Posts on Anthony Cossey Blog -- Music, HiFi, Studios and Stories

Cambridge Audio CXN100

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Cambridge Audio CXN100 — British Streaming Heritage

Cambridge Audio has been a cornerstone of British HiFi since 1968. The CXN100 is their latest network streamer, and it represents everything the company does well — serious engineering at a price that doesn’t require selling the family silver. As a fellow Brit, I have a soft spot for Cambridge Audio’s no-nonsense approach.

Build & Design

Handsome in that understated British way. The CXN100 has a full-width HiFi component design with a colour display, brushed aluminium front panel, and solid construction. It looks the part sitting in a traditional HiFi stack, and the build quality reflects Cambridge Audio’s decades of manufacturing experience.

Bluesound Node X

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Bluesound Node X — Streaming Done Properly

The Bluesound Node has been the go-to recommendation for audiophile streaming for years. The Node X ups the ante with an improved DAC section and MQA-free future-proofing. Built on the BluOS platform — one of the most mature multi-room audio ecosystems available — it’s the establishment choice for serious streaming.

Build & Design

Sleek, compact, and well-built. The Node X has a subtle redesign with a touch-sensitive top panel and clean lines that blend into any living room setup. Build quality is a step up from the WiiM — it feels more premium, with better material choices and a heavier, more solid chassis.

WiiM Ultra

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

WiiM Ultra — The Streamer That Changed Everything

WiiM has done to streaming what Schiit did to amplification — taken a category dominated by expensive products and delivered exceptional performance at a price that embarrasses the competition. The Ultra is their flagship, and it’s sent shockwaves through the streaming world.

Build & Design

Compact and attractive with a touchscreen display that actually works well. The Ultra packs streaming, DAC, preamp, and headphone amp into a surprisingly small package. Build quality is good — solid plastic and metal construction that feels well-made without being premium. Connectivity is excellent: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, USB, optical, coaxial, and HDMI ARC. Outputs include RCA, optical, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Violectric HPA V200

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Violectric HPA V200 — Bavarian Headphone Driving Excellence

Violectric, from Konstanz on the shores of Lake Constance, has been building premium headphone amplifiers since before headphone amplifiers were fashionable. The HPA V200 is their classic model — a fully discrete, dual-mono design that’s been a reference in the headphone community for years. German engineering at its most confident.

Build & Design

Built like a Bavarian bank vault. The V200 is heavy, solid, and impeccably constructed. Every connection, every component speaks of professional-grade manufacturing. The front panel has dual headphone outputs (6.3mm), a pre-gain switch, and a smooth, precise volume control. Inputs include balanced XLR and RCA. There’s no balanced headphone output — Violectric provides that on the V280/V281 models above.

Singxer SA-1

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Singxer SA-1 — Class A Bargain Hunter

The Singxer SA-1 is a fully balanced, Class A headphone amplifier that costs a fraction of what similar designs command from established brands. Using discrete components throughout, it delivers the warmth and authority of Class A amplification at a price that seems almost too good to be true.

Build & Design

Impressive for the money. Full aluminium chassis, large volume knob, comprehensive front panel with gain and input selection. The SA-1 runs warm (Class A bias draws significant power), so ventilation is important. Both 4-pin XLR and 4.4mm balanced outputs are provided alongside standard 6.3mm. Build quality is solid and professional.

Lake People G111

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Lake People G111 — German Precision Amplification

Lake People is the professional division of Violectric — same German engineering, same factory in Konstanz, but targeted at studios rather than audiophiles. The G111 is their workhorse headphone amp, and it’s one of the best-kept secrets in headphone audio. No frills, no nonsense, just superb amplification.

Build & Design

Industrial and professional. The G111 looks like it belongs in a broadcast facility — clean aluminium chassis, simple front panel with volume and gain controls, 6.3mm output. It’s built to professional standards with balanced XLR inputs and a robust internal layout. Not beautiful, but reassuringly purposeful.

Burson Soloist 3X GT

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Burson Soloist 3X GT — Australian Muscle Amp

Burson Audio from Melbourne takes a different approach to headphone amplification — big, powerful, and unashamedly musical. The Soloist 3X GT is their flagship headphone amp, using Burson’s proprietary discrete op-amps and a Class A/AB circuit that delivers more power than most headphones will ever need. It’s the V8 muscle car of headphone amps.

