The LH Labs Geek Out V2+ Infinity was sent to me for free by LH Labs for the purpose of me writing an unbiased review of it as well as include it in my $250+ DAC/amp comparison thread.  I’d like to send a big THANK YOU to Larry and Diana for letting me check it out.
 

As you can tell the design on the chassis for the V2+ changed somewhere in the process

 
As far as I understand the MSRP price for the LH Labs Geek Out V2+ Infinity is $699 while the pre-sale price on Indiegogo was $459.  Further it’s my understanding that the product soon will be available for regular sale on the LH Labs website:
 
https://support.lhlabs.com/support/home
 
For more information about the LH Labs Geek Out V2+ Infinity (and it siblings) you can also visit the page about it on Indiegogo:
 
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/geek-out-2-the-world-s-most-powerful-compact-amp-music-headphones#/
 
I’m not in any way affiliated with LH Labs.
 
Short introduction to LH Labs.:
LH Labs is a California based company founded by Larry Ho a couple of years ago.
 
This is what they say about themselves on their website:
“We love great sound and we love to find new ways of making music sound even better. That means we’re a lot like you.
High-end, high-performance audio gear is what we love. We were the first to show the world that if you want digital audio to sound like analog you have to start at 32 bits and 384 kHz. We were the first to offer 10GB bandwidth USB cables and the first to create digital modes for different uses on all our DACs.
We’ll never stop pushing the boundaries of sound, so if you love audio and want to be the first to experience the next generation of pure sound, come along with us – it’s going to be an amazing ride.”
As an owner of their original Geek Out 720 I was thrilled to get the opportunity to check out the Geek Out V2+ Infinity as well.
 
About me:
 
Built, accessories and functionality:
The LH Labs Geek Out V2+ Infinity is a class A amplifier and DAC combo.  
 
The V2+ is available in two versions: the “regular” V2+ and the V2+ Infinity. The differences being that while the V2+ has two gain and digital filter options the Infinity version offers three settings for them each  (more about this later). I’ve got the Infinity version.
 
With the gain setting at maximum output power is rated to 125mW@ 32Ohm single ended and 500mW when using the balanced connection. Output impedance is rated at a very low 0.47Ohm in single ended mode and 0.95Ohm in balanced mode.
 
The V2+ Infinity has a sturdy metal housing that feels durable. The physical controls available on it do also feel reliable. The physical controls sums up to a gain switch, a button to switch between the different digital filters and an on/off switch. The different gain setting are actually different power output and you get to choose between 100mW, 450mW or 1,000mW to be able to give the best performance depending of the power needed for you IEM’s, earphones or headphones. This is very neat in my opinion since the lower the output power you choose the lesser amount of hiss you’ll get. As for the digital filters the difference is quite subtle, this is also my experience with pretty much every other device offering this, but still nice for the final fine tune to suit your preference best.  The overall build feels very solid but as usual only long term usage will really show how good it is.
 
The V2+ Infinity offers one USB micro digital audio input and a separate USB micro charging port. This means that the device will not draw power from your source when you’re using it but it also mean that it will not charge while in use. This is very good if you use it with a portable device like a phone or a tablet but may not be perfect if you main use is with a computer or laptop since you’ll have to charge it through the charging port every once in a while in this case.  There’s also one 3.5mm single ended headphones output and the big added value of a 3.5mm balanced headphones output as well.  In total I find the number of connections to be ok on a unit of this size but I can’t help missing a combined coaxial/optical input which would’ve made the V2+ Infinity even more versatile.
 
The V2+ Infinity works extremely well with Android devices when connected with an OTG cable and using USB Audio Player Pro (UAPP) as music player. A nice feature is that it disconnect automatically from the Android device when the power is turned off. This means that you won’t have to disconnect it from the source every time you stop listening to save power. Speaking of power, the internal battery on the V2+ Infinity does also make the battery drain on the hosting device very low. Although Android and sound does not have a great reputation the V2+ Infinity have worked with every Android device I’ve tried it with not only with the help of UAPP but it also actually work great with streaming services like Spotify which is certainly not always the case with these kind of devices.
 
The V2+ Infinity uses an Xmos USB receiver that is supposed to work with Apple devices using the Camera Connection Kit (CCK) but I haven’t been able to test this myself.
 
The battery life is fairly good and is said to be 10 hours, without having brought out my stop clock I’d say that these numbers are fairly accurate from my experience. The power required by the headphones or IEM’s your using will of course also affect the battery life. Charging time is about 5 hours and although it’s quite long it have not really bothered me since I typically charge it when I sleep.
 
The V2+ Infinity support all popular file formats for audio up to DSD256 and 32bit/384kHz files.
 

 

 

 
The accessories included are:
1 USB cable
 

Pretty spare with accessories
 
The specs:

 
I’ve used the V2+ Infinity a lot for the last couple of weeks and my unit has played for well over 100 hours.
 
Demo list:
 
Sound impression:
The first thing that I noticed when I started to listen to the V2+ Infinity was that reminded me quite a bit of the sound form the Resonessence Labs Herus+ which I recently reviewed with a similar analogue sounding presentation but the with V2+ the sound is even more refined.
 
Bass extension and quality is really good with no noticeable roll off in the lowest frequencies and a very good quality of the whole bass spectrum. Mid- and upper-bass is equally great and doesn’t add anything that shouldn’t be there. The bass in total has a great balance between quantity and quality making for a great dynamic presentation without ever going over to the boomy side. As a matter of fact I’d go as far as saying the V2+ Infinity has the best controlled bass I’ve heard from any source that I’ve tried. Since I don’t have them all around to check this is from memory but it’s the way I feel about the bass presentation on the V2+ Infinity.
 
The natural balanced sound continues in the mid-range giving it a good depth in the presentation. The midrange presentation of the V2+ Infinity feels very transparent and natural to me. This combined with excellent timbre and a good soundstage width makes a great sounding signature that continues in the upper frequencies as well. The treble does feel as natural as the rest of the frequencies and I’m not able to detect any roll off. That being said the treble is not as airy and dreamy as on the Mojo but still very nice.
 
All the impressions above is in single ended mode, switching over to balanced mode there are some clear changes that takes the sound to even a higher level.
 
When running the V2+ Infinity in balanced mode it delivers more power than when using it single ended. This, however, is not the only difference. When connecting my Hifiman HE400i’s with balanced cable to the balanced output on the V2+ there’s an easily noted improvement in separation and more black background. There are other things that are more subtle like better detail retrieval and a touch better clarity but these are not as obvious to my ears as the changes separation and black background. In all I’d say that the balanced output on the V2+ Infinity is definitely a step up from the single ended one but the difference is not night and day and the characteristic of the is still the same, just more refined. The difference is big enough for me to never use my IEM’s, headphones and earphones that can be used in balance mode with the single ended output on the V2+ Infinity. Just to be perfectly clear: the Geek Out V2+ Infinity sounds great through the single ended output it’s just that the balanced one pushes the sound quality even a notch higher.
 
The overall presentation has good soundstage in all directions and layering is also good as is the amount of air between instruments. The background does feel black and calm when using the single ended output but even more so when using the balanced output. Transparency is also very good, once again especially when using the balanced output.  All together I’d describe the sound of the V2+ Infinity as very clean and realistic. This is a signature that I personally find very appealing.
 
Comparison:
Please note that the comments in the comparison section are not in absolute terms but in comparison between subject A and B. This means (as an example) that if subject A is found to be brighter than subject B it does not necessarily mean that subject A is bright sounding in absolute terms. I hope this makes sense.
 
In these comparisons I’ve been listening through my Hifiman HE400i’s and using the balanced output (since I find it to be the best performing) on the V2+ Infinity.
 
I’ve been using the USB input when doing these comparisons. Both units has been hooked up to two different laptops both running Windows 7 with the same settings and I use MediaMonkey as my player of choice.
 
Burson Audio Conductor V2+ (1,499) vs LH Labs Geek Out V2+ Infinity:
Despite both being named V2+ these two are very different beasts in pretty much every other aspect. Bass on both are excellent with similar depth, layering and details. These two are both definitely in the absolute top tier among the stuff I’ve heard when it comes to bass reproduction with the V2+ Infinity maybe pulling even slightly head on bass tightness. The amount of air between instruments is quite similar with a very slight advantage to the V2+ Infinity while the opposite is true for soundstage width. To my ears the Infinity has a touch more natural sounding vocals while the Burson is a touch smoother. Although they both have a very dark background the Burson unit gives the impression of a slightly more relaxed overall presentation. Micro details are equally great on both as is clarity and transparency.
 
The Burson of course has a lot of other advantages such as significantly higher power output (4W @32Ohms compared to the 500mW on the V2+ Infinity at the same load when running it balanced), more inputs (both coaxial and optical as well as two analog inputs in addition the USB input) and outputs. The advantage for the V2+ Infinity is the smaller size, internal battery and especially the balanced output option.
 
Both have a little background hiss but the Burson has even more than the V2+ Infinity.
 
These two are really a great compliment to each other in my opinion. They both offer excellent sound quality and sound different enough to give some change when shifting between them. The Burson unit is the best desktop unit I’ve come across so far while the V2+ Infinity is the best portable unit I’ve had the pleasure to use. 
 
The bit Opus #11 ($250) vs LH Labs Geek Out V2+ Infinity:
The Opus #11 is the unit in this comparison that’s most similar to the V2+ when it comes to features. They’re both very slim and have an internal battery making them equally great when paired with a phone. When it comes to sound they both have a similar amount of bass presence but the V2+ bass is a bit more controlled. Overall impression is that the #11 is a bit more smooth and relaxed while the V2+ is more distinct in its presentation. Detail retrieval is equally excellent on both as is dynamics.  I’d say that the #11 is a bit  more digital sounding while the V2+ sounds more analog.
 
The #11 is even a bit smaller than the V2+ making it even better suited for portable usage, especially if paired with a phone. Apart from this the V2+ offers a separate USB charging port, three different filters and gain settings as well as a physical on/off button. It does also offer a balanced output. The #11 on the other hand turns on/off automatically when you insert or pull out the headphones. Both offer an internal battery with about similar battery life.
 
None of the runs particular hot but when being used.
 
Both have very slight amount of background hiss and it’s low enough to only be audible with my most easy to drive IEM’s.
 

Size comparison Opus #11 vs V2+ Infinity
 
Burson Audio Air ($499) vs LH Labs Geek Out V2+ Infinity:
The Air has a similar amount of bass presence as the V2+ but the V2+ bass has slightly better control. They both have great instrument separation but when used through the balanced output the V2+ pulls slightly ahead on this account. Overall impression is that the Air is a bit more smooth and relaxed while the V2+ is more distinct in its presentation. Detail retrieval is equally excellent on both, with maybe a slight advantage to the V2+ while dynamics are very similar.
 
The V2+ is a bit thinner than the Air and makes for a slimmer pairing with a phone.
 
None of the runs particularly hot but the Air can get a bit warmer in comparison but it also has significantly more power.
 
The Air has a physical volume control as well as a remote control in addition to a display showing what volume you’re using while all volume control for the V2+ is done on the source. The V2+ offers the three different gains and filters and the balanced output while the Air has a dedicated 3.5mm pre-amp output.   
 
Both have a little background hiss, the Air actually slightly more, but it’s still low enough on both to only be audible with my most easy to drive IEM’s.
 
LH Labs Geek Out 720 ($169) vs LH Labs Geek Out V2+ Infinity:
The Original Geek Out 720 has been in my possession for about two years now and for the first 1.5 years I used it as my main DAC hooked up with my music laptop feeding different headphone amps. My GO720 was connected to the laptop pretty much 24/7 during this period and although it does get quite hot I’ve never had a single issue with it, hopefully the V2+ Infinity will prove to be as reliable in the long run. The GO720 is of course more similar to the cheaper Geek Out V2 than the V2+ Infinity but as the original Geek Out offerings has been very popular I thought I’d include a short sound comparison here as well.
 
Compared to the V2+ Infinity the GO720 has less controlled and distinct bass and an overall smoother sound. The V2+ has more air between instruments and a blacker background. The V2+ also has better detail retrieval and better clarity. The V2+ Infinity does also have noticeable more timbre to the notes making it sound overall more natural. The GO720, despite being a very good offering, does actually sound a bit congested in direct comparison to the V2+ Infinity.  All in all I’d say that the V2+ Infinity is a significant upgrade to the original Geek Out 720.
 
Both have a little background hiss but the GO720 has more and it will definitely be audible with easy to drive IEM’s.
 
 
The GO720 does also run significantly hotter than the V2+ Infinity.
 
For even further comparisons feel free to visit this thread for breakdown between more $250+ amp/DAC units (this is a work in progress and several other units will follow in the near future).
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/816410/peter123s-250-amp-dac-combo-comparison-thread#post_12771442
 
Matching:
The output impedance of the headphone out on the Geek Out V2+ Infinity is rated to a very low 0.47Ohm trough the single ended output and slightly higher 0.95Ohm through the balanced output. Both of these are low enough that it should work well with all kind headphones and even very sensitive IEM’s. The V2+ Inifinty does also have a very low amount of background hiss that's barely ausible even with my most sensetive IEM's. 
 
In this section I’ve tested how some of my favorite headphones but also one earbud and one pair of IEM’s pairs up with the V2+ Infinity.  
 
AKG Q701 ($300):
This session was made using the single ended output on the V2+ Infinity.  The Q’s pairs up really nice with the V2+. The V2+, although not cold sounding, doesn’t add any particular warmth to the presentation the way I hear it and I was afraid that it would be too clinical for the Q’s but that’s not the case, clean, clear and realistic is key words here. Although I’ve heard the Q’s better with some warmer source’s this pairing is still highly enjoyable to my ears.
 
Philips Fidelio X2 ($300):
This session was made using the single ended connection on the Infinity V2+.  The X2’s quite warm and full by itself which makes a very good combination with the clean and clear presentation from the V2+. I really feel that the V2+ bring out some of the best performance I’ve ever heard from the X2’s taking advantage of both the super tight high quality bass of the V2+ as well as the engaging sound and great soundstage of the X2’s and making it a killer combination.
 
Hifiman HE400i ($449):
This session was made using the balanced output on the V2+ Infinity. The HE400i’s is also an excellent pairing with the V2+ Infinity. Although I may prefer the HE400i’s in a tube set up for a more relaxed listening the combination of great resolution, separation and detail retrieval while yet engaging makes this combination my all-time favorite for critical listening, a pure bliss.
 
Aurisonics ASG-1PLUS ($500):
The ASG-1PLUS is an 11Ohm hybrid IEM (1 DD + 1 BA).
 
This session was made using the single ended output on the V2+ Infinity. The 1PLUS has an overall laid back and relaxed mid-centric presentation that pairs perfectly with the V2+ Infinity. The analogue characteristic from the V2+ bring enough energy to the 1PLUS for it to make a very engaging listening. The great detail retrieval and separation does also pairs perfectly with the 1PLUS and I’d even go as far as saying that this is the best performance that I’ve ever heard from the 1PLUS for my preference.
 
On low gain there’s no background whatsoever with the 1 PLUS:
 
Super Audio 6 ($250):
The Super Audio 6 (SA6) is a six BA driver Chines DIY offering. It has a warm, smooth, intimate and mid-centric overall presentation.
 
This session was made using the balanced output of the V2+. The combination of the V2+ and SA 6 is a great match and the liquid, creamy and intimate character of the SA6 does really come to live with the great separation and amount of details the V2+ bring to the table. The analogue and relatively energetic sound from the V2+ is also great with the SA6 and the only pairing I’ve heard (from memory) that can match this performance is by the Mojo.
 
There’s no hiss with the SA6’s when using the lowest gain setting.
 
To sum up the matching section the signature of the V2+ Infinity works really well with all the headphones and IEM’s I’ve tried it with. There’s also a very low background hiss even on the lowest gain setting when paired with my most sensitive IEM’s that might be worth noticing. In total I’d still consider the V2+ Infinity an excellent all-rounder when it comes to pairing.
 
Summary:
The LH Labs Geek Out V2+ Infinity is indeed a great offering. Being an Android-Fi guy I can easily say that this is the best unit I’ve come across so far for this purpose. The combination of a slim deign, great sound and features as well as the internal battery (which makes power drain from a phone very low)  makes it pretty much perfect for this usage in my opinion and paired with my retired Sony Xperia Z3Compact (used as music source only) I get about ten hours playtime.
 
I’ve got to say that I’m having trouble finding any significant flaws with the Geek Out V2+ Infinity. Yes it would’ve been nice with a combined optical/coaxial input, an analog input and a designated pre-out but these are nice to have, not needs to have features in my opinion. The thing that might be a flaw for some, more specific those who plan to use the V2+ Infinity with a computer or laptop permanently, is the fact that it doesn’t charge through the USB audio input but for me personally the separated audio and charging is preferable.
 
For anyone looking for a unit in this price range to use with a phone or tablet the LH Labs V2+ Infinity is a very easy recommendation but I’d also suggest it, without hesitating, to people looking for an all-in-one solution to move around between devices like phones and laptops.
 
Audio Quality: 5
Design: 4,5
Quality: 5
Value: 5
Features: 4.5

The Resonessence Labs Herus+ was sendt to me for free from Resonessence Labs in exchange for my honest review of it as well as including it in my $250+ DAC/amp comparison thread.  
 
I’d like to thank Mark and Resonessence Labs for giving me the chance to check out the Herus+, THANK YOU!
 

 
The Herus+ is available from the Resonessence Labs website as well as Amazon and the price was $425 at the time of this review:
 
http://www.resonessencelabs.com/product/herus-3/
 
https://www.amazon.com/Resonessence-Labs-Headphone-Amplifier-Filters/dp/B013GMWYX4/ref=pd_sim_sbs_267_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=BMEW4SG11SYJSG3YX3XR
 
For more information about the Herus+ you can visit the product page on the Resonessence Labs site:
 
http://www.resonessencelabs.com/herus-2/
 
I’m not in any way affiliated with Resonessence Labs.
 
About Resonessence Labs:
Resonessence Labs are based in Canada and does also manufacture their products there. This is what they say about themselves on their website:
 
“Resonessence Labs is a trading name of BCIC Designs Inc. a company registered in British Columbia Canada. The principal founder of the company is Mark Mallinson, former Operations Director for ESS Technology. The company’s focus is to design and manufacture exceptional audio products. Our design engineers and Investors are industry audio experts at DAC and ADC design, and were front and center in the design of the ESS Audio DAC and ADC.
 
Our philosophy is simple: put together a team that includes world class audio engineers and design audio products without compromise.
Creating the very best requires careful planning, strict attention to every detail and close supervision at every step; this is why we chose to manufacture our products locally within Canada. Each stage in the development process is monitored by our experienced audio professionals. Each unit is hand-assembled in our own engineering facility to exacting standards of performance and quality.” 
 
These are people that were involved more than a little in the development of the ESS chip so naturally I was very curious to check out their entry level DAC/amp.
 
About me:
 
Built, accessories and functionality:
After playing around with devices like the Audinst HUD-DX1, Chord Mojo and iFi Micro iDSD that offers a great amount of connections and settings lately I was pretty amused when the package with the Herus+ arrived and my first though was: is this it for $425?
 
The Herus is actually available in two versions: the original Herus and the Herus+, which is the one I’ve got. In short the differences between the two are that the Herus+ does also have an option to choose between two different filters (in addition to the standard output) and the possibility to switch on a power reduction mode that makes the power consumption 10% less when running it in normal mode (more about both these features later).
 
The Herus+ really doesn’t look like much but already when unboxing it from the very compact retail box the weight of this small unit gave me a good feeling. It’s very heavy and solid feeling for its small footprint. The chassis is all metal and underneath there’s a rubber list making it stay sturdy in place on the surface where one choose to put it.
 
The Herus+ does not offer much in the way of connections. Very simple it has one USB type B input and one 6.3 mm headphone output, that’s it.
 
When it comes to accessories the trend contiues, there are actually none whatosever included. 
 

 

 
The “R” logotype on top on the unit light up with a red light when initially connected and turns blue when it’s connected to a music source. On the Herus+, as already mentioned, does actually have a couple of settings that you can choose from. The mentioned “R” does also double as a button and by clicking this when blue you change the digital filter in use from the standard one to switch to the Apodizing filter (the “button” now turns magenta instead of blue). Pressing the “R” once more switches to the Minimum Phase filter while the “R” still stays magenta. I typically don’t hear much difference with digital filters and the changes appear very subtle to me on the Herus+ as well even when using pretty revealing headpones as the HifiMan HE400i or IEM’s like the Accutone Pisces BA. Long pressing the “R” puts the Herus+ in a low power mode where it will drain a bit less battery from the source. When in power reduction mode the light on the “R” is turned off completely. The difference in power consumption is not big but it’s still a nice feature when using it with a phone or tablet.
 
 

 
Pictures from the Resonessence Labs home page showing the red, blue and magenta lights 
 

The specs:
 
Sound:
I’ve used the Herus+ quite a lot during the last couple of weeks and it has played for well over 100 hours.  
 
I’ve combined it with my LG G3 phone, Chuwi Vi8 tablet and two laptops running Windows 7 and it has worked very well with all combinations. It does however need a driver to work with Windows but that’s easily available on the Resonessence Labs website.
 
Demo list:
The first time I listened to the Resonessence Labs Herus+ I got the same feeling as I got (and still get) with the Cayin C5 portable amplifier: WOW, this is fun! It’s not that they sound similar but rather that they’re both extremely musical sounding and engage in a way that makes me forget about the way they really sound and just enjoy the music.
 
The overall signature of the Herus+ is what I’d call analogue sounding with great texture, timbre and a very wide soundstage,
 
The bass is definitely one of the best I’ve ever heard with a great balance between a healthy quantity and great quality. The bass depth is very good and impact through the whole bass spectrum is enough to never feel lacking but not boosted either. The bass control is great making for a great dynamic presentation that never goes overboard. The natural balanced sound continues in the mid-range giving it a good depth and great drive without being fatiguing. This combined with excellent timbre and the great soundstage makes a very coherent and great sounding signature that continues in the upper frequencies as well. The treble does feel as natural as the rest of the frequencies and I’m not able to detect any roll off. The overall presentation makes “toe tapping” come spontaneously when listening to pretty much anything on pretty much anything with the Herus+ and this, to me, is what this hobby is really all about.
 
I could go on writing more words about how the Herus+ sounds but to be honest all that really matters is already said so anything more would just be filling out the page so let’s get onto some comparisons instead.
 
Comparison:
Please note that the comments in the comparison section are not in absolute terms but in comparison between subject A and B. This means (as an example) that if subject A is found to be brighter than subject B it does not necessarily mean that subject A is bright sounding in absolute terms. I hope this makes sense.
 
In these comparisons I’ve been listening through my HifiMan HE400i’s.
 
I’ve been using the USB input when doing these comparisons. Both units has been hooked up to two different laptops both running Windows 7 with the same settings and I use MediaMonkey as my player of choice.
 
Both units was connected to a simple switch box through their respectively headphone outputs. This way it’s very easy to switch between the sources in minimal time. I also use a simple Android app to volume match the amplifiers so although maybe not perfectly scientifically the result should still be pretty correct.
 
Burson Audio V2+ ($1,499) + vs Resonessence Labs Herus+:
These both are of course vastly difference with the V2+ being a heavy weight weighting in at 7 kg while the Herus+ is a feather weight weighting only 64g. So despite this how does they compare sonically? Bass on both are excellent with similar depth, layering and details. These two are both definitely in the absolute top tier among the stuff I’ve heard when it comes to bass reproduction. The V2+ has a bit more air between instruments while soundstage width is equally great on both. To my ears the Herus+ actually has a touch more natural sounding vocals while the V2+ is a similar touch more smooth. The better separation with more air on the V2+ combined with its very dark background gives the impression of a slightly more relaxed overall presentation. Micro details are equally great on both as is clarity.
 
The V2+ of course has a lot of other advantages such as significantly higher power output (4W @32Ohms compared to the 129mW on the Herus+ at the same load), more inputs (both coaxial and optical as well as two analog inputs in addition the USB input) and outputs.
 
Both have a little background hiss but it’s low enough to only be audible with my most easy to drive IEM’s.
 
LH Labs Geek Out V2+ Infinity ($699) vs Resonessence Labs Herus+:
The V2+ Infinity and the Herus+ does actually share quite a bit of their overall tonality. They both have what I’d describe as an “analogue” sound and both have a very musical overall presentation. Running the V2+ Infinity in single ended mode it’s a bit more refined all over with a bit better separation between instruments but the difference is not big. Shifting to balanced mode on the Infinity it pulls even further ahead with a more refined sound and separation is now definitely on another level while the background is darker. Detail retrieval is actually pretty similar on both as is soundstage width.
 
The Herus+ is much smaller that the Infinity but the form factor of the Infinity does still feel more user friendly being much more easy to stack with a phone for example. The internal battery does also make the V2+ Infinity more well suited to use with a phone or tablet as transport. The Herus+ has the 6.3mm headphone output while the V2+ Infinity offers two 3.5mm headphone outputs: one single ended and one balanced.
 
None of these gets very warm.
 
Both have a little background hiss but it’s low enough to only be audible with my most easy to drive IEM’s.
 
Burson Audio Air ($499) vs Resonessence Labs Herus+:
The Air is the unit in this comparison that’s most similar to the Herus+ when it comes to features. When it comes to sound the Air has a similar amount of bass presence as the Herus+ but the Herus+ bass is a touch more controlled. The Air has a bit more air between instruments while the Herus+ has a slightly wider stage. Overall impression is that the Air is a bit more smooth and relaxed while the Herus+ is more distinct in its presentation. Detail retrieval is equally excellent on both as is dynamics.  In short it’s as if the Air is more digital sounding while the Herus+ sounds more analogue if that makes sense.
 
The Herus+ is smaller than the Air, maybe about a third of its size and is connected to the source through the USB B port as while the Air uses one USB micro for sound and one separate for power. The Air has a 3.5mm headphone out while the Herus+ uses a 6.3mm one.
 
None of the runs particularly hot but the Air can get a bit warmer in comparison but it also has significantly more power.
 
