As of mid 2018, virtually all high resolution digital sources have USB outputs. This includes the most widely used by audiophiles, namely, network file players / streamers. There are a number of very good reasons for this. This includes the accepted technical superiority of asynchronous USB, as well as the fact the USB protocol can be used to decode all currently known file formats, including DSD. Naturally, a high end, audiophile grade USB cable market appeared several years ago, with virtually every analog signal cable manufacturer designing and selling their own USB cables. The prices of some of these cables …

As of mid 2018, it is clear that network streaming, whether from locally stored files, or via streaming services, has over taken optical disc playback for high end hobbyists. Don’t get us wrong, plenty of folks still open the well on their CD, DVD, or SACD players and insert discs, and there is certainly nothing wrong with that. But high resolution downloads and the ability to rip SACDs easily now has made network playback all too convenient, and some would say, superior sonically, although we take no stand on that. The Ethernet pipeline as a source has matured to the …

We all know that it is easy to get carried away with spending on a vinyl set up..chasing performance by “upgrading” cartridges, cables, sub-platters, and power supplies, etc. One area where some vinylphiles often get stumped with is choosing a nice sounding phono preamp that won’t devour a big part of your bank account. This is, of course, assuming you don’t have a built in phono stage in your preamp or integrated amp, which is always an ideal solution. Here is a list of 5 really great sounding phono preamps under $500, based on panel listening, and direct experience. These …

Handmade Quality and Silky Smooth Tube Sound Jeff Leaming I’ve come full circle in the world of phono cartridges. Back in 2005 I decided to get back into the world of vinyl and 2 channel analog audio. As a child and teenager I grew up with vinyl. From spending hours in front of my parent’s mid-century console record player to getting my first direct drive turntable at the age of 17. Then came the 1980’s. I worked for a national chain record store from 1980 to 1985. I saw our record bins turn into CD bins and I became an …