Hi-Fi at Your Fingertips

Don’t be fooled by its size. Inside the GO blu Air features a Hi-Res Cirrus Logic MasterHIFI DAC with twin-mono amplification. This ensures crisp, dynamic sound across all your favorite headphones and IEMs, which can also be tweaked to your taste via XSpace & XBass.

With support for LDAC, LHDC, aptX Adaptive, AAC, and SBC codecs, you’ll always get the best quality your device can deliver.

Built for Everyday Life

The GO blu Air weighs just 30g! It slips easily into your pocket or bag, ready for music on the move. With its magnetic clip, the device is more versatile than ever before in where you can place it. Also featuring a10 hour battery life, it’s built to keep up with you from your morning commute to late-night strolls.

Portable Hi-Fi, Simplified

The iFi GO blu Air is proof that great sound doesn’t need to be complicated. The intuitive ChronoDial control lets you adjust volume, play, pause, and take calls with ease.

Key Features:

• Hi-Res Cirrus Logic MasterHIFI DAC with twin-mono amplification
• XBass and XSpace analogue sound enhancement modes
• Bluetooth 5.2 with support for hi-res and low-latency codecs
• 4.4mm Bal and 3.5mm S-Bal outputs with up to 256mW output
• ChronoDial control for tactile, intuitive volume and playback navigation
• Detachable magnetic clip for secure, on-the-go attachment
• Built-in microphone with noise suppression and voice assistant support
• Up to 10-hours of battery life on a single charge

Ready When You Are

With the GO blu Air, high-quality sound is no longer something you leave at home. If you’re commuting, travelling, or just enjoying a quiet moment, this tiny powerhouse ensures your music always moves with you. Lightweight and packed with audiophile-grade tech, it’s proof that true Hi-Fi doesn’t have to stay tethered at home.

Interested in iFi Audio? Read more news and reviews here!

The post iFi GO blu Air: Portable Hi-Fi, Made Lighter appeared first on HiFiheadphones.

Best Wireless Earphones For Travelling

Final ZE8000 MK2 – ANC TWS Earphones £199.00

Final’s flagship TWS earphones are the perfect travel companion, blending striking aesthetics with top-tier performance. Their sound quality rivals the best wired earphones. While modern features like a user-friendly app and excellent wireless functionality ensure a seamless experience, especially useful for when on the go. The unique earbud design offers exceptional comfort, making them ideal for long journeys and their robust feature set guarantees that it will be a reliable and enjoyable journey.

Cleer Audio Arc 3 – £229.00

The Cleer Arc 3 open-ear earbuds are an excellent choice for travelling and those with active lifestyles. With Dolby Atmos optimization, they deliver an immersive audio experience while their open-ear design ensures you are always aware of your surroundings, especially useful in busy enviroments. Providing a secure fit, 10-hour battery life, and a smart charging case with a touchscreen and mirror, the Arc 3 is both a practical and stylish Audio travel companion.

1MORE Aero ANC TWS Earphones – £70.00

The 1More Aero is an excellent choice for those with an on-the-go lifestyle, combining convenience with top-tier features. Its comfortable fit and compact design make it easy to wear for long hours during travel, while the effective ANC ensures a peaceful listening experience even in noisy environments. The head-tracked spatial audio adds a premium, immersive touch to movies and music, typically only found in higher-end models. With great sound quality, reliable battery life, and intuitive controls, the Aero is a versatile bit of kit suited for ones travels.

Best Headphones For Travelling

1More SonoFlow Pro HQ51– £89.99

The SonoFlow HQ51 is a top pick for travelers, offering 70 to 100-hour battery life and advanced Active Noise Cancellation to block out distractions on long trips. With Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity and 12 customizable EQ modes, it delivers immersive, tailored sound. Lightweight and comfortable, it’s a budget-friendly alternative to pricier brands, perfect for music on the move.

Final UX3000 ANC Wireless Headphones – £119

The Final Audio UX3000 is an excellent device to take with you on holiday. Offering smooth sound quality, effective ANC (which can also be used on it’s own without the need to be powered on), and modern Bluetooth codecs for a seamless listening experience. Its solid build, the fact that it can be folded and fit into the included carrying bag ensure durability on the go without taking up too much space. While the fantastic mic quality makes it a good one for calls. At under £120, this headphone delivers a premium for good value. Perfect for portable use.

SoundMAGIC P23BT Portable Wireless Headphones – £49.99

The SoundMAGIC P23BT is an excellent travel-friendly headphone, combining lightweight comfort with impressive battery life for all-day listening. Its full, warm sound delivers an enjoyable audio experience without overpowering bass, making it versatile for music and calls. With a detachable boom mic for enhanced call clarity while at your desk, plus simple controls, the P23BT is a bargain for wireless on-ear headphones that fit seamlessly into your on-the-go lifestyle.

WATCH VIDEO: SoundMAGIC P23BT Wireless On Ear Headphone Review

Best Portable DAC/Amps for Travelling

iFi Audio GO Link MAX – £79.00

The iFi Go Link Max is a fantastic travel accessory, offering premium audio performance in a compact, portable design. With support for high-resolution formats and powerful amplification, it upgrades your listening experience on the go, whether you’re using wired headphones or IEMs. Its durable build, lightweight form, and plug-and-play functionality make it perfect for seamless use with your smartphone or laptop during travel.

iFi Audio hip-dac 3– £199.00

The iFi Hip-DAC 3 is an excellent choice for those who are often on the go. It offers excellent power & provides premium sound quality in a portable, stylish design. Its compact size makes it easy to carry, while the powerful amplifier ensures your headphones deliver exceptional audio, especially on the go. With high-res audio support, long battery life, and versatile connectivity, it’s the perfect choice for enhancing your music during commutes, flights, or adventures.

iFi Audio GO blu– £199.00

The iFi GO blu is a must-have for audiophiles on the go, combining compact portability with impressive sound quality and versatile functionality. Its dual headphone outputs (3.5mm and 4.4mm) and DAC/amp capabilities make it a powerful companion for virtually any audio setup. Whether you’re commuting or traveling, its tiny form factor fits seamlessly into your luggage or gear pack, while delivering the punchy, high-quality audio you expect from iFi. An exceptional choice for those who value performance and convenience.

Best Reuseable Ear Protection for Travelling

Etymotic ER20 / ER20XS High Fidelity Earplugs– £19.99

The Etymotic ER20XS earplugs are a must-have for travelers, offering outstanding hearing protection while preserving sound clarity. Their compact, low-profile design fits comfortably and discreetly, making them ideal for flights, noisy environments, or even concerts abroad. With advanced sound attenuation, they reduce harmful noise levels without distorting speech or music, ensuring your ears stay protected without missing out on the experience.

Best Wired Headphone for Working/ Listening On The Move

Audeze MM-100 – £399.00

The Audeze MM-100 is perfect for studio engineers and music enjoyers who are often on the move. They offer studio-grade sound in a portable and durable design. Featuring Planar Magnetic drivers, it delivers precise, studio-quality audio with incredible detail and clarity, making it ideal for mixing, mastering, or casual listening. The sound is stunning, especially when paired with a quality setup and completely outperforms anything else in its price bracket at just £399. Lightweight and comfortable, the MM-100 ensures long sessions are a breeze and gives an immersive listening experience to anyone who put them over their ears. For professionals and music aficionados who need reliable, high-quality performance on the go, the MM-100 is a standout choice.

What is your favourite gear to take along while travelling? Let us know in the comments below.

For more buying tips, check out our best of guides here

The post The Best Headphones for Travelling 2025 appeared first on HiFiheadphones.