The Air has a physical volume control as well as a remote control in addition to a display showing what volume you’re using while all volume control for the Herus+ is done on the source. The Herus+ has different digital filters while the Air offers a 3.5mm pre amp out.
 
Although both of these works well with Android devices the Herus+ has such a heavy power drain that it’s really not very well suited for it. Due to its separate power input the Air is better in this regard but then you’d need to have an external power source available. To be honest both of these are best suited connected to a computer or lap top but can work as a temporarily solution with a phone or tablet.
 
Both have a little background hiss but it’s low enough to only be audible with my most easy to drive IEM’s.
 
Matching:
The output impedance of the headphone out on the Herus+ is rated to very low 0.2Ohm. This means that it should work well with pretty much all low and high impedance headphones and IEM’s available out there.
 
In this section I’ve tested how some of my favorite headphones but also one earbud and one pair of IEM’s pairs up with the Herus+.  
 
AKG Q701 ($300):
The Q’s makes a good pairing with the Herus+. The soundstage width is amazing and overall tonality is very good. I don’t know if it’s the quite modest power from the Herus+ or just the pairing but the bass does not dig as deep with the same impact as it does in some other pairings but still more than sufficient to be highly enjoyable. The Herus+ has no problem to power the Q’s to louder listening levels but as already mentioned it’s not able to bring out the deepest bass that I know the Q’s to be capable of.
 
Philips Fidelio X2 ($300):
The X2’s, being quite warm and full by itself, is a great match with the Herus+. The extreme details and wide stage from the Herus+ combined with the well controlled but yet impactful  bass it offers makes the X’s really sing and this is some of the best I’ve ever hears them, a total bliss to listen too.
 
HifiMan HE400i:
The HE400i sound very good with the Herus+ and this pairing makes a very detailed and engaging listening. The wide presentation from the Herus+ is very welcome with the HE400i and the overall sound is well controlled with extremely good detail retrieval without even getting even close to fatiguing. Bass hit hard and deep with excellent control and although the Herus+ is not the most powerful it has more than enough power for the HE400i’s. In all this is an excellent pairing.
 
VE Zen 2.0 ($138):
The Zen 2.0 is a 300Ohm earbud that I like a lot and tend to use instead of closed headphones. It’s also a reliable travel partner for me when I stay in hotels and don’t have any full size cans around.
 
The soft and smooth signature from the Zen 2.0 fares really well with the analogue and natural and wide sound from the Herus+. Bass is as good as I’ve ever heard it with the Zen’s and overall sound whit this pairing is very natural sounding and enjoyable.
 
Aurisonics ASG-1PLUS ($500):
The ASG-1PLUS is an 11Ohm hybrid IEM (1 DD + 1 BA).
 
This is a fantastic pairing and I’ pretty sure that this is the best I’ve ever heard the 1PLUS this far. The analogue sound, great bass and large soundstage on the Herus+ seems to fit the 1PLUS like a glove and really does bring out the best in them. The subbass is just amazing and the out of head experience is the best I’ve ever heard in an IEM. This pairing is extremely natural and non-fatiguing while still being very engaging, pure magic.
 
To round off the matching section the signature of the Resonessence Labs Herus+ work great with every pairing I’ve tried it with and it’s really a great all-rounder for my preference. It’s far from always this is the case and I’ve reviewed excellent units that has been only average in some parings but that’s not the case with the Herus+.
 
Summary:
The Resonessence Labs Herus+ is a great “no nonsense” product that does not offer a myriad of connections and setting options but does two things, and does them really good, namely decoding and amplifying USB audio. One input, one output, great sound. As simple as that and why should it be any more complicated?
 
The Herus+ is a pure joy to listen to with its dynamic and at the same time extremely detailed sound. It seems to pair up excellent with pretty much every headphone, earphones and IEM’s I’ve tried it with and its construction does also seem very reliable.
 
It won’t, of course, be the best choice if you’ve got several different sources and want to use your amp/DAC as a hub for them or if you plan to use it mainly with highly sensitive IEM’s but for anyone looking for a great USB DAC to either listen directly from with your full size headphones or connect to an headphone- or even stereo amplifier should seriously consider the Resonessence Labs Herus+. If there’s anyone that haven not noticed I’m super impressed with the performance of this humble looking little device and my only reason for not giving it a five star rating is the lack of connections given the price.
 
Audio Quality: 5
Design: 4.5
Quality: 5
Value: 5
Features: 2.5
 

This is a review of the Advanced AcousticWerkes Nebula One IEM’s.
 

 
UPDATE SEPTEMBER 5'TH 2016:
Since the final retail package for the Nebual One is very different from the one that I recieved as a sample I've changed the first picture. 
 
The Advanced AcousticWerkes (AAW) Nebula One was sent to me from MusicTeck who is the authorized dealer in the US for AWW. A big THANK YOU to Andrew for contacting me and offer me free review samples for both the Nebula One and Nebula 2 (soon to be reviewed here as well). The retail price for the Nebula 1 is $99 and it’s available on Amazon US:
 
https://www.amazon.com/AAW-Earphones-Titanium-Diaphragm-Android/dp/B01CT20S7G
 
For more information about the Nebula One you can also visit the product page for them on AAW website:
 
https://www.aaw.me/collections/universal-in-ear/products/advanced-acousticwerkes-nebula-one-universal-in-ear-monitor
 
I’m not in any way affiliated with AAW or Music Teck nor do I gain financially by doing this review.
 
About Advanced AcousticWerkes:
AAW is a Singapore based company that has been doing custom made IEM’s for some time now.
 
This is what they say about themselves on their website:
“Advanced AcousticWerkes (AAW) is a Singapore based electric-acoustic company specialised in in-ear monitoring technology. AAW is recognised by the audiophile and professional community for our exquisite hybrid drive technology and bespoke custom in-ear monitor products, during which course we have successfully attracted a diverse clientele consists of pro-musicians, audio engineers as well as serious audiophiles. We have accumulated vast experience and expertise in sound engineering and human ergonomics by working closely with several otolaryngologists as well as professional musicians. 
Now we have also applied our knowledge in developing the best in-ear monitors available today. Investments have been made to build a dedicated production facility for our universal range so that we have absolute control in quality assurance and engineering precision. 
We surely hope the AAW products will deliver an unforgettable experience for your listening pleasure and we shall remain committed to develop more exciting audio products for the years to come.”
 
The AAW Nebula One is their first universal IEM’s they release and it’s also my first experience with the brand so let’s find out more about them.
 
About me:
Built and accessories:
The AAW Nebula One is an IEM featuring one 10mm titanium coated dynamic driver.
 
AFAIK it comes only in one flavor with a microphone.
 
The cable has a 90 degree angled 3.5 mm connector and which I personally tend to prefer.
 
The cable is round and flexible but still feels a bit on the cheap side. The over the ears wearing style makes microphonics pretty much non-existing. The chin slider is also in place the way I like it. Unfortunately the Nebula One also has fixed memory wire for a more secure over the ear fit, I really don’t like memory wire as I never seem to get the perfect fit with IEM’s that has it. I much prefer a regular cable and a pair of included ear-hooks or even better a detachable one.
 
The build in general seem very solid. The housings are all metal and feel well made. Strain relief is in place on all the crucial points and the Y-split is also solid without being overly large.
 
Left/Right markings are black on black and not very easy to spot but the over ear wearing style makes it pretty much impossible to reverse the channels.
 
The retail package is plain and simple but still looks very nice.
 
The accessories pack is good at the price and includes the following:
6 pairs silicon tips in two different deigns (S,M,L)
1 6.3mm adapter
1 Airplane adapter
1 zippered case to store them in when not in use
1 Warranty card
1 Manual
 

 

 

 

 
 
The AAW Nebula One is easy to drive and worked very well with all the sources I’ve tried it with including cellphones. I don’t find them to benefit significantly from a more powerful amplifier but the do benefit quite a bit from a clean source.
 
The specs:
 
Fit and ergonomics:
Despite some issues with the memory wire I find the AAW Nebula One to be very comfortable and got no problem wearing them for several hours. As a matter of fact they’re the most comfortable IEM’s with memory wire that I’ve ever tried.  I had to reach for some dual flanges tips to get the best fit though since the combination of the memory wire and included single flanges didn’t work too well for me.
 
Isolation is definitely below average and if blocking out external noise is of great concern other offerings might be better. That being said they’re still work pretty well with music playing.
 
Sound:
I’ve used them back and forward in the last couple of weeks and they’ve played for well over 100 hours. I’ve used them both around the house and when out and about and I haven’t really found any significant weaknesses in the way they’re designed.
 
I’ve used them with my LG G3 phone and FiiO X3 combined with the iBasso D14 as well as the Audinst HUD-DX1 and although they’ve worked very well with all of them I find them to perform their best with a leaner sounding amp/dac as the D14 or a high quality one like the LH Labs Geek Out V2+ Infinity.
 
As already mentioned I enjoy the AAW Nebula One the most with double flanges tips.
Demo list:
The overall sound signature on the AAW Nebula One is smooth, warm and bassy.
 
The sub-bass extension on the One is pretty good and it hits hard deep down making it quite enjoyable with bass heavy music. The texture of the sub-bass is on the loose side and I’d preferred if it had been better controlled.  Mid- and upper-bass presence is also high letting the bass intrude into the lower midrange quite often.  These are bass-head level IEM’s in my opinion and no one should need to feel bass lacking here. When using these indoor at home the bass is definitely too much for my preference but when out and about the bass presence makes up quite a bit for the low isolation level giving them a more balanced sound.
 
The midrange is surprisingly present given the bass heavy character of the One. It takes its place but is overshadowed by the bass a bit too often for my liking. On the positive side the full bass makes male vocals and string instruments have a nice weight and timbre to them. Female vocals are also very enjoyable and non-fatiguing. In all the midrange is both full and airy and isolated the midrange is actually really nice.
 
The treble is probably my favorite part on the One. It’s fairly well extended and full as well as detailed and never gets harsh or fatiguing. This is pretty close to how I like my treble, a bit more air and even better extension and it would’ve been spot on but it’s still very good (especially at this price).
 
Clarity and micro details are about average for an IEM at this price point and good considering the bassy signature. Soundstage in all directions is also good and 3D feeling and out of the head experience is also good.
All in all the AAW Nebula One offers a very entertaining listening experience, especially with electronic bass driven music. It soes also perform very well with both male and female singer/songwriter kind of music.
 
Comparison:
Please note that the comments in the comparison section are not in absolute terms but in comparison between subject A and B. This means (as an example) that if subject A is found to be brighter than subject B it does not necessarily mean that subject A is bright sounding in absolute terms. I hope this makes sense.
 
These comparisons were done listening from my FiiO X3 paired with the iBasso D14 Bushmaster trough the coaxial output.
 
TFZ SERIES 5 vs AAW Nebula One:
Compared to the Nebula One the sub-bass on the TFZ’s reach deeper while the bass quality is quite similar and a bit on the loose side on both. Mid-bass is actually even slightly more present on the One and it definitely has more upper bass making it sound more muddy with some recordings. The One has an over all slightly warmer sound making their presentation slightly fuller and smoother across the frequencies with the exception of the already mentioned lowest bass. The midrange on the TFZ’s is more forward but also thinner. Both have good reproduction of both male and female vocals but the One’s pulls slightly ahead for me. The TFZ’s has more upper midrange energy making them more airy sounding but also able to sound more shouty occasionally. Treble extension is also pretty similar with a slight advantage to the One, and once again the presentation is fuller on the One’s. The soundstage in all directions is pretty similar on both.
 
I find the TFZ’s more comfortable due to my issues with the memory wire on the One.
I like the metal housings on the One’s better but apart from that build quality is pretty similar.
 
They TFZ’s are a bit easier to drive.
 
Isolation is better on the TFZ’s.
  
SIMGOT EN700 vs AAW Nebula One:
Compared to the Nebula One the EN700’s has a lot less bass presence in subbass and especially in the mid- and upper bass. .The sub-bass on the EN700’s don’t reach as low and has quite a bit less impact. The EN700’s are clinically free from bass bleed into the midrange while this happens with quite a lot of music on the One’s. The midrange is fuller but also more recessed on the One’s while the EN700’s are more linear. The treble extension is quite similar on both with maybe a slight advantage to the EN700. The EN700 has a thinner and more airy treble while the One’s are fuller. Being the brighter of the two the EN700’s has slightly better clarity and detail retrieval. The EN700’s has a touch wider soundstage and more airy presentation while the One’s have better depth and 3D presentation.
 
Fit is quite similar on these two and I find them to be equally comfortable.
 
Build quality is good on both but I prefer the cable and connector on the One’s.
 
They’re about equally easy to drive.
Isolation is pretty similar and quite low on both.
 
LZ A2S ($70) vs AAW Nebula One:
Compared to the One the sub-bass on the A2S don’t reach quite as deep. The One have overall more bass presence and also more boomy mid-bass that overshadows the midrange more. The overall signature of the A2S is more intimate while the One has a wider presentation. Both have enough mid- and upper bass to makes male vocals sounding full and natural. . When it comes to female vocals both continue to perform very well but the One pulls slightly with its more energetic upper midrange. The midrange has more presence on the A2S and it’s also a bit fuller. The treble on the One has better extension while still maintaining full and smooth. Details and clarity is pretty similar on both.
 
I find the A2S to be the more comfortable of the two.
 
Build quality is good on both but I prefer the lack of memory wire and cable on the A2S.
 
The A2S are a bit easier to drive.
 
Isolation is better on the A2S.
 
Summary:
The AAW Nebula One offers a pretty typical consumer friendly entry level presentation with quite a lot of bass presence. Despite doing this it’s not the typically v-shaped signature as the midrange is actually quite full albeit slightly recessed while the treble peak that many IEM’s with this kind of bassy signature often has is nowhere to find on the One’s. Instead it has a full, smooth and fairly well extended treble presentation.  
 
In addition to being very well built and comfortable to wear for longer listening sessions the AAW Nebula One has got a signature that’s most enjoyable for use when out and about in my opinion. They also offer a very good mic/remote making them great to use with mobile phones making them a good alternative for everyday usage. 
 

The iFi Audio Micro iDSD was sent to me by iFi with help from their Norwegian distributor Audioaktøren for the purpose of doing this review and including it in my recently started $250+ amp/DAC comparison thread. It’s a loaner unit and will be returned to Audioaktøren after my review is published. I would like to say thank you to Karina as well as Terje and Hallvar for making this review happen, thank you very much!
 

 

 

 
The iFi Audio Micro iDSD is available from numerous online and domestic resellers (many places) with prices starting from $499 (at the time of this review). This is a link to the current Amazon listing for the Micro iDSD: 
 
https://www.amazon.com/iFi-Micro-iDSD-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B00M50FLWK
 
For more information about the Micro iDSD you can also visit the IFI website:
 
http://ifi-audio.com/portfolio-view/micro-idsd/
 
I’m not in any way affiliated with iFi or Audioaktøren.
 
Short introduction to iFi Audio:
iFi Audio is a UK based company.
 
This is what they say about themselves on their website:

“iFi is a brand new line of electronics with trickle-down technology licensed from AMR and aimed primarily at the future, Computer Audio generation. All iFi products boast Class A analogue circuitry with no DSP and the signal stays ‘Bit Perfect’ throughout.
How a product looks and performs matters, but so does its impact on the environment. That’s why nearly every iFi product and its packaging are made from highly recyclable materials like aluminum, paper, recycled plastic and why we refuse to use harmful toxins in our components. We do this to ensure that every product we release meets our environmental standards.”
 
About me:
 
Built, accessories and functionality:
The iFi Audio Micro iDSD is a solid state headphone amplifier and DAC combo.  
 
The Micro iDSD is available in only one variation AFAIK: silver color.
 
I’ve got to be honest and admit that when I’ve seen pictures of  and read about the Micro iDSD I’ve almost been intimidated by its huge amount of options and buttons. At the same time I’ve also been very fascinated about in so naturally I was thrilled at the opportunity to try it out for myself.
 
Output power is rated to 950mW@ 32Ohm when running in Normal mode and from the numbers it should be somewhere around 2W in Turbo mode (more about the different modes later). Output impedance is rated at less than 1Ohm.
 
The Micro iDSD has a sturdy housing that feels very durable. The physical controls available on it do feel reliable. Speaking of physical controls there sure is an impressive number of them and they’re present on almost every side of the unit. On the front you’ll find the volume control that also is the on/off switch accompanied by the on/off buttons for bass boosts (XBass) and crossfeed (3D). The volume control seems quite sturdy but like most other devices with an analogue volume control there’s channel imbalance at low listening levels (very low to be fair). The number of settings to adjust the power from the iDSD to suit your IEM’s/headphones makes this pretty much a no issue though. Underneath the unit there’s a switch for choosing between pre-amp or DAC direct output from the RCA output. You’ll also find the “IEM match” switch here which you can use to fine tune the noise floor/gain with sensitive IEM’s. There are three settings available: High Sensitivity, Ultra Sensitivity or Off. I’m not sure that I’m that thrilled about the placement on these buttons since I more than once managed to change the IEM match level by incident by moving the unit, adding some rubber feet that’s high enough should eliminate this though. On the left side (facing from the front) you’ll find a red switch for setting the “Power Mode” and you can choose between Eco, Normal or Turbo. In addition you’ll also find the switch for changing the polarity and choose which digital filter you’d like to use ((bit perfect, minimum or standard are available). On top of the unit as well as on the right side there are no switches at all, so still room for more in the next revision . Puh, that’s it when it comes to options to make the iDSD work as good as possible with your preferences and/or IEM’s/headphones.  Although the Micro iDSD doesn’t feel very heavy the overall build still feels solid enough for a desktop unit.
 
The Micro iDSD offers one male USB A digital audio input and one separate female USB A charging port to take advantage of the fact that the iDSD ois also able to act as a powerbank and charge your phone or other devices. It’s the first time I’ve come across a device like this with a male USB input but I can surely see why iFi has chosen this solution, the USB connection is very sturdy and much more so than I’ve experienced on any device with the regular female input. Also located on the back you’ll find a combined optical in/coax in or out combined connection (this socket will work as a coaxial out when USB audio in is connected) as well as the RCA output. Further there’s a 3.5mm input on the front for line in together with the 6.3mm headphone output socket.
 
As you can tell there’s almost no limit to the ways you can make the iDSD suit you or your equipment the best way. Only thing I can actually think of that I miss is a balanced output. Apart from that this is a very complete and versatile unit, probably the best I’ve come across so far in this aspect.
 
The Micro iDSD works very well with Android when connected with an OTG cable and using USB Audio Player Pro (UAPP) as music player. Although Android and sound does not have a great reputation the Micro iDSD have worked with every Android device I’ve tried it with (sometimes with the help of UAPP).  Battery drain is quite low when running on battery and from testing with my LG G3 it seems to be 10-15% per hour. To make sure you do run it on battery turn on the iDSD before you connect it to your Android device, if not it’ll take its power from the device draining it very fast.
 
The Micro iDSD uses an Xmos USB receiver that is supposed to work with Apple devices using the Camera Connection Kit (CCK) but unfortunately I haven’t been able to test this myself.
 
The Micro iDSD support all popular file formats for audio up to DSD512 and 32bit/768kHz files.
 

 

 

 
The accessories included are:
1 USB A female to USB B female cable
1 USB A female to USB A male cable
1 USB A to USB B adapter
2 rubber bands (to attach it to a phone or other transport)
4 small rubber feet (to attach the main body to the floor)
1 rubber sheet (to place between the iDSD and another device)
1 RCA to RCA cable  
1 Optical to 3.5 mm optical adapter
1 3.5 mm to 3.5 mm cable
1  3.5 to 6.3 mm adapter
1 pouch (to store it in when not in use or travelling)
 

 

 
 
The specs:
 
I’ve used the Micro iDSD for the last couple of weeks and my unit has played for well over 100 hours.
 
Demo list:
 
Sound impression:
The first thing that I thought when I started to listen to the iFi Micro iDSD was that it reminded me quite a bit of the spacious and airy presentation that I’ve heard with the Mojo not too long ago.
 
Bass extension and quality is very good and I don’t feel as if there’s any noticeable roll off in the lower frequencies. Mid- and upper-bass is also well controlled contributing to the sense of space and airiness that the iFi Micro iDSD produces.  Despite the very good quality and quite good bass presence I can’t help feeling that the iDSD lacks some richness through the whole frequency range.
 
The midrange is liquid and smooth with plenty of details. The iFi Micro iDSD sounds very linear through all frequencies and the midrange is no exception. Nothing stands out and it sound natural and makes a relaxing listening experience. If anything I’d say it’s a bit on the dry side.
 
The treble is well extended, airy and smooth. Once again I find myself wishing for a touch more substance and body but the overall impression is still that the iDSD has a very nice and non-fatiguing treble presentation.
 
The overall presentation has great soundstage width and a very nice balance from the lowest to the highest notes. Despite this I still feel that there’s some richness and timbre lacking making the sound a bit on the dry side. To me this makes the iDSD work very well with  headphones and IEM’s that’s rich and full in there character.
 
As already mentioned the iDSD does also offers a lot of tuning options for those interested in that. This is really not my thing and to be honest I can’t hear much difference between the different digital filter options (this is the case with most of my amp/DAC’s that has got this so I won’t hold it against the iDSD). When it comes to the 3D setting I personally find it a bit artificial sounding and had it off for most of the time. The Xbass on the other hand is actually quite nice in its implementation and I enjoyed it when using earbuds but kept it off otherwise. I do know that other people enjoy these kinds of features a lot more than I do so I won’t hold it against the iDSD but rather add it as a positive thing for giving the user more choices which I really appreciate and value.
 
Comparison:
Please note that the comments in the comparison section are not in absolute terms but in comparison between subject A and B. This means (as an example) that if subject A is found to be brighter than subject B it does not necessarily mean that subject A is bright sounding in absolute terms. I hope this makes sense.
 
In these comparisons I’ve been listening through my AKG Q701’s.
 
I’ve been using the USB input when doing these comparisons. Both units has been hooked up to two different laptops both running Windows 7 with the same settings and I use MediaMonkey as my player of choice.
 
Both units was connected to a simple switch box through their respectively headphone outputs. This way it’s very easy to switch between the sources in minimal time. I also use a simple Android app to volume match the amplifiers so although maybe not perfectly scientifically the result should still be pretty correct.
 
Burson Audio Conductor V2+ (1,499) vs IFI Micro iDSD:
The V2+ is the heart of my main system and I really love both its features and sound. It’s expensive and it’s big and heavy (7 kg) but to me it’s also a very complete unit that doesn’t makes me miss anything in either sound nor features so I’ll include it as one of the comparison units for all my $250+ amp/DAC combo reviews. I’m also very familiar with it.
 
These two share a lot of treats like a similar amount of air and an equally wide soundstage presentation. Compared to the iFi Micro iDSD the V2+ has a touch richer sound through the whole frequency range, this makes quite a difference to the overall presentation,  resulting in the  V2+ sounding more dynamic and with better timbre to the notes.  It’s not a huge difference but an important one in making the V2+ sounding more natural and pair better with a wider variety of headphones. The deepest bass may also be a touch more well-defined on the V2+.
 
The V2+ of course has some other advantages such as significantly higher power output (4W @32Ohms which is about the double compared to the iDSD), two analogue RCA inputs. In addition it also has a great quality remote control. The iDSD on the other hand has internal battery, is more portable and a much better match for most IEM’s.
 
Audinst HUD-DX1 (with Burson Audio V5i op amps, $469) vs IFI Micro iDSD:
 

 
Compared to the iFi Micro iDSD the Audinst has a more dynamic and slightly less laid back sound. The Audinst is the fuller sounding of the two but its bass is also slightly looser and less well defined. The iDSD is a bit thinner and but also more airy in its presentation. The iDSD does also have a wider presentation while the Audinst has better depth and an overall richer sound. 
 
Feature wise both of these are equipped with a lot of in- and outputs but the iDSD does offer a lot more adjustments such as bass boost, 3D switch, and multiple gain and hiss (reducing) settings. When I reviewed the Audinst HUD DX1 I called it a “Swiss Army knife” offering, the iFi Micro iDSD is actually even more so, not necessarily when it comes to in- and outputs but definitely when it comes to settings and tweaks to make it sound as good as possible with the IEM’s/headphones that you use.
 
Burson Audio Conductor Air ($499) vs IFI Micro iDSD:
This two are similar in the way that they both works best when connected to a computer or laptop in my opinion but they can also be used portable (the Air maybe more so) or with your phone or tablet (the iDSD maybe more so) if needed. Compared to the iDSD the Air has a thicker sound while maintaining the same level of details. Layering is noticeable better on the Air while the iDSD has a touch more airiness and wider soundstage. The Air does also have better depth and timbre to the notes and the iDSD does actually feel a bit thin and dry in comparison. In short the Air has more drive while the iDSD is more laid back.
 
Feature wise the Air loses out by a fair bit though. With its two micro USB inputs (one for digital audio in and one for power) and two outputs (line out and headphones out) it’s no match for the number of inputs and outputs the iDSD offers. The iDSD does also have an internal battery.
 
For even further comparisons feel free to visit this thread for breakdown between more $250+ amp/DAC units (this is a work in progress and several other units will follow in the near future).
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/816410/peter123s-250-amp-dac-combo-comparison-thread#post_12771442
 
Matching:
The output impedance of the headphone out on the Micro iDSD is rated to less than 1Ohm. This means that it should work well with pretty much all low and high impedance headphones and IEM’s available out there.
 
In this section I’ve tested how some of my favorite headphones but also one earbud and one pair of IEM’s pairs up with the Micro iDSD.  
 
AKG Q701 ($300):
The Q’s aren’t the best pairing with the iFi Micro iDSD in my opinion. The slightly thin sound on the iDSD makes male vocals lack some weight to sound perfectly natural. After having thoroughly enjoying the Mojo with the Q’s I’d expected the iDSD to work really well with them as well but I’d guess the Mojo is also richer sounding than I remember it .The iDSD has no problem at all to power the Q’s to louder listening levels.
 
