A perfect solution for consumers who wish to stream music via their DAC without streaming support.  Complete with box and in full working condition, the only item missing is the ethernet cable. Warranty Provided: One year from the date of purchase. 

--- SOLD! --- Cayin's flagship N8ii, this tube or solid-state flagship music player plays with a deftness of touch to dynamics, realistic distances and imaging, plus a soundstage bathed in a gentle light that is at the same time detailed but never fatiguing. This B-stock variant is more than 30% off, in full working condition.  Warranty: Full one year from the date of purchase.

Every step Focal take towards the entry-level, the more they impress. So it is with Azurys, an audiophile closed-back wired portable headphone for the masses. Built on the familiar, chic, compact chassis of the Bathys, Focal included everything that they want into a portable, consumer audio headphone. Tom's Guide praised the company's most affordable wired headphone to date, echoed by SoundGuys. And like every Focal, Azurys sounds great. Trademark 40mm M-shaped aluminum-magnesium dynamic drivers supply a hearty dose of correct tone yet exciting dynamics whether you listen on the bus, the plane or your desk. Azurys stands to get better yet. Enquire in-shop about swapping Focal's stock mic cable with an aftermarket version, increasing this groundbreaking release – or its open Hadenys sibling's – audiophile credentials yet. [See Product Desc. For More] Like every Focal, Azurys combines stunning design for immersive listening experience, with unmatched portability and comfort. These wired closed-back headphones boast a high-end design with Focal's signature style elements, featuring luxurious materials like leather, magnesium and aluminum.  It's this winning combination that ensures both durability and comfortable wear for any head shape. Awash in a captivating blue chosen after Azurite and named accordingly, Azurys radiates positive energy, fostering confidence and a dynamic spirit. Its beauty is matched only by the serious technology it hides underneath. Like every Focal, 40mm M-shaped dynamic drivers that have been made in French facilities reside below its cups. Built to be extremely pistonic in motion, the maximum potential travel of the Azurys drivers give its bass proper low-frequency presence, speed and dynamics – useful on a noisy commute. These are traits that remain as frequencies rise. Focal's humble 40mm driver dimensions and the superb damping qualities of magnesium mean movement stays pistonic and doesn't deteriorate into harsh modal break-up up top. Treble detail stays inherently warm and natural. Focal engineered Azurys seriously so you could have fun. Worth every penny as it gives you a taste of French finery, few entrances into the audiophile hobby are as credible as this new closed-back headphone. Enquire with us about the aftermarket cable that will excel with our portable DAC/amps. Otherwise, see how you can step up via the rest of Focal's range here, or check out our other headphones here.

Artha: a concept of different meanings. Sense. Goal. Purpose. Essence. An attitude to remain alive; to thrive freely. A necessity for human life. In honor of the father of FlipEars, we’ve created something special. The all new FlipEars Artha is an ode to someone who has spoken sense and purpose into our very being – someone who has given us the courage to keep going and thrive in every circumstance we faced in the last decade. The FlipEars Artha is packed with 8 balanced armature drivers in a 2-2-2-2 configuration, a true 4-way crossover, and 2 switches – one for low boost, and the other for peak shifting – these brand new in-ears will definitely change the way you think about personal audio. It’s literally the only thing that you will ever need for all the kinds of music that you love! Distinct purposes. Different meanings. One Artha. ***CIEMs build time 8-10weeks***Made to order

