Amplifiers

Every once in a while, the clouds part and the sky begins to gently glow, flowers bloom, angels cry and audiophiles around the world begin to sob with joy. It is really rare to find a USB Dac and amplifier com...

The N4 by Miniwatt

January 22, 2014

It's Chinese New Year soon and Hong Kong audio specialists have reduced the price on their N4 USB powered DAC/Amp to a very tempting $199 as a special promo so we though we would take a look and see how it perf...

The Island by ALO Audio

October 20, 2013

Amplifiers, Solid State, Sources

ALO Audio recently released their new balanced USB powered DAC/AMP called the Island priced at $299 and frankly folks this is about as small as it can get. Ok so I saw the eye catching pictures like everyone el...

8.8

Score

Hifiman EF6 Review

September 15, 2013

The Hifiman EF6 is a Class A high-end solid-state desktop amplifier specifically tuned and powered to pair with the HE6 headphones. It is priced at $1599. Disclaimer: The Hifiman EF6 sent to us is a sample in ...

The PA-10.1D Tube Amp by Trends Audio

August 20, 2013

Amplifiers, Tubes

I have been seeing a lot of aggressive marketing from Trends Audio over the last year or 2 so it was only logical that we would bump into each other eventually and sure enough David Ho of Trends Audio HK kindly...

7.8

Score

iFi Audio iCAn iDAC iPhono & iUSB Review

June 23, 2013

Amplifiers, Pure DACs, Solid State, Sources

Disclaimer: The iFi Audio iCAn iDAC iPhono & iUSB were sent to us for the purposes of this review and they do not have to be returned. Thank you to iFi Audio for giving us this opportunity. You can read ...

The Soloist by Burson Audio

April 14, 2013

I have to admit that the first things that struck me about the Burson Soloist were the finish and the weight. The latter I noticed even before I opened the box, given how heavy it was, and I didn't realize how ...

The Rein Audio X-Phone

March 22, 2013

Rein Audio are relatively new to the audiophile market but have produced some well received products including the X-DAC which by all accounts was full of win but I have yet to try that one myself. For a while ...

The Modi and Magni – Insane Schiit at $99!

January 1, 2013

Amplifiers, News Releases, Solid State

US amp manufacturer Schiit just recently announced the launch of the Modi and the Magni at a ridiculous price of $99 each. The Magni being a discreet AB power amp and the Modi being a USB DAC with 24/96 samplin...

8.3

Score

ALO Audio The Pan Am Review

October 26, 2012

$501-1000, Amplifiers, Tubes

The ALO Audio Pan Am is a 3-component stackable tube amp, DAC and dedicated line conditioning power unit system. It is priced at $599. Disclaimer: The ALO Audio Pan Am was sent to us as a loan sample in exchan...

FiiO E09K Headphone Amp – Feedback works!

August 12, 2012

$101-200, Amplifiers, Solid State

Ah FiiO - where would we be without budget hi-fi's answer to Apple eh? So small, so neat so well put together and for nickles and dimes when you consider their performance to price ratio. I don't know a soul wh...

Burson Audio HA-160DS – The “Baby’ HA-160D?

March 1, 2012

$1000+, Amplifiers, Solid State

Having been listening to the HD-160 amp for a while now and enjoying its impactful SQ, our sponsor and SE Distributor of Burson Audio, D&A International suggested I give the HA-160DS a try out also and of c...

Bravo Audio Headphone Amp Series Part 2 – The V3 & Ocean

January 22, 2012

Amplifiers, Tubes, Up To $100

I am a sucker for little tube amps and long since I got into this little addictive hobby there has always been a headphone tube somewhere so it comes as no surprise then when I received the V3 and the Ocean fro...

Bravo Audio Headphone Amp Series Part 1 – The V1 & 2

Donunus

January 21, 2012

Amplifiers, Tubes, Up To $100

I am always on the lookout for good sounding budget friendly amps and the Bravo Amps have been on my sites for a few months now. Since just a few days ago, I have been listening to not just one but two variatio...

Burson HA160D – The final say in headphone amps?

November 14, 2011

Amplifiers are kind of grey area in the headphone world. They’re obviously necessary, since headphones need sufficient power to truly sing, but at what price point does the phrase “diminishing returns” kick in ...

Superlux HA3D Headphone Amplifier – 3 into 1 does indeed go!

November 1, 2011

$101-200, Amplifiers, Solid State

We have been looking at a lot of headphone amps of late and as a result the floor is covered in carnage when we try to compare headphones to headphones - the options are endless at times and people keep saying ...

Fiio A1 Digital Speaker Amplifier – Full Audio Conquest?

Donunus

June 22, 2011

Associated equipment used during review - Fiio E7/E9 DAC Amp Combo out of a Lenovo laptop - Apple Ipod 5.5g out of the Line out - DTX Bookshelf Speakers - Audiolab 8000A Integrated Amplifier - Antique Soun...

Fiio’s new lineup for 2011/12

May 17, 2011

Fiio for this year have begun to think outside the box and by the look of their new product range coming out this summer and beyond I would hazard a guess that their R&D is being seriously beefed up. After t...

G&W T-2A Stereo Tube Phone Amplifier