Build & Design

Substantial. The Soloist 3X GT is a large unit with a machined aluminium case that runs warm — it’s Class A biased, so this is by design. The front panel has a motorised volume knob, gain switch, and input selector. Build quality is excellent with a premium, industrial aesthetic.

Topping A90 Discrete

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Topping A90 Discrete — Transparent Power on Tap

The Topping A90 Discrete is the measurement champion’s headphone amp. Like its DAC stablemate the D90LE, it measures extraordinarily well — essentially transparent by any objective standard. Topping replaced the original A90’s op-amp design with a fully discrete circuit, and the result is their most refined amplifier to date.

Build & Design

Full-size desktop unit with a clean, professional aesthetic. The front panel has a large volume knob, gain switch (low/high), input selector, and power button. Balanced XLR and 4.4mm outputs join the standard 6.3mm single-ended. Build quality is solid aluminium throughout.

Schiit Magni Piety

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Schiit Magni Piety — Budget Amp Perfection from Schiit

I’ve had the Magni Piety in my chain since it launched, and it’s the product I recommend more than any other. At its price point, it’s not just good value — it’s borderline unfair to the competition. Schiit took their entry-level amp and gave it a discrete, fully balanced circuit that has no business sounding this good for the money.

Build & Design

Classic Schiit: compact aluminium chassis, single volume knob, one input, one output. The Piety adds balanced input and output via 4.4mm connections — a meaningful upgrade over the standard Magni. Build quality is solid, if deliberately minimal. It’s tiny, unobtrusive, and runs warm but not hot.

Holo Audio Spring 3

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Holo Audio Spring 3 — The R2R Connoisseur’s Choice

Holo Audio’s Spring series has been the quiet achiever of the R2R DAC world — less flashy than Denafrips, less discussed than Schiit’s multibit, but revered by those who’ve heard it. The Spring 3 is Jeff Zhu’s latest refinement, and it represents R2R conversion at its most sophisticated.

Build & Design

Clean and professional with a full-size desktop chassis. The build is solid aluminium with a simple front panel — power button, display, and input selection. Connectivity is comprehensive with USB, I2S (via HDMI), AES/EBU, coaxial, and optical. The internal layout is meticulous, with careful attention to power supply isolation and signal routing.

FiiO K9 Pro ESS

Sun, 08 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

FiiO K9 Pro ESS — Desktop Powerhouse Combo

FiiO has been making excellent portable audio gear for years, and the K9 Pro ESS represents their assault on the desktop market. It’s a combined DAC/amp using dual ES9038PRO chips with both balanced and single-ended headphone outputs — essentially a complete headphone system in one box.

Build & Design

Substantial and well-built. The K9 Pro is a full-size desktop unit with a large volume knob, clear display, and comprehensive connectivity. Build quality is excellent — brushed aluminium, solid feel, clean layout. It’s heavier than expected, which inspires confidence. Inputs include USB, optical, coaxial, and Bluetooth (with LDAC). Outputs include 6.3mm, 4.4mm balanced, and XLR balanced headphone outputs, plus line out.

Gustard R26

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Gustard R26 — Discrete R2R on a Budget

Gustard’s R26 brings discrete R2R conversion to a price point that makes the technology accessible. Using a proprietary resistor-ladder network rather than off-the-shelf chips, the R26 promises the organic, analogue-like sound that R2R fans cherish without the price premium of established names like Denafrips Terminator or Holo Audio.

Build & Design

Full-size desktop unit with solid aluminium construction. The front panel features a large display showing input, sample rate, and filter settings. Connectivity is comprehensive — USB, I2S, AES/EBU, coaxial, optical, and Bluetooth. Both RCA and XLR balanced outputs. Build quality is impressive for the price, with a heft and finish that communicates seriousness.

SMSL D400EX

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

SMSL D400EX — Budget Giant Killer DAC

SMSL, like Topping, has been part of the Chinese measurement-audio revolution — companies delivering extraordinary technical performance at prices that make established brands nervous. The D400EX uses dual ES9039Q2M chips and measures absurdly well for its price. But does technical excellence at a bargain price mean it’s actually better than the competition?

