Latest Next Gen Audio Reviews:

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This site is made entirely without making any profit. In fact, it costs considerable money, not only for the domain and its aliases, but more so due to the larger and larger bandwidth required as the site grows in popularity. I like to use large and beautiful photo's and a clear, colourful interface but in combination with the many pagehits this causes enormous datatransfer rates which has forced me to upgrade my once affordable hosting subscription to ever higher and higher levels. For this, and also for the countless hours of work that go into making and maintaining the site, I'd be very thankful for any contribution you'd like to make!

Click the button at the top right of this site and feel free to donate any amount you like.

Think about it this way: have you ever read this many reviews, tips and articles in *any* 6 euro audio magazine? And any such magazine would probably consist of 50% advertising. All info on my site is always freely available. If enough people donate, even an amount of 1 euro (currently 1,44 US dollar) can make a worthwile contribution.

Many thanks in advance!
Christiaan Punter
 
29-6-2011
Wadia 171i transport
The 171i manages to extract ridiculous amounts of musical detail from an i-device, such as an iPhone in an utterly neutral manner. It has so much potential that when combined with a state of the art dac, the 171i simply produces state of the art sound.
29-6-2011
Olive 04HD music server
One of the most seamless all in one solutions that will surprise many people with its powerful and enthusiastic sound. What's more: take its digital output into an outboard highend DAC and it keeps getting better.
8-7-2011
Trends UD10.1 USB interface
Full-featured version of the UD10.1 Lite reviewed earlier that offers multiple outputs, better power regulation and a more precise clock.
13-7-2011
Audio Synthesis DAX Decade compared to 3 other high end dacs
Audio Synthesis DAX
27-6-2011
Part 3 of the review is here!
PS Audio PWD - part 1
PS Audio PWD - part 2
PS Audio PWD - part 3
The PWD has long been on my list of things to do and is something of a benchmark, because after the Linn Klimax DS, the PWD is the first product that approached network audio streaming with high end audio playback in mind.

Last updated 28-7-2011
Added info to part 3 on bridge and dac firmware, cables used, placement and more
29-8-2011
Onkyo ND-S1 iphone/ipod transport
At about a quarter of the Wadia 171i's entry price, but still offering digital audio extraction, does this neat little transport offer similar quality?
13-10-2011
Naim Uniti
A smashing all in one solution: streamer, cd player and amplifier.
13-10-2011
Naim UnitiQute
A smaller version of the Uniti, minus the cd player.
Older Next Gen Audio Reviews:

5-2011
Trends UD10.1 Lite

13-3-2011
KingRex UC192 USB audio interface

14-12-2010
Harman Kardon GLA-55

7-12-2010
Ayre QB-9

1-12-2010
Arcam rDAC

30-10-2010
M2Tech HiFace EVO

27-3-2010
M2Tech HiFace USB-SPDIF converter

10-3-2010
Logitech Sqeezebox Network Player

1-2010
Musical Fidelity V-DAC

1-2010
Behringer Ultramatch Pro

14-12-2009
Danish Audio Design AX24

16-6-2009
Weiss Dac2

16-12-2008
Apogee Duet






Best liked feedback:
(selections from the guestbook)

Go to the guestbook


I love your website! Surfing hifi-advice.com doesn't make me wanna sigh and shake my head as many other hifi-sites do. Browsing here gets me in a good mood! And that's rare for surfing hifi. Keep it up!
Best regards,
Carl


Hello Christiaan Punter
I am a Danish HiFI reviewer, working for the Scandinavian magazine Fidelity (www.audiofidelity.no), and I want to tell you what a wonderfull website you have made. It´s not often, that I see so much information, perfectly lay-out and easy to read and understand. Thanks!  ;=)
KURT LASSEN


First I have to say I love your website and the honesty you put in your
tests. In a few words I can learn more stuff than in a french commercial
hifi magazine !! The way you compare items or regroup them in the same
sound style is really helpful. You must spend so much time in these tests,
right !
François-Xavier Gonnet


Hi Christiaan,
I stumbled on different articles mentioning sonic differences between wav and flac. Like always, you have very interesting points of view and I like the fact that you say what you think, no matter what others will say. Bravo !
Alain Gregoire
Canada.


