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SMSL PS200 PRO is a tiny HIFI miracle that cares about sonics and your budget
At first glance, the SMSL PS200 barely registers as a serious hi-fi component. Its extremely compact form factor and understated design suggest convenience rather than ambition. Yet once integrated into a proper system, the PS200 reveals itself as a surprisingly disciplined and capable digital-to-analog converter, one that places transparency and control above coloration and spectacle. Built around ESS Technology’s latest 9039Q2M DAC chip, the PS200 is designed to deliver ext
4 minutes ago6 min read
SMSL D200 Review: A Bold Experiment and Gamble That Redefined Value in DACs
I have waited ever since first hearing this DAC in Shenzhen a few months ago to truly listen to it at home. It is a new age, an SMSL 2.0 for this company. And they are realizing an underdog in an industry, a Japanese technology company Rohm, to be the heart of their new generation of DACs. SMSLs Gamble and experiment For now, it is known that AKM and ESS are pretty much rulers of the DAC market, with Burr Brown following behind them. At majority of DACs that use delta-sigma D
5 days ago10 min read
News
Musical Fidelity’s New Nu-Vista Vinyl S: A No-Compromise Phono Stage for the True Analog Obsessive
Inspired by a £10,000 flagship, engineered with nuvistor tubes, and built to be “a phono stage without limitation.” A New Heavyweight Joins the Nu-Vista Line Musical Fidelity has expanded its reference-grade Nu-Vista range with the launch of the Nu-Vista Vinyl S , a high-end phono stage priced at £5499 . Positioned as the more accessible counterpart to the £9999 Nu-Vista Vinyl 2 , it brings the same nuvistor tube DNA into a smaller, more streamlined chassis—without diluting t
Dec 62 min read
SACD Returns With a Vengeance: Shanling’s New SCD3.3 Is the Disc Player No One Expected in 2025
A true DSD transport, a 212-resistor R2R ladder, a tube stage, and engineering heft rarely seen in the streaming era. SACD in 2025: A Format That Refuses to Die If you told someone in 2005 that SACD would still be alive two decades later, they’d have laughed. And yet, here we are: audiophiles buying premium SACD transports , labels reissuing DSD masters, and companies like Shanling treating the format with fresh reverence. The new Shanling SCD3.3 ($3,990) is the latest proof
Dec 43 min read
Chord Mojo 2 (2025): The Award-Winning Portable DAC Gets Modern Connections — Without Touching Its Sound or Price
Chord’s Mojo 2 Levels Up: New 4.4mm Output & USB-C Charging Arrive — Signature Sound Remains Untouched A Small Upgrade With Big Practical Gains Chord Electronics has quietly refreshed its hugely popular Mojo 2 DAC/amp, adding two long-requested features: A 4.4mm balanced headphone output USB-C charging Despite these changes, the company is keeping the same name and the same price: £395 / $650 / AU$799 . This is not a “Mojo 3” — it’s the Mojo 2 refined for 2025. Why These Cha
Dec 42 min read
Volumio Primo Plus Arrives: Italy’s Hand-Built Streaming DAC That Declares War on the Midrange Market
Florence moves from Renaissance art to high-end digital audio with a bold, dual-DAC statement piece. From Michelangelo to Music Streaming Florence has given the world Renaissance masters , Michelangelo’s David , and even the piano . Now, the Tuscan capital is exporting something far more digital: Volumio — the boutique software company behind VolumioOS , beloved since 2013 by Raspberry Pi tinkerers and serious audiophiles alike. Its newest creation, the Volumio Primo Plus ,
Nov 262 min read
Rega’s New Reference Duo Arrives: Mercury Pre-Amp & Solis Power Amp Finally Hit the Market
After years of anticipation, Rega unleashes its most advanced amplification system ever. A Long-Awaited Launch Becomes Reality After months of teasers, national showcases, and an early preview at the Bristol Hi-Fi Show 2025 , Rega has officially released its all-new reference pairing: the Mercury pre-amplifier and Solis power amplifier . Retailing at £13,900 for the pair , the Mercury & Solis duo represents the culmination of nearly 40 years of Rega’s electronics engineerin
Nov 262 min read
Eversolo DAC-Z10 — A Beautiful, Modern Take on High-End Audio
You’ve probably noticed how Eversolo has been showing up more and more in audiophile circles lately. They’re one of those newer hi-fi brands from China that’s really pushing into the premium space — not just with affordable gear, but with design and performance that can sit beside the bigger names. Their latest release, the Eversolo DAC-Z10 , takes that ambition even further. It’s not just a DAC — it’s a fully-fledged DAC, headphone amp, and balanced preamplifier all in one
Nov 94 min read
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Speakers
Edifier have created perfect budget desktop speakers M60 review
I wanted to buy some cheap desktop alternatives for my work desk as a way to see what's up with the cheaper speaker market. I tested a...
