HifiZine publishes independent reviews of a range of audio equipment. We don’t impose budgetary constraints – equipment is reviewed at the interest of our reviewers.
“I am not a Bits Are Bits kinda guy,” writes Oliver Masciarotte. “Just because I do not yet have a theory that explains the underlying mechanism of an effect, that doesn’t invalidate my sensory experiences.” Oliver dives into the perplexing world of USB cables and concludes that “The VU-1 is an affordable tweak that really does improve any USB source.”
Thad Aerts dives into the world of computer audio and evaluates the “v1.2” update to the AudioQuest DragonFly DAC/headphone amp. “Recommending the DragonFly is an absolute no-brainer as far as I’m concerned. I would readily recommend it to folks not well versed in the world of audiophile jargon as well… buy one.”
“As vinyl addicts know, the search for sonic satisfaction via LP involves a seemingly endless and interacting series of variables that must be controlled, driving perfectionists to distraction and putting the faint-of-heart off the medium completely.” Patrick Dillon weighs in with his assessment of the vibration isolation platforms from specialist manufacturer Minus K.
“The diminutive MyDAC is Micromega’s first foray into the standalone DAC market ” writes Oliver Masciarotte in his evaluation. “This is not a ‘me too’ product, but yields a high level of performance at an entry level price. Its welcome ability to extract the essence of a file is a beautiful thing… MyDAC is a strikingly tremendous performer.”
“There seems to be no end of new, state-of-the-art designs that are beyond the reach of most people. Open any glossy audiophile magazine and you will routinely find models that hit six-figure prices,” writes Patrick Dillon. He looks instead at the SVS Ultra Towers, aimed at those seeking audiophile quality sound on a budget: “Impressive value, great looks, and easy set-up; the cost of entry to full-size high end speakers is lower than ever.”
“I have a confession to make: When it comes to amplification, I have always been a power freak…” Peter D’Amario downsizes to the top-of-the-line Cyrus 8 Qx DAC integrated amplifier and concludes: “If you like your music to sound like, well, music, you desire efficiency and you want a device that dispenses with frills and gives you what you need, then this little Cyrus may be the ticket to happiness.”
One of the lessons you learn as an audiophile is to give some thought to placing your components for optimal performance. The choices can bewilder even the most enthusiastic of audiophiles. While there are countless approaches to platforms, shelves and footers, nobody has combined an isolation platform with a line conditioner… nobody that is, until the clever folks at PS Audio developed the PowerBase. Patrick Dillon investigates.
Patrick Dillon, weary of power cable swaps, resolves to evaluate Gary Koh’s new Absolute Fidelity power cords, or interfaces, and discovers a renewed enthusiasm for the right cord with the right component. “The Absolute Fidelity power interface made such an instant impact on the sound that I almost doubted what I was hearing… I find myself thinking my next upgrades have to be Absolute Fidelity cords.”
Patrick Dillon takes a look at the Legacy Audio Studio HD. Offering an 8″ woofer and folded ribbon tweeter in a compact cabinet, the Studio HD is the baby of the Legacy lineup. He concludes that the Studio HDs “soundstage extremely well, offer great resolution across most of the important frequency ranges, good timbre and easy placement” but has reservations about their performance with rock: “bass can overwhelm or lag behind the nimble response of the upper frequencies…”
John Reekie continues his quest for the perfect audio interface for acoustic measurements on a reasonable budget. He picks the MOTU MicroBook II because of its precise input gain control, but discovers that the MicroBook is useful for much more than originally anticipated. John writes: “the MicroBook II is an audio geek’s Swiss Army knife: an incredibly handy set of tools in a compact package… if you don’t mind a learning curve and have an inclination to tinker and experiment.”