Showing posts with label clip on headphones. Show all posts
Showing posts with label clip on headphones. Show all posts

Yamaha SV-130 Concert Select Silent Electric Brown 4/4 Violin

Yamaha SV-130 Concert Select Silent Electric Brown 4/4 Violin
Customer Ratings: 3 stars
List Price: $1,025.00
Sale Price: $720.00
Today's Bonus: 30% Off
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  • Easy to hold and play, offering the natural feel and resonance of an acoustic violin
  • Controls include- Master Volume - Reverb Type Select - Aux In - Aux In Volume - In-Out Jacks - Headphone Out - Line In - Piezo Sensor
  • Spruce Body, Maple Neck, Ebony Fingerboard, Ebony Pegs, Maple Aubert Bridge, Molded Plastic Side Body, Tailpiece, and Chinrest
  • The aux-In 1/8 inch jack with independent volume control allows connection of an MP3 or CD player for playing along with you favorite recordings
  • Though the acoustic sound produced is barely a whisper, you will hear yourself in the rich, virtual environment of a resonant concert hall

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Some days I absolutely love it, others I just hate it! The sound is very good as long as you keep the volume in the mid levels (as all e-violins). I have 4 problems with this violin though:

1) It was very hard getting used to the chin rest, it's not interchangeable and it was very uncomfortable at first, but you learn to accommodate to it.

2) The batteries shake on certain notes, creating a buzz. It's fixable though by adding a little extra padding with the batteries but I see it as a design flaw

3) The saddle on the head part of the neck is a bit too tall. You either get used to that or you sand it down. I chose option A

4) Its very hard to play dynamically but that is an attribute to ALL e-violins.

But this violin has its pros too:

1) It is aesthetically absolutely gorgeous

2) The feel is great. I know when I go back to an acoustic violin there will be no bad habits from playing this instrument.

I was torn between this one and the wood brand violin. I'm still deciding if I made the right choice (I am not saying I didn't)...

My advice to you is go to your music store and try all you can get your hands on.

The store and shipment was incredibly fast and very well packaged, So my rating for the store is 10 Stars!!!

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Gino 3.5mm Female to 2 RCA Male Jack Audio Video Cable 1.5M

Gino 3.5mm Female to 2 RCA Male Jack Audio Video Cable 1.5M
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
List Price: Price Unavailable
Sale Price: $6.62
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I bought this cable for my brother's TV, which does not have a headphone jack.

Thanks to this product, it does now. Sound is crisp, clear, right to the brain! The length is perfect, as the Audio jacks are in the back.

To use, merely plug into your Audio jacks, and then plug in your wireless phones, and then, for maximum privacy, Mute the TV. Sound is Just Like Being There. Thanks for a product that corrects a manufacturer's oversight. Thanks, Jon

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This cable is exactly as described 2 male RCA jacks, a 1.5 meter flat cable, with a female 3.5 mm (i.e. earphone) jack on the other end.

If you have a device with RCA stereo audio output and you want to plug earphones or something else with a standard earphone plug into it, this will be great. You can get shorter or longer ones, but this length was perfect for me I'm using it with an older TV, and the cable is long enough to reach from the jacks at the back of the TV and around the side, so I can plug my TaoTronics bluetooth transmitter into it and turn it on or off without reaching around to the back of the TV.

The packaging was not in English, and as far as I know, there were no instructions, but it's simple enough that I can't imagine needing them. Strongly recommended if you want these connections and length.

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I used this to hook headphones to my tv, because my family usually complains I keep them awake. Now I can listen to the sound as loud as I want. Works great and it is a good length cable.

Read Best Reviews of Gino 3.5mm Female to 2 RCA Male Jack Audio Video Cable 1.5M Here

Haven't attempted ordering them via a different seller, but AirBus was the provider fullfilled by Amazon, pictured as being gold plated, with a question and answer at the bottom of the item description confirming it was gold plated...and what I received was a set of smaller diameter wire, non gold plated, adapters that looked quite cheap relative to the other reviewers' descriptions. Ordered a differenet adapter cable also off of Amazon, different provider...fulfilled by Amazon, which was also pictured as being gold plated, and had gold in the description of the adapter...what I received, again, was not. So, buyer beware! I'd pay attention to the different buying options and perhaps if there is a US provider, I'd try that route to see if you'll end up with what was advertised. If not, request a refund item did not match description on the web...then go for a different source provider of the item. The only way they will stop this practice is if buyers notice they did not receive a gold plated version, or smaller diameter wire, and return the item. Then try a different source provider of the item until you find someone that sends what they are supposed to. If the returns hurt their pockets beyond the extra profits reaped by shipping cheaper than shown items, yet charging prices based on what is shown, only then will they stop the bait and switch practice. I'm not blaming Amazon, it's the source providers doing it to them. Amazon will never know who the constant offenders are if they are not brought to light. If anyone gets these, or any other adapter pictured as being gold plated for that matter, that arrives as described and pictured, please include that information in your review...along with the source provider of the item so that others may patronize that supplier.

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The cabling is very sturdy and not flimsy seems like it will hold up well over time and after being plugged in and out several times.