Philips Fidelio X2 ($300):
The X2’s, being quite warm and full by itself, is a great match with the iDSD. It balances the full mid-bass on the X2’s in a great way making it sound excellent.  The smooth and dry presentation seem to work great with the X2’s ans although it’s not necessarily the best pairing I’ve heard with the X2’s it’s definitely one of the better.
 
 
VE Zen 2.0 ($138):
The Zen 2.0 is a 300Ohm earbud that I like a lot and tend to use instead of closed headphones. It’s also a reliable travel partner for me when I stay in hotels and don’t have any full size cans around.
 
The soft and smooth signature from the Zen 2.0 works OK with the iDSD but nothing more. This pairing lacks some dynamics and richness to be really good for me. A fuller more dynamic signature does suit the Zen’s better for my preference. Turning the bass boost on the iDSD helps though and it sounds quite good this way.
 
Aurisonics ASG-1PLUS ($500):
The ASG-1PLUS is an 11Ohm hybrid IEM (1 DD + 1 BA).
 
Once again an OK pairing and I like it better than what I did with the Mojo from memory. A bit too relaxed and lacking some depth but still quite an enjoyable listening. Once again I feel that I could have enjoyed a bit better timbre as well as some more dynamics. I’m aware that this is also the nature of the 1PLUS shining through but it’s more easily noticed here than with some other pairings.
 
Super Audio 6 ($250):
The Super Audio 6 (SA6) is a six BA driver Chines DIY offering. It has a warm, smooth, intimate and mid-centric overall presentation.
 
The combination of the iDSD and SA 6 is really nice to listen too. The SA6 is very rich sounding by itself and this works really well with the iDSD. The overall sound in this pairing is very enjoyable and once again the iDSD sounds great with a rich sounding pair of IEM’s7headphones.
 
To round off the matching section the signature of the iFi Audio Micro iDSD does make it work better with some headphones and IEM’s than others. To me there’s no doubt that it sounds the best with rich sounding IEM’s and headphones that has great timbre by themselves. That being said it doesn’t sound bad with anything I’ve tried it with (and that’s quite a lot).  The very low amount of hiss as well as enough power for all my full sized headphones, and not to mention all the available settings, does make it very versatile in practical use.
 
Summary:
The iFi Audio Micro iDSD is truly a remarkable device. It offers more settings and tuning availability and is more usable with a wide range of headphones and IEM’s than any other device of this kind that I’ve come across so far. It also has a great number of connection options combined with a quite neutral and very enjoyable sound signature.  I do find it to perform its best with richer sounding headphones and IEM’s but that being said I have not come across any pairing where it sounds bad.
 
Although it’s kind of big for being truly portable I’d still recommend anyone looking for a DAC/amp to use in their main system (both head-fi and/or hi-fi), around the house, in hotel rooms or in the office to check out the iFi Audio Micro iDSD .
 
Audio Quality: 4.5
Design: 4
Quality: 4.5
Value: 5
Features: 5

The iBasso D14 Bushmaster was sent to me for free by iBasso for the purpose of me writing an unbiased review of it.  I’d like to send a big THANK YOU to Paul at iBasso for letting me check out the iBasso D14 Bushmaster.
 
The iBasso D14 is available from numerous online resellers with prices ranging from $229 to $259 at the time of this review.  Here’s the link to the listing on Penon Audio:
 
http://penonaudio.com/iBasso-D14
 
For more information about the D14 you can also visit the iBasso website:
 
http://ibasso.com/cp_xq_dy.php?id=288#page5
 
I’m not in any way affiliated with iBasso or Penon Audio.
 

 
Short introduction to Audinst Inc.:
iBasso Audio is a China based company well known for its good performing and great value for money DAP’s, amp’s and amp/DAC combos.
 
The D14 Bushmaster is the first product I try from them so naturally I was very curious about it so let’s find out more about its performance. .
 
About me:
Built, accessories and functionality:
The iBasso D14 Bushmaster is a solid state headphone amplifier and DAC combo.  
 
The D14 is available in one flavor only AFAIK: silver color.
 
Output power is rated to 400mW@ 32Ohm. Output impedance is rated at a very low 0.1Ohm.
 
The D14 has a sturdy housing that feels durable. The physical controls available on it do also feel reliable. The physical controls sums up to a gain switch and a volume control that also doubles as on/off switch on the front and a source switch (USB, AUX or SPDIF) and a switch for turning the charging on/off on the back. Although it doesn’t feel very heavy the overall build still feels pretty solid.
 
The D14 offers one USB mini digital audio input that also doubles as charging port if the charging switch is set to on. It also offers one coaxial and optical input (the SPDIF input doubles as both) as well a combined in/out 3.5mm analogue connection (if headphones are connected it works as an input, if not it works as a line out). There’s also one 3.5mm headphones output.  In total I find the number of connections to be very good on a unit this small.
 
The D14 works very well with Android when connected with an OTG cable and using USB Audio Player Pro (UAPP) as music player. It might be worth noticing that the D14 uses a mini USB socket and not the more common micro USB. Fortunately iBasso has included a mini to micro OTG cable in the package since these are not the most common cables around. A nice feature is that the D14 disconnect automatically from the Android device when the source selection switch is put in another position than USB. The internal battery on the D14 does also make the battery drain on the hosting device very low. Although Android and sound does not have a great reputation the D14 have worked with every Android device I’ve tried it with (with the help of UAPP).
 
The D14 uses an Xmos USB receiver that is supposed to work with Apple devices using the Camera Connection Kit (CCK) but I haven’t been able to test this myself.
 
The D14 does also feature a coaxial input and I’ve used it most connected to my FiiO X3 this way and I like this combo a lot. I’ve had the X3 since it was first released and although it does not have the  most refined sound I absolutely love (and am VERY familiar with) the way it works and this combo has made me really appreciate it again. iBassy also graciously included an 3.5mm to 3.5mm coaxial cable in the accessories so this connection is truly plug and play.
 
The battery life is fairly good and is said to be 13 hours when used as AMP/DAC and 25 hours when used as AMP only. Without having brought out my stop clock I’d say that these numbers are fairly accurate from my experience. Charging time is 5 hours and although it’s quite long it have not really bothered me since I typically charge it when I sleep.
 
The D14 support all popular file formats for audio up to DSD256 and 32bit/384kHz files.
 
The accessories included are:
1 storage pouch
1 USB cable,
1 3.5mm to 3.5mm interconnect
1 mini to micro OTG cable
1 3.5mm coaxial cable
2 Silicone straps
 

 

 

 
The specs:
Power Source: Built-in 4.2V Li-polymer Batteries or external power supply.
Frequency Response: 17Hz~20 KHz +/-1dB (DAC)
17Hz~100 KHz +/-0.2dB (AMP).
Signal to Noise Ratio：115dB (DAC), 116dB (Amp).
Crosstalk: 106dB (DAC).
Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.0018%@1kHz/-10dBF (DAC)
0.0012%@1kHz/max volume (AMP).
Output power: Up to 400mW+400mW into 32ohm.
Gain: +3dB and +9dB (AMP).
Battery Life: 13 hours AMP+DAC or 25 hours if amp only.
Battery Charge Time: 5 hours.
External Power supply: 5V DC.
Recommended Headphone Impedance: 8~300.
Output impedance: 0.1ohm.
 
I’ve used the D14 for the last two weeks and my unit has played for well over 50 hours.
 
Demo list:
 
Sound impression:
The first thing that I noticed when I started to listen to the iBasso D14 was the lean, clean and airy sound it produces.
 
Bass extension and quality is quite good with a slight roll off in the lowest frequencies. Mid- and upper-bass is on the lean side making the presentation airy and ever so slightly on the bright side. When listening to the D14 the bass sounds very good and I don’t really miss much but when starting to compare to other competitors it does indeed lack some dynamics compared to the best in this department.
 
The midrange is liquid and smooth with plenty of details. The D14 sounds very linear through all frequencies and the midrange is no exception. Nothing really stands out and it sounds very natural and airy like a fresh breeze.
 
The treble is very well extended, airy and smooth. It adds further to the liquid non-fatiguing and natural overall sound.  Although being slightly on the bright side it does never feel harsh or artificial to me but rather light and refreshing.
 
The overall presentation has good soundstage in all directions and layering is also good as is the amount of air between the instruments. The background does also feel black and calm. Transparency is also quite good.  All together I’d describe the sound of the D14 as lean and clean. This is a signature that I personally find to be quite appealing, especially with warmer sounding and/or bass tilted IEM’s or headphones.
 
Comparison:
Please note that the comments in the comparison section are not in absolute terms but in comparison between subject A and B. This means (as an example) that if subject A is found to be brighter than subject B it does not necessarily mean that subject A is bright sounding in absolute terms. I hope this makes sense.
 
In these comparisons I’ve been listening through my AKG Q701’s.
 
I’ve been using the USB input when doing these comparisons. Both units has been hooked up to two different laptops both running Windows 7 with the same settings and I use MediaMonkey as my player of choice.
 
Burson Audio Conductor V2+ (1,499) vs iBasso Bushmaster D14:
Compared to the D14 the V2+ has more airiness in its presentation as well as a larger soundstage width and better bass presentation with a higher quality (better layering) and impact. This is actually very easy to hear with the Q’s.  The greater bass quality makes the V2+ more dynamic sounding and with better definition while the D14 is more lean in its presentation. The V2+ does also have better separation with more air between instruments. Both are good when it comes to detail retrieval but the V2+ is even better. In short I’d say that the V2+ is more dynamic and engaging while the D14 is more relaxed and slightly thinner sounding.
 
The V2+ of course has some other advantages as well such as significantly higher power output (4W @32Ohms compared to 400mW@32Ohm on the iBasso), two analogue RCA inputs and both pre-amp and DAC direct RCA outputs. In addition it also has a great quality remote control. D14 on the other hand offers a gain switch, portability, battery power and is of course much smaller.
 
iFi Micro iDSD ($420) vs iBasso D14 Bushmaster:
Compared to the D14 the iDSD have a even more airy presentation. The iDSD has more sub bass presence while both of them had a quite low amount of mid bass making both sound very clean, the iDSD even more so though helped by better separation giving it more air between instruments.The iDSD is a touch warmer and more relaxed while still having the same, if not even slightly better, detail retrieval. In total I find the iDSD to sound more natural and engaging but it’s also almost twice the price of the D14. The difference between these two is not as big as it may sound here though but my job is to highlight the difference that does exist.
 
Feature wise they both offers coaxial input in addition to the USB input but the SPDIF input on the D14 also offers optical connection. Both does also have an 3.5mm analogue input and line out although the iDSD has RCA outputs and has option to choose between pre-out or direct out while the D14 has a 3.5mm output. When it comes to headphone outputs the D14 has one 3.5 while the iDSD has one 6.3mm. They both also have an internal battery. The footprint of the D14 is quite a bit smaller and it’s definitely the more portable of the two. Both offer a gain switch but the iDSD has three settings compared to the two on the D14. The iDSD does offer a bass boost and a 3D enchanter, three different IEM moods (to reduce hiss), polarity switch and the option to choose between three different digital filters. Build quality feels very solid on both units with the iDSD pulling slightly ahead.
 
For even further comparisons feel free to visit this thread for breakdown between more $250+ amp/DAC units (this is a work in progress and several other units will follow in the near future).
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/816410/peter123s-250-amp-dac-combo-comparison-thread#post_12771442
 
Matching:
The output impedance of the headphone out on the D14 is rated to a very low 0.1Ohm. This means that it should work well with all kind headphones and even very sensitive IEM’s.
 
In this section I’ve tested how some of my favorite headphones but also one earbud and one pair of IEM’s pairs up with the Mojo.  
 
AKG Q701 ($300):
The Q’s pairs up quite nice with the D14. I was kind of afraid that the lean presentation of the D14 would make the Q’s unengaging but that’s not the case. The smooth presentation of the D14 pairs very well with the forward upper mids on the Q’s and does also pair very well with the well extended treble on the Q’s. I’ve heard the bass on the Q’s with deeper extension and more impact though. Although the Q’s and the D14 is not the perfect pairing it’s still a quite enjoyable one to my ears.
 
Philips Fidelio X2 ($300):
The X2’s, being quite warm and full by itself does make a very good combination with the clean and light presentation from the D14. The D14 is also perfectly smooth in its presentation and this does also help to make the X2’s very enjoyable with them. I don’t find the X2’s to be harsh in any way but they don’t have the most refined treble sometimes and the D14 seem to make this less obvious. To put things short these two sound very good together.
 
VE Zen 2.0 ($138):
The Zen 2.0 is a 300Ohm earbud that I like a lot and tend to use instead of closed headphones.
 
The soft and smooth signature from the Zen 2.0 lack some energy, drive and dynamics compared to the best I’ve heard it when paired with the D14. The Zen’s doesn’t have the most impactful bass originally and it doesn’t get much help from the D14 to bring it out either. It’s pretty obvious to me that the D14, although it’s not bad sounding in any way, is not the best pairing with the Zen’s.
 
Aurisonics ASG-1PLUS ($500):
The ASG-1PLUS is an 11Ohm hybrid IEM (1 DD + 1 BA).
 
Once again I was afraid that the lower amount of dynamics and bass drive would make an unengaging listening (like I found the Mojo and 1PLUS to be) but once again I was wrong. Although the D14 doesn’t pack a lot of energy its tilt to the bright side still breathes life into the relaxed presentation of the 1PLUS. Once again I find that I’ve heard better bass presentation but it’s still very enjoyable. Once again, it’s not a perfect pairing, but still a very good one.
 
Super Audio 6 ($250):
The Super Audio 6 (SA6) is a six BA driver Chines DIY offering. It has a warm, smooth, intimate and mid-centric overall presentation.
 
The combination of the D14 and SA 6 is a great match and the liquid, creamy and intimate character of the SA6 does really come to live with the help from the fresh, clean and airy presentation of the D14. As a matter of fact this is one of the better pairings I’ve ever heard for the SA6.
 
To sum up the matching section the signature of the D14 works quite well with all the headphones and IEM’s I’ve tried it with. That being said I find it to perform the best with full, lush IEM’s and headphones that has a good bass drive. There’s also a very low background hiss when paired with my most sensitive IEM’s that might be worth noticing. In total I’d still consider the D14 a great all-rounder when it comes to pairing.
 
Summary:
The iBasso D14 Bushmaster is a truly excellent offering in its price bracket and even beyond in my opinion. I can easily see people looking for a neutral, smooth and lean sound preferring it over other, much more expensive, offerings.
 
Although it’s not quite up there with the best $400-600 performers in sound it’s certainly not far off either and has a lot good to offer. The iBasso D14 is well built, has an internal battery, works with lap tops, computers, Android devices, Apple devices and is portable. In addition to all this it does also offers a coaxial/optical input as well an analogue input combined with output and a gain switch, This is really a great list of features at this price point, add to it an excellent sound and it makes the iBasso D14 a strong recommendation for the budget oriented looking for great performing AMP/DAC combo in the sub $350 segment.
 
Audio Quality: 4
Design: 4
Quality: 4.5
Value: 5
Features: 4.5
 

FiiO X3/iBasso D14 

The Burson Audio Supreme Sound V5i op amp was sent to me by Burson Audio to be a part of my Audinst HUD-DX1 review. I think it deserves its own review as well. Those of you that have already read my HUD-DX1 review may recognize some things bud I’ve elaborated further here and included a short comparison between the V5i and the original V5 in the Little Dot I+ as well.  I’d also like to send a big THANK YOU to Burson Audio for letting me check out the V5i
 

 

 
 
The price at the time for this review is $39 for one dual, $69 for two duals and $49 for two single ones. The Supreme Sound V5i is available directly from the Burson Audio website: 
 
https://www.bursonaudio.com/products/supreme-sound-opamp-v5i/
 
I’m not in any way affiliated with Burson Audio.
 
Short introduction to Burson Audio:
Burson Audio is an Australia based company founded in 1996.  They’ve specialized in making headphone amplifier and amp/DAC combos, stereo amplifiers and op amps using discrete circuits.
 
This is what says themselves about their philosophy:
Our philosophy is simple; the less our components interfere with the audio signal the more complete your musical experience. This is our core design philosophy since we began in 1996. If our equipment is designed well and transparent enough — and it is — then the pace, rhythm, timing dynamics and tonality becomes a natural expression of the music. We feel this can never be achieved with standard circuit building blocks like IC chip op-amps, IC regulators, or even standard transformers. Instead we research and develop customized discrete circuits specifically to suit their applications. Only then does each and every component in the signal path perform at its peak. And only then will the end result match our expectations.
 
About me:
I’m a 44 year old music and sound lover that changed my focus from speakers to headphones and IEM’s about five years ago. At that time I realized that it wasn’t realistic for me to have all the different setups that I wanted and still house a family of four children and a wife so my interest turned first to full sized headphones and later also IEM’s.
 
My preferences are towards full sized open headphones and I believe that also says something about what kind of sound signature I prefer (large soundstage in all directions, balanced and organic sound).
 
My music preferences are pretty much all over the place (only excluding classical music, jazz and really heavy metal). My all-time favorite band is Depeche Mode although I also listen to a lot of grunge/indie, singer/songwriter/acoustical stuff as well as the typical top 40 music.
 
I do not use EQ, ever.
 
I’m a sucker for value for money on most things in life Head-Fi related stuff is no exception.
 
Demo list:
 
Compatibility:
The Burson Audio SS V5i is a hybrid op amp that it is both partially IC and discrete.  It’s compatible with a lot of the common op amps out there. It comes in two different configurations (single and dual) so the first thing you need to do is to find out if it’s at all a drop in replacement for your existing op amp in the device where you plan to use it with. To do this I’d recommend visiting the Burson Audio website through the link on the top of this review where they list a lot of common op amps that the V5i is a direct replacement for. You will also need to know whether you need two single or one dual (or even more depending on your device) of them. If you’ve got any questions whatsoever just ask them. From my experience they’re very knowledgeable. Since the Audinst HUD-DX1 uses two dual op amps that’s what I received
 
Please also make sure that you put the op amp in the socket in the right direction. There should be markings on both your old and new ones showing which way to be inserted.
 
All Burson Audio op amps come with a lifetime warranty.
 
Comparison:
For this comparison I’ve used the Audinst HUD-DX1 amp/DAC combo as well as my Little Dot I+ amplifier fed from the dac direct output on my Burson Audio V2+. I’ve used my VE Zen 2.0 and Grado 325is for listening.
 
 
Audinst HUD-DX1, MUSES 8920 ($15) vs Burson Audio V5i:
The HUD-DX1 come equipped with the highly regarded MUSES 8920E op amps in its stock form. I happen to have a couple of Burson Audio V5i op amps around  (thanks to Burson Audio for sending me the samples) that is compatible as a direct replacement for the 8920 so let’s see what happen if we switch the op amps.
 
The op amp’s in the HUD-DX1 is DIP 8 socket mounted so they’re very easy to replace. If you’d like to try this for yourself make sure that you put the op amps in the correct way and that the op amps in use are compatible with the DX1, as long as you’ve got this covered it’s a very simple procedure to switch them.
 
After having properly installed the V5i instead of the 8920 I started listen with the VE Zen 2.0 since they were the last pair I used while doing the matching section and WOW!!!!
 
This was truly a surprise. Although I’ve done quite a bit of op amp rolling before I’ve always considered it to be fine tuning and the changes to be pretty subtle. That’s certainly not the case here. When listening to the HUD-DX1 with the V5i installed it’s really as if a vail is lifted from the stock sound. The DX1 does still have a prominent low end with good drive but now it’s supported by a lot more airy midrange and treble and an easily detectable wider soundstage. The overall sound does now remind me a lot more of that from the Conductor V2+ although not necessarily with the same quality.
 
To me the $69 V5i op amps take the DX1 from being OK sound wise to being very good.  This is a highly recommended tweak in my opinion and I honestly cannot believe the difference in sound quality that’s achieved by using changing the op amps.
 

 
Little Dot I+, Burson Audio V5 ($79) vs V5i
I’ve been using the original V5 fully discrete op amp in the LD I+ for a while now and with the help from an adapter that finally made me it possible to close the lid on the LD I+ with the V5 installed. My tubes lately are some Siemens NOS 6AK5W.
 
The difference between the V5 and v5i in the LD is nowhere near as big as between the MUSES 8920 and the V5i in the Audinst. The sound signature of the Burson siblings are very similar but the original V5 does have a bit better bass layering, more space between instruments and is even slightly more airy sounding.  The difference is not big but noticeable and if I would put percentage on how similar they sound (although I really don’t like doing it) I’d say that the V5i has somewhere around 85-90% of the performance of its bigger sibling the V5 so they do really sound very similar. I do also find the V5i to be more quite in the LD than the V5 with the adapter. The V5 with adapter has some occasional random interference while the V5i seems to be dead silent all the time.
 
In an implementation like the Little Dot I+ where there’s really not enough space for the V5 op amp I’d wholeheartedly recommend gong for the V5i instead of going through the trouble and cost with extra adapter or even modifying the chassis. The small advantage in sound quality is not worth the extra cost and especially the extra trouble to fit the V5 I where it doesn’t
 

Original V5 with adapter

V5i
 
Summary:
The Burson Audio Supreme Sound Vi5 is just an op amp but I’m very impressed by its price/performance ratio as well as how much it lifted the total sound quality in the Audinst HUD-DX1. I’ve never heard this much of an improvement from an op amp change ever before. Add to this the small (or normal if you prefer) size and an all metal build and the V5i is a great, fairly cheap, way to play around with and most likely improve the sound in many devices that it’s compatible whit. Highly recommended!
 

The adapter for the V5 (or other op amps)

The Audinst HUD-DX1 was sent to me by Audinst as a free sample for the purpose of doing this review and including it in my recently started $250+ amp/DAC comparison thread. A big thank you to Audinst for sending it to me!
 

 

 
The Audinst HUD-DX1 is available from numerous online and domestic resellers with prices ranging from $399 to $450 at the time of this review. This is a link to the current Amazon listing for the HUD-DX1 : 
 
https://www.amazon.com/Audinst-corresponding-headphone-amplifier-HUD-DX1-BK/dp/B01828YY26
 
For more information about the HUD-DX1 you can also visit the Audinst website:
 
http://audinst.com/en/product/hud-dx1/
 
I’m not in any way affiliated with Audinst Inc.
 
Short introduction to Audinst Inc.:
Audinst Inc. is a Korean based company that was established in 2009.
 
This is what they say about themselves on their website:
Audinst Inc. is audio component manufacturing company that launched in 2009. With the goal of bringing PC-based audio components to the hi-fi grade level, the company possesses technical staff with excellent know-how’s on digital and analog sound technology along with professional designing part with outstanding aesthetic senses in external-type equipment design. We are putting our utmost effort in making unique high quality products for both domestic and overseas markets, to become the unrivaled, leading company in the field.
 
About me:
Built, accessories and functionality:
The Audinst HUD-DX1 is a solid state headphone amplifier and DAC combo.  
 
The HUD-DX1 is available in two different colors: black and white. I’ve got the black version.
 
Output power is rated to 1,500mW@ 32Ohm when running on DC power and 500mW@32Ohm when running on USB power. Output impedance is rated at 2Ohm.
 
The HUD-DX1 has a sturdy, albeit slightly generic looking, housing that feels durable. The physical controls available on it do feel reliable although I’d have preferred an even more solid volume knob. Speaking of physical controls those sums up to a switch to choose between headphones put or line out, input selector combined with an off switch and the already mentioned volume control. Although it doesn’t feel very heavy the overall build still feels solid enough for a desktop unit and its weight is actually identical to the iFi Micro iDSD
 
The HUD-DX1 offers one USB B digital audio input and one separate DC power input should you prefer to not use USB for powering it. It also offers both optical input as well as output. There’s also not one but two headphone out sockets: one 3.5mm one and one 6.3mm one. I find this very handy for comparisons but even more so for being able to use any headphones or IEM’s without the need for an adapter. In addition there’s also a RCA line out option, I’d like have liked an analogue input as well to be able to combine it with other, non-digital sources.
 
The HUD-DX1 works very well with Android when connected with an OTG cable and using USB Audio Player Pro (UAPP) as music player. Although Android and sound does not have a great reputation the HUD-DX1 have worked with every Android device I’ve tried it with (sometimes with the help of UAPP) even without using the DC power adapter but just from USB power. One feature of the HUD-DX1 that I really like is that it deliver less power when connected only to USB, this makes battery drain less as well as adding compatibility with more devices. That being said battery drain is still pretty severe when using it with a phone or tablet running on USB power alone.
 
The HUD-DX1 uses an Xmos USB receiver that is supposed to work with Apple devices using the Camera Connection Kit (CCK) but I haven’t been able to test this myself.
 
The HUD-DX1 support all popular file formats for audio up to DSD128 and 32bit/384kHz files.
 
The accessories included are:
1 USB cable (USB A to B Type, 1.5M)
1 User's Manual (including warranty card)
4 spikes for fixing (to attach the main body to the floor)
1 L-wrench (to attach and detach the volume knob)
1 Power adaptor (DC 12V~15V)
 

 

 

 
 
The specs:
 
I’ve used the HUD-DX1 for the last couple of weeks and my unit has played for well over 100 hours.
 
Demo list:
 
Sound impression:
I’ve got to be honest and admit that I find it pretty difficult to describe the sound from an amplifier. To me the sound of headphones/IEM’s is more easy to describe than that of amplifiers and DAC’s but I’ll do my best and hopefully the comparison section will also be of help.
 
The first thing that I noticed when I started to listen to the Audinst HUD DX-1 was the warm and engaging sound with great bass and dynamics drive it produces.  
 
Bass extension and quality is very good without any noticeable roll off in the lower frequencies. Mid- and upper-bass is well represented making the presentation more intimate than airy.  Although the impact of higher bass is quite high on the DX-1 it still feels fairly detailed in its presentation.
 
The midrange is liquid and lush with a good amount of warmth, with good help from the bass presence. Male vocal has good weight while female voices are full and smooth but lack some air and sparkle.  
 
The treble is also full warm and lush with good extension. The treble presentation stays well in line with the rest of the frequencies and once again I find myself wishing for some more air and sparkle.
 
