Introduction   Cypherlabs' new Algorhythm Picollo is the latest addition to its portable component offerings. It's a no fuss simple single ended input/output amp that charges via a standard microUSB 5V port in the rear. It's claimed to last for more than 24+ hours on a single charge. No OpAmps were used but instead a discrete component layout consisting of 10 pairs of matched triodes.   More manufacturer specs can be found here: http://www.cypherlabs.com/products/algorhythm-picollo/   A big thanks to Cypherlabs for this tour demo which will...

  Introduction   Oppo Digital has had experience in making SACD players and in releasing it first headphone, the PM-1, also released a matching HA-1 DAC/Amp that comes packed with features taking in miscellaneous ranging fro USB, Toslink, AES, Coax, iDevice, & even Bluetooth. It can also be used as a amp only taking balanced or unbalanced line in. As for it's output, it can output balanced and unbalanced line out, in addition to its XLR balanced headphone out or 1/4" single ended headphone out. The HA-1 also supports up to DSD256.   Now I have...

  Introduction   Oppo Digital is a name renown for their Blue-ray & DVD Players but recently branched out to the headphone world by releasing their very first planar magnetic headphones, the PM-1, and matching desktop DAC/Amp, HA-1. With the courtesy of Oppo Digital Japan, I received a demo set of PM-1 and HA-1 for just over two weeks. The PM-1 comes in an impressive wooden storage box and a suite of cable accessories for portable and home use, velour ear pads which offer an alternative signature, and a denim carrying case.    ...

Introduction Tralucent Audio is a name that's appeared on Head-Fi only since August 2012 but has quickly made a name for themselves with their ability to challenge other IEM makers when it released it's 1Plus2. I reviewed that IEM last year as a love/hate relationship as I felt it excelled every aspect of audio technicalities an enthusiast or an audiophile seeks sonically but overall, didn't sound musical to my ears. My expectations of the 1Plus2 was eventually managed when I bought the earphone again but with the Tralucent Uber cable on the 2nd...

Introduction   Before getting into the AK240, I'll need to thank Amos/Currawong for bringing this back from the SoCal 2014 show, and also a very big thanks to iRiver USA for being so generous on letting Team Tokyo have a loaner of this product. Where we can test in the comfort of our environment rather than standing in a shop with limited time for testing.   Is one needed for this DAP really? It's gained more attention before it was released than when it's available!! This is iRiver/A&K's latest addition to their line but it's also their flagship...

I've had the privilege of Charles Wong send me this prototype amp a few months back but didn't get a chance to listen to it until recently. Charles worked on this particular unit himself so it is still very much a prototype unit that I have in my hands. There were a few issues with the unit but since it's prototype, I won't dwell on that.   Overall, the unit is quite blocky due to the 9V battery it houses and the wooden case does have some thickness to it. The actual circuit board inside is actually quite small. Operation is quite simple, only a...

Introduction V-Moda's VAmp VERZA has been out for quite some time now and these days the audio lifecycle has been getting shorter and shorter with some makers churning out replacement upgrades with a longevity of an ant. So this is more a long term review of the VERZA. As many may have known the origins of the VERZA from VentureCraft Go-DAP X. But there are fundamental differences between the two as the VERZA much more than just a rebadged Go-DAP X. The collaboration between V-Moda and VentureCraft resulted in a re-imagined product that incorporated...

  The TUR-06 is the smaller brother of the TU-05b reviewed here. This hybrid tube amp was added to the offerings of Analog Squared Paper earlier this year around late January 2013. The differences between the TUR-06 and the TU-05b are :-   Hybrid Tube/Transistor Amp 482g (vs 1kg for the TU-05b) 2x1U4 (1T4) estimated price to be USD$600 vs $1070 for the TU-05b   The TUR-06 is actually more practical due to its size by comparison to it's larger brother.     Sound Signature   As mentioned in my TU-05b review, I have had little...

  Analog Squared Paper is small business run by Kageyuki Shikada. He makes each one of these amps by hand and they're effectively made to order. I won't belabour the specs and details of this amp as ianmedium has done a wonderful job at covering all of that in the Analog Squared Paper thread and in his review of this product. But I'll get into what this amp has done for me.   Shikada-san was extremely generous to loan me the TU-05b and TUR-06 for reviewing and I'm very thankful to him for such an opportunity. Getting Straight Into The Sound...

    Introduction In the past 2 years VentureCraft has been successfully creating amps and DAC/Amp packaged components with their GD-03, Go-DAP 4.0 for iPhone 4(s), and Go-DAP X for their multi OS (iDevice, Android 4.1+, PC USB Audio).   This is VentureCraft's first DAC-only product but with a twist. Leveraging on the existing AKM AK4353 used on the Go-DAP 4.0 and Go-DAP X, they have continued with the trend of using the same DAC in their DD. The difference between this iDevice DAC with it's competitors is the multiple choices of pre-amp...

