This Cypher Labs blog post explains that the excellent Theorem 720 and AlgoRhythm SOLO -dB can play back DSD files on your iDevice and computer.
New from FitEar: Gundam and 3D printing
"April's Fool!" went Mr. Suyama between mouthfuls of tasteless Japanese beer at the 2014 Mook お疲れ様会. Before our eyes, he dangled a tiny gatling gun fitted with an earphone. Each of its barrels was, as you may have guessed, made of that FitEar precious metal, titanium. Every angle, every barrel, every hard edge projected the singular image on the minds of everyone at the table: Gundam.
Read moreHeadfi: HiFiman giveaway
If you've got a hankering for HiFiman's awesome RE600 or RE400 earphones, or the flippy HM700 player, jump into this headfi thread, and follow these simple instructions:
1. like us on the Facebook (Hifiman electronics)
2. follow us on Twitter (hifimanofficial)
3. reply this thread
ansible ohmage: InEar SD-3
SD-3 outfitted with Spin-Fit ear pieces
Recently, I got to fondle a couple of interesting earphones: the Earsonics S-EM6 and the InEar SD-3. Why? Because I thought that Musica Acoustics wouldn’t notice they were gone (tee hee!). I was wrong. Both earphones are headed back to MA today with all haste and profuse apology. If you’re keen for a proper review, Headfonia will be covering the SD-3 at length; and later at the same website, yours truly will give some love to the Earsonics S-EM6.
Read moreHeadfi: Astell & Kern AK480
Headfi's got the scoop on the first portable player that you won't be able to buy with the funds from the sale of a 2013 VW Passat.
;)
HiFi Wigwam: Acoustic Energy 1 demos at Purite
If you're located in the UK and just dying to demo a set of budget speakers, head on over to Purite in North Yorkshire, who have just put the new Acoustic Energy 1 for your naysay or yaysay. Ω owns a pair of AE2's from way back in the day and loves them to bits. Cheap as chips but a decent overhead for use with a good variety of amps.
Music To Go: Portaphile Micro review
The prodigiously-thumbed pioneering headphone reviewer, Sasaki, published his thoughts on the Portaphile Micro (in Japanese) the same day as yours truly. Here's a bit of trivia for you: what country houses both of us?
He seems particularly ecstatic, especially when comparing the MUSES Micro version to his older 627, which delivers a plainer, less exciting sound. My take is that the OPA627 version is better for a wide range of headphones, but both work nearly flawlessly for earphones.
Westone: Seven Ways In-Ear Headphones Can Help Advance Your Career
Admittedly, in-ear earphones drip a level of professionalism that over-the-ear headphones simply can't. But certainly they do not do so in every office or work situation. Outside of a few, special cases, I call BS on this Westone article. Listening to earphones can focus you. There is no doubt of that. But they also tend to focus you like blinders do a horse, and not always in the way your boss/customer intends.
Enjoy your Bieber, but I'd check with your boss and co-workers before closing the world off with a great set of Westone or Jerry Harvey, or FitEar earphones. And for the love of god, stave off the desire to put anything Beats in your ears.
Headfonia: Portaphile Micro review
Classified, iPod 5g, and Portaphile Micro. All that's missing is the Audeze LCD-X
At long last, I got Headfonia to publish my review of the inspiring Portaphile Micro headphone amp. While no amp comes sans niggles, Portaphile Micro's few (but hefty) niggles are part of a package that is entirely worthwhile.
“I didn’t expect Micro to positively bump me so well. But it truly is an excellently engineered amp. The 627x has actually become my new bench mark among all-in-one battery-powered headphone amps. But the Micro isn’t far behind. It certainly pairs better with IEMs. It is light, well-made, and compact. It also costs less than the 627x or the Vorzüge, and for the most part, is able to match the performance of either. Yes, battery life is a pain, and yes, you have to ice down your dip stick from time to time, but I think it is worth it.
And if you own Audeze’ awesome LCD-X, it is so damn worth it.”
Sony Hi-Res Walkmans to gain DSD playback
Sony are on record (in Japanese) saying that DSD playback functionality couldn't be added to their hi-res portable audio line via firmware. That was the Sony of September 2013. The Sony of March 2014 ain't having none of that. No no. Today they're like: "We'as jus' goofin' yo!" (Remember, Sony dig doing new things just because they're new.)
Unless the joke's on us, April will be the month of the DSD-capable Walkman. Both Sony Hi-Res Walkmans, the NW-ZX1 and F880, will get DSD-enabling firmware updates.