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PreSonus Central Station Plus: Studio Control Center with Remote Control

PreSonus Central Station Plus: Studio Control Center with Remote Control
Customer Ratings: 3 stars
List Price: Price Unavailable
Sale Price: $574.67
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  • 3 sets of stereo analog inputs and 2 sets of S/PDIF digital inputs
  • 3 sets of stereo speaker outputs with Select switches and trim pots
  • Passive audio path with no op amps or IC's
  • Onboard talkback microphone and talkback input
  • Dual 30-segment, fast-acting, peak-hold LED metering. Remote controllable via included Control Station Remote (CSR-1)

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]I've read several reviews comparing the Big Knob to the Presonus Central Station. I can speak first hand to this. I've had a CS for 4 or 5 years. It's the main audio out for my studio. It went out over a month ago, no audio. Talked to Presonus tech support several times. They thought it was the power supply. They don't make them anymore for this first model CS. They said I was in great luck because they found the last used one in their shop and sent it to me free. 2 weeks pass with only one set of monitors plugged into my workstation instead of 3 I normally run for comparison. I get the thing and it turns out the power supply is not the problem. I have to return the CS to Presonus. 1 week shipping, 1 week repair, 1 week return. $50 shipping ground, $85 standard repair fee. Too long to work without a monitor controller, so I bought the Big Knob. It sounded very good at first connection. Finally got the CS back after about 5 weeks. Replaced the Mackie with the Big Knob. Here's what I heard.

The BK is very dynamic and offers more gain than the CS. It sounds good. But the CS is noticeably more transparent probably due to passive electronics. Quite noticeable on a well recorded acoustic piano for example. If you were just doing rock or hiphop, you might even prefer the BK. It has perhaps more umph. For clearity, the CS wins. Im keeping the BK because I can feed it audio from the CS line out to control a subwoofer, something I couldn't do with the CS alone while feeding 3 monitor sets at the same time.

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While this unit sounds much better than anything in the price range, the price doesn't justify the fact it falls apart from the moment you buy it. Pretty much from month one on, count on it losing another feature. I have owned two and won't buy another and hope others will learn from my mistakes.

Casio LK-270 Premium Lighted Keyboard Pack with Power Supply, Keyboard Stand and Professional Close

Casio LK-270 Premium Lighted Keyboard Pack with Power Supply, Keyboard Stand and Professional Closed Cup Stereo Headphones
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
List Price: Price Unavailable
Sale Price: Price Unavailable
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  • 61 piano-style keys
  • Touch Response (2 sensitivity levels, off)
  • 48-note polyphony (maximum)
  • 570 high-quality tones including stereo grand piano tones
  • Package includes Power Supply, Keyboard Stand and Professional Closed Cup Stereo Headphones

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Sounds 5/5

The sounds are very realistic, with the new sound engine they have put in place, when playing the piano sounds beside a real piano, the difference is almost impossible to notice, the tones and accompaniments are also very great.

Step up lessons 5/5

The lessons are great, they phase the music, and you take it in steps, and if its too fast for you, you can by the press of a button, slow it down to your speed, its user friendly.

Connections 5/5

The USB MIDI function just works effortlessy, works with keyboard learning software, Finale 2009, and much more, when I opened Finale with the MIDI connected, it just started interpreting what I was playing without have to configure anything in the software.

Look & Layout 5/5

It looks great, although 61 keys, very convenient, its very light, u can easily carry the stand and the keyboard around without much effort, the layout is very user friendly and its easy to navigate, and the user manual tells you how to perform tasks in detail not readily seen. The Key-lighting function is really cool and very helpful in the step up lessons, only 10 can light at a time, but its also very cool for night playing as well.

Overall 5/5

Its a great keyboard, I'd recommend it for anyone, dont spend so much on a keyboard just yet, this is the one you must get, if 61-keys is all you need, otherwise, feel free to check out the 88-keys keyboards.

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This is a *fantastic* learning keyboard from Casio. But I would order it *without* the accessories by itself if possible.

The keyboard stand had a horrible paint chemical smell which took over a month to dissipate, and the headphones and mic couldn't be made any more cheaply. The full-size to mini stereo adapter is so out of spec it is almost non-functional. If I had it to do over again, I would order the bare keyboard and then search Amazon for well-reviewed accessories and buy them a la carte rather than as part of this bundle.

Read Best Reviews of Casio LK-270 Premium Lighted Keyboard Pack with Power Supply, Keyboard Stand and Professional Close Here

I bought this for my 8 year old boy and he love it. The sound is OK but not good as I expected. I had before a WK from Casio and that sounds much better than this one. I just bought this model because of the SD function. But the SD need a separate format for playback. (Hard to find how to do it.) Also there was no microphone included. The stand and headphones are good and the lighted keys are good for a beginner like my 8 year old. Totally this is good buy for the price.

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Although the piano patch is very nice, PLAYING this unit is not easy or enjoyable.

The keys are REALLY stiff.

It takes great effort to strike any one note and it's even more difficult to strike chords and handle runs.

It's as if the keys have thick rubber or sponges under them.

When striking a key, there is more resistance as it is going down and no spring on the way up.

If you're looking for a keyboard for your kid to learn on, forget this one. Fingers will fatigue in minutes after fighting with these keys. Your kid will just get discouraged.

Good keys should have a little bounce to them and should react easily to a quick striking.

Alos, the plastic music stand rattles when trying to play the board. So much effort goes into getting any sound out of this unit that it bounces about and rattles like a cheap plastic toy.

UPDATE TO REVIEW:

As an alternative I tested and purchased the Yamaha EZ-200 61 Full-Sized Touch Sensitive Lighted Keyboard for my kid. LIGHT YEARS BETTER. The keys are not stiff and spring back the way they should. The sounds are great, especially the main patch; the Grand Piano. The lighted keyboard feature had my kid interested and learning right out of the box. If you're in the market for a lighted keyboard for your kid, based on my experience, go with the Yamaha instead of the Casio. Amazon had it priced right and bundled with what you need.

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This was a great package deal. We had a bit of a problem with the stand (factor error I'm sure, one of the screws was in so hard and totally stripped, we were unable to get it out without a drill) however Amazon was very accommodating and we are overall very pleased. The Keyboard works great and has LOTS of functions.