  Introduction Tralucent Audio is known primarily for it's 1Plus2 Hybrid Universal IEM of which those who may have read my review, I had a love/hate relationship with this IEM with it's stock silver cable, and with the next level up, silver/gold cable.   I actually heard about this cable some time ago but paid no notice of it 'cos of it's rumoured price of USD$1300 (which is incidentally the base price of the 1Plus2 with silver cable!). Months after my review, and my return/refund of the 1Plus2, I gave the IEM another demo but this time with...

This review is somewhat different from my other reviews as my Go-DAP X was personalised to my requirement. This service is offered by VentureCraft of which many other Go-DAP X owners have taken advantage of. Therefore this review may not necessarily be completely applicable to the base Go-DAP X model.       Introduction The Go-DAP X was released last year around early October 2012 & was the somewhat more universal version of the Go-DAP 4.0 which was iPhone 4/4S specific.   Back then, the Go-DAP X was the first portable DAC/Amp that...

Introduction   The Rhapsodio RDB+ 2v1 (formerly known as RDP+ v2) is the baby brother of the RDB+ v1. It's still a 2xBA & 1xDD but instead of a 10mm driver that the older brother has, it sports an 8mm driver instead. As such the overall shell of the RDB+ 2v1 is smaller. In addition, the sound of the RDB+ 2v1 isn't necessarily a successor of the RDB+ v1. Talking to the makers, the RDB+ 2v1 is meant to have a more accurate sound signature, a goal of which I feel they have achieved.   Design & Ergonomics As can be seen, this isn't a very...

  I apologise for the late report on the initial impressions of the Fostex TH-600. I spent early part of last week burning the headphone in. But when that was complete I was hit with the flu and high fever. The above photo was actually my bedroom rig during recovery. Post recovery, I actually managed to make some time to have a listen to the TH-600 a bit, and compare it to the Signature Pros and the TH-900. Over the weekend my friend & I attempted to find a pair of Denon AH-D7000 but there was none! Tokyo may be great with the latest and the...

  Tralucent 1Plus2 Summary   Ever wanted to know what all the fancy audiophile jargon means audibly ? The 1Plus2 can cover most of what you've read in a single pair of IEMs - soundstage, imaging, detail, high airy extensions, tight & deep bass, clarity, transparency, and the list goes on.    1Plus2, Beat Audio Cronus Cable balanced, iPhone 4S, CLAS -dB Balanced, ALO Rx Mk3 (real use case in low gain setting, despite what the photo suggests)       Physical Design and Comfort   Before we go into the sonics, I'd like to describe...

Ortofon Japan and MHd-Q7 Introduction   Aside from importing and distributing Ortofon's global products such as turntable needles, their Japan office also makes some local Japan-only products such as earphones and amplifiers. Ortofon Japan produced their Hd-Q7 a few years ago and was already reviewed here.   Around early 2012, I was privy to the development of a portable amp Ortofon Japan. But for about 6 months I hadn't heard of any further progress form it until the e-earphone event in mid October where I met my Ortofon contact who then told...

The Signature DJ is the new addition to Ultrasone's Signature series. It's basic exterior design is based on the  Signature Pro design sharing many components together (except colour) however the driver is a new 50mm mylar driver.   A very big thank you to TimeLord Japan for loaning me a pair of Signature DJs and Signature Pros to do this impression and review.         What's Included?   The Signature DJ comes in a hard case just like the Signature Pro. It also comes with 2 cables (3.5mm and coiled 1/4" jacks), both with locking...

  OK, I have an "almost complete" impressions of the MDR-1R. If you guys are ok with something that's almost, but not completely done, here you go. sNaturally I'll be padding this post and updating it as I complete it and will inform readers of the update :-   Notes: No unboxing pix. Go see Jude's Gallery for it's unboxing.   Comfort And Design These are extremely comfortable headphones. Probably the most comfortable headphone I've ever worn. They are a true circumaural that encompasses my ear however, they're not excessively large...

    V-Moda M-100 Unboxing Picture Post   Warning: Picture Heavy   Today I received a production version of the V-Moda M-100. As I was not a part of the pre-release run these aren't the VTF-100s with additional accessories, etc. As such there are no pictures of the additional accessories. This is the retail on-the-shelf stock package.   I also have to thank you very much to the V-Moda team (Val, Gavin, Bill), and to VentureCraft (Hamada-san) for making this happen for me. I feel very privileged to be able to get these in my hands so...

  Please bear with me, I'd consider myself still a noob when it comes to desktop DAC/Amps. Although I've heard a few DAC Amps in quite a few public headphone festivals, most aren't heard with my headphones nor my source tracks of music. And I'm still mostly learning from the gurus here in this forum and from Japan Head-Fiers.   So this initial impressions will be somewhat unstructured and a lot of it will be based on a DAC/Amp I'm familiar with, the Benchmark DAC1 Pre. I won't get into the specs of the HP-A8 as you can find the info easily...