For reviews of gear including and related to the playback of digital audio, including transports, DACs, computers, streamers, and “silver disc spinners”.
The Weiss Helios DAC reminds me of what people forget about Swiss pocket knives. The common association is, of course, with the ubiquitous “Swiss Army Knife” manufactured by Victorinox in that iconic red color. The […]
“It’s for people who just want to stream,” the folks from Faro told me when I first listened to the Innuos PULSAR network streamer. “You mean people like me?” I asked, and they nodded in […]
I have an ongoing dilemma with reviewing digital audio. I never seem to have all the pieces I need to test out DACs, streamers and servers. (Digital cables can occasionally be an issue as well.) […]
Sometimes you get caught up in looking for the next big thing. You buy great equipment, enjoy it for a while, and then an itch comes along and the only way to scratch it is […]
Audirvana Origin is one of two recent upgrades to the audiophile music playback software Audirvana. It was created by the French developer Damien Plisson, who was disappointed with the audiophile playback solutions available. Convincing himself […]
Here’s one of the dumbest things I’ve said about high-end audio, especially digital audio, in the last couple of years: “I’m perfectly happy with just a DAC and a laptop.” My time with the Antipodes […]
Can a mere digital transport such as the Audio Note UK CDT One/II make a huge difference in the sound quality of a hi-fi system? Isn’t that the purview of the digital-to-analog converter that is […]
It’s official. With the exception of my complete set of AudioQuest DragonFlies, I’ve now spent more time listening to the Lab12 DAC1 Reference than any other digital-to-analog converter. Does that portend good things for this […]
Why should you care about an audiophile grade network switch? Stick with me a while, and I’ll tell you a little bit about the Silent Angel Bonn N8 Pro. You see, like most of us, […]
Do I need a digital streamer like the Aavik S-280? At first I wasn’t so sure. I’ve been pretty happy with just a DAC and my laptop for streaming Qobuz, just like I was happy […]
Why is PTA reviewing the McIntosh MX100 A/V Surround Sound Processor? It’s no secret that we love music here at Part-Time Audiophile, and our preferred listening is a properly set up two-channel system. In my […]
I’ll admit it—I’ve always wanted one of those cool-looking CD players that’s little more than a small box and a compact disc hub poking out of the top, maybe a couple of buttons and a […]
Palm Trees and Perfect Sound DACs have been abounding at my residence in Santa Monica—the Holo Audio May most recently, and now the Meitner MA3 (website), which is the subject of today’s review. I’ve also […]
The CEC DA5 DAC and matching TL-5 transport represent my new favorite thing in the world of high-end audio—a product that makes you rethink how you want to proceed in this hobby. I first encountered […]
The Holo Audio May family of DACs may be unfamiliar to those of you unacquainted with headphones, but the Holo Audio (website) brand indeed has a long history and excellent reputation, and not merely in […]
Do you have a long-term plan for listening to compact discs? Are you considering burning your discs to a music server and selling off your enormous collection? (That’s me.) Are you considering keeping your collection […]
We have a running joke in the PTA War Room about the “big” DAC from Ideon Audio, which is rumored to be going to Dave McNair for review. Apparently it weighs over 1600 pounds, more […]
The Grimm Audio MU1 (website) is an idiosyncratic product. This is not a term I typically associate with music servers or digital sources—the truth of the matter is that most of them are simple devices. […]
My review of the Merason Frerot DAC is the first time I’ve ever done a formal review of a stand-alone digital-to-analog converter. I do have plenty of experience with DACs over the last few years, […]
Do I really need a music server like the Innuos Zen Mini Mk. 3 at this point in my life? I’m still pretty old school when it comes to physical media. I have large CD […]
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