THE REVIEWS
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STAX SR-X9000 - REVIEW
The new and undisputed flagship of the STAX earspeaker-headphone line is the STAX SR-X9000 electrostatic headphone! And after listening these past weeks, this was perhaps one of the easiest calls that I have made to date. … Did I mention how extraordinarily immersive the STAX SR-X9000 is? Well, you will experience the sounds, the emotion, the ambiance, the ease, and even the ‘sights.’
THE STAX SR-009S - REVIEW
In truth, the STAX experience has transformed me into a dedicated headphone listener, as several decades of two-channel listening with systems into the low six figures, have never made this kind of a mark on me or revealed the music and its inner workings or summoned the magic to this degree. Never.
VISION EARS ERLKÖNIG -REVIEW
The ERLKÖNIG is a tunable IEM in that it has four settings hidden beneath its faceplates. These settings allow for a certain customization, though I found but one—setting #2—that was musical and with a good measure of bass. But like all of the other settings there was little if any sub-bass reach and a decided lack of tautness and drive across all settings. It was thus the typical Balanced Armature (BA) sub-bass that is seldom satisfying.
FIIO FD5 - REVIEW
If you’re looking for a flagship IEM but don’t have the money traditionally associated with owning one, then your journey may well end with the FiiO FD5. And one listen, after it is properly burned in, will find you with an IEM of tremendous value and impressive, musical talent.
SHANLING M8 DAP REVIEW
The Shanling M8 is an extraordinary “Portable Music Player” more detailed and extended than the DX220 AMP1 MkII, more musical and engaging than the Cayin N6II/A01, and it is as powerful as some desktop systems (and more transparent). The iBasso and the Cayin are both quite stellar, highly rated DAPs, the M8, however, is on another level altogether in what it brings to the rendering of one’s music.
OBRAVO RA-C-CU (IEM) REVIEW
The Most Expensive IEM in the World and a Masterstroke of Design Engineering!
The Obravo RA-C-CU is a TOTL IEM not unlike the TOTL super cars—the Bugatti Chiron, Ferrari 488 Pista, Koenigsegg Jesko, Lamborghini Veneno, and Pagani Zonda Revolucion. And when its needs are dutifully met, as outlined above, its owner will be greatly rewarded with next-level musicality, transparency, and engagement.