Author: Paul Cash
-
SMSL DO100/HO100 Review: This Affordable DAC/Amp Combo Is A Budget Audiophile Dream!
TD; LR The SMSL DO100 + HO100 stack is an excellent entryway into DAC/Amp separates. They’re well built and provide exceptional detail, depth, and soundstage. Intro: While I like the simplicity, affordability, and utility of all-in-one desktop DAC/Amp combos, matching DAC and Headphone Amp separates or “stacks” have become all the rage right now, as…
-
The Top 16 Jazz Albums Of 2022 (So Far)
We’ve compiled a list of the top (our favorite) jazz albums of 2022. This list reflects the wide variety of influences currently taking the genre to new heights and making us excited about what’s to come in the future. That said, we also wanted to commemorate some of the best stuff we’ve heard so far…
-
CanJam Chicago 2022 Highlights: A Quick Tour Of The Best Headphones, DACs, and Headphone Amps
—
by
in DACs, Headphone Amps, Headphones, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, MQA, Music, News, Portable Audio, Shows, Streaming, WirelessWhile it wasn’t the biggest show, CanJam Chicago 2022 definitely showcased the value of quality over quantity. If you were looking to sample some of the best hi-fi headphone gear available today, then it was worth stopping by. This was the first time in about 10 years that Head-Fi, the enthusiast website behind the show,…
-
Best Audiophile Headphones Under $500 (2022)
—
by
Are you looking for the best headphone under $500? We’ve put together a list of our favorite options. Check them out now! Want to learn more about Audiophile Headphones? Check out our Audiophile Headphones Buyers Guide! Here’s our shortlist of the Best Audiophile Headphones Under $500 (2022): The Best Super Cheap Headphones: Koss KPH30iCL ($29.99)…
-
New Moondrop Aria Snow Edition With Diamond-Like Carbon Diaphragm Released
Moondrop’s Aria IEM has been a highly successful product leveraging nice build quality, excellent tonal balance, and value pricing. Now they have a fabulous new version that takes everything to the next level. The new Moondrop Aria Snow Edition boasts an updated 10mm dual-cavity dynamic driver with a DLC(Diamond-Like Carbon) diaphragm (similar to their popular…
-
Focal Clear Mg Headphone Review: Beauty And Beast!
—
by
TD; LR No other headphones at this price point give you a front-row seat at the concert like these do. Intro When purchasing a pair of high-end headphones, you fundamentally want something with a combination of beautiful design and remarkable sound quality. Unfortunately, I’ve seen a lot of expensive headphones that do one or the…
-
The Best Budget Audiophile Gear Of 2022 (So Far): Speakers, Headphones, Etc.
—
by
If you’re putting together an audio system on a budget, it’s an excellent time to be alive. Affordable hi-fi gear has never been better made or better sounding, so you get more system for your money. The first six months of 2022 have produced some innovative products, like iFi Audio’s Go Bar, an ultra-portable DAC…
-
“Level Up” With This Simple, Yet Awe-Inspiring, Budget Audiophile System!
You don’t need tons of money and “know-how” to build a top-notch hi-fi sound system! There’s a misconception that you need to be some kind of “guru” or expert to put together an affordable high-end hi-fi system. But with the new class of audiophile streaming amplifiers, building a capable system has never been easier! A…
-
iFi Audio Go bar Review: The Best Ultra-Portable DAC Amp Combo. Period.
—
by
in Best Buys, Budget, DACs, Headphone Amps, Headphones, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, MQA, Music, Portable Audio, Preamps, Reviews, VideosTL;DR If you’re looking for the most capable ultra-portable DAC/Amp combo, look no further. Intro I’m a big fan of iFi Audio’s DAC/Amp combos. It’s hard to beat their combination of power, build quality, and affordability. However, they’ve been missing one thing: an ultra-portable combo that could go toe to toe with something like AudioQuest’s…
-
Watch: PSB Speakers Commemorates Its 50th Anniversary With A New Documentary
If you’ve been around hi-fi for any time, you’ve probably come across one of Paul Barton’s speakers or headphones. He’s the founder and chief designer of PSB Speakers, a company known for affordable loudspeakers with a legendary sound born from a blend of art and science. I’ve had the honor of talking to Paul about…
-
Best Headphone Amps For Audiophiles On A Budget (2022)
—
by
in Best Buys, Budget, DACs, Headphone Amps, Headphones, Hi-Fi, Home Audio, MQA, Portable Audio, Reviews, VideosBuilding an Audiophile Headphone system can be a rewarding and economical way to enjoy high-fidelity music reproduction. For example, when I was younger and couldn’t afford a super-expensive 2-channel hi-fi system (I also didn’t have much room for one), I was able to piece together my personal hi-fi nirvana using a tube headphone amp and…
-
Kef LS50 Meta Review: These Innovative British Monitor Speakers Are (Still) Awe-Inspiring!
