Marcus Carlsen is an avid audiophile with a deep passion for hi-fi systems, high-end headphones, and premium speakers. Marcus constantly explores the latest audio technologies and equipment, from precision-engineered speakers to the finest headphones.
The Musical Fidelity M8xTT turntable traces its lineage back to the M1, introduced over 20 years ago in 2002, and features a bespoke 10-inch tonearm and multi-layer base. The M1 was developed by Musical Fidelity owner Antony Michaelson in collaboration with Heinz Lichtenegger. The challenge was to create a high-end turntable that would match the aesthetic, technical and sonic […] More
iBasso D16 is a DAC using the developed iBasso FPGA-Master 2.0 as the core and 16 sets of cascaded 8E PWM DACs, for a total of 128 PWM DACs (discrete) for a 1-bit DAC. The measured THD+N ratio is 0.0001%, which is the best among modern portable discrete DACs. The amplifier section is a super Class A transistor […] More
The iBasso PB5 Osprey is a new portable headphone amplifier powered by miniature Japanese Nutube 6P1 tubes from Korg. TWO NUTUBE 6P1 TUBE TUBE Manufactured by KORG and Noritake, the 6th Generation Nutube operates exactly like conventional triode vacuum tubes and produces the same characteristic rich overtones that are loved in triode tubes. Voltage amplification is achieved […] More
Like any significant investment, choosing a turntable requires careful consideration to ensure a fulfilling listening experience. More
The Onkyo C-755 CD player has three main components – firstly, a rigid flat body, 1.6 mm thick, combined with a durable aluminum front panel, which virtually eliminates vibration. Secondly, a custom massive EI transformer and large audio grade capacitors for voltage stabilization. It also significantly improves the soundstage. Third, it has high quality DAC, […] More
Get a completely new experience when listening to music. The Yamaha TT-S303 has been rigorously tested to deliver the most accurate sound possible, so you hear your music the way it was intended. Dizzying simplicity. The device is equipped with a built-in correction amplifier, so it can be connected to the line input of an […] More
For over 30 years, Shanling has established itself as a prominent producer of high-end audio accessories, earning a reputable position among audio connoisseurs. However, for those familiar with the brand’s authority in the player market, there’s no need to elaborate. Today’s review focuses on the Shanling M7, a flagship player that embodies the pinnacle of […] More
LHY Audio introduces UIP , a high-quality USB 2.0 isolator with 480Mbps throughput and built-in OCXO+PLL timing system for perfect audio transmission over USB connectors. LHY Audio UIP is plug-and-play with USB-B input and USB-A output supporting USB 2.0 protocol. USB isolation is provided by the ADuM4165 chip and supports high-resolution PCM 32bit 768kHz and DSD512 streams. Moreover, if the UIP […] More
The Benchmark HPA4 headphone preamp/amplifier is based on the proprietary line-out amplifier and THX’s THX-888 AAA™ (Achromatic Audio Amplifier) headphone amplifier technology. The same technology is used in the AHB2 power amplifier. This technology achieves exceptional measurement levels with very low noise and distortion with near-perfect linearity. This headphone preamp/amplifier also features high power output, making it compatible with most […] More
HiFiMAN is known mainly for its on-ear planar headphones such as the Sundara and Arya . They have released several desktop amps in the past, such as the EF600. Now HiFiMAN is expanding this line with two new devices: EF500 and EF499. These DACs/amplifiers are entry-level products: the EF500 costs $459 and the EF499 costs $299. HiFiMAN EF500 The […] More
HiFiMAN is known mainly for its on-ear planar headphones such as the Sundara and Arya . They have released several desktop amps in the past, such as the EF600. Now HiFiMAN is expanding this line with two new devices: EF500 and EF499. These DACs/amplifiers are entry-level products: the EF500 costs $459 and the EF499 costs $299. HiFiMAN EF499 The HiFiMAN EF499 […] More
Polish brand Ferrum has announced the release of an improved version of its ERCO DAC and headphone amplifier. Thanks to a complete reprogramming of the ERCO software coupled with dramatic changes to the analog circuitry, the Ferrum ERCO Gen 2 is one step closer to the performance level of the WANDLA , Ferrum’s flagship converter. This upgrade is available for ERCO […] More
