Fiio X1 mockup photos at Fiio's Facebook

Fiio fans will want to check this out. The X1 portable digital player will be slightly larger than the excellent Fiio X3 DAP. Ω is excited that it looks to be more traditionally laid out. You can keep up to date by following Fiio's Facebook page.

“X1 mockup
- The dimensions will be 88x50mm (as tall as Plan B but wider, close to the width of Plan A. For reference, X3 is 109x55mm)
- The central control group will change from the X5’s “X” shape around the scroll wheel to a circle (with the four buttons on the circle still in an X configuration. The buttons’ functions (from upper left, clockwise) are as follows: shortcuts key (brings up a quick menu), back, next, previous) (same as on the X5) The centre button will be an “OK/confirm” key.
- The final product will look better. Much better ”

At head-fi: Dubstep Girl's Massive 5AR4/5R4/5U4G Rectifier Review/Comparison!

Threads like this are why head-fi simply rocks.

Currawong reviews the ALO Studio Six

Currawong, Headfi's prim and knowledgeable moderator-extraorindaire, has, at long last, published his review of the excellent ALO Studio Six headphone amp. Generally, and with good reason, he is ecstatic. But without intending to detract from the original text, I will point out that while Curra and I both agree that the Studio Six is an unwavering delight of power and resolution for headphones, we each await an ALO Audio power amp. 

“The performance of the amp is so unwavering that even if one plugs 4 completely different pairs of headphones in, even IEMs, the performance through any single pair does not change in the slightest. The question I had at the end of it all was not about whether the amp is worth it, but why it didn’t have speaker outputs. Ken Ball’s reply to this question was to send me a custom cable with a headphone plug on one end and speaker banana plugs on the other.”

For those with short memories, here is what I wrote about the Studio Six.

the convergence of audiophilia and photophilia

Thanks to mirrorless interchangeable lens camera systems and small lenses, I can now comfortably take my X-Pro 1 and favourite lens around with my favourite audiophile system... with plenty of room left over for scotch.

I've got more over at photophile.

R.I.V. - your loved ones, ripped in vinyl

If you  really really miss your dearly departeds, and ashes aren't your thing, but vinyl is, And Vinyly will press the ashes of your dads and mums and uncles and aunts into your favourite tunes, recordings of their voices, or, more aptly, into silence. You can also prepare for the future by reserving a record of your own. 

thanks @noruweijin

Great year-end headphone and earphone sales

Just a quick shout-out to some great online headphone sale events. Updates will come as I find them. 

1. Amazon: Gold Box Deal of the Day: 65% Off V-MODA Crossfade LP Headphones 69,99$ - save 130$ over MSRP

2. Sleek Audio: Final pre-Christmas SA7 Limited Edition Sale 187,49$ - save 62,50$ over MSRP

- ohmage to the SA7

Meridian prime time

Computer Audiophile's admin, Chris Connaker, has written up a beautiful piece on the Meridian Prime Headphone amp. More and more, Computer Audiophile have been writing about headphone amplifiers, proving that headphones are becoming accepted in the mainstream of audiophiledom.

“Meridian completes the hat-trick in 2013 with the release of its Prime Headphone Amplifier. First the Explorer, followed by the Director, and now the Prime. The Prime is truly the centerpiece for a great audio system. It’s well suited for the home or the office, for headphones or powered loudspeakers, and for digital or analog input. The Prime is a quality audio component in both sight and sound.”

— http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/552-meridian-prime-headphone-amplifier-review-prime-power-supply-sneak-preview/

Happy Holidays from Frederick

I remember when Frederick couldn't call what grew on his faces 'stubble'. But the dude's all grown up now. He's a producer at Light Organ Records. He also pops out damn fine electronic tunes. And his beard? It's beautiful.

I stay in my pyjamas all day.

But that doesn't matter. Frederick's got something new growing. Methinks it might be a follow-up to his first EP, Artisan Kane. At least my audiophile-trained ears think they hear something snappy in the background of this ChriSAWmasy Youtube video. 

And they are getting me excited. 

porridge to the turds at cymbacavum

Some of headfi's tightest headphone reviewers hang out at cymbacavum, where Ω daily goes to ball-up on finely crafted audiophilese. Nearly every word written over there is gold. And recently, the cymbas gave a heart-warming shout out to Ω. Thank you sirs. 

Feeling's mutual.

Not!

Your bloody skipper got me started on the Astrotech AX-60... and what I hope isn't a turn into financial ruin. Ω cannot thank him for finding a great-sounding blue earphone, nor can Ω thank him for prodding Ω on to find the awesome Aussie earphone shop, Noisy Hotel, or some such place. Ω certainly can't thank him for including him in the AX-60 tour that sent Ω on a precipitous spending spree. (The wife has caught on.) So hooked as Ω may be on what he now affectionately call the AXE; simultaneously Ω is waiting for the chance to bop your big boy with one of his frenzied five irons.

Ho hum.