Audio-Technica ATH-PRO700MK2 Professional DJ Monitor Headphones

Audio-Technica ATH-PRO700MK2 Professional DJ Monitor Headphones
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
List Price: $230.00
Sale Price: $175.99
Today's Bonus: 23% Off
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  • Clear, well-defined trebles, rich bass response^53 mm drivers designed exclusively for PRO700MK2^50°/90° earpiece.
  • Swiveling capability provides a perfect fit for every monitoring application.
  • Lightweight design for maximum comfort during extended use^Closed-back dynamic headphones

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The first things that stood out superior right out the box compared to the M50 detachable cables (however, this is still somewhat proprietary considering the entry port is threaded meaning the cord screws in, then locks into place), sensitivity of 106db versus M50's 99db (got my headroom much quicker, love it), and the fact that it has tons of deep bass, which will come out full titanic force after burn-in. Interestingly, it is a touch heavier than the M50, but smaller in overall size. It also feels sturdier and higher quality too. The headband, though smaller in size (no doubt it's clampy I stretched it like Yoga), feels beefier (like Del-Monte stew) and the adjustments to it feel even more solid compared to the M50. Initial results were overwhelmingly positive,considering the bass.

Durability is fantastic. It is definitely tighter in the headband compared to the M50, these will need some more serious stretching for some. The cups swivel and rotate in the same fashion as the M50's. The cups are round and a little smaller in overall size compared to the M50's more oval shape. Headphone padding is not as thick as the M50's as well.

The treble sounds identical to the M50's, quick, defined and crisp like deep-fried potato wedges. Yet, the overall tone is a touch less shimmery than the M50's. This is not due to the bass however, the sound is just darker in the highs and mids overall compared to the M50. If anything, it is a little less prominent on the lower trebs and so I boosted the 8K range a little bit. However, there is a touch more detail up there compared to the M50's. Probably due to the extended treble frequency, but the highs are nonetheless decent and will bring justice to any genre. If you're looking for brighter highs though with certain genres of music, you may look at the versatile M50's instead, but sacrifice some significant bass impact too.

The midrange is nicely appointed. Smooth, with great imaging and detail. There is more black between the notes compared to the M50's, which gives off an even greater imaging effect. However I gave the 4K range a little boost as well to give it more fullness. The upper mids are a little recessed as well just like the M50's. At high volumes, the sound in the mids seem to blare a little with the stock MK2 pads. Switch them out with the M50's and the blare is gone. In fact, it sounds better overall with no cons with the M50 pads vs. the MK2 pads. Swap them immediately, even though the M50 pads aren't a stable fit (they can rotate on the cup) they are secure enough that they don't pop off unless intentionally. Since it is designed for DJ's, I do understand the need for having the driver close to the eardrum with the shallow MK2 pads, so this is not necessarily a con that the stock pads feel and sound this way. The mids overall though are pleasing, but without an amp and a EQ, it might just be satisfactory for some. Once again, the M50's mids have a touch more fowardness.

The bass. Man. Bowel-hitting. The bass has robbed the bank and dropped some change for me as well! Incredible presence is jiggling the cups on my dome. It is fantastically deep and has authority like a disturbed rhino. The bass is ridiculously satisfying and hits like a shot of Bacardi 151. Seriously, if you love bass, your plate is full and that includes dessert. It doesn't distort at high volumes either and amazingly doesn't stomp the daylights out the mids and highs. From top to bottom, these are full and engaging. Yup, fresh out the pen and sittin' on monster swoll, these have more low note crunch than any headphone that I've owned (case in point : D2000, M50, DT990). If you don't like bass, steer clear of the LZ! This phone reigns supreme like an angry, rushing elephant. Nothing can stop the sheer might of the bass in these. This is what they were made for and they delivered like Papa John's.

Soundstage is surprisingly larger than the M50's. It is larger in width, but not much more in height. In addition, it sounds more 3D, like the A700. This may be because of the 53mm drivers on these beasts compared to the M50's 45mm. It does very well when it comes to games, but movie soundtracks man, that's where the party's at. These are downright fantastic for movies (with M50 pads). The soundstage feels larger than the cups themselves and seems to come from outside, and from all angles like a geometry test. It can handle the entire dynamic range of all films (especially Blu-Ray) with aplomb and will leave the listener grinning from ear to ear.

Detail retrieval is fantastic as well. Same line as the M50's. Instruments like the piano and drums sound very natural. Singers and voices come through very clear and fresh-sounding.

Isolation is great, better than the M50's. Leakage is also greatly controlled, even at high volumes, the sound level is minor to those who are nearby. This is also superior to the M50's.

These are certainly one of my favorite cans, especially for movies! Consider the still excellent M50 if you prefer a more "flatter" sound with less (much less) emphasis on the bass notes, usually for what they were designed for studio use. However, if you are a bass-head and need more low-end oomph compared to the M50 or other closed-backs that are known for great low note response yet are willing to sacrifice brighter highs and live with some recessed mid-range, I, without a doubt, highly recommend the MK2's.

Audio Technica ATH-PRO700MK2 = 20lbs. steak, beef, and bass on your plate.