After the flagship N30LE music player that ended up receiving rave reviews for leashing AKM's vintage AK4499EQs to tubes, Cayin Audio are back with a valve iDAC-8 DAC/pre-amp that repeats the feat with the new AK4191EQ – AK4499EXEQ tandem. AKM's flagship digital ecosystem makes the claim to be the top dog among chips today, and iDAC-8 counts on that as it outputs via a quad of 6H6b-B tubes ... or its alternative, selectable solid-state path. Sophisticated, open and airy, there's a refined flavour imparted on top of iDAC-8's neutral yet forgiving transparency. Cayin intends for iDAC-8 to be used in tandem with their matching iHA-8 and iDAP-8. Its I2S and AES/EBU inputs certainly allow it to be a wonderful intermediary in digital-to-analog conversion duties.  iDAC-8 makes for a wonderful tube or solid-state pre-amp too. No matter how well its AK4191EQ's 64-bit digital filters and volume control perform, Cayin didn't opt for half-measures here. A JRC NJW1195A analog volume control is built in to avoid any digital loss, to preserve the resolution of iDAC-8 at any attenuation level. [See Product Desc. For More] A modern-day DAC is so much more than its DAC chips, and Cayin have gone the extra mile in hope of everyone seeing the extent of their efforts.  They ensure the very best platform for Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM)’s resurgent flagship DACs to make their mark. Back on their feet with a clean slate, AKM started afresh expanding the basic footprint of a single DAC chip IC into three separate parts – to similarly multiply capabilities by a factor of three. AKM’s AK4191EQ DSP is the brains of the operation, receiving pristine I2S clocking and data from Cayin's MCU. Aboard, AK4191EQ’s delta-sigma modulator takes advantage of its expanded, dedicated, silicone footprint to lay claim to the title of the first chip IC working at seven bits. These seven single-bit modulators flow on into Cayin's AKM 4499EXEQ DACs, one for each channel and built with a single purpose in mind: to turn the interpolated, noise-shaped, digital data it receives into the most precise analog waveform possible afforded by its large footprint. Silicone size matters when it comes to a great DAC IC, and AK4499EXEQ has it. Enabled by much more exact, matched resistors and capacitors aboard for precise DC single-bit decoding, plus dynamic element matching that is less burdened by switching errors – granted by parts accuracy from a bigger footprint. Any conversion errors from AK4499EXEQs outputting in current manifests as DC offset, and not total harmonic distortion, that is easily filtered out. Current analog outputs are expected of any source claiming to be high performance. Cayin's current-to-voltage I/V section follows these AK4499EXEQs, befitting of more expensive DACs and indeed chips that output analog in current for best distortion performances. Four 6H6b dual-triodes follow, divided into two separate pairs that each take care of balanced and single-ended outputs respectively. That's to implement each output specially, with Cayin paying particular attention to iDAC-8's RCAs – with which you can feed their Single-Ended Triode tube amps HA-2A, HA-3A, HA-6A and HA-300B particularly confidently bypassing the latter's input transformers for a cleaner, shorter signal path. These single-ended tubes operate in parallel and supply voltage gain in the stage where they will make the greatest sonic impact, before getting boosted by a Vishay FET buffer. This transistor preserves triode square law, and lowers output impedance to 60ohms granting iDAC-8's RCAs enough juice to drive downstream amplifiers. This low output impedance also ensures there's no risk of a high-pass filter forming with the input resistance of another amp. And to further prevent any loss in low frequencies, large coupling capacitors sit at iDAC-8's output to extend its full-range reproduction capably to 5Hz at -3dB. Phase response is therefore excellent in the human hearing range, preserving taut and fast bass. Its high frequencies also soar above 100Khz for preservation of pinpoint musical imaging, should you ever use this overachiever in a stereo speaker system. Its built-in analog pre-amp also keeps dynamic range high, even when you listen soft. These little elements in the signal path hint at Cayin's typical attention to detail. Its overbuilt power supply announces their extravagance in material cost building an affordable compact DAC. An over-specified 45 watt toroidal transformer, nearly 30,000 uF of filter capacitance, linear voltage regulators, dedicated tube and solid-state output supplies plus low-dropout regulators complete this mini-masterpiece of ambitious engineering. You'll want to connect as many of your digital sources as possible to iDAC-8. I2S compatibility is guaranteed via Cayin's own iDAP-6 and iDAP-8, as well as AES/EBU from Matrix Audio's Element S and iFi Audio's NEO Stream. CD players enjoy AES/EBU and coaxial RCA connections. And even TV audio benefits from its tube stage via optical. Check out the matching family iHA-8 and HA-2A for iDAC-8 today. Or, view the rest of Cayin's gear here, and our other desktop items here. 

