Stereo_Electronics

Every moment has the right song. Plug in and feel the world disappear.

Germany’s prestigious AUDIO magazine rates Retro as Reference Class. Introduction AUDIO test thoroughly and are one of the major authorities for comparative reviewing in Germany. In the history of AUDIO, the Retro is the first ‘realistically priced component’ to ever be awarded ‘Reference Class’. Jeremy Clarkson got nuffin on this reviewer, Stefan Schickedanz. The following is a translation of the most salient aspects from the review. Test, tube complete system (summary) Not only for Hipsters: For looks, the charming system from iFi could have come straight from the middle of the last century, but it is packed chock full with technology of our current Millennium. We LOVE the ‘BBC Top Gear’ homage on page 3. Damm, if audio journalism was on the whole as entertaining reading (said the iFi audio Stig). Their “Best of the Best” list uses a rigid and reliable point based system for assessing sound quality, with “Standard Class” assigned up to 30 Points, “Middle Class” up 60 Points, “Upper Class” up to 75 Points, “Peak Class” up to 90 points and “High End” up to 100 Points. Equipment must gain over 100 points to be considered “Reference Class”‘. The iFi Retro System joins the ranks of the reference class with 103 points, one of the least expensive complete systems possible at reference class level! Reviewer Stefan Schickedanz declares the Retro System the “ultimate must-have gadget” and had a “Hammer Listening Experience” (as in very good) via all inputs, including MC Phono, Line and Digital. He found the matching LS-3.5 speakers to “Surprise with how much bass they bring forth” and “to give a “deeply immersing” experience of the music. Finally, while he will not (yet?) trade in his >> 100K US Reference System for the Retro System, he notes that if he was starting out from zero in High End Audio, “the Retro System would be the hottest candidate for pole position in his living room”. The overall conclusion states positives as “Grooves, Swings and brings real bass, genius sound staging” and notes no negatives. AUDIO’s Lab test noted the Signal/Noise ratio (a measure how much unwanted noise is added to the music) as exemplary. Sound quality Assessment (as system): Reference Class at 103 points Value For Money Assessment: Outstanding Usability Assessment: Outstanding Manufacturing Quality: Outstanding Danke sehr! AUDIO and Stefan Schickedanz! http://ifi-audio.com/reviews/germanys-prestigious-audio-magazine-rates-retro-as-reference-class/

It’s a sibling love kind of day with Urbanears Plattan ADV Wireless headphones! Now they can enjoy their freedom more as they move around freely, listen music on the go without tangled cords. Don’t miss out the first Bluetooth headphone in the Urbanears line-up.

Richardo of Flickr says “Once you’ve tried iFi, there’s no going back” “After adding a dac to my system, it’s impossible to go back, for some years I was trying to add one. Finely brought one. iFi iRack completes the setup, iFi iDSD, transforms a not bad sound in Harman Kardon GLA-55 in an Audiophile computer heaven, I did not even believed that the GLA-55 could be so much better, but believe me, the iFi iDSD, iFi Dac, are something amazing. You need a good hi resolution audio like the studio masters from linn, chesky or HD Tracks to listen real hi res sound in pure nirvana. It can also listen to acc from iTunes with better quality, but acc or mp3 show all limitations after listen studio masters, there is no going back. iUSB takes the noise from the usb signal, interesting as this really works, more precise sound. iRack is only cosmetic for me, but beautiful.” Thanks Richardo! Check out Richardo’s profile here! https://www.flickr.com/photos/macdesktops/

Rock Jaw is now in stores featuring its two earphone models - Arcana V2 and Alfa Genus. Be one of the first to audition these beautifully crafted earphones and be ready to have a jaw-dropping listening experience.

The twin brother is here! Audeze EL-8 Closed-Back Headphones audition unit is now available at both Stereo stores. Pay us a visit and have a moment with this Audiophile headphone!

For the kids at heart! 'Coz everything is possible with Unique Melody and the limitation only lies with your imagination.

Not enjoying your morning commute? Plug in and feel the world disappear.

iCan Micro: Class A amp for a Class A guy! “Going back to the iCAN Micro. A lot of people will ask why one would even need the iCAN if you have already got iDSD Micro which has a very capable headphone output. After adding the iCAN Micro after iDSD Micro the sound becomes sweeter and warmer….I think it might have something to do with its Class A circuit. I am a Class A guy. My main stereo has a set of Pass Labs XA60.5 Class A mono amps, and i also use First Watt J2 Class A amp for my desktop system. To me a class A amp (well designed of course) just sounds more musical and more effortless. It brings you closer to the music. iCAN did exactly that. I also enjoyed the 3D and Xbass feature. For 90% of the time i listen at Xbass Mid setting and 3D Max setting. I really like iFi’s implementations with both as their effects are subtle….I am currently using this set as my office setup. I am completely satisfied and have no intention to make any change, nor do i think that i can do any better without spending significantly more money. I highly recommend this combo to anyone who is looking for a good and flexible desktop setup as well as with some portability.” Thanks Eric / Blankdisc! http://www.head-fi.org/t/654405/ican-amp-review-a-new-amp-that-gives-you-more-more-bass-more-soundstage-and-more-detail/405#post_11444884