The HUD-DX1 has better soundstage depth than width and I’d describe the presentation as intimate with good bass drive and dynamics but lacking some air and sparkle and actually sounding a bit dull with some pairings and music.
 
Comparison:
Please note that the comments in the comparison section are not in absolute terms but in comparison between subject A and B. This means (as an example) that if subject A is found to be brighter than subject B it does not necessarily mean that subject A is bright sounding in absolute terms. I hope this makes sense.
 
In these comparisons I’ve been listening through my AKG Q701’s.
 
I’ve been using the USB input when doing these comparisons. Both units has been hooked up to two different laptops both running Windows 7 with the same settings and I use MediaMonkey as my player of choice.
 
Burson Audio Conductor V2+ (1,499) vs Audinst HUD-DX1:
Compared to the HUD-DX1 the V2+ has more airiness in its presentation as well as a larger soundstage width. The V2+ has better bass presentation with a higher quality (better layering) while impact is pretty similar.  The greater bass quality makes the V2+ equally dynamic sounding but with better defined bass and more airy presentation while the DX1 is duller in its presentation in comparison. The DX1 is good when it comes to detail retrieval while the V2+ is top notch. In short I’d say that the V2+ is the more realistic sounding out of the two.  
 
The V2+ of course has some other advantages as well such as significantly higher power output (4W @32Ohms compared to 1.5W@32Ohm on the Audinst), two analogue RCA inputs and both pre-amp and DAC direct RCA outputs. In addition it also has a great quality remote control. The HUD-DX1 on the other hand offers an optical output, is if not portable so at least moveable around the house, work with only USB power and is of course smaller.
 
Although both these are both desktop units that offers multiple inputs and outputs the V2+ pulls ahead on both sound quality as well as build quality and should also do so costing almost four times that of the HUD DX-1.
 
iBasso D14 Bushmaster ($249) vs Audinst HUD-DX1:
Compared to the Audinst the D14 has a more airy and brighter presentation. The Audinst has more bass presence and is definitely the warmer sounding of the two. The D14, being brighter, also gives a perception of having better micro details while the Audinst offer more energy and attack while still maintaining warm and smooth. The treble on the D14 is more airy, detailed and natural to my ears. Overall the D14 is brighter and more detailed while the DX1 is more dynamic and warmer sounding.
 
Feature wise the D14 offers both coaxial and optical inputs in addition to the mini USB input. It does also have an analogue input which the HUD DX-1 does not have. The Auidinst has an old school USB type B sound input in addition to an optical input. The Audinst also has both optical and RCA line outputs while the D14 has a 3.5 mm line out in addition to its 3.5mmheadphones output. The Audinst has the dual headphone outputs, one 3.5 and one 6.3mm. The D14 also has an internal battery making it more versatile when used with phones and tablets on the go. The footprint of the D14 is quite a bit smaller. Build quality feels very solid on both units with the D14 pulling slightly ahead.
 
For even further comparisons feel free to visit this thread for breakdown between more $250+ amp/DAC units (this is a work in progress and several other units will follow in the near future).
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/816410/peter123s-250-amp-dac-combo-comparison-thread#post_12771442
 
Op Amp rolling:
The HUD-DX1 come equipped with the highly regarded MUSES 8920E op amps in its stock form. I happen to have a couple of Burson Audio V5i op amps around  (thanks to Burson Audio for sending me the samples) that is compatible as a direct replacement for the 8920 so let’s see what happen if we switch the op amps.
 
The op amp’s in the HUD-DX1 is DIP 8 socket mounted so they’re very easy to replace. If you’d like to try this for yourself make sure that you put the op amps in the correct way and that the op amps in use are compatible with the DX1, as long as you’ve got this covered it’s a very simple procedure to switch them.
 
The Burson Audio V5i ($39 for one or $69 for two) is available from here:
 
https://www.bursonaudio.com/products/supreme-sound-opamp-v5i/
 

 
After having properly installed the V5i instead of the 8920 I started listen with the VE Zen 2.0 since they were the last pair I used while doing the matching section and WOW!!!!
 
This was truly a surprise. Although I’ve done quite a bit of op amp rolling before I’ve always considered it to be fine tuning and the changes to be pretty subtle. That’s certainly not the case here. When listening to the HUD-DX1 with the V5i installed it’s really as if a vail is lifted from the stock sound. The DX1 does still have a prominent low end with good drive but now it’s supported by a lot more airy midrange and treble and an easily detectable wider soundstage. The overall sound does now remind me a lot more of that from the Conductor V2+ although not necessarily with the same quality.
 
To me the $69 V5i op amps take the DX1 from being OK sound wise to being very good.  This is a highly recommended tweak in my opinion and I honestly cannot believe the difference in sound quality that’s achieved by using changing the op amps.
 
Matching:
The output impedance of the headphone out on the HUD-DX1 is rated to 2Ohm. This means that it may not be the ideal partner with headphones and IEM’s with lower impedance than 16 Ohm.
 
In this section I’ve tested how some of my favorite headphones but also one earbud and one pair of IEM’s pairs up with the Mojo.  
 
AKG Q701 ($300):
The Q’s pairs up very nicely with the HUD-DX1. The warm and dynamic sound of the DX1 suits the Q’s very well. The Q’s has enough energy in the higher midrange by themselves to never feel dull or unengaging with the DX1 and the treble feels full and well-articulated in this pairing. The DX1 has no problem at all to power the Q’s to louder listening levels even when only powered from my phone.
 
Philips Fidelio X2 ($300):
I’d suspect that the X2’s, being quite warm and full by itself, wouldn’t be the best match for the DX1 but this is actually not the case. The X2 sounds very engaging and fun in this pairing. This is exactly the way I love the X2’s with great dynamics and a presentation that never gets boring in any way.
 
VE Zen 2.0 ($138):
The Zen 2.0 is a 300Ohm earbud that I like a lot and tend to use instead of closed headphones.
 
The soft and smooth signature from the Zen 2.0 works very well with the more dynamic presentation of the HUD-DX1. The full and smooth presentation of the HUD-DX1 gives the Zen 2.0 a great drive and this combination is very enjoyable
 
Aurisonics ASG-1PLUS ($500):
The ASG-1PLUS is an 11Ohm hybrid IEM (1 DD + 1 BA).
 
The 1PLUS has an excellent out of head presentation and its bass (especially mid- and upper bass) is a bit subdued. This works really well with the character of the DX1 that fills in more bass giving the 1PLUS a dynamic and enjoyable presentation.  
 
Super Audio 6 ($250):
The Super Audio 6 (SA6) is a six BA driver Chines DIY offering. It has a warm, smooth, intimate and mid-centric overall presentation.
 
The combination of the HUD-DX1 and SA 6 makes for a relatively unengaging listening experience in my opinion. The SA 6 lacks a bit of energy and is intimate enough it its own signature and this is even more obvious when paired with the DX1. To be honest this combination is not the best I’ve heard the SA6’s but it’s a big difference between that and it sounding bad, which it’s not.
 
To sum up the matching section the signature of the HUD-DX1 does make some of my headphones and IEM’s sound very good while some lack a bit in performing their best when paired with the DX1.  The DX1 do have some low amount of audible hiss when paired to my most sensitive IEM’s so for those very sensitive to this it may be worth noticing. This is not something that bothers me much, especially not with music playing. The DX1 does have enough power for all my full sized headphones which still make it very versatile in practical use.
 
Summary:
The Audinst HUD-DX1 is a Swiss Army knife for your office or home desktop. It provides all crucial inputs and outputs accept for an analogue input and can even work as a bridge between your computer/laptop and a DAC lacking USB input thanks to its optical output.
 
Priced at $400 it may not offer the best value when it comes to sound but if you value its great amount of connections it may still be a worthy contender for your new rig. Also if you’ve got headphones or IEM’s that match the sound signature of the HUD-DX1 I’d still rate it as a very good performer. Adding another $69 to the total cost by upgrading the op amps to the Burson Audio V5i is highly recommended in my opinion. Not only does this upgrade delivers the biggest difference in sound that I’ve ever experienced from op amp rolling so far but it actually makes the overall value of the Audinst HUD-DX1 better since it holds up much better to other competitors in the price class this way.
 
Audio Quality: 3.5
Design: 4
Quality: 4.5
Value: 3.5
Features: 4.5
 
With the V5i op amps mounted in the HUD-DX1 I’d probably rate the total Audio Quality to 4-4.5 and value to 4.
 


Once again the light box was occupied when I came to do the photos

The PMV A-01 MK2 was sent to me from PMV by the help on Penon Audio. Thank you to both for let me try them out.
 
The price at the time of this review was $79.
  
The PMV A-1 MK2 is available from the Penon Audio website:
 
http://penonaudio.com/PMV-A-01
 
I’m not in any way affiliated with PMV or Penon Audio.
 

 
 

 
 
About me:
 
Built and accessories:
The PMV A-01 MK2 is a triple hybrid IEM featuring a 10mm dynamic driver and a double BA driver. They’re available in one flavor only as far as I’m aware.
 
As the name suggest the PMV A-01 MK2 is the new version of the original A-01 that was an excellent sub $100 hybrid in my opinion. Although the upgrades made are not huge and most of build and fir is still identical there’s certainly some changes made.
 
I’ve reviewed the original PMV A-01 earlier and a lot will be similar in the two reviews. For those who would like to read my review of the first version it’s available here:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/products/pmv-a-01-hybrid-in-ear-monitor/reviews/15876
 
Given my great experience with the first version I was thrilled to get the opportunity to check out the new one as well, so lets find out more about differences and similarities.
 
The cable is two parted with a clothed part below the Y-split and more normal rubber above it. The clothed part is quite thick and I’d have preferred a thinner solution. The upper rubber part of the cable seems to tangle a bit more than average. There’s no chin slider, which is a must for me with over ear fit, so I made my own one.  The 3.5 mm connector is straight which I personally don’t like so an angled one would have been more appreciated. That being said the connector is very sturdy and thicker than normal. Strain reliefs are in place in the right places and the Y-split is solid. The strain relief on the MK2 is changed from the original version as feel even more durable now.
 
The build in general seem solid. The back plate of the housings is metal while the front is plastic but they still feel sturdy and reliable.
 
The L/R marking is white on silver and I’d have preferred the marking to be easier to see but on the other hand the design makes them fit correct one way only so it’s not a big deal.
 
The retail package has also changed from the original version and the new one is a lot smaller while still being quite nice and about average for the price point.
 

Old large package vs new small one

Old to the left and new to the right in both pictures

Old on top, new below
 
The accessories pack is pretty standard and I’ve seen both less and more stuff included at this price point. This is what’s included:
 
6 pairs of silicone tip (S/M/L)
2 pairs of foam tips
1 pair of double flange tips
1 pair of earhooks
1 shirt clip
1 zippered storage pouch
 
The PMV A-01 MK2 is quite easy to drive and worked very well with all the sources I’ve tried it with including cellphones. They’re actually a bit easier to drive than the first release but no dramatic difference.
 

 

 

 

 
The specs:
 
Fit and ergonomics:
I find the PMV A-01 MK2’s to be very comfortable and got no problem wearing them for several hours. They are over ear only wearing style and they sit quite flush to the ear so I’ve got no problem using them when going to sleep. They’re also very light and I don’t get any “hot-spots” when wearing them for longer time.
 
The short stem made finding the right tips quite challenging for me on the first version and although it has the same length on the new one there’s a change in the design and I find it easier to get the right fit with the MK2’s. While the original version had no “lip” at the end of the stem which made it troublesome when hunting for the right tips and I got multiple tips left in my ears when pulling the IEM’s out with them the MK2 now has the “lip” in place and the tips stays properly in place all the time with them. The bass port is located on the inside of the housings which means that you ear anatomy will have an impact on how much bass impact you get. Although the bass port is still located in the same place the easier fitment with the MK2’s makes the sound much more consistent with the new version, or at least it’s easier to avoind them sounding too thin. I can’t really say why this happens but going back and forth between the two this is obvious, at least with my ears.
 
The included double flange tips work great for me with the MK2 and that’s what I’ve been using during this review.
 
Isolation is below average but still ok with double flange tips and music playing.
 
Sound:
I’ve used them in my rotation for the last couple of weeks and they’ve played for well over 100 hours. I’ve used them both around the house and when out and about and I haven’t really found any significant weaknesses in the way they’re designed.
 
I’ve mainly used them with my LG G3 phone as well as the Audinst HUD-DX1and my FiiO X3/Cayin C5 combo and although they’ve worked well with all sources I’ve tried them with. While I enjoyed the first version the most with a source that’s warm and smooth the MK2’s sounds great with all sources.
 
As already mentioned this review is made with the stock double flange tips on them.
 
Demo list:
 
The overall sound signature on the PMV A-01 MK2 is well balanced with great clarity, a good mid bass impact and speed as well as a nice 3D presentation and excellent resolution.
 
The sub-bass extension is good but not great and impact is also good. Mid-bass presence is also good with good speed and control that gives a clean and clear presentation without any bass-bleed worth mentioning. Total bass is definitely enough to give the necessary drive to electronic- and pop music without going overboard.
 
The midrange is well in line with the rest of the frequencies, maybe even ever so slightly forward. Male voices have enough weight to feel full and natural and female vocals sounds even better with good help from the excellent clarity and effortless presentation from the PMV’s. This is, just like with the original version, one of the better reproduction of female vocals and also acoustic guitars I’ve heard in a sub $100 IEM.  
 
The treble is well extended with good detail and never feels harsh to my ears but rather delicate and accurate.
 
Clarity and micro details are well above average for an IEM at this price point. The combination of this amount of clarity and smooth presentation is not something I’ve experienced with many (if any) sub $100 IEM’s.   Soundstage width is good and depth, which was not quite on par with the width on the original version, is the biggest difference between the two and 3D feeling as well as timbre to the notes is now very good on them.  Resolution, on both the original and upgraded version, is probably the best I’ve come across so far in a sub $100 offering.
 
Comparison:
Please note that the comments in the comparison section are not in absolute terms but in comparison between subject A and B. This means (as an example) that if subject A is found to be brighter than subject B it does not necessarily mean that subject A is bright sounding in absolute terms. I hope this makes sense.
 
These comparisons were done listening through the FiiO X3/iBasso D14 combo.
 
PMV A-01 vs PMV A-01 MK2
Sub-bass have quite similar extension on both while the impact is quite a bit more noticableon the MK2. The MK2’s has more mid bass presence though, giving them a touch more warmth through the whole frequency range. The mid-bass on the original version are actually a touch tighter and better for my preference.  The midrange is very similar on both with the difference that it’s slightly fuller and warmer on the MK2.  Soundstage width is quite similar with maybe a slight advantage to the original version while the MK2’s have better 3D imaging and timbre to the notes due to being a bit more on the warm side. Treble has similar extension and clarity on both but the MK2 is a bit fuller here as well. The difference between these two are not very big and although I prefer the bass on the first version by a slight margin the overall presentation with a bit more warmth is better on the MK2’s in my opinion. The first version could get a bit too thin in the upper midrange on some recordings and this is not the case with the MK2’s. Not a big difference but a welcome one.
 
I find both of these very comfortable.
 
The MK2’s are a bit easier to drive.
 
Isolation is identical on them.
 
LZ-A2S vs PMV A-01 MK2:
Compared to the MK2’s the LZ-A2S have slightly less sub-bass extension and impact. The A2S got more impact in the mid- and upper bass. The MK2’s on the other hand has faster bass response and less bloom. The MK2’s also have a slightly more forward midrange and more natural sounding female vocals while male vocals are equally good on both.  The treble rolls off a bit early on the A2S while the PMV’s have very good extension. The treble is full, warm and non-fatiguing on both of them but even more so on the A2S’s while the PMV’s have better detail. The PMV also have a wider soundstage, better clarity and a higher resolution while the A2S is more intimate and smoother.
 
I find them both equally comfortable but the A2S, being straight barrel, will probably be more easy to take in and out of the ears for most people.
 
Build in general feels equally good on both.
 
The A2S is slightly harder to drive.
 
Isolation is slightly better on the LZ-A2S.
 
TFZ SERIES 5 vs PMV A-01 MK2:
Compared to the MK2 the TFZ 5 has more bass presence.  Sub-bass extension is better and impact is higher with the TFZ 5’s and they’ve also got quite a bit more mid- and upper bass presence. Compared to the fast, hard and detailed bass response on the PMV’s the bass on the TFZ5’s sounds a bit loose and muddy. The midrange on the MK2’s is more forward and has better clarity.  Male vocals sound great with both of them while female voices sound a bit more natural on the PMV’s. The treble is quite full on both but the extension is slightly better on the PMV’s while the TFZ’s slightly smoother. The PMV’s has better clarity, micro details and overall resolution. The PMV’s also have a bit better soundstage width while depth and 3D presentation is slightly better on the TFZ’s
 
I find the PMV’s to be more comfortable and they also sit much flusher to my ears.
 
Build quality feel equally good on both.
 
The TFZ’s are slightly harder to drive.
 
Isolation is similar on both.
 
Summary:
The PMV A-01 was a great introduction to hybrids at an affordable price. The MK2 version does improve even further on it. Although the mid-bass on the original version is ever so slightly better to me I’ve got no doubt that the MK2 is the better IEM. It sports better build quality (better strain reliefs and “lip” on the stem to keep the tips safely in place) as well as a better 3D presentation and a slightly warmer and more enjoyable sound. In total the MK2 fixes pretty much the few negatives I had on my list from the first version.
 
The PMV A-01 MK2 is indeed an excellent offering that will be an easy recommendation for anyone looking for a fairly well balanced a non-fatiguing pair of IEM’s with very good vocal reproduction and the best resolution I’ve heard so far in the $100 segment.
 

This is a review of the SIMGOT EN700 IEM’s.
 

 
 

 
 
 
The SIMGOT EN700 was purchased by me from Shenzhen Audio. The retail price for them is $99.
 
http://www.shenzhenaudio.com/simgot-en700-in-ear-dynamic-earphone-24-original.html
 
I’m not in any way affiliated with SIMGOT or Shenzhen Audio.
 
About me:
Built and accessories:
The SIMGOT EN700 is a in ear monitor featuring one 10mm dynamic driver.
 
AFAIK it comes only in one flavor without a microphone.
 
The cable has a straight 3.5 mm connector and though I personally prefer angled connectors the one in use here seems very reliable.
 
The cable is round and flexible but still feels a bit on the cheap side. The over the ears wearing style makes microphonics pretty much non-existing. The chin slider is also in place the way I like it. Unfortunately the EN700 also has fixed memory wire for a more secure over the ear fit, I really don’t like memory wire as I never seem to get the perfect fit with IEM’s that has it. I much prefer a regular cable and a pair of included ear-hooks or even better a detachable one.
 
The build in general seem very solid. The housings are all metal and feel well made. Strain relief is in place on all the crucial points and the Y-split is also solid without being overly large.
 
Left/Right markings are quite easy to spot and the over ear wearing style makes it pretty much impossible to reverse the channels.
 
The retail package is very impressive for the price point and could easily have been for a much more expensive offering. The high qualtiy leather pouch is just the frosting on the cake.
 
The accessories pack is ok at the price and includes the following:
6 pairs silicon tips (S,M,L)
1 velcro band to put around the cable
1 Cleaning tool
1 leather pouch to store them in when not in use
 
The SIMGOT EN700’s easy to drive and worked very well with all the sources I’ve tried it with including cellphones. I don’t find them to benefit significantly from a more powerful amplifier but the do benefit from a clean source and perform best with a full or even warm source.
 

 

 

 

 
The specs:
 
Fit and ergonomics:
Despite some minor issues with the memory wire I find the SIMGOT EN700 to be quite comfortable and got no problem wearing them for several hours. The housings are wide and flat making them possible to use without any discomfort even when lying on the side in bed. The included tips are ok but in the end I found out that I enjoy them the most with Sony MH1C tips.
 
Isolation is about average, maybe slightly below and if blocking out external noise is of great concern other offerings might be better. That being said they’re still ok especially with music playing.
 
Sound:
I’ve used them back and forward in the last couple of weeks and they’ve played for well over 100 hours. I’ve used them both around the house and when out and about and I haven’t really found any significant weaknesses in the way they’re designed.
 
I’ve used them with my LG G3 phone and FiiO X3 combined with the Cayin C5 as well as the Burson Audio Conductor Air and although they’ve worked very well with all of them I find them to perform their best with a warmer sound like the X3 or X3/C5 but they also sound very good with the dynamic and detailed sound from the Air.
 
As already mentioned I enjoy the SIMGOT EN700 the most with my Sony MH1C tips.
 
Demo list:
The overall sound signature on the SIMGOT EN700 is well balanced, smooth, detailed and a bit on the bright side with a subdued mid-bass.
 
The sub-bass extension is surprisingly good given the overall signature on the EN700. It doesn’t reach quite as low as the best but still enough to be enjoyable with bass heavy music. Sub-bass impact is also quite good and the texture of the sub-bass is tight and well controlled.  Mid- and upper-bass presence is way less than the sub-bass. Despite the subdued mid-and upper bass they still perform surprisingly well with electronic and other bass driven music.
 
The midrange is well in line with the upper bass staying clean and clear but being a bit on the thin side and lacking in depth. The presentation feels very well balanced and controlled but lacks a bit of drive due to the low amount of higher bass. Male vocals and string instruments feels slightly on the thin side lacking a bit of weight. Female vocals are very enjoyable and non-fatiguing.
 
The treble is very well extended and despite being on the thinner side it manages to never get harsh or fatiguing.
 
Clarity and micro details are about average for an IEM at this price point. Soundstage width and height is very good but depth and 3D feeling is lacking quite a bit.  
 
All in all the SIMGOT EN700 offers a pretty unique listening experience with its well balanced and brighter presentation without ever feeling harsh or fatiguing. 
 
Comparison:
Please note that the comments in the comparison section are not in absolute terms but in comparison between subject A and B. This means (as an example) that if subject A is found to be brighter than subject B it does not necessarily mean that subject A is bright sounding in absolute terms. I hope this makes sense.
 
These comparisons were done listening from my phone through the Audinst HUD-DX1 .
 
Havi B3 Pro1 ($59) vs SIMGOT EN700:
Compared to the SIMGOT EN700 the sub-bass on the original B3’s doesn’t reach as deep and bass quality is equally great on both. Mid-bass is actually more present on the B3’s and they’re also over all a notch warmer sounding making their presentation slightly fuller across the frequencies with the exception of the already mentioned lowest bass. The midrange on the B3’s is also more forward and vocals sound more natural. Treble extension is also pretty similar with a slight advantage to the EN700, and once again the presentation is fuller on the B3’s. The soundstage width and height is pretty similar on both but the B3’s has better depth, timbre to the notes and 3D presentation.
 
I find the B3’s more comfortable due to my issues with the memory wire on the EN700.
 
I like the metal housings on the SIMGOT EN700 better but the angled connector and cable is better on the B3’s.
 
They EN700 are much easier to drive.
 
Isolation is better on the Havi’s.
  
PMV-A01 MK2 ($79) vs SIMGOT EN700:
Compared to the EN700 the PMV’s has a fuller presentation with more warmth. The sub-bass on the PMV’s digs deeper but the difference are not large. When it comes to mid-bass they’ve got quite a bit more presence though giving them a fuller and warmer all-over presentation.  The PMV’s does have some bass bleed into the midrange though and this is certainly never the case on the EN700’s.The midrange is also fuller and vocals are more forward on the PMV’s while the EN700’s are more linear. The treble extension is quite similar on both with maybe a slight advantage to the EN700. The EN700 has a thinner and more airy treble while the PMV’s are fuller. Despite the EN700 being the brighter of the two the PMV’s has at least the same amount of clarity and detail retrieval. The EN700’s has a wider soundstage and more airy presentation while the PMV’s have better depth and 3D presentation.
 
Fit is very similar on these two and I find them to be equally comfortable.
 
Build quality is good on both but I prefer the cable and connector on the PMV’s.
 
The PMV is easier to drive.
 
Isolation is pretty similar and quite low on both.
 
LZ A2S ($70) vs SIMGOT EN700:
Compared to the A2S the SIMGOT has better soundstage width and much less mid-bass impact.  The A2S has deeper sub-bass and overall more bass presence but also more boomy mid-bass. The overall signature of the SIMGOT’s brighter while the A2S are fuller as a result of the mentioned higher bass presence. The lack of mid- and upper-bass on the EN700’s makes male vocals sounding a bit this and nasal when compared to the A2S. When it comes to female vocals the EN700’s actually pulls slightly ahead with its brighter presentation. The midrange has similar presence on both but is much fuller on the A2S. The treble on the SIMGOT has better extension but is also much thinner. Soundstage width and height is better on the EN700 but the A2S has much better depth.
 
I find the A2S to be the more comfortable of the two.
 
Build quality is good on both but I prefer the lack of memory wire, cable and angled connector on the A2S.
 
The A2S are easier to drive.
 
Isolation is better on the A2S.
 
Summary:
The SIMGOT EN700 offers a quite unique presentation with a very low amount of mid-bass but still enough sub-bass to be enjoyable with most music in combination with a great and detailed and airy upper range that manage to stay smooth and non-fatiguing. Personally I’d have liked a bit more warmth and mid-bass presence to give a greater sense of timbre and depth to the presentation but I’m sure a lot of people who enjoys a more analytical and cooler sound will love the EN700 because it does what it does very well.
 
In addition to being well built they also look absolutely amazing and is great to use in bed while going to sleep due to the flat housings. 
 

The Chord Mojo was loaned to me by fellow Head-Fier @kvad. Thank you very much for giving me the chance to me hear it!
 

 

 
 
 
The Chord Mojo is available from Penon Audio and numerous other online and domestic (most places) resellers. The price at the time of this review was $599: 
 
http://penonaudio.com/Chord-Mojo,
 
For more information about the Mojo you can also visit the Chord Electronics website:
 
http://chordelectronics.co.uk/mojo/
 
I’m not in any way affiliated with Penon Audio or Chord Electronics.
 
Short introduction to Chord Electronics:
Chord Electronics was established in 1989. It’s a British based company known and appreciated for their upper end audio products for both professional and home usage.
 
