• Last updated 2/23/11 by bobfa

Developing a portable listening system that has the ability to provide balanced and single ended audio to headphones.  The purpose for this setup is to have a system that "approaches" desktop performance and provides a learning playground.   Using a portable DAC that has balanced output to a portable amplifier that has both balanced and singled ended inputs and outputs.  I am starting out with the iBasso system and will expand this as new equipment is purchased.  The first iteration with be with the stock PB2 and DB1 using iBasso cable between the units.  Sources will... read more

• Last updated 1/8/12 by Chris J

Audio Cables are quite an interesting topic. Their performance is based on the following:    1.) Physical build stress handling capability, ever wonder why cheap cables introduce noise when they are twisted and turned?   Mainly because the fibers inside them are constantly coming in and out of contact which changes the inductive reactantance in them to make the cable suddenly shift its characteristics and introduce noise due to the change. Good cables do not have this problem as they are more sturdy and have the outer coating to be more flexible and not allow... read more

• Last updated 2/17/11 by Angelopsaro

Hello Algelopsaro!   Your observation is very relevant and, in a sense, correct. Here I make some observations: 1 - Strength and weight of sound - I do not know your PC, but it is quite natural that the sound from your PC (even an onboard sound card) has more weight and life than the Cowon J3, because of his higher output power . On the other hand, you lose a large part of the definition that J3 is capable of delivering; 2 - Brainwavz M1 - This is an amazing headphone, that costs very little, however, is greatly enhanced by a high output power, which is... read more

• Last updated 3/12/13 by jazzfan

This is a work in progress. Please help us by fixing any glaring errors and writing useful and easy to understand definitions.   ACSS - An acronym for  "Audio-gd Current Signal System" which is a variation on the CAST (Current Audio Signal Transmission) circuit design developed by electronics manufacturer Krell and other similar concepts.  It is a means of coupling individual gain stages (either within a component or between two ACSS-connected components), which minimizes the audible effects of interconnect cables and potential impedance mismatches, as well as the... read more

• Last updated 2/11/11 by ptownjungle

    A Beginners Guide to Hip Hop       Historical breakdown of hip hop (Roots of Hip Hop, Old School Hip Hop, Golden Age Hip Hop, and New School Hip Hop)   The Roots of Hip Hop (B Boy / B Girl era involving true MCing and DJing which was highly influenced by graffiti).  Started in the early 70's with block parties located in New York City. Quote: Rap music emerged from block parties after ultra-competitive DJs isolated percussion breaks, those being the favorites among dancers, and MCs began speaking over the beats. -... read more

• Last updated 8/18/12 by Chris J

  What is Headphone Impedance?   Headphone Impedance is the electrical characteristic of the headphone voice coil and magnetic field coupling of the voice coil & magnet inside the headphone. Impedance is an electrical unit which expresses the combined Resistance, Inductance and Capacitance of the headphone's voice coil. In terms of matching to an amplifier, the headphone impedance is the "Load Impedance". An amplifier drives a headphone with voltage, the current drawn by the headphone is proportional to the headphone's impedance.  As a rule of thumb, the... read more

• Last updated 3/31/11 by Marcus_C

.... Foobar2000 is a media player very popular in the world of Head-fi for good reason. If you’re reading this it is assumed you know more or less what it is. This is meant as a guide to get a functioning and reasonably good looking foobar up and running with minimal fuss. I don’t pretend to know half of what foobar is capable of but I was prompted to look for an up-to-date guide, and I couldn’t find one. The online resource for foobar2000 is at Hydrogen Audio. Any specific problems have probably already been answered there.   This guide is far from finished,... read more

• Last updated 1/31/11 by Angelopsaro

If it is metal mesh, no tool is going to clean it up. However, there is still one way: Get some pharmacy grade peroxide solution (H2O2 in 3% or 5% solution), pour a little bit in a small container and dip only the metal mesh part of the nozzle in. Let the metal mesh submerges for 3~5 minutes and allow the magic to happen. Dips the metal mesh into water to rinse, then dry it up with tissue (you might need to repeat the whole process several times before all the wax is cleaned). Be sure that the nozzle is always facing down so no liquid will go into the housing. You... read more

• Last updated 2/6/12 by stevenswall

Strain Relief: Molded rubber or other flexible material where the cable connects to the earpiece. Housing: The 'chassis' of the earphone; Where the driver is located along with crossovers and tuning ports (if any.) Filter: Sometimes replaceable (ex. Etymotic earphones); Prevents earwax and other debris from entering the housing and affecting the driver. Nozzle: Neck or tube-like portion on the end of the housing. Rubber, foam, or silicon flanges are attached here. Cable: Typically cloth-sheathed or rubber, connects the 3.5mm jack to the... read more

• Last updated 1/27/11 by bangraman

Audio newbies are often surprised to find that Bose products are not well-thought-of by more experienced audio experts. Bose's highly competent marketing and high prices lead many average consumers to believe that their products are high-quality. Friction can develop between people who've always heard that Bose products are great, and people who have explained many times what's wrong with them. In-depth enthusiasts who would start a wiki with a title like this see a need to differentiate themselves as enthusiasts. Despite falling for basically the same marketing... read more