Top Gear 2024 Awards – Best Desktop DAC/Amp
The dCS Bartók APEX is a significant upgrade on the original and the 2.0 versions of this world-class all-in-one integrated DAC, pre-amp, and headphone amplifier. It is audibly more refined and coherent sounding than what has come before.
Granted, I only touched on some of the key components and focused on the upgrade itself in this review. There is a lot more inside the Bartók APEX that adds significant value.
Aspects such as the streaming app and the excellent dCS Mosaic integration that we went into detail in our original review including the outer appearance and connectivity, remain assuredly familiar.
Importantly, there is now a clearer distinction between this tuning and the Lina System’s more neutral presentation. If you are demoing them it should be clear to your ear which one you prefer.
I will say if you can afford to get the standalone Lina Master Clock for the Bartók APEX system then go for it. The enhanced performance is the icing on the cake for me.
One of the best ‘money-is-no-object’ headphone systems out there for the last few years just got significantly better in 2024.
Top Gear 2024 Awards – Best Desktop DAC
The Ferrum WANDLA GoldenSound Edition DAC is a top quality performer but also a DAC with features that I find incredibly useful.
It delivers a natural to neutral tonal quality that gels well with a wide range of amplifiers and loads of sound tweaks that can further fine-tune the performance for an almost perfect match.
The Ferrum WANDLA GoldenSound Edition DAC is a top-quality performer but also a DAC with features that I find incredibly useful.
It delivers a natural to neutral tonal quality that gels well with a wide range of amplifiers and loads of sound tweaks which can further fine-tune the performance for an almost perfect match.
I still hear that delta-sigma quality with a subtle polish to the sound but only when ranged against flagship R2R performers. Against other delta-sigma DACs such as the ERCO Gen 1 it far outperforms it both in accuracy and dynamic range.
HYPSOS owners will benefit from connecting the WANDLA to it but not quite as big a leap in performance as the OOR/HYPSOS performance. Still, with the new dual DC coupler output HYPSOS being sold, it’s a no-brainer to plug both units into it and get all the possible upgrades.
All in all, this is the best and most complete pure DAC feature-wise I have heard to date in 2024.
Top Gear 2024 Awards – Best Desktop Tube Amplifier
The ZMF Headphones Aegis easily hits the excellent sticker for tube amplifiers we have covered for 2024. It has a beautifully smooth but weighty tone, awesome gear flexibility including IEMs, and looks the ‘ZMF business” as only a ZMF piece of gear can.
This stunning amplifier is going to slot right beside the HA-300MK2 and EUFORIA evo as a bit of a ‘trinity’ of reference tube amplifiers we will consider using for review work in 2025. Heck, just for pure listening pleasure we will be warming up those ‘lil’ tubes quite a lot.
For planar users, this is a good one to try with popular headphones such as the Caldera, Audeze, or Meze models, to name but a few in the soon-to-heat-up audio trade show season in Q1 2025. There is very little we attached to this amplifier that did not have a pleasing outcome.
Top Gear 2024 Awards – Best Desktop Solid-State Amplifier
The Gustard H26 surprised me in a very nice kind of way. This solidly built headphone amplifier offers a pleasingly smooth and refined tonal quality with a strong focus on spatial detail, all delivered within a very spacious presentation.
It is hard to believe that this type of performance and feature excellence can be found at this price point in 2024. Everything just keeps getting more and more expensive these days.
Sure, we have cheaper highly neutral headphone amplifiers from the likes of Topping and SMSL for maybe half or even less but none of them sound this ‘regal’ if I may call it that. None of them gel so wonderfully well with such a wide range of headphones.
Some might quibble at the slightly neutral low-end quantity and some might be concerned by the non-linear volume control which, combined with a weaker DAC input might give cause for concern regarding the amp’s potential power. I get that; however, the power is there with the right setup.
If the likes of Ferrum and HIFIMAN’s latest high-end amps are beyond your budget, then the H26 is a fantastic analog headphone amplifier with plenty of grunt and system potential for far fewer greens.
