Best DACs in 2026
Heard: Chord Mojo 2 and Qutest. Researched: RME ADI-2 DAC FS, a simple RCA box, a mixed-source Cambridge, and Apple's USB-C adapter. A 2026 DAC guide labeled so you know what I have actually heard.
Every review and guide
Klipsch Rebellion vs KEF LS50 Meta: What I'd Want to Hear
Klipsch's new Heritage bookshelf is 95 dB sensitive and $2,599 a pair. I own LS50 Metas, not Rebellions. Here are the specs, the amp question, and what I would actually listen for.
Chord Anni + KEF LS50 Meta: I Swapped Out My Naim Atom to Find Out
Can a 10 watt desktop amplifier drive the KEF LS50 Meta? I pulled my Naim Uniti Atom out of the rack, put a Chord Anni in its place, and listened. It works. Here is exactly what it costs you, and the two settings you have to get right.
Audyssey vs Dirac Live: Is the Upgrade Worth $349?
Audyssey came free with your receiver. Dirac Live costs $259 to $349 on top. Here is what the money actually buys, which rooms need it, and when Audyssey XT32 is already enough.
UMIK-1 vs UMIK-2: Do You Need the $195 Measurement Mic?
The UMIK-2 costs 2.5 times more than the UMIK-1 and handles 8 dB less SPL. I measure with a UMIK-1. Here is what the extra $116 actually buys, and when it is genuinely worth it.
WiiM Pro Plus vs Ultra: AirPlay, Price, and Pro vs Pro Plus
I own the Ultra. It still has no AirPlay 2; the cheaper Pro Plus does. Who should buy which, plus the Pro vs Pro Plus DAC, ADC, remote, and price split.
WiiM Ultra vs Bluesound Node (and Node Icon): What $420 More Buys
The Node costs $749, the Node Icon $1199, the WiiM Ultra $329. I own the Ultra. Here is what Bluesound's extra money actually buys, where the WiiM closes the gap, and who should still pay up.
Cambridge Audio L/R X: $2,399, Specs, and What Reviewers Heard
$2,399 Cambridge Audio L/R X with 400W per speaker, HDMI eARC, and a phono stage. Specs and what early reviewers heard; I have not heard these first-hand.
KEF LS LUXE ($3,999.99): Specs and vs LS60 Wireless
KEF LS LUXE is $3,999.99 a pair. Specs, how it compares on paper to the $5,999.99 LS60 Wireless, and why I think it is aimed at the room you actually live in. I have not heard them.
The 2026 Streaming Price Hikes: Who's Worth It Now
Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, and YouTube Music all raised US prices in 2026, and Tidal is next. Here is what each service costs now, what you get for the money, and who the hikes make the worst buy.
Dirac ART Explained: What Active Room Treatment Does (and Costs)
Dirac ART uses your speakers and subs to shorten bass decay at your mic positions. Here is what Active Room Treatment actually does, which receivers support it, what the $299 add-on costs, and what has been tested.
Dirac Live Alternatives: What Actually Works in 2026
Dirac Live is not the only way to fix your room, and for a single-sub stereo system it may not be the smartest. Here is what every alternative costs, what it needs, and what the blind tests actually found.
Eversolo DMP-A6 vs WiiM Ultra: Should You Spend 2.5x?
I run the WiiM Ultra daily and have not lived with the DMP-A6, including Gen 2. Room correction and value vs a bigger screen, balanced XLR, and a 2.5x price.
Rega Planar 3 Review: $1,125, Seven Years, vs Planar 2
Seven years with a $1,125 Rega Planar 3: cartridge swap, phono pairing, and how it differs from the Planar 2 (RB330 vs RB220, 12mm platter, double brace).
Schiit's New Buf and Eitr 2: Worth Adding to Your System?
Schiit just launched two small, cheap signal-chain accessories: the Buf tube buffer and the Eitr 2 USB reclocker. Here is what they actually do, the honest debate around each, and whether they are worth the money.
The Best Chord DACs in 2026: Which One Is Right for You?
A Chord owner's guide to the whole DAC lineup in 2026, from the portable Mojo 2 to the flagship DAVE. What makes a Chord a Chord, current prices, and which one actually fits your system.
The Best Amplifier for the KEF LS50 Meta (An Owner's Ongoing Search)
The KEF LS50 Meta is a brilliant standmount that quietly demands a serious amplifier. I own a pair, and here is my honest, still-unfinished search for the right one.
KEF LS50 Meta: A Long-Term Owner's Review
Past the honeymoon and the review-week hype, here is what living with the KEF LS50 Meta actually taught me: what they do brilliantly, the one thing they demand, and whether I would buy them again.
Arcam SA45 Review: One Box to Replace Three?