This is what they say about themselves and their technology on their website:
Chord Electronics was founded in 1989 by John Franks who had previously held Directorships with Astec, the world leader in high frequency power supplies, Raytheon and AT&T. A thorough mix of graduate level intellect, design experience and dedicated craft persons embody Chords production team, with our sales being achieved through a reputation of technical excellence, reliability and superb sound quality.
 
Years of research and innovation have been invested in the Chord range. From the outset, when Chord started applying the technologies that lifted products from the mainstream, the company has been leading the field. With the watchwords of innovation and uncompromised audio quality, we have consistently invested our products with precision engineering and attention to detail. This is as true for our professional products as the astonishing hi-fi portfolio that continually wins the hearts and minds of listeners and reviewers alike.
 
About me:
 
Built, accessories and functionality:
The Chord Mojo is a DAC with a variable line out that's designed to drive IEMs and headphones.  
 
The Mojo is available in one version in the color black.
 
Output power is rated to 720mW@ 8Ohm and 35mW@600Ohm, I’ve also read about measurements rating the output to 680mW@16Ohm (@50Hz) but this is not official so take it with a grain of salt. Output impedance is rated at a very low 0,075Ohms.
 
The Mojo is very solidly built at has a good weight to it making it feel very durable. The chassis is covered my some paint like material making it less prone to scratches than bare metal. The physical controls available on it doers also feel very reliable and not loose in any way. Personally I would have preferred a thinner form factor with a larger footprint (if necessary) for easier stacking with a phone or DAP but I can also see the advantage with the currant design for home usage.  The overall impression of the Mojo is still that it’s a very well built and thought through piece of equipment.
 
The Mojo offers one micro USB digital audio input and one separate micro USB power input. It also offers both coaxial and optical inputs. For the output there are two 3.5mm outputs for headphones making it possible for two persons listening at the same time or very convenient when comparing headphones or IEM’s.  I’d like to have an analogue input as well to be able to combine it with other, non-digital sources.
 
The Mojo works very well with Android when connected with an OTG cable and using USB Audio Player Pro (UAPP) as music player. Although Android and sound does not have a great reputation the Mojo have worked with every Android device I’ve tried it with (sometimes with the help of UAPP). The internal battery does eliminate the need for power banks or other external power when using it with a phone or tablet, it does also help with power drain that is much less from the hosting device than when using a product without internal battery. For further information about the complex relationship between Android and DAC’s I highly recommend visiting this excellent thread:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs
 
The Mojo is also supposed to work with Apple devices using the Camera Connection Kit (CCK) but I haven’t been able to test this myself.
 
The biggest advantage of the Mojo may also be its biggest downfall in my opinion.
 
The Mojo support all popular file formats for audio up to DSD512 and 32bit/768kHz files.
 
On the top of the unit you’ll find physical buttons for changing the volume up/down. These have the same design as the indicator showing what sample rate is played (by showing different colors) giving a very neat visual presentation.
 
The accessories included are:
1 USB cord
 

 

 
The specs:

1. Micro USB 768KHz/32bit capable
2. 3.5mm jack coaxial 768KHz/32bit capable
3. Optical Toslink 192KHz/24-bit capable
4. Output Power( at 1kHz)：
5. 35mW@600Ohm
6. 720mW@8Ohm
7. Output Impedance: 0.075Ohms
8. Dynamic Range: 125dB
9. THD( at 3v):0.00017%
10. Size:82x60x22mm
11. Weight:180g

 
I’ve used the Mojo for the last eight days and my unit arrived already burned in.
 
Demo list:
 
Sound impression:
I’ve got to be honest and admit that I find it pretty difficult to describe the sound from an amplifier. To me the sound of headphones/IEM’s is more easy to describe than that of amplifiers and DAC’s but I’ll do my best and hopefully the comparison section will also be of help.
 
The first thing that I noticed when I started to listen to the Mojo was the amazing amount of air and space it produced.
 
Bass extension and quality is very good and I don’t feel as if there’s any noticeable roll off in the lower frequencies. Mid- and upper-bass is more subdued contributing to the great sense of space and airiness that the Mojo produces.  Although the impact of higher bass is quite low the Mojo never sound thin in its presentation but rather airy and relaxed.
 
The midrange is liquid and smooth with plenty of details. The Mojo sounds very linear through all frequencies and the midrange is no exception. Nothing stands out and it sounds very natural and makes a very relaxing listening experience.
 
The treble is very well extended, airy and smooth. It adds further to the liquid non-fatiguing and natural overall sound. As a matter of fact I think the treble reproduction is the best part of the Mojo’s sound. I find it really good and it has an almost hazy character (in a very good way) while stil keeping all the details.
 
The overall presentation has great soundstage in all directions and layering is very good as is the amount of air between the instruments. The background does also feel very close to perfectly black. Transparency and dynamics is also easily noticed. The timbre on instruments is also quite good and vocals sound very seductive and intriguing.  All together I’d describe the sound of the Mojo as natural and airy.
 
Comparison:
Please note that the comments in the comparison section are not in absolute terms but in comparison between subject A and B. This means (as an example) that if subject A is found to be brighter than subject B it does not necessarily mean that subject A is bright sounding in absolute terms. I hope this makes sense.
 
In these comparisons I’ve been listening through my AKG Q701’s.
 
Both units was connected to a simple switch box through their respectively headphone outputs. This way it’s very easy to switch between the sources in minimal time. I also use a simple Android app to volume match the amplifiers so although maybe not perfectly scientifically the result should still be pretty correct.
 
I’ve been comparing the USB input on both units. Both has been hooked up to two different phones both running UAPP which bypasses the Android sound management.
 

 
Burson Audio Conductor V2+ (1,499) vs Chord Mojo:
The V2+ is the heart of my main system and I really love both its features and sound.
 
Compared to the Mojo the V2+ has slightly less airiness in its presentation while soundstage width is quite similar. The V2+ has better bass presentation with both better impact and higher quality (better layering) this is actually quite easy to hear with the Q’s.  The greater bass quality, I don’t feel that the V2+ adds bass in any way but I do feel that the mid- and upper-bass on the Mojo is a bit subdued, makes the V2+ more dynamic sounding and with better definition while the Mojo is more airy in its presentation. Both are top notch when it comes to detail retrieval. In short I’d say that the V2+ is more dynamic and engaging while the Mojo is more laid back and relaxed.
 
The V2+ of course has some other advantages such as significantly higher power output (4W @32Ohms compared to 720mW@8Ohm on the Mojo), two analogue RCA inputs and both pre-amp and DAC direct RCA outputs. In addition it also has a great quality remote control. The mojo on the other hand has internal battery, is portable and generally MUCH smaller making its usage field larger.
 
Although both these are excellent offerings the overall built and larger amount of connections definitely makes the V2+ the more suitable in a home system. Sound wise it may be more up to personal preference but I’d put the V2+ slightly ahead here as well. The V2+ is a 7 kg brick costing 2.5 times that of the Mojo though.
 
Audinst HUD-DX1 ($399) vs Chord Mojo:
Compared to the Mojo the Audinst has a fuller but also less refined sound. The Mojo feels more effortless and has a wider soundstage with more air in the presentation, the Audinst definitely the warmer sounding of the two. The Audinst unit also has the most bass presence of the two but the bass on the Mojo seems better controlled and bath reaches equally low on both of them. The Mojo has better detail retrieval and is also the more natural sounding of the two while the Audinst offer more energy and attack while still maintaining warm and smooth. The treble on the Mojo is more airy, detailed and natural to my ears.
 
Feature wise the Mojo offers both coaxial and optical inputs in addition to the micro USB input. The Auidinst has an old school USB type B sound input in addition to an optical input. The Audinst also has both optical and RCA line outputs while the Mojo has only the dual headphone out as its only outputs. The Audinst does actually also offer dual headphone outputs but instead of two 3.5mm ones it has one 3.5 and one 6.3mm, this is actually very convenient and you won’t have to fiddle around with adapters. The Mojo also has an internal battery making it more versatile when used with phones and tablets on the go but less so when paired to a computer due to the fact that it runs quite hot in such applications. The footprint of the Mojo is much smaller. Build quality feels very solid on both units with a small advantage to the Mojo.
 
Burson Audio Conductor Air ($499) vs Chord Mojo:
I’ve also compared the Mojo the Burson Audio Conductor Air in my review of that unit posted just a little while ago so instead of doing the same again making it boring for those who might have read both reviews I’ll leave the link for it right here, just scroll down to the comparison section:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/products/burson-audio-conductor-air/reviews/16536
 

Size comparison Mojo and Air
 
 
 
For even further comparisons feel free to visit this thread for breakdown between more $250+ amp/DAC units (this is a work in progress and several other units will follow in the near future).
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/816410/peter123s-250-amp-dac-combo-comparison-thread
 
Matching:
The output impedance of the headphone out on the Mojo is rated to 0.075Ohm. This means that it could pretty much be paired with any IEM’s or headphones out there without concern.
 
In this section I’ve tested how some of my favorite headphones but also one earbud and one pair of IEM’s pairs up with the Mojo.  
 
AKG Q701 ($300):
The Q’s pairs up very nicely with the Mojo. The neutral relaxed sound actually suits the Q’s surprisingly good. The Mojo has no problem at all to power the Q’s to louder listening levels. I was kind of expecting the signature of the Mojo to make the Q’s a bit unengaging but that’s certainly not the case. The treble quality of the Mojo really shines in this pairing and female vocals sound as good as I’ve ever heard them as a matter of fact the Mojo really gives the V2+ a run for its money with them.
 
Philips Fidelio X2 ($300):
The X2’s is also a great match with the Mojo. The full sound of the X2’s pairs very well with the clean, clear and airy presentation of the Mojo. Although the Fidelio’s pretty easy to drive they really scale with a good source and amp and the Mojo gives it enough low end hump without adding any extra unwanted mid-bass.  This combination is really fun to listen to and has a great drive to the music that really makes me forget all about analyzing the sound and rather just enjoy the music.
 
VE Zen 2.0 ($138):
The Zen 2.0 is a 300Ohm earbud that I like a lot and tend to use instead of closed headphones.
 
The soft and smooth signature from the Zen 2.0 works pretty well with the relaxed presentation of the Mojo. The Zen 2.0 sounds very wide and airy when driven from the Mojo but I’ve heard them perform better from sources with a more dynamic presentation. I can help feeling that they lack some dynamics and drive when driven from the Mojo. Not a bad pairing but I’ve heard better ones.
 
Aurisonics ASG-1PLUS ($500):
The ASG-1PLUS is an 11Ohm hybrid IEM (1 DD + 1 BA).
The 1PLUS, being one of my all-time favorite IEM’s, was the first thing I hooked up to the Mojo for an initial listening when it first arrived.  To be honest I was pretty underwhelmed from the experience and although it didn’t sound bad I felt as if I was expecting more after all I’ve read about the Mojo. The presentation of the 1PLUS is actually very similar to that of the Mojo: relaxed, smooth, airy and with a bit subdued upper bass presence. Together this became a bit too much for my preference resulting in a sound that was a bit unengaging and lacking in drive and dynamics.  Like I said: not bad, but certainly not the best pairing either. 
 
Super Audio 6 ($250):
The Super Audio 6 (SA6) is a six BA driver Chinese DIY offering. It has a warm, smooth, intimate and mid-centric overall presentation.
 
The combination of these two makes a stunning listening experience, probably one of the best I’ve ever had with a pair of IEM’s. The full and lush presentation from the SA6 seems to be a perfect match for the amazing sense of space and air that the Mojo offers. The smooth and warm nature of the SA6 is not super revealing and can get a bit overly creamy with a warm source but with the Mojo it’s has more detailed and airy than I’ve ever heard it before.
 
To sum up the matching section the signature of the Mojo does make some of my headphones and IEM’s sound better than I’ve ever heard them before, with some (a clear minority) I do find it to lack a bit of dynamics and drive though. The very low amount of hiss as well as enough power for all my full sized headphones does still make it very versatile in practical use.
 
Summary:
The Chord Mojo is indeed an excellent product. It packs a lot of features such as internal battery, small size, several connection options and combines it with excellent sound quality. It has a relaxed and laid back presentation that works very well with most headphones and IEM’s but not all. Despite being able to do the work in a home system replacing units much larger and potentially more expensive than itself I can’t help feeling that it is an easier recommendation for portable usage. The reason for this is that it does get very hot when being permanently connected to a laptop or computer (which I would believe would be the most common use of it in a home system) combined with the fact that constant charging might not be the best thing for the battery. I’ve also read several complaints about unwanted shut down while connected to a laptop for longer times and although this has never happened to me in the time I’ve had it I’d still be careful with using it in such a configuration.  Ironically enough the same battery is also one of the major reasons why it’s probably one of, if not the best product I’ve tried so far for portable use.
 
Actually the Mojo is the best amp/DAC combo that I’ve come across so far for portable usage.
 
Audio Quality: 5
Design: 4
Quality: 4.5
Value: 5
Features: 5
 

This is a review of the Super Audio 6 driver IEM.
 
The Super Audio 6 driver (SA 6) was purchased by me from Aliexpress. It’s also available from multiple sellers on Taobao with prices starting from about $160 plus shipping, handling and broker fee for those who need to use a forwarding service.
 

  

 
Here’s one random seller on Taobao, I find it pretty hard to search there but the “similar item” on the bottom of the page will show alternative sellers:
 
http://m.intl.taobao.com/detail/detail.html?id=523860580368&wp_m=double_goods_6744510589&wp_pk=shop/index_845842348_1039905&from=inshop&wp_app=weapp
 
I’m not in any way affiliated with Super Audio.
 
About me:
 
Built and accessories:
The Super Audio 6 driver is a 6 driver BA configuration that sports three double BA drivers (two TWFK 30265 and one 30017). SA6 is the first multi BA only IEM experience for me but my experience so far with different driver configurations is that tuning means a lot more than type or number of drivers.  The SA 6 are available in the colors blue, white or yellow, I opted for the white one.
 
They dos not come with a cable included so you’ll have to purchase one separately or use one that you’ve already got.  I got a LZ A3 replacement cable along with my pair and I find Ii it to be an excellent cable so it’s the one I use daily with them. I’ve also tried some other cables that I’ve got but haven’t really noticed any difference in sound between them.
 
The build in general is very solid. The housings are acrylic plastic and feel really sturdy and reliable. The MMCX cable connector points on the housings seem to be very tight and once the cable is connected it takes quite a bit of power to remove it so it stays in place without any problems. The SA6 are handmade so expect at least one week processing time before they ship. When ordering them you can actually put in a request for MMCX or two pin connectors for your pair, pretty nice feature in my book.  As a matter of fact build quality is actually among the better I’ve ever seen in a pair of IEM’s.
 
There really are no L/R marking on the housings themselves at all and although they only fit one way I’d have preferred some kind of marking on them but it’s not a big deal to me.
 
The retail package is actually not a retail package but just a zippered storage pouch with some tips and the housings inside.
 
The accessories pack is pretty standard and I’ve seen both less and more stuff included at this price point. This is what’s included:
3 pair of silicone tip (S/M/L)
2 pair of foam tips
1 zippered storage pouch
 
The SA6  is quite easy to drive and worked very well with all the sources I’ve tried it with including cellphones.
 

 

 

 
The specs:
 
Fit and ergonomics:
I find the SA6’s to be very comfortable and I’ve got no problem wearing them for several hours. They are over ear wearing style only and they sit quite flush to the ear their size taken into consideration. They’re however not super small (naturally, given the number of drivers in there) so they’re not ideal to sleep on the side with.
 
The stem is quite short and the general fit reminds me a lot about that on the Aurisonics ASG-1PLUS. This is a kind of fit that I personally like a lot and I find it quite easy to find the right tips for this design. I find that the sound doesn’t change much between different tip options so it’s more a question of comfort and level of isolation to me. I’ve got to say that I find it very nice to just be able to push them into my ears without having to worry about driver flex, vacuum or other problems that might occur with dynamic drivers.
 
Isolation is good to very good on them depending on tips used. With the JVC Spiral dots they isolate about average but with Brainwavz double flanges they’re one of the best isolation IEM’s that I own. I’ve used these on a couple of four hours flight and the isolation was excellent and the all BA configuration helped a lot to make these my best IEM’s  to use on flights.
 
In total these are one of, if not the, most comfortable pair of IEM’s I’ve ever tried.
 

 
Sound:
I’ve used them on and off IEM for the last couple of months and they’ve played for well over 100 hours. I’ve used them both around the house and when out and about and I haven’t really found any significant weaknesses in the way they’re designed.
 
I’ve mainly used them with my LG G3, the FiiO X3/Cayin C5 combo as well as the HifeMe Sabre 9018 USB DAC abut also the Burson Audio Conductor Air and the Mojo well with all sources I’ve tried them with. Despite not being the most revealing IEM’s out there they do most certainly scale with a better source and they sounds absolutely amazing out of  the Mojo.
 
This review is made with double flange tips on them.
 
Demo list:
 
My first thought when I put these in my ears for the first time went to the Aurisonics ASG-1PLUS and Rockets. As already mentioned the SA6 are my first multi driver BA only pair of IEM’s (although I own several hybrids and single BA’s) so I wasn’t really sure on what to expect when I listened to them for the first time. Let’s find out more about what they offer.
 
The overall sound signature on the Super Audio 6 is mid centric, intimate, warm and smooth with a very natural sounding presentation.
 
The sub-bass extension is quite good and does also have a good impact. The bass is ever so slightly on the soft side without feeling disturbingly loose. Mid-bass does also have quite good presence and share the character of the lower bass making the whole bass spectrum sounding full and soft. The amount of mid- and upper bass is actually pretty spot on for my preferences while sub-bass could have had even a bit better extension but these are in no way bass light IEM’s but rather full, lush and slightly dark sounding.
 
The midrange is definitely the star of the show here.  It follows the bass in character and is warm, smooth, full and forward. Vocals stand out in the mix and male voices have a great natural weight to them while female voices sounds lush, intimate and very natural and seductive. The upper midrange is not as forward as the lower parts making me wish for a bit more energy and sparkle occasionally.
 
The treble is quite well extended with good detail and follows line with a full and smooth presentation. There’s not even a trace of harshness here and still it doesn’t feel particularly rolled off, just once again it just sounds very natural and right.
 
The Super Audio 6 has a very coherent presentation despite its large number of drivers. It’s one of the most natural sounding IEM’s I’ve heard. The presentation is very even and non-fatiguing. Soundstage width and height is good while depth is excellent. Despite the intimate presentation the out of head feeing is actually quite good making music like Lil Dicky (thanks @Hisoundfi for the heads up ), Indila and Emika very fun to listen to with sounds popping up all around my head. The SA6 doesn’t have the highest resolution but still manage to be quite revealing of both bad recordings and different sources.
 
Comparison:
Please note that the comments in the comparison section are not in absolute terms but in comparison between subject A and B. This means (as an example) that if subject A is found to be brighter than subject B it does not necessarily mean that subject A is bright sounding in absolute terms. I hope this makes sense.
 
These comparisons were done listening through my Audinst HUD-DX1.
 
Audio-Technica CKR10 ($200) vs Super Audio 6:
Compared to the Super Audio 6 the CKR10’s have better sub-bass extension and impact, they also got slightly more presence in the mid- and upper bass and peak impact is a bit higher with them. Bass quality is also quite similar with maybe a slight advantage in layering and tightness to the CKR’s.  The midrange is forward on both but the SA6’s actually got an fuller and lusher midrange while the CKR’s got more air. Vocals are even more forward on the CKR’s but the SA6 sounds more even due to being fuller. The pure vocals quality is pretty similar on both with full and seductive presentation of both male and female voices. The treble is also quite similar in both extension and characteristic in these two: full, smooth and yet detailed. The CKR’s does also have a slightly wider soundstage and more airy presentation with a bit more energy while the SA6 are darker, lusher and more even in its presentation. Clarity and micro details are pretty similar with maybe a slight advantage to the SA6’s, the also pulls ahead in 3D presentation. The SA6’s actually sounds like a darker and lusher version of the CKR10’s while still equal, or even better, in details, clarity and 3D feeling.  
 
I find the SA6 to be the more comfortable.
Build in general is great on both but the removable cable puts the SA6 ahead.
 
They’re equally easy to drive.
 
Isolation is quite a bit better on the SA6’s.
 
Aurisonics ASG-1PLUS ($499) vs Super Audio 6:
Compared to the SA6 the 1PLUS sub-bass rolls off a bit earlier and also has less impact. The SA6’s does also have significantly more mid bass presence giving them a much better drive with a lot of music while the 1PLUS ($499) sounds much more airy. The bass quality is quite similar on both but a bit tighter on the SA6. Both of these are mid-centric IEM’s and both have a nice smooth, lush and liquid midrange presentation. The 6BA, with help from its more mid-bass presence, has a even fuller midrange and vocals are also more forward on them. They do both have excellent vocals and I’d put the SA6 ahead for male voices while the 1PLUS pulls ahead with female. The 1PLUS does also have a bit more energy to the upper midrange. Treble extension is slightly better on the 1PLYS and it does also have more a more airy presentation in the treble. Both offer amazing “out of the head” 3D presentation while soundstage width is better on the 1PLUS while the SA6 has better depth. These two are actually pretty similar in their signature being smooth and relaxed without ever feeling fatiguing. None of them are detail monster but the SA6 have a bit higher resolution and clarity. Biggest difference is definitely in the mid bass area where the greater presence on the SA6 gives them more a more intimate presentation while the subdued mid bass on the 1PLUS let them flesh out more in width and with more air. 
 
I find both of these very comfortable with a slight advantage to the SA 6.
 
Both of these have excellent build quality so I’ll call this one a tie.
 
The 1PLUS are harder to drive.
 
Isolation is very good on both but slightly better on the SA6's.
 

SA 6 compared to the ASG-1PLUS

 
Auriosonics Rockets ($249) vs Super Audio 6
These two are definitely more similar than different. They both have the midrange and vocals in focus. The SA 6’s has better extension in the sub bass and slightly better bass quality while quantity through the upper bass range is quite similar. The midrange is thick, creamy and liquid on both but the better resolution on the SA6 makes them ever so slightly more energetic as well as giving them better clarity. The treble extension on the SA 6 is also noticeable better than on the Rockets while still sharing the thick and smooth presentation. Separation and 3D feeling is equally great on both with maybe a slight advantage to the SA 6’s. To me, and this was quite a surprise I might add, the SA 6 is actually pretty much the perfect upgrade from the Rockets for anyone looking for a better extension in both ends while still maintaining, or even improve, on all the strengths of the Rockets.
 
I find both of these very comfortable but I give the nod to the SA6 for easier insertion.
 
The Rockets are harder to drive.
 
Isolation is excellent on both of these (at the top of all mu IEM’s actually).
 
Summary:
At $180-240, depending on where you buy them and if you need to use a forwarding service or not, the Super Audio 6’s are certainly not among the cheapest options when it comes to “unknown” brands from China. Despite from this they do still deliver a solid value for money and their build quality is the best I’ve ever seen from such brands.
 
The Super Audio 6 are one of the most natural sounding IEM’s I’ve ever had the pleasure to hear and its lush, smooth and slightly dark sound may not have the WOW effect that more V-shaped and/or energetic offerings can have when well executed but they hold up very well over time with their non-fatiguing presentation.
 
The Super Audio 6’s to me places itself nicely together with my other top tiers in sound (for my preferences) IEM’s like the CKR10 and ASG-1PLUS making it an easy recommendation for people curious to check out more expensive Chinese offerings as well as multi BA configurations. It’s also quite forgiving in its character making it a great all-rounder.     
 

The Burson Audio Conductor Air was sent to me by Burson Audio for the purpose of me writing an unbiased review of it.  I’d like to send a big THANK YOU to Dennis and Alex at Burson Audio for letting me check out the Burson Audio Conductor Air and answering all of my questions about the Air and the way it works.
 
The Conductor Air is available for pre-order at Indiegogo right now: 
 
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/air-pocket-sized-usb-soundcard-head-amp-preamp#/
 
As far as I understand it will also be available from the Burson Audio website in a not too distant future:
 
https://www.bursonaudio.com/products/conductor-air/
 
I’m not in any way affiliated with Burson Audio.
 

 

 
Short introduction to Burson Audio:
Burson Audio is an Australia based company founded in 1996.  They’ve specialized in making headphone amplifier and amp/DAC combos, stereo amplifiers and op amps using discrete circuits.
 
This is what says themselves about their philosophy:
Our philosophy is simple; the less our components interfere with the audio signal the more complete your musical experience. This is our core design philosophy since we began in 1996. If our equipment is designed well and transparent enough — and it is — then the pace, rhythm, timing dynamics and tonality becomes a natural expression of the music. We feel this can never be achieved with standard circuit building blocks like IC chip op-amps, IC regulators, or even standard transformers. Instead we research and develop customized discrete circuits specifically to suit their applications. Only then does each and every component in the signal path perform at its peak. And only then will the end result match our expectations.
 
About me:
 
 
Built, accessories and functionality:
Disclaimer: Please note than my unit is one of only (AFAIK) two working prototypes and is not identical to the final release unit which will be ready for shipping by the end of August 2016. One thing that I’ve been told will change is that the laser drilled holes on the front plate will be slightly bigger so that the volume indicator will be more visible from a wider angle and even under sun light. According to Burson Audio and Xmos the production units will also sport better Android support due to more up to date Xmos software inside. My unit arrived without any retail package whatsoever so hence the lack of unboxing pictures. Burson Audio assures that what’s the most important, the sound and connection options, will be identical on the units soon to be released.
 
 
I won’t be spending too much time describing the technical capabilities and specs of the Conductor Air but rather focus on built, usability and sound impression. I’ll of course add the specs here but not spend too much time talking about them. Anyone interested in more details regarding the pure technical aspect should find plenty of information by following the links posted in the beginning of this review.
 
The Burson Audio Conductor Air is a solid state headphone amplifier, DAC and pre-amplifier three in one unit.  
 
The Conductor Air is available in two different flavors: the traditional Burson Audio silver color or black. Current pre-order price starts from $419 while MSRP is said to be $499.
 
