Amplifiers

Entertainment

Nature’s Greatest Predator Reduced To Blaring Your LMFAO

1:00AM February 9, 2012 | Andrew Liszewski

It was once considered nature’s most fearsome predator, and made us afraid to go back in the water. But now the great white shark has been reduced to a passive iPhone amplifier, blasting out your Nicki Minaj and MIA. More »

Entertainment

NuForce Dia Makes Sure Your Wirelessly Streamed Audio Doesn’t Suck

1:52AM November 11, 2011 | Adrian Covert

Wirelessly streaming music around your house is great, but for audiophiles, the middling audio components in wireless devices are a drag. But if those devices output a digital signal, you can bypass those components and let a device like NuForce’s Dia handle the audio processing. More »

Entertainment

McIntosh Teaches Its 50-Year-Old Tube Amp New Tricks

9:20AM October 8, 2011 | Adrian Covert

Audiophiles love tube amps because of the warm, full sound they provide. But the vacuum tubes wear out, and generally requires a specialised, increasingly-rare breed of technician to diagnose which ones are bad. High-end audio manufacturer McIntosh say their redesigned MC275 tube amp remedies part of that problem. More »

Entertainment

Icon iDo Is An Audiophile-Grade Amp For iPhone And iPad

2:00PM September 8, 2011 | Casey Chan

If you want better audio quality from your iPhone or iPad, the Icon iDo is an amp that’s supposed to pump out audiophile-grade sound. Just plug in your iOS device to the amp, plug the amp into your stereo system and enjoy the sweet sing songs of tunes. More »

Entertainment

Hey Audiophile! Five Baller Vintage Amps That Are Dirt Cheap

12:00PM August 23, 2011 | Brent Butterworth - Sound + Vision

A five-year-old surround-sound receiver has all the appeal of a five-year-old banana. But a five-year-old (or even 25-year-old) stereo amplifier might sound and perform every bit as good as one built last month. Much stereo equipment is timeless, which is why so many audio enthusiasts are getting back into vintage gear. And a lot of old stereo gear is also extremely affordable. More »

Gadgets

Pint-Sized Gramophone Will Instantly Class Up Any iPhone

7:15AM August 18, 2011 | Adrian Covert

The technical merits of a gramophone-shaped passive amplifier are certainly up for debate. But those looking for a stylish way to dock/charge their iPhones (without spending hundreds on an adequately designed speaker dock) could do worse than Ozaki’s iSuppli Gramo. More »

Entertainment

The Best Amplifiers Under $500

6:00AM August 18, 2011 | Adrian Covert

CNET’s Steve Guttenberg has compiled the best audio amplifiers to be had for under $US500. Trying to spend minimal amounts of cash? Need something to boost those headphones? Guttenberg’s got you covered. That Topping TP-30topp looks especially hot. [CNET]

Entertainment

This Amplifier Is Worth More Than Its Weight In Gold

9:40AM July 9, 2011 | Michael Zhao

Audia Strumento’s GoldAmp A100 weighs only 800 grams. 800g of gold at today’s prices would cost around $US39,200. Its MSRP however, will be between $US48,622 – $US51,490. Sure it’s expensive but this is what audiophiles get wet dreams about. More »

Entertainment

Camouflage Your iPod Speaker With Your Natural Surroundings

3:40AM June 10, 2011 | Kat Hannaford

Whether you’ve got for a completely zen Japanese garden-style decor, or have decorated your living room like you’re back in ‘Nam, this iBamboo speaker will slot right into your life. Best of all, it doesn’t need batteries or power. More »

Entertainment

Channel Your iPad’s Audio In The Right Direction With SoundJaw

10:20AM May 24, 2011 | Sam Biddle

Rear-facing speakers tend to suck, because you’re not in the rear. The iPad 2′s little music-tooter points away from you, so sound isn’t exactly pristine. The SoundJaw aims to “scoop” your audio back at you, as a minimalist clip-on amplifier. More »