Jul 319 min read
Greatest audiophile speaker no one is talking about - Dali Menuet Review
I spent a lot of time in audio shops, listening to many different speakers. Trying to find which one I will like, buy and eventually...
Jul 1712 min read
My favorite soundbars under 1000 euros and is Soundbar or Full Surround System best for you?
So you want to take your movie-watching experience more seriously, and you want that cinematic experience with great sound. Yet you're at...
Apr 188 min read
The Sound of a Better Mornings: My Life with JBL Horizon 2 & Ruark R1 Review (+ review of JBL Authentics 200)
I start each day with music—it’s an essential part of my morning ritual. There’s something magical about beginning the day on the right...
Feb 99 min read
Amplifiers
Douk Audio x Ampapa A1 brings outstanding versatility and quality at 129$ preamp review vs. Fosi and Aiyima
I recommend that you look at my review of Ampapa D1 for a more fuller picture of collaboration of Douk Audio and Ampapa. But here we have a really great product. Why you need preamp A product that on its own is a bit hard sell, but as a supplementary product is a must have, ofc I speak about A1 preamp, to your amp. And as with every Class D amps, these tube preamps just go so well just like butter on a jelly. Its warmth and emphasis on lower spectrum of dynamics scale, helps
Dec 86 min read
Finally stylish, cheap and good amp Douk Audio x Ampapa D1 review / vs Fosi and Ayima
I think we all can agree that sonic renaissance that came from the East brought many quality cheap devices, will that be DACs, streamers, amp etc. But while they are masters of using chip devices to maximise its quality and value, there is always a lot to be desired with looks of those devices. Very simple design language in industrial design and software design alike. I wanted for long time to see some experimentation here. And while Douk Audio is not aimed to win design awa
Dec 68 min read
Is this the most complete amp under 200 euros? Aiyima A80 review
It is great to see companies listen, and deliver what they think their users need. And this is an almost perfect example of such a thing....
Aug 108 min read
This is the only Class D amp you should be looking at SMSL PA-X Review
Audiophile world is experiencing a change, we see many cheap devices coming that sound great, we see more and more different offers, with...
