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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 ,

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

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

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

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

A decade later, Meze reinvents its most beloved wired headphones for the next generation of audiophiles. A Decade in the Making Ten years after their debut, Meze Audio  is bringing back its most recognizable creation — the 99 Classics  — in a refined second-generation form.Originally launched in 2015 , the first 99 Classics became an instant favorite among audiophiles, admired for their beautiful craftsmanship and warm, organic sound . Now, in 2025 , Meze aims to elevate that

A limited pre-order gives audiophiles the chance to grab up to €550 off this ultra-versatile, DSP-driven marvel — but only 75 pairs per color are available. A Limited Launch for the Ambitious Listener Danish manufacturer Buchardt Audio  has kicked off a limited pre-order campaign  for its newest creation, the A200 smart active speaker  — a compact yet astonishingly powerful design that promises to redefine versatility and precision in modern hi-fi . Priced at €2,500 per pair

The French audio icon joins forces with Naim to create a 660-watt all-in-one system that’s equal parts style, power, and cinematic ambition. When Volcanoes Meet Hi-Fi Focal has just unveiled a system that might well shake the foundations of the all-in-one audio market  — quite literally. The new Focal Mu-so Hekla , named after one of Iceland’s most active volcanoes, fuses the sonic precision of Focal with the engineering mastery of its sister company, Naim Audio , in a collab

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

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

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:

Two new wireless speakers are here to shake up Sonos’ dominance — and they’re coming in hot with premium sound, sleek design, and serious tech. A Big Day for Small Hi-Fi: WiiM Sound and Bluesound Pulse Flex Are Here If you’ve ever dreamed of building a high-fidelity multi-room system without breaking the bank or cluttering your home with bulky gear, today’s your day. Two major players — WiiM and Bluesound — have just launched next-generation smart speakers  that are gunning s

*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