Solo. BAM! Theorem 720. BAM! Now, BAM! DUET, a portable headphone amp with no DAC strings attached. It’s one of those handy few do-alls that does all like nobody’s business. BAM!
Read moreHeadfonia: Fostex HP-A4: Mini HP-A8
Mike's upped a review of the Fostex HP-A4 USB headphone/DAC about which I briefly wrote at the end of 2013. I didn't really get a chance to listen to it for more than a few minutes, but my opinions reflect Mike's rather well. He concludes:
“While I don’t really care about DSD or 24/192 capabilities, at the end I just can’t help being excited about a box that plays everything I throw at it pretty good. Just about the most perfect balance of technicalities and musicality I’ve seen south of $1000. It has the sound stage, the depth, resolution, separation, but it manages to be so musically involving and toe-tapping. I wanted to say that the HP-A4 has re-set the bar on the $500 USB DAC/Amp but it’s such a cliche statement. Perhaps you the reader can help me with a closing statement.”
Ω may take a longer look at it in the future with the proviso that readers understand that Fostex are one of Ω's recently acquired clients.
How to make a knockoff product
While Saddleback Leather isn't exactly a camera, lens, earphone, speaker, or audio cable-making company, it is a quality, and original, manufacturer. Its products are its own and are worth every peso. But being a benevolent manufacturer, Saddleback is offering a How to Knock Off a Bag how-to video. It points out where you can save money whilst ripping off a better manufacturer, be it audio, shoes, or Q-Tips.
If this video gave you pointers on how to save some dosh, don't bother contacting ohm image for product photography or reviews. The world is overflowing with uncreative lumps like you. Contact one of our knock-offs instead.
Thanks, DaringFireball.
Cymbacavum: In support of the DIY CIEM community in Japan
If you're a fan of custom IEMs and dig really cool projects, you owe it to yourself to check out Cymbacavum's latest article about the Japanese DIY CIEM underworld.
Cypher Labs giving away one DUET headphone amplifier
Just log in to your Facebook account and shed a bit of privacy. A couple of clicks later and, luck's your lady. Giveaway details are here. Like Cypher Labs' Facebook page for the latest news.
Headfonia's Cypher Labs DUET review
Despite being published 12 days ago, Ω missed this excellent writeup. Overall, Headfonia agrees with Ω: DUET is a fabulous amp for IEMs. Our opinions divaricate on the point of DUET's performance with headphones. This is Headfonia's take:
“So in case you are wondering: overall the Duet is not the same sounding as the recently released resolving, spacious and dynamic Theorem. Yes the Duet is quiet and doesn’t have any minor issues and if you want a very clear sound and bass and mid range focus and can live with the smaller sound, the Duet is for you. For IEMs the choice is easy, the strong points of the Duet make your IEM extra good as most of the better monitors aren’t necessarily tuned with a focus on bass. For full size headphones the Duet can be a great match if your headphone can use a bit of bass and mid range focus.”
The Theorem 720 has a sound signature that more closely resembles the ALO Rx MKIII-B+. For any number of earphones/headphones, that is a good thing. It is muscular and detailed. But so is the DUET. In fact, the DUET sports a lower noise floor and slightly better stereo image when driving high-current loads. That makes it a better amp for both your Audeze headphones and your low-Ω IEMs.
Ω's review is coming soon. While it will ooze sincerity, it will be almost complete ohmage. This is Cypher Labs' first nearly flawless product. 720 may have amazed me with its resolution and stand-up stereo image, but DUET sacrifices very little in delivering better across-the-board performance in addition to better management of circuit noise.
Effusive though the above paragraph may be, I believe it is important to point out that performance-wise, DUET has no Cypher Labs equal. Sound reviews are, by nature, subjective. Actual performance isn't.
Computer Audiophile: CES 2014 in pictures
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.