Jul 314 min read
HEADPHONES AND GEAR
TRN Whaleshark is amazing value hybrid planar IEMs
I found continues effort from TRN to be a great indicator that they love to adapt and yet hold their cards close. They try to innovate and follow current needs with their drivers, and setup. And I found quite interesting the new IEM hybrid technology with 3dd and planar for rather reasonable price. And they have continued on line of sea creatures name, like medusa, seahorse, jaws etc. I was like yeah I will try them. And I did, and I was pleasant surprise. Introduction: A Spl
Nov 185 min read
Find me a better Audio Quality in this price range! I will wait. Dali IO-8 Review
Okay, picture this: you slip on a pair of wireless headphones and instead of just hearing music, you feel like you’ve stepped into a small high-end listening room. The DALI IO-8 tries to give you exactly that. These aren’t just “nice Bluetooth cans” — they’re built by a company known for loudspeakers, bringing that DNA to a wireless form. Let’s walk through how it feels physically, how it sounds, and how it performs — and by the end you should have a clear idea whether they’r
Oct 298 min read
TRN Starfish Review
Design & Build Okay — first, the Starfish from TRN gives you that “enthusiast IEM” feel at a budget price. The shell is described as an aluminum-resin composite in a star-shaped chamber, so it’s not plastic-cheap feeling — they’ve paid attention to materials. The cable is upgradeable (0.78mm 2-pin), which means you can swap in better wires if you want. Fit is ergonomic, they claim “ear‐wrapping design” with nine tip choices included. In practice: you’ll feel them in your ears
Oct 284 min read
ooopusX OP.24 Review
Design & Build Let`s first start with the design and build quality of ooopusX OP.24 . This one is interesting because it’s from a newer brand (ooopusX) and offers some neat features at a budget price. The standout: a physical tuning dial to switch between two modes. The shell is lightweight (~5.2g per side reported) and uses resin/plastic materials. The build quality for its price is decent, though some reviewers point out the cable and included accessories are modest. Fit:
Oct 284 min read
Music STREAMERS
This is the best streamer of 2025, but it is just not for me... yet FiiO S15 review
*My unit have been damaged in the transport, but it was just cosmetically and nothing on handwear level. As of long waiting time to...
Sep 3017 min read
Tiny, Wireless & Surprisingly Good! Arylic LP10 Streamer Review
Arylic as a company have a great reputation among DIY circles. They build quality and cheap components for you to build your amps, active...
Jul 86 min read
In-depth review of Bluesound Node Icon (vs. Cambridge Audio CXN100, Eversolo DMP-A6, Wiim Ultra, Primare NP5...)
It is becoming more and more apparent that we live in a future era of hi-fi, where music streamers play a pivotal role, allowing...
Feb 2518 min read
Unbeatable sound and value. Primare NP5 Prisma MKII music streamer Review - versus Bluesound Node, Cambridge Audio MXN10
There is a great value visiting audio stores because it is one of the best ways to uncover new gear and get recommendations. So recently...
Nov 5, 20244 min read
DACS
SMSL PS200 PRO is a tiny HIFI miracle that cares about sonics and your budget
At first glance, the SMSL PS200 barely registers as a serious hi-fi component. Its extremely compact form factor and understated design suggest convenience rather than ambition. Yet once integrated into a proper system, the PS200 reveals itself as a surprisingly disciplined and capable digital-to-analog converter, one that places transparency and control above coloration and spectacle. Built around ESS Technology’s latest 9039Q2M DAC chip, the PS200 is designed to deliver ext
4 minutes ago6 min read
SMSL D200 Review: A Bold Experiment and Gamble That Redefined Value in DACs
I have waited ever since first hearing this DAC in Shenzhen a few months ago to truly listen to it at home. It is a new age, an SMSL 2.0 for this company. And they are realizing an underdog in an industry, a Japanese technology company Rohm, to be the heart of their new generation of DACs. SMSLs Gamble and experiment For now, it is known that AKM and ESS are pretty much rulers of the DAC market, with Burr Brown following behind them. At majority of DACs that use delta-sigma D
5 days ago10 min read
Why would anyone pay 1500+ $ for a DAC? featuring Gustard X26 III review
So you read the title, and I guess at least once in your life you asked yourself that question. Why would I spend xyz money on the DAC. And I have seen on internet and among reviewers a lot of confusion around DAC features, materials, build, components etc. And I want to clarify a lot of things, with a bit of technical review of Gustard X26III. Why would I spend so much money on DAC? To start I know that in world of HIFI numbers can go to ludicrous heights. And there are peop
Nov 2617 min read
In depth review and analysis of unique Luxsin X9 vs Eversolo, Topping, Shiit and Gustard
You know that one company does a great job, is when arriving to the scene they effortlessly set standards in HIFI space. That is what...