iDAP-8 isn't just a music server, streamer and transport: it's a totally modern computing solution that has the advantage of sounding good to boot from Cayin Audio. This Android 9-based network hub with Google Play Store aboard packs a Snapdragon 660 CPU as a show of maturity. iDAP-8 supports its smart UX with a FPGA that generates pristine I2s that are fed to digital outputs over HDMI and AES/EBU. Built as a matching addition to Cayin's iDAC-8 and iHA-8, all of iDAP-8's 128GB internal music storage, Hi-Res Lossless Apple Music and Tidal native Android streaming apps and network-based NAS audio can be accessed via HiBy Music's HiByCast and HiByLink. [See Product Desc. For More] Cayin leverages the vast leaps in consumer technology to deliver an OS that's super easy to use on iDAP-8. Streaming music has never been such a joy, and rarely has it sounded so good either. That's because, under the hood, iDAP-8 remains a very, very serious audiophile product. An overkill 45 watt toroidal transformer is the centrepiece of another crazy Cayin linear power supply, thoroughly regulated to provide the best platform for network music. Even while Wi-Fi and ethernet inputs, Bluetooth, USB port, SD card plus 2.5" SATA hard drive slot for optional 4TB expandable storage might get noisy, iDAP-8's signal path never does.  Its Snapdragon 660 processor receives your streams, including Apple Music and Tidal feeds that are protected by Direct Transport Audio preventing Android resampling. HiByCast screen mirroring helps you control iDAP-8's incomings and outgoings at a glance via your Android or iOS device from the comfort of your couch. Cayin's FPGA then processes the data and spits out pristine I2S with the help of dual Accusilicon oscillators providing bit, master and word clock references. These then get passed along to a I2S output via HDMI for a matching pin-out standard to iDAC-8, Matrix Audio, Denafrips and Wyred 4 Sound connections. Or, typical S/PDIF reliability can be found in the form of 110ohm AES/EBU to a dCS Lina, or 75ohm BNC plus RCA connectors. Android's flexibility and ease are not lost on Cayin as a modern company. But now, they carry out the due diligence to place proper hardware and audiophile sensibilities at your disposal in iDAP-8, for a complete solution with a vast variety of digital devices. Check out the rest of Cayin's devices here, or view the rest of our desktop gear here.

Being named after the last evolutionary stage of a massive star is apt for Supernova, whose creator 7th Acoustics is a name about to explode onto the scene.  Who said 'W-shaped' IEMs can't be finessed and exciting at the same time. J-Pop and Rock listeners after a more spacious, sophisticated and open Craft Ears Craft Four or Hidition Waltz will be well-served by these Indonesian upstarts. With the right zip to transients backing an energetic presentation, you'll want to keep an eye on Supernova's meteoric rise. 7th Acoustics' flagship boasts six balanced armatures for a fast and taut bass response.  Low-frequencies are balanced in proportion to the rest of the range transitions smoothly into the lower mids. The midrange excels with a natural energy, while the treble is smooth and well-controlled.You can customise the faceplate of your Supernova here.Discover hidden gem 7th Acoustics through the Supernova today, or view other IEMs here. 

There is always something futuristic about R2R, but the network-enabled EF499 ascends to another level. This streaming DAC/amp is exactly the kind of achievement HIFIMAN are typical of – these planar-magnetic headphone extraordinaire's spirit for innovation is what spurred them to develop EF499. There was little the little EF499 couldn't do to Headfonics and it rightfully lands on Headfonia's Recommended Buys list. Audiophile-Heaven says it matches the value of the company's most famous headphones.  Taking the company's discrete R2R Himalaya DAC and slapping on a 4.4 watt per channel amplifier, EF499 is HIFIMAN's claim that they are all you'll need to run a complete personal audio chain on your desktop. With an added ethernet input, you gain the ability to leash EF499 straight to your network router and enjoy music off your NAS, or favourite Android or iOS streaming app. Disregarding its entry-level standing, HIFIMAN's diminutive powerhouse is a statement of technological ambition from China's leading headphone manufacturers, changing the game by equipping all levels of Head-Fi with an extremely capable source. [See Product Desc. For More] That's double the feat because the precision demanded in exact resistor values – for the buttery, natural and resolving ability that R2R DAC topology is known for – goes up. For an entirely different sound otherwise, EF499's grants users the ability to switch from NOS to oversampling mode, for the cleanest possible result.  That's signal that sees EF499 output in fixed voltage via line XLRs and RCAs, in the sense of a conventional DAC. But HIFIMAN – famous for its immensely challenging Susvara and HE6 – challenge you to bring its balanced headphone outputs to bear. A Class A/B amplifier swings plenty of signal voltage and backs that signal up with a power stage bristling with current, to claim a mighty 4.4 watts of power. All so you can enjoy the benefits of EF499's network capability with nigh any flagship transducer. That's power beyond measure but HIFIMAN says it's always better to have more than you need. So EF499 can go about driving the likes of their headphones, plus any HEDDphone 2, Sennheiser or ZMF Headphones, with tons of headroom, and no worry at all. Throw any headphone at EF499: you won't regret it. Also, view our other offerings from HIFIMAN here, or our other amplifiers here.