About iFI Audio & caterting to High-octane audio that takes your breath away.

iFI oversee the design, development and manufacturing of more than 60 products from their headquarters in Southport, UK. To uphold high-quality iFi Audio sources parts for its products from across the globe, including Germany, USA and Japan. Their focus is on creating products that improve sound quality and eradicate noise, distortion and hiss from the source device. In turn this allows you to hear as close as possible the studio-quality audio your favourite artists created.

This dedication to delivering the cleanest, most noise-free signal possible has resulted in iFi Audio also creating a range of power conditioners and isolators that ensure all mains and USB noise is blocked from contaminating the signal. On top of this they have developed a reange of high quality cables to carry those very signals.

iFi loves innovation and catering their products to up and coming technology

Over the last 11 years of research & development, iFi Audio has managed to put out an outstanding line-up of devices that have won many awards for their superior performance. Some of their most successful products include the Hip DAC 2, GO Bar, Zen DAC V2, iSilencer+, GO Blu, Zen Blue V2, the iFi XDSD Gryphon & the GO Link, to name but a few.

iFi loves innovation and catering their products up and coming technology, it does position itself as a “tech” company after all. Every iFi DAC and Amp features some of the best technologies around today. Burr-Brown DAC Chips, Custom Op-Amps and exceptional battery life. Many products even feature iFi’s cutting-edge technologies like 3D+ and XBass and the ability to drive xMEMs drivers.

Portable Audio

If you the type of person who enjoys your music on the go, then iFi has you covered. They are determined to deliver every symbal crash and a each pluck of a string straight into your ears. Their GO range of products has taken 2023 by storm and let’s not forget how successful and popular their Hip-dac2 is and how much new tech they have managed to pack into their iDSD Diablo X.

Home Audio

Another success story is iFi Audios home audio range and in particular the the ZEN series of DAC’s/Amps/Steamers/pre-amps. The most successful USB D/A converter is without a doubt the ZEN DAC V2, which is also available in a signature version (ZEN DAC Signature V2) and a “stripped down” version, the ZEN DAC Air. There is also the ZEN CAN headphone amplifier which is proudly advertised as a fully balanced amp that provides nitro for your headphones. Customers, reviewers and the awards received could not agree more.

Our Top 5 iFi Audio Product Picks

1. iFi Audio ZEN CAN Signature – £299.00

The ZEN CAN Signature is an upgraded version of the original, award-winning ZEN CAN headphone amplifier. Design for IEMs and headphones with audiophile-grade components for superior sound. The ZEN CAN Signature offers more than just power; it also delivers warm and exceptional sound quality. This is thanks to its Class A discrete balanced circuitry, inherited from the flagship Pro iCAN headphone amplifier.

2. iFi Audio GO link – £59.00

GO link from iFi audio – the headphone dongle linking you with your music. Its purpose is twofold. First, to enable corded headphones and earphones to connect to digital devices that don’t have a 3.5mm headphone output. Second, even if a device does have a headphone socket, the GO link delivers a big sonic upgrade. This is because its sophisticated DAC (Digital-to-Analogue Converter) and headphone amp circuitry is superior to the audio tech contained within mobile devices and computers.

3. iSilencer+ & iDefender+ – £59.00

Have a buzz problem from your sources USB? Get the iDefender+. Getting pops, clicks, delays? Fear no more! The iSilencer+ whisks those noises away.

4. Zen DAC V2 – £199.00

Compact enough to use as a USB DAC/amp on your work desk and stylish enough to use at home with your favourite active speakers or amp, it delivers a level of specification and performance that punches above its super-affordable price tag.

5. iFi Audio NEO Stream – £1,299.00

iFi NEO Stream is built to deliver optimal versatility and sonic performance. It combines the latest version of our network streaming engine with our award-winning DAC stage to deliver a level of audio previously unattainable without spending much more than its price tag. Just add your choice of amp and speakers.

Lastest iFi Audio Updates and News:

iFi GO blu Air: Portable Hi-Fi, Made Lighter

August 28, 2025

Say hello to the iFi GO blu Air! This pocket-sized Bluetooth DAC & headphone amp puts premium sound in the…

GO Pod Max: The Wireless Upgrade Your IEMs Deserve

June 25, 2025

Say goodbye to compromise. The iFi GO Pod Max gives your favourite in-ear monitors the freedom of true wireless, without…

Take Off with Better Sound: Meet the iFi UP Travel

May 15, 2025

The iFi UP Travel is built for those who take their sound seriously, even when they’re on the move. Whether…

Go Pod Air : Free Your IEMs

May 15, 2025

The Go Pod Air turns your favourite IEM’s into high preformance TWS earbuds without compromising on sound. Are you are…

The post Brand Story: iFi Audio appeared first on HiFiheadphones.

Not to be overlooked, a good quality DAC and amp can do wonders to any setup. We have seen huge growth in interest towards DACs and amps, so it makes sense that we put together our favourite headphone amplifiers and DACs to help make that decision easier.

Whether you want to use them with your TV, computer, laptop, smartphone or hifi system. We’ve gathered our picks for the best DACs and headphone amplifiers that you can buy!

BEST DAC / AMP UNDER £100

1. Shanling UP2 – £79.99

The Shanling UP2 is the perfect way to bring added power and audio quality to your smartphone, tablet or computer. Using Bluetooth, the UP2 will connect wirelessly to your phone – or any Bluetooth compatible audio device – and thanks to the on board dedicated headphone amplifier and high quality Sabre DAC chip – you’ll be able to get high fidelity audio wherever you go.

READ MORE: Shanling UP2 Portable Bluetooth DAC & Headphone Amplifier Review

BEST DAC / AMP UNDER £200

2. JDS Labs Atom – £129.99

JDS Labs has mastered the art of making high quality amplifiers and DACs at affordable prices – and the Atom is their most impressive yet. For just over £100, the Atom desktop headphone amplifier will drive any headphone you throw at it and will bring improved soundstage, depth and dynamics to your setup. All in a neat and tidy desktop design.

READ MORE: JDS Labs Atom Desktop Headphone Amplifier Review

3. Periodic Audio Ni (Nickel) – £199

This one’s for the purists out there. On the outside, the Periodic Audio Ni seems like a very simple and basic headphone amplifier – plug it into your source and you’ll soon see that it most definitely isn’t simple or basic. This amp brings added power, punch and improved dynamics to whichever device it gets used with. Those that really appreciate good sound will love the Nickel.

MORE INFO: Periodic Audio Ni (Nickel) Portable Headphone Amplifier Review

BEST DAC / AMP UNDER £500

4. iFi Audio xDSD – £399

The xDSD from iFi Audio is a portable amplifier and DAC that can connect to your audio source wirelessly. So if you like to use your phone, but want to plug in some high quality headphones – then the xDSD will allow you to get the most from them, without adding more cables. The xDSD will take over the amp and DAC roles, so you will know that you’re getting the best sound no matter the source device.

MORE INFO: iFi Audio xDSD Portable Bluetooth DAC & Headphone Amplifier Review

5. JDS Labs Element II – £399

If it is a desktop option you need, then the JDS Labs Element II will not only bring an audio upgrade – it will look great too. Beautifully designed with a simple yet striking look – the Element II will fit into any setup. Historically, JDS Labs has been known for their functional design and great sound – now with the Element II, they have shown that they can make great looking equipment too.

