Introduction I’ve reviewed quite a few USB conditioners/regenerators and their variants in the past. Their job is to filter noise and reconstruct an accurate and jitter-free signal for your DAC. Many of them apply their own sound signature, which isn’t a bad thing, as long as it does its job of phase correction and noise reduction. When…
Breaking News: Chris Cornell Dead at 52
A very dispiriting day for music. Having just performed with Soundgarden last night in Detroit’s Fox Theatre, Chris Cornell was found dead in a hotel room at the MGM Grand Detroit. His death has been ruled a suicide by hanging. He had a heavy drug addiction and was sober in recent times. It’s unfortunate he was unable…
Meze 11 Neo and Meze 12 Classics Review
Introduction Like the rest of the world, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the Meze 99 Classics. Admittedly, not a lot of audio gear survives my merciless cleansing, but the 99 Classics have remained with me through most of my recent reviews. When Meze announced their new line of IEMs, I wanted to be the first in line. Well…
Artificial Intelligence and Music Making
It’s a scary thought that automation will eventually replace most of the human workforce. Robots don’t get tired and are more efficient. They could flip through thousands of medical research papers overnight and have the capability of surpassing doctors with patient diagnosis. They even have rice cookers with AI. Elon Musk may be right, universal basic income doesn’t seem…
Music: Rodrigo y Gabriela Remastered
When you really like an album, you’ll play it the whole way through, and start it over again without realizing it. One of the very few albums for me is the self-titled Rodrigo y Gabriela album release back in 2006. Even though the Tidal version of the album is MP3 (not lossless), I put that…
Preorders Now Available for SOtM sMS-200ultra and sPS-500
Crux Audio is pleased to announce that preorders are now available for much anticipated SOtM sMS-200ultra and the sPS-500. The sMS-200ultra is an upgraded version of the popular sMS-200, and includes the new low-noise, low-jitter sCLK-EX2425 clock, housed in a new, slightly larger chassis. Key features include: Ultra low phase noise custom design oscillation circuit…
Gingko Audio ARCH Vibration Control Platforms Review
Introduction Have you ever wondered why your HiFi rig sounds better in the early mornings and later evenings? One obvious reason is the lower noise due to the less busy electrical grid in your city. Additionally, there are micro-vibrations from people bustling around, the cars driving on the freeways, your neighbor mowing his lawn a…
$500 Portable DAC/Headphone Amps – iFi Micro BL vs. W4S uDAC-HD vs. Chord Mojo
I find that about 75% of the time, DAC performance tends to correspond with their price. Whether they incorporate a galvanically isolated async USB port or some other kind of noise reduction approach (e.g, powered off battery), you generally get what you pay for. Unlike my previous portable DAC shootout, where I compared DACs at wildly…
Omega SUPER 3i Loudspeakers and deepOMEGA 8 Subwoofer Review
Introduction When I’m not listening to my $4,500 Abyss headphones, I’m bumping my $300 M-Audio Studiophile BX5a monitors. Hey hey, before you judge, It’s the Deluxe edition baby. This thing packs a punch (without a sub) and frees me from my headphone leash. I primarily work in front of an LCD screen for more than 10…
Building an Audiophile Optimizer Box? Get Windows 10 Professional for $15.
Audiophile Optimizer Windows 10 Professional for $15 Quick post as this deal probably won’t last. You’re welcome 🙂