After the world of planar-magnetic flagships was reinvigorated through acoustic tweaks and tricks in 2022 and 2023, Final Audio have joined the fray in 2024 with their own D7000 headphone. A departure from the double-sided magnet structure of its D8000 peer, D7000 counts on its single-sided planar-magnetic driver to do the work of two and potentially surpass previous results. Its new Pinna-Align Diffuser technology makes its Final debut ear-side, working hand in hand with Air Film Damping System (AFDS) to raise their co-flagship’s game. [See Product Desc. For More] D7000's Pinna-Align Diffuser works in tandem with AFDS to allow Final to maintain the open and spacious sound signature that is a hallmark of their planar magnetic headphones, while simultaneously delivering the rich, impactful bass that listeners crave. With many recent flagships lauded for the accuracy of their frequency response through the vital mid-range and upper mid-range, Final have now issued their own answer with D7000 – their Pinna-Align Diffuser goes further by strategically controlling the space through which sound travels.  This allows for precise control over the time it takes for sound waves to reach each ear, ultimately creating a more immersive and realistic three-dimensional listening experience. No Fazors or metamaterials for Final – a company with extensive experience crafting over-ear headphones. This historic Japanese company have brought their resources to bear in understanding how individual ear shapes can significantly impact listening experiences. Together with AFDS and the pistonic motion it promotes of D7000’s planar diaphragm, Final’s new release is set to leave a mark as great as its D8000 counterpart. AFDS effectively eliminates the need for restrictive design elements like tightly sealed earpads, which can negatively impact soundstage and overall audio fidelity. The D7000 represents a significant leap forward in headphone design for Final. By meticulously revising the shape of the diaphragm's coil and punched metal, Final has achieved a breakthrough: more effective diaphragm control. Traditionally, planar magnetic headphones risked diaphragm collision with the magnet at high volumes, particularly in the low-frequency range. This could distort the sound and limit the perceived depth and naturalness of bass. But a metal perforated plate inserted between the magnet and the diaphragm sees the internal airflow of the unit operation damp unwanted movement perfectly in Final's case.  This innovation is made possible by the high-precision machining of the D7000's aluminum-magnesium alloy housing, manufactured at Final's headquarters in Kawasaki, Japan. Leveraging their vast ear data database and a dedicated listening room within their factory, Final's engineers have conducted extensive research and testing to release Pinna-Align Diffuser together with AFDS. Together, they ensure repeatable frequency and phase results regardless of the anatomy of different listeners' ears. Needing no introduction, and having achieved rave reviews on D8000, Final's advanced AFDS system eliminates diaphragm-magnet contact, achieving both deep, impactful bass and delicate high frequencies. While both closed-back and open-back headphones typically rely on sealed earpads to artificially extend their low-frequency response, this approach often compromises the natural spaciousness of the sound source. To achieve both deep, rich bass and accurate soundstage, Final prioritises the driver unit's ability to reproduce low frequencies inherently. This is crucial, as conventional planar magnetic and dynamic headphones frequently struggle with either limited low-frequency extension or the requirement for tightly sealed earpads, which can negatively impact sound quality. Final's D7000 therefore transcends the limitations of traditional planar magnetic types, offering the coveted openness of dynamic headphones without sacrificing low-frequency power. The innovative AFDS empowers the driver unit to reproduce a wider low-frequency range without relying on totally sealed earpads that curtail staging. Final's revolutionary technology allows D7000 to achieve exceptional low-frequency response while maintaining the open and airy sound signature characteristic of the D series. Furthermore, the D7000 prioritises comfort and durability. Final's streamlined design, after removing a whole magnet array, is 16 per cent lighter than D8000. Combined with breathable, Japanese paper earpads that are a new development for the D series, their unique construction of breathable foam and special fibres achieve superior sound quality reminiscent of the limited D8000 Pro flagship Final once released. D7000 could certainly make a fine introduction to Final's flagship line, or serve as a complement to the existing D8000 owner. Check out their Bluetooth line-up that let's you take Final's famed sound quality on the road with you here, or view our other headphones here.