BEST DAC / AMP UNDER £1000

6. iFi Audio Micro iDSD BL – £599

For the ultimate amp and DAC solution, look no further. The 2 Burr-Brown DAC chips provide a solid foundation for the custom op-amps, which help to deliver an impressive amount of fidelity and power. Using sensitive IEMs? This amp/DAC handles these superbly, with no noise or distortion. Whether used on a desktop or on the move – the iFi Audio Micro iDSD BL does it all… really well. 

MORE INFO: iFi Audio Micro iDSD BL Portable DAC & Headphone Amplifier

Have We Missed Anything Out?

Please feel free to leave a comment below and let us know…

The post Best DACs & Headphone Amps 2020: USB, Portable, Desktop appeared first on HiFiheadphones.

Initially developed thanks to an ultra-successful kickstarter campaign, the Soundkey by Cyrus promises to upgrade the audio quality of mobile handsets and anything else able to feed it audio data, such as tablets and desktop computers.

Pros:

• Huge audio upgrade for handsets and tablets
• Excellent value
• Tiny!

Cons:

• Camera kit required for use with iPhones

Design and Appearance

This little device is sleek, light and simple; there is nothing much to remark on other than the micro-B USB input and the 3.5mm output. The device is the size of a small cigarette lighter and is available in various colours. Included are two cables (one for micro USB-B and another for USB-A connections); these appear to be decent enough, but are each composed of differing materials. The micro USB-B cable is a fabric covered affair, whilst the USB-A cable is white and plastic coated. Given that this is to be used by Apple users in connection with the often required camera kit, it kind of makes sense.

The Soundkey is powered by the internal battery of the connected device; it does not have its own battery, but its low power consumption will not tax the device’s battery very much.

Durability and Build Quality

The device itself is solid and well constructed; it’s surprising that it only weighs 18 grams. The included cables are robust, and should stand up to a fair bit of use.

Suitability for intended application

The Cyrus Soundkey is designed mainly to be used on the go, and the tiny size reflects this. It used to be that any external DAC would need to be strapped to the handset to keep things simple, but the Soundkey can sit on, and just be treated as part of a slightly extended cable given its diminutive presence.

It provides a boost to volume, so ensure your volume level is low on your handset when initially plugging in your earphones. The Soundkey is designed for portable headphones between 16 and 64 ohms which is a great majority of portable headphone/earphone models.

Sound

The Cyrus Soundkey provides a much cleaner signal than many in-built DACs; many of which prove to be sound quality bottlenecks in any portable audio chain. This will be more apparent on higher quality earphones and headphones, and of course will open the way for anyone wanting to upgrade their earphones as these will no longer be limited by the internal DAC quality of portable devices.

Tighter, better audio control results in more noticeable harmonics to give music more texture, improved imaging and greater impact. It’s a good alternative to a separate, dedicated audio player if you are happier keeping all your tunes in one place, on your phone.

Summary

If you are wanting to upgrade your portable audio but don’t have bottomless pockets, the Cyrus Soundkey is a clear winner.

The post Cyrus Soundkey Review – You Won’t be Fobbed Off appeared first on HiFiheadphones.

Shanling UP Portable Headphone USB DAC and Amplifier

Up your portable audio game with the Shanling UP, with excellent detail retrieval and a wide soundstage, a must have for the audiophile on the go.

Pros:

• Clarity
• Size
• Value for money

Cons:

• None for the price

Aesthetics, Build Quality and Accessories

The Shanling UP is a tiny little device, the size of a memory stick, with a glossy black front and matter black rear. It has a USB tybe C socket on the top and a 3.5mm headphone jack output on the bottom, on the front an LED will light up telling you the device is on and what sample rate is playing. It is so simplistic and elegant it will fit into any system with ease.

The build quality is excellent with the glass front and the rest of the body being aluminium. Both sockets feel tight, and there is nothing on it to go wrong.

Accessory wise all you get is various cables, which is all that is needed. You get a lightning to USB C, USB C to USB C, Micro USB to USB C and a regular USB to USB C cable, so it covers most phones and PC use.

Ease of use

The UP does not have an internal battery, it just plugs into your device and runs as a DAC/Amp. It should work with most android devices that support OTG accessories, iPhones with lightning port and also PC’s. With the new Windows 10 creators update you no longer need to install drivers.

The devices has no buttons, thus you control the volume level via your phone or PC, I had no issues getting it to work with a Samsung phone, and a regular Windows 10 PC. It is recommended you use the Hiby music app when using the UP.

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READ MORE: NuForce uDAC5 Portable Headphone DAC/Amp Review

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Sound Quality

The UP is so clean, so clear it is hard to go wrong for the price. I am a DAP user, and don’t use my phone for music as I like having files stored locally. But the trend to not want to carry an extra device nowadays has grown and also Apple did away with the headphone jack so the market for portable DAC/Amps is booming.

There are plenty out there, but few that offer full DSD support and an ES9018 DAC chip for this price. The Shanling UP may only be able to output 35mW @32 Ohms, but it gets loud and driver easy to medium hard to drive headphones.

From IEM’s to portable full-size headphones you will be guaranteed to get much cleaner and better separated sound with the UP.

• Bass

The bass is tight and controlled, with precise kick and good body to back it up, the bass notes also decay as they should.

• Mids

There is no added body to the lows, this means the midrange is allowed to shine and it does, with vocals coming across clean with excellent detail retrieval. There is also plenty of air around notes which allows you to pinpoint each and every part of the recording.

• Treble

The treble is well extended without any harsh metallic tone to it, what is best about the highs is their imaging, the placement within the soundstage is critical and this little device has managed to get it spot on.

Conclusion

The Shanling UP is a superb High Resolution DAC/Amp for portable use, if you have some good headphones, you are not hearing their full potential out of a phone. This will change that, the UP with give you the clarity, detail and soundstage that your phone simply cannot.

Even being used with a PC there is a substantial upgrade from the on-board audio, so this can be used on your morning commute with your phone, then plug it into your PC at work and enjoy the same quality of music.

The post Shanling UP Portable DAC / Amplifier Review appeared first on HiFiheadphones.

NuForce uDAC5 Mobile DAC/Amp Review

The Optoma Nuforce uDAC5 is an excellent little DAC/Amp that cannot be beaten in size or sound for the price. It is a solid unit with a slightly smooth sound that is sure to please.

Pros:

• Size
• Build
• Sound

Cons:

• None for the price

Aesthetics, Build Quality and Accessories

The Nuforce uDAC5 is a tiny little thing, that looks great with a clean metal housing and good sized volume knob. The casing is all metal with a LED light on the front indicating it is on, along with the volume knob and headphone socket, inputs and outputs on the back and that is it.

Built quality is excellent, with the all metal case and solid sockets this little thing is built to survive. The volume pot moves smoothly and everthing feels well put together, the finish of the case is impeccable.

Accessories are not really included, all you get is the DAC, USB cable and quick start guide. I would have like to have seen some rubber feet included, maybe a pair of RCA cables too. But most people already have interconnects so not a huge issue.

Ease of use and Features

The uDAC5 is simple and easy to use, with the latest Windows 10 update, it is plug and play with no need to install drivers. Otherwise the drivers are available from the Nuforce website, I had no issues getting the DAC to work and it just started playing music instantly.

The RCA outputs are controlled by the volume pot, and not a fixed line out. This means you can use this with active monitors, but if you are going into an external amp set the volume to 100%.

It can also be used to convert USB signal to a coaxial for use with an external DAC that has no USB input.

Sound Quality

First off I will say the headphone output has fairly high gain and can drive the Beyerdynamic DT990 600 Ohm with ease, it also worked well with less sensitive IEM’s but won’t be the best match with very sensitive IEM’s unless you lower the volume in windows.

