Why yes i did buy something for myself. A Geshelli Labs J2S with the 4493 chip and the sparkos op amp upgrade. The wife bought me a Wiim pro plus as well! Good times!
Something I just bought for £129 from Amazon UK 🇬🇧 Eve Play - Audio Streaming Interface for AirPlay, Upgrade to AirPlay audio streaming, Latency compensation, digital-to-analog converter, Three audio outputs, Apple Home, Ethernet, 2.4/5 GHz Wi-Fi This was added to my old old HI-FI system it’s looks modern and feels very well made 😻🙏👍 Merry Christmas 😸😸😸
Happy holidays John! IMHO you are the best audio equipment reviewer out there due to your detail, humor, taste in music and range of products reviewed. May 2024 be successful and thank you for the passion you bring to your work.
Hopefully it will be far better than those $30 cassette players offered on Amazon. If so, I'm definitely buying one. I still have about 300 recorded or prerecorded cassettes I love to play. The issue is that as far as I know, there's only one pretty lousy Chinese made cassette mechanism still in production today with fairly awful specs by Tanashin. We'll see how it turns out. Oh that just one company would field a GOOD cassette mechanism with the specs of a late 1990's mid-tier cassette deck.
As an Xmas present to me I have just bought a vintage Sansui AU 7700 amplifier and matching FM tuner, recapped and serviced. Im going through a vintage audio phase, and those Sansui machines from the 70s are incredible. More up to date, I recently picked up the Shanling EC mini transportable cd player and DAP/DAC which is a fantastic little device, similar to the Moondrop. Merry Xmas, all you Darkonauts.
So glad I watched this---I LOVE the Kallax TV unit. That's exactly what I've been looking for. Thanks John!! Oh, and I love the doorstops too. Merry Christmas!
My audio gift to myself was a pair of Fosi Audio ZA3 to run as mini mono blocks. The only thing is I had to wrap them for Christmas Day, but hey it’ll be worth it 🎄
Another option is to not primarily buy stuff, but to take the time to recap the capacitors in your speakers if these are 15+ years. I mounted Mundorf Sup8 capacitors in my already top spec crossovers and the sound quality stepped up next level. Very rewarding to do this yourself.
I keep wanting to do this with my old AR 9 speakers, but man, working inside the cabinet is going to be a pain. I might sell them "as is" instead to someone younger and more willing to do the work. Looking at the new JBL L100 Classic MKII as a replacement. The AR 9 were always a bit too big for my living room. Sure did love them though. But now, I worry about frying the tweeter due to how much out of spec the old electrolytic capacitors might be.
I believe the Dennon devices take advantage of the idea that the outer hair cells in your ears move in response to sound to boost low to moderate intensity signals to your inner hair cells acting as a nonlinear cochlear amplifier. These movements from the outer hair cells can be recorded with sensitive microphones and are called otoacoustic emissions (OAEs). OAEs are used as part of a diagnostic work up or as part of a screening to measure and predict auditory system function. The idea is, healthy auditory systems tend to have larger OAEs and from a wider frequency range. Based on the intensity of the responses, you can adjust the audio signal to make a custom auditory profile, which is what Dennon is doing in this case. Pretty cool!
Because of you, I treated myself to an FIIO R7 and LP50 combo. Are you happy now? ^^Well, I must admit it is way cleaner than my loose cable and mobile DAP that I sometimes plug into my amp. Please continue your great videos. Enjoy the end of year. 🎉
Watching this video on a zenfone 10 connected to the Nuratrue Pro, i think i treated myself good this year😂! Merry christmas john, wish you the best for 2024! Thanks for your "infotainment" this year!
Hi! Beautiful scenes from Lisbon. As you said, I bought my gifts throughout the year, but last weekend I bought a vinyl: The Fat of the Land by The Prodigy.
I bought myself a new dap! (I still love daps) I bought it back in September for an amazing price and have stuck it away in the box till yesterday (Christmas day)🎅🏼🎅🏼🎅🏼 It’s a lovely purple hiby r6 pro gen two. I use it for walking about but also as a streaming source for my hifi. Floor standing fyne audio speakers, Mordaunt short sub and icon audio valve amp. Sounds lovely. Have a good Christmas everyone🎅🏼🎅🏼
Thank you for this and all your other videos throughout the year. I do enjoy your approach to hifi. Looking forward to next year’s output. Have a very Merry Christmas 🥂
I jumped off of my wallet and treated myself to the Thieaudio Monarch MK III's. I was tempted to get the Meze Liric headphones, but IEMs just suit my use case so much better. The Monarch's being half the price did not hurt either. The sound is perfect for my listening taste, and I am hearing things in music that I have been listening to for upwards of 40 years that I have never heard before. These will be my go to for many years to come I think. Thanks for another year of great content, have a Merry Christmas.
