Posts by author
Trav Wilson
Our guide is here to help you find the tools and build the skills to decide on the right pair of headphones for you. Perhaps you are new to the…
Review: Burson Conductor 3 Reference Review – Massive Power and Monster Sized – the Kraken Cometh!
I encountered unexpectedly rough water when I took the Burson mega DAC/amp for a sail through my music collection. If you know headphone audio, you know Burson Audio. And it’s…
Review: iFi iDSD Diablo DAC/Amp – the Devil Is in the Details
A unique mix of raw, fire-breathing power and refined audio perfection in a no-frills portable package. I have a riddle for you. What do you get when you mix the…
A Beginner’s Introduction to Roon – What is it and Who is it for?
How Roon ruined all other music players for me. Most audiophiles and music enthusiasts have likely heard about Roon. Sometimes ad nauseam from its many fans. The gushing declarations of…
Review: iFi NEO iDSD Desktop DAC/Amp – Not iFi’s Typical Look or Sound
More DAC than amp, is the NEO better on paper than in person? I appreciate simplicity. I’d like to claim that I’m a simple man with simple tastes, but the…
The Roiling MQA Debate: A Sound Quality Test on TIDAL That Leaves More Questions than Answers
A critical look at Master Quality Authenticating and why people are so upset. A recent video published (on April 15, 2021) by GoldenSound has once again stirred up the MQA…
Review: SMSL SU-9 DAC – Cleanliness Is Next to Godliness
A midrange-priced DAC sporting essentially every possible option. The SMSL SU-9 is an ESS Sabre chip-based desktop DAC with a middle-of-the-road price tag. It features balanced outputs, the latest and…
[DIY Guide] Raspberry Pi Network Music Streamer With Touchscreen
Open source and affordable, but fully-featured and highly customizable! I recently reviewed the Orchard Audio PecanPi Streamer Ultra, a Raspberry Pi-based network music streamer device with an integrated touchscreen. While…
Review: ULTRASONE Edition 15 Veritas – Could These Be THE End-Game, Closed-Back Headphones?
ULTRASONE always creates controversy (and passionate but divisive opinions abound) but never so much as with their TOTL models. What does the term ‘end-game’ mean to you? No, not the…
[Ultimate Guide] Koss Modification – Ear Pads, MMCX Sockets, and Detachable Cables, Oh My!
Tuning, personalizing, and beautifying the Koss Porta Pro, KSC35, KSC75, and KPH30i. Every few years, a new group of headphone enthusiasts discovers the least well-kept secret in portable audio. Brace…
Review: Koss KPH30i – You Should Meet the New Guy
Has Koss finally surpassed the mighty Porta Pro? It may only be Koss that can release headphone models in 2017 and still have them considered as the ‘new’ version. It’s…
Review: Orchard Audio PecanPi Streamer Ultra – Networked Music Player DAC/Amp
When does sound quality justify compromising convenience, features, and cost? The PecanPi Streamer Ultra is the TOTL product from audio enthusiast Leonid (Leo) Ayzenshtat. His company Orchard Audio has produced…
Review: Koss KSC75 On-Ear Clips – the Iconic Not-Quite-Headphones Alternative
The titanium-coated driver sounds unique and offers an (almost ridiculously affordable) introduction to audiophile sound. Hot on the heels of my Koss KSC35 review, here is my take on the…
Review: Koss KSC35 Wireless Ear Clips – Porta Pro Magic Without the Band
The awkward Koss middle child struggles to stand out from their siblings. How does Koss do it? I can think of very few other tech companies releasing products designed decades…
Review: Helm Audio BOLT – MQA + THX = DAC / AMP. IMO, FTW!
I feel shot right through with a BOLT of blue. Relative new kids on the block (or perhaps with that subtitle, I should say, “one of a new order of…
