Jon Iverson

Sweepstakes

Audio-Technica SonicFuel ATH-OX7AMP premium on-ear headphones with built-in amplifier Sweepstakes

Jon Iverson Jun 13, 2014

Register to win a set of Audio-Technica SonicFuel ATH-OX7AMP premium on-ear headphones with built-in amplifier (MSRP $299.95) we are giving away.

According to the company:

The ATH-OX7AMP on-ear headphones deliver premium sound through large 40 mm drivers and built-in, high-output amplifiers that enhance any type of musical selection, maximizing the detail and clarity of your music like never before. The amplifiers run on a AAA battery (included), however batteries are not necessary for audio output – the headphones operate normally regardless of battery power.

[This Sweepstakes is now closed.]

News

Site Update: Note To Our Readers

Jon Iverson May 02, 2014

We've updated our site platform this weekend and changed a few things.

We apologize that any comments that you might have added this weekend have been lost. There are still a few minor issues we are fixing, so please bear with us.

News

Note To Our Readers

Jon Iverson May 02, 2014

Due to some upgrades we are making to this web site, posting comments or gallery photos will be disabled this weekend.

Digital Processor Reviews

MSB Technology Analog DAC D/A converter and Analog Power Base power supply

Jon Iverson Mar 28, 2014

Back in high-end audio's golden daysfor the purposes of this story, the mid- to late 1980smy audio store, Audio Ecstasy, had a service tech named Tom Hewitt. Were he still with us (and I wish he were), Tom would appreciate the radical case design of the MSB Analog DAC. Tom loved not only to fix things, but to see what happened when things were violently stressed. He tested the limits of component construction.

CD Player/Transport Reviews

MSB Universal Media Transport plus

Jon Iverson Mar 28, 2014

My primary focus this month was MSB's Analog DAC, but since it needed some software updates, MSB suggested that the easiest way to install them was with their Universal Media Transport plus ($5995). Turned out the updates were easier via my regular Meridian Sooloos system, but since they'd sent me a sample of the UMT+, I hooked it up.

Budget Component Reviews Digital Processor Reviews Computer Audio Reviews

Channel Islands Audio Transient Mk.II & VDC•5 Mk.II USB D/A processor & power supply

Jon Iverson Mar 07, 2014

Most folks don't even know they exist, but the Channel Islands are a chain of eight moderately sized mountains poking through the Pacific Ocean along the coast of southern California, between Santa Barbara and San Diego. The most famous of these is Catalina Island and its city, Avalon, which sit opposite San Clemente. The other Channel Islands are relatively wild and have been preserved mostly uninhabited.

CES 2014

Cary Audio DMS-500 Digital Music Streamer

Jon Iverson Jan 17, 2014

Cary Audio is diving deep into streaming digital with their new DMS-500. There is a USB input on the front and two on the back for NAS drives or computer audio. There is also an eSATA port for direct connection, aptX Bluetooth for the phones in the room, SPDIF via coax and toslink.

CES 2014

Lumin Network Music Player Line Up

Jon Iverson Jan 17, 2014

Lumin had an entire row of new network players scheduled for release mid-year--all with prices still to be determined. Starting at the left, the S1 will be the flagship model and probably come in over $7k. The S1 handles DSD 64&128 and up to 24/192 PCM, includes four ESS Sabre 9018 DAC chips and also HDMI output.

CES 2014

Mola-Mola New DAC Prototype

Jon Iverson Jan 17, 2014

Mola-Mola's Bruno Putzeys says that he wants to leapfrog the idea of incremental DAC design and create a product that puts us a decade down the road in one jump. To that end, he was showing off a prototype design that he has working, but not fit into a product yet. He adds that it should be ready in about a year.

CES 2014

Bruno Putzeys' Mola-Mola DAC Closer Up

Jon Iverson Jan 17, 2014

The five layer stack of boards is a working prototype. The final design will fit flat in a typical chassis.

BTW, Even after seeing the company logo with the little fish in it, I still had to look it up: Mola-Mola is a name for the ocean sunfish.