Digital
USB to S/PDIF: Trouble in Paradise
My reference DAC is an Alpha from Berkeley Audio Designs. This is a great DAC, but I have a problem: my “transport” is a computer, not a CD player. So, I need some way to […]
Audio Gear Reviews
Cables & Power
Thoughts about The Cable Hypothesis
I’ve been using a full Blue Jeans Cable “loom” now for the last seven months. During that time, I have not once wanted for a “better cable” — in fact, I went and bought more […]
Loudspeakers
Joseph Audio Pearl 2 Loudspeakers
My New Reference Let me apologize in advance. This review is unapologetically enthusiastic and may be laced with an absurd amount of superlatives. I tried to tone it down, but I can’t really seem to […]
Tweaks
Got Power Conditioning? First Steps With Alan Maher Designs
I haven’t the time to sort out exactly how this ought to go, but one of the things I’ve been asked a lot is: “If I want to get started with AMD Power, where do […]
Cables & Power
The Ultimate In Audiophile Cabling: Blue Jeans Cables
So, I needed some temporary cables until I made some decisions about a new cable loom to better fit my rig and in the middle of all that, I decided I needed to rethink my […]
Analog
Pro-Ject 9.1 Turntable
What, me, vinyl? I’ll man up and just flat out admit it: I bought this turntable on a lark. I’ve been an audiophile for years and years. Ok, for about 4 years, which technically, is […]
Digital
Shootout: Berkeley Alpha & Cullen-Modded PS Audio Digital Link III
I recall a day not very long ago when I was secure in my smug superiority, with my hot-rodded PS Audio DAC taking on all comers. Lavry? Ha! Ayre? Double-ha! Alpha? Ha … err … […]
Digital
Analog Research Technologies (AR-T) Legato USB-S/PDIF Converter
Everyone has one of those moments, I think, when they just do something and almost immediately wonder WTF they were thinking. I wish I could say that this is unfamiliar to me, or at least, […]
Digital
Gill Audio Elise DAC, Berkeley Audio Alpha and the dreaded PS Audio DLIII “killer DAC”
I’m on a Quest to upgrade my PS Audio Digital Link III DAC. I say “Quest”, because I’ve tried three great DACs so far (Ayre, Lavry DA11, and now, a Gill Audio Elise) and all […]
Cables & Power
Cable Lending Library: Your Friendly Neighborhood Audio-Crack Dealer
Now, I know many of you are like me. That is, you too were horribly cheated by the Lotto, Mega Millions and Power Ball. If only, if only. Anyway, here in real life, trying new […]
Digital
Sequential Shootout: Ayre QB-9, Lavry DA11, and a (modded) PS Audio Digital Link III
Summary: QB-9 wins. Somewhat longer discussion is as follows …. I’ve had a modded PS Audio DAC for about 2 years now based solely upon a recommendation from 6moons — well, that, and an effusive […]
Cables & Power
USB Cables: Thoughts About The “High End”
There are a bunch of USB cables out there, and a whole lot of opinions about those cables — whether they’re “worth it”, whether you can actually discriminate between any two cables, and so on […]