Out of the headphone output the uDAC5 has excellent sound throughout the range, it is not bright and clinical yet still brings out the detail in music. It is a big step up from on board audio out of a PC/Laptop, the sound is sightly warm and euphoric with good separation. I do find the internal amp to be fine for casual listening with easy to drive headphones, but you will notice a difference when going to a full size desktop amp with harder to drive headphones.

Everything is well placed in the mix, the lows hit hard and dig deep, vocals have a sweetness to them that is quite pleasing and highs have good definition and extension, lacking only the micro detail and air that higher end equipment offers.

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READ MORE: Grado SR80e Audiophile Headphone Review

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As a pure DAC the uDAC5 is clean and clear without any real flaws, it works really well in any system providing a big step up from on-board audio. I feel there is still a slight smoothness to the overall sound which does get rid of any potential harshness but can slightly hide some micro detail.

Conclusion

For the price the Nuforce uDAC5 is an excellent piece of kit, it would be perfect for a coffee shop setup, or a small office rig, it is also perfect as a DAC for active desktop monitors and to feed an external amp at home.

It is not for driving really demanding headphones to their full potential, it is for casual listening and getting better sound out of a PC on a budget, and for this purpose it is a no brainer.

The post Optoma NuForce uDAC5 Review appeared first on HiFiheadphones.

Intro

Korean tech company ‘thebit’ (The Best Internet Technology) has started high in its naming of the OPUS#1 player, making us think of sublime classical compositions and other arty treats; but does the OPUS#1 hit the right notes?

Design and appearance

The OPUS#1 has a slightly angular and bevelled look which is reminiscent of Astell&Kern’s recent efforts, but with a slightly softened feel in comparison. It’s a pattern which is reflected in the sound of the player when compared to A&K but more on that later. The touchscreen is very responsive and easy to operate, with a good choice of navigation methods available with the player software. We can navigate by song, album, artist, genre, favorites and also by folder, which should keep everyone happy.

With a firmware update (1.10.15 at this time) the player remembers the track which was last listened to, if the track was paused and the player allowed to enter ‘hibernation mode’. Upon reawakening the player, the music resumes from where it was paused.

The OPUS 1 case is made using enhanced ABS and tempered glass, similar to many of the newer Smartphone’s on the market, the tempered glass covers almost all of the front and back of the player, giving the player OPUS#1 a premium feel, while the ABS shell reduces the overall weight of the player.

Key Features

Slots for two MicroSD cards (currently up to a capacity of 200Gb each) together with the on-board storage of 32Gb make the Opus#1 a heavyweight in terms of capacity, and the clear screen and intuitive navigation make it a breeze to find what we wish to listen to.

The sound can be moulded to the tastes of the user by way of the EQ feature in the player; there are three user EQ settings which can be stored, there is a delay of 3 or 4 seconds between selecting EQ settings and hearing any changes come through in the sound, why I am not sure, but in a strange way it gives you a chance to here how the EQ has changed the sound, but it is an unusual delay that may frustrate you for a few seconds.

The Opus#1 can handle all popular formats up to 24bit/192KHz and also DSD so we can take advantage of all that storage capacity with high quality files! Also the optical output can feed audio data to an external DAC for use with a full-size hi-fi system or a dedicated headphone amp, although the Opus#1 does sound pretty spectacular already.

Durability & build quality

The case as mentioned made of high quality tough ABS  and the player certainly feels substantial and solid, but without feeling too heavy or bulky. That is partly due to the front and back being tempered glass (the front being the touchscreen, obviously!).

Buttons are present on the sides and are easy to operate with a good feel; they also function when the screen is inactive but shouldn’t cause any trouble with the player being used whilst in a pocket or bag. Use of the leather case reduces any chance of unwanted button presses, but it is rather tight,and once on, hard to get off again!

Sound Quality

Some players have an ultra-accurate sound with which there is a danger of getting too cold and clinical, and others give an overly warm sound which can be further accentuated by choice of headphones. The Opus#1 does very well at occupying the middle ground, giving a very clear presentation which is also very musical. Most headphones an earphones will likely respond well to this, making the Opus#1 a good choice for those who already own decent quality headphones and seek to get the best from them.

Pros:

Good solid build,
Sound quality clear and well balanced,
Good amount of power for portable headphones,
Full navigation options,
Leather case is a nice extra but hard to remove

Cons:

EQ effect is delayed

Summary

For a first attempt, the Opus#1 is an amazing effort and promises to be very competitive amongst offerings of much more established companies like Astell and Kern. There’s more to come from makers ‘thebit’ and we are looking forward to future products too!

OPUS#1 specifications.

24bit / 192kHz High Resolution Sound

32bit processor core

Cirrus Logic CS4398 x 2EA Dual DAC

ARM Cortex-A9 1.4GHz, Quad-Core CPU DDR3 1GB

SNR 115dB, THD+N 0.0007%, Crosstalk – 130dB, Output 2Vmrs

Low-clock-jitter sensitivity: 50ps(Typ)

4inch TFT Wide Touch Display (480 x 800)

WAV, FLAC, ALAC, AIFF, DSD, WMA,

MP3, OGG, APE(Normal, High, Fast)

Internal Memory 32GB

External Micro SD Card Memory 200GB x 2EA

Enhanced ABS Solid Body and Tempered Glass

Audio Performance

DAC
CS4398 * 2EA(Dual DAC)

Decoding
Support up to 24bit / 192KHz Bit to Bit Decoding

Frequency Response
±0.02dB(Condition: 20Hz~20KHz) Unbalanced & Balanced
±0.3dB(Condition: 10Hz~70KHz) Unbalanced & Balanced

Signal to Noise Ratio
114dB @ 1KHz, Unbalanced
115dB @ 1KHz, Balanced

Crosstalk
130dB @ 1KHz,Unbalanced / 135dB @ 1KHz, Balanced

THD+N
0.0007% @ 1KHz

Output Impedance
Balanced out 2.5mm(1ohm) / PHONES 3.5mm(2ohm)

Ouput Level
Unbalanced 2.1Vrms / Balanced 2.3Vrms(Condition No Load)

The post Audio-OPUS #1 High Resolution Portable Audio Player – Review appeared first on HiFiheadphones.

Acoustic Research M2 Review – Android on Steroids

Acoustic Research is one of those old names which has been connected with the world of hi-fi for some 63 years now, although it has changed hands a few times since. Responsible for quite a few innovations over the years, can this brand offer anything new to music fans in 2015? Fully equipped with Wi-Fi capability, the AR-M2 can work with streaming services such as Spotify; so now we’re not limited to the tracks we have stored on our players.

Design and appearance

The M2 is a relatively large and weighty player, with the front side almost completely composed of glass; a fair amount of which is the touchscreen (62mm x 110mm to be exact). The back of the player is bevelled and it settles in the hand well. Its angular form and dark glass screen is reminiscent of a 1980s coffee table, but only a little one.

Key Features

Given the M2 is an android-based player, there’s a fair amount of customisation possible – there’s no bloatware or anything to get in the way, but users can always add items they wish to use. Spotify was installed without a problem, for instance.

Other than the touchscreen, there are 4 buttons on the side for track control and power on/off and a volume wheel on the top. Outputs are limited to headphones and line-level output. There’s a little sliding door for micro SD cards if the internal 64Gb isn’t enough for your music collection, and of course a slot at the bottom for connecting to a computer via USB.