After opening up TH900 with TH909, Fostex have repeated the trick at the entry-level, doing the same to TH610 and bringing you their open-back TH616.  As opposed to its closed-back, measured-for-monitoring brethren, TH616 is full of exuberance. Tuned to show off the passion and energy a historic company like Fostex have for releasing hits, this latest limited-edition is full of zeal and life. Fostex's big Biodyna drivers sit below black walnut wood cups and plumb the depths of potent, emphasised bass – together with a sense of mid-range space and treble sparkle that hint at products many times more expensive. [See Product Desc. For More] Fostex build TH616 in beautiful black walnut housings, a plain finish that still reeks of sophistication, finesse and engagement. Do judge this book by its cover, at the sound quality awaiting you. It's that delightful emphasis at the frequency extremes that makes TH616 particularly exciting news and listening for audiophiles. But that U-shaped approach also morphs to a flat line at quieter listening, granting the impression of exciting accuracy and neutrality. Indeed, Fostex exploits the Fletcher-Munson effect to good effect in TH616, compensating where bass and treble extremes fall off at low volumes with its loudness contour. Quiet listening won't hinder music lovers from experiencing a flat frequency response. Nor will it stunt the natural dynamic movements inherent to your precious music – TH616 is just apt at reproducing smaller detail. And when you turn the music up, Fostex built in a driver and acoustics that keeps every note and imaging cue tidily arranged, befitting the recording when sonics are brought to SPL life. TH616's 50mm driver is made of Biodyna. Stiff and lightweight as a diaphragm but also promising excellent damping, this biocellulose material allows Fostex to keep the large driver under control at all times even as frequencies rise, averting any harsh intermodulation due to cone modal break-up. Notes reverberate on, providing a kind of immersion that makes an impression. Wooden grills are carved out of TH616's housings, randomising resonance points and eliminating standing waves while appearing gorgeous to boot. A one-tesla magnet keeps its driver locked down and under control at all times. Fostex therefore have released a mid-tier headphone that makes claim to get you all the way, carving a space for itself in an ever-more competitive market with its closed-back isolation. But for those seeking even better, browse how Fostex simply whets our appetites for what is to come at flagship level here, or browse our other headphones here.

