Introduction This is the first time I’m writing about an add-on accessory for a product that I haven’t even thorougly reviewed first on this blog :) I did get a chance to try out the Chord Mojo recently and it literally blew me away. How can a DAC / headphone amp at the size of …
Introduction Having a technical background, I always laughed about the ridiculous claims cable manufacturers made. So I never really invested in expensive RCA cables or power cords…until recently. I just wanted to find out what the fuss is all about. Maybe I was completely wrong and I overlooked something. Who knows, maybe I would finally …
Introduction After living with my Chinese SMSL M8 DAC for a while, I was getting kinda curious whether there’s still something better out there. Since I haven’t had much experience with pricier Chinese audio gear, I thought it was time for yet another experiment. During my research, I stumbled upon the Gustard X20u DAC which …
As I’ve explained in my previous posts, Roon Labs software can currently be used only with a limited number of hardware devices although that number is growing. German manufacturer ELAC has recently entered the scene (advertisement) with a one-box music server (ELAC Discovery) that includes a great DAC and full Roon capabilities. But if you …
Get RoonReady using the Sonore microRendu and Sonic Orbiter SE Read More »
Disclaimer: I currently do not own any Auralic products. My review is based on experiences with a 6 months old white Auralic Aries Mini loaned from a friend. Introduction With the Auralic Aries, the Chinese manufacturer Auralic has stirred up the audiophile industry quite a bit. The Auralic Aries was truly the first high-end product …
Auralic Aries Mini – A One-Box Audiophile Solution Read More »
As you may know, I’m a huge fan of the Raspberry PI. Some even think it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread :) There are countless use cases in audio for a Raspberry PI. Some of my friends have replaced their SONOS clients or Squeezeboxes with even better quality and even lower total cost thanks …
Last year I was shopping around for a new DAC that would compliment my little Chinese eBay DAC. After dozens of disappointing experiments with several DACs, I pretty much decided to get something that is based on the ESS Sabre ES9018 chipset which is known to offer superior resolution. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to find …
SMSL M8 – A True Reference DAC on a Shoestring Budget Read More »
You’ve probably noticed that I mention my own STAX SR-507 electrostatic headphones used for testing DACs and music server equipment from time to time. So I thought it would be a good idea to let you guys know more about them. Why I Primarily Use Headphones First of all, let me explain why I switched …
Why I Personally Prefer STAX Electrostatic Headphones Read More »
China is for many a complete answer to sourcing cheap consumer electronics. However I find that Chinese manufacturers can indeed produce ultra-high quality electronic products at reasonable prices. With many top universities in China including Tsinghua or Fudan which are among the best tech universities in Asia, there’s no shortage of brilliant engineers. Electronic parts …
Where To Find the Best Chinese DAC Boards on eBay Read More »
Introduction I have often felt intimidated by rankings of DACs in popular Hifi magazines. I’ll be upfront with you – sonic differences between various DACs nowadays are miniscule. Older chipsets which includes digital gear made in the 80s or 90s were susceptible to power supply noise and signal jitter. However, with the latest generation of …
At Last…The Ultimate DAC Buyers Guide (2023 Edition) Read More »