The player can be ‘locked’ for when it’s playing whilst in a pocket or bag; however the buttons on the side still function so there may be some issues there. The volume control wheel on the top is still sensitive when the M2 is locked so again, care is needed.

The player was taken outside on one of the brightest days we have in the UK (we do get bright days) and with the settings adjusted for maximum screen brightness, the screen was clearly legible. The only problem is the fingerprints on the vast expanse of screen which are also clear to see.

The Dac within, a Burr-Brown PCM1794A offers up to 24-bit/192kHz playback and supported formats include DSD, WAV, AIFF, FLAC and ALAC.

Being Android-based, streaming services such as Spotify can be installed on the AR-M2 for use over local wifi networks, making this player more useful still.

Durability & build quality

As alluded to above, the M2 is solidly built and gives the impression of something which will last for a good few years. The back does have a hollow ring to it when tapped with a fingernail, but it doesn’t feel hollow or flex with pressure.

The M2 will be fine in a trouser pocket, but tight trousers might not react too well. Bend over and you might gore yourself – the design is strong and unyielding! The M2 comes with a velvety pouch for protection – ostensibly for the player itself, but it might help avoid the odd nick or scratch elsewhere too.

The buttons on the side of the unit for play controls can be operated even when the unit has gone into standby/hold mode, so fishing the AR-M2 out of a pocket may cause an unintended change of track. Also, the volume control can be operated while in this state. Although it’s firm, it’s loose enough to be operated by material brushing against it in the tight confines of a pocket or bag.

Sound Quality

There’s no question about the power available within the AR-M2; with a HiFiMAN HE-6 attached, volume gets up to a respectable level – even a little too loud for sustained listening, depending on the genre. Likewise with the Audeze LCD-3.

With IEMs such as the Dita Answer (Truth Edition), the AR-M2 is in its element with well controlled bass, excellent space and detail in the midrange, and a rich airiness which brings the best out of both the music and the earphones.

Within the supplied AR player app, EQ settings are possible with many genre-based presets but there’s a limit to the control possible with the rudimentary 5 band on there. This can always change with future updates, however the unadulterated sound of the AR-M2 is perfect.

Pros:

Fast, responsive touchscreen
Large internal memory
Can run apps such as Spotify

Cons:

Side buttons can be pressed while unit is on ‘hold’
Volume control can be accidentally operated

Summary

The Acoustic Research M2 (or AR-M2) is a fantastic sounding player which is well worthy of a position at its price point. Holding it gives the impression that it’s a serious bit of kit, despite all the fun it gives. It has enough power to drive all commonly used headphones well; even 600 ohm cans with sensitivity below 90dB. The large internal memory and the adaptability offered by the Android-based operating system make this a very nice pocketful, although a large one. It’s definitely one for a jacket pocket or bag.

Please take a look at our video review below for more details.

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Earlier this year we were pleased to announce the new Lotoo PAW Gold player, but now there’s a smaller (and a much lower cost) model from Lotoo called the PAW 5000. At half the size, less than half of the weight and less than a quarter of the price of the PAW Gold model, can this upstart bring home the audio bacon?

Design and appearance

The button arrangement on the front is very similar to the earlier model, and the wheel on the 5000 model enables files, folders and options to be selected. The PAW Gold’s frontage was adorned by a little too much of the blingy stuff by all accounts, so the 5000 has been reined in with just a touch of gold on the power button. Very tasteful.

With handheld devices, the trend seems to be towards touchscreens now. This can give greater functionality and versatility, but buttons do offer a more instant tactile feedback. Also the advantages of a button-operated unit present themselves in winter where the PAW 5000 can be used with gloves on, or with gloves off and cold fingers!

Key Features

The PAW 5000 has more connectivity than the PAW Gold, with an optional SPDIF output for attaching to an exterior DAC. There’s a headphone socket of course, and a line-out socket for external amps. Another welcome option is the ability to work with bluetooth headphones via the bluetooth 4.0 standard so you can enjoy your music wirelessly without the possibility of snags.

Durability & build quality

The PAW 5000 is a lot lighter than the PAW Gold, but still feels solid. Buttons feel well made, and the wheel has a free-flowing quality about it while still feeling sturdy. Unlike the PAW Gold model however, a collision with a tiled floor may result in a dented player, rather than a cracked tile. Although the player has no flex or ‘give’ as it’s squeezed in the hand, a tap on the back cover does betray a slight hollowness.

Sound Quality

(Tested with an Audiofly AF180 IEM with EQ off on the player)

We’re used to using earphones such as the Audiofly AF180 with a Chord Hugo (with a Fiio X3 connected via coaxial) and so were expecting a bit of a drop in quality in terms of sound quality. It’s not that easy though.

With EQ disabled, sound is neutral with a nice depth and breadth – soundstage is as good as headphones will portray. The presentation does not have the precise, clinical edge which some high-end players (such as the AK240) have, but that’s no bad thing. Details are not lost; they are there, but just not pushed at the listener so much.

The Lotoo PAW 5000 is a good match for these earphones; the AF180 earphones cost only a little more (at £369.99) and are well served. The PAW 5000 helps to bring out the best in them, and should the listener wish to have a bit more (or less) edge to the sound, the EQ settings should have something to please. These are much the same as the PAW Gold player, featuring both permanent presets and user configurable presets too.

Pros

Digital output (SPDIF)
Balanced output (2.5mm)
Many EQ presets, also user configurable EQ
Bluetooth 4.0

Cons

No internal memory
Supplied SuperSpeed USB cable is quite short

Summary

The Lotoo PAW 5000 does not require deep pockets; in more ways than one. The sound quality and features found on this device rival much higher priced equivalents offered by other makers, and the diminutive size of the PAW 5000 makes it very convenient to keep as a constant companion for those quiet (or noisy!) moments.

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Astell&Kern AK240 – Expert Review

Pros

• Fashionable touchscreen operation

• Very solid build quality

• Large 256Gb internal memory

• Audiophile grade sound

• Very connectable

• Charges by USB

• Supplied with high quality leather case

Cons

• Angular design looks better than it feels

• Current maximum MicroSD accepted is 128Gb

• Touchscreen response slower than smartphone equivalent

• Player feels vulnerable if worn in pocket

• Volume control feels a bit flimsy

• Power up a bit slow

Verdict

A uniquely designed high-resolution player that is generally well made. Sound quality is is up there with the best digital audio players available and has plenty of connectivity options. Some may find the touchscreen a little old fashioned with a relatively slow response time.

Intro

Astell&Kern needs no introduction as a leading brand of high end portable players, and many fans of top-notch sound quality hold the players they produce in high esteem. So their flagship model, the AK240, has its work cut out!

Key Features

The AK240’s touchscreen encompasses a lot of possibilities and intuitive control features; for example it’s very simple to fast forward through a long track as the position marker can be dragged as fast as the user’s finger is moved. Also, changing volume can be done on the screen; but beware if you have sensitive IEM’s! Luckily there’s a dedicated volume control for those without steady hands.

Connectability is there in spades; the AK240 has a bluetooth capability so suitable wireless headphones can be used with it, any compromise with sound quality will have to be weighed up with the convenience that bluetooth headphones provide. Also Wi-Fi is featured so music can be sent streaming around the house, and files/folders can be read from and added wirelessly.

Also, the AK240 has an optical output which allows the user to send music data to an external DAC if preferred, and a balanced output for those who will accept no compromise where sound quality is concerned.

