2nd Edition
JDS Labs Standalone ODAC (Objective DAC)
Once upon a time, there was a guy who went by the name of NwAvGuy (Northwest Audio Video Guy). I don't know much else about him except what I've learned from reading his blog.
Download of the Week: Mozart Requiem
I have always enjoyed the Linn Records’ recordings of the Dunedin Consort. The JS Bach Matthew Passion has been a particular favorite of mine.
Synology DS412+ NAS
What are the most important features for any NAS to embody? Quiet, reliable, enough storage for your present and future music needs, processing power, features, functions, and ease of use?
Qobuz Hi-Fi: Lossless Streaming Is The Future of Music Distribution, Now
Lossless streaming is going to change the way we listen to and consume music. It already has, in parts of the world fortunate enough to be served by lossless streaming from Qobuz and WiMP. The key to any streaming service is the size of the catalog from which you can stream.
Pure Music Announces Pure Music 2
With more than 50 new features and a new stripped down look (which I like), Pure Music 2 is available now (here). Current users who purchased Pure Music after January 2013 get PM 2 for free.
Mytek Manhattan DAC Headphone Preamplifier Introductory Offer
Mytek has announced their new flagship DAC, the Manhattan.
The Totaldac d1-monobloc DAC with DSD and server
Michael Lavorgna did an in-depth job reviewing Vincent Brient’s Totaldac d1-dual DAC (see review) and his Totaldac d1-server (see review) for AudioStream last September and December. Michael not only found the Totaldac d1-dual DAC to be one of the finest DACs he has experienced, but was very impressed with the clarity and abundant musical qualities of this DAC.
iFi nano iDSD DAC/Headphone Amp
The iFi nano iDSD DAC also doubles as a battery-powered 80mW headphone amp and can handle PCM resolutions up 32/384, DXD, single and double rate DSD and with a recent firmware upgrade even quad rate DSD.
1st Edition
More Apple 24-Bit Rumors
Thanks to reader CG for pointing us to this article on MacRumors (see article) which claims Apple will introduce 24-bit capability with the launch of their updated mobile app iOS 8 coming June 2 at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC).
Q&A With Yves Riesel, CEO, Qobuz
France-based Qobuz (pronounced cow-buzz and named after a traditional two-stringed instrument of Central Asia) is one of the premier online music retailers of CD-quality and high resolutions downloads.
Music Piracy According to South Park
With all of the subtlety of a blunt instrument, South Park takes on illegal downloads in their inimitable fashion.
Apple In Talks To Buy Beats
How big is this potential deal? Let's look at some numbers.
LH Labs Geek Out 1000 DAC/Headphone Amplifier
The LH Labs Geek Out caused quit a stir when its Kickstarter campaign raised over 300,000 clams. While early adopters were able to get their Geek Out for as low as $99, the current selling price begins at $199 and goes to $299 for the unit under review which is the Geek Out 1000.
HD Downloads: A Blind Test (almost)
I had a friend over to hang out and listen to music. I know, what a strange idea! We shared both the center seat and my iPad which functioned as our remote, accessing my NAS-based music library. I happen to have a number of duplicate album titles since I own some recordings in CD-quality and higher resolutions.
The Audio Buzz: A New Take on Hi-Fi?
HDtracks has just launched a new website/blog that will cover music and hi-fi albeit not in your typical fashion. Or so they say.
Q&A with John Banks, Chief Brand Officer, Bluesound
I recently completed my reviews of the full suite of Bluesound products including the Vault (see review), the Powernode/Duo (see review), Node (see review), and Pulse (see review). I was impressed with the lot, finding the Bluesound products mature beyond their years in terms of both the user friendly interface and overall sound quality.
AudioQuest White Paper: Evaluation of Digital Devices and Proper Warm-Up for Ideal Listening and Measurements
A market that at the end of the last century seemed all but extinct is once again at the conversational forefront.
AURALiC Debuts the ARIES Streamer Bridge
It's official. The AURALiC Aries pictured above and below will make its fully tricked out debut in Munich, May 15-18, 2014. Handsome devil, isn't she?
The JCAT USB Cable
Being an audio reviewer, I have the opportunity to evaluate many of the high end USB cables that are manufactured today. While most of these cables are very nice sounding, some of the cables really distinguish themselves sonically.
Source Audio Stream
