Written by
-
Ifi Audio ZEN Stream Review: THIS Is The Audiophile Music Streamer To Beat Under $500!
Best Buys, Budget, DACs, Deals, Downloads, Headphones, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, MQA, Music, News, Streaming, Videos, WirelessThe Low Down If you already have a nice DAC and you want a high-quality, no-fuss digital “transport” to stream music into it, then the $399 ZEN Stream is a no-brainer. It gives you a gazillion ways to get music into your hi-fi, including Spotify & TIDAL connect, DLNA, and Roon, but most importantly, it…
Written by
-
FIIL CC2 True Wireless Earbuds Review: A Stunning Apple Airpods Alternative In Titanium And Black!
The Low Down: If you like the fit of Apple’s original AirPods, but don’t like the whole “bright-white” aesthetic, then maybe you’ll like the sleek, aluminum-clad design of FIIL’s CC2 True Wireless Earbuds ($59 w/extra 30% off at the time of this writing). They look really cool and I feel like they will hold up…
Written by