First Impressions

The Astell&Kern AK240 player looks like a piece of modern architecture at first glance; the screen is partly framed by two very angular bevelled edges which act like an optical illusion of some kind. This does lead to some problems gripping the AK240; care is needed when picking the player up off a flat surface as the right-hand side is relatively thin. The AK240 is supplied along with a high quality leather case, which will go some way to improving this.

Once safely in one hand, the user will likely need the other hand to operate the AK240 as the touchscreen control demands accurate direction by an attentive finger, also the touchscreen requires the user to see what is displayed in order to operate the unit. Volume can be altered by the dedicated control on the right side; this does feel a bit flimsy but offers no trouble during operation.

Once a track is playing, the cover art (if available) is displayed along with the usual artist/track information making a pleasing visual display, until of course the auto-hold feature renders the screen blank. A quick press of the power button brings the display and control capabilities back of course, and this feature can be configured as the user sees fit.

The AK240 does take a couple of minutes to read the contents of a freshly inserted Micro SD card before continuing, so if you’re chopping and changing with multiple cards don’t expect to be listening to your music immediately.

For the asking price, there are going to be some very demanding end-users with some very exacting requirements. We’re happy to say that the AK240 addresses these with aplomb. Any drawbacks mentioned are relatively minor and we mention these as we understand the stringent expectations prospective users may have at this high-end level and price point.

It would have been preferable to have a player which feels as good as it looks. Certainly the AK240 is visually striking but beauty is only skin deep. The attractive sheen may wear thin as the player is used on a day-to-day basis, due to the way it feels in the hand; there is an unyielding quality about it which may alienate some after a while.

Sound Quality

The Audiofly AF180 was used for the listening test, along with a Beyerdynamic T1 to test for available power.

Needless to say, the sound quality is stunning. But in order to gain a bit of perspective we put the AK240 up against a similar high-end player, the Lotoo PAW Gold. The general concensus is that the Astell&Kern AK240 reaches a bit lower and provides a little more ‘rumble’ in the bass department, while the Lotoo PAW Gold has a bit more up top making the tape hiss on Queen’s ‘Another One Bites The Dust’ a bit more apparent.

The feeling was that the AK240 gives a little more atmosphere and space; it’s a very natural and effortless sound. Acoustic and classical tracks are very immersive, with separation which is second to none in terms of portable players. Things seem a little more reined in and controlled when dealing with dynamically compressed pop music. These differences are very subtle of course, and are only mentioned to give the reader a more meaningful explanation of the player’s capabilities rather than those of the headphones used.

Power is plentiful too – the Beyerdynamic T1 was driven very well, the only time more headroom was required was with quieter classical passages with of course no dynamic compression applied within the production.

Summary

In terms of sound and functionality, it may come as no surprise that this is perhaps the best player available. The connectivity and versatility really make the Astell&Kern AK240 special; however not everybody likes a touchscreen and this may dampen the enthusiasm of some. Operating the unit may require it to be drawn out of the pocket, and any accidental swipes may lead to some frustrating moments.
Score 9.0

Return to : Best high resolution audio players to buy in 2015 – Expert Reviews

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FiiO X1 – £99.99

We’ve certainly been spoilt by Fiio’s offerings of recent years; it’s a situation that’s all too easy to get used to. First it was amps which got insanely cheap, then DACs. Now we have to get used to the idea of great quality digital audio players for under £100. What’s the world coming to?

Based on the design of bigger brother the X5, the X1 sports a control wheel on the front and buttons for an alternative means of control. Options and tracks can be scrolled through quite easily, and information is displayed clearly on the generously-sized screen. EQ status and battery can be checked at a glance, and other improvements have been made to the player’s software when compared to Fiio’s other players, such as the X3. For instance when moving around the menu system whilst listening to a track, it is now possible to see on the file list which track is playing; but you will need to find your own way to the exact folder where the file is.

Output options are reduced when compared to the X3 and X5; the X1 has one audio output socket only, but is good for both headphones and line-level output. This needs to be selected within the player options menu while no music plays, so don’t worry about the possibility of damaged equipment!

Another very nice feature is the capacity to detect button presses from a headset. When used with headsets on the newer CTIA wiring standard, the X1 should be able to pause, skip track forward and skip track back. This was tried with the new Sennheiser Momentum in-ear model, and the SoundMAGIC E10S.

The sound is amazing for a player under £100. Compared to the X3, the X1 comes across as slightly cooler-sounding and the quality is what we have come to expect from Fiio. The sound gives a slightly brittle impression when compared to more expensive players such as the AK100; but at a fifth of the price the Fiio X1 is a very credible alternative for the cash-strapped music fan!

Return to : Best high resolution audio players to buy in 2015 – Expert Reviews

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Verdict

We are impressed with the sound quality and power which the Fiio E18 provides; together with the mobile DAC functinality and everything else, nothing gives better value for money. However, it would have been much better (and safer) to have that gain switch recessed, or indeed buried into the side of the unit, rather like the E12. There’s no way we would chance using the E18 with an IEM whilst out and about. Either that prominent gain button should be ripped off or the switch covered up with tape, to save our ears from a possible bashing. Similar with the track/play/pause controls on the side of the unit – these can be swithed and operated all too easily.

Pros

• Great Value

• Oodles of power

• Extra functionality with smartphones

Cons

• Gain switch and track select buttons too prominent

The Swiss have enjoyed enormous success with their pocket knives, they are handy and can do a variety of jobs. However if wishing to hack your way through the jungle, a 3-inch blade is going to keep you busy.

Up until recently, portable headphone amps appear to have been aimed at providing a good level of power, or a lot of features. The Fiio E18 changes this, as it can accept a digital signal from a multitude of handsets as well as PC, and amplify enough to power any less-sensitive headphones up to 600 Ohms! Please check the E18 Kunlun page on Fiio’s site (http://www.fiio.cn) for exact details on compatibility.

Key Features

The E18 is a no-nonsense design like the E12, but with a few more tricks up its sleeve. DAC functionality combined with track select controls make this a versatile and useful addition to any portable set-up. Gain and bass boost controls will help get your preferred sound from a vast array of headphone models.

First Impressions

The track skip/back buttons on the side along with play and pause are handy, but it would have been preferable to have seen these recessed – unrequested track skips are an annoyance. Bass boost and gain switches are placed near the volume pot on the top end, and there’s little to prevent accidental operation of the gain switch. Accidental operation of the gain switch could potentially be quite damaging if wearing sensitive IEMs.

There’s a switch on the opposite end to select the source for the DAC (PC or phone) and also there’s the option of using the E18 as a power source itself; this was tried with Fiio X3 and smartphone – they both started accepting a charge, although this smartphone is not compatible with the DAC.

The outward design is not dissimilar to that of the E12 which is an amplifier only. It has been mentioned that the E12 is a little better in terms of amplifier quality, as well as more powerful. But the question everyone wants to know the answer to is ‘will it power my headphones?’ and the answer is very likely to be yes.

The E18 was tried with the AKG K240 DF (600 ohms, 88dB sensitivity) and the dial wasn’t turned all the way up – it was ear splittingly loud with room to spare! The E18 should be able to drive anything the modern world has to offer, within reason. The manuafacturer states an impedance range of 16 – 150 ohms, but there’s nothing like trying these things. So long as your recording is done well (and not extremely quiet), the E18 is enough to really blast it out.

Sound quality

The Fiio E18 was run from a PC to test DAC functionality and quality. It was up against an X3 and E12 together, which seemed like a fair match. A 600 ohm Sennhieser HD540 was used.