Output power is 500mW @ 32Ohms and output impedance is rated to 3Ohms.
 
The DAC chip used is the well regarded and popular ESS9018 which is paired up with Buirson Audio’s brand new V5i op amp. Amplifier chip is the TA6120A implemented in Burson Audio’s own way and it uses an Xmos USB receiver for best possible connectivity.
 
The Conductor Air is very solidly built. It uses a brushed and anodized aluminum chassis and the few physical controls that available on it feels very reliable and not loose in any way. The volume indicator is very easily visible on the front plate, even from a larger distant, when keeping the Air in an upright position. In general the Air gives an impression of a very well built and thought through piece of equipment.
 
The Air offers one micro USB digital audio input and one separate micro USB power input. For the output there are two 3.5mm outputs, one for headphones and one pre-amp out to hook it up to your stereo system or active speakers. Personally I’d like to have an analogue input as well to be able to combine it with other, non-digital sources.
 
The Air does work with Android when connected with an OTG cable and using USB Audio Player Pro (UAPP) as music player. Android and sound does not have a great reputation and that’s for a reason. I’m able to use the Air with some devices (when using UAPP) but not all. With some devices it works without an external power source but for other it seems to need external power to get recognized. Battery drain on the hosting device is about 20% per hour in my test when using a device in “airplane mode” (so not much else draining the battery). For further information about the complex relationship between Android and DAC’s I highly recommend visiting this excellent thread:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs
 
The Air is also supposed to work with Apple devices using the Camera Connection Kit (CCK) but unfortunately I don’t own the CCK so I haven’t been able to confirm this myself.
 
Some will say (and already have) that Burson Audio should have included a battery as well for the Air to be more versatile. After spending time with both the Chord Mojo and the Air lately I’m no 100% sure that I think so myself. There’s no doubt to me that the Air is designed primarily to be used by a laptop or computer. In this configuration the constant charging of the battery would not be a welcome addition to me. The heat that the Mojo generates when being permanently hooked up to my laptop makes me think that Burson Audio made the right decision leaving the battery out. In addition to this there’s also the aspect of the inevitable degradation of any battery over time.
 
The Air support all popular file formats for audio up to DSD256/DXD and 32bit/384kHz  files.
 
On the top of the unit you’ll find physical buttons for changing the volume up/down as well as completely muting the sound.  
 
The Air, like its bigger brother the V2+, also comes with a remote control in brushed aluminum that will let you change the volume and mute the sound without having to touch the Air itself.
 
The accessories included are:
1 remote control
1 USB cord
1 warranty card for a 2 years warranty
 

 

 

 

 
 
The specs:
 
 
I’ve used the Conductor Air for the last week and a half and my unit arrived already burned in.  
 
Demo list:
 
 
Pre-amplifier function:
Since I’ve got rid of my dedicated stereo system and seriously downsized my television surround sound system to be more family friendly when I got into headphones I’ve not been able to put the pre-amplifier section of the Air through any tests of its performance worth mentioning. I’ve simply just hooked it up to my humble M-Audio AV40 powered desktop speakers to check that the analog output works properly and I can confirm that it does. It may be worth noting that the pre-amp out seem to have quite a bit lower gain (volume) compared to the headphone out at the same volume setting. According to Burson Audio the pre-amp out in practical use can be considered a variable line out.
 
Sound impression:
I’ve got to be honest and admit that I find it pretty difficult to describe the sound from an amplifier. To me the sound of headphones/IEM’s is more easy to describe than that of amplifiers and DAC’s but I’ll do my best and hopefully the comparison section will also be of help.
 
The first thing that I noticed when I started to listen to the Air was how similar to the Conductor V2+ ($1,499) it sounds. It shares the same smooth but yet detailed, airy presentation with excellent bass quality and depth.  
 
Bass extension and quality is very good and I feel as if the bass reaches as deep as it possible can do. Mid- and upper-bass is well in line with the sub-bass and gives a great drive and liquid feeling to the whole presentation.
 
The midrange goes perfectly in line with the bass and is also full and entertaining. I wouldn’t say that the Air is neither warm nor bright sounding and compared to the Chord Mojo it has a less airy presentation but the Mojo is also brighter to my ears (more of the differences between these two in the comparison section). 
 
The treble is very well extended while still remaining full and smooth. It adds further to the liquid non-fatiguing and natural overall sound. I’ve been reading several reviews of other ESS9018 product where the reviewer mentions a hot or at least to some degree problematic higher frequencies presentation but there’s certainly nothing of that here that I’m able to detect.
 
The overall presentation has great soundstage in all directions and layering is very good as is the amount of air between the instruments. The background does also feel very close to perfectly black. Transparency and dynamics is also easily noticed. The treble presentation is very delicate carrying large amounts of details but still having a very smooth character.  The timbre on instruments and vocals is also very good.  All together I’d describe the sound of the Air as natural and engaging.
 
Comparison:
Please note that the comments in the comparison section are not in absolute terms but in comparison between subject A and B. This means (as an example) that if subject A is found to be brighter than subject B it does not necessarily mean that subject A is bright sounding in absolute terms. I hope this makes sense.
 
In these comparisons I’ve been listening through my AKG Q701’s.
 
I used a simple Android app to volume match the amplifiers so although maybe not perfectly scientifically the result should still be pretty correct.
 
Since the only input on the Air is a micro USB I’ve been comparing it to the USB input only on the other units as well. Both units has been hooked up to two different laptops both running Windows 7 with the same settings and I use MediaMonkey as my player of choice.
 
Burson Audio Conductor V2+ vs Burson Audio Conductor Air:
Or David vs Goliath if you so prefer.
 
While this may seem as a strange comparison due to the huge difference in size, number of connections etc. as well as price. I’d still like to make it but based on sound quality only. The reason for this is that I love the sound that my V2+ put out and I know that a lot of other V2+ owners feel the same so if I/we could get a sound that’s close to the V2+ in a portable package I (and hopefully others as well) would be super happy.
 
Compared to the Air the V2+ has a touch more airiness in its presentation, even more black background and the sub-bass impact is slightly better while they both reach equally low. Apart from these minor differences these two sound very similar. They share the same liquid, dynamic and engaging sound characteristics and although I don’t like talking about sound differences in numbers I’ll make an exception in this case only because their signatures are so similar. To my ears the Air reaches at least 90% of the sound from the V2+, which I think is very impressive given the difference in size and price.
 
The V2+ of course has a lot of other advantages such as significantly higher power output (4W @32Ohms compared to the 500mW on the Air at the same load), more inputs (both coaxial and optical as well as two analog inputs in addition the USB input) and outputs (both have pre-amp out but the V2+ does also have a DAC direct output). 
 
Chord Mojo vs Burson Audio Conductor Air:
.First of all I’d like to thank fellow Head-Fier @kvad for sending me the Mojo to use in this comparison, tusen hjertelig takk. The Mojo was probably the most talked about release of any amp/DAC combo in 2015 (and maybe even yet) so let’s find out how it compares to the air.
 
Compared to the Air the Mojo ($599) has a more airy and relaxed presentation. The Mojo is also relatively brighter contributing to the greater sense of airiness. As a matter of fact I find the Mojo to have almost too relaxed sound when paired to some IEM’s and Headphones making the sound a bit diffuse while the Air is more distinct in its presentation, this is most easily noticed in the bass department where the Air has a better mid-bass drive in comparison. In short the Air is fuller and more distinct sounding while the Mojo is more relaxed and have a greater sense of soundstage width and airiness.
 
Feature wise the Mojo offers both coaxial and optical inputs as well as dual headphone outputs. It also has an internal battery making it more versatile when used with phones and tablets on the go but less so when paired to a computer due to the fact that it runs quite hot in such applications. The footprint of the Mojo is also smaller but it’s almost 50% thicker than the Air. The Air has the additional remote control which comes in really handy for home or office use. Build quality feels very solid on both units.
 
Both these are excellent offerings and personal preference combined with intended use and pairing will be the deciding factor between these two in my opinion. As an example I prefer the Mojo paired with my Philips Fidelio X2’s and Super Audio 6 (a six BA Chinese IEM) while I prefer the Air paired with my Q701’s and Auriosonics ASG-1PLUS. The Mojo is also almost 50% more expensive (compared to lowest price on the ongoing Indiegogo campaign for the Air) and 25% more expensive than the Air’s expected MSRP. 
 
Geek Out720 vs Burson Audio Conductor Air:
The GO720 ($169) has been in my possession for about two years now and I’ve used it a lot both as a pure DAC and as a DAC/amp combo.
 
These two a quite similar in the way that they’re both obviously designed to work best when connected to a computer or laptop. Although they both work with Android units none of them would be my number one suggestion if that’s the only way you plan to use them. That being said the Air is definitely better in this aspect than the Geek Out.
 
Compared to the Air the GO720 feels more congested and lacking air in the presentation. The Air has better soundstage, separation and layering. The biggest difference however is in the bass where the GO720 feels more sluggish while the Air has much better control and still offering similar sub bass. Vocals are also more forward on some tracks with the Air. I find the Air to be a lot more refined in its overall presentation and the better performer between these two.
 
General build quality is very good on both of these. The Air has physical volume controls which I like a lot while this feature was removed from the Geek Out in a firmware update and don’t forget that the Air also sports a remote control
 
For even further comparisons feel free to visit this thread for breakdown between more $250+ amp/DAC units (this is a work in progress and several other units will follow in the near future).
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/816410/peter123s-250-amp-dac-combo-comparison-thread
 
 
Matching:
The output impedance of the headphone out on the Conductor Air is rated to 3Ohms. This means that it may not be the ideal pairing with very easy to drive headphones and IEM’s. In theory it should be paired with headphones that has an impedance of 24Ohms or greater to perform its best
 
In this section I’ve tested how some of my favorite headphones but also one earbud and one pair of IEM’s pairs up with the Air.  
 
AKG Q701:
The combination of the Conductor Air and the Q’s are very good. The neutral sound could’ve easily been a bit too much combined with the Q’s but the smooth top end and the fantastic bass response and dynamics on the Air really makes them sing. The bass on the Q’s is really deep and well layered when combined with the Air and it has no problem whatsoever to power them to louder listening levels while still maintaining control and sound excellent.
 
Philips Fidelio X2:
The X2’s is also a great match with the Air. The full sound of the X2’s pairs very well with the clean, clear and smooth presentation on the Air. Although the Fidelio’s pretty easy to drive they really scale with a good source and amp and the Air brings it to a very high level.  This combination is really fun to listen to and has a great drive to the music that really makes me forget all about analyzing the sound and rather just enjoy the music.
 
VE Zen 2.0:
The Zen 2.0 is a 300Ohm earbud that I like a lot and tend to use instead of closed headphones.
 
The soft and smooth signature from the Zen 2.0 work really well with the dynamic, yet clean and detailed, presentation of the Air. The Zen 2.0 sounds wide and airy when driven from the Air. The great bass extension and layering on the Air is also welcome when paired with the Zen’s and the dynamics in this combination is extremely good.
 
Aurisonics ASG-1PLUS:
The ASG-1PLUS is an 11Ohm hybrid IEM (1 DD + 1 BA) and I can turn the volume all the way up on the Air without any hiss being audible at all, very impressive. Sound wise it’s a very nice combination with the relaxed and soft combination of the 1PLUS and the dynamic and detailed character of the Air. I’d even go as far as to say that the Air is my new favorite pairing with the 1PLUS.   
 
To sum up the matching section the Air sounds great with every pairing I’ve tried with it and that combined with the low amount of hiss as well as enough power for all my full sized headphones does make it very versatile in practical use.
 
Summary:
Having used the Burson Audio Condutor V2+ as my main source for the last five months I was very excited to find out if Burson Audio could manage to release a “Mini Me” version of it without making too big compromises in the sound department. After spending the last twelve days with the Air I’m very happy to conclude that both the sound signature and the sound quality is very similar to that of its bigger brother.
 
The fact that the Air mange to come very close to the sound of the Conductor V2+ at a third of its price (MSRP on both products) and still keep a form factor that to me is still highly portable is very impressive. What it may lack in connections it more than makes up for in sound. To me to be able to bring along a sound very close to that of the V2+ on the train, plane, hotel room or the office is indeed excellent news.
 
The Air has proven to me that it’s a great value keeping up in sound quality not only to its sibling the V2+ but also to the highly regarded Chord Mojo, albeit with a different signature, at a lower (or even much lower in the case of the V2+) price.
 
It’s also highly versatile working well with sensitive IEM’s as well as having enough power for all but the most power hungry headphones out there. The fact that it includes a remote control and a pre-amp output also makes it a great alternative for pairing with a pair of active monitors or even a full size speaker system. Only thing I’m really missing is a 3.5mm input for it to be compatible to analogue sources as well, as a matter of fact when I think about it a combined analogue/optical input would be even better. Format support is also what one would expect from a unit of this caliber topping out at DSD256/DXD and 32bit/384kHz as well as supporting all popular formats up to that.
 
The great build quality with the brushed aluminum chassis (and matching remote) as well as solid feeling volume and mute buttons does also contribute to the feeling of the Air being a very well made and luxurious offering.
 
Once again I’ve been thoroughly impressed by an offering from Burson Audio and once again I will reward one of their products with a solid 5 star ranking. My breakdown of the rating for the Burson Audi Conductor Air would look like this:
Audio Quality: 5
Design: 5
Quality: 5
Value: 5
Features: 4
 
As a final note I’d also like to add that I really appreciate that Burson Audio now seem to start offering their products in black as well as their traditional silver color.
 

First of all I’d like to thank LZ and Lao for sending me a review sample of the LZ A2S.
 
I'd also want to thank my friend Tamal for informing me about the LZ A2S, thanks mate!
 
The retail price of the LA A2S is $70. The LZ A2S are available from Penon Audio and many other online sellers:
 
http://penonaudio.com/LZ-A2s
 
The LZ A2S was sent to me for free for review purpose but I did pay almost $100 to get them and the prototype of the upcoming LZ A4 shipped to me fastest way so that I could bring them with me on my recent holiday.
 
I’m not in any way affiliated with LZ or Penon Audio.
 

 
About me:
 
Built and accessories:
The LZ A2S is a hybrid in ear monitor featuring one balance armature driver and one 10mm dynamic driver.
 
It comes in two different styles, one with a microphone and one without. I’ve got the version with mic.
 
The cable has a 45 degree angled 3.5 mm connector just the way I prefer it.
 
The cable is round and flexible. There is some microphonics but it’s not a big problem. Wearing them over the ears makes the microphonics pretty much non-existing. The chin slider is also in place the way I like it.
 
The microphone also seems to work very well. I used these as my headset on my recent three weeks trip to Spain and even when spending most on the time on a windy beach people had no problem hearing what I was saying when talking on the phone. It also works with both Android the Apple products, both as a microphone and paly/pause button.
 
The build in general seem very solid. The housings are all metal and have a very nice weight to them. Strain relief is in place on all the crucial points and the Y-split is also solid without being overly large.
 
Left/Right markings are quite easy to spot
 
My review pair came without a retail package so I just got a zippered case holding the IEM’s and accessories.  
 
The accessories pack is ok at the price and includes the following:
6 pairs silicon tips (S,M,L)
1 pair bi-flange tips
1 pair of foam tips
1 pair of ear hooks
1 shirt clip
1 zippered case to store them in when not in use
 
The LZ A2S are very easy to drive and worked very well with all the sources I’ve tried it with including cellphones. I don’t find them to benefit significantly from a more powerful amplifier but the do benefit from a clean source.
 

 

 
The specs:
 
Fit and ergonomics:
I find the LZ A2S to be very comfortable and got no problem wearing them for several hours. The housings are quite wide and a bit on the heavy side but the rounded shape still makes them easy to insert and get a good fit with (even for me with narrow ear canals). The included tips are ok but in the end I found out that I prefer them with tips that have a wider bore.
 
Isolation is about average, maybe slightly above. I’ve used them on a couple of flights without any issues.
 
To me these are that kind of IEM's ine can just pop in your ears and enjoy without having to fiddle around with to get that perfect comfort or sound. Simply put they just work, palin and simlpe. 
 
Isolation is about average and can get further improved by the choice of tips.
 

Solid strain reliefs                                                                      Y-split

Microphone and chin slider                                                       Angled 3.5mm connector

 
Sound:
I’ve used them as my main IEM's over the last four weeks and they’ve played for well over 100 hours. I’ve used them both around the house and when out and about and I haven’t really found any significant weaknesses in the way they’re designed.
 
I’ve used them with my LG G3 phone as well as the CEntrance DACport Slim and the FiiO X3 and although they’ve worked very well with all of them.
 
As already mentioned I enjoy the LZ A2’s the most with wide bore tips.
 
Demo list:
The overall sound signature on the LZ A2S is full but still well balanced, warm, airy and laid back.
 
The sub-bass extension rolls off a bit early but I don’t feel as if this is a big problem and they’re certainly not bass light. Sub-bass impact and quality is good. Mid-bass presence is also good without going overboard too often. The mid-bass texture is similar to that of the sub-bass slightly on the slow and relaxed side. All together I find the bass to be very enjoyable on them.
 
The midrange is well in line with the rest of the frequencies, maybe even a bit forward. The presentation feels nice and full in its character and it’s certainly not recessed in any way. Male vocals and string instruments is very good with a nice organic sound to it as well as great timbre and weight. Female vocals are also very enjoyable and non-fatiguing, albeit lacking a bit of energy and sparkle.
 
The treble is pretty well extended and although there’s some roll off I don’t feel as it’s a big issue. There’s certainly a positive effect of this as well, being a very smooth presentation without any hint of sibilance.
 
Clarity and micro details are very good for an IEM with this smooth, warm and full presentation. Soundstage width and height is average but depth, airiness and 3D feeling is very good.
 
All in all the LZ A2S offers a very relaxed and non-fatiguing listening experience and delivers a decent amount bass of good quality while still keeping clarity and details on a good level as well as a mid-range that doesn’t sound recessed in any way.
 
Comparison:
Please note that the comments in the comparison section are not in absolute terms but in comparison between subject A and B. This means (as an example) that if subject A is found to be brighter than subject B it does not necessarily mean that subject A is bright sounding in absolute terms. I hope this makes sense.
 
These comparisons were done listening from my laptop through the Burson Audio Conductor Air.
 
LZ A2 vs LZ A2S:
To me the LZ A2 is a classic IEM because I feel it was the one that got the ball rolling with cheap Chinese quality hybrids, so let’s find out if the A2S is a progress from it. Compared to the A2S the sub-bass on the original A2 reach deeper but is also a bit looser. Mid-bass is quite similar in both quality and quantity but for some reason I don’t find it as intrusive on the A2S as I do on the A2, this is probable because the A2S is fuller across the whole spectrum so it feels more even in its presentation. The midrange on the A2S is also fuller and warmer helping with the more even presentation. The forwardness of the midrange is pretty similar on both. Treble extension is also pretty similar with a slight advantage to the A2S, and once again the presentation is fuller on the latest version. The soundstage width and height is pretty similar on both but the A2S has better depth and 3D presentation.
 
I find them both equally comfortable.
 
Build quality is much better on the A2S with an angled connector, better cable and lack of driver flex as biggest advantages.
 
They’re equally easy to drive.
 
Isolation is also quite similar on them.
  
SHOZY Zero vs LZ A2S:
Compared to the A2S the Zero’s has bit thinner presentation with less warmth. The sub-bass on the A2S dig deeper and they’ve also got a bit more mid-bass presence.  The midrange is fuller and more forward on the A2S, this combined with the greater warmth on the A2S is also the biggest difference between these two. The treble extension and quality is quite similar on both and they’re both warm and airy sounding with better depth than width and height.
 
I find them to be equally comfortable.
 
Build quality is good on both but I prefer the cable and angled connector on the A2S.
 
The A2S is easier to drive.
 
Isolation is pretty similar on both.
 
Simgot EN700 vs LZ A2S:
Compared to the A2S the Simgot has better soundstage width and much less mid-bass impact.  The A2S has deeper sub-bass and overall more bass presence but also more boomy mid-bass. The overall signature of the Simgot’s brighter while the A2S are fuller as a result of the mentioned bass presence. The lack of mid- and upper-bass makes male vocals sounding a bit this and nasal when compared to the A2S. When it comes to female vocals the EN700’s actually pulls slightly ahead with its brighter presentation. The midrange has similar presence on both but is much fuller on the A2S. The treble on the Simgot has slightly better extension but is also much thinner. Soundstage width is quite similar on both but the A2S has much better depth.
 
I find the A2S to be the more comfortable of the two.
 
Build quality is good on both but once again I prefer the cable and angled connector on the A2S.
 
The A2S are easier to drive.
 
Isolation is slightly better on the A2S.
 
Summary:
The LZ A2S has proven to be a solid upgrade to the classic original A2 in both sound and especially build quality. Although I personally would’ve traded a bit of mid-bass for better sub-bass extension and also would’ve appreciated a wider soundstage I think that for the great majority of users that listen to their music from a phone primarily these are a perfect offering. They’re very well built, easy to drive, have a good microphone as well as a signature that’s very enjoyable with the typical top 40 music and cost less than $100.
 
So if I look beyond my self (and many other in here) that has an arsenal of IEM’s for different music and usage I think that this is a very easy recommendation for anyone looking for a great sub $100 all-rounder. I’m talking about the consumer that would like to go from the stock earbuds that came with their phone, without shelling out a fortune, to something better. In all honestly this is probably 95% of the market. As a matter of fact all things taken into consideration I see no other option than to award the LZ A2S with a 5 star ranking and they’ll be my go-to recommendation for anyone looking for an easy to use all-purpose IEM until something else comes along to outperform them in the future. 
 

The HiFime Sabre9018 USB DAC was sendt to me from HiFimeDIY in exchange for my honest review of it.
 
I’d like to thank Steinar and HiFimeDIY for giving me the chance to check out the HiFime Sabre9018 USB DAC,  THANK YOU!
 
The HiFime Sabre9018 USB DAC is available from the HiFimeDIY website:
 
http://hifimediy.com/Sabre-9018-DAC
 
Or their Facebook page:
 
https://www.facebook.com/Hifimediy/
 
 
I’m not in any way affiliated with HiFimeDIY.
 

 
About HiFimeDIY:
I was first introduced to HiFimeDIY several years ago when I was building an power amplifier for my home speaker system. I stumbled upon their tripath based amplifier modules and purchased a couple of them and used them in one of my projects. The result was very good and it’s still in use to this day.
 
Since then they’ve developed a lot of other products as well and I’d describe them as a “no nonsense company” putting the money where it makes most sense: in the performance of their products.
 
This is what they say about themselves on their website:
“Who we are:
​We are an international team of engineers and audio enthusiasts that share the background from the audio DIY (do it yourself) community. Some of us come from jobs designing and developing PCBs for electronics factories while some are hifi enthusiasts with a good ear and special interests for equipment modding, experimenting and improvement. We started in 2010 as a non-commercial forum, but we soon found that we would like to share our products with a wider audience, which would also enable us to spend more time on what we love.
 
What we do:
We design and produce a range of audio products, mainly digital to analog converters (DACs) and power amplifiers. Our DACs are mostly based on the ESS Sabre DAC chips, and our amplifier are using class D chips from Tripath and St Microelectronics.
We also find and distribute other products that we we have found to be very useful and with good quality. This includes the Connexelectronic and Gopher power supplies, and various small useful accessories, cables and adaptors.
We also do OEM, we help to develop products and we supply parts to other brand’s products.
 
Our goal:
Our main goal is always to produce the highest sound quality products at the best price. We have our focus on improving the inside electronics while keeping a simple effective product design. Of course we also don’t mind a good looking case, so we have recently hired professional packaging and product designers to design some new cases for us.
 
Where we are:
We have several locations around the world. Our main research and production centres are in China. We also have an office in the UK for european sales, and we have warehouses in China, USA, UK, Canada and Japan.” 
 
About me:
 
Built and accessories:
The HiFime Sabre9018 USB DAC is a combined adaptive USB DAC and headphone amplifier designed to be used with computers, laptops and some Android devices.
 
The external build of the HiFime seems to be very durable. That being said this is not a device that will win any design awards. To me that perfectly fine, HiFimeDIY has obviously put the focus on the sound and not the form.
 
The DAC comes with a USB cable permanently detached to it for connections to your lap top, computer or Android device. Although it’s sturdy and well functional I’d ideally had preferred a detachable cable in case something goes wrong with it. Some people may also be interested in playing around with different USB cables and that’s not possible with the Sabre 9018 DAC.
 
The 3,5mm output on the HiFime also doubles as an optical output. This makes it possible to use it as a “bridge” between a computer or lap top and another DAC that don’t have an USB in option. I’ve tried this by connecting it to the optical input on my Burson Audio V2+ and it works as it should.
 
Since the HiFime DAC is an “all in one” solution there’s really no need for other accessories and there’s none included either. 
 

 

                                                                  Combined headphone and optical output
 
Compatibility:
The HiFime Sabre9018 supports Mac, Linux and Windows. Apparently some people are having issues using it with Windows 10. I’ve used mine with two different laptops running Windows 7 and it works great with both through both USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports. It also works pretty well with Android devices. It runs fine with the third party app USB Audio Player Pro (UAPP) without any extra power from my LG G3 phone and it also works with UAPP from my Chuwi Vi8 tablet. It’s also worth noting that the HiHime works on all platforms without the need to install any drivers. There is however an optional ASIO driver for Windows available. HiFimeDIY also offers a version with USB C connector.  The HiFime Sabre9018 draws quite a bit of power when connected to the phone or tablet but still less than the likes of DACport Slim and GO720.
 
The HiFime support sample rates up to 24bit/96kHz. This is a deliberate decision by HiFimeDIY to keep the cost down and they also offer an asynchronous version supporting up to 32bit/384kHz sampling rate for those willing to spend $30 more. I like that they allow the customer to choose what they’re willing to pay depending on their needs.
 
Despite being small the HiFime Sabre9018 USB DAC offers a quite good amount of power. It can power my my AKG Q701’s alone (and it sounds very good I might add) at about 50- 60% volume but when it comes to my notoriously hard to drive modded Fostex T50RP’s I need not bring the volume very close to maximum to reach my preferred listening level and the sound is not very satisfying. It also runs very cool even when pushed hard.
 