Max sound level before distorting 118db

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firstly, beach audio is a wonderful distributer and i greatly enjoyed my business dealings with them. at the lowest price anywhere, with free FedEx home delivery shipping from new jersey (came all the way to the west coast for me)if you didn't know, that's a $20.00 shipping fee for these phones, for FREE!

besides the distributer, these cans are... impressive.

if you plan on buying these phones, make sure you purchase the m50 pads along with them, they fit wonderfully and comfort wise they far surpass the stock ones. Now you CAN use the stock pads, obviously. however, the cover over the driver presses against your ear, and the low amount of padding caused discomfort over short periods of time, say around 30+ minutes. That being said, bass is more intense with the stock pads, what i mean by that is that the stock pads themselves vibrate from the punch of the bass from these massive 53mm drivers. your face, will be turned to jello.

the bass is still wonderful with the m50 pads, however it's not as overwhelming and you seem to forget and hardly care due to the mass comfort the m50 pads provide. highs are not absolutely mind boggling, but will still baffle you slightly, perhaps. the mids are fine too, not as refined as the m50s, but none the less they are still impressive and if you are upgrading to these from a pair of cans such as beats, or ones even worse than that; you will be highly satisfied with this set as an upgrade.

practicality: they fold up, i mean REALLY fold up. they become very compact and even though the given pleather pouch that comes with these phones is adequate, a SLAPPA hard-body case is still a good investment. the detachable cord(s) is also very helpful in this role, unscrew the plug from your cans, fold em up (usually don't need to change the headband adjustment before folding, it's fine for me and i have it on 3 on both sides) and drop them in your original bag, or case. roll up the cord and stick it in there with them, and you're good to go!

build quality? I have fallen out of my friends top bunk bed, and landed on these phones while they were folded up. and you know what? THERE WAS NO DAMAGE AT ALL! I haven't dropped them, yet. actually I have, I dropped them on the floor from that same bunk bed, (about 5ft tall I guess) onto carpet and they were pristine after that as well. (which is why they were on the floor in the first place before i fell on them...)

I've had these headphones for, a week or two i think. and they have gone through 60hrs of break-in, and more time actually playing my music. i broke them in with high and low frequency sweeps, white noise, and pink noise. Tracks for such break-ins may be found, on the internet. Google it. with my short lived experience, i do not see these cans breaking anytime soon. i plan on having these for at lease 2 years before i choose some sort of upgrade, a $600 realm upgrade, and i anticipate these working perfectly until that time.

SOMETHING NOT USUALLY MENTIONED ON REVIEWS: the pivots for the drivers themselves are controlled, what i mean by this is that there is a smooth resistance acting against the pivot, as well as either a spring system or more likely magnets that keep the casing around the drivers back against the pivot bracket. so you can wear them around your neck as they are seen in the picture, which is a BIG bonus for me.

the top headband pad is not super cushioned, but i have no problem with it. some people also complain about the stiffness of the headband, but i personally like to headbang with my headphones on, and i can do that with these :) if you don't want to, then just stretch them over the box them come in, very easy to do and some 10hrs or less they're good to go!

you get two different cables as well, a strait one, and one that is coiled. preference may vary. there is also a 1/4" adapter that screws onto the end of the coiled one, it WILL NOT screw onto the strait cable. i can't find it at the moment, but i'm pretty sure that the strait cable will just plug into it without the adapter, but i'm not sure. the side you screw into the headphones themselves is in fact different than the end you plug into your audio devise, it's slightly smaller and has no Audio-Technica logo on it, so DON'T try and screw that into the headphones, because it won't work. and make sure you screw the correct end all the way into the headphones, otherwise music quality and headphone function is.... dismal. use of an amplifier is recommended for devises with low outputs, i use a fiio e11 personally, but an e6 will also fit your fancy, unless you're a picky audiophile.

quickly compared to beats: the beats studio pros are sort of on par with these, the beats bass is not as well defined but the mids and highs are so close the difference is not discernible to the average listener. and beats studio pros are $400.00!! from a company that has always made cables! monster is a wire/cable company and they should not be making headphones, ridiculous company. if you have a pair of studios, or solos, etc, SELL THEM AND BUY THESE.

also, if you are listening in a loud environment, NO WORRIES! these are not noise canceling but they are so well sealed that noise does not leak hardly at all, noise also leaks more with the m50 pads as opposed to the stock pads, the cushioning is not as dense.

overall, from a wonderful and experienced company, these phones are definitely, absolutely, undoubtedly, worth the $155.00 you will pay for them, they're even worth the $175.00 you map pay, or the $200.00 but you don't even have to pay over $160.00 for the incredible sound these produce. if you want a more balanced headphone with flatter response and better defined mids and highs with less bass, buy the atm50s. a great headphone, but in the terms of awesomeness and bass, they don't come close to the pro700mk2s. period.

(UPDATE) beach audio has since raised their price to $172.00 with a $10.00 shipping charge, i got mine for $150.00 even with no tax and free shipping. i am disappointed in the price raise but i still do find these phones completely worth the $182.00 total.

Read Best Reviews of Audio-Technica ATH-PRO700MK2 Professional DJ Monitor Headphones Here

Pros:

1. Sound: Bass. If you're on this page you've most likely been to head-fi where they consistently say these are the same as beats. These are no Beats. They do NOT I REPEAT DO NOT sound "BOOMY." I mean the I'm in like a cavern echoooo type of boomy bass from the beats. If you're looking for that type of bass you won't find them here. However, this being said these do sound more like movie theater bassy. Clearly defined THX sounding bass would be the best way to describe in layman's terms. Treble sounds extremely clear and crisp. Mids...a little dark but no complaints.

2. Design: Sound isolation is very good. I can't hear anything outside inside and bass doesn't leak at all. Sexy but compact. Definitely looks bigger in pics. Personally I don't like the M50s design because they come across as a little clunky. These fold like crazy and come with carrying bag. Make sure you SWAP WITH M50 EARPADS THOUGH!!! It makes such a huge difference. An easy 1 minute operation to make the headphones perfect.

3. COMES WITH 2 CORDS. One straight and one coiled. Although both are short to be honest.

Cons:

1. Comfort: Not very comfy outta the box. However, make sure you order the M-50 pads at the same time to avoid having to deal with having stones against your head. The M50 pads make ALL the difference. Literally ridiculous. Like softness scale: knuckles to boobs.