Hi John! Happy Holidays! This year I treated myself with a wireless system - as a secondary one - composed of two Sonos One SL and one Sonos Sub Mini. I have to say that this system which is well under 1000 euros surprised me with its sound and power. Cheers, take care!
Thanks for the video. Bought myself a big gift that’s audio related. A new boat with a Rockford Fosgate receiver and 6 blue ice Kicker speakers. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and all!
Had a trusty pair of modded m40x's finally kick the bucket after almost 6 years. Decided to treat myself for the holidays and upgrade to a pair of HarmonicDyne Zeus Elites. My ears have never been happier!
Thanks John, i love this channel for the frequency at which you cover products that appeal to people who don’t have the same levels of disposable income, as well as the flash stuff.. more power to you! 👍
I didn’t buy myself any audio equipment this year for Christmas but did buy a FiiO BTR7 and some Hifiman Sandara headphones earlier this year. Happy Christmas 🎉
Hello John, this video is a really great one i think. I would find it super great, if you would release many more of this type... bringing up the more small and little ones around the hifi hobby... 😊
Thanks for all your hardwork this year for bringing us so much content. I bought: - Fiio KA5 DAC dongle - Fiio R7 network streamer (because of your review) - aune X8 DAC w/extra Op-amp pack (did you also review this with the optional op-amp?) - Mojo2 DAC (because of your review) Will decide what to keep after trying them all out for a few months.
I bought the Cambridge MXN10 last month to replace an original (2009) DacMagic that I fed via USB. The MXN10 is fantastic, sounds superb with an Ethernet feed. I could compare the new and old side by side and the jump in clarity and soundstage was sweet.
Ifi go blu, truthear Hexa, apple AirPod pro 2, wiim pro streamer are all great hifi products that are in a gift price range. I would also like to try the 7hz timeless 2 sometime as well
Merry Christmas John and thank you for all of your well executed and informative videos! They helped me settle on a Wiim Pro+ as a Merry Christmas to me.
Thank You for your exceptional RU-vid channel, John 👍 Your videos are always thoroughly appreciated and enjoyed. Merry Christmas; and My Best Wishes for a Safe and Healthy 2024. Take Care.
I think the WIIM pro looks fine, and plastic is a good choice be cause you don't need the stupid antenna and it could be metal as long as you don't touch it. But just wait for the WIIM Ultra. It will have a aluminium case. My latest purchase was the great sounding Aune S17 pro class A headphone amp, using it as a pre-amp.
I bought a TRUTHEAR x Crinacle ZERO: RED for only 44 euros and an Apple USC-C to 3.5mm DAC dongle for 10 euros. I don't think I can get better music reproduction with an amp and speakera without spending at least 20 times more.
I got myself Chord Mojo 2 that I got for $480 on sales and it just blew me away when I connected it to my Kef/Rel speaker system & Roon. The ifi Zen Dac One is very very close as well. But something soothing about mojo 2 I felt though. Its my end game Dac/portable amp.
Got my old asus laptop connected via RCA Y cable to my stereo sound speakers since 2010 and it's AMAZING, mp3 or AAC or FLAC sound rich, thicker fuller, audio from YOu Tube and movies too, it has an audio enhacer from SRS premium charged since new, you can expect great sound from that cell phone too. Happy xmas.
I totally get your choice of the Cambridge Audio network streamer. But for me with simpler needs, I’m very happy with the NAD CS1 for $150 less than the CA. Setup & use couldn’t be easier with Ethernet connection. I simply control my listening via Tidal connection; my partner, Spotify connect. And yes, it looks way better than the WiiM products. 👍🏻
I made my own adapter using neutrik 3.5mm, 2 x XLR & van damme cable. used it for 20 years as a sound engineer after my monster cable that I won in a competition died. I’ve still got it somewhere but just don’t need it nowadays. I think it looked as good but I’m a sucker for them brand names :-)
I bought myself a LEAK & Wharfedale audio system: the LEAK 230, the LEAK CDT, and the Wharfedale Linton speakers, all in walnut finish. And I’m VERY HAPPY with both the looks and the sound 😊
Great to see hearing correction making it into the list with the Denon PerL. I think it is time personalized listening moved away from hardware-dongles and stopped using the standard lossy hearing correction DSP. The missing audiophile solution is about to be introduced and works with all the gear you already own, including the Denon PerL. It is software-based, works on desktop & mobile, and is waiting for you and every music lover to audition. Let me know when you are ready to hear the difference.
I really like the doorstops! My hotrodded Trends Audio amp needed that and it works great at a very reasonable price. Need a few more for my Auralic Mini and Sonos Connect. Great list by the way. Really appreciate your thoughtful and reasonable approach to hifi and music.
I’ve bought myself a wonderful Astell&Kern Kann Ultra DAP to drive my awesome Campfire Audio Trifecta’s. A merry Christmas to you and a happy new year! 🎉🎉🎉🎅🏼🎄⭐️✨
Bought myself a pair of Edifier MS50A a WiFi speakers supporting AirPlay 2, Spotify, Bluetooth 5.0and also work with Alexa as well. Can stream separately or pair them via very simple app. Look very stylish/ retro, too. Freq response 52Hz-18kHz. There are not audiophile grade but are good for daily streaming of YT etc. Wondering if these cheaper products will get some attention at the channel, would bring more eyes that’s certain.
