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Reviews

AURALiC TAURUS MKII Balanced Headphone Amp Review

Stephen Hornbrook

The AURALiC TAURUS MKII uses their proprietary ORFEO Classs-A output modules to deliver amazing sound to high-end headphones. Enjoy incredible transparency and tonal quality via either the standard or balanced output of the TAURUS MKII. Easily one of the best headphone amps on the market and a reference quality pairing with the HiFiMAN HE-6 planar magnetic headphones.

Headphone Amplifier Reviews

Antelope Audio Zodiac Platinum DAC with 10M Rubidium Atomic Clock Review

John E. Johnson, Jr.

Antelope Audio is a company originally based in the USA, but is now based in Europe, with the factory in Bulgaria. The manufacture DACs and A/D converters for the pro industry (recording studios). However, they also offer these products in a high end consumer edition. The Zodiac Platinum DAC with an outboard 10M Rubidium Atomic Clock is their latest set of DAC components for audiophiles.

DACs

HiFiMAN HM-802 Portable High Resolution Music Player Review

John E. Johnson, Jr.

HiFiMAN is probably best known for their headphones and headphone amplifiers, some of which we have reviewed, but they also manufacture portable music players as an alternative to the ubiqutious iPod. The HM-802 is one of several models, including the HM-700, which is less expensive than the HM-802, and the HM-901, which is more expensive. You also have the option of having a balanced amplifier module in the player or the standard unbalanced one. In this review, I cover the model HM-802, with the standard unbalanced amplifier card, as well as with the optional balanced amp card. It plays PCM music tracks up to 24/192 and DSD64, as well as wav, flac, mp3, alac, aac, and aiff files.

 

Portable Audio

Bryston SP3 7.1 Surround Sound Processor Review

Robert Kozel

Bryston is a great example of a company that takes component choice and design to heart. The SP3 7.1 Surround Sound Processor (SSP) does not strive to keep up with every mass-market product feature. Instead, it delivers on a singular goal of delivering outstanding sound quality for both two-channel stereo and multi-channel music and movies alike.

Processors

Meridian Prime Headphone Amplifier / Prime Power Supply Review

Stephen Hornbrook

The Meridian Prime and its Prime Power Supply are a compact unit designed to fit on even the most cluttered of desks. Enjoy clean and neutral playback up to 192/24 bit PCM via USB connection. The Prime even has enough power built into it's mini stature to handle beefy planar magnetic headphones. At $2,000 for just the Prime, it is a bit pricey, but worth checking out if you need something small.

Headphone Amplifier Reviews

Induction Dynamics ID1 Floor Standing Speakers Review

Jim Clements

The Induction Dynamics ID1's are large 4-way Floor standing Speakers with dual subwoofers built in to each cabinet. The speakers are available in many custom finishes or they can be mounted in-wall if you are building a high performance custom home theater. The speakers measured well; low distortion and a full frequency response from 25 Hz all the way out past the limits of human audibility. But that was only one part of the story. Subjectively, these speakers had an articulate sound that remained smooth and non-fatiguing at all playback levels. And they showed excellent imaging properties, filling the room with all their lusciousness.

Floor Standing Speakers