2. Not for professional usage.

TL;DR: Fun pair of phones with THX sounding bass and crisp clear treble and darker mids. Recommended only with M50 pads.

Hint: Amazon likes to have a lower price of 167 on these early in the morning.

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So I have been searching for a pair of closed back headphones for a while now. I've heard the Beats by Dre lineup and I like the amount of bass they provide, but I think they are overpriced so I was searching for an alternative. After looking through Head-Fi.org for some advice, I saw numerous posts saying that these (ATH-PRO700MK2) could compete with the Beats lineup. Boy, were they right. I like the amount of bass these headphones have but they don't go overboard. There are a few great reviews up on Head-Fi if you'd like a more in depth review. One complaint I saw were that these were too tight for some people. I agree, they are a bit tight at first, but all headphones will loosen up for a better fit over time. Overall, i think these are great, especially at their price point.

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I got these for my boyfriend back in 2010 and he loves them to death. They still work clear as ever. The only thing is the interior starts to crack and wear over time, the manual gives you a warning and tells you how to keep them lookin good. Audio-Technica will repair them if need be, you just pay to ship them there and they take care of the rest. Other than that this is by far the best head phones no matter your level of experience. The sound is right on and the bass...omg... lets just say they are better than some speakers. They now have limited edition ones that I will be purchasing soon. I am a life member for Audio Technica, there not that popular compared to pioneer but the quality and service is outstanding. That goes for any of there products. Love, Frankie Phresh Digital BPM

HiFiMeDIY Sabre USB DAC Digital to Analog Audio Converter 96khz/24bit ES9023+SA9023 + USB to Optica

HiFiMeDIY Sabre USB DAC Digital to Analog Audio Converter 96khz/24bit ES9023+SA9023 + USB to Optical Converter
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
List Price: Price Unavailable
Sale Price: $51.99
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  • Sabre DAC Technology
  • 96khz/24bit USB input
  • Small, lightweight design
  • Output on 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Volume level is adjust with computer hardware keys

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I purchased the HiFiMeDIY DAC more out of curiosity rather than an actual need. Simply put I wanted to compare the performance of a DAC using one of the famed ESS Sabre D/A chips with the other audio gear at my disposal without having to spend hundreds or even thousands on higher end gear from Peachtree Audio, Oppo, JDS-Labs, McIntosh, etc. The HiFiMeDIY DAC fit the bill and this review details my (subjective) conclusions.

The HiFiMeDIY Sabre DAC is an external USB D/A audio converter designed by the DIY community and based on the entry level ESS Sabre ES9023 D/A chip and the ubiquitous USB 2.0, full-speed compliant Tenor TE-7022L audio streaming controller from the Galaxy Far East Corp. (GFEC). The HiFiMeDIY DAC is a device of remarkable simplicity but in the same time a model of efficient circuit design. Power is supplied by the USB to a Linear Technology LT1763 low-noise, low drop-out (LDO) micro-power regulator while all other functions: USB control, data retrieval, pin-addressing, clocking, oversampling, D/A conversion, low-pass filtering, etc., are split between the Tenor and the Sabre chips. This arrangement eliminates the necessity for any other processor (dedicated to some of these functions) on the circuit board. The data transfer in the HiFiMeDIY DAC is synchronous (the USB data link is controlled by the computer rather than the DAC). This is, arguably, not the best arrangement for audio purposes due to jitter issues (this jitter issue depends greatly on the other duties of the computer's processor.) Nevertheless, the Tenor chip features integrated phase-locked loop (PLL) to support single crystal operation (12MHz) and has some buffering capability, which helps mitigate jitter to some degree. In addition, and perhaps more importantly, the Sabre chip has its own jitter elimination capability the famed (if still somewhat cloaked in mystery) ESS Hyperstream with Time Domain Jitter Elimination technology. Performance-wise the HiFiMeDIY DAC is capable of 8 96kHz at 16/24bit decoding (except 88.2kHz, which is not supported by the Tenor chip) and has a listed dynamic range (S/N) of 112dB. The technology packed in this little (2in x 1.5in x 0.5in) device is basically the same (with minor differences) as that in the Peachtree DAC-iT (the Dac-iT uses the ES9022 chip, which is essentially the same as the ES9023), the NwAvGuy's Objective DAC (ODAC), the Audio-Quest DragonFly, the NuForce uDAC-2, and others like these that are selling for five to ten times more than the HiFiMeDIY. Since the Sabre ES9023 chip features integrated low-pass filtering and a direct coupled 2Vrms line driver, all these DACs produce "sound" of a similar quality the differences in implementation, for instance different power supplies (e.g. Peachtree DAC-iT features a separate switching power supply), different USB transceivers (such as the now phased-out Texas-Instruments TAS1020 found on the DragonFly), different clocking schemes, etc., could provide subtle differences in the sound signature but are, as far as the line output is concerned, little more than window dressings.

On to the computer/audio gear used during my initial listening tests:

MacBook w/ Mac OS X 10.4.11

MacBook-Pro w/ Mac OS X 10.6.8

Dell Optiplex GX620-MT w/ Windows XP/SP3 and Linux Ubuntu 12.0.4/LTS (dual boot)

XMOS USB 2.0 Audio Reference Design Asynchronous DAC,

Matrix M-Stage Headphone Amp,

Audio-Technica ATH-A900 closed-back headphones (40ohm),

Superlux HD-681 semi-open headphones (32 ohm), and

Sennheiser HD598 open headphones (50ohm).

