Beats by Dr. Dre, PO Box 95232, Las Vegas, NV 89193. Tel: (800) 442-4000. Web: beatsbydre.com
Skullcandy, 1441 W. Ute Boulevard, Suite 250, Park City, UT 84098. Tel: (435) 940-1545. Fax: (435) 214-2566. Web: www.skullcandy.com
search
Bratty, mollycoddled, and altogether spoiled consumers such as you and I have inflicted on computer audio the same injustice that laparoscopic surgery, antilock brakes, mobile telephones, word processors, e-mail, microwave ovens, and over-the-counter proton-pump inhibitors have suffered at our hands in recent years: In less time than it takes to say "ho-hum," we've knocked it from the pedestal to which all such breakthroughs are entitled and begun taking it for granted.
Among average consumers of a certain demographic and audio hobbyists alike, computer audio is now regarded as…
In its ability to clarify individual lines and, especially, to make sense of a rhythmically dense orchestration, all while maintaining very good tone and scale, the iDAC sounded magnificent with a JVC transfer of Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's classic recording of Bartók's Concerto for Orchestra (ripped from JMCXR-0007). It was more spatially convincing than the DragonFly—and, remarkably, than my LP of this recording (admittedly, a second-rate Victrola reissue). My listening notes include a surprisingly coherent reference to my astonishment.
The iDAC also turned in an…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
iFi Audio iDAC: Single-box digital-to-analog converter. Digital input: USB Type B. Formats supported: all PCM-output audio codecs (AIFF, WAV, MP3, etc.). Maximum word length: 24 bits. Maximum sampling rate: 192kHz. Analog output: 1 pair (RCA). Signal/noise: >111dB. THD: <0.005%. Frequency response: 3Hz–33kHz, +0.1dB/–0.3dB. Maximum headphone output power: >150mW at 15 ohms. Maximum headphone output voltage: 3.3V into >100 ohms. Output impedance: <1 ohm. Power consumption: <2.5 W.
Price: $299.
iFi Audio iUSBPower: Single-box DC power…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
Analog Sources: Garrard 301, Thorens TD 124 turntables; Artemis Lab TA-1, EMT 997 tonearms; Ortofon SPU, EMT TSD 15 70th Anniversary pickup heads; Miyabi Laboratory 47 phono cartridge.
Digital Sources: AudioQuest DragonFly, Halide HD DAC, Wavelength Proton USB DACs; Apple iMac G5 computer running Apple iTunes v11.0, Decibel v1.0.2 playback softwares; Sony SCD-777ES SACD/CD player.
Preamplification: Auditorium 23 Standard (SPU version), Hommage T2, Silvercore One-to-Ten step-up transformers; Shindo Masseto preamplifier.
Power Amplifiers: Fi 421A…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
I assessed the iFi Audio iDAC's electrical performance with Stereophile's loan sample of the top-of-the-line Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see www.ap.com and the January 2008 "As We See It"); I also used my vintage Audio Precision System One Dual Domain for some tests. I used WAV files sourced from my MacBook Pro for the testing, and powered the iDAC from the iUSBPower supply. The ground switch was left in the connected position, which gave the lowest noise level with my setup. The Macintosh USB Prober utility identified the iDAC as "AMR USB Audio 2.0," and…
At the 2013 AXPONA in Chicago in March, Cool Cleveland asked JA for his thoughts on the state of high-end audio. His answers might surprise you.
Register to win a Logic3 Scuderia R300 Headphone (MSRP $349.00) we are giving away.
According to the company:
Distinctive design inspired by the Scuderia Ferrari racing team and the aerodynamic air vents and traditional grille incorporated in the GT Cars. Active Noise Cancellation Technology (ANC) powered batteries, reducing unwanted ambient noise. Closed-back design which seals the ear pads to prevent loss of music dynamics. Robust machined crafted metal arms and diamond shaped grille finish to ensure durability and quality. Ultra-Soft ear pads constructed from enhanced…
The Jazz Journalists Association, of which I'm a member, announced its awards yesterday. Here are the winners in the major categories (a full list of the nominees and the winners can be found here and here), followed by my own choices (which, as you will see, differ from the consensus more than usual).
(It's worth noting up top that Sonny Rollins was declared "Emeritus Jazz Artist / Beyond Voting," which, though a bit of a cop-out, is sort of fitting.)
Now the winners and my choices:
Lifetime Achievement
Winner: Wayne Shorter
My choice: Of the nominees, I too went…
On March 27, 2013, Stephen Mejias blogged about the single “Love and Respect” from Danish electro-pop group When Saints Go Machine, which “features Killer Mike offering strong and exciting contrast to Nikolaj Manuel Vonsild’s delicate falsetto.” Although the track left him “wanting more,” SM admitted the restraint from both Killer Mike and Vonsild made his yearning a good thing.
In UNKWON’s remix of this track, the Danish DJ leaves yearning at the door, and unleashes an onslaught of sonic manipulations, big bass, and layered tambourines, handclaps, snares, and bells transforming…