When truly wireless headphones first appeared, they were overly large and generally only came in black or white. In light of this, Audio-Technica’s ATH-SQ1TW truly wireless headphones made quite a splash with their unique square design, six color options, compact size, extensive features, and accessible price range. Three years after their initial release, the ATH-SQ1TW was re-released with the same original concept but in a lighter and even more compact design. This helped reduce stress on the ears for improved comfort. The next-generation ATH-SQ1TW2 offers today’s user even more significant updates, including new color schemes and improved usability. Other convenient features include multipoint support for simultaneous connections to two devices, Qi place-to-charge wireless charging, and connectivity with Audio-Technica’s Connect app for even greater customization. The ATH-SQ1TW2 incorporates a number of new features, including a Private Timer function with alert sounds played only through the headphones, and voice guidance that can easily be switched between Japanese and English. Level up your style and audio experience with the next generation of Audio-Technica’s unique square-shaped headphones.   Type Dynamic Driver 5.8 mm Sensitivity 98 dB/mW Frequency response 20 to 20,000 Hz Impedance 16 ohms Microphone Type MEMS type Polar pattern Omnidirectional Sensitivity -38 dB (1 V/Pa, at 1 kHz) Frequency response 100 to 10,000 Hz Communication specifications Communication system Bluetooth version 5.2 Maximum RF output 10 mW EIRP Maximum communication range Line of sight - approx. 10 m (33') Frequency band 2.402 GHz to 2.480 GHz Modulation method GFSK, Pi/4DQPSK, 8DPSK Spread spectrum method FHSS Compatible Bluetooth profiles A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP Supported codec SBC Supported content protection method SCMS-T Transmission band 20 to 20,000 Hz   Other Power supply Headphones: DC 3.7 V lithium ion battery Charging case: DC 3.7 V lithium ion battery Charging time Headphones: Approx. 2.5 hours*1 Charging case: Approx. 2.5 hours (USB charging) *1, Approx. 4.0 hours (wireless charging)*1 Operating time Continuous transmission time (music playback): Max. approx. 6.5 hours*1 (headphones), Max. approx. 20 hours*1 (if charging case is used in combination) Weight Headphones: Approx. 4.0 g (0.14 oz) (L side), approx. 4.0 g (0.14 oz) (R side), Charging case: Approx. 43 g (1.5 oz) Waterproof performance IPX5*2

Fostex replace Urushi cherry birch with black walnut for TH808, but don't for a second think of this open-back headphone as a step down from the flagship TH909. If anything, the move to all-black wood tone belies the seriousness and maturity of TH808. TH808 brings Fostex's famous TH900 dynamic punch as always but does so with a newfound solidity and gravitas, with its new walnut housing proving additionally capable of controlling transients and prevent the performance from getting excessively carried away. The mature one against TH909's exuberance, TH808's blinged-down appearance might present itself more tastefully too, to those who found Fostex's bright Urushi lacquer finish, and sound to match, too much. [See Product Desc. For More] TH808's double-layered grills still appear instantly recognisable and distinctive to the brand. It too addresses the clamour to adapt the original TH900 for exclusive listening in quiet home and office environments, promising something more tonally neutral and evenly-balanced while remaining unmistakably Fostex. Costs saved on the finish certainly get transferred over to its sound, with a greater silence between notes granting the impression of better dynamic range reproduction and sophistication over its more flamboyant – and more expensive – TH909 cousin. Double-layered etched metal grills are used as openings to TH808's housings, randomising resonance points and eliminating standing waves while appearing gorgeous to boot. A soundstage that already breathed naturally on TH900 blossomed and reached its climatic zenith in TH808. Centre-image and depth are produced especially realistically. TH808 grabs you and shakes you in one massive dynamic movement, also thanks to its 50mm driver – the same one featuring in the TH900 and TH909 – that moves plenty of air. Made of Fostex's famous Biodyna biocellulose material and guaranteed huge excursion by a 1.5 tesla magnetic circuit, TH808 effortlessly produces a bass that is flat and linear in nature, without any sort of mid-bass bloat. More air and space allows for male and female vocal fundamentals to emerge, and their overtones dissipate magically into the ether around. TH808's Biodyna is stiff and lightweight as a diaphragm material but also promises excellent damping. Biocellulose allows Fostex to keep the large 50mm driver under control at all times even as frequencies rise, averting any harsh intermodulation due to cone modal break-up. TH808's highs sparkle and decay naturally as a result, without the harshness that some felt lingered on TH900. The former's notes start and stop on a dime, transients properly defined without smear or bleed – clearly a low-distortion affair for even-handed and natural music reproduction throughout. PW Audio make a perfect cable pairing for TH808, with No.5 setting you up nicely to begin on HiBy Music's R6 Pro II, before Moloch elevates affairs for a RS8 partnership. Also browse the rest of Fostex's artisan handcrafted headphones here, or our other cans here.

The NA 3 is an entry-level in-ear monitor designed with a classic three balanced armature drivers configuration and a three-way crossover. This configuration, widely used in the industry, ensures exceptional audio performance and sound separation. Each driver is dedicated to specific frequency ranges, resulting in detailed sound and balanced tonality. The NA 3 delivers punchy bass, rich midrange, and clear, detailed treble. Tailored for professional monitoring applications, it offers response speed, audio transparency, accurate vocals, and spatial performance, making it ideal for music producers, entry-level audiophiles, and singers.Get yours in universal fit and skip the moulding process here. 

