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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.
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.
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 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.
Not enough of the media attention sucked up by Neil Young's Pono portable music player and music service is about the qualitative improvements the player boasts over other players.
Ayre, the company engineering the Pono, released a white paper illustrating how their digital filters outperform the filters used in "99+% of all modern digital equipment" through, essentially, the elimination of digital pre and post ring. If Ayre's minimum phase digital filters do make it into Pono, Neil's player will have a real, audible leg up on the competition.
Ayre MP White Paper (PDF)
Thanks @Cymbacavum
Antelope Audio’s newest DAC, the Zodiac Platinum, isn’t merely a follow-up to the original Zodiac Silver DAC, it’s a re-think of the series. Thankfully, Platinum sports the same compact shape, the same quality construction, and it is compatible with the awesome Voltikus power supply.
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Mike does the glorious Audeze LCD-XC in one of Headfonia's most long-awaited reviews.
Seeing as how I am the responsible party for getting the FX500 to blow up at Headfi, it pleases me greatly to see that Victor's wood FX series earphones are still en vogue. Headfier and fellow Victor fan, Dsnuts, put up a pretty cool review of the HA-FX850 a couple of days ago. The FX850 is part of the newly revamped wood earphone series from Victor.
Dsnuts concludes:
“Done so well that it will let you realize just how limiting other earphones in your collection is when it comes to proper dynamics in a large sounding earphone. A complete sounding phone that incorporates the best of JVC has to offer for the enthusiast..These are what I consider a masterpiece of engineering.. Simply enjoyable beyond belief... Get that image of a cheaper bass phones done wrong completely out of your head. Think TH600/TH900 in an earphone and you might have a good idea what I am talking about here.. An absolutely fantastic example of a single dynamic done right...”
Which is exciting, because the Fostex TH600 really tickled my fancy.
My second ever review at Headfonia is, after a hiccup caused by Ω, live at HFN. On the plate is the excellent Jerry Harvey Audio Roxanne earphone. To put the long short, I love it. It is one of the best earphones on the planet now. And yes, I have begun saving my yennies for one.
True back then, true today. Be responsible when listening to headphones (and boom boxes).
Tsukuba, Japan