The E18 appeared to give better resolution; sounds were relatively flat and dull on the X3/E12 combination. I decoupled the X3/E12 rig and plugged into the X3 alone; predictably, things improved in terms of details due to fewer connections in the chain, but the relative lack of power took some of the wind out of my X3’s sails. Bass and hats were pushed back a little.

Summary

With the wants and needs of the average portable audio fan growing all the time (in part helped along by just this sort of product!) the Fiio E18 tries to tick as many boxes and cover as may bases as it can, and it does a great job of all of them.

Score: 8/10

The post FiiO E18 Kunlun Portable Smartphone Amp/DAC Review appeared first on HiFiheadphones.

Introducing the unassuming Hugo from Chord Electronics; the company which is now causing ripples in the portable audio world with this fantastic device.

Time and again we hear that headphones can mean a huge leap in sound quality; but equal to that is the process by which a particular signal reaches the headphones. Get both right and the effect is no less than sublime.

The Hugo is both a DAC and an amp, with a battery which can last a good while between charges, considering the processes it has to power. There are numerous options when it comes to connectivity, even a bluetooth input is available among the more traditional ins and outs.

The Hugo is built from aircraft-grade aluminium and it almost feels as if it designed for military purposes. Also the input controls are in keeping with this theme; they are obviously built to last also, particularly the large recessed volume control which is hard to knock or move accidentally.

The sound of the Hugo is probably better than a lot of people can imagine; the level of detail and sense of space one can glean from a given recording is out of this world. This is due to the DAC in the Hugo being designed for the Hugo; other designs take pre-existing DAC chips and implement them the best they can.

It consists of a field-programmable gate array, which is configured from the ground up by Chord. Basically it is a custom-made computer which specialises in the highest quality signal conversion.

Inputs include Optical/Toslink, Coaxial, bluetooth, and USB; with an extra HD USB input for operation to 384kHz in PCM format. Outputs feature 2 x 3.5mm sockets (these are slightly recessed and may give trouble, for instance with Earsonics in-ears), one 6.35mm socket and stereo RCA outs. Chord is aware that the Hugo is likely to be used as a DAC for full-size systems and accordingly it is possible to set the output volume to line-level for this purpose.

The effect of all this extra detail (even with 44.1kHz/16-bit recordings) is to vastly increase the sense of space and movement within the performace or recording, making it so much more realistic and captivating. Frequency response is virtually unchanged, so your favourite headphones should not take any rapid departures from their usual sound if used with the Hugo.

It is difficult to get across how much better music sounds with the Hugo, while nobody is a stranger to the potential benefit of the money this item costs! Therefore we welcome enquiries about our listening room; we are confident that the sound of the Hugo will alter your perceptions..!

The post Chord Electronics Hugo review appeared first on HiFiheadphones.

This is not your ordinary music player. With impressive processing power the portable FiiO X5 digital audio player supports DSD, APE, FLAC, ALAC, WMA and WAV lossless music formats up to 192kHz/24-bit. This is the most complete set of supported formats to date among Hi-Fi DAPs. With the X5, music lovers need not worry about lack of format support or format conversion.

As well as being a high resolution portable music player, FiiO X5 also doubles up as a dedicated digital-to-analogue converter with line or digital output from PC or MAC. The asynchronous USB DAC also supports 192kHz/24bit. Users can adjust the X5’s equalizer according to their preferences, tailoring the X5’s sound output to different headphones and music genres to produce their ideal sound.

Inside the casing the X5 is packing a lot of punch with four Texas Instruments opamps and Burr Brown DAC as well as dual TI Flagship DAC Chip for headphone output. The X5 comes with three output ports: headphone out, line out and coaxial digital output. Apart from connecting directly to headphones, you can also connect it to other DACs and amps. Dual TF card slots offer a storage capacity up to 128GB, with future firmware upgrades supporting up to 1024GB.

TI Flagship DAC Chip
High resolution music playback
WAV, APE, AAC, WMA, ALAC, FLAC lossless music format supported
DSD playback (DSD playback function will be added and optimised in pending firmware upgrade)
USB OTG support (OTG support will be added and optimised in pending firmware upgrade)
Dual TF card slots (up to 1024GB storage capacity with future firmware upgrades)
Asynchronous DAC
Aviation aluminium CNC unibody technology
Headphone out, Line out, coaxial output socket
Japan original imported high resolution IPS screen
3700mAh lithium polymer battery with 12 hours playtime

To purchase the unit, please visit our website:

Buy FiiO X5 Portable High Resolution Digital Audio Player

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Detailed audio signal without the loss of sound quality when using portable devices. Compatible with smartphones, tablets and computers, the A200p offers high definition sound that was previously not possible for travelling audiophiles.

Designed to circumvents the internal signal processing, the integrated Wolfson DAC chip of the A200p receives the pure digital music data first. After converting the digital data to analogue music signals, a high-quality amplifier controls the output to the connected headphones. All this results in previously unheard details, better contoured and deeper bass, as well as natural instrument and vocal reproduction.

Beyerdynamic A200p supports iPhone 5, iPad Air, iPad (4th generation), iPad mini and iPod touch (5th generation) and most smartphones with Android 4.1 or higher, which have a digital USB audio output. The A200p is currently the smallest mobile DAC and amplifier that can work with all of these devices on the digital level.

Features

• Crystal-clear sound with portable players
• Compatible with Apple and Android devices
• Digital connection via Apple lightning or Micro-USB
• 3.5mm mini stereo jack headphone connection
• Volume control with 135 levels
• LED display for charging, operation and volume
• Three buttons for music playback/pause and skipping forward and backward
• On/off switch with locking function
• DAC with up to 24 bit resolution at 96 kHz sampling frequency
• Integrated rechargeable battery with up to 11 hours operating time

To purchase the unit, please visit our website:

Buy Beyerdynamic A200p High-End Portable Apple/Android DAC and Headphone Amplifier

The post Beyerdynamic A200p High-End Portable Apple/Android DAC and Headphone Amplifier – Announcement appeared first on HiFiheadphones.

So you’ve spent time looking for your your new headphones or you already have a pair that you are very happy with, now it’s time to further improve your audio experience.So,To DAC or not to DAC.  The obvious route to go could be to buy or upgrade your headphone amplifier. Whether you are listening through a CD player, mobile phone, portable music player or a computer adding a good headphone amplifier to the chain can do wonders. Something that a lot of people overlook though is using a DAC. With the amount of great quality amplifier/DAC combos out there, most of the time it’s worth going this route.

What a DAC does is to take the digital data, whether it’s an MP3 or movie audio and convert that into an analogue signal so your headphones can pick it up and you can hear the files. The better the DAC, the better the conversion and therefore better sound quality. So if you have a great pair of headphones but a weak DAC, the headphones will only play audio as good as the DAC is putting out – an important part of the chain.

The most common use of a DAC is if you use a computer, all computers have built in DACs (soundcard) but unless you know that you have a particularly good one the quality won’t be great. Even using a cheaper DAC such as the FiiO E17 will greatly improve the sound quality coming from your computer. The reason you would go for a better DAC is if you play high quality audio files (WAV, AIFF, Lossless etc.) and you have a top of the range pair of headphones, this is where the quality of the DAC really shows.

You can either get a stand alone DAC or an amp/DAC combo, which one you get will be based on your intended setup. If you want to use your headphones with a computer and you don’t already have an amplifier then an amp/DAC combo would be ideal, and if you use a laptop then one of the portable sized units are great as you can even use them on the move. If you mainly use your iPhone/iPod then you could get a dedicated amp/DAC combo for iDevices such as the Fostex HP-P1 or the Cypher Labs Theorem 720 this will bypass the devices internal DAC and amplifier so all of the processing will be done by the Fostex. There is a stand alone alternative with the Cypher Labs Algorhythm Solo -dB and -r, but you would also need to have a headphone amplifier for this to work.

