Headed up by Tony Crocker, Oklahoma-based Swan Song Audio takes a very different approach to the design of their headphones and headphone amplifier. The headphones use a combination of 3D printing techniques and different woods, and the amplifier uses 3D printed parts too. All this innovation makes the Sawn Song Audio combo a very different proposition to what you might be used to, but how do they sound? Janine Elliot finds out for HiFi PiG.
Remember the Titan Audio Ares mains distribution block we reviewed back at the tail end of 2023? It was good enough to make it onto that year´s Best Of list, and it was (and still is) only 400 quid. This, the second iteration of the Eros mains block, is significantly better, but at a more substantial but still reasonable GBP 875.
Auris Audio is well known for its turntables and headphone DAC/amps, including products from its sister brand, EarMen. Founded in Serbia in 2013, Headonia 300B represents the brand’s 10th-anniversary model. It costs a whopping €11,999. This is a serious headphone amplifier, made for the most discerning of headphone users, so let’s look at what this headphone amp is capable of.
Volumio Rivo + is a digital player that is big on features, has a dedicated app but will integrate with ROON seamlessly, and looks very attractive. Stuart Smith takes a listen to this player costing a pound less than £1100.
Cyrus 40 AMP is, needless to say, an amplifier from British brand Cyrus. It has an onboard DAC, MM phonostage, and costs £3995. Janine Elliot takes a listen for HiFi PiG.
The Manger Z1 is a large standmount loudspeaker that uses the innovative and very interesting Manger Sound Transducer for the mids and tops. In the UK the speakers cost £9720. Hifi PiG’s Stuart takes a listen.
ELAC CARINA BS 243.4 bookshelf speakers are a beer token less than a grand in the UK, but do they cut the sonic mustard? Michael Fairbairn finds out for HiFi PiG.
DMconnect NASA N1 CAT8 ethernet cable is an aftermarket “audiophile” ethernet cable costing around £500. Musician and HiFi PiG reviewer Michael Fairbairn plays some of his own bands’ creations to assess what this cable does – if anything.
Eversolo DMP-A6 Gen 2 streaming DAC is pretty much what it says on the tin – a one-box streaming DAC costing £799. Janine Elliot takes a listen for HiFi PiG.
Over the last few years, iFi Audio have built a name for itself, making excellent head-fi related kit at often reasonable prices. In this review, we will be taking a closer look at their ZEN DAC 3, the latest DAC from their popular ZEN range of products.
The Innuos Next-Gen is the Portuguese brand’s latest high-end streaming offering with a host of innovative new features to maximise sound quality and usability. In this review of the ZEN NEXT-GEN from INNUOS, Alan McIntosh doesn’t seem to want to send it back.
Hana SL MKII MC Cartridge is the second iteration of the brand’s SL phono-cartridge and comes with a few improvements over the original including cryogenically treated parts, a new covering material to help dampen the cartridge, and a new cantelever. Stuart Smith takes a listen to this £650 low-output moving coil cartridge.
Reliable Uberlight Frame is a lamp that has been designed specifically to fit onto your HiFi rack and over your record player. It’s got variable brightness and temperature, lots of ways to fit to your rack, and even a rechargeable remote control. Is this lamp something you never knew you needed?
Blusound Node 2024 streamer is the Canadian company’s latest £499 iteration of this well-known music streamer. As well as the BluOS app, you also get DIRAC room correction with the latest Node. Janine Elliot plumbs the Node into her hone network for HiFi PiG.
Violectric PPA V790 Phonostage is a well-featured phono preamplifier that offers a solution for those using Moving Magnet or Moving Coil cartridges, those looking for different EQ curves, and, with its multiple inputs, those with more than one tonearm. Janine Elliot takes a listen for HiFi PiG.
TOPPING A50 III HEADPHONE AMP AND D50 III DAC REVIEW
Topping A50 III Headphone Amp and D50 III DAC review by Oscar Stewart for HiFi PiG. In this review, he will look at the latest of Topping’s A50 / D50 products, now in their third iteration, with a range of headphones. The A50 III comes in at £199 whilst the D50 III costs £229 making this sub £500, a potentially versatile headphone AMP/DAC setup.
Unison Research Simply 845 is an £8500 integrated amplifier using the impressive-looking 845 tube and equally impressive woodwork. Will this Italian beauty be a feast for the ears as well as the eyes? Janine Elliot finds out for HiFi PiG.
Nad M66 Streaming DAC Preamplifier combines a DAC with a multi-room music streamer but also features Dirac Live Room Correction and Dirac Live Bass Control. It sports a 7″ touchscreen. looks very contemporary and costs £4499, 5990 Euros, or $5499.
Audiograil Orca loudspeakers are a fairly large standmount speaker that uses high-quality components and costs 7500 Euros. Stuart Smith listens to what looks (on paper at least) to be a very interesting product.
The Gold Note PH-5 Phonostage is a sub-£1000 phonostage with an innovative touchscreen, cute styling, different equalisation curves, and is adaptable for various Moving Coil cartridges and Moving Magnet cartridges. Stuart takes a listen.
STORGAARD AND VESTSKOV FRIDA STANDMOUNT SPEAKERS REVIEW
Storgaard and Vestskov Frida standmount speakers are beautiful looking 15 500 Euros loudspeakers from a Danish brand that will be new to many readers. Always on the lookout for new and interesting brands, Stuart had them at HiFi PiG Towers for an extended period to give them a whirl and report on their performance.
AUDIOLAB 9000P POWER AMPLIFIER AND 9000Q PRE-AMPLIFIER
The Audiolab 9000P power-amp and 9000Q pre-amplifier expands Audiolab’s flagship 9000 range, HiFi PiG’s Janine Elliot tests these new components to see how they perform.
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material (in part or in full) without express and written permission from this website’s author
and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Hifi Pig and Big Pig Media with appropriate and specific direction (link) to the original content.
Hifi Pig is part of the Big Pig Media LLP group
of companies.