Good idea, but there's already a plethora of "cheap audio" channels on YT, led by The Cheapaudioman (Randy Messman) and several others who cover those options well. Darko has covered items in the $99 range though, such as the Sennheiser IE200 on sale now for that amount. But figure the low end of John's stuff is around $300 most of the time.
John, you will LOVE the Asus Zenfone 10 and with a nice set of IEM'S even BETTER! I just picked up the Basn Singer Pro in red a long with my Asus Zenfone 9....LOVING IT. All the Pet Shop Boys tracks sound phenomenal.
Lossless is not that important in headphones. Headphones have small drivers with very tiny driver movements. It’s only noticeable on big speakers, with more driver movements.
That was a nice gift list. Treated myself to a Hifiman EF400 headphone DAC/Amp. Plenty of power for my HD6xxs. Loved the different sound of an R2R DAC compared to the D50s/A50 stack I have.
I picked up a set of ie200s on black Friday and I have been really enjoying them. First I did the tape mod, then I replaced the cable (aliexpress has some that are compatible). I found that they have a decent amount of clarity and detail for their price! Lately I have been listening to Kenny G a lot on them.
I was allowed to return the music gear to the lounge where it can be much more appreciated so I bought myself a brand new CA CX81 in early christmas season in july.
Great list! Will check the Denon earbuds for sure. One item that is in my opinion very good and it goes for about $200 a pair are the JBL Control Pro 1 speakers, I use them as my desktop speakers and they sound amazing for my taste, dry and accurate (of course depending also on the amp used), exactly what I need for my desktop, nearfield listening experience.
A Goth and a Nine Inch Nails name drop?! Darko has just made my Christmas 😆 Oh, and can’t wait for that Moondrop review! Have a great Christmas there and thanks for all your hard work and the wonderful entertainment this year😎🤘
Great video with some excellent ideas for pressies. A bit baffled why you would recommend a door stop over a good quality heavy duty record weight/clamp, though. It is what I have always used, as like you, I also have a Turntable so it has multiple uses and great to collect..well better than collecting door stops anyway 😂 and they look a he'll of a lot better! Check out the Pathe Wings range. 👍
Moin Darko, Thank you and your team for all the great videos and reviews! Unfortunately, most of the products are outside my budget. My you make also some videos about afortable IEMs, but are still very good!? I bought the Campfire Audio Comet at the beginning of the year because of your video. But at second hand market 😎, a really good IEM and thanks for the tip 🙏 I wish you and your loved ones a wonderful Christmas time and a happy new year into a healthy, happy and successful 2024 🎅🎄🎊🍀❗ Come in safely Stephen
Added a Rega Fono Mini to my Linn Sondek LP12, and wrapped a pair of Sennheiser Momentum 4 Headphones and put them under the tree. Merry Christmas everyone
You don’t need money to be an audiophile. You just need to be aware shortcomings may exist in what you’re hearing and feel that better sound would bring you closer to subtleties in the artist’s message. Just moving a piece can provide a satisfying experience.
Ive been upgrading without any occasion but the sennheiser ie200 caught my eye. Need to replace a chi-fi that broke for the occasional use. Price is decent enough to consider. Evil darko! Told myself no hobby spending this Christmas. Thank you for your videos tho. Happy holidays!
If you use a computer for steaming, I found that reclocking the usb to your DAC with Ifi iPurifier USB cleaned up the sound noticeably. Ifi LAN silencers also a great gift cuts down on occasional digital oddities if you hardwire stream.
I made by myself a christmas present in buying a new amplifier for my system 🙂, intentionally I was in the market for (a pair?) a subwoofer, but my mind changed when I heard the small test rig standing there. It consists of some brands I´ve never heard before ( Audio Group Denmark ), an I-180 from Aavik, LS-cables from Ansuz and a pair of wonderful Boerrensen Z1 cryo 😮. Well the pricetags are nothing for the faint hearted, but the sound was mindblowing! So the decission was made and one cornerstone of my new system is since 2 weeks the I-280 amplifier from Aavik and the finger is on the trigger for these wonderful Z1 speakers, but I have to sleep some more nights to come to my final conclusion.
Sprung for an entire mid-range system this month. Klipsch the Nines, Pro-Ject Debut PRO S Turntable, Sheesh Mani 2, Wiim pro plus. Speaker stands on backorder (Klipsch KS-24).
In October I picked up the IE200 with foam tips and a DC03. I still find the fit weird, but otherwise no complaints. Is there a widget for headphones so I can put them in my pocket without becoming tangled? Also, have you tried the foam tips for the Bose QC Ultra yet?