Build & Design

Compact desktop form factor with an informative front display. Build quality is good for the price — solid aluminium case, clean layout. Inputs include USB, coaxial, optical, and Bluetooth. Both RCA and XLR balanced outputs are provided. It’s not going to win design awards, but it’s functional and well-made.

Denafrips Ares 12th-1

Sat, 24 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Denafrips Ares 12th-1 — R2R From the East

The Denafrips Ares has been the audiophile community’s favourite entry-level R2R DAC for years. The 12th-1 revision refines what was already an excellent formula — a resistor-ladder DAC that offers an alternative to the delta-sigma mainstream at a price that doesn’t require remortgaging.

Build & Design

Impressively solid for the money. The aluminium chassis is well-machined, the internals are neatly laid out, and the overall presentation punches above its price class. Inputs include USB, coaxial, and optical, with both RCA and XLR outputs. The front panel has a clean, minimalist design with indicator LEDs.

Schiit Bifrost 2/64

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Schiit Bifrost 2/64 — American Multibit Magic

Schiit Audio has been the rebellious uncle of the audio world since 2010 — proudly American-made, irreverently named, and committed to offering genuine performance at sensible prices. The Bifrost 2/64 is their mid-range multibit DAC, and it represents everything Schiit does well: honest engineering at an honest price.

Build & Design

Solid aluminium chassis, clean layout, built in Valencia, California. The Bifrost has a reassuringly chunky feel that belies its price point. The front panel is clean with just a few indicator LEDs, and inputs include USB, optical, and coaxial. It’s not flashy — Schiit’s aesthetic is “the sound is the feature.”

RME ADI-2/4 Pro SE

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

RME ADI-2/4 Pro SE — Big Brother to My Beloved ADI-2

As a devoted RME ADI-2 DAC FS owner, the ADI-2/4 Pro SE is the upgrade path I’ve been eyeing with a mixture of desire and dread — desire for the improved specifications, dread for what it would do to my wallet. This is RME’s flagship: a combined AD/DA converter that’s equally at home in a mastering studio and a high-end listening room.

Chord Mojo 2

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Chord Mojo 2 — The Portable DAC That Started a Revolution

The original Mojo was a phenomenon — a pocket-sized DAC/amp that sounded so good it made people question their desktop setups. The Mojo 2 builds on that legacy with improved features and the same Rob Watts FPGA magic that makes Chord products sound unlike anything else. British engineering at its most eccentric and brilliant.

Build & Design

The Mojo 2 is tiny — genuinely pocket-sized at 83g. The distinctive coloured ball buttons control volume and input selection, changing colour to indicate level. It’s a design language unique to Chord that you’ll either love or find baffling. Build quality is solid with an aluminium shell that feels premium and durable.

Topping D90LE

Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Topping D90LE — Measurement King Meets Music

Topping has become synonymous with measurement-perfect audio. Their products routinely top Audio Science Review’s charts, and the D90LE is their flagship DAC — a device that measures so well it essentially eliminates the DAC as a variable in your chain. But does perfect measurement equal perfect listening?

Build & Design

Clean, minimal, and professional. The D90LE has a full-size desktop footprint with a clear OLED display, remote control, and comprehensive connectivity — USB, optical, coaxial, AES/EBU, and Bluetooth (with LDAC). The build quality is solid aluminium, and the overall presentation is understated but premium.

Final Audio D8000 Pro

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Final Audio D8000 Pro — Japanese Planar Flagship Territory

Final Audio is one of Japan’s most respected audio companies, and the D8000 Pro represents the pinnacle of their headphone engineering. This is flagship planar territory — a headphone that costs as much as a decent used car and promises performance to match. The question is whether it delivers, and the answer is complicated.

Build & Design

Imposing. The D8000 Pro is a large, heavy headphone at 523g with massive earcups that house the AFDS (Air Film Damping System) planar driver. The aluminium construction is beautifully machined, and the overall build quality is impeccable. Japanese attention to detail is evident everywhere — from the hinge mechanism to the cable connectors.

Campfire Cascara

Thu, 25 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Campfire Cascara — Campfire’s Over-Ear Debut

Campfire Audio made their reputation in IEMs, crafting some of the most distinctive-sounding earphones in the portable audio world. The Cascara marks their first venture into full-size over-ear headphones, and like everything Campfire does, it’s got a character all its own.

