While I've used cases (or makeshift substitutes) since 2007, I've never seriously considered a charging case. I don't need the bulk. And, my Quad Lock fastens to a bicycle like a camera lens to a camera. Amazing.
Read moreRMAA: MST Audio Chord Mojo-Kai (balanced) 24-bit
Every project Ryuzoh has been involved in exhibits a basic character set: stability, performance, and with the notable exceptions of his mods, ugly mugs. FiQuest wasn’t pretty. Neither was the Cio MB DAC. Come to think of it, the AK240’s harsh angles are fit only for press photography; and Mojo… God, what a horrible, alien design. Of course, neither Mojo’s nor the AK240’s ugliness are Ryuzoh’s fault.
Read moreRMAA: Essence HDACC 24-bit
My 2016 Headfonia review queue kicked off with a cost/performance skyscraper from Bob Rapaport. It’s the Essence HDACC. It goes for 499$ (down from 699$) and basically does everything you wish it would. Plus HDMI.
Read moreRMAA: Chord Mojo 24-bit
And to be honest, handling Mojo is a bit alien. While large and unmistakable, its buttons have obvious central axes. Miss them and they do nothing. Whilst setting my Fujifilm GX680 to 2s and mirror up, and my Hasselblad CFV-50c to something similar, I had to on turn and off turn the thing because it wouldn't respond to off-centre jams.
Read moreRMAA: JDS Labs The Element 24-bit
There's really no point in publishing 16-bit performance anymore, which JDS Labs's The Element proves like 2+2=4. If you'd like my subjective opinion on it, mosey over to Headfonia: Review: JDS Labs Element – Bravado.
Read moreRMAA: ALO Audio CDM (Continental Dual Mono) 16-bit & 24-bit loaded/unloaded
Subject: ALO Audio Continental Dual Mono (CDM)
I got into valve amplification late. The first valve amp I really latched onto was the Woo Audio WA3+ (reviewed here). As you know, I'm a firm believer in ALO Audio's Studio Six (reviewed here) and the lovely Bender, Pan Am (reviewed here).
RMAA: Lynx Studio HILO
I have the LT-TB version of the Lynx Studio HILO ADC/DAC (~3000$) in office for another week, in which time I will continue to evaluate it as a pre-amp, a DAC, a headphone amp, as well as an ADC. My full review of it will be published at Headfonia. While I've not had time to formulate hard opinions on its DAC sound quality, I can say this: its ADC is as good as it gets this side of an audio analyser. Below are 16 and 24 bit / 44kHz RMAA test results for both its line and headphone outputs.
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