Dear Sir,
Just wanted to tell you how wonderful your website is - please keep it up ! It is very refreshing to find a hi-fi site with such knowledgable reviews, no advertisement, and no preconceptions...
Thank you !
Stephane


Hello Christiaan,
now i have found your website.
You are totally crazy ! But respect, for your knowledge about high-end.
Why don't you work as a writer for a highend-magazin ?


hello,
I've been discovering your site with great interest. thank you very muh for all the work done. The point I like particulary, is that most of the time, pros and cons are highlights, wich help to get a clearer idea of a product, instead of incredibly detailing what is good....and not talking about the rest. next is that you don't fear comparing products, and finally, the fact that you seems to care about system synery ;-)
kindest regards.
respectfully.
Quentin


Dear Christiaan ,
I'm looking for some trustworthy advice that it's difficult to find in audigon, audiocircle, computeraudiophile, headfi, etc... because of all the noise and shills.
Thanks a lot. Santiago Madruga


Dear Christiaan,
by chance I found your excellent website while looking for information regarding the Ayre QB 9 DAC and I am glad that I found your website. It is an excellent source full of information and what I do like the most is that you actually compare components side by side.
Your review of the Ayre QB 9 is very helpful since you really "played around" with it trying different USB-cables, different power cords and last but not least different computers with different operating systems and different software players. This way you got probably 100% of what the DAC can do.
Best regards and greetings from Germany,
Johannes


Hi Christiaan,
Great reviews you have done on the various computer USB interfaces, and the software involved. As always, very thorough.
cheers
Andrew


Dear Christiaan,
I would like to congratulate you for your incredible site, it is amazing the amount of knoledge an non comercial information that you are sharing, it is so difficult in the high end world.  Since I discovered your web some years ago I have not stop to read your great articles even the ones in holland languages (using a translator).  In fact your web site is for me the mayor influence for High End.
thank you very much again for all your help with your website.
Best Regards,
Alex


Hi Christiaan,
I have just discovered your site thanks to a link in a ComputerAudiophile thread. Man, I like it :D
I have come to the same conclusions, on topics where I have enough knowledge to cross your own experience.
Anyway I am so glad I discovered your site.
Keep up posting your uncompromised experience !
Regards,
Guillaume Brocard (France)


Good morning
First of all i would like to thank you for the helpful review you have done, i just bought an arcam  rdac.
Many thanks
Regards
lorenzo medici


Hoi Christiaan,
Je hebt niets te veel gezegd, die EVO is een topper.
Vooral het midden, stemmen ed. is superieur maar ook het laag is veel strakker. Beeld is ook meer 3d en breder.
Heb hem nu ruim een week in gebruik en had nooit verwacht dat het verschil zo enorm groot zou zijn.
Nogmaals bedankt, jou review was de aanzet tot aanschaf!
Wim Koolwijk


Want to leave feedback?
Go to the guestbook
How the search for audio nirvana led to the creation of this site
Info, Tips, Tricks and Insights
How to optimise your system
Please help me sustain this site and keep it free from advertising
Streaming, USB, Firewire,
Computer Audio
Current and Classic CD players, Cables, Accessories and more
26-11-2011
Musical Fidelity Clic
Not only a streamer but also a preamp and an excellent DAC.
Jeff Rowland Info Database, Cool equipment, Classic CDP's
Latest
Next Gen Audio
Info Articles:
Latest
Generic Additions:
11-12-2011
WAV and Tagging
2-1-2012
KingRex UD384 USB-spdif interface and U Power Battery Power Supply
After the UC192, KingRex now introduced the UD384 which handles even higher sample rates and works in asynchronous mode.
 
What others are saying:

I love your website! Surfing hifi-advice.com doesn't make me wanna sigh and shake my head as many other hifi-sites do. Browsing here gets me in a good mood! And that's rare for surfing hifi. Keep it up!
Best regards,
Carl

Hello Christiaan Punter
I am a Danish HiFI reviewer, working for the Scandinavian magazine Fidelity (www.audiofidelity.no), and I want to tell you what a wonderfull website you have made. It´s not often, that I see so much information, perfectly lay-out and easy to read and understand. Thanks!  ;=)
KURT LASSEN

More highlights
Guestbook
Older
Generic Additions:


30-11-2011
Marantz classic cd player Timeline (more than 40 models!)

