So, I got a marketing email from A&K today, and I just have to ask why? I mean, I've long been convinced they don't actually know a lot about audio over there (AK100 launches with insane output impedance that they advertise as a good thing, because that's what real speaker amps have!) This one...

So, I've held off on posting this too bluntly, but I feel that I've been in contact with their support team long enough (and through an update) that I should bring this to the attention of the community. Astell&Kern prominently advertises that the AK300 has a parametric equalizer, but it...

My random internet musings late last week brought me to discussion of a product that is said to be able to declip music files. There was some suggestion that such a process is impossible. One forum goer compared declipping music to working with a blown out image, where all you have is white to...

Alright, so I'm pretty new to messing with equalizers. I don't really trust myself to do it well. But I figure, correcting a bad FR in a DAP to flat is a good start. My assumption was if I set a value at, say 100Hz to +1db, and 150Hz to +.5 dB, it should be at about -.75dB at 125Hz. If it's at...

So, I have some UM Merlins. Their input impedance is silly low (12Ω) which seemed like as good a reason as any to get a DAP. So I got a Sony ZX1, class D amp should work really well with them. I got an AK300 for other reasons. But today I ran an RMAA test with the Merlins as a load.     ...

So, I read in another thread that A&K players might be using a heavily customized version of Android. I have been trying to decide on a new DAP. I like to tinker, and had considered a Cowon Plenue D and FiiO X3, both of which allow UI customization. That said, things like Bluetooth and wifi are...

So, I have been using this a lot lately. I use streaming services for the majority of my new music, but there are a few artists who I really like, and I still buy albums occasionally. At this point, it's usually vinyl (don't come in here telling me how bad it is - I don't care, I just find...

If you want to get in to multi-channel audio, this is a sweet deal:   http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X6AGWRQ/ref=gbps_tit_m-7_4282_1aad697c?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=2265424282&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-7&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=384082011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1GH0RPYX778P870WK663   I...

So, This is kind of weird, but wondering if there is maybe a type of distortion that could cause this.    When I use my Surface Pro 3 tablet as a source I get a slight pain in my temple, specifically around the sphenoid bone (just behind the eyes - in front of the temporal bone). I first...

So, I have been looking for good information about this, and haven't found any.    Background, there is a company that has a patented amplification technology that allegedly eliminates this terrible problem with solid state amplifiers, IMD. Their tech is dubbed "Current amplification," and its...

I have to tell this tale, because I've basically given up. I bought a 602 slim and had an issue with the screen after a week of ownership. I was the second owner, so I had no receipt, and wouldn't get warranty service as a result. Fine. On March 18 I sent away my HiFiMan 602 slim along with $60...

Methodology       As indicated in the subject like, this is going to be a review of the Sony NW-ZX1. I'll be conducting this review by A-Bing a series of songs, using a Sescom SES-IPOD-AB A/B switch. This allows me to plugin in two devices at once in to separate inputs, and a headphone in to...

So, I'm having some issues. I want to measure the output voltage of the ZX1 so that I can get its output impedance. Problem is, I can't get my old (admittedly cheapo) multimeter, or the new fancy one that I got when I was having trouble, to measure any output voltage at all from the Sony.   ...

I sent a PM to Nankai, 2 weeks ago today, and he said that there was an imminent (read: within one week) firmware update on its way. Did I miss it? Anyone know where this update may be? Was it delayed?

So, my BB has all the usual suspects, they have a few decent pairs of Sonys, the bottom end Sennheisers, and the headphones available to sample are Beats (all of them), and a pair of skullcandys. However, the back of the local Best Buy also has an "Instrument Center," or something like that...