Top Gear 2024 Awards – Best CD Player
The SMSL PL200 is every bit a capable CD player for the modern audiophile in 2024. It has a healthy mix of external retro styling combined with a pleasingly fast disc reader and a wide range of features that go beyond just playing CDs.
Technically, its performance is excellent with impressive imaging and solid dynamics, all backed up by an unusually powerful headphone amplifier for a CD player.
Tonally, there will be those who love its clean and clear sound signature but for others, it is a try before you buy.
It’s not as natural or smooth-sounding as some competing players when paired with brighter headphones and IEMs but sounds excellent with gear I would describe as inherently warm-sounding.
Overall, it’s a competitive little top-loading CD player, and if given enough rack space it’s also a bit of eye candy that should be a conversation piece for those with an observant eye.
The MOONDROP DISCDREAM 2 Ultra is a transportable CD player bathed in an endearing mix of modern internal functionality and retro-inspired exterior design lines.
It makes for a fun device and shows that with a bit of love and care you can produce a device that appeals to both the young and old in equal measure.
The MOONDROP DISCDREAM 2 Ultra is a transportable CD player bathed in an endearing mix of modern internal functionality and retro-inspired exterior design lines.
It makes for a fun device and shows that with a bit of love and care you can produce a device that appeals to both the young and old in equal measure.
MOONDROP seems to understand this recent ‘retro-revisited’ lust for physical media among modern audiophiles in 2024. It looks like it was plucked off a shelf from the 80s alongside a side order of some A-ha CDs and a Rubik’s Cube.
All of the joy of the above would be nothing if the performance sucked and thankfully that is not the case. The Ultra is a smooth and balanced sounding CD player, a thoroughly modern sounding device but not an overly digital sound either.
Top Gear 2024 Awards – Editor’s Choice
The Austrian Audio ‘The Composer’ is an impressive high-end set of dynamic drive headphones tuned with a reference-like focus on clarity and resolution. It has its eye firmly fixed on audiophiles who value detail and a high degree of accuracy in their listening preferences.
This is a set of headphones that is easy enough to drive out of just about any source. However, I was particularly impressed with smoother-sounding desktop amplifier pairings such as the Bartok Apex and the Cayin HA-300MK2.
These are some of the best-built modern-looking headphones out there today and up there with the likes of Meze and Dan Clark Audio’s high-end offerings for comfort.
Overall, the Composer has enough about it physically and audibly to put the ghost of the K812 firmly in the rearview mirror.
Top Gear 2024 Awards – Writer’s Choice: Louis
The HIFIMAN HE1000 UNVEILED is certainly a worthy contender within this segment and then some. It’s a headphone that produces an enormous, precise sonic 3D panorama and an addictive vocal presentation. It provides an excellent performance in general.
The only caveat is the extra care one has to take when handling the cups when the protective plates are taken off and the lack of 4.4mm connectivity, which can easily be resolved.
I’m certain that even at retail these will fly out the door because of the sound quality they provide. HIFIMAN hit the ball out of the park with this one and in my case, my set will probably never go back in the box again.
Top Gear 2024 Awards – Writer’s Choice: James
In the competition for higher power and decoding capabilities in 2024, FiiO surprised me with the inclusion of various new features, including HDMI ARC functionality and a lossless 31-band equalization feature.
The 8-channel THX amplification seems unleashed under the powerful architecture, making this the most linear and coherent-sounding FiiO device to date. It also provides an excellent foundation for the practical PEQ functionality.
The convertible design and headphone stand clip-on part are thoughtful additions that enhance its functionality.
The FiiO K19 serves as a comprehensive, all-in-one desktop DAC and headphone amplifier for users seeking impressive audio performance, compatibility with consoles and various sources, and who possess a diverse collection of headphones.
Top Gear 2024 Awards – Writer’s Choice: Lynn
The PLUSSOUND Dual Copper carries a lightness to the sound, which allows the air between notes to fill in without a thinning effect and provides a very good addition to the overall characteristics of my paired IEM’s performance instead of subtracting from any one thing.