6-11-2011
Marantz CD11LE added to classic cd player review

26-8-2011
Ayre CX7 Cd player

25-8-2011
Marantz CD12LE added to classic cd player review

25-8-2011
Reference Tweaks Miracle Wraps

5-8-2011
80's + 90's CDP DAC and transport list

30-7-2011
Complete Range of Philips CDM transports

30-7-2011
Inside Classic Marantz & Philips CDP's

13-7-2011
Inside Digital Amps

2-7-2011
4 digital amps compared

26-6-2011
Class D, Class T amp principles explained

26-6-2011
Echole Obsession interlinks added to Complete Setup 6

31-5-2011
Transparent Reference vs Reference XL speaker cables

31-5-2011
Transparent Reference XL versus Reference XL SS speaker cables

31-5-2011
Short Signal Paths

22-5-2011
Accuphase DP-400 CD player

6-5-2011
Digital Cables (update)

30-4-2011
Room Acoustics

18-4-2011
A straight wire and a wire with gain

13-3-2011
Furutech versus HifiTuning schuko outlets

13-2-2011
A Cable and its jacket

9-1-2011
REL Quake II versus Strata III

14-12-2010
Harman/Kardon GLA-55 powered speakers

2-12-2010
Heaven's Gate Ultra Silence XL music link

2-12-2010
Siltech FTM-4 Gold G3 interlink

2-12-2010
Bi-wiring

3-11-2010
Meridian 551

3-11-2010
Harmonix Accessories

17-10-2010
Cardas Magnepan Jumper Cables versus OFC copper

6-8-2010
IeGO L 70530 powercable

6-8-2010
PS-Audio Prelude powercable

6-8-2010
B&W HTM-1 centerspeaker

26-7-2010
SACD

25-7-2010
Jeff Rowland Database - Generic Info

23-6-2010
Complete Setup Reviewed

23-6-2010
Transparent Musicwave Ultra Xl versus Synergistic Research Designer's Reference

Bi-wirable or Tri-wirable speakers - where to connect the single wire speaker cable?

22-6-2010
Yamaha DSP Z7 review

21-6-2010
ASI Liveline powercable review

10-5-2010
Balanced/unbalanced operation, XLR/cinch connections

23-4-2010
Unofficial Jeff Rowland Info Database

15-4-2010
Modifying the Acoustic System International Liveline powercable

13-4-2010
Harman Kardon AVR760 Surround Receiver

8-4-2010
Marantz NR1501 Surround Receiver

2-4-2010
Audio Lingo

13-3-2010
Samsung UE55B7020 LED-TV

13-3-2010
PS Audio Power Plant Premier

10-3-2010
This reviewer's preferences

9-3-2010
Schuko Connector standards

8-3-2010
Oyaide Tunami, Crystal Cable, Essential Audiotools, Acoustic System Int Liveline

Sign Audio technologies and Supra

24-2-2010
Vibex and Fadel Art power line conditioners

23-2-2010
Finite Elemente Pagode Signature

23-2-2010
Wadia 27ix GNSC
compared to Levinson no.360S

23-2-2010
Wadia 27ix GNSC under the hood

10-2-2010
HDX NMT Network Media Streamer

31-1-2010
Digital Cables - differences in sound

2-1-2010
Jeff Rowland Cadence phono preamp

28-12-2009
Jeff Rowland Cadence phonostage

25-12-2009
Harmonix Tuning Feet, Tuning disks and Spike Bases

24-12-2009
Harmonix RFA-78i tuning disks

Harmonix RF-900 tuning spike base

Harmonix RF-909x tuning spike base

Harmonix TU210ZX Tuning Feet

Shun Mook Ultra Diamond Resonators

11-12-2009
All about Computer Based Audio Systems

11-12-2009
Linn Unidisc 1.1

7-12-2009
Audio Physic mono switching poweramps

7-12-2009
"Digital" class D amps explained (update)

5-12-2009
B&W N805

5-12-2009
Pathos Unico

4-12-2009
Electrostats - Magnetostats explained

4-12-2009
Transparent Cable Networkboxes Filtering explained

4-12-2009
"Digital" class D amps explained

4-12-2009
Upsampling used for jitter reduction

4-12-2009
Lapp powercables all sound alike?

4-12-2009
Pass DAD AX24 DAC compared to Mark Levinson no360S and Audiomeca Enkianthus

4-12-2009
Pass X250.5 compared to Jeff Rowland model 6

24-11-2009
Clearaudio Record Cleaners compared
Double Smart Matrix versus Matrix Silent




- Archive -

Some old links may no longer work:


20-11-2009
Currently updating the entire site. You may see old style and new style elements mixed up at places but we hope to have it all back up and running in a couple of hours.

17-11-2009
Info-Reviews
Highend fuses compared (update)
HT fuses now also tested in Magnepan speakers

17-11-2009
Info-Reviews
Lapp powercable compared
Many types were tested over an extended period.