Build & Design

The Cascara is immediately distinctive with its ceramic-coated aluminium earcups and compact form factor. It’s smaller than most full-size headphones, which makes it more portable but also means the earpads are tighter around larger ears. Build quality is good — the materials feel premium and the overall construction is solid if a bit unconventional.

Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro

Sat, 20 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro — The Studio Workhorse That Never Dies

Walk into any recording studio in the world and you’ll find a pair of DT 770 Pros hanging on a hook somewhere. They’ve been the go-to tracking headphone for decades, and for good reason. The 770 Pro is the definition of “just works” — reliable, comfortable, and sonically honest enough for professional use.

Build & Design

Indestructible is the word that comes to mind. The coiled cable (on the 80-ohm version), the sturdy headband, the replaceable velour earpads — everything about the DT 770 says “built to survive studio life.” At 270g it’s comfortable for all-day wear, and the closed-back design provides useful isolation for tracking and recording.

Audeze MM-500

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Audeze MM-500 — The Mixing Engineer’s Planar

The MM-500 is Audeze’s love letter to mixing and mastering engineers. Developed in consultation with Grammy-winning producer Manny Marroquin, this is a headphone designed specifically for professional work — and it happens to sound absolutely wonderful for music enjoyment too.

Build & Design

Lighter than the LCD-X at 510g, which is still substantial but manageable. The magnesium housing is a step up from Audeze’s usual aluminium, and the overall construction feels purposeful and professional. Comfort is improved over the LCD-X with redesigned earpads and better weight distribution. The suspension headband works well.

Meze 109 Pro

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Meze 109 Pro — Meze Goes Dynamic and Delivers

After making their name with planar and hybrid designs, Meze Audio surprised everyone by releasing a dynamic driver headphone. The 109 Pro uses a 50mm beryllium-coated driver in a design that screams “this is a Meze” from across the room. As someone who’s already fallen for the Poet and the 105 AER, I was eager to see what Meze could do with a good old-fashioned moving coil.

Grado SR325x

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Grado SR325x — Brooklyn Rock and Roll Cans

Grado Labs is the punk rock of headphone companies. Family-owned since 1953, hand-built in Brooklyn, New York, and stubbornly committed to their own vision of what headphones should sound like. The SR325x is their mid-range offering, and it’s as opinionated as everything else Grado makes.

Build & Design

Let’s be blunt: the Grado aesthetic is an acquired taste. The SR325x looks like it was designed in 1985 and never updated. The foam pads, the basic headband, the retro styling — it’s either charmingly authentic or hopelessly dated, depending on your perspective. I find it endearing, but I can see both sides.

Austrian Audio Hi-X65

Sun, 30 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Austrian Audio Hi-X65 — Vienna’s Best Kept Secret

Austrian Audio rose from the ashes of the original AKG Vienna team when Samsung moved AKG operations to South Korea. The engineers who designed classic AKG headphones started fresh, and the Hi-X65 is their open-back studio flagship. It carries decades of Viennese acoustic engineering heritage in a thoroughly modern design.

Build & Design

Clean, professional, and well-made. The Hi-X65 features memory foam earpads, a comfortable headband, and an understated design that says “studio tool” rather than “lifestyle product.” At 310g it’s light enough for extended sessions. The folding mechanism is practical for storage, and the build feels solid without being heavy.

Sony MDR-MV1

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Sony MDR-MV1 — Sony’s Open Back Studio Surprise

Sony’s MDR-7506 has been a studio staple for decades, so when they announced an open-back studio monitor headphone, the professional audio world paid attention. The MDR-MV1 is Sony’s first serious open-back in years, designed specifically for spatial audio mixing and critical listening.

Build & Design

Lightweight at 223g — remarkably light for a full-size open-back. The build is professional and understated: matte black finish, comfortable headband, and breathable mesh earpads. It’s designed to be worn for entire mixing sessions, and it succeeds completely. Not as visually striking as a Meze or ZMF, but that’s not the brief here.

Focal Bathys

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Focal Bathys — Wireless With Audiophile Credentials

I’ll be honest — I’ve always been sceptical of wireless headphones claiming audiophile status. The mere mention of Bluetooth to a headphone purist usually triggers a lecture about lossy codecs and latency. But Focal, the same company behind the Utopia and Clear, decided to have a go at Bluetooth ANC headphones. And they’ve made something rather special.

