Campfire Audio Lyra "Hard-shelled beauty!"     Firstly, I’d like to thank dmarco for organising this review. It’s always a great opportunity to be a part of these.   The second on the list coming from Campfire Audio is another beaut of an IEM, the Lyra. This one is completely different to the Orion. Of the three new IEMs this one is probably the most unique. Instead of a CNC machined shell it's made from heat treated ceramic and a single dynamic driver, but like it's other 2 brothers it comes with pretty much all the same accessories including...

Campfire Audio Orion "Beauty within and without!"     Firstly, I’d like to thank @d marc0 for organising this review. It’s always a great opportunity to be a part of these.   There has been a lot of different IEM companies coming out of the woodworks in the past couple of years, and I always get a good feeling when I see something that truly stands out because I know that it will leave a mark on the Head-Fi community. This is definitely evident with Campfire Au I’ve never heard of Campfire Audio, but I do know ALO, and know that the quality of...

VE or Venture Electronics is not your standard run of the mill audio company. My experience with them has been an enjoyable to say the least. The first I heard about them was on the off chance around Head-Fi from these savoury fellows who kept raving on about these earbud earphones that were reportedly amazing. Looking the pictures I completely dismissed it for just plain old unjustified hype; how naïve I was. Then, out of the blue I got a message for uncle H20 asking me if I would like to take on some review samples from VE. Of course I gladly...

DUNU Titan 5 "Return of the Titan"     It’s been a while since I’ve come across another DUNU product. I did have short stints with the DN-1000 and the Alpha 1 but the Titan 5 was my first proper time since the Titan 1. The Titan 1 was one of those really unique products that stood out in the market for a few reasons; not just exceptional sound quality but design and innovation. Since then, DUNU have released 3 new products based on this initial innovative design of the Titan 1: these are the Titan 1es a budget option, and the Titan 3 & 5 which...

VE or Venture Electronics is not your standard run of the mill audio company. My experience with them has been an enjoyable to say the least. The first I heard about them was on the off chance around Head-Fi from these savoury fellows who kept raving on about these earbud earphones that were reportedly amazing. Looking the pictures I completely dismissed it for just plain old unjustified hype; how naïve I was. Then, out of the blue I got a message for uncle H20 asking me if I would like to take on some review samples from VE. Of course I gladly...

A little story about the VE Monks   First part is a snippet of the post I made for the Monks and the rest is the actual review. Enjoy! http://www.head-fi.org/t/783669/venture-electronics-ve-monk-a-5-earbud-that-seriously-deserves-a-place-here                                   Disclaimer: Please read the story before making judgement.   I'd like to start by saying that before trying the Monk, I absolutely hated earbuds and thought that they are an outdated technology which has no place in today's market. I've tried numerous...

Firstly, I'd like to thank H20Fidelity for including me on this product tour of the Cayin N6. I've had a little over a week with the Cayin N6, which is nowhere near the time to fully evaluate gear of this calibre, but I'll do my best to give it justice. Please take everything I say with a grain of salt.       Introduction I've audition a fair few different DAPs in the past year or so and mostly every player seems to bring something unique to the table. The Cayin N6 is no exception. First impressions are very important, and the N6 is really stunning...

Introduction The Aegis is the second device I've had the privilege to review from Cozoy, the first being the Astrapi. The Aegis inherits the same characteristics of the Astrapi and build on that foundation to create a truly step-up experience. I've had the Aegis for nearly 2 months now and I've got to say that these 2 months have been enjoyable ones. The Aegis came with me everywhere I went in my carry case; it accompanies me to work, home, outings and even got to join me on our anniversary cruise along the coast of Queensland Australia. The ease of...

Introduction The meaning of the world "Savant" is a person who is educated, but more specifically it is a mental condition of one excelling at one subject whilst being below average at everything else (or something down those lines). You can Google the meaning if you want. To me the Noble Audio Savant is much more than that, and I think the name "Jack" is more suiting here. In my humble opinion, I think that the Savant is good at everything but master of none, and I mean that in a good way. This is the very first Noble Audio product I've had the...

Firstly, I'd like to thank Brooko for including me on this product review tour. I did not purchase the X5 and have only had a week with the unit. Though, in my opinion, a week is nowhere near enough to fully evaluate a DAP or any kind of source gear (I know from experience, as I'm still learning new things about DACs I've had for over 6 months), please take my opinions with a grain of salt or two.   Introduction I don't think I need I need to tell people about the legacy that is FiiO. FiiO has been bringing a lot of very well designed budget priced...