Playback software: Audacity, iTunes, VLC, Windows Media Player

Audio interconnects: RCA-to-RCA and 3.5mm to RCA adapter, both Auvio brand sourced from Radio-Shack (these Auvio cables are not cheap, as far as RS stuff goes, but they are actually pretty decent). Also used were two generic USB-hubs/multi-card reader combo devices (from Sabrent and Inland) and generic USB cables sourced locally from Micro-Center. Also to note, the 3.5mm analog jack of the HiFiMeDIY DAC doubles as optical S/PDIF out. I have not tested the S/PDIF output due to a lack of a 3.5mm optical adapter, however, the red LED light is clearly visible through the output jack when the DAC is plugged into a USB port. A brief setup note: The HiFiMeDIY DAC is plug-and-play on all three computers used and did not require downloading of any kind of drivers in Mac OS, Windows or Ubuntu. However, using the default drivers, I haven't been able to select the sampling frequency or the bit depth on Windows and Ubuntu. I suspect that the generic drivers on those systems default to either 44.1kHz or 48kHz and 16bit. The DAC seemed to work equally well when connected directly to a computer USB port or to a port on one of the USB-hubs. For most of the listening session I have used the MacBook-Pro as the source, the other two computers being used mainly to check the compatibility of the DAC with those older operating systems.

Before moving on to sound quality, I must mention that although the HiFiMeDIY DAC is marketed as a DAC with some direct headphones driving capability, personally I would not recommend it being used in such a fashion. While the device can indeed drive low impedance headphones directly, the sound quality obtained that way is rather poor (simply because the Sabre chip output line-driver is just that a line driver, IT IS NOT a headphone amp! Moreover, the whole thing is powered by the USB and because of the way things were implemented here direct drive of some low impedance loads, e.g. 30-60ohm headphones puts a very large strain on the LT1763 voltage regulator and the pump-charge circuits inside the Sabre chip.) Personally I use it with a dedicated headphone amp (the Matrix M-Stage mentioned above). Since all my headphones are low impedance (32-50ohm) and the open-circuit output of the Sabre chip is actually just above 2Vrms, I set the Matrix M-Stage gain to 0dB (no voltage gain thus, in effect, using the headphone amp as a current buffer). For the purpose of my initial listening tests I also connected the XMOS DAC to the second line input of the M-Stage. (The M-Stage has two line inputs, 47kohm, and a face-plate mounted switch which allows one to toggle between the two inputs and thus compare two input sources.) Note: the HiFiMeDIY Sabre DAC does require 2-3hr of break-in time.

I will spend little to no time here comparing this DAC with the sound-cards in the computers. Of the three computers I have here the MacBook-Pro has the "best" sound, but by comparison with either the HiFiMeDIY DAC or the XMOS Reference DAC, listening to it is, more or less, a waste of time. So, the comparisons will be drawn here solely between the HiFiMeDIY DAC and the XMOS. (Note: The XMOS USB 2.0 Audio Reference ADC/DAC is actually an evaluation board from XMOS available at Digi-Key at about three times the price of the HiFiMEDIY DAC featuring the 24bit/192kHz Cirrus Logic CS4270 audio codec (differential multi-bit sigma-delta conversion, switched capacitor) and the 32bit, 500MIPS/8threads, XMOS XS1-L1 event driven processor. It supports all sample rates from 44.1kHz to 192kHz and uses two dedicated on-board clocks (for 44.1kHz and 48kHz and their multiples). In addition, the XMOS DAC uses the SMSC USB-3318 high-speed USB 2.0 transceiver, clocked separately by a 13MHz reference crystal and the NCP699SN18T1G low quiescent current LDO voltage regulator from ON Semiconductor. The XMOS solution is largely considered one of the best implementations of the "asynchronous" USB Audio currently available although a pricey one, see for instance the 6moons review of the April Music Stello-U3.)

The Sound (overall conclusion): Dynamic, detailed, well staged and layered, airy, clean, clear, well balanced and noise-free.

More specifically, the HiFiMeDIY Sabre DAC is performing, essentially, at the same level as the XMOS with a few differences owed mainly to the particular implementations of the low-pass filters in the two devices and their inherent noise levels. Thus, while I would rate the level of detail retrieval in the Sabre to be similar to that of the Cirrus Logic in the XMOS, the higher gain digital filter in the Sabre (versus the digital (-50dB)/analog (-40dB) combo low-pass filtering in the XMOS) rends a better, more airy stereo image, albeit at a price: slightly increased graininess (especially in the upper registers) and more pronounced sibilance (at times). By comparison the XMOS sounds a bit more laid back with a slightly veiled, smoother presentation but very musical and somewhat more forgiving, particularly with some of the more compressed (i.e. loud) material (which is, unfortunately, found on most of the new music CD nowadays). The only other notable difference is a slightly emphasized low-end with the Sabre: the bass has a tad more impact than with the XMOS though not enough to require EQ changes with any of the headphones. The Sabre also has the upper hand in the S/N arena, presenting a truly black background (better than -95dB/the M-Stage level) when compared to the -87dB THD+N of the Cirrus Logic codec used in the XMOS DAC. However, the XMOS has the advantage of a full sample frequency range (including 88.2kHz, 176.4kHz, and 192kHz) and has better soft mute and pause controls (and is also an A/D converter). On the timing/jitter front, the HiFiMeDIY DAC seems (at least to my ears) capable to match the asynchronous solution in the XMOS, since I couldn't detect any rhythm/pace issues even when the DAC was connected to an USB-hub and the hub was simultaneously used to transfer some large files to a USB memory stick. Jitter performance may, however, vary depending on the computer used, the quality of its usb connections and any other devices used (USB hubs, cables, etc.) As a rule of thumb I'd recommend plugging the DAC directly into the computer rather than a USB hub (whenever possible).