Build & Design

Premium Focal through and through. The Bathys looks and feels like a proper Focal product — the aluminium yokes, the microfibre and leather earpads, the satisfying build quality. At 350g with all the wireless electronics inside, it’s well-balanced and comfortable. The USB-C DAC input means you can bypass Bluetooth entirely for a wired connection that genuinely rivals dedicated wired headphones.

Hifiman Sundara

Sat, 15 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Hifiman Sundara — The Gateway Drug to Planar

Every audiophile hobby has its gateway moment — the product that opens a door you can never close again. For many headphone enthusiasts, the Hifiman Sundara is exactly that. It’s the headphone that makes you realise what planar magnetic drivers can do, and it does so at a price that doesn’t require selling a kidney.

Build & Design

Improved significantly over earlier revisions. The current Sundara has a metal headband, comfortable pads, and a build that feels more robust than Hifiman’s reputation might suggest. At 372g it’s manageable, and the oval earpads accommodate most ear sizes comfortably. It’s not going to win beauty contests, but it feels like it’ll last.

Moondrop Venus

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Moondrop Venus — Planar Surprise from the IEM Kings

Moondrop made their name in IEMs, producing some of the best budget and mid-range in-ears the hobby has ever seen. So when they announced a full-size planar magnetic headphone, the community raised a collective eyebrow. Could an IEM company really compete in the over-ear space? The Venus answers with a resounding yes.

Build & Design

The Venus has a striking, almost retro-futuristic look with its circular earcups and exposed planar driver grilles. Build quality is solid — mostly metal and plastic, with a comfortable suspension headband. At 505g it sits in the middle ground for planars. The earpads are a soft protein leather that seals well without excessive heat buildup.

Dan Clark Aeon 2 Noire

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Dan Clark Aeon 2 Noire — Closed Back Done Right

Finding a closed-back headphone that satisfies an open-back listener is like finding a sports car that’s also comfortable on the motorway — the compromises usually show. Dan Clark Audio’s Aeon 2 Noire is one of the rare exceptions. This planar magnetic closed-back manages to sound open, detailed, and musical whilst actually isolating you from the outside world.

Build & Design

Dan Clark’s folding design is genuinely clever. The Aeon 2 Noire collapses flat for travel, and the included carry case makes it one of the most portable serious headphones on the market. Build quality is excellent — the Nitinol memory metal headband returns to shape after flexing, and the overall construction feels durable without being heavy at 327g.

Sennheiser HD 660S2

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Sennheiser HD 660S2 — The HD600 Gets a Younger Sibling

As a devoted HD600 owner since 1997, any new Sennheiser in the 6-series range gets my immediate attention. The HD 660S2 is Sennheiser’s latest revision, and the question every HD600/650 owner asks is simple: is this the upgrade I’ve been waiting for, or another sidegrade?

Build & Design

If you’ve ever held an HD600, the 660S2 will feel instantly familiar. The same general form factor, the same reassuring clamp, the same utilitarian German design philosophy. The updates are evolutionary: the headband padding is improved, the finish is slightly more refined, and the cable terminates in a 4.4mm balanced connector (with a 6.3mm adapter included).

ZMF Atrium

Sun, 26 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

ZMF Atrium — Handcrafted Sound From Oregon

Zach Mehrbach’s ZMF Headphones occupy a unique space in the headphone world — handcrafted, wooden-cupped, boutique headphones made in Portland, Oregon with the kind of artisan care that’s vanishingly rare in modern electronics. The Atrium is their flagship open-back dynamic, and it’s unlike anything else I’ve heard.

Build & Design

Stunning. There’s no other word. The Atrium’s wooden earcups are individually crafted, and each pair has a slightly different grain pattern. Mine came in stabilised Cherry, and they’re genuinely beautiful objects. The magnesium chassis, the thick leather headband, the rhodium-plated connectors — every detail communicates care and craftsmanship.

Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X — German Engineering Meets Modern Tuning

Beyerdynamic have been at this game since 1924, and their DT series is as iconic in studios as any headphone ever made. The DT 900 Pro X represents the modern evolution — keeping that Beyer reliability and comfort whilst finally addressing the treble peaks that have divided listeners for decades.