Introduction The Fidue A65 is in quite of an interesting place. It's in the budget range that has a lot of great contenders, but in it's defence it brings a Titanium micro dynamic driver, and with impunity. There are only 3 other products that I know off that packs a Titanium diaphragm, and none of those are near this price range. The Titanium driver brings great, fast bass response, overall good imaging and BA like treble. The A65 shows all these traits but with a different type of tuning. The frequency response is actually quite flat which brings...

Introduction I first noticed the Fidue A73 floating around on Penon Audio, and there was very little information on them anywhere, especially Head-Fi. I had to get my hands on them! So I acquired both the A73 and A65. Having previously owned the Fidue A71, I knew that Fidue is no joke. The A71 was great but had some qualities I was not a fan of; I had my fingers crossed that the A73 is going to improve on all front, and well, let’s just say that I was not disappointed.   A little about the Fidue A73 More info at the Fidue...

Disclaimer: I did not purchase the Dunu Titan 1. I've had 2 months with them and believe I have had enough time to adequately review the Titans in depth. But of course, these are my personal opinions so please take them with a grain of salt, or two.     Introduction I first heard about the Dunu Titan 1 from @H20Fidelity. He told me, and I quote “Dunu Titan is the go.” Hype for the Titans grew really fast! The more I read the reviews and impression the more I needed to get my hands on them, so I contacted Dunu directly to get me a pair. Boy was...

Topping NX1 Australian Tour - DJScope Firstly I'd like to thank @DMax99 for sending this awesome little portable headphone amplifier on a tour of Australia, and @H20Fidelity for helping out organise the event.                 One week later... Some words: Originally I was going to change what is written in my first impressions, but I decided to leave it as is and just expand on my experience. The review will be based upon using the NX1 as it is designed for, i.e. an extremely affordable portable headphone amplifier, specifically using...

Firstly, I'd like to thank @d marc0 for including me on this tour. It's always a great experience and privilege to be a part of such a great community which organises these tours for members like myself to try out new gear that we may not have a chance to audition. I do feel very lucky to be a part of it. Disclaimer: I did not purchase the Philips Fidelio L2 and do not own it. I've had 1 week with it and the thinksound rain2. So please take what I have to say with a grain of salt, or two.     Philips is one of those brands that I would always...

Firstly, I'd like to thank @H20Fidelity for including me on this tour. It's always a great experience and privilege to be a part of such a great community which organises these tours for members like myself to try out new gear that we may not have a chance to audition. I do feel very lucky to be a part of it. Disclaimer: I did not purchase the HUM Pervasion and do not own it. I've had 1 week with it. So please take what I have to say with a grain of salt, or two.         A little about the HUM Pervasion:   About HUM (taken from...

thinksound rain2 - A mini Review   Firstly, I'd like to thank @d marc0 for including me on this tour. It's always a great experience and privilege to be a part of such a great community which organises these tours for members like myself to try out new gear that we may not have a chance to audition. I do feel very lucky to be a part of it. Disclaimer: I did not purchase these earphones and do not own them. I've had 1 week with them and the Philips Fidelio L2. So please take what I have to say with a grain of salt, or two.     A little about...

Before I begin, I want to thank @H20Fidelity for providing me this review sample. I've had the Astrapi of just over a week and have not had a lot of time with it so this will be a mini review. I did not purchase the Cozoy Astrapi but I will not let review bias effect me and will not hold any punches when there are punches to be throw. Now let's begin!     The Cozoy Astrapi is one of those devices that blows your mind away when you see it in real life. It is so comically small that you have to hold it in your hand before your mind can process how...

Before I begin, I want to thank @H20Fidelity for providing me this review sample. Also want to thank Fidue for creating such a great product. I did not purchase the Fidue A71 but I will not let review bias effect me and will not hold any punches when there are punches to be throw. Now let's begin!     The Fidue A71 is what you get when you have have that great idea and have the experience and ability to make that great idea a reality. The overall package of the A71s is superb. Presentation, attention to detail and build quality is above par...

Before I start I want to thank @White Lotus for including me on this Australian product tour for the Sennheiser Urbanite XL.     "Let your ears be loved: Sennheiser’s new over-ear headphones URBANITE XL delivers unique style and an intense club sound on the move – serving up massive bass but with Sennheiser’s uncompromising audio expertise ensuring excellent clarity across all frequencies." - Sennheiser    As far as I can gather, or what might be the consensus on the Sennheiser Urbanites, is that they are supposed to be the competition for...