The NA 3 is an entry-level in-ear monitor designed with a classic three balanced armature drivers configuration and a three-way crossover. This configuration, widely used in the industry, ensures exceptional audio performance and sound separation. Each driver is dedicated to specific frequency ranges, resulting in detailed sound and balanced tonality. The NA 3 delivers punchy bass, rich midrange, and clear, detailed treble. Its specially designed titanium sound nozzle adds depth and spatiality to the sound. Tailored for professional monitoring applications, it offers response speed, audio transparency, accurate vocals, and spatial performance, making it ideal for music producers, entry-level audiophiles, and singers.Get yours in customised fit here.

If HA-6A and HA-300 MKII were amps you would argue for, HA-2A is the one that's impossible to argue against. Building on HA-3A's success, Cayin Audio again wrapped a single-ended Class A NOS tube amplifier into a compact A4 size for the desktop ... but reduced size, weight and cost at the same time! HA-2A does that, but it's no OTL pussycat despite its reduced size and weight. More than anything, Cayin's baby of the bunch brings the benefits of output transformers designed and built in-house to meet the power requirement demands of modern headphones – both planar-magnetic and dynamic, high or low impedance. [See Product Desc. For More] Flexibility might be the first topic discussed with the lightweight and compact HA-2A, but compromise in quality was never an option. Headfonics say "HA-2A is a very endearing and well-equipped compact tube amplifier for space-conscious audiophiles". Cayin's point-to-point wiring is de facto again for signal integrity, and HA-2A's EI core output transformers surpass even HA-3A's, extending signal out to 50Khz. That frequency extension up high will already yield great improvements in HA-2A's mid-range and treble compared to HA-3A, with Cayin's latest preserving phase response in the human hearing range that much better for superior sound-staging, dynamics and imaging precision. Mixing fidelity that was once the domain of Output Transformer-Less (OTL) amplifiers in the same desktop footprint as iDAP-8 and iDAC-8, with actual power – all while reducing in price – is a true feat of Cayin.  The sense of value doesn't stop there, with premium New-Old Stock (NOS) valves – US-production Amperex ECF-82/6U8 driver and 17BF11 power tubes from the 1950s – included. Operating the ECF-82/6U8 only as a triode unlocks load line and soft-clipping functions at the drawing board. Their presence at the voltage gain stage is significant, where the majority of an amplifier's final sound signature is defined. HA-2A's novel implementation of the composite designs of both these driver and power tube types make for very interesting transfer characteristics and distortion curves. Still, linearity is a given through the holy grail of bias operation, even at this price point, while tube voltages allow for large operating points. Measured distortion is below even the threshold of HA-2A's bigger HA-6A and HA-300 MKII brothers.  And any distortion will be of the even-order variety expected of single-ended Class A amplifiers, for a smooth, warm and holistic sound. In there is Cayin's promise – for low cost of entry, weight and size, the flagship trappings of HA-2A are impossible to deny. Class A bias, high tube operating voltages, low capacitances, even-order harmonics and premium EI core output transformers ensure HA-2A gets mentioned over similarly-priced solid-state competitors, and even higher-priced tube alternatives. Even its power transformer is a loosely-wound EI core for greater AC line performance over a conventional toroid, avoiding saturation more naturally plus the negative effects of the latter's high magnetic flux and coupling between primary and secondary windings. Even for those shopping with limitations to size and weight, HA-2A's power supply is fully regulated and absolutely sounds like an offering without limitations. Particularly if Audio-Technica, Sennheiser and ZMF Headphones are your typical port of call.  As for those without space or weight constraints, make the HA-6A and HA-300 MKII your first candidates, or view Cayin's other offerings here and our other desktop amplifiers here.