17-11-2009
Info-Reviews
Belden powercable compared
2mm versus 4mm version compared. They turn out to sound very different

17-11-2009
Schukos compared - part 2
Hifi Tuning Gold versus Iego Gold

13-11-2009
Complete setups reviewed - layout improved
All setups at a glance, with links to more info and reviews

12-11-2009
van Medevoort CD350 added to review list

20-10-2009
CD Transports - Do they sound different?
What are the differences and why do they sound different?

20-10-2009
AWG-mm2 Conversion Table

20-10-2009
CD Player: Separate Transport/DAC versus Integrated Player

9-10-2009
Original Dutch review translated into English
4 extensionblocks compared
Starwired, standard, plastic or aluminium housing - what are the differences?

5-10-2009
All reviews in category cd/dac now translated in English
CD/DAC reviews

20-9-2009
New speaker reviewed:
Magnepan MG3.6R versus Martin Logan SL3

12-9-2009
All reviews in category cables now translated in English
Cables reviews

9-9-2009
New photo's of the current setup yet again - Video setup now in place
Current Setup

7-9-2009
New photo's of the current setup - the Magnepans have arrived
Current Setup

3-9-2009
New photo's of the current setup
Current Setup

2-9-2009
Review added: NBS Dragon Fly III power cable
Cable reviews

18-8-2009
From now on, audioadvies.nl is called www.hifi-advice.com
The older name will be phased out, but will still point to the same site.
So by typing audioadvies.nl you'll still end up in the right place!

18-8-2009
Transparent Reference MM versus the older Reference and Ultra XL cables
The recent MM tecnology compared to the older XL and non-XL technology.

13-8-2009
New photos added
Current Setup

13-8-2009
Original Dutch review translated into English
Line conditioners yes or no?
The advantages and disadvantages of the various types available

13-8-2009
Original Dutch review translated into English
Extensionblocks - standard vs starwired
The advantages and disadvantages of each method

7-8-2009
By now the site is mostly translated into English, as it was time for a new international name. The new name has been registered as www.hifi-advice.com and will slowly be introduced over the next few weeks. For the forseeable future you will still be able to get here by typing www.audioadvies.nl though.

6-8-2009
Setups reviewed - system 7
A new system reviewed: Trigon amps, DCS SACD player, Revel speakers and very nice cabling

3-8-2009
Viva Verona XL Single Ended Triode poweramplifiers
This super player compared to Audiomeca Enkianthus X and CEC TL1x

30-7-2009
Component Lists and Reviews conveniently combined
Now you can look for components alphabetically and from the summary click on to the extensive reviews

30-7-2009
Audio Aero Prestige SACD player
This super player compared to Audiomeca Enkianthus X and CEC TL1x

30-7-2009
Computer Audio
Everything regarding Computer Audio neatly in one place

26-7-2009
Cable reviews added:
Component List
FIM Gold interlink, FIM Gold powercable, NBS Dragon Fly powercable

26-7-2009
Article added to info:
FIM Gold Powercable - changing the schuko connector

8-7-2009
Golden Reference Powercable - Changing IEC connectors
A report explaining the challenges of modifying this cable

7-7-2009
Review of a complete audio setup added:
Setup-6
Wadia, Spectral, Voce Divina, PS Audio and a perfect listening room

2-7-2009
Double Blind Tests
According to sceptics the only valid method or comparing equipment

26-6-2009
High End Legacy CD Player review - addendum - the Levinson no390s
The Mark Levinson 390s cd processor is now also compared to the group

22-6-2009
Cool Equipment added an extra page full of photos
A selection of what I feel is the most desirable/crazy/outrageous/beautiful equipment.

17-6-2009
Jeff Rowland preamps compared: The legendary Coherence II versus Synergy 1 and Synergy 2i
Find out how much of the Coherence II sound has trickled down into the Synergy

17-6-2009
Legacy equipment - worth it?
Is it worth investing in 10 year old electronics? I say yes. Read on!

15-6-2009
Computeraudio - part 3 - Introducing the Weiss Dac2/Minerva firewire interface

5-6-2009
Separate transport+dac versus integrated cd player
Which is the way to go? Intergrated use has one big advantage...

30-5-2009
info reviews
Highend Legacy CD player comparison
Wadia 861, Krell KPS20i, Meridian 508.24, CEC TL1x/Audiomeca Enkianthus x

29-5-2009
Starting now, all new articles will be in English. Existing content will also gradually be translated.

29 mei 2009
vanaf nu zullen alle nieuwe artikelen in het Engels verschijnen.
de bestaande artikelen zullen tevens gaandweweg vertaald worden.