4 wheels moves your body…..iDSD Nano moves your soul! ” One of the brands creating a stir has been iFi – particularly with its iDSD range…..Before I go any further I’d like to tell you that I came into this review expecting to be slightly underwhelmed…..Well the good news is that the Nano ticks all of my boxes for a great DAC. It is musical, but without losing detail. It is smooth, but not too warm and the overall sound has a nice sense of spaciousness for the price and size of the Nano…..Given that the DAC was already very good, an overly warm amp stage could have sunk the Nano’s performance, but iFi nailed the balance here and the end results are smooth, musical, detailed and enjoyable. In short, the Nano is an amazing auditory package as a stand-alone device…..Overall, the Nano has wowed me. It looks great, it’s tiny for what it is and does, and the fact that it offers native DSD playback, variable line-out USB to SPDIF conversion, and a great in-built amp all make it a hands-down winner in my book. I was expecting to be underwhelmed by the Nano, but I absolutely love it and will be sad to see it go… so much so that I might be $300 poorer after this exercise (but musically richer for owning an iFi Nano iDSD).” Thanks Passion for Sound & MaxMedia (iFi:Australia)! http://passionforsound.lachlanfennen.com/?p=1483

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HeadMania impressed by the iDSD Micro! The tests were performed with iFi iDSD Micro, Sennheiser HD800, Audeze LCD-X, HiFiMAN HE-560, Shure 535-LTD, Sennheiser IE800, FiiO X5, FiiO E12A. “Looking at the specs I was really impressed….Indeed, the unit is very versatile. You can use it just as DAC, just as headphone amp, pre-amp and dac/amp combo of course. The unit can also be used as USB converter as it has a spdif output as well. Besides the above, iFi still had some stuff that impressed me even further…..As I expected, the battery ads clarity and detail to the sound and it is not something hard to notice. The unit sounded very good when it was powered from usb as well and it seemed a little warmer / more analogue….My Shure 535 LTD are very sensitive and I have rarely found an amplifier not to present a small hiss in the background. With iFi the noise disappeared completely proving to be a good match with it….One of the strong things about this unit is that it sounds very natural….The Micro packs a good amount of details. I could hear some subtle things in the songs like only a gentle stroke over a guitar string, a car passing by the recording studio and even an artist scratching his face during the song….iFi Micro iDSD was a really nice surprise. I never expected this quality at that price. I didn’t feel like I was listening to a portable unit at all. I felt like listening to a full blown desktop rig. Actually, I think it might beat a lot of more expensive and bigger desktop rigs.” Thanks Headmania! http://ifi-audio.com/reviews/headmania-impressed-by-the-idsd-micro/

Home entertainment just got more entertaining! Take more from watching your favorite television program, movies or music with the superb and comfortable Sennheiser RS wireless models. RS165, RS175, RS185 and RS195 - the right wireless choice for serious listeners.

“When you feel like quitting, think about why you started.” Another reason to finish what you’ve started and to enjoy while you are achieving that goal. Sennheiser Sports earphones are designed for those with an active lifestyle without compromising the great sound quality that you deserve.

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“Overflowing With Features!” says Potatoe94 of Head-Fi about the iDSD Micro! Pros: Superbly clean output , Lots of Power , Dynamic , Practical , Features ( 3D Holographic & XBass) , Battery Life , Construction , Design , Value. “All of their products have performance which far exceeds their price point, making every purchase, worth it….i do own many of them, and i am very much impressed with every single one of them….i could simply hook it to my android phone by OTG direct….the XBass, increases the depth and body of your bass and sub bass, this really brings bass shy headphones or IEM to life, giving them alittle more volume and warmth….The 3D holographic switch not only widen the soundstage, and improves imaging , but also extends a little of the treble and increases it’s presence and improves imaging , but also extends a little of the treble and increases it’s presence….needless to say, its really beautiful and at this price point, it certainly beats many 1-2k desktop DACs and amps already.” Potatoe94’s conclusion; “Until now, iFi has never made a product that disappoint, they are a truly remarkable company which makes remarkable products, The iDSD Micro design features was brainstormed with the community in mind, seeking suggestions from the fellow users here in head-fi, which i think is a really beautiful thing to see, the company putting the users first and listening to what the user wants, and includes them in their design, all companies should learn from this. The iDSD certainly is a monster packed full of features, made with quality and made to impress.” “There is really nothing not to love about it. I hope that iFi continues to make excellent quality products as such, and i look forward to your next product in the iFi line !” Thanks Potatoe94 and Head-fi http://ifi-audio.com/reviews/overflowing-with-features-says-potatoe94-of-head-fi-about-the-idsd-micro/

Sparkles like the stars, sounds like the Angels singing from above. Unique Melody Mentor in Purple shell, faceplate and tips with glitters.