Could a single Arcam box do the job of my streamer, my DAC, and my amp, and finally give the KEF LS50 Metas the power they have been quietly begging for? I spent weeks researching whether the SA45 is the consolidation endgame or just an expensive shuffle.
Building My Own Cornwalls, Part 1: The Research Phase
This is the start of a build journey: can a reasonably handy person build their own pair of Klipsch Cornwall-style speakers, and should they? Read the research phase results.
Cambridge CXN100 vs WiiM Ultra: Should You Save the $600?
Shopping Cambridge CXN100 vs WiiM Ultra? The CXN100 and legacy CXN v2 cost about 3x the WiiM. Here is how they compare on sound, features, and value, and who should save the money.
Chord Hugo 2 vs Qutest: Which Chord DAC Should You Buy?
Hugo 2 or Qutest? They share the same 49,152-tap DAC core but solve different problems. Here's how to choose between Chord's portable all-rounder and its desktop specialist.
Chord Mojo vs Mojo 2: What Actually Changed?
Is the Chord Mojo 2 worth it over the original Mojo? Here's what changed, the DSP EQ, the connectors, the battery, the sound, and whether the upgrade is worth it for you.
Best Escape From Tarkov Audio Settings: An Audiophile's Guide (2026)
The exact Tarkov audio settings that let you hear footsteps first: in-game, Windows, Binaural on or off, plus the headphones and DAC/amp that turn sound into a tactical edge.
HouseCurve: Room Correction From Your iPhone (Android Options Too)
HouseCurve turns an iPhone into a room-correction tool: measure your room, generate PEQ or FIR filters, and tame bass peaks. Full iOS guide plus what Android users can do instead.
Naim CI Uniti 102 Explained: 150W Streaming Amp vs Uniti Atom
What the Naim CI Uniti 102 is: a custom-install streaming amp with 150W, PEQ, and no screen. How it compares to the 40W Uniti Atom, plus US dealer pricing around $1,499.
REW vs Dirac Live: Which Room Correction Should You Use?
REW is free and flexible; Dirac Live is paid and automated. Here's how they really differ, which one fits your setup, and the best REW alternatives.
Endgame Headphones in 2026: What Qualifies, and the Contenders
"Endgame" headphones are the ones that finally stop the upgrade itch. Here's what actually makes a headphone endgame, and the models worth that title in 2026.
Spotify Lossless in 2026: Is it actually hi-fi, and what gear do you need?
Spotify Lossless is here, but are you really hearing it? Learn what it is, why Bluetooth matters, settings to change, and DACs or headphones worth buying.
Your speakers are lying to you
Ready to upgrade your home audio? Learn how a budget hi-fi system outperforms Sonos with actual CD-quality lossless streaming and true stereo separation.
Chord Qutest vs Mojo 2: which DAC is right for you?
The Qutest places detail. The Mojo 2 pushes it at you. One's desktop royalty. One's portable genius. I own both. Here's which Chord DAC is right for you.
The $70 box that made my serious system sound better
Can a $70 box improve a high-end audio system? Discover how the SMSL PO100 PRO DDC cleans USB noise to unlock better soundstage and clarity. Read the review!
Hi-Fi Endgame, Explained: What It Means and How You Know You're There
What does endgame actually mean in hi-fi? Ask any audiophile about their endgame system and watch what happens. There's a pause. Maybe a small laugh. Here's the real answer, and how to know when you've arrived.
Room Correction Guide: HouseCurve, Dirac Live & REW
From free apps like HouseCurve to full Dirac Live ART setups, here's how audiophiles tune their listening rooms without an acoustic engineering degree.
WiiM Ultra: The Ultimate Streaming Preamp That Won't Break Bank
Discover the WiiM Ultra review: a budget-friendly network streaming preamp with premium features for audiophiles.
The Best Audiophile Headphones for Gaming (2026)
The best audiophile headphones for gaming in 2026, and why a great open-back plus a clip-on mic beats almost any gaming headset. Real picks from budget to endgame, open and closed.
Bose Acquires McIntosh: A New Era for Audiophiles
Bose's McIntosh acquisition: a strategic move into the audiophile, Bose, McIntosh, and hi-fi market. Discover the impact on luxury audio.
Chord Qutest Review: The DAC I Run With LS50 Metas
First-hand Chord Qutest review from long-term ownership: how it sits with KEF LS50 Metas and a WiiM Ultra, what I heard against a cheaper DAC, and whether it is still worth around $1,595.
Chord Mojo 2 Review: Still the DAC/Amp to Beat?
Chord's Mojo 2 squeezes desktop-class detail into a pocket-sized DAC/amp. Here's how it really sounds, what changed from the original, and who should buy it.
Naim Uniti Atom Review (2026): Still Worth It?
The Naim Uniti Atom remains one of hi-fi's most complete all-in-one streamers. Updated 2026 review covering sound, features, who it's for, and the best alternatives.