18 mei 2009
Het verborgen configuratiemenu van de Meridian 508.24 CD speler

14 mei 2009
"model Oyaide" IEC connectoren van andere naam voorzien: AA-IEC-Gold

12 mei 2009
Meridian 508.24 cd speler
informatie toegevoegd aan componentenlijst

12 mei 2009
Transparent Powerlink XL netkabel
Toegevoegd aan componentenlijst

12 mei 2009
IEC connectoren vergeleken deel 2
Naast de eerder geteste model Oyaide en Furutech Fl 11 G nu ook Furutech Fl 15 Rhodium en nieuwkomer IeGo.

5 mei 2009
Computer Audio part 1 - File formats and Playback applications
Read all about wav, mp3 and flac, as well as the applications to make these files or to play them back with. Every application sounds different! (8-5-2009 updated)

21 april 2009
Nieuwe pagina audioverleden

21 april 2009
3 Stekkerblokken in verschillende configuraties vergeleken
Sterbedrading, standaard messing strippen, Plastic of Alu behuizing... wat zijn de verschillen?

14 april 2009
Uitgebreide informatie en technische verklaring van de hoorbaarheid van de juiste fasering van netstekkers

2 april 2009
Achtergrondinfo: LCD, Plasma, CRT TV en het belang van Upscalen
De voor- en nadelen van elk systeem

2 april 2009
Nieuw review: Samsung LE40A786 LCD TV met Smart-LED
Nieuwe techniek eindelijk redelijk betaalbaar

2 april 2009
Nieuw review: vergelijk van digitale kabels
Belden RG59, Mogami AES, Transparent Premium Digital, Wireworld Gold Starlight 3+

26 maart 2009
Info artikel componentopstelling aangevuld met veel informatie

5 maart 2009
uitgebreide achtergrondinformatie over HDMI en DVI geplaatst
De verschillen, de overeenkomsten en HDMI audio

23 februari 2009
HDMI digitale videokabels in een uitgebreid vergelijk

14 januari 2009
Nieuw review: McIntosh MA6900 versus Jeff Rowland Synergy+m6 monoblokken

2 januari 2009
info reviews
Veel nieuwe info
Stekkerblokken serieel of sterbedraad? maakt kabellengte uit? IEC connectoren en hun officiele benamingen

16 december 2008
Diverse nieuwe reviews: Rack of Silence vs Spider, Michell Gyro SE, high end zekeringen, Clearaudio platenwassers, lp recording analoog vs digitaal

14 september 2008
Shakti Stone toegevoegd bij reviews en lijst
Solid Tech Discs of Silence toegevoegd aan lijst

18 augustus 2008
Nieuw review van CEC TL1x CD transport vs Marantz CD94MKII als loopwerk

7 juli 2008
Nieuwe setups van klanten

28 juni 2008
lijst kabels aangevuld met Wireworld Gold Starlight III+ digital, KCI digital, Transparent Premium digital, Harmonic Tech Copper Digital

21 juni 2008
lijst cd/dac aangevuld met CEC TL1x belt-drive transport en
Audiomeca Mephisto II cd transport

19 juni 2008
lijst cd/dac aangevuld met Proceed PDT3, Meridian 602 en 606

Review toegevoegd: Schuko stekkers vergeleken

25 mei 2008
Artikel toegevoegd over Netfilters

15 mei 2008
Nieuw: Reviews, bijvoorbeeld:
DCS Delius en Purcell en Klassieke Philips cd spelers
USB/Firewire audio interfaces

Componentenlijsten geupdate
Nu met DCS Delius/Purcell, Marantz CD94MKII, Pass X2

30 januari 2008
Nieuwe categorie tips: USB-Firewire Audio Interfaces

4 december 2007
Helaas kunnen we wegens de enorme drukte niet meer algemeen adviseren in de vorm van adviesabonnementen of eenmalig advies zoals dat voorheen nog kon. Uiteraard blijft het onze missie om u te voorzien van objectieve en duidelijke advies en info. Daarom wordt de info/reviews afdeling de komende tijd uitgebreid. Uiteraard kunt u nog steeds uitvoerig advies inwinnen over de audioadvies produkten en de inpassing daarvan in uw persoonlijke situatie.
23-1-2012
Rein Audio XDAC
A small but sturdly built DAC that offers coaxial, optical and USB inputs. With the latter, it really shines.
24-1-2012
Rein Audio XDACLinn Klimax DS/0
Heralded in each and every review as the world's best streamer. So, is it? To find out, I compared the DS to that other big name in streaming, the PS Audio PWD, as well as to my favorite CD player, the Levinson no.390S.