USB DAC Reviews
22 September 2024
Laiv Harmony DAC
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Building on an extensive background in industrial automation, Singapore company Laiv is passionate about revolutionizing the world of audio through innovative and user-centric design in which technology adapts to us, not the other way around. In this review, I will listen to the gorgeous looking Harmony DAC.
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8 June 2024
Denafrips Ares 12th-1
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Based on the entry-level model Ares II (recently renamed to Enyo), the Ares 12th-1 is Denafrips' Anniversary Edition DAC, offering various performance enhancements over the Ares II/Enyo.
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12 November 2023
I only just recently heard the dCS Puccini CD/SACD Player and DAC and Paganini Master Clock/USB Interface in the context of my own system. Since many people are shopping in the second-hand market, I thought it would be worth sharing my Quick Impressions of these products.
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31 March 2023
Playback Designs MPD-6
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The Playback Designs MPD-6 is a discrete DAC with integrated analog volume control. As part of the Edelweiss series, the MPD-6 has its roots in the Dream series from which it borrows key technologies and combines these with new ones to create a more compact and cost-effective package.
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8 January 2023
Following the May 2022 Press Release, CH Precision has recently issued the new C1.2, an update of the longer-running C1 DAC. After having my unit updated, I was so impressed with the results that I simply had to share my findings.
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16 October 2022
The DAC2-Mk3 can be seen as the successor of the DAC2 Signature that I reviewed in December 2019 and the CDT3-Mk3 is Jay's Audio's new Flagship CD transport. Read on to find out how they perform individually and as a pair.
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15 March 2022
Ever wonder what spending extra on the next level DAC from the same company gets you? Let's find out by directly comparing all the DACs that Denafrips currently has on offer.
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Network Player Reviews,
SPDIF DAC Reviews,
USB DAC Reviews,
Phono Preamp Reviews,
Preamplifier Reviews
10 November 2021
The D10 is a highly versatile control point, built in a modular fashion. As standard, it contains a preamp and DAC. Optionally, one can add a streaming input and a phono preamp. With every input that it offers, the D10 has surprised me with consistently fantastic performance.
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11 September 2021
When you frequently review products, and especially when the target is usually the high-end segment, true surprises are few and far between. So, it's a treat when a product comes along that truly brings something new to the table.
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19 August 2021
Denafrips Terminator Plus
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This DAC not only sets the standard at its retail price, but it even presents a challenge for the top-performers in the business.
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28 March 2021
Vermeer Audio TWO
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Vermeer Audio is a relatively new French company that was started by a group of technicians and passionate investors that have roots in another famous French company, Audio Aero. In its curvy enclosure, the TWO houses a streaming endpoint, a DAC, and an analog tube preamp, all of superb quality.
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Network Player Reviews,
SPDIF DAC Reviews,
USB DAC Reviews,
Power Amplifier Reviews,
Preamplifier Reviews
22 February 2021
The third-generation Delta product line includes the STEREO amplifier, MONO amplifiers and the PRE preamplifier with built-in DAC and streamer, and conceptually based on the CP-800. Reviewed here are the preamp and stereo power amp.
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14 May 2020
The DAC502 is an absolute reviewer's dream. It contains every function that one could ever want, poured into a very responsive UI with direct access to every function, topped off with utter stability. Soundwise, this is a dead-neutral, highly-revealing DAC with a solid, punchy, crispy and no-nonsense delivery.
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9 May 2020
APL DSD-AR DAC
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While resolving the heck out of everything you play with retina-like resolution and lightning-fast transients, the DSD-AR simultaneously has an almost subconscious easy-going aspect, a certain organic quality that makes for highly lyrical music making and an immediate emotional involvement that makes one forget about all the technical details.
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27 March 2020
Ayon CD-10 II CD Player
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The CD-10 II impressed me enormously. Regular readers will know that I am used to listening to very esoteric gear but somehow Ayon always manages to stir my music-loving soul, and, as it turns out, even with their entry-level products.
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27 February 2020
The CDP-707 is an integrated Tube CD player, powered for this review by the company's best PSU-707 unit. The Digicode S-192 is a Tube DAC, powered by the company's best PSU-DC 192 unit.
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15 February 2020
Denafrips Venus
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Visually a more compact and arguably even more handsome version of the Terminator, the Venus is Denafrips' 2nd-tier flagship DAC and, as such, it is built around a very similar architecture.
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1 February 2020
Bryston BDA-3.14 Renderer+DAC
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The BDA-3.14 is Bryston's current reference DAC and with its many inputs, streaming capacity and built-in volume control, it is meant to perform the central role in a multiple-digital-source system.
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3 December 2019
Ayon S10-II Signature
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The S-10 MkII is not only a streaming endpoint and a DAC but also an analog preamp complete with two analog inputs. And, unlike many competing products, the Ayon's preamp can actually replace a very good separate analog preamp.
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7 November 2019
Who says that electronics circuits are for nerds? I mean, look at this board! Isn't it a work of art? With the V2 output board, the Formula xHD's position as the King of the Crop is reaffirmed.
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16 October 2019
Encased in a simple but robust cabinet, the STR series has refreshingly different looks, but these components also distinguish themselves from the masses in terms of sound.
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19 August 2019
With the new DIGITAL IN HD board, the team at CH has managed to further improve the C1's already stellar performance.
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1 June 2019
Aqua La Scala mkII DAC
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Giving away very little compared to the Formula xHD, costing less and possessing of that midrange magic that only tubes seem to bring, the La Scala mkII DAC may well hold the sweet spot in the Aqua DAC lineup.
