Campfire Audio Andromeda And Vega An Impressive Binary Sunset | PREVIOUS REVIEW | REVIEW INDEX | NEXT REVIEW | A LONG ABSENCE Apart from getting 20 yards away from a bear, accidentally descending down a snow-packed couloir (via a controlled* 50-foot slide) at Denali NP, and driving on a seriously questionable road somewhere above the Arctic Circle, I’ve been fine. Mostly. Yes, I’ve been in Alaska for a month, putting myself in precarious situations and generally relying on "hold my beer" logic to survive; I almost qualified for several Darwin Awards...

Campfire Audio Andromeda And Vega An Impressive Binary Sunset | PREVIOUS REVIEW | REVIEW INDEX | NEXT REVIEW | A LONG ABSENCE Apart from getting 20 yards away from a bear, accidentally descending down a snow-packed couloir (via a controlled* 50-foot slide) at Denali NP, and driving on a seriously questionable road somewhere above the Arctic Circle, I’ve been fine. Mostly. Yes, I’ve been in Alaska for a month, putting myself in precarious situations and generally relying on "hold my beer" logic to survive; I almost qualified for several Darwin Awards...

Feliks Audio Elise Fuer Elise: Beethoven Would Be Impressed  | PREVIOUS REVIEW | REVIEW INDEX | NEXT REVIEW |   INTRODUCTION The Right Stuff Roll credits.  Well, not exactly -but the point is that the Feliks Audio Elise is a darned good piece of equipment. And with its recent update, this cult favorite has only gotten better.  The 2017 Elise features reduced background noise and a new three-year warranty, two very welcome changes to an already excellent product.  Those who have read my reviews in the past will know that this isn’t my first...

Lindemann musicbook:10 DSD A Serious Common Denominator   | PREVIOUS REVIEW | REVIEW INDEX | NEXT REVIEW |   INTRODUCTION Angles of Approach There’s always been a certain connotation attached to “all-in-one” devices.  After all, it would seem inconceivable that a single solution could achieve a level of performance previously requiring two or more discrete components. And yet, we are reminded that this misconception isn't –offerings like the Questyle CMA800i, Teac UD-503, and Schiit Jotunheim indicate that there is merit to be had in...

Kennerton Odin Odin, Thou Whirlwind, What Realism!  | PREVIOUS REVIEW | REVIEW INDEX | NEXT REVIEW |   INTRODUCTION From Russia, With Love Of Course I suppose this review will be a swan song to end my audio journey in Singapore.  It’s hard not to be just a little bit sentimental, especially when the pair of cans on your head is rendering Bryan Adam’s Heaven almost perfectly.  In many ways, this review represents a lot of the best aspects of the local audio community.  I learnt of the Odin through reviewer @earfonia (who always does...

Sony NW-WM1Z/ NW-WM1A Young Guns In The Wild West  | PREVIOUS REVIEW | REVIEW INDEX | NEXT REVIEW |   INTRODUCTION Black And Yellow (A Modern Homage To Pittsburgh) There is a certain streak of insanity to the new Sony players –an undeniable gold fever that makes even the most seasoned of audioholics slightly uneasy.  The glint in their eyes reveals that a few are already feeling the disturbing onset of possible upgrade anxiety.  What if this was indeed better?  Could it be the chosen one? As for myself –no such wonderment.  The shock...

Sony NW-WM1Z/ NW-WM1A Young Guns In The Wild West  | PREVIOUS REVIEW | REVIEW INDEX | NEXT REVIEW |   INTRODUCTION Black And Yellow (A Modern Homage To Pittsburgh) There is a certain streak of insanity to the new Sony players –an undeniable gold fever that makes even the most seasoned of audioholics slightly uneasy.  The glint in their eyes reveals that a few are already feeling the disturbing onset of possible upgrade anxiety.  What if this was indeed better?  Could it be the chosen one? As for myself –no such wonderment.  The shock...

Sony MDR-Z1R A Closed Back Flagship Standard  | PREVIOUS REVIEW | REVIEW INDEX | NEXT REVIEW |   INTRODUCTION Find Your Way Back April 1981 saw the release of Modern Times by Jefferson Starship.  Now a largely forgotten album, Modern Times did in fact represent a critical juncture for the band.  Singer Grace Slick’s return would not only secure the band’s financial viability, but also lend a certain je ne sais quoi that would help to keep it in good standing with both critics and audiences.  Moreover, it provided much needed direction to...

Hifiman Supermini (And Megamini) Curiously Small DAPs That Deliver    | PREVIOUS REVIEW | REVIEW INDEX | NEXT REVIEW |   INTRODUCTION And Then There Were Two Interesting ten (or was it thirteen?) days this has been. Currently priced at $399 USD and $249 USD (post-Indiegogo) respectively, these new compact DAPs are certainly interesting value propositions. Their main selling points are a small form factor and an extended battery life. In this sense, they are pretty successful! If this had been 2014, things would’ve been very smooth sailing...

AudioQuest NightHawk A Solid First Entry By AudioQuest    | PREVIOUS REVIEW | REVIEW INDEX | NEXT REVIEW |   INTRODUCTION A Very Different Kind Of Blue Different. It’s the AudioQuest NightHawk, in a word. A combination of rather unique design elements and aesthetics, this entry byAudioQuest is indeed an unconventional looking and sounding headphone. When I first auditioned the NightHawk, I was left with a positive impression and a piqued interest. I did feel that there was more to be had though – and hence I reached out to Stephen at...

