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 — 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.

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

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.

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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.

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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).

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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 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 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.

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.