Tight, controlled bass allows the sumptuous midrange to carry forth very good vocal details and midrange instrumentation.
The top end is stretched enough to be additive as well, without stretching so far as to become sibilant or overreaching. The balance is a tough one, and the Dual Copper follows through positively.
Providing a distinct ‘copper sound’ is no small challenge, and the last two iterations I have reviewed from PLUSSOUND show that innovation is a good thing, the Dual Copper is no exception.
Top Gear 2024 Awards – Writer’s Choice: Thomas
I/O Audio’s first release is a resounding success. While not inexpensive by any means, it severely undercuts similarly spec’d models from competing brands in 2024 by a significant amount.
Despite this huge price advantage, I wouldn’t say they cut corners and compromised the VOLARE. The design is visually appealing, it is wonderfully constructed, the accessory kit is outstanding, the unboxing experience is very premium, and the three driver types used were implemented in a refined, exceptionally competent manner.
The VOLARE is a stellar set of universal IEMs, and I cannot recommend them enough. If you’re looking for an IEM in this price range and are willing to try something from the new kid on the block, it would be a shame to overlook the VOLARE.
Top Gear 2024 Awards – Writer’s Choice: Meldrick
The 7Hz Aurora is a competitive new tribrid contender in the $400 segment for 2024. The 6mm micro planar driver for the treble region delivers good detail and resolution, with strong and impactful sub-bass tonality from its 12mm dynamic driver.
Its unique titanium Damascus faceplate is visually striking, and its inclusion of a high-quality modular 3.5mm/4.4mm cable is a very good inclusion for the price.
Compared to other IEMs in the price range, some listeners may find the aurora aggressive and lacking in male vocal weight.
However, with its exciting bass and treble profile, the 7Hz Aurora is a good fit for audiophiles who actively listen to their music to pick out every aspect of the mix and performances.
Top Gear 2024 Awards – Writer’s Choice: Kurt
The 2024 XENNS Mangird Tea Pro is a proper successor to the original Tea lineup. With an extra dynamic driver and improved balanced armature performance, this universal IEM is tuned for excellence.
If you’re in the market for a hybrid IEM, going with the Tea Pro is a smart decision. You will get addictive bass, great clarity, and upgraded technicalities over the older models, making it a winner against its competitors and even competing above its price range.
Top Gear 2024 Awards – Writer’s Choice: Nihal
The Softears Enigma stands out as one of the most unique-looking and well-balanced high-end in-ear monitors I’ve encountered. The craftsmanship and attention to detail that Softears put into the Enigma are evident in its distinctive design and thoughtful packaging.
With a very approachable tuning, this IEM is versatile, making it enjoyable across a wide range of genres.
Its true-to-life timbre, smooth mids, and beautifully rich vocals create a captivating listening experience, further enhanced by a punchy yet balanced low-end. Revisiting older songs in my library with the Enigma was a fun and revealing experience.
In addition to its musicality, the Enigma’s solid technical capabilities make it an ideal choice in 2024 for those who prioritize an engaging, musical sound.
While it has plenty of bass, the balanced tuning won’t necessarily attract bassheads. There is a slight lack of airiness that can lead to an overly smooth presentation. However, this can be easily addressed by experimenting with different sources for better synergy.
If you favor a sound that leans toward musicality with a relaxed tuning, the Enigma is sure to please. As a flagship in-ear monitor, it’s a fine achievement that Softears can be justifiably proud of.
Goodbye 2024!
As with the conclusion of every successful year on Headfonics, we would like to thank all the readers who have visited our site, read what we had to say, and enjoyed our reviews. Your views and opinions matter to us and I do hope that you enjoyed what we had to offer for 2024.
Without you, the reader, we would cease to matter so thank you once again from James, Louis, Lynn, Nihal, Kurt, Thomas, Meldrick, and myself.
Look out, as always for our scoring page for any changes, and check our Gear Ranking section on the home page for those all-important annual updates in January 2025. For now, we hope you have an enjoyable ending to the year for everyone, wherever you are and with whatever you have!