Adding a USB OTG adapter makes the Sabre USB9018 work with many Android devices

 
The specs:

1. Sabre ES9018k2m DAC chip and SABRE9601 headphone and line out driver, SA9023 USB receiver chip
2. Works and sound great with most headphone (including low impedance IEM and high impedance headphones) and all line-level devices (preamps, amplifiers)
3. Accepts 32kHz, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz and 96kHz input files @16 and 24 bit.
4. Volume controlled by computer vol +/- keys
5. Ultra-low noise regulator LP5907 with added noise-reducing aluminum solid capacitors (NCC PSF series)
6. Patented Time Domain Jitter Eliminator (by ESS Technologies)
7. Optical output
8. No drivers required! Optional Windows ASIO drivers available
9. 122dB SNR 
10. 110dB THD+N: 2V rms @ 600 ohm load
11. 100dB THD+N: 30mW @ 32 ohm load
12. No DC blocking capacitors on the output
13. Power usage: 40-80 mA depending on sample rate and volume
14. Dimensions:5.5 x 3.5 x 1.8 cm (without cable)
15. Weight 30g

 
Sound:
I’ve used the HiFime Sabre9018 quite a lot during the last month and it has played for well over 100 hours.  
 
I’ve combined it with my LG G3 phone, Chuwi Vi8 tablet and two laptops running Windows 7 and it has worked very well with all combinations.
 
Demo list:
I’ve got to be honest and admit that I find it pretty difficult to describe the sound from DAC’s. To me the sound of headphones and IEM’s are easier to describe than that of amplifiers and DAC’s. Because of this I’ll do a brief description of the overall sound from the Slim and then compare it to a couple of other amplifiers to highlight the difference and similarities to them.
 
The HiFime Sabre9018 got a full and rich sound without ever feeling muddy or losing control. Sub-bass reaches low and the mid bass has a nice drive too it. I find it to be a bit on the warm side with lush and full mids and full, smooth highs without being rolled off too early. Soundstage width is excellent as is depth and it has a good separation as well. It’s also delivers great transparency. All of this together makes for an effortless presentation that’s very easy to enjoy and doesn’t bring any listening fatigue whatsoever.
 
I do find the HiFime to pair very well with every pair of headphones and IEM’s I’ve tried it with.
 
Comparison:
Please note that the comments in the comparison section are not in absolute terms but in comparison between subject A and B. This means (as an example) that if subject A is found to be brighter than subject B it does not necessarily mean that subject A is bright sounding in absolute terms. I hope this makes sense.
 
I this comparison both DAC/amp combos where fed by different Android devices both running USB Audio Player Pro (UAPP) with the exact same settings and I was listening through my Philips Fidelio X2’s and DQSM D2 IEM’s.
 
I used a splitter/switch box to easily switch between the two units being compared and a simple Android app to volume match them.
 
Geek Out 720 vs HiFime Sabre9018 USB DAC:
These both use the Sabre 9018 chip. Although I’ve compared DAC’s with the same chip before and found quite big differences that’s not the case here. To be honest these two sounds so similar that I’m sure that I could not tell the two apart in a blind test if they were both volume matched.
 
The GO720 ($169) is about the same size as the HiFime and they both connect to the computer with a male USB A connector.
 
The GO720 offers two 3,5mm outputs, one with 0,47Ohm and one with 47Ohm while the HiFime has a combined headphone out and optical out. The GO offers a line out functionality by maxing out the volume while the HiFime don’t offer this feature.
 
The GO get much hotter than the HiFime but it’s also the more powerful of the two.
 
None of them have a physical volume button.
 
The GO720 isn’t really suited to be paired with Android without the use of an external battery due to its severe battery drain. The HiFime does not need nearly the amount of power compared to the GO720.
 
Both are very quiet (little background hiss) but the GO has some while the HiFime is dead silent.
 
The GO720 support up to 32bit/384kHz and DSD (up to 64/128) while the HiFime only support up to 24bit/96kHz.
 
Since they sound virtually identical the choice between these two comes down to what features you’re looking for. The GO720 has a more fancy design, offers two 3,5mm out puts and is the more powerful of the two. The HiFime on the other hand has an optical output included in its headphone output, need less power, work better with highly sensitive IEM’s and are less than half the price of the GO720.
 
SHOZY Lancea vs HiFime Sabre9018 USB DAC:
The SHOZY Lancea ($179) and the HiFime sounds a bit different from each other.  The  Lancea has a bit more bass presence than the HiFime but still manage to retain the same sense of space. The HiFime sound cleaner due to lesser bass and a bit more natural to my ears. Switching between the two there’s no doubt that although the bass on the Lancea doesn’t necessarily reach deeper it definitely hits harder and has more presence.
 
The Lancea is much smaller that the HiFime, maybe about a sixth of its size and is connected to the source through a female micro USB port.
 
Both have a single 3,5mm output but the one on the Lancea acts as a line out function when maxing out the volume while the one on the HiFime doubles as a optical out for connection to other DAC’s.
 
None of these gets very warm.
 
The Lance is very well suited to be paired with Android devices due to its lesser power demands and high compatibility with such devices
 
Both are very quiet (little background hiss) but the Lance has some while the HiFime doesn’t have any that I could detect.
 
The Lancea supports up to 20bit/48kHz sample rate while the HiFime supports up to 24bit/96kHz.
 
The choice between these two does not only comes down to what of sound you’re looking for but also how you intend to use it. The Lancea is very well suited to be paired with phones and tablets in addition to a computer or lap top while this might not be the most convenient with the HiFime. The HiFime on the other hand offers more power, support higher bitrates and offers an optical out option.
 
CEntrance DACport Slim vs HiFime Sabre9018 USB DAC:
Compared to the HiFime Sabre9018 the Slim ($99) has less bass presence, especially in the mid- and higher bass giving the HiFime more drive in the music but also a more intimate presentation. Sub-bass is quite similar with both. The less bass presence on the Slim gives a perception of better separation, a less in your face presentation and a bigger stage.  Switching from one to another makes the HiFime feel a bit sluggish and bassy in comparison. The difference in sound between these two is quite easy to hear and the HiFime is definitely fuller but also slightly more congested sounding.
 
The Slim is smaller than the HiFime, maybe about a half of its size and is connected to the source through a female micro USB port as opposed to the USB A port used on the HiFime.
 
Both have a single 3,5mm output and both offers a line out function when maxing out the volume.
 
The Slim runs hotter than the HiFime but also offer more power.
 
The Slim has a physical volume control while the HiFime doesn’t.
 
None of these are very well suited to pair with Android devices due to their power draw but the HiFime still works better with this kind of set up.
 
Both are very quiet (little background hiss) but the Slim has some while the HiFime doesn’t have any that I could detect.
 
The Slim supports up to 24bit/192kHz sample rate while the Slim supports up to 24bit/96kHz.
 
The choice between these two does not only comes down to what of sound you’re looking for but also how you intend to use it. The Slim is less well suited to be paired with phones and tablets in addition to a computer or lap top. On the other hand it supports higher bitrate, has more power and offers a physical volume control. The HiFime on the other hand needs less power, are more quiet with easy to drive IEM’s and offers an optical out option.
 
As already mentioned I find it really hard to find significant differences between well designed and built DAC’S/amplifiers but the differences mentioned above does exist but are rather subtle when properly volume matched.
 
Summary:
The HiFime Sabre9018 USB DAC is a great “no nonsense” product with a sound quality identical to the much more expensive Geek Out720.  It’s not going to get any design awards but it does what it should and it does it very well.
 
The HiFime Sabre9018 USB DAC has really impressed me both with its performance and its excellent value. The fact that it works with (many) Android devices without an external battery, works very well (without any need for drivers) with computers and also offers an optical output option makes it very versatile as well.
 
Although I've chosen to drop half a star on the overall rating for the generic design and lack of a physical volume control I'd still advice anyone looking for a full but yet detailed sound should at an excellent value to consider the HiFime Sabre9018 USB DAC.
 
 
Once again I'd like to thank HiFimeDIY for sending me the sample, tusen takk

The Alpha & Delta D2 (A&D D2 from here on) was sent to me from Lend Me Ur Ears (LMUE) in the exchange for me outing up a review of them. I’d like to say thank you to Teo at LMUE for giving me the chance to check them out: thanks man!
 
At the time of this review they were available from the LMUE website for right below $26:
 
http://www.lendmeurears.com/alpha-delta-d2/?setCurrencyId=2
 
I’m not in any way affiliated with LMUE or Alpha & Delta.
 

 

 
 
About Alpha & Delta:
Alpha & Delta is the house brand of LMUE and as far as I understand Teo is the one responsible for the tuning of them. The D2 is their second IEM to be released.
 
About me:
 
Built and accessories:
The A&D D2 is a single dynamic IEM featuring a 10 mm driver.
 
The D2 is available in two versions: with or without a microphone, I’ve got the version without a mic.
 
The build of the D2 is very good for the price point. The housings are made of plastic but still feel very well made and reliable.
 
The cable is all black and feels pretty standard and medium prone to tangle. There’s solid strain relief in place in all the right places. The Y-split has perfect size in my opinion and the chin slider as well an angled (45 degrees) 3.5 mm are also in place just the way I like it. The one thing I’m not that positive about is the extra plastic tubes acting as a kind of memory wire. I personally really dislike memory wire and find the tubes to be better than regular memory wire but I’d have preferred the regular cable with a pair of ear guides included instead so that the user could choose whether to use it or not.
 
The left/right marketing is nothing less than genius and very easy to spot since the strain relief on the right earpiece is red (see picture below).
 

Check out the easy to spot left/right marketing on the strain reliefs.
 
It’s worth noting that the D2’s are marketed as a sport IEM and the built certainly makes that statement feeling true. They’re also IPX 4 sweat resistant which does further more underline the great built.
 
The retail package is very nice given the humble price of the D2’s. I’ve seen much more expensive offerings with less good presentation.
 
The accessories pack is also nice for the price and includes the following:
3 pairs of silicone tips (S, M, L)
3 pairs of triple flange tips (S, M, L)
2 pairs of foam tips
1 shirt clip
1 clam shell style zippered case to store them in while not in use
 
The A&D D2’s easy to drive and works fine even with my LG G3 phone. This is an important thing to me with an IEM designed to be used for “on the move” activities where most people don’t want to carry around a brick.
 
Isolation is less than I’d expect for an IEM with this design and I say it’s even lower than average even with foam tips.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
The specs:
 
Fit and ergonomics:
The D2’s are designed to be used over the ears. Although I find them to be very comfortable I did struggle quite a bit to find the right fit. Something about the angle of the stem and my ear canals made it hard to get a comfortable fit and good seal for me. In the end I found a pair of foam tips that solved this issue but I’ve not been able to find any silicone tips giving me both great comfort and a good seal.  
 
As already mentioned I’m not crazy about the” memory wire” solution and although it does work well for me I’d have preferred a simple pair of ear guides/hooks instead.
 
Once the D2’s are safe in place they sit very flush to the ear and I’ve got no problem sleeping with it.
 
Soud:
I’ve used the A&D D2’s back and forward for the last couple of weeks as well and they’ve played for well over 100 hours. I’ve used them both around the house and when out and about and I haven’t really found any significant weaknesses in the way they’re designed.
 
I’ve used them with my LG G3 phone (with and without my Elecom PAR500 BT receiver/amp), my FiiO X3/Cayin C5 combo and the CEntrance DACport Slim and they’ve worked very well with all of them.  
 
Demo list:
The overall sound signature on the A&D D2’s is smooth and fairly well balanced with a mid-bass hump and a slightly forward midrange.
 
At first listen the things I noticed right away was the hump I the mid-bass and the overall smooth presentation. Sub bass on the D2’s is fairly well extended with a nice impact but the mid- and upper bass is clearly more noticeable. The bass is of good quality for the price but I do find it to interfere with the midrange a bit more than what I ideally would prefer. The mid bass might be a bit too much for my tastes but I’m quite sensitive to it and I’m sure that for a lot of others it won’t be a problem but for me a bit more sub bass and less mid-bass would have been welcome. Still this is not big enough of an issue to be a deal breaker to me (especially not at this price) and I’ve heard much worse.
 
The midrange on the D2’s is smooth, liquid and quite full but still feels overshadow by the mid bass sometimes. It does have rather good presence and both male and female vocals are smooth and full and quite forward only occasionally overshadowed by the upper bass. I’ve seen some mentioning of the D2’s being a mid-centric IEM but I wouldn’t say that since the bass is the most noticeable on them to my ears but the combination of forward mid bass and forward midrange makes them quite special.
 
The treble is smooth and fairly well extended without being very detailed but it never introduces any sibilance either. The transition from the upper midrange to the lower treble feels very natural and liquid and as a whole the presentation is pretty even to my ears except for the mid-bass hump.
 
As already mentioned the overall presentation is quite smooth but it’s also surprisingly airy. This combination works really well to me and gives a signature that easy to enjoy. The added air also helps to keep instrument separation well above that what I’d consider to be average at this price. Both soundstage width and depth is about average for an IEM at this price point. I think the area where the D2’s loose out the most to more expensive offerings (and also some good cheaper and similarly priced ones) is in clarity and resolution. It’s still good in these areas but it’s obvious that this is a trade-off for the smooth and non-fatiguing presentation that I don’t here in the SHOZY Zero ($50) for example.
 
Comparison:
Please note that the comments in the comparison section are not in absolute terms but in comparison between subject A and B. This means (as an example) that if subject A is found to be brighter than subject B it does not necessarily mean that subject A is bright sounding in absolute terms. I hope this makes sense.
 
For these comparisons I’ve been listening thorough my CEntrance DACport Slim.
 
Philips TX2 vs Alpha & Delta D2:
I picked up the TX2 for $29 shipped from Honk Kong more than a year ago and it’s still one of my favorite sub $30 offerings.
 
Compared to the D2 the sub bass on the TX2 reaches a bit deeper with more impact and better layering. The D2’s on the other hand has more mid bass impact with more bass bleed. The midrange on the TX2’s is recessed compared to the D2’s but also cleaner due to less interference from the bass. Vocal’s more forward, and does also sound fuller and more natural on the D2’s. The treble on the TX2 has better clarity and extension but still manage to stay smooth. Details, clarity and especially resolution are noticeable better on the TX2’s. The TX2’s also perform better in soundstage in all directions while the separation is quite similar on both.
 
I find them equally comfortable and both are also well built.
 
The TX2’s are harder to drive.
 
Isolation is pretty similar.
 
Brainwavz S0 vs Alpha & Delta D2:
Although the MRSP on the S0 is $49 it’s quite often available on sale for $29 so I still figured that it would be valid comparison.
 
These two are actually quite similar in the overall presentation. Compared to the D2 the S0 has about the same amount and impact in the sub-bass while the S0 has less mid- and upper bass impact with less bass bleed.  Although the character of the midrange is similar on both it is a bit more forward on the D2’s and vocals sounds more natural with them. The treble is quite similar although slightly more distinct on the S0’s and none of them are prone to sibilance. Details, clarity and resolution are better on the S0. Soundstage depth and 3D presentation is quite similar while width is better on the S0.
 
I find them equally comfortable and both are also very well built.
 
The S0’s are harder to drive.
 
Isolation is better on the S0.
 
Vsonic VSD1 vs Alpha & Delta D2:
The Vsonic VSD1 has been around for a few years now but is probably one of the most well-known good performers around the $30 price point.  
 
Compared to the D2 the sub bass on the VSD1 doesn’t reach quite as low while more impact is quite similar. The mid bass is actually very similar in both quality and quantity on the two. The midrange on the VSD1’s are slightly less forward compared to the D2’s and they both have a full liquid midrange presentation. Vocal’s more forward, and feels more natural on the D2’s. The treble on the two is quite similar with the VSD1 being slightly fuller. Details, clarity and resolution are very similar on both. The D2’s perform better in soundstage width while the VSD1 has better depth as well as a more 3D presentation. The VSD1 is more intimate in its presentation while the D2 has more air giving them a bit more energy and better separation.
 
Built is considerable better on the D2’s while I found comfort (helped by the adjustable nozzle) to be slightly better on the VSD1’s.  
 
They VSD1 are slightly harder to drive.
 
Isolation is better on the Vsonic’s.
 
Summary:
All in all I find the Alpha & Delta D2 to offer a great total package. Its easy going and enjoyable smooth sound signature combined with excellent comfort and a very good build quality makes them a great offering in their price range. As a matter of fact they hold up pretty well even against some of my favorite sub $50 offerings.
 
Like every other IEM’s they’ve got a couple of less good properties as well and those would include the slightly boomy mid bass, potentially difficult fit and the half way memory wire solution would pretty much sum it up. None of these are deal breakers to me though and as a total package with an easy enjoyable sound, comfortable fit and sweat resistant build I find them to be an easy recommendation to anyone looking for a sport style IEM in the sub $50 price range.
 
 

The SHOZY Zero was sent to me from SHOZY directly in exchange for my honest review of them. The price at the time of this review was $59 on the Penon Audio website:
 
http://penonaudio.com/SHOZY-Zero%20?search=shozy
 
I’m not in any way affiliated with Penon Audio.
 
About me:
 
Built and accessories:
The SHOZY Zero is a single dynamic IEM featuring a driver of unknown size. They’re available in one flavor only as far as I’m aware, Rosewood without a microphone.
 
The cable is made of rubber and although it feels a bit cheap it doesn’t seem to tangle much and does what it should. There’s no chin slider, which is a must for me, so I made my own one (se picture below).  The 3.5 mm connector is straight which I personally don’t like so I’d have preferred an angled one. That being said the connector seem sturdy so I see no need to worry about it. Strain reliefs are in place in the right places and the Y-split is nice being made from rosewood just like the housing and the 3.5mm connector.
 


Home made chin slider in place
 
The build in general seem solid. The housings are made of rosewood and metal (aluminum as far as I can tell) and they both look and feel premium.
 
The L/R marking is black on black and I’d have preferred the marking to have another color to be easier to see.
 
As my Zero is a review sample it arrived in a small zip-lock plastic bag without any retail package
 
The accessories pack is pretty standard and I’ve seen both less and more stuff included at this price point. This is what’s included:
3 pair of silicone tip (S/M/L)
1 zippered storage pouch
 
The SHOZY Zero is a bit harder to drive than your average IEM but still worked very well with all the sources I’ve tried it with including cellphones.
 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 
The specs:
 
Fit and ergonomics:
I find the SHOZY Zero to be very comfortable and got no problem wearing them for several hours. They can be worn both over the ears as well as straight down. I’m using them over the ear since this is my preferred style and it also helps reducing microphonics.
 
The Zero, being straight barrel, is very easy to fit. They’re quite small and light so I don’t get any “hot-spots” when wearing them for longer time.
 
The included tips seem to be a very good fit for the sound of the Zero’s so although there’s only one kind they’re definitely usable. I had no problem finding several tips in my collection that keep the mid bass under controlled and also are comfortable. The JVC Spiral tips, Havi Foam tips and the silicone tips from my Fidelio S2’s are tips that works very well for me in addition to the stock ones.
 
Isolation is about average and above using foam tips.
 
Sound:
I’ve used them in my rotation for the last couple of weeks and they’ve played for well over 100 hours. I’ve used them both around the house and when out and about and I haven’t really found any significant weaknesses in the way they’re designed.
 
I’ve mainly used them with my LG G3 phone as well as the CEntrance DACport Slim and my FiiO X3/Cayin C5 combo and they’ve worked well with all sources I’ve tried them with.
 
For this review I’ve been using them with the Fidelio S2 tips.
 
Demo list:
 
The overall sound signature on the SHOZY Zero is fairly well balanced with a full, smooth, warm and lush presentation and great bass presence.
 
The sub-bass don’t reach as deep as some of the best performers in that area but the presence is good enough to be enjoyable with all kind of music in my opinion. Mid-bass presence is even better and although there’s a lot of it the Zero’s manage to stay on the right side of boomy most of the time but with some recordings it does go a bit overboard. The bass isn’t the tightest I’ve heard but it’s very musical and enjoyable in a way that makes me think of the bass quality of the Aurisonics ASG-1PLUS (although the 1PLUS digs considerable deeper and has less mid bass).
 
The midrange is well in line with the rest of the frequencies and only on rare occasions being intruded by the upper bass. The midrange is lush and liquid in its character and I don’t find any part of it noticeable sticking out.  Male vocals sounds full and natural wile female vocals are smooth and soft, both are very enjoyable without being extraordinary. If I could wish for anything it would be a slight emphasis in the upper midrange to add a bit of sparkle and excitement to the presentation
 
The treble on the Zero’s is nothing that really stands out but it is full, smooth and has enough extension to be enjoyable but never bothersome.
 
Clarity and micro details are well above average for an IEM with this lush and warm signature and I think this is one of the main reasons for the Zero being so enjoyable. The combination of this amount of clarity and lush presentation is not something that’s not very common, especially not at this price point. The Zero’s doesn’t have a very wide soundstage but rather a more intimate presentation with great depth and excellent 3D feeling and timbre to the notes.
 
When I think of it the Zero doesn’t really excel in any area (bass, mids or treble) but still offers an overall presentation that’s very enjoyable. The great 3D imaging combined with the lush and yet clear presentation does make for a very fatigue free listening experience that’s easy to like.  
 
Comparison:
Please note that the comments in the comparison section are not in absolute terms but in comparison between subject A and B. This means (as an example) that if subject A is found to be brighter than subject B it does not necessarily mean that subject A is bright sounding in absolute terms. I hope this makes sense.
 
These comparisons were done listening through the FiiO X3/Cayin C5 combo.
 
PMV A-01 vs SHOZY Zero:
These two are really different with the PMV’s being very airy and fresh in its presentation while the Zero’s lush, intimate and almost like syrup. Compared to the Zero’s the PMV’s have slightly less sub-bass extension and impact. The Zero’s also got more impact in the mid- and upper bass but the PMV’s on the other hand has faster bass response and less bloom. They both have quite equal midrange presence but the bass interfere more on the Zero’s while there’s no bloom whatsoever on the PMV’s. The Zero has better weight and more natural sounding male voices while female vocals are significantly better on the PMV’s. The treble has better extension and more energy on the PMV’s but both are smooth.  The PMV’s have a much wider soundstage, better clarity and a lot more airy presentation while the Zero’s more liquid, have better bass depth and 3D imaging as well as a much more intimate presentation.
 
I find them both equally comfortable with maybe a slight advantage to the PMV.
 
Build in general is good on both but the wood housing on the Zero’s and better ergonomic design put them ahead.
 
The PMV’s easier to drive.
 
Isolation is better on the Zero’s.
 
Aurisonics Rockets vs SHOZY Zero:
These two are more similar that different with a smooth, lush and laid back overall sound. Sub-bass extension and impact is slightly better on the Zero’s and they also got quite a bit more mids- and upper bass presence. The Zero’s does also have better layering in the bass. The midrange on the two is actually quite similar in presence but the upper bass on the Zero’s does interfere a bit while that’s not an issue at all with the Rockets. The Rockets comes across as more mid-centric (maybe U-shaped) while the Zero’s is more L-shaped.  Male vocals sound more or less identical with maybe ever so slightly more weight to them on the Zero’s while female voices  sounds a touch more natural on the Rockets. The Rockets has slightly more energy and air in the upper mids and treble region and sibilance is a non-issue with both. The Rockets also pulls slightly ahead when it comes to clarity and micro details as well as overall resolution. The Rockets are more even across the frequencies and have a slightly better soundstage width as well as a more airy presentation while depth and 3D presentation is quite similar.  Overall the presentation of the Rockets is a bit more “out of your head” while the Zero’s even more intimate.
 
I find them to be equally comfortable.
 
Although overall build quality is good on both the Rockets are probably the best built IEM I own and pull ahead with their titanium housings and Kevlar cable.
 
The Rockets are harder to drive.
 
Isolation is great on both with the Rockets slightly ahead.
 
Havi B3 Pro1 vs SHOZY Zero
Sub-bass have quite similar extension but the Zero’s have much more impact and better layering. The Zero’s also has quite a bit more mid bass presence. The quality of the bass is also quite similar but the mid- and upper bass on the Zero’s can interfere with the midrange on some recordings while this never happens with the Havis’s giving them a cleaner presentation. The Havi’s have noticeable more focus on the midrange and I find the Havi to be more natural with both male and female vocals. The midrange on the Zero’s is thicker and more liquid while it has more air on the Havi’s.  3D imaging and timbre is actually quite similar while the B3’s have better soundstage width and separation. The Havi’s has better extension and details in the treble while it’s fuller and thicker on the Zero’s. Overall clarity and micro details is quite similar on both.
 
I find both of these very comfortable.
 
They both feel well built and quite sturdy so general build quality feels similar to me.
 
The Havi’s are harder to drive.
 
Isolation is better with the Zero.
 
Summary:
The SHOZY Zero is a very interesting first IEM from SHOZY. It’s spots a quite unique signature at its price point with a thick, war, liquid sound with great bass presence while still maintaining a strong midrange as well as good detail and clarity. Come to think of it I find it to be a midcentric signature with the (especially mid) bass tuned up quite a few notcheshat.
 
I’d personally have preferred that the mid bass was toned down a bit and that the Zero’s would have had a bit more energy in the upper midrange. This is not deal breakers for me I any way and neither is the lack of accessories and a chin slider but it’s enough to make me lose half a star on the overall rating.
 
Without really being great in any area the signature combined on the SHOZY Zero makes a very enjoyable listening experience with its lush and smooth presentation. In total, to me, the Zero’s competes with the Havi B3 Pro1 and the PMV A-01 as my favorite sub $100 IEM’s.
 
For anyone looking for a smooth, warm and lush sub $100 offering that also have great bass presence and a very non-fatiguing presentation I’d highly recommend the SHOZY Zero.
 

The MEE Audio RX18P was sent to me from MEE Audio with the intention to compare it to some of the most popular Chinese budget offerings and let Mike know the result of my findings. The ida was not really to do a full review but since I think it deserves more attention I choose to do it anyway. I’d like to thank MEE Audio and Mike for sending me the sample. The price at the time of this review was $7,99 for the version without a mic and $9,99 with mic.
  
