This compact Computer Audiophile CES 2014 matome is just what the audiophile doctor ordered. CA covers: wireless serves, portable amps, mono block power amps, speakers, DACs and more, in 135 photographs. Reviews are expected.
Ω's spot in the Head-Fi sun: ohmage to the ALO Rx MKIII-B+
It is always an honour to have anything put up on Head-Fi. I'm extremely glad it was the Rx MKIII-B+, which is now my favourite Rx, one of a very few portable amps that can do it all. The original instant ohmage is here.
New Cypher Labs AlgoRhythm Duet images up
Duet with a single-entry balanced Beyerdynamic DT880/600Ω.
These were taken for Ω's upcoming review of this remarkable portable headphone amplifier that has me running back and forth between it, the ALO Audio Rx MKIII-B+, and the Vorzüge PURE II. The short: DUET is a marvel of control, speed, and good liquidy sound.
For more information about the Cypher Labs AlgoRhythm Duet, hit up Cypher Labs.
Check out Ω's Facebook page for more images.
NOTE: Somehow, this advertising photographer messed up whilst shooting for review. His Sony a7r somehow crept into JPEG mode and got locked into Kelvin 5300 white balance before he packed his studio up for the Headphone Book 2014 shoot. Good enough for a review, but bugger that.
6 free [Windows] software every audiophile should download
“Exact Audio Copy, or EAC as the cool kids say, is the Swiss Army Knife of CD ripping, copying, and burning. The goal of this program, as the name suggests, is to rip audio from a CD without adulterating the file. It does this through jitter correction and read error detection...”
Each entry is carefully detailed, and for free software, packaged and 'sold' to the reader. Recommended for the new entrant to Computer audiophilia. Great spot by @headfonia.
Antelope Audio Zodiac Platinum DSD DAC/Headphone Amp
Debuted at CES 2014, the next top-flight Zodiac looks to pack in more hi-tech wizardry than the original Ultima VII did. Damn. If the low noise floor and rich sound of the original entry-level Zodiac are anything to go by (and I'm sure they are), Platinum could be quite an excellent DAC for pretty much all your listening needs.
ohm was left unimpressed only by the headphone-output of the entry-level Zodiac Silver. Output impedance was too high, and overall output power was comparatively low. Otherwise, the Zodiac completely and utterly rocked. Lots of hopes riding on the new Platinum.
The Zodiac Platinum press release can be found here.
Head-Fi's growing list of Hi-Res music download sites
The Head-Fi Hi-Res list has been updated constantly since 2011. And until this morning, whilst waiting for the morning drizzle, I checked ohm's twitter feed. It was CypherLabs that pointed it out. Many thanks. Now it's time to grab Arcade Fire's latest, if it is to be grabbed anywhere.
Goodbye 2013: A JPuddy mix
ohm's always late. JPuddy never is. Check out his great au revoir to the year we recently drank into oblivion.
NOTE: I take great pride in cultivating talented friends. JPuddy's been mixing trance since the early 2000's. Oh, and he bought an Edirol USB interface from me for 60$ that may have started him on his mixing rampage. At least I like to think so.
Astell & Kern AK240 outed at CES2014
Tagged as 'The World's First MQS Player', the AK240 natively plays back DSD 128, and looks to heavily favour right-handed operation.
So far we know the following:
- Native Double-rate DSD(up to 5.6MHz)
- Dual CS4398 DAC for True Dual-Mono
- Balanced Output
- Aircraft Grade Duralumin Body
- Wi-Fi Music Downloading
- 256GB, plus 1 microSD slot
I expect we will find out more by following the Astell & Kern website. Fans at Head-Fi have already gone mad at the purported 3.000$ AUD price tag.
instant ohmage: Vorzüge VorzAMP PURE II
No matter how amazing Vorzüge’s previous PURE was, today’s PURE II completely blows it away. The violence is almost illicit. As long as your requirements are explicitly portable, the PURE II may be the best-sounding headphone amplifier at any price. It’s that good.
Read moreiBasso DX50 porridge at cymbacavum
The always-trustworthy cymbacavum has published a telling review essaying why the DX50 may not be the player in which we should place our hope. (For a second opinion, check out Ω's review of the DX50, or head on over to headfonia for a third op.)
On the face of it, I agree with many of the interface issues cymba decry. However, the bar for audiophile players has already been set. It needs to be raised before we can judge audiophile players like the DX50 or the Fiio X3 to the same build and interface standards on which we judge mass market players.
The DX50 will not play or browse your music as flawlessly as an iPod will. But it is a good-sounding player. The question that both cymbal and Ω is asking is this: why can't the two be reconciled into a single package?