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Showing posts from February, 2014

Resonessence Labs Herus

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Introduction Thanks to the popularity of head-fi, there has been a proliferation of portable products on the market, such as USB powered DACs, combined DAC / headamps and the like. Head-fi does have a lot of advantages over conventional setups. The overall cost of ownership is more affordable - spending two or three thousand dollars could get you close to cutting edge performance. Further, head-fi is perfect for rigs in land scarce Singapore. Resonessence Labs was founded by Mark Mallinson, former operations director for ESS Technology. His team members include former ESS employees with intimate knowledge of DAC and ADC design. It would be sensible to assume that these guys know more than a trick or two in handling ESS DACs. Description The Herus is a tiny USB powered DAC / headamp based on the ESS 9010-2M chip. Measuring just 6.35 cm long, 3.17 cm wide and 1.9 cm high, it could slip easily into a laptop case for your long and lonely business trips. A USB Type B socket is located on on

B.M.C. Audio PureDAC

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I first heard of Juan Carlos Candeias through his design work with CEC with concepts such as load-effect free (LEF) technology and current injection. I used to own a CEC TL-51XR belt drive CD player which sadly died. B.M.C. Audio has enjoyed increased visibility locally with the launch of a number of new products over the last year or so. When the PureDAC was announced, there was a certain degree of buzz, with its DSD capability at what was then considered a very affordable price tag. When the product was finally launched some months ago, a number of low cost DSD capable DACs were already in the market, many at a lower price tag than the B.M.C. Nonetheless, the B.M.C. was intriguing, and I managed to get hold of an almost new unit pre-owned, in a local transaction. Here are some pictures to whet your appetite. This unit is absolutely stunning in the flesh. Some may find its styling strange - I find it very attractive, and a welcome departure from the usual black box. I unboxed the unit

Job 225 Power Amp

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Introduction I've just got a new Job. A Job 225 that is. After looking at all the positive information on audio forums out there, I placed an order last week. For those unfamiliar with Job Electronics Inc, it is an affiliated company of Goldmund and shares technology used in Goldmund products. Without sounding too condescending and dismissive, you could consider Job products as Goldmund derived products on the cheap for the average man in the street. The Job 225 can be ordered directly online at www.jobsys.com. I previously failed to secure a unit when the batch sold out and I jumped on the opportunity last month when it was available again. Ordering the Job was a simple process, and 4 days later, the Job was sitting on my living room floor - delivered from Switzerland to Singapore within record time. What makes the Job 225 compelling ? It is a high quality, powerful, compact and affordable amplifier. Description According to Job, the 225 delivers 125 watts per channel into 8 ohms,

Lunar New Year Greeting

A warm lunar new year greeting goes out to all Chinese visitors to my blog. Wishing everyone out there a great year of the horse, and may you and your loved ones enjoy good health, prosperity and good fortune.