The RX18 is available from the MEE Audio website and many other places:
http://www.meeaudio.com/rx18-bk
 
http://www.meeaudio.com/RX18P-BK/
 
I’m not in any way affiliated with MEE Audio.
 
To my great suprise I could not find any appreciation thread for the RX18 so I've started one and posted the full review with a lot of comparison to other highly regarded budget offerings here:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/806763/mee-audio-rx18-review-and-appreciation-thread#post_12546639
 

The PMV A-01 was sent to me from PMV by the help on Penon Audio. Thank you to both for let me try them out! The price at the time of this review was $69.
  
The PMV A-1 is available from the Penon Audio website:
 
http://penonaudio.com/PMV-A-01
 
 
Disclaimer:
I’m not in any way affiliated with PMV or Penon Audio.
 

 

 

 
 
About me:
 
Built and accessories:
The PMV A-01 is a triple hybrid IEM featuring a 10mm dynamic driver and a double BA driver. They’re available in one flavor only as far as I’m aware.
The cable is two parted with a clothed part below the Y-split and more normal rubber above it. The clothed part is quite thick and I’d have preferred a thinner solution. The upper rubber part of the cable seems to tangle a bit more than average. There’s no chin slider, which is a must for me with over ear fit, so I made my own one.  The 3.5 mm connector is straight which I personally don’t like so an angled one would have been more appreciated. That being said the connector is very sturdy and thicker than normal. Strain reliefs are in place in the right places and the Y-split is solid.
 
The build in general seem solid. The housings are all plastic but still feel quite sturdy and reliable.
 
The L/R marking is white on silver and I’d have preferred the marking to be easier to see but on the other hand the design makes them fit correct one way only so it’s not a big deal.
 
The retail package is quite nice and is about average for the price point.
 
The accessories pack is pretty standard and I’ve seen both less and more stuff included at this price point. This is what’s included:
3 pair of silicone tip (S/M/L)
1 pair of double flange tips
1 pair of earhooks
1 zippered storage pouch
 
The PMV A-01 is quite easy to drive and worked very well with all the sources I’ve tried it with including cellphones.
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

The stem without anything to stop the tips to come off and the front facing bass port
 
The specs:
 
Fit and ergonomics:
I find the PMV A-01’s to be very comfortable and got no problem wearing them for several hours. They are over ear only wearing style and they sit quite flush to the ear so I’ve got no problem using them when going to sleep. They’re also very light and I don’r get any “hot-spots” when wearing them for longer time.
 
The short stem made finding the right tips quite challenging for me. With most single flange the fit was too shallow and I wouldn’t get a proper seal. The fact that there’s no “lip” at the end of the stem is also a bit troublesome when hunting for the right tips and I got multiple tips left in my ears when pulling the IEM’s out. This is a quite irritating flaw in my book. The bass port is located on the inside of the housings which means that you ear anatomy will have an impact on how much bass impact you get. This makes room to play around with tips giving different fit with different bass quantity as result but it’s also possible that the tips with the best comfort will not give the best bass reproduction. In short I’d have preferred another placement of the bass port.
 
After a lot of tip rolling I found two pair that worked very well for me both comfort and soundwise. First pair was the Etymotic triple flanges that gave me a very balanced and smooth sound, albeit lacking a bit of bass impact and excitement for me. Second pair was some cheap Chinese foam tips that makes the presentation a bit airier and also has a bass impact more to my liking. These foams are the ones used on this review.
 
Isolation is quite poor and definitely below average but is still ok using foam tips.
 
Sound:
I’ve used them as my main IEM in my rotation for the last couple of weeks and they’ve played for well over 100 hours. I’ve used them both around the house and when out and about and I haven’t really found any significant weaknesses in the way they’re designed.
 
I’ve mainly used them with my LG G3 phone as well as the HifeMe Sabre 9018 USB DAC and my FiiO X3/Cayin C5 combo and although they’ve worked well with all sources I’ve tried them with I enjoy them the most with a source that’s warm and smooth.
 
As already mentioned this review is made with foam tips on them.
 
Demo list:
 
The overall sound signature on the PMV A-01 is well balanced with an airy presentation, great clarity and a good mid bass impact and speed.
 
The sub-bass extension and presence is a bit subdued even with the foam tips but it’s still enough to be enjoyable with all kind of music in my opinion. Mid-bass presence is much better with excellent speed and control and gives very clean and clear presentation, bass-bleed is very low and practically a non-issue. As a matter of fact the quantity/quality ratio of the mid-bass is pretty much spot on for my preference and one of the best I’ve ever heard in a sub $100 IEM. It’s enough to give the necessary drive to electronic- and pop music without ever going overboard.
 
The midrange is well in line with the rest of the frequencies, maybe even ever so slightly forward. Male voices have enough weight to feel full and natural and female vocals sounds even better with good help from the excellent clarity and effortless presentation from the PMV’s. This is one of the better reproduction of female vocals and also acoustic guitars I’ve heard in a sub $100 IEM.  
 
The treble is well extended with good detail and never feels harsh to my ears but rather delicate and accurate.
 
Clarity and micro details are well above average for an IEM at this price point. The combination of this amount of clarity and smooth presentation is not something one should take for granted and it certainly plays a big role in the enjoyable overall signature of the PMV A-01’s.   Soundstage width is very good and depth, although not quite on par with the width, is still good but I’d still have enjoyed even a bit more 3D feeling.  
 
Comparison:
Please note that the comments in the comparison section are not in absolute terms but in comparison between subject A and B. This means (as an example) that if subject A is found to be brighter than subject B it does not necessarily mean that subject A is bright sounding in absolute terms. I hope this makes sense.
 
These comparisons were done listening through the FiiO X3/Cayin C5 combo.
 
LZ-A2 vs PMV A-01:
Compared to the PMV’s the LZ-A2’s have better sub-bass extension and impact. The A2’s also got more impact (a bit too much for my preference) in the mid- and upper bass. The PMV’s on the other hand has faster bass response and less bloom. The PMV’s also have a slightly more forward midrange and more natural sounding voices, especially female vocals are significantly better on them. The treble rolls off earlier than I’d appreciate on the A2’s while the PMV’s have great extension and also better quality (more articulated) treble. The PMV also have a wider soundstage, better clarity and a lot more airy presentation.
 
I find them both equally comfortable with maybe a slight advantage to the PMV.
 
Build in general feels pretty similar but I prefer the metal housing on the A2’s.
 
The A2’s slightly easier to drive.
 
Isolation is slightly better on the LZ-A2.
 
Soundmagic E80 vs PMV A-01:
These two are more similar that different. Sub-bass extension and impact is slightly better on the PMV’s and they also got quite a bit more mids- and upper bass presence. Not only does the PMV’s have more bass, it’s of noticeable better quality as well. Compared to the fast, hard and detailed bass response on the PMV’s the bass on the E80’s actually sounds a bit muddy. Listening to Martin Garrix – Animlas easily reveals this. The midrange on the E80’s is more forward.  Male vocals sound more or less identical with maybe ever so slightly more weight to them on the PMV’s while female voices on the other hand definitely  sound more natural on the PMV’s. The PMV’s has a slightly fuller treble as well as better clarity and micro details. The PMV’s have better soundstage width and a more airy presentation while depth and 3D presentation is better on the E80’s.  Overall the presentation of the E80’s is a bit on the softer side while the PMV’s feels more distinct.
 
I find them to be equally comfortable.
 
Since the housings on the E80’s are made of metal they feel a bit more premium. The UE’s on the other hand offers detachable cables. Overall build quality is good on both.
 
The E80’s are harder to drive.
 
Isolation is similar on both.
 
Havi B3 Pro1 vs PMV A-01
Sub-bass have quite similar extension with a slight edge to the PMV’s. The PMV’s also has more mid bass presence. The Havi’s have a noticeable more pushed forward midrange and I find the Havi to be slightly ahead on male vocals while the PMV pulls equally slightly ahead on female voice reproduction.  Soundstage width is actually quite similar while the B3’s have better 3D imaging and timbre to the notes while the PMV has a more airy presentation. Treble has similar extension on both but better clarity on the PMV’s. Overall clarity and micro details is also better on the PMV.
 
I find both of these very comfortable.
 
The Havi’s are much harder to drive.
 
Isolation is similar on both.
 
Summary:
The PMV A-01 is a great introduction to hybrids at an affordable price. They clearly show the advantages that can be had by combining BA divers with a dynamic driver for the bass reproduction. They do more than that though as they offer a sound quality that put up a fight with the best sub $100 offerings that I’ve had the pleasure to hear. Excellent bass quality, clarity, female vocals and a very airy presentation is key words I’d use to describe them.
 
Unfortunately there are some deign issues that forces me to drop half a star on the overall rating. The straight 3.5mm connector and lack of chin slider alone is not enough to warrant this but the lack of “lips” on the stem and the short length on the stem it was pushes me over.
 
In total I’d consider the PMV A-01 an excellent value and the best sub $100 hybrid I’ve heard to date, especially if you enjoy listening to singer/songwriter kind of music but also as an all-rounder. Based on sound only I'd even go as far as place it toghether with the Havi B3 Pro1 and a new wood offering as my favorite performers below $100.
 

The Burson Audio Conductor V2+ was sent to me by Burson Audio as a part of a short review tour.  I’d like to send a big THANK YOU to Burson Audio (especially Dennis and Alex) for letting me check out the Burson Conductor V2+ and answering my questions.
 
The Conductor V2+ is available for pre-order at Indiegogo right now: 
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/conductor-v2-usb-soundcard-8watt-head-amp-preamp#/
 
As far as I understand it will also be available from the Burson Audio website in a not too distant future:
http://www.bursonaudio.com/products/conductor-v2-plus/
 
I’m not in any way affiliated with Burson Audio.
 
Short introduction to Burson Audio:
Burson Audio is an Australia based company founded in 1996.  They’ve specialized in making headphone amplifier and amp/DAC combos, stereo amplifiers and op amps using discrete circuits.
 
This is what says themselves about their philosophy:
Our philosophy is simple; the less our components interfere with the audio signal the more complete your musical experience. This is our core design philosophy since we began in 1996. If our equipment is designed well and transparent enough — and it is — then the pace, rhythm, timing dynamics and tonality becomes a natural expression of the music. We feel this can never be achieved with standard circuit building blocks like IC chip op-amps, IC regulators, or even standard transformers. Instead we research and develop customized discrete circuits specifically to suit their applications. Only then does each and every component in the signal path perform at its peak. And only then will the end result match our expectations.
 
About me:
Unboxing (pictures only):
 

 

 

 
 
Built, accessories and functionality:
Due to the limited time available for this review I won’t be spending too much time describing the technical capabilities and specs of the Conductor V2 but rather focus on built, usability and sound impression. I’ll of course add the specs here but not spend too much time talking about them. Anyone interested in more details regarding the pure technical aspect should find plenty of information by following the links posted in the beginning of this review.
 
The Burson Audio Conductor V2+ is a solid state headphone amplifier, DAC and pre-amplifier.  
 
The Conductor V2(+) is available in two different configurations: as a pure amp/pre-amp (V2) or a DAC/amp/pre-amp combo (V2+) which is the one that I’ll be talking about in this review. Current pre-order price is $850/$1275 while MSRP is said to be $999/$1499, even at full MSRP it’s over 25% cheaper than the previous offerings in the Conductor series. It sports a massive 8,2W output power into a 16Ohms load and 500mW into 300Ohms. Needless to say this is a powerhouse that should be able to power pretty much every full size headphone out there.
 
The Conductor V2+ is literally built as a tank. It’s built in a 6mm aluminum chassis that not only gives an amazing feel and weight too it but also act as a cooling system for the massive power produced by the V2. This does mean that the unit gets a bit hot, nothing alarming but I’d make sure to have some air around it if it’s placed in a rack. Although it’s a luxurious feeling (and looking) 3 in 1 solution the Conductor still would have no problem sitting on a desktop.
 
The Conductor V2+ offers two sets of RCA inputs where you can connect your analog sources and three digital inputs (coaxial, optical and USB). For the output there are two RCA outputs (one fixed one straight from the DAC and one variable one for pre-amp function).  
 
I’ve used all three different digital inputs and I’ve not been able to hear any difference between them. To my great pleasure I also realized that the USB input works with Android devices such as phones and tablets (I’ve used it with the Xperia Z3Compact and LG G3 phones as well as the Chuwi Vi8 tablet) when connected with an OTG cable and using USB Audio Player Pro (UAPP) as music player. To me this was great news since I find it very convenient occasionally to just hook up a touch screen device and start playing music.
 
The V2+ support all popular file formats for audio up to DSD256 files over USB while coaxial and optical connections are limited to 24 bits/192KHz.
 
On the front side you’ll find an input selector, a 6.3 mm jack to connect the headphones to and the volume knob. The volume knob feels very solid and has a perfect amount of resistance when being moved to raise or lower the volume. The volume control chip is the highly regarded PGA2310. I’ve got experience from this chip from my stereo system a few years back and I was very happy with its performance there and the same goes for its implementation in the V2+.  The volume has 99 positions so although it’s fully digital there’s no problem finding the exact volume that you like.
 
To top things it (of course) comes with a remote control in brushed aluminum as well. It gives you the possibility to change inputs, adjust the volume and mute the unit without having to get out of the couch.
 
The accessories included are:
1 remote control
1 set of RCA cables
1 power cord
1 USB cord
1 warranty card for a stunning 5 years warranty
 

Accessories and the stunning 5 year warranty card.                 
 

Front and rear view. 

Teaming up with the Philips Fidelio X2's and the luxurious feeling remote control.                             

All good under the hood. Check out the clean and well organized internals. 

 
 
 
The specs:
I’ve used the Conductor V2+ (a lot) for the last week and my unit arrived already burned in.  Please note that due to the nature of this tour I was only able to have the Conductor V2+ for one week so my impressions is (naturally) based on the usage for that rather short time frame. 
 
Demo list:
I’ve got to be honest and admit that I find it pretty difficult to describe the sound from an amplifier. To me the sound of headphones/IEM’s is more easy to describe than that of amplifiers and DAC’s but I’ll do my best and hopefully the comparison section will also be of help.
 
Pre-amplifier function:
Since I’ve got rid of my dedicated stereo system and seriously downsized my television surround sound system to be more family friendly since I got into headphones I’ve not been able to put the pre-amplifier section of the V2+ trough any tests of its performance worth mentioning. I’ve simply just hooked it up to my humble M-Audio AV40 powered desktop speakers to check that the analog outputs works properly and I can confirm that they do.
 
Amplifier section sound impression:
The first thing that I noticed when I started to listen to the V2+ was the amount of air it brings into the presentation. Upon further listening the way it presents the bass also made a strong impression on me. Mid bass is very clean and tight but what really impressed me is the way it reproduces the lower bass, the extension is really good with amazing layering all the way down. This is a kind of bass that I’ve never heard from any of my amplifiers or amp/DAC combo’s before, a pure bliss.
 
The overall presentation has great soundstage in all directions and layering is nothing short of astounding as is the amount of air between the instruments. The background feels as black and calm as it can possible be. Transparency and dynamics is also features that’s easy noticeable. The treble presentation is very delicate carrying large amounts of details but still having a very smooth character.  The timbre on instruments and vocals is also the best I’ve ever heard making the presentation very engaging and non-fatiguing.
 
If I should describe the sound from the amplifier section with three words it’ll be transparent, liquid and dynamic.
 
DAC section sound impression:
The sound of the DAC section in the V2+is what I’d describe as “lean and clean”. The overall signature is neutral border lining to sound clinical but it doesn’t get unengaging in any way. Paired with smooth, warm and full sounding headphones this kind of presentation works very well but paired with brighter tuned headphones it may cause listening fatigue.
 
The sound is great on the DAC with amazing details and clarity. Separation, speed and layering are also extremely good. Where I feel that it does lack a bit is in the bass department, the mid- and upper bass is very well controlled with a perfect amount of impact for my preference. The sub-bass is also very tight but I feel that it rolls off a bit early and lack some impact to satisfy me. Since the amplifier section offers an amazing depth and layering in the sub bass I’d have wished for the DAC section to take more advantage of it reaching even lower than it does. This being said the presentation is by no means bass light in its nature.
 
If I should describe the sound from the DAC section with three words it’ll be transparency, detail and resolution.
 
Comparison:
Please note that the comments in the comparison section are not in absolute terms but in comparison between subject A and B. This means (as an example) that if subject A is found to be brighter than subject B it does not necessarily mean that subject A is bright sounding in absolute terms. I hope this makes sense.
 
In these comparisons I’ve been listening through my Philips Fidelio X2’s.
 
I used a simple Android app to volume match the amplifiers so although maybe not perfectly scientifically the result should still be pretty correct.
 
Since I don’t have any desktop sized DAC/amp combo I’ve chosen to split the comparison section in two, one with the amplifier part and one with the DAC part. This way I’m able to put it up against the best I’ve got to see how it compares.
 
Just for fun I’ve also rounded the comparison section off with a short comparison to the Geek Out720 that is also based on one of the Sabre 9018 siblings chip.
 
Matrix M-Stage HPA-1 vs Burson Audio Conductor V2+ (amp section):
I used the M-stage with the Burson SS V5 op amp installed when doing this section.
 
Both amplifiers were connected to the analog outputs on my Advance Acoustic MDA503 DAC.
 
The M-Stage is considerable smaller and lighter compared to the V2+. I’d say that the V2+ is about four times bigger than the HPA-1 and also weights considerably more.
 
Compared to the V2+ the M-stage sound congested and doesn’t offer the same low end extension. The whole presentation from the V2+ has more air to it and separation is also better. Soundstage is a bit bigger on the V2+ and overall sound is cleaner.  There’s also more timbre to the notes making it sound more musical The V2+ has deeper bass and noticeable better layering in the bass while mid bass sounds clearer contributing to the more airy overall sound. The M-stage actually sounds slightly dark in comparison. The treble on the V2+ is also more detailed and delicate.
 
The Conductor V2+ offers significantly higher power output compared to the HPA-1.
 
The V2+ is a solid step up to the M-Stage in every way in my opinion.
 
Advance Acoustic MDA503 vs Burson Audio Conductor V2+ (DAC section):
For this comparison I’ve fed the Conductor V2+ from my Advance Acoustic MDA503 equipped with Ei 12AX7 tubes on the output and compared it to the internal DAC section on the V2+. The MDA503 is a DAC that had a MSRP at about $1,000 when it was released some years ago and it’s based on the Analog Devices AD 1955A chip. I’ve had it for several years now so I’m very familiar with its sound. I also, to this date, haven’t come across any other DAC that outperforms it in my system and for my preferences.
 
In this comparison both DAC’s where fed with optical signals from two different Google Chromecast Audio units.  
 
The MDA503 is a monster in size being about twice as big as the V2+ and weighting almost 10 kg. It’s hardly a desk top solution but one made for the full rig.
 
Compared to the V2+ the MDA503 has a touch fuller sound across the range. It’s also slightly smoother and has both better extension and more impact in the lowest bass notes. The V2+ on the other hand sounds more clinical with better clarity and cleaner presentation. The differences between these two is not very big in my opinion and they both have equally great layering, separation and timbre to the notes and they both holds up excellent even with complex music. To put things short I find the MDA503 to sound more analog and the V2+ more digital which is hardly any surprise given the tube output on the MDA503 and the fully digital design of the V2+. I’m actually more surprised that the difference in sound isn’t bigger.
 
For me it’s impossible to say that one of these is better than the other. Although the difference in overall sound isn’t that big it will still be a question of preference and pairing to decide which of them one might prefer. To make an analogy with headphones the MDA503 sounds more like the Sennheiser HD650’s while the V2+ sound reminds of the Beyerdynamic DT880’s if that makes sense, different but still equally great.
 

Size comparison with the Matrix M-stage HPA1 and my beloved Advance Acoustic MDA503 DAC.
 

My LG G3 connected to the USB input on the V2+ through OTG cable.
 
 
Geek Out720 vs Burson Audio Conductor V2+ (DAC section):
Talk about David vs Goliath here. The GO720 has been in my possession for about 1,5 year now and I’ve used it a lot both as a pure DAC and as a DAC/amp combo. In short I find its overall sound to be quite good and while layering and separation is excellent I do feel that it lack some air and details. Since they both use Sabre siblings chip I thought it would be fun to compare them shortly.
 
In this comparison both DAC’s where fed with signals from two different Android phones using UAPP as player.
 
Compared to the V2+ the GO720 feels much more congested and lacking air in the presentation. The V2+ has better soundstage, separation and layering. The biggest difference however is in the bass where the GO720 feels really sluggish while the V2+ has much better control and still offering deeper sub bass. Vocals are also more forward on some tracks with the V2+. To be honest the V2+ is a lot more refined in its overall presentation and clearly the better performer in every possible way.
 
Matching:
The output impedance of the headphone out on the Conductor V2+ is rated to 3Ohms. This means that it may not be the ideal pairing with very easy to drive headphones and IEM’s. In theory it should be paired with headphones that has an impedance of 24Ohms or greater to perform its best. To be honest, looking at the power output of the V2+, this is not what it’s designed to drive anyway so it shouldn’t be a problem but I will test it with some easy to drive IEM’s as well.
 
In this section I’ve tested how some of my favorite headphones but also one earbud and one IEM pairs with the V2+. I’ve tested them all both with the internal DAC section as well as with the MDA503 as DAC.
 
AKG Q701:
The combination of the Conductor V2+ and the Q’s are truly amazing and I can honestly say that the Q’s never sounded this good to me. The neutral sound could’ve easily been a bit too much combined with the Q’s but the smooth top end and the fantastic bass response and dynamics on the V2+ really makes them sing. The bass on the Q’s is really deep and well layered when combined with the V2+ this was really a revelation to me.
 
Actually one of my most amazing moments with the V2+ was watching James Bond – “SPECTRE” on Blu-ray with my player connected to the coaxial input on the V2+ and listening through the Q’s.
 
 I prefer the Q’s with the MDA503 as DAC.
 
Philips Fidelio X2:
The X2’s is a perfect match with the V2+. The full sound of the X2’s pairs very well with the clean and clear presentation on the Conductor. Although the Fidelio’s pretty easy to drive they really scale with a good source and amp and the V2+ brings it to a level that I’ve not experienced with them before. The easiest way to describe what the V2+ does with the X2’s is to say that it makes it feel really really well balanced.
 
I prefer the X2 with the internal DAC on the V2+.
 
Fostex T50RP MKII:
As already mentioned my modded T50RP’s are the most power hungry headphones that I own at the moment so I thought it’ll be of interest to add them as well here. 
 
Once again the V2+ comes up big with its excellent airy sound and amazing bass layering. Even with these fairly hard to drive headphones I’m not able to go past 50% on the volume scale except with a few very low volume recordings. The power of the V2+ combined with the way it sounds really comes like a fresh breath to the T50RP’s.
 
I prefer the T50RP with the internal DAC on the V2+.
 
VE Zen 2.0:
The Zen 2.0 is a 300Ohm earbud that I like a lot and tend to use instead of closed headphones.
 
The soft and smooth nature of the Zen 2.0 works really well with the clean presentation of the V2+. The Zen 2.0 sounds as wide and airy as ever when driven from the V2+. The great bass extension and layering on the V2+ is also welcome when paired with the Zen’s and the dynamics in this combination is out of this world.
 
I prefer the Zen’s with the MDA503 as DAC.
 
Aurisonics ASG-1PLUS:
The ASG-1PLUS is a 11Ohm hybrid IEM (1 DD + 1 BA) and although it’s probably not what most people will connect to the V2+ I still chosen to include it here both to check the amount of background hiss but also because I’m curious on how it will sound from the V2+.
 
Using the DAC section in the V2+ I can turn the volume all the way up without any hiss being audible at all, very impressive. When using the analog input with the MDA503 DAC there’s a faint hiss starting at around 60 on the volume scale (normal listening level with the 1PLUS for me is 30-35) that I’m 100% sure comes from tube output on the MDA503.
 
Sound wise it’s a very nice combination and the fact that even this IEM pairs very well with the V2+ is the final proof to me that this is truly a very versatile all in one solution.
 
I really like the 1PLUS with both the MDA503 and the internal DAC in the V2+. Although different sounding I wouldn’t call one better than the other here, it’s really down to the music I listen to and what mood I’m in.
 
To sum up the matching section the V2+ shows itself not only as an all in one solution when it comes to features but also when it comes to pairing. It sounds absolutely fabulous with all that I’ve listened to through it and I’d go as far as say that it takes all my headphones, earbuds and IEM’s to a new level.
 
Summary:
It’s safe to say that this has been the most time consuming and intensive review I’ve done so far but it’s also been the most fun and interesting one. Although I’ve tried to keep things short and relevant it has still ended up like a short novel due to all the features of the V2+. Every time I thought I was finished I got a new idea: how does X sounds with it or how does Y compare and so on. So, let’s finally wrap things up:
 
The Burson Audio Conductor V2+ is indeed an amazing all in one unit that may very well be the last amplifier, DAC, and preamp combo you’ll need in a very long time.
 
Not only does it look and feel like a million bucks but it also performs like a champ. Its best sound features to me are the overall airy and clean presentation combined with its amazing bass extension and layering in the sub bass region as well as the fantastic dynamics. That being said I’m still left with feeling that I’m more impressed with the performance of the amplifier section than the DAC section. This is not because the DAC section is subpar in any way but rather the unreal performance from the amplifier section.
 
Did I mention that it also comes with a remote control in brushed aluminum……..
 
If I were to make a breakdown of my rating of the Conductor V2+ it would look like this:
Amplifier section: 5
DAC section: 4,5
Build quality: 5
Features: 5
Value: 5 (especially at the current Indiegogo pricing)                
 
The combination of amazing sound, great flexibility and the stunning build quality of the V2+ makes a unit that is very easy to recommend for people looking for an amp/DAC combo within the price range of the Burson Audio Conductor V2+.
 
Burson Audio, from this moment on you got my full attention and RESPECT!