Build & Design

Classic Beyerdynamic. The spring steel headband, the velour earpads, the industrial-yet-functional aesthetic — it’s all here and it’s all reassuringly solid. At 345g it’s lighter than most planar competitors, and the comfort is genuinely excellent. These are headphones you can wear for an entire mixing session without noticing they’re there.

Audeze LCD-X 2021

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Audeze LCD-X 2021 — The Studio Planar That Rocks

The LCD-X has been on my radar since it became the go-to headphone for producers and mixing engineers who want planar detail without the analytical coldness. The 2021 revision addressed the tuning complaints of the original, and what Audeze delivered is, frankly, one of the most capable all-rounders in the planar world.

Build & Design

Let’s address weight first: 612g. Yes, it’s heavy. If you’re coming from a Sennheiser or a Koss PortaPro, the first time you put these on your head you’ll wonder if someone left a brick inside. That said, the suspension headband does a reasonable job of distributing the weight, and after twenty minutes you mostly forget about it. Mostly.

Focal Clear MG

Sat, 11 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Focal Clear MG — French Dynamics at Their Finest

There’s something about French audio engineering that carries a particular swagger. Focal have been making world-class speakers for decades, and their headphone division has inherited that confidence in spades. The Clear MG is Focal’s mid-range open-back, sitting between the Celestee and the Utopia, and it might just be the sweet spot of their entire lineup.

Build & Design

Premium. That’s the word that comes to mind immediately. The Clear MG uses magnesium domes on its M-shaped driver — hence the “MG” suffix — and the build quality is a significant step up from most of the competition. The aluminium yokes, the perforated lambskin earpads, the woven cable — everything communicates quality. At 450g it’s not the lightest, but the weight distribution is excellent and the clamping force is just right.

Hifiman Arya Stealth

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Hifiman Arya Stealth — Planar Magnificence on a Budget?

I’ve been circling the Arya for years. Every time I’d read another glowing forum post or catch a YouTube review, I’d think “surely it can’t be that good at this price.” Well, I finally took the plunge, and the short version is: yes, it really can.

Build & Design

Let’s get the elephant in the room addressed first — Hifiman’s build quality reputation. The Arya Stealth is noticeably better than older Hifiman designs, but it still won’t win any awards against the likes of Meze or ZMF for premium feel. The headband is functional rather than luxurious, and the earcups are large — comically large, if I’m honest. But they’re light for their size at around 404g, and the egg-shaped pads are genuinely comfortable for long sessions.

Poet for the ages

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Meze Poet Headphones – A Listener’s Review

Introduction

Meze Audio has built a reputation over the last decade for creating headphones that combine sculptural design with a musical, human touch to their voicing. Their flagship models — Empyrean and Elite — became darlings of the headphone world, praised as much for their craftsmanship as for their sound.

The Poet slots in as a more approachable entry in their line-up, but don’t mistake “approachable” for “compromised.” I’ve spent several weeks with the Poet across both HiFi and home-studio contexts, and here’s how it has held up against long listening sessions, reference gear, and, most importantly, the music itself.

Sparkos Gemini Headphone Amp

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Sparkos Gemini Headphone Amp

Introduction

The Sparkos Labs Gemini is a hybrid tube headphone amplifier and preamplifier. It blends the lush character of a tube input stage with the clean, powerful output of Sparkos’ discrete solid-state op‑amp stage. Priced around $995, the Gemini sits in the “upper‑mid” tier of headphone amps: not entry level, but far from the price extremes of boutique high‑end gear.

Build & Design

Chassis & Controls: Solid, well-machined casework with a high-quality Alps “Blue Velvet” volume pot.
Power Stage: Discrete Sparkos SS2590 op‑amps and discrete voltage regulators.
Output Impedance: Extremely low (~0.25Ω) for excellent control of headphones.
Inputs & Outputs:
- Headphone outputs: 6.3mm (¼″) TRS and 4‑pin XLR.
- RCA preamp outputs for speaker use.
Customizability: Tube‑rolling supported (e.g. 6922, ECC88 types), two gain levels, internal jumper‑set bias adjustment.
Design Highlights: No coupling capacitors in the signal path, no global feedback, and a tube warm‑up delay for protection.

