Category: DAC/Amp/DAP

$100-299, DAC/Amp/DAP, EarMen, review

EarMen TR-Amp: Putting Its Stamp On Portable Audio

Greetings! Today we’re checking out the TR-Amp from EarMen. EarMen is a relatively young brand with an established history, coming out the gates as the more affordable arm of the Auris Audio brand. These products have been designed and engineered by Miki Trosic, the founder of Auris Audio, and as such have a strong foundation on which their principles are grown. EarMen is “…on a … Continue reading EarMen TR-Amp: Putting Its Stamp On Portable Audio

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$0-99, bluetooth, DAC/Amp/DAP, review, XDuoo

xDuoo XQ-50: Inexpensive and Effective

Greetings, Today we’re checking out the XQ-50, an affordable Bluetooth 5.0, aptX equipped receiver from xDuoo. xDuoo is a brand full of variety, from dacs to amps to earphones, and Bluetooth receivers like the XQ-50. While in the past xDuoo has mostly disappointed me, the last couple products I’ve checked out have been winners, and the XQ-50 is no exception. Let’s take a closer look, … Continue reading xDuoo XQ-50: Inexpensive and Effective

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$0-99, DAC/Amp/DAP, review, XDuoo

xDuoo Link: Welcome to Dongle City

Greetings! Today we’re checking out the Link from xDuoo, a type-C USB amp/dac intended for use with mobile devices and PCs As the number of phones with headphone jacks decrease, the options to replace it increase. Dongles are an unfortunate way of life for many consumers in this harsh, modern climate, but we’ll get by. Products like the Link help ease the pain. However, in … Continue reading xDuoo Link: Welcome to Dongle City

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$100-299, DAC/Amp/DAP, Periodic Audio, review

Periodic Audio Nickel: Simplicity

Greetings! Today we’re checking out the Nickel [Ni], a tiny portable amplifier from Period Audio. Periodic Audio was founded in 2016 by a small group of audio enthusiasts/specialists with over 140 years of combined experience in the industry. Their aim? To provide accessible, high performance audio products that focus on portability, sound, and comfort, not glitz and glamour. While it isn’t much of a looker, … Continue reading Periodic Audio Nickel: Simplicity

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$100-299, DAC/Amp/DAP, review, ZiShan

ZiShan DSD: Old Look, Modern Sound

Greetings, Today we’re checking out the ZiShan DSD, a budget friendly and very capable DAP. ZiShan is a Chinese manufacturer known for inexpensive, no frills, high performance amps and daps, including the DSD we’re checking out today. With an old school look and quality components like the venerable AK4497 chip, the DSD makes for a compelling purchase to those who value performance over style. Let’s … Continue reading ZiShan DSD: Old Look, Modern Sound

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$100-299, DAC/Amp/DAP, review, Shanling

Shanling M0: M0 to Hero

Greetings! Today we’re checking out the M0 from Shanling Audio. Shanling is a well-versed audio company that has been developing products under one name or another since 1988. In the portable audio world, they are revered for their affordable, high quality audio players. My first introduction to the brand was through the M1, a tiny, feature rich player that I had on loan as part … Continue reading Shanling M0: M0 to Hero

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$0-99, bluetooth, DAC/Amp/DAP, Radsone, review

Radsone EarStudio ES100: Deserving of the Hype

Greetings! Today we’re checking out the ES100, a Bluetooth receiver from Radsone. Radsone is a consumer electronics and technology company based out of Seoul, Korea, founded in 2011. Their technology (https://www.radsone.com/technology) is used by some heavy hitters in the industry, like Audio Technica, LG, and Qualcomm, so you know they’ve got some serious talent under their belt. We’re not here to talk about that though. … Continue reading Radsone EarStudio ES100: Deserving of the Hype

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$0-99, DAC/Amp/DAP, iFi, review

iFi iEMatch: Better than butter

Greetings, Today we’re checking out a helpful accessory from iFi, the iEMatch. ifi is well known best for their plethora of amps and dacs, but they also have an extensive lineup of accessories. The iEMatch is tailor made for highly sensitive headphones and earphones that suffer from background hiss, or are louder than is comfortable for general listening. As someone that listens at exceptionally low … Continue reading iFi iEMatch: Better than butter

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$0-99, Burson Audio, DAC/Amp/DAP, review

Burson Audio Supreme Sound V5i: Op-amped up!

Greetings, Today we’re checking out something I’ve had no prior experience with, an op-amp swap! Burson Audio is an Australian company founded over 20 years ago who specialize in the design and construction of audio equipment and various components within. When Carlos from Burson Audio reached out to see if I would be interested in checking out the V5i for use in my Walnut devices, … Continue reading Burson Audio Supreme Sound V5i: Op-amped up!

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$300+, DAC/Amp/DAP, iFi, review

iFi Pro iCAN: Where Want and Need Meet

Greetings! Today we’re checking out iFi’s top tier hybrid amp extraordinaire, the Pro iCAN. Any time I’m in a thread or forum where someone is asking for a suggestion on which new amplifier to buy, inevitably someone will throw one of iFi’s many options into the mix. With such a vast selection of products to choose from, and with a positive reputation to back it … Continue reading iFi Pro iCAN: Where Want and Need Meet

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$0-99, DAC/Amp/DAP, review, Walnut

Walnut F1: Power For Days

Greetings! Today we’re taking a brief look at the Walnut F1, a stupidly powerful budget amplifier that has been more than capable of powering anything I’ve tossed it’s way. My first Walnut experience was with the V2S (review here), a screenless DAP/AMP. Like the F1, it was powerful as all heck and was able to drive everything plugged into it. It too was inexpensive with … Continue reading Walnut F1: Power For Days

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$100-299, DAC/Amp/DAP, hifiman, review

HiFiMan MegaMini: Sweet and Simple

Greetings! Today we’re going to be checking out the MegaMini from HiFiMan. In addition to their outstanding headphones and earphones, HiFiMan is no stranger to the media player world with quite a selection of high quality players in their portfolio, many of which have been heavy hitters in their respective categories for quite a while now. The entry level MegaMini is a media player with … Continue reading HiFiMan MegaMini: Sweet and Simple

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$0-99, DAC/Amp/DAP, review, Walnut

Walnut V2s: Back to Basics

Greetings! Today we’re going to be taking a look at a basic DAP/AMP, taking form in the Walnut V2s. Sometimes all you want is a straightforward, simple to use player. One that’s low on features and frills, doesn’t take a massive chunk out of your wallet, and doesn’t skimp on sound quality. The Walnut V2s does all of this quite well. Let’s check out why, … Continue reading Walnut V2s: Back to Basics

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