To conclude, the HiFiMeDIY Sabre DAC is a remarkable piece of audio gear with outstanding sound quality (especially when used with a headphone amplifier) and which features the same ESS Sabre DAC technology found in higher end/higher priced audio gear. The closest (in terms of sound signature) would be the Objective DAC (sold by JDS-Labs for roughly 2.5x the price), the uDAC-2 (at 2x the price note that this DAC also features an integrated headphone drive stage. The uDAC-2 may be a good buy for someone who doesn't have a separated headphone amp, though some reviewers have pointed to the fact that its headphone amp, which is based on a Maxim op-amp, it's rather lackluster,) the AudioQuest Dragonfly (at 4x the price the Dragonfly features asynchronous USB transfer and it also includes a headphone driver stage) and perhaps the Peachtree DAC-iT (at about 8x the price). For me the evaluation of the HiFiMeDIY Sabre DAC started as a low-expectations, guilt free indulgence of curiosity for the price of a tank of gas. Nevertheless this little USB DAC is now a permanent staple in my desktop setup. Without reservations 5 star.

UPDATE 03/19/2013: Did a bit of digging on the net and found the drivers for Windows 32/64bit on the HiFiMeDIY website (just type HiFiMeDIY in Google search and it is the first thing it pops up). Search for the HiFiMeDIY Sabre USB DaC and on that page you will find links for the driver download. The driver is called TeraDAK TeraLink-X2 (something like that). The 32bit driver works on my XP machine but either version of this driver should be good for Vista and Windows 7 as well. In fact there is an express recommendation there to use this driver for Windows 7 due to some noise issues with the default windows driver. The Windows installer will complain about the authenticity of the software when you try to install (not a Microsoft approved program, all that... but I did it anyway and it seems to work quite well). In the new USB Audio Control Center that pops up you can select the sampling rate, bit depth, etc. It also seems to have ASIO support. Also, there is a controller for the similar HiFiMeDIY Sabre DAC with optical to USB recording capability (this device looks identical to the USB DAC reviewed here, except that the S/PDIF is an input not an output). Note that you'll need the device connected to the computer when installing the driver. As an added bonus (aside from being able to play high resolution files) with the new driver, selecting 24bit processing allows for use of computer/digital volume control without loss of signal resolution. I've tested it with Audacity, VLC and Windows Media Player and they all work just fine.

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Make no mistake, this is not your fancypants DAC from Fiio, Schiit, or elsewhere. It's designed to get maximum performance for the least buck. This means a simple enclosure which consists of nothing more than a USB connector and an SPDIF/3.5mm jack. Plug in your headphones if they are efficient, or get an interconnect cable to interface with your amplifier. It gets the job done for only $50. As is well known it contains the same components found in the monumentally more expensive ODAC. Only issue that some people raise is that the signal is not isolated from the USB port which is supposed to introduce some noise. I did not notice much of a problem at all, so I can't really support that notion.

You will be hard pressed to find a better DAC for $50 and there are probably marginal differences in performance between it and most DACs under $200. When you pay more you really are only paying for something that looks nicer and perhaps has more ports or settings, not necessarily more functional. There is one other DAC at this price point that is comparable and that is the UD100 but that doesn't even come with an enclosure, you have to DIY (do it yourself). So at least this thing has some sort of plastic shell. Plus, it weighs almost nothing and would be very suitable for some sort of portable setup.

Read Best Reviews of HiFiMeDIY Sabre USB DAC Digital to Analog Audio Converter 96khz/24bit ES9023+SA9023 + USB to Optica Here

This DAC is a great upgrade over the built-in audio of my laptop and even the Asus Xonar DX in my desktop. It's a night and day improvement over built-in soundcards in my opinion. I currently use it at work with my laptop and Grado SR-80i's as a DAC/Headphone amp, using the ASIO drivers supplied by the manufacturer and Foobar. I'll probably buy another one for my desktop at home. I'm also considering buying the version with optical in and coax in to use with my main stereo.

UPDATE 3/31/13

I've been using this dac for a couple months now and I'm continually impressed with it. Bass and treble extension is much improved over the built in soundcards of my computers, and the separation of instruments is very noticeable. I always look forward to re-listening to my music with this dac.

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As I've accumulated more and more music as strictly digital files over the last few years, it became increasingly apparent to my ears that, despite a modestly good desktop sound system, the output from the soundcards in my various PC's was lacking the fidelity and definition I would have liked. Eventually I began sending the PC audio output to my home stereo and, at that point, it was even more evident a better solution was needed. I conferred with a few friends who inhabit the audiophile world about a resolution to the sound issues and all of them unequivocally recommended an outboard DAC. Of course, there was no consensus as to manufacturer and cost but the best advice suggested that above a certain price-point, the rule of diminishing return for every dollar spent took hold.

So, before spending beaucoups $$$ on any of the more esoteric or renowned DAC units that had gotten good recommendations, the cheapskate in me took a chance with the HiFiMeDIY Sabre DAC. Being so inexpensive, even if it didn't offer any great improvement, I wasn't tossing out a lot of cash. Well, I definitely have no remorse about purchasing this HiFiMeDIY DAC. This unit is not only a great bargain, but it truly delivers the goods. Its sound quality now brings my digital music to a level that comes a lot closer to rivaling my other music sources (note: I said closer to, but not equal).