Striving for the ultimate sound from their YH-5000SE planar-magnetic flagship, Yamaha has crafted the HA-L7A as the headphone amplifier achieving true audiophile performance. Yamaha's passion to constantly create and innovate has scaled sonic heights for over 30 years – fusing superior Hi-Fi audio technologies with DSP-based sound field advancements from recent AV receivers. [See Product Desc. For More] Software tricks don't divert from HA-L7A's rock-solid analog technology, though. A fully-discrete analog circuit from voltage gain to power amplification preserving the transparency from ESS Technologies' omnipresent ES9038Pro DAC. Backed up by two toroidal transformers that grants HA-L7A's power amplification stage its own clean, abundant supply housed in a separate aluminium compartment, Yamaha's have designed a true statement release that will do justice by all headphones. HA-L7A's overbuilt power supply in fact is the foundation upon which Yamaha build it all up from. If the purity of the original decode isn't up to satisfaction, the company's unique Sound Field mode comes into the picture. Implemented with DSP, a realistic, natural soundstage that projects beyond the physical limits of headphone housings and drivers allows you to completely lose yourself in your listening. From a single box, an abundance of methods to enjoy your music playback awaits. Check out Yamaha's other statement releases here, or view our other DAC/amps here.

Questyle NHB15 delivers studio-quality (the highest resolution lossless) 192kHz audio with 0 distortion.  It is a high-resolution audio powerhouse, capable of handling audio files from 16-bit up to 24-bit. This means you can enjoy studio-quality music on the go, with an astonishing 6.5 times more information than standard CDs. Combined with an integrated DAC and Current Mode Amplifier, NHB15 can provide unparalleled sound quality.

Audio-Technica's ATH-TWX7 wireless earbuds deliver a superior audio experience, boasting high-fidelity performance and customisable features for personal listening sessions. Utilising advanced 5.8 mm high-resolution drivers inherited from the flagship ATH-TWX9, these earbuds ensure detailed and immersive music playback, supporting 24/96 audio files. [See Product Desc. For More] Despite their compact and portable design, the ATH-TWX7 incorporates cutting-edge technology. Touch-sensitive earbud sensors that enable easy access to audio controls and activation of the digital hybrid noise-canceling feature. Seamlessly apply the noise-cancelling function for enhanced concentration during work, activate the talk-through function to emphasise voices and announcements in your surroundings. You can also engage Audio-Technica's distinctive soundscape function to create a tailored audio ambiance for concentration, relaxation, or meditation. The ATH-TWX7 puts you in control, offering a versatile and customisable sound space to suit your preferences. Check out the rest of Audio-Technica's releases here, or view our other Bluetooth buds here.

Balanced armatures for bass, and bone conductors for mids, lead to Canpur's CP622B possibly ending 2023 as the year's most compelling flagship earphone for its refinement of tone, realism and accuracy. Please refer to the artwork guide here. Twister6 knew Canpur were more than just flavour of the month when he heard them. This 10-driver tri-brid promises a lightness of touch and represents the finest of juggling acts that leads to arguably one of 2023's most complete propositions. The debut of Sonion's bone conduction drivers in balanced armature format size, that doesn't take up tons of space and require a lightning bolt to drive? Yes, please.  Indeed, implementing them to reproduce mids and highs has led to a deftness, sweetness and softness of transients that at once promises to be the Goldilocks of everyone's taste and tolerance. CP622B bursts onto the scene late but better than never, because Head-Fi has been waiting for a package that sounds so effortlessly life-like, from bottom to top. [See Product Desc. For More] By being unconventional in their custom driver selection from Sonion – an abundance of balanced armatures handling low-frequency reproduction for fast and accurate bass packing plenty of rumble and presence – Canpur head into 2024 with a true statement of intent. CP622B incorporates an original micro-inverter tube design within its cavity, a design enhancing the cohesion of low frequencies when compared to traditional ordinary air outlets. The debut of bone conduction drivers from Sonion for the mid and high frequencies then provide all the natural tone audiophiles could crave. The dual diaphragm of its co-directional vibration efficiently utiles the auricle and bone layer of the ear structure to transmit sound to the auditory nerve for a visceral portrayal of vocals and a 3D soundstage. CP622B finishes off with the latest generation of electrostatic tweeters for a sweet sprinkle of air and sparkle. Canpur can also build CP622B as a universal earphone which you can share the experience of around. View the rest of their range here, or our other IEMs here.