I have the Bartok with the Taiko and it is a magical pairing. It is a clear upgrade over the Dave/mscaler I used to own especially since the 2.0 upgrade. I also use it for 2 channel for ATC speakers and it is phenomenal with that as well. The Taiko really lets the Bartok shine, with a robust...

High 70s low 80s during the day. Not too dissimilar from Honolulu to be honest (except the mid 50s temps early mornings). Perfect walking around weather.

I am always glad to take vacations, but one of the things I would always miss out on was that my portable gear used to take a backseat to my speakers But no more! The DMPZ1 has been an awesome travel buddy. Made the trip from Hawaii to Australia with lots of battery to spare. With the Red...

If you have eclectic tastes and worry about how your system will handle it, you might want to check out studio monitors. While not exactly cheap, they do have a distinctive way of not messing with the music and just getting out of the way without coloration. Some are powered with amps, and...

I felt like such a baller back in the day when I got one of these back in my teens. My headphones then were the dirt cheap foamies you would get at the drug store and I kind of look back fondly at my ignorance of not knowing anything better. I would use my riding lawnmower wearing my discman...

When I listen to IEMs it means I am usually on the move, so usually uptempo pop/rock, indie rock, classic rock, EDM, reggaeton and the like (such as when I‘m on the hiking trail with my BTR7). I must say that the DMPZ1 has allowed me to use my IEMs more because, for the first time, I feel I am...

The DMPZ1 is one of the best audio purchases I have ever made. I cannot even compare it to other portable sources I have tried / owned (including Shanling M8, AK Kann, iFi Gryphon, Centrance m8) - it totally blows them out of the water. For a fairer comparison - this 5 lbs cruiserweight not...

I remember Socrates and his four primary virtues 1. Courage - sure 2. Wisdom - absolutely 3. Justice - right on 4. Moderation - ummm, well, uh - let’s keep our minds open to other ways of thought, people.

Reminds me of the time I tried out the OG Jerry Harvey Layla at e-earphone.

Very friendly and prompt shipping. Could not ask for more!

Seller has excellent taste because he sold me some awesome power cords! Packed well and quick in his responses. Could not ask for a better transaction.

Received item as described. Quick to respond and pleasant to work with.

OMG this was like my intro to rap way back when. I remember cracking up to it as a kid, and I have a soft spot for novelty rap songs since then, I have a funny audiophile story about getting a copy. For the longest time, it wasn‘t available on any streaming service so the only way to listen was...

Thanks! Much appreciated.

Quick question for Bartok owners. I recently switched from Dave to Bartok and have been impressed. For music it has been phenomenal on my ATC speakers. I aslo use a computer and connect via USB to watch Netflix and other streaming services. Is there a way to alter the DAC for the USB setting to...

Come to think of it I was using a different transformer. Will swap it out next time I’m home and see if that makes a difference.

Long time m scalar user recently getting a clipping sound with even moderate (-40) listening level. I think this is a m scaler issue because of no issue with a PC connected usb straight to Dave via usb (can push to -10 for example when paying a YouTube video) Have a room core of Innuos zenith...

Presented without comment.

Haven’t heard the Esoteric but the DAC compares favorably with the Chord Dave/M scaler in my speaker rig. Pricey but quite good. The headphone amp is powerful enough to drive an Abyss TC but the Riviera opens the mids up and makes the bass hypnotic. It does serve as a Roon Endpoint so you...

I came to the MaggotBrain name because of one of my ’82 Delta 88 Oldsmobile. What a lovable hunk of junk. It was the late eighties when I got it - and it only came with an AM radio! The only music station that came in clear was an old soul station. At first I was bummed out but in retrospect...

1) UM Red Halo FE 2) MMR Thummim 3) Noble Kaiser K10 Was inspired to reply while wearing the Red Halo this morning on a jog while vacationing in the Big Island and saw this burly fellow. Red Halo is the GOAT from my experience in this hobby. It can be hard to translate into words what it...

Got a new toy over the weekend and wanted to give a brief report on it as it may be of interest to those with power-guzzling IEMs or even headphones: the iFi Gryphon portable DAC/amp. Here is a pic of it along with my phone and a deck of cards so you get an idea of its size: It fits amazing...

The Gryphon is a great product. It does what it expected to do very well. Just the other day, I did a A/B test with the Gryphon vs my desktop setups and came out pleasantly suprised. It does punch above its weight class to be sure. What I am encouraging the makers of portable DAC/amps to...

It may be desktop quality but it’s not desktop sized. It is smaller than a phone. It fits well in a pocket. Unlike a lot of DAPs it doesn’t overheat like a sailor on shoreleave. I am not meaning to throw a wet blanket on its merits. The xbass fills the missing link for my Red Halo and makes...

It’s kind of like buying a car and then finding out there’s a horse hitched to the front. I mean I kind of expected the newest tech for a luxury product and not a horse-drawn carriage instead of a car.