—
by
TL;DR These remarkably balanced and transparent speakers set a new standard at the price point. Just make sure you pair them with high quality amplification. Intro As a long-time owner (and fan) of Kef’s legendary LS50 mini-monitor, I was intrigued when I heard they were coming out with a sequel. Dubbed the LS50 Meta ($1599.99),…
-
HIFIMAN HE-R9 Review: These Dynamic Closed-Back Headphones Provide Sensational Sound On The Move!
—
by
TL;DR These closed-back headphones provide a natural laid-back sound with superb comfort and easy-to-use wireless capabilities. That said, the look won’t be for everyone, and they could use a touch more transparency. Intro In March, I took a look at Hifiman’s Deva Pro, a planar magnetic headphone with a novel feature. That would be its…
-
#NewMusicFriday May 27th, 2022: 10 Albums You Need To Hear This Weekend! (Feat. Wilco)
Check Out This Week’s Best Sounding New Music Releases! Every #NewMusicFriday, we pick a bunch of the best-sounding new albums so you can get your audiophile music fix!… As usual, it’s a very eclectic mix (Albums are arranged with more traditional audiophile genres like Jazz and Blues at the top and the non-traditional audiophile stuff towards…
-
Best Floorstanding Speakers For Audiophiles On A Budget (2022)
Floorstanding or Standmount Speakers? That’s an age-old question for many an audiophile (one which I covered here). In most cases, the size of your listening room will dictate which one to pick. Standard-size rooms will usually get sufficient output from standmount speakers, which provide the added benefit of enhanced image focus. That said, those with…
-
#New Music Friday May 20th, 2022: 10 Albums You Need To Hear This Weekend! (Feat. Joey Alexander)
Check Out This Week’s Best Sounding New Music Releases! Every #NewMusicFriday, we pick a bunch of the best-sounding new albums so you can get your audiophile music fix!… As usual, it’s a very eclectic mix (Albums are arranged with more traditional audiophile genres like Jazz and Blues at the top and the non-traditional audiophile stuff towards…
-
Soul Emotion MAX Headphones Review: Great ANC, So-So Sound & Comfort
—
by
Great noise canceling and a nice mix of features are offset by finicky fit and average sound quality I remember when SOUL Electronics first hit the market as another celebrity-driven headphone brand, a la Beats. That was over ten years ago, and back then, they were known as SOUL by Ludacris, a nod to the…
-
NAD Reveals C 389 HybridDigital DAC Amplifier, A $1499 Integrated With 130W Per Channel, ESS DAC, And Optional BluOS Streaming
—
by
in Bluetooth, DACs, Hi-Fi, Hi-Res Music, Home Audio, Integrated Amps, MQA, News, Power Amps, Preamps, Streaming, Videos, WirelessAs a preview to the Munich High End audio show this weekend, NAD Electronics has announced a new integrated amp, the C 389 HybridDigital DAC amplifier. The C389 features NAD’s well-received HybridDigital UcD amplifier design and the same ESS Sabre DAC chip (32-bit/384kHz) used in their step-up Masters Series amplifiers. Conservatively rated at 130 Watts…
-
Best Wireless Noise-Cancelling (ANC) Headphones For Audiophiles (2022)
—
by
If you work from home or travel a lot for work or pleasure, then a pair of Wireless Noise-Cancelling (ANC) Headphones is almost a necessity. I know I refuse to go on a trip without having a pair in my bag and judging from the sheer amount of folks I see wearing them on the…
-
Premium Audio Company, LLC Confirms Commitment To Onkyo Brand Following Outside Bankruptcy Filing
Today, Premium Audio Company, LLC (PAC) put out a statement clarifying its commitment to and future plans for the Onkyo (and Integra) Brands following reports of Onkyo Home Entertainment’s (OHE) Bankruptcy Filing in Japan. In addition, they also wanted to combat suggestions by some outlets that the filing would somehow spell the end of Onkyo…