Wadia 151 Power DAC
Max bitrate/samplerate not known. 151 pictured at the bottom. In: 2x coax, USB, toslink. Out: cinch, XLR. Recently introduced, this is a tiny (20x20cm) dac with built-in power amplifier. It sure seems like a neat solution. It is also very affordable considering it's a Wadia. I've only heard it at shows but from what I gather, it sounds dynamic and lively while definitely not harsh in any way.
Retail price approx 1200 euro
Burwen Bobcat RE (enhancement software)
This is special software that works with Windows Media Player 11, designed to enhance the soundquality of mp3's to make them sound richer. In essence this is very specialised equalizer/harmonix processor software, aimed at the music lover. The maker is keen to point out that the process is carefully developed by Dick Burwen and doesn't make use of existing algoritms. According to the maker CD irritation and listening fatigue disappears and you can listen longer and louder. Lots of information can be found on burwenbobcat.com. (visually loud site alert!)
Retail price approx 400 euro
This page is continually updated. I will keep adding new components and extensive reviews, also for components already listed, so please check back regularly!
Missing a product that you think should be listed?
Would you like your product reviewed?
Disclaimer:
I try my best to reflect accurate information but cannot be held responsible for misprint, misquoting prices etc. Specs can and do change sometimes over the coarse of a product's availability. Prices are often approximated from the selling price in the country of origin. Due to taxes and such, prices may vary. If you find any mistakes, don't hestitate to mail me.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Harman/Kardon GLA-55 powered loudspeakers
Onboard digital amplification, long voice coils and DSP means that these speakers go incredibly loud without distortion. They also produce remarkably deep bass, really negating the use of a subwoofer. The sound is clean, transparent, articulate, well-focused and spacious. They are quite pricey but they really perform way beyond their size and combined with their arresting visual appeal I'd say they're almost worth their asking price. I did buy them and have no regrets at all but have to admit that you could probably match the soundquality for less outlay by going for regular speakers and a decent amp but you'd miss out on this beautiful eye-catching style.
Retail price approx 700 euro
Behringer Ultramatch Pro samplerate converter
(asynchronous upsampler)
Max 24/96. Digital In/Out: AES/coax/toslink, Analog in/out: XLR. The Ultramatch is a very interesting little device. It is no substitue for the dcs Purcell but it definitely has some very appealing qualities, most obvious being its function as a reclocker. It really tightens up the sound and make for a more lively presentation. Apparently not all upsamplers are created equal as the Ultramatch's inherent dry character means that you'll have to use warm or smooth sounding cables to get the best results but there's plenty room for experiments. If you have a PC as source, you might find its attribution addictive! It costs only about 300 euro. So do yourself a favour - set aside your preconceptions and just give it a try.
Retail price approx 250 euro
How the search for audio nirvana led to the creation of this site
Info, Tips, Tricks and Insights
How to optimise your system
Streaming, USB, Firewire,
Computer Audio
Current and Classic CD players, Cables, Accessories and more
Jeff Rowland Info Database, Cool equipment, Classic CDP's
Meridian Sooloos Control 15
Self-contained touchscreen-controlled Sooloos system with built in optical disk drive and hard disk storage. All popular formats (WAV, AIFF, FLAC, Apple Lossless, AAC, mp3) are supported up to 24/192 but on coax out only play up to 24/96, due to the limitation of the spdif format. In: Ethernet. Out: digital coax, Meridian speakerlink. Works all by itself, or in combination with extra endpoints, extra storage and i-device apps.
Retail price approx 5995 euro
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________