THE REVIEWS
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BORDER PATROL SE-i DAC -REVIEW
The simplest thing to say about the Border Patrol SE-i DAC is that it never disappointed or failed to amaze. However, to carry on about SE-i DAC is to speak to its whole-cloth coherency, its top to bottom frequency reach (dependent on system configuration/synergy), its natural and wholly transparent rendering of the music, and its beguiling, analog ease across the entirely of the frequency range.
THE STAX SR-L700MkII - REVIEW
Transparency, clarity, speed, soundstage are all next-level with the SR-L700MkII. And it will absolutely shine on live recordings, open halls, cathedrals, choral, chamber, symphony arrangements (with caveat), intimate cafes, even rock (given the proper supporting equipment). The SR-L700MkII will bring the air, the width, stage depth, and height associated with each of the songs that it renders.
MEZE EMPYREAN WIRE REVIEW
At the time of the MEZE Empyrean review, I was aware of the upgrade cables—the Pure Copper Ultra High Drawability (PCUHD) cable ($249-$349) and the PCUHD Silver-Plated Copper cable ($399-$499)—but I had not heard either. And there were scant if any reviews, save for customer reviews, that had found the cable well worth the price of admission. I was intrigued. Could the Best Product for 2020 and AudioKey Reviews’ only DIAMOND AWARD winner, to date, sound even better?
VISION EARS EVE REVIEW
Some might think the EVE an anomaly for what it does in service of the music, with its outstanding transparency—detail, microdynamics, articulation—its superb musicality, its speedier than The Flash transients, and its top to bottom coherency. However it is for us, very much in line with what we consider the Holy-Music-Lovers-Grail.
IBASSO AMP9 MODULE REVIEW
The iBASSO AMP9 module is unique in that it utilizes “high current vacuum tubes” for power generation. The tube in question is the sixth generation, Korg and Noritake Nutube vacuum tube, which clearly reflects the “old is new again” adage. And, in this respect, the AMP9 module brings an analog sound signature as opposed to an analog-like sound signature.
IFI PRO IDSD HEADPHONE AMP/DAC/STREAMER REVIEW
The time spent with the Pro iDSD was time well spent, in that it offered, as listed above, a plethora of options, wonderful musicality and quite good transparency across all of its options, and it played well with many partners ranging from headphones (dynamic, planar) to In-Ear-Monitors (IEMs) all of which it drove beautifully.
CAYIN N6ii/E01 REVIEW
In the E01 module Cayin has embraced a duality, that sees a “Warm/Transparent” tuning, reminiscent of EL34’s, “shacking up,” so to speak, with a “Reference (like)/Transparent” tuning. Said duality is, by the way, available on-the-fly—touch screen enabled. Sweet!