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18 April 2019
Matrix Element-X
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The Matrix Element-X could be regarded as an upgraded X-Sabre Pro with added functionality, such as UPnP streaming, Airplay, App-control in addition to IR remote control, Tidal, and MQA. Additionally, the unit contains a dual-mode headphone amplifier consisting of four independent amplifier units.
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17 April 2019
It baffles me why the Bricasti brand does not pop up everywhere, it certainly should. Beautifully sculpted and with immaculate build quality, these components are not inexpensive but in context, they surely are also not extravagantly priced.
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31 March 2019
Designed and built in China, Audio GD products provide serious competition for much higher priced European or American gear. Part 1 contains the introduction, info about Magna Hifi and a description of the performance of the complete Audio GD system.
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18 November 2018
These two Kinki components make for highly involved and enthusiastic listening. They consistently make my foot tap to their supremely confident, rhythmic and dynamic presentation.
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Amplifier Reviews,
HFA Audio Setup History,
Passive Speakers Reviews,
SPDIF DAC Reviews,
USB DAC Reviews
18 August 2018
Finding my next reference speakers and amplifiers - part 3
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Amplifier Reviews,
HFA Audio Setup History,
Passive Speakers Reviews,
SPDIF DAC Reviews,
USB DAC Reviews
18 August 2018
Finding my next reference speakers and amplifiers - part 2
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28 April 2018
Bryston BDA-3 DAC
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Enthusiastic Music Maker with extensive connectivity.
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10 April 2018
CH Precision C1 + A1
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The C1+A1 combination sounds ultra-transparent, clean and controlled but also smooth and fluid, and organic, wholly musical and absolutely convincing.
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1 March 2018
There is no way around it. The Ayon Stealth DAC/Preamp and CD-T II transport play with a level of musical involvement not matched by any solid state combination that I tried so far.
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21 January 2018
Holo Audio Cyan
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Smartly designed Discrete Resistor Ladder DAC at a very friendly price.
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31 December 2017
Aqua Formula xHD DAC
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State of the art NOS R2R ladder DAC with DSD compatibility. Current HFA reference!
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27 May 2017
Bricasti M1 Classic
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The M1 throws a superb balance between technical excellence, emotional engagement and refinement.
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27 May 2017
Esoteric D-07
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The Esoteric presents music with real gusto: theres a bold and focused power to its delivery, making for a very solid and upbeat sound not unlike the typical Wadia delivery.
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3 April 2017
Jeff Rowland Aeris DAC + PSU
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Adding the brand new Power Storage Unit to the Aeris DAC provides a major upgrade.
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6 March 2017
This Directstream combo delivers new benchmark setting performance!
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22 January 2017
Audiolab M-DAC+
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Affordable Jack of all Trades with a detailed and refined sound.
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9 October 2016
Meridian Ultra DAC
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Meridian's DACs were usually assigned a number such as 606, 563 and 818. And now there is the Ultra DAC. Purely on appearance it is hard to see the differences with the 818 but soundwise it is immediately clear that this DAC deserves more than just another number.
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Active Digital Speakers Reviews,
Music Server Reviews,
Network Player Reviews,
SPDIF DAC Reviews,
USB DAC Reviews
1 May 2016
For the first time, there are a pair of active Meridian DSP speakers in my listening room, along with an 818v3 Reference Audio Core and a Media Core 200. This makes for some very interesting comparisons.
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10 April 2016
Leema Acoustics Libra
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Highly versatile DAC with a smooth, refined and seductive sound
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21 February 2016
Wadia 121 USB DAC
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The 121 may look diminutive, but should not be underestimated.
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3 February 2015
Leema Elements DAC
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It wasn't until very recently when I heard a Leema DAC in a friend's setup, and it was playing so effortlessly musically, that I felt it deserved an in-depth review in my own setup.
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9 June 2013
SOtM sDP-1000 DAC
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Smoothly finished DAC with lots of tricks up its sleeves
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14 February 2013
PS Audio NWD (Nu Wave DAC)
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Unprecedented quality at this price level
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13 February 2013
Jeff Rowland Aeris DAC
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The brand's first entry into the digital world
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16 July 2012
The very best Meridian Sooloos Streaming Audio.
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23 June 2012
Sooloos products had me hooked right from the start
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5 April 2012
Naim NDX, CDX2, DAC and XPS2
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After being so enthusiastic about the UnitiQute and Uniti, I was curious to find out how much more there would be in the Naims higher up on the scale.
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An upgrade that positively transforms the PWD.
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11 February 2012
MYTEK STEREO 192-DSD DAC
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Pro-audio mastering unit put to the audiophile test
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24 January 2012
Linn Klimax DS Network Player
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The Klimax DS/0 was the first high end music streamer.
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26 November 2011
Musical Fidelity Clic
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Comparable in size to the Naim UnitiQute, the Musical Fidelity Clic promises even wider compatibility, albeit without built in amplifier.
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13 October 2011
The Uniti is the UnitiQute's bigger brother, with a cd player added, a bigger amplifier and more inputs.
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13 October 2011
The UnitiQute is a smaller version of the Uniti, minus the CD player, but lacking none of its bigger brother's functionality.
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8 July 2011
The PWD initiated quite a chain reaction Network cables, switches, power cables, and NAS placement were all examined and found to have an influence on the sound. Here is the final installment of the PWD review. Compared to the Audio Synthesis DAX Decade In the meantime, I had received an Audio Synthesis DAX Decade DAC for […]
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