Sep 1614 min read
CD PLAYERs
New Shanling EC Zero AKM is peak value and quality for portable CD Players Review vs. FiiO Dm13, EC Zero T, Moondrop Discdream 2 Ultra
*More information, videos and photos of this product in review above I think I started my audio lover career at the twilight of cassette players. I personally never liked cassette players, I think they were a portable necessity of their age, but just could never translate well into the future once newer and greater things arrived. But what brought me to this stage of life was my love of portable CD players. I used to listen to music so much that often I would fall asleep with
Oct 2712 min read
Finally the future of CD Players is here, and it is Awesome! SMSL PL200t Review
You guys know I love CDs, I started my audiophile journey by collecting CDs. It still is my favourite way to listen to music, maybe not...
Jun 810 min read
Sony ubp-x800m2 vs Panasonic dp-ub820 comparison and review! And why you need Blu Ray player in 2025!
I'm seeing that Blu-ray players haven't evolved significantly in the past 4-5 years, and this stagnation prompted me to write this...
Jan 1910 min read
Great Value! Primare CD15 Prisma vs Marantz CD50n Comparison and Review. CD Player/Music Streamer!
This time of two similar purpose devices, and that is to be full spectrum digital all purpose CD players with network streamers. ...
Jul 27, 202411 min read
Turntables and phono Equipment
The Best 50€ You’ll Spend on Your Turntable upgrade – PSVANE Horizon Tube Review
I honestly think if you have tubes in your system, and you like Vinyl, this 50 euro upgrade is essential. I really think how much value and improvement you get from these tubes is miles beyond your stock ones that you get with your device. I used PS Vanes Horizon 12ax7 tubes to improve my phono preamp that I have currently in possession. I used to dabble a little bit with tube rolling, having tubes from Telefunken, Mullard in my possession at different times.
Apr 287 min read
Sumiko Amethyst & Ortofon 2M Black are End Game MM cartridges! /w. alternatives (Nagaoka, Goldring)
See my favorite Phono Cartridges under 750 euros: https://www.hifidaydreaming.com/post/my-favorite-best-phono-cartridges-under-750-euros-...
Nov 7, 202412 min read
Wiim Pro Plus Review vs. Budget CD Player/Turntable (Pro-Ject Primary E Phono and CD Box E) - Battle of Budget Sources
This will mainly be a Wiim Pro Plus review, but I also want to put one idea into perspective. How much value does a budget streamer bring...
Jul 12, 202415 min read
My Reference Phono Preamps! Pro-Ject Phono & Tube Box DS3 Comparison and Review
What is HIFI Reference I think the word "Reference" in Hi-Fi is being thrown around quite often these days, and I think it usually...
Jul 10, 20247 min read
HIFI MISCELLANEOUS
Report from Shenzhen International Audio Show 2025 w/ Smsl, FiiO, Dunu, Hiby, Moondrop, Softears, Eversolo, Matrix Audio, Sendy Audio, Gustard, Shanling, Luxsin, Fosi...
All the new announcements from SIAS 2025 *For more pictures, clips and additional information watch video report above. What is SIAS 2025...
Sep 515 min read
How far does the HIFI Rabbit Hole goes? /W. Audioquest Powerquest 3 Review
Audioquest PowerQuest 3 Review So power filters, power conditioners. A very ambiguous subject in the HIFI world; many say they don't do...
Aug 285 min read
Battle of best value XLR Cables Oehlbach XXL 1, QED Reference 40 and AudioQuest Red River
Oehlbach XXL 1 XLR Review The Oehlbach XXL Series 1 XLR is a high-performance, German-engineered audio cable designed with one goal in...
Jul 147 min read
Dirac Live: The One Tool EVERY Audiophile Should Own! Room Correction In-depth review
Tell me now what is the biggest improvement to your sound, beside buying a new HIFI Gear, that you can bring tangible great results for...
Jun 2812 min read
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