The Shanling M1 Plus is a highly capable and portable digital audio player (DAP) that prioritizes local playback to the point of using its own operating system with pre-installed apps only. There's still Tidal for streaming, but the goal here is to allow the user to lose themselves with music in the absence of any distractions.
FiiO is one of the largest audio brands in the world and operates out of a 15,000 sq.meter industrial park in Guangzhou, China. We visited FiiO to know more about how the company works, including going through its assembly and packaging lines, and then had an online interview with the brand's founder too.
AVerMedia’s Versati Go USB microphone, priced at $70, is designed for mobile usage and ease of use. It offers good noise rejection and proves to be very practical in everyday use, but there are some limitations to consider as well.
TOPPING showcases its engineering with the new D90 III Discrete, which uses the company's own 1-bit DAC architecture for native DSD playback. You also get parametric EQ support software control. We pair it with the matching A90 Discrete amplifier which should work well with sensitive IEMs as well as hard-to-drive headphones too.
SHENZHENAUDIO invited us to attend one of the largest audio shows in the world, the Shenzhen International Audio Show, held annually in September. This year happens to be the 18th such iteration and hosted over 200 brands in the audio and keyboard space, spread across three days for attendees to try the latest and greatest.
If you were curious about R2R DACs and wanted a taste without breaking the wallet, then the FiiO K11 R2R should be of interest to you. It builds upon the highly impressive K11 DAC/amp, including customizable LED indicators, a menu screen, plenty of power for most headphones and IEMs, and uses an in-house developed R2R DAC for a slight price increase.
FiiO updates its desktop DAC/amplifier line with the new flagship K19. This is an all-in-one device that builds upon the K9 Pro ESS with a new form factor, integrated screen, HDMI input/output/ARC support, new ES9039PRO DACs, an 8-channel THX amplifier design, a dedicated DSP engine for 31-band PEQ with onboard EQ profiles, and much, much more to help justify the asking price.
Today we examine the new TOPPING D70 Pro SABRE, which uses the flagship ES9030PRO DAC, and the A70 Pro headphone amplifier that has enough power to drive even the most demanding of headphones. The two also get a new color display with useful features, extensive I/O, and plenty of other quality-of-life improvements.
The Fifine AmpliGame AM8 is a budget dynamic microphone with USB and XLR connectivity. It comes with a practical table stand and has all the bells and whistles you could desire from a $50 microphone – and more!
FiiO adds to its portable DAC/amplifier line with the new KA13 which uses two Cirrus Logic CS4131 DACs, dedicated op-amps, and a capable USB audio bridge in addition to a desktop mode for those who want extra power for more demanding headphones.
The AVerMedia Live Streamer Mic 350 is an ambitious USB-C microphone for streamers, podcasters, singers, musicians, and other content creators and enthusiasts. Being tuned by DIRAC, it includes a host of software features that greatly improve its functionality.
S.M.S.L adds to its impressive audio source portfolio with the budget-friendly SU-1 DAC. It offers multiple inputs, a clean and transparent sound, good build quality, and an easily concealable form factor at a compelling price to warrant a place in your first desktop audio setup for headphones or speakers alike.
Gustard enters the TechPowerUp review database with its A26 streamer DAC that uses dual AK4499EX flagship DACs as part of an excellent engineering design to put out a compelling sound. It has a variety of inputs and outputs to appeal to even the more discerning audiophile while also including plug-and-play network streamer functionality too.
TOPPING aims to lower the entry barrier to electrostatic headphones with its affordable EHA5 e-stat amplifier. It uses a solid-state design to deliver clean sound and has plenty of power for even demanding sets while offering both balanced and single-ended inputs and outputs, as well as a pass-through mode, further enhancing its versatility and value.
Saramonic wants to target content creators with its new BlinkMe smart wireless microphone system. It consists of a receiver and two transmitters in a highly portable form factor that allows for mono or stereo recording on-board or passed to a camera/PC for high quality audio recordings as needed.
FiiO enters the $500 desktop DAC/amplifier market with its new K9. It uses the flagship K9 Pro ESS as a base and provides a well built and engineered source with plenty of inputs and outouts, ability to handle sensitive IEMs as well as more demanding headphones, and also works as a preamp for speakers.
FiiO adds to its portable DAC/amplifier line with the new KA5 which uses two Cirrus Logic CS43198 DACs, dedicated op-amps, and a capable USB audio bridge to allow plenty of power and good sound off its two headphone outputs. It also has an OLED screen with an onboard OS for added customization to sweeten the deal.
TOPPING expands its popular E/L series of DACs and headphone amplifiers! Today we examine the ES9028PRO-based E70 along with the newer AKM AK4499EX-based E70 VELVET DACs, and pair them with the powerful NFCA-based L70 amplifier that makes for a potent stack that aims to do it all!
FiiO, via its budget-focused sister brand Jade Audio, updates the popular Q1 portable DAC/amplifier with the new Q11 that uses a large integrated battery to drive more demanding headphones than competitors do in this price range. It offers 3.5 / 4.4 mm connectors in addition to using RGB indicator LEDs for both function and form alike.
iFi may be popular for its mainstream DAC/amps with onboard customization options and a warm sound signature but did you know it also caters to the more professional audio market? Today we examine its Pro iDSD Signature network streamer/DAC/amplifier with its solid state or tube output modes for excellent, high-quality sound as part of an extremely impressive feature set.
FiiO re-invents the DAC/amp wheel with the new R7 desktop network streamer all-in-one unit. It uses a novel portrait form factor with an integrated touch screen display and Android OS paired with extensive I/O and support for both headphones and speakers to be the most versatile audio source I have ever tried!
The Creative Sound Blaster X5 is, in many ways, the company's most ambitious external sound card to date. It's aimed at demanding audio enthusiasts who want excellent sound performance and rich software features in a single unit.
iKKO adds to its portable DAC/amplifier line with the new Heimdallr ITB03 that offers both wired and wireless connectivity on top of 3.5 mm SE and 4.4 mm BAL outputs. It also sports an OLED screen with physical buttons to make for a complex but rich menu system with digital filters and operating modes alike.
HIFIMAN returns to the desktop DAC/amplifier market with its EF400 source that uses the company's self-developed R2R HIMALAYA DAC paired with a truly balanced topology and a Class AB amplification circuit. It offers extensive headphones and line outputs off just USB input and puts out a unique sound signature which plays very well with HIFIMAN's own planar magnetic headphones.
FiiO shakes up the affordable desktop DAC/amp market with its K7 that offers excellent features for money. You get two AKM AK4493S DACs paired with THX AAA 788+ amplifiers, a clean power supply and USB decoding stage, as well as native USB drivers for ASIO support to drive IEMs and headphones equally well.