Features

Works as both headphone amp and preamp.
Switchable gain and bias settings.
Tube-rolling for different sonic flavors.
Low noise floor, even with sensitive headphones (slightly more noticeable on high gain).

Pricing

U.S.: $995 MSRP
U.K./Europe: Approx. $1,016 (VAT included via dealers like Elise Audio)

This puts it in the “serious enthusiast” category: not entry‑level, but attainable for those investing in high‑quality amplification.

Dongle DAC's 2025

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Dongle DAC’s in 2025

In the ever-evolving landscape of portable audio, 2025 has ushered in a new echelon of dongle DACs that cater to the discerning audiophile. These compact devices have bridged the gap between convenience and high-fidelity sound, ensuring that even the most mobile setups don’t compromise on audio quality. After meticulous evaluation, three standout models have emerged: the iBasso DC-Elite, the Cayin RU7, and the iFi GO bar Kensei. Each offers a unique blend of sonic excellence, build quality, and features.

Meze Value Kings

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Meze AER 105 Headphones Review

Introduction The Meze AER 105 headphones are the latest entry from the renowned Romanian manufacturer, Meze Audio, known for its premium audiophile headphones. The AER 105 seeks to blend the company’s signature sound quality with innovative design elements and user-centric features. This review will delve into the performance, design, comfort, and overall value of the AER 105, comparing it to other current models in Meze’s lineup, such as the Empyrean and the Elite.

Koss PortaPro

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Koss Portapro- The Value Bet Headphones

Warning….I Love these budget retro style headphones :-)

Introduction: A Walk Through History In the fast-evolving world of audio technology, few headphones have stood the test of time as remarkably as the Koss PortaPro. Launched in 1984, these iconic headphones have become a symbol of enduring quality and retro appeal. Designed by John C. Koss, the PortaPro was a revolution in portable audio, promising high-fidelity sound in a compact, foldable design that was quite ahead of its time. Even today, they remain a beloved choice among audiophiles who appreciate their mix of vintage style and excellent sound performance.

Sennheiser HD600

Sat, 07 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Sennheiser HD 600 - A History of Excellence

I Discovered my love of listening to music on headphones in 1997 when i moved into an apartment/ Flat. For the sake of the neighbourly goodwill, i started moving my listening to high quality headphones.

I discovered quickly that for modest outlay compared to my full size hifi components a high quality reproduction could be acheived. I have upgraded my orinal setup immesurably, however the ehadphones i purchased back then, the HD600 just improves as the source and amplification does. The best investment i have made in a headphone.

RME Kit

Sat, 16 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

RME kit in the Studio & In the Home HiFi

The Benchmark of DACs: A Review of the RME ADI-2 FS

In the world of high-fidelity digital audio, few components have garnered as much acclaim as the RME ADI-2 FS DAC. This flagship device from the renowned German manufacturer has been lauded for its unparalleled sound quality, versatility, and robust feature set, making it a coveted centerpiece in home studios and professional recording environments alike.

Upgrade Fever

Sat, 16 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The Iconic Sparkos SS3602 Op-Amp: A Timeless Pioneer in High-Fidelity Amplification

In the realm of high-fidelity audio amplification, few components have had as profound an impact on sound quality and design as the Sparkos SS3602. This legendary operational amplifier (Op-Amp) has been a cornerstone of professional audio for decades, shaping the sound of countless recordings, studios, and masterpieces. We delve into its technical prowess and fascinating history to understand why the SS3602 remains a revered choice among audiophiles and engineers alike.

Anthony Cossey Blog and HUGO

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Blog Emerges in January 2025

This blog will launch in January 2025, please feel welcome to come back then, in fact try Hugo, the open source CMS, for yourself

Step 1. Install Hugo

Go to Hugo releases and download the appropriate version for your OS and architecture.

Save it somewhere specific as we will be using it in the next step.

More complete instructions are available at Install Hugo

Step 2. Build the Docs

Hugo has its own example site which happens to also be the documentation site you are reading right now.

Anthony Cossey Blog Emerges

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Blog Emerges in January 2025

This blog will launch in January 2025, please feel welcome to come back then, in fact try Hugo, the open source CMS, for yourself, the next post will cover this.