I should also mentioned that my comrade, Lieven, reviewed Trio at Headfonia in July, and that while ohm-image currently isn't sponsor-funded, Headfonia is. And, I write for Headfonia. God bless 'em!
Read moreRMAA: MS-AK100 24-bit new
Consider this article a happy follow-up to the 'dud' MS-AK100 RMAA results I just posted. The results below describe the unit I originally reviewed at Headfonia. They describe a DAP which largely outperforms the AK240, and which, in many metrics, stays toe-to-toe with the 3500$ USD AK380.
Read moreRMAA: MS-AK100 24-bit old
Prior to releasing an official apology, it is meet to be up front about the performance of my AK100 which Mezzo Hifi modded. Next to the one I reviewed at Headfonia, and the one I previewed here at ohm, it is piss-poor. At my request Mezzo agreed to look again at the same unit. If it was out of spec, they would fix it. The results speak for themselves.
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: Astell&Kern AK380 24-bit
My publish order is totally off. Yesterday, Headfonia published my review of the Astell&Kern AK380. The AK380 is a sometimes-awesome, sometime-awful DAP, chock full of hardware potential which is wrecked only by its painfully angular design, poor marketing copy, and comparatively poor lazy amp design.
Read moreRMAA: Astell&Kern AK Jr 16-bit & 24-bit
Astell & Kern's daft copywriting strikes again, this time belittling the performance of its AK Jr. Jr, which goes for 499$ USD -- or about a fifth the price of AK's biggest mindshare devices -- is, in many metrics, able to stand toe-to-toe with the AK240 and AK380; in some arenas, it blows them out of the water. I will be reviewing it at Headfonia sometime next week. Until then, let the following impressions stand in:
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: Cozoy Astrapi 16-bit & 24-bit loaded/unloaded
Subject: COZOY Astrapi
High praises have been heaped on this little guy. It's no wonder: Astrapi is tiny, beautifully machined, and powerful. On paper, Astrapi is a headphone amp/DAC every audiophile should desire. It does iOS, Android, and PC/Mac. But in reality, it is just another audio device that sacrifices almost every thing in pursuit of volume.
RMAA: Fiio X3 2nd gen 16-bit & 24-bit loaded/unloaded
While Fiio's X3ii isn't as poorly designed as is the original X3 (which I reviewed here), it still isn't great to use. Seriously, what's with portable hi-fi manufacturers trying to re-tool the classic up-down-left-rigth cross pattern into X, Z, Y, or other unintelligible designs? If you don't agree with me, I have no hope for the mid-range Hi-Fi DAP. However, I reckon that you'll agree with me that the X3ii performs brilliantly. In fact, at least in 16-bit, it even marginally outperforms my favourite DAP, the iPod nano 7G, of which I posted these RMAA results.
Read moreRMAA: Shozy Alien 16-bit & 24-bit loaded/unloaded
Using the Shozy Alien is like being sentenced to opening child-proof bottles for life, but it sounds pretty good. Here are its RMAA results:
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