Yes, it's cheaply made, but it plugged in and it worked right out the box with both Windows XP and 7. It has a few quirks which are probably related more to one of the computers I use than the DAC. Anyway, I immediately noticed a distinguishable enhancement over the standard output, although not a huge 'night and day' difference in sound, but a pleasantly noticeable improvement. It took some of the "murky goo" out of the middle frequencies, tamed some of the sibilance on high stuff and vocals, tightened up and better defined the low frequencies and presented a little broader soundstage all around. And after about 30-40 hours of break-in time it got even better. For this price, who'd have thought? It won't overcome the limitations of low bit-rate MP3's but with good-to-better quality digital files in any format, it clearly has advantages. The HiFiMeDIY Sabre DAC = Great little gizmo!

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I purchased my HiFiMeDIY Sabre USB DAC to provide audio output from a Raspberry Pi computer with Squeezeplug installed. Squeezeplug basically turns your Pi into a product very similar to the now discontinued Logitech Squeezebox line.

I was initially using on board sound (headphone out) on the Raspberry Pi to drive my tube preamplifier and tube mono block amps. The sound quality was lacking. Having installed the HiFiMeDIY Sabre USB DAC the sound quality rivals any music source in my home, and I have many as i have been chasing the audiophile dream for years.

Raspberry Pi + Squeezeplug + HIFiMeDIY DAC = High Quality Sound at budget price. The DAC is EASILY the equivalent or better than many other high priced audiophile DAC's.

Numark iDJ Pro Professional DJ Controller for iPad

Numark iDJ Pro Professional DJ Controller for iPad
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
List Price: Price Unavailable
Sale Price: $248.95
Today's Bonus:
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  • Fully incorporates any iPad's touchscreen into a DJ control surface for an astoundingly fresh workflow
  • Works seamlessly with Algoriddim's award winning djay iPad app to provide pro DJ features and unmatched reliability
  • Capacitive touch-activated platters, plus Hot Cues, Loop, and Effects controls
  • Large die-cast aluminum volume knobs; absolute precision control
  • Three-way effect capability: dedicated filter knob, assignable effect knob with on/off switch, and X/Y pad effect in Algoriddim's djay app
  • RCA inputs, 1/4-Inch microphone input and balanced XLR outputs
  • 1/4-Inch and 1/8-Inch headphone outputs

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Ok, this is my first review I have ever written on Amazon. The Numark IDJ Pro is HARD to find...atleast right now. It has said "temporarily out of stock" since May but I think that is a place holder because this thing was not really available until around the 20th of Aug. I bought this on Amazon from a third party seller and they were awesome and got it out withing 3 days. Now I have been using IPADS since they have come out and have had all 3 revisions. I currently am using the IDJ Pro with the "new ipad" 64gb. First thing you notice is the IDJ Pro is BIG! Now it has to be big to accomidate an ipad in the center. There is a velevet like lining that lets you slide the IPAD in upside down so the button is at the top and the connection cable plugs in at the top and then a nice plastic flip over cover closes around it and it looks integrated, which is pretty cool. It is in there pretty tight and no chance of it moving around. The build quality feels good to me and maybe not as high end as a traktor but it still feels more sturdy and way more professional than an IDJ Live. The IDJ Live was cool and worked nicely but the big draw back was the lack of power...meaning if you plugged the idj live into the ipad you had no way to power the Ipad except with the existing battery and the IDJ live caused it to drain a bit faster than normal. So with all that said how does the IDJ Pro work?? I think it works great NOW...why now? because as of yesterday Sept. 8, 2012 DJAY was updated...YAY! See the problem before the update was you could not use the cool "automix" feature in the portrait mode that it forces the Ipad to run in when DJAY launches. That was a major flaw...now it's damn near perfect. You can automix you have this very cool option of adding echo or flanger or various other effects on the touchpad of the IPAD on the fly when you are DJing. You can scratch better with the left jog wheel...before the update it was flakey. You can load a song on the one deck while the other is playing and you can hear what you are cueing up through the headphones while the other deck spins. You get actual balanced XLR outputs and RCA outputs on the rear of the IDJ Pro. You can run a Mic and Aux in and you have control over the gains. The IDJ Pro is just cool and people freak when they see it...lol. Now with all that said could you do what it does and spend less. Sure...but I love my IPAD and people complain about the limitations of how much music you can bring even with a 64gb IPAD...come on...you can only DJ for so many hours and play only so many songs. If you NEED more storage bring a laptop and cross fade off of it or an IPOD or MP3 Player. Could you use a dedicated Laptop with a controller instead of all this...sure...but once again this thing is damn cool and there has never been, until now anything this nice for an IPAD. I am running this with a two BOSE L1 Classics with 4 subs and you can make a thousand people happy with this setup. Bottom line I am just "scratching"...haha...the surface of what this thing can do. But if you are looking for the BEST way to control your IPAD that keeps it powered and lets you have full control over your ITUNES library and you've got deep pockets then currently there is nothing better.

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This is an amazing piece for new DJ's. It also works with IPad 4th gen but needs the adapter piece for the lightning connector. The only issue is the back panel will not close with the adapter installed. Other than that hours of fun and very easy to use.

Read Best Reviews of Numark iDJ Pro Professional DJ Controller for iPad Here

This is a great tool and weapon to use in DJ competition. People are just amazed to see me DJ with it. It is so convenient too and the quick setup is off the chain. I can show up 5 minutes before my show and it's Showtime 5 minutes later. Thanks Numark!

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I love this mixer, the best for traveling light and for a small gig, most of the clubs and sports bars have powered speakers, so I'm able to jack right in and I'm up and running, sweet. It controls vjay but it does not switch to portrait like it does with djay, and also, be nice if it had a video output, I know, I know, it was made for djay but I'm just sayin'.

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I purchased this item a week ago and I'm a DJ for over 25 years and I decided to downgrade to something light and snug that I can use, and the idj pro made me very happy, very accurate platters and the scratching is on point. This is a great product for DJs and I'm so happy I got it!!