HiFiMan – HM-101 – Portable USB Sound Card
“It Pumped Up The Sound!” Here’s a ridiculously inexpensive upgrade that will make greatly improve the sound of headphones and desktop speakers. HiFiMan’s Express HM-101 portable USB DAC is smaller than an old-school cigarette lighter. But it delivers big benefits to your digital music files. “I wasn’t expecting much from the Hifiman Express HM-101, it’s just a $39 outboard USB digital-to-analog converter and headphone amplifier,” reports Steve Guttenberg in his October 30, 2011 review for CNET.com. “Well, this tiny USB-powered (it doesn’t need batteries or an AC power supply) device definitely pumped up the sound of my Audio Technica ATH-M50 headphones! They sounded significantly better with the Express than they did plugged directly into my Mac Mini’s headphone jack.” At the heart of its DAC, the HM-101 uses a Texas Instrument PCM2702 16-bit, 48 kHz chipset. It also has a line-out jack, allowing you to connect a pair of powered desktop speakers. That’s a lot of capability for such a small and inexpensive product! “Superb Soundstage Performance” “I think the beauty of the HM-101 is in the simplicity of the set up, the volume control-less operation (done on the computer), and the superb soundstage performance,” notes Mike in his October 20, 2010 post at Headfonia. “Not only does it pass the ‘good quality’ mark, but I happen to really enjoy its musical presentation.”
CHECK PRICE NOW!
Read Full Review >>
Shure X2U XLR-to-USB Signal Adapter
Use your favorite microphones to digitally record wherever and whenever your computer takes you with the new X2u XLR-to-USB Signal Adapter. Perfect for multi-track recording, the X2u features built-in headphone monitoring with zero latency, and easy controls to balance microphone and playback audio -just plug and play for better-than-CD quality sound.FeaturesConnectPlug and Play USB Connectivity allows the convenience of digital recording anywhere your computer can go (compatible with Windows Vista, XP, 2000, and Mac OS X 10.1 or later)Provides +48V Phantom power for use with condenser microphonesIncludes Padded, zippered pouch and USB cable (3m / 9.8ft)RecordMonitor Mix Control for blending microphone and playback audio1/8″ Headphone Jack with volume control for monitoringIntegrated pre-amp with Microphone Gain Control allows control of input signal strengthPlaybackZero Latency Monitoring for real-time playback and multi-tracking without disorientation16-bit, up to 48 KHz sample rate for better-than-CD audio qualitySpecificationsFrequency Response20 to 20,000 Hz +/- 1 dBPower Requirements USB-powered, 500 mA, maximumDigital Noise Floor (20 Hz to 20 kHz, A-weighted)Minimum MIC GAIN setting: 81 dB FSMaximum MIC GAIN setting: 78 dB FS Sampling Rate up to 48 kHz Bit Depth 16 bit Peak Signal Indicator (Tri-color)OFF: 30 dB FSGreen: 30 to 12 dB FSYellow: 12 to 0 dB FSRed: >0 (digital converter clipped)Adjustable Gain Range 40 dB Headphone Output 3.5 mm (1/8 inch)System RequirementsUSBUSB 1.1 or 2.0, poweredRAM 64MB RAM (minimum) Operating System Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Japanese/English Edition Microsoft Windows XP Home/Professional Japanese/English Edition (service pack 1.0 or later, or use the USB audio driver update from Microsoft) Microsoft Windows Vista Business Japanese/English Edition Apple Computer Mac OS X 10.0 or later English Edition Apple Computer Mac OS X 10.1 or later Japanese Edition (For Mac OS X 10.0 Japanese Edition, plug and…
CHECK PRICE NOW!
Read Full Review >>
Razer Orca Gaming and Music Headphones
Whether you are taunting your gaming opponent across the virtual battle fields or just tuning out on the subway with your music, the Razer Orca provides extended comfort while keeping your sound pristine and precise.
CHECK PRICE NOW!
Read Full Review >>
Sennheiser PC 350 Collapsible Gaming Headset with Vol Control & Microphone Mute
The PC 350 Gaming headset marks the beginning of a new era in the gaming headset technology. Whether battling evil aliens or fighting guerilla warfare, a fraction of a frame separates winners from the rest. Hearing and being heard can make or break a game. By adding a never before experienced dimension of reality to gaming and providing the most accurate sound quality available in the market you have arrived at the ultimate. Thanks to Sennheiser’s expertise as a global leader in electro-acoustics, the PC 350′s sound perception is so precise that you will literally feel like you are in the game.
CHECK PRICE NOW!
Read Full Review >>
Zalman ZM-RSSC External USB 5.1 Sound Card
Fiio E5 headphone Amplifier
Product Description
FiiO E5 is a Portable Headphone Amplifier designed to improve the sound quality and volume of any portable audio source such as MP3 players, iPods, personal media players, mobile phones, laptops, notebooks/netbooks, or portable CD players. The E5 retains all of the advantages of the popular E3 while adding many new features and a substantial boost in performance, all inside a very small and slim aluminum case. With built-in volume controls, the E5 can be used with the line-level output of audio sources for even better sound quality.
More than just a refresh, the E5 offers higher power output, better signal to noise ratio and lower distortion. Built on an entirely new amplifier platform, the E5 provides superior sound qualilty and works well with high impedance headphones. Two EQ profiles are available for flat or bass-boost response, allowing additional flexibility in obtaining optimal tonal match with different headphones.
Highlight Features
- Robust design handles high impedance and low sensitivity headphones
- Easy to carry and use both indoors and outdoors
- Increases your music player’s battery life
- New amplifier design with high S/N and low distortion
- Very high PSRR for superior supply noise rejection
- Metal case reduces interference when used with GSM mobile phones
- Discreet power switch
- Built-in electronic volume control for ultra low noise
- Two EQ profiles: flat response and bass-boost modes
- Built-in rechargeable battery provides up to 20 hours of normal use
- Mini USB charger port can be used with any USB power source
- Built-in metal clip conveniently attaches to clothing, bags, and etc
Specifications
- Output Power: 100mW (32ohms Load) 18mW (300ohms Load)
- Signal to Noise Ratio: >=98dB (A Weight)
- Power Supply: 200mAh rechargerable battery
- Frequency Response: 10Hz – 60kHz
- Distortion: <0.009% (10 mW)
CHECK PRICE NOW!
Read Full Review >>