Feliks Audio Espressivo A Foot Tappin', Head Shakin' Tube Amp    | PREVIOUS REVIEW | REVIEW INDEX | NEXT REVIEW |   INTRODUCTION A Diamond In The Rough Feliks Audio is a family company based out of Lubliniec, Poland. Their specialty –tube amps. Many will already be familiar with their fabled Elise, but few may know about its older sibling, the Espressivo. Overshadowed in a sense by its overachieving younger brother, the Espressivo has more or less faded into anonymity. It’s not particularly hard to see why the Espressivo never went...

iFi Pro iCAN An Impressive Flagship Contender    | PREVIOUS REVIEW | REVIEW INDEX | NEXT REVIEW |   INTRODUCTION iFi's Bid To Define A "Flagship Amplifier" The Pro iCAN. An understated name for a product that politely seeks to be the alpha and omega of flagship headphone amplifiers.   The fully packed, bright red PCB is illustrative; according to iFi there is simply “no more ‘real estate’ left to develop” on the Pro iCAN.  Consider it an embodiment of the iFi philosophy.  One will not find a slick webpage for the Pro iCAN –instead be...

SONY H.EAR IN WIRELESS A Different Bluetooth Headphone  | PREVIOUS REVIEW | REVIEW INDEX | NEXT REVIEW |     INTRODUCTION   The Latest In The h.ear Series The Sony h.ear in Wireless (sic) is a refreshing product from Sony in the realm of the general consumer audio market.  Like the h.ear on/ h.ear in, the h.ear in Wireless represents the latest in a vastly updated Sony product line.  Gone are the boring business professional designs from yesteryear.  Instead, welcome an eccentrically catchy design that features just enough “hip” colors...

AUDINST HUD-DX1 An all-in-one DAC/Amp Solution.  | PREVIOUS REVIEW | REVIEW INDEX | NEXT REVIEW |     INTRODUCTION All-in-one DAC/Amp for 500?  Correction – make it 398.  Well, what is the HUD-DX1?  Made by Korean audio company Audinst, the HUD-DX1 currently represents the pinnacle of the Audinst DAC/Amp development tree.  It’s just about packed everything possible into its rather small 104 x 120 mm industrial metal enclosure –including the latest (and depending on who you ask, the greatest) means of playback.  Yes, native DSD/DXD. Let’s...

iFi iCAN (Standard and SE) Power in a small package.  << PREVIOUS REVIEW | REVIEW INDEX | NEXT REVIEW >>   GENERAL NOTES For those who have read some of my past reviews, you'll notice that I've changed up the format slightly.  Graphically, this new review format looks more appeasing to the eye, while writing wise, I find that it is more fluid and natural.  Hope you don't mind it too much, and feedback is appreciated!     INTRODUCTION As a somewhat regular visitor to Stereo (audio store here in Singapore), I’ve caught more than a few...

KLIPSCH'S XR8i <<Samson Z55                 Review Index                                 TBA>>   INTRODUCTION Klipsch is a company that really doesn’t need an introduction.  From its beginnings in the loudspeaker business to its entry into the IEM market in 2007, Klipsch continues to produce some of the most popular and well-received audio products in the consumer market today.  For this review, I’ll be looking at the XR8i, a hybrid earphone from Klipsch’s fairly new Reference X-series of in-ear headphones.  This lineup of 4 new...

SAMSON'S Z55  <<Fiio A1 Amplifier        Review Index                Klipsch XR8i>>   INTRODUCTION The ATH-M50/X is perhaps one of the most widely recommended headphones for entry-level and portable use.  And it’s not a huge mystery why–a fairly engaging sound signature combined with good technical performance is a definite crowd-pleaser.  But that’s fairly old news.  Let’s talk about something that’s new, something that’s a viable alternative to the M50X in the sub-200 dollar range.  Let’s take a look at Samson’s flagship Z55...

FIIO'S A1 AMP   << Fiio M3 DAP                        Review Index                               Samson Z55>>   INTRODUCTION So Fiio’s on a bit of a budget audio mini-device roll right now.  First, the M3 –a solid DAP that’s no bigger (and heavier) than a large Lego block.  Okay, slight exaggeration but you get the point.  Now we have the A1, Fiio’s revamped version of the extremely popular E06 budget portable amp.  I’m fairly certain by now that most are familiar with Fiio.  But for those who’ve somehow missed out on it, Fiio is a...

FIIO'S M3 DAP << M&D MW60 Wireless Headphones Quick Navigation Panel                                               Fiio A1 Amp >>   INTRODUCTION Okay –let’s talk Fiio.  It’s a fast growing Chinese audio company that seems intent on dominating the portable market.  Whether it’s the X7 or the budget X1, Fiio’s got something for everyone.  Cue General Motors of the audio world.   My last run-in with Fiio came in the form of the E11K, which left me fairly impressed with what the company was able to achieve with a hundred dollars (street...

HIDIZS' AP100   INTRODUCTION Hidizs was founded in 2009 after a lengthy investigation of the audiophile DAP market.  Thus far, it has produced only a single offering: the AP100.  Entering into an increasingly saturated market occupied by bigger name players like Fiio, iBasso, HiFiMan, and at the higher end, Astell & Kern, Hidizs faces what can only be described as extremely steep competition.  In many ways, the AP100 not only needed to match existing competitors like the DX50/90 and X3/5 in terms of performance, but also surpass them in order...