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.

iBasso 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? 

DARKO's top audiophile moment of 2013

Was a trip to Shinjuku's Yodobashi Camera. It truly is amazing to see hundreds of speakers and amps Legoed together into tight sound walls. Trying to hear anything meaningful from any of it, however, is next to impossible.

Digital Audio Review is a fabulous audiophile website published by 6moons editor, John H. Darko. Darko prose gots its tongue in its cheek and keeps important points on the tip. Recommended.

e-earphone Akihabara Headphone Festival

Ω was out all weekend with the flu. But his betters at headfi caught the decent and indecent in the best act of the holidays. From Audio Technica to xDuoo, there's a world of geeky interest for the geeky interest in you over at headfi.

Ω out.

Musica Acoustics giving away one pair of Mr. Speakers' Alpha Dog Headphones

As stated above, one pair of Mr. Speakers Alpha Dog headphones (MSRP 599$) will be freed to one lucky winner come 13 January, 2014. Secondary and tertiary prizes also available. 

I signed up. You should, too. Here's how.