Essentially any digital audio device can benefit from upgrading the DAC, now depending on the device you use you will need the right sort of DAC – but there will be something out there for you. If you have any questions about this subject then please feel free to call us, we will be more than happy to help.

Please check out our youtube video DACs, Sample Rates and how to use Audio Files 

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There’s no shortage of external gizmos out there to improve the output of the average computer, but this is a worthy contender from Mr Slee. It presents itself in a sturdy but light case made of aluminium; small enough to be portable and large enough to handle easily when on the tabletop. It does not have its own power source however, so true portability may be limited to users of larger music sources such as tablets and laptops.

I disconnected my budget Behringer USB soundcard and connected the Bitzie. Unfortunately my copy of windows 7 decided to label the Bitzie ‘Behringer USB’ when detected, making for a furrowed brow; but I got through that by scrawling ‘Behringer’ on the thing. Don’t tell the boss.

There’s some debate over the value of more expensive USB leads such as the recommended Lautus; I’ll admit that I was sceptical. It’s data, right? It goes from A to B and you hear it perfectly.. or not. How can there be an in-between?

I didn’t notice anything much wrong at first whilst trying a cheap USB cable with the Bitzie, I was using full size headphones of one sort of another when trying the DAC, and gave the cable issue no thought at all. Then I tried listening with some in-ear headphones, the classic (and soon to be vintage) Phonak Audeo PFE 232s, expecting great things. With no source audio playing at all and the volume down, I was presented with the unsettling sound of a dozen tiny squealing mice coming from the Bitzie. It appears that even USB cables are susceptible to interference, and whether audible or not this unwanted signal will be affecting all audio coming from the device. It isn’t loud, but it’s bothersome with more sensitive in-ear headphones.

I recorded it to look at the waveform; there’s a very random pattern at around 15kHz and, zooming out, another waveform at 50Hz.

So on to the sound; for my test I chose two bits of soundtrack music, one was the Main Title from the original Taking of Pelham 123 movie soundtrack, and the other from Saturday Night Fever – Night on Disco Mountain. Both by David Shire.

The Pelham 123 tune has a lot of brass; and the Bitzie really brought this to life. I love a low brassy grunt or two, and the detail revealed by the Bitzie made me sit up past my bedtime enjoying the added depth this soundtrack now had to offer. In a comparison with my M-Audio Audiophile 24/96PC soundcard, the Bitzie had a clear edge and didn’t feel as if it was trying very hard either.

Night on Disco Mountain, although cheesy, has a lot going on for the Bitzie to cope with and it did a great job. I wasn’t so much listening as fully immersed. There’s a great sense of space and depth and it’s difficult to turn the thing off and go to bed. The Bitzie is bags of fun, but watch for bags under the eyes.

One thing I would say is that the Bitzie has a limit where it comes to amplification. Perhaps due to the fact it draws power from the attached source or device. My HE-400s are a thirsty pair of headphones, and the Bitzie did not get them up to a decent level. However, for dynamic headphones of 300 Ohms and lower I’d say the Bitzie should be fine without further amplification.

The post Graham Slee Bitzie DAC – Review appeared first on HiFiheadphones.

Other than obviously sounding great, the best feature of the Bitzie is that it has been confirmed to work as an external DAC with several Android-based smartphones, like the Galaxy S3 and S4. Android-owners craving for a superior sound fromt their device should look no further!

• Plug & Play (instantly recognised by virtually all operating systems including Windows 8!)
• Also Plug & Play with Samsung Galaxy S3 running Android Jellybean — 7 hours playing on fully charged S3!
• No driver downloads (except Windows 98 which is virtually automatic)
• Plays 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz via VLC media player, Foobar2000 or other freeware players
• 24-bit/44.1 or 48 kHz bit-perfect when running suitable software
• 16-bit/44.1 or 48 kHz S/PDIF permanently on outputs — 75 Ohm transformer isolated coax and optical “toslink” transmitter
• Full-speed USB
• Low clock jitter
• 8x oversampling Burr-Brown USB Audio CODEC
• USB powered – USB compliant 0.5W consumption
• Analogue 3rd order Butterworth low pass filter, -1dB at 22kHz, -47dB at 352.8kHz
• 1.55V rms analogue output
• Two stereo output jacks
• Drives all headphones – low impedance and high impedance
• Drives power amplifiers direct
• True analogue rotary volume control
• Smaller than iPod footprint – anodized aluminium case
• Smaller than our Voyager portable headphone amplifier
• Included high quality full-size jack to stereo RCA jack adapter
• Designed and manufactured in the United Kingdom

Read more on Graham Slee’s website!

To purchase the unit, please visit our website:

Graham Slee Bitzie USB DAC & USB Headphone Amplifier

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So what’s the weakest link? I’m not talking about BBC quiz show tedium here, but something that every headphone enthusiast has probably asked at some point. If upgrading your system, whether it be portable or home-based, there is likely still something which is holding it back. Spending a grand on some sumptuous headphones is all very well, but they may be a waste of money if you are then plugging them straight into an iPod. Sound quality is limited in part to what the iPod can put out, and expensive headphones will simply reveal with greater resolution the flaws and limitations of the standard iPod DAC and amp.

For those who accept no compromise, there are bits of specialised kit which can take digital information from the iPod (from the 30-pin, or new lightning connections on the 5th gen. iPod) and process that into a much better quality analogue signal. This would need to be fed into an amplifier as the Algorhythm Solo -dB puts out a line-level signal only.

So what’s the dB for? This is a newer version of the original Algorhythm Solo which would work exclusively with Apple devices. Cypher Labs has upped the stakes and provided greater functionality by making these units compatible with the USB ports of Apple computers and PCs alike. Once drivers are installed, the computer will be able to use the unit as an external DAC, beating all pre-installed motherboard DACs to a pulp, and most aftermarket DACs as well.

I decided to check for myself what these things can do, so I put the Solo -dB against my M-Audio Audiophile 24bit/96kHz PCI sound card. If not already, this card is nearly ten years old; and although I have investigated upgrading there really is no need. It’s excellent, so the Solo -dB’s work is cut out.

And so was mine; there was likely a weak link in my chain elsewhere which made properly appreciating this level of quality a challenge. Perhaps with the cables/connections or the amps I was trying it with, the Fiio E12 or my old Behringer 802A mixing desk – neither of which are aimed at truly high-end ears. Looks like that’s my next upgrade.

However I did manage to perceive some difference through my HiFiMAN He-400s before fatigue set in, but not by listening to what was there; I listened to what there wasn’t. On The Sweet’s ‘Blockbuster Blitz’ I found it a real challenge to favour one or the other version (both PCI card and Algorhythm Solo going through the mixing desk at the same volume level) but on trying to analyse the space in between the instruments, I found that the glam snare drumroll parts definitely had a more 3D feel coming from the Algorhythm Solo; I could detect space all around them. From the M-Audio PCI card, the same parts had a flatter presentation.

Although the differences may be subtle, I am comparing a PCI card with all its requirements (like a desktop ball and chain) with a self-contained unit which can go in a pocket (albeit not a small one).

So if you are looking at upgrading your sound with some pricey headphones or a similar high-end gadget, just spare a thought for the entire chain. And if you can’t tell the difference between the iPod’s DAC and the Algorhythm Solo, perhaps you’re the weakest link!

Goodbye!

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