The iTube works it’s magic on Jorge Gonçalves! You may not know but Jorge Gonçalves is the President of EISA(European Imaging and Sound Association) “The iTube does not use DSP processing and is limited to working the signal in the analog domain, making it passed through RLC passive filters that introduce subtle phase rotations at certain frequencies and help you find the instruments that emit frequency values for low…..the iTube could add a little more emotional involvement at their hearing. Other styles of music where the inclusion of iTube made it very enjoyable musical performance were chamber music and jazz, especially in small groups and in recordings made live…..I did a quick experience of combination of iTube with the headphone amplifier Pioneer U-05-S, getting it again inserted between the CD player and the U-05-S, and using headphones like the Sennheiser HD700. And there is no doubt that the concept of binaural Blumlein works almost perfectly with headphones, even if the original recording was made in a conventional manner and not through binaural technology. The sound as coming out almost completely out of the head, there being suspended around us with greater individualization of each performing positioning within the assembly.” “Conclusion: With the large attractive of non-introduction of overly evident colorations on the music that we hear, the iTube can introduce a slight ‘ flavouring ‘ on reproduction, which translates into a superior spatiality and which introduces some interesting clues in the exact location of the instruments of percussion.” Special thanks to Jorge Gonçalves, Audio magazine and SmartAudio (iFi:Portugal)! 3D Holographic sound technical notes including Alan Dower Blumlein, can be found here: http://ifi-audio.com/wp-content/uploads/data/iTubeTechpaper2_3DHolographic.pdf

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iDSD Nano: One of the best priced DAC’s says Fernando! “The way we listen to music has changed a lot in recent years….Now we can take us anywhere and demand higher quality and improved sound where we are….the nano IDSD sounds with excellent quality and absolutely swallows everything that we have put forward (musically speaking) and plays with a very good fidelity….In any case the audio is really good, balanced, with good spatiality with sharp detail….Ultimately the iFi nano IDSD is one of the best DAC with a price “for everyone” I’ve had, if not the best” Thanks xatakahome.com, Fernando Doutel and Zococity (iFi:Spain)! http://www.xatakahome.com/servicios-y-aplicaciones-de-audio/ifi-nano-idsd-alta-fidelidad-de-bolsillo-analisis

The long wait is over! The world's most advanced planar magnetic headphones, Audeze EL-8 Open-Back Headphones is now ready to be heard and amaze the Audiophile in you! Visit us and be one of the first to audition our demo set! Audeze EL-8 Open-Back Headphones Unboxing of the most awaited EL8 Inside the Box: Cable, Pouch and Manuals 2m (6.56 feet) Audeze headphone cable

Music gives energy to life to keep you going and keep up with that active lifestyle. Fuel up your heart and soul with Audio-Technica SonicFuel ATH-AX3 headphones. Check out its three powerful colors in Black, Navy Blue and Red in stores!

Designed for Sound. Tuned for Emotion. Break your limits. Enjoy your freedom with the new Beats Solo 2 Wireless headphones. Now available at Stereo Electronics!

Latest in Stores! Item: FiiO RC-WT2 Cable Description: Replacement cable for Westone models with MMCX connectors Features: 3.5mm right-angle audio plug with gold plating; Silver-plated wire core with Teflon coating

Fran from USA impressed by the iDSD Micro! Another customer submits their impressions and a snap of their set up using iFi products! “Did I tell you lately how much I love ifi. The micro idsd rocks. The Forza usb adapter worked out well so my usb input line is first rate. I know I’ll get sucked in to that idsd pro. That might be my end game dac for this system….My system sounds so good when I close my eyes, it disappears. Sitting in the middle of it all is that little idsd micro. It is brilliant. Most people will never know how really great this thing can be. I am so impressed with its dac in direct mode. I use JRMC/Jplay/Audiophile Optimizer. So my chain out of the PC is like this: Paul Pang usb card V4/ Paul Pang usb cable/ iusb power/ gemini cable/ Forza adapter/ idsd micro then to either: Woo WA2 tube amp/ Beyerdynamic T1 headphone Woo WA2 preamp out/ Exposure 2010S2 Integrated amp/ Monitor Audio GX100 speakers” Thanks Fran! http://ifi-audio.com/…/fran-from-usa-impressed-by-the-idsd…/