#63 - 12 albums for your next hi-fi demo (01:10:01)
w/ Twittering Machines' Michael Lavorgna
👉 This episode brought to you by Bowers & Wilkins
https://bit.ly/4ggz8X0
👉 Darko's choices:
Was (Not Was) - Out Come The Freaks (1984)
🛒 https://amzn.to/44gVK6H
📖 https://www.discogs.com/master/55697-Was-Not-Was-The-Woodwork-Squeaks
Thin White Rope - The Ruby Sea (1991)
🛒 https://amzn.to/3GaMEPO
📖 https://www.discogs.com/master/236818-Thin-White-Rope-The-Ruby-Sea
Fila Brazillia - Maim That Tune (1995)
📖 https://filabraz.bandcamp.com/album/maim-that-tune-30th-anniversary-re-master
📖 https://www.discogs.com/master/67440-Fila-Brazillia-Maim-That-Tune
Bright Eyes - I'm Wide Awake It's Morning (2005)
🛒 https://amzn.to/4la9pm1
📖 https://www.discogs.com/master/3010-Bright-Eyes-Im-Wide-Awake-Its-Morning
Thomas Fehlmann - Gute Luft (2010)
🛒 https://amzn.to/4nAyOXH
📖 https://www.discogs.com/master/238758-Thomas-Fehlmann-Gute-Luft
Automat - Ostwest (2016)
🛒 https://amzn.to/4lz473T
📖 https://www.discogs.com/master/1091919-Automat-Ostwest
Bohren und Der Club of Gore - Bohren for Beginners (2016/2022)
🛒 https://amzn.to/4eCtAq5
📖 https://www.discogs.com/master/2079847-Bohren-Und-Der-Club-Of-Gore-Bohren-For-Beginners
👉 Lavorgna's choices:
Mal Waldron - The Quest (1962)
🛒 https://amzn.to/4eVSaml
📖 https://www.discogs.com/master/288946-Mal-Waldron-With-Eric-Dolphy-And-Booker-Ervin-The-Quest
The Birthday Party - The Friend Catcher 12" (1983)
📖 https://www.discogs.com/release/377249-The-Birthday-Party-The-Friend-Catcher
Einstürzende Neubauten - Yü-Gung (1985)
📖 https://www.discogs.com/master/7604-Einst%C3%BCrzende-Neubauten-Y%C3%BC-Gung
Martha Argerich - Bach (2000)
📖 https://www.discogs.com/master/295073-Johann-Sebastian-Bach-Martha-Argerich-Toccata-BWV-911Partita-BWV-826Englische-Suite-No2-BWV-807
Lonely Guest - Lonely Guest (2021)
🛒 https://amzn.to/44ghrDU
📖 https://www.discogs.com/master/2381503-Lonely-Guest-Lonely-Guest
Jessica Pratt - Here in the Pitch (2024)
🛒 https://amzn.to/4kq4Vq2
📖 https://www.discogs.com/master/3474940-Jessica-Pratt-Here-In-The-Pitch
👉 Substack for music discovery:
Ben Cardew / Line Noise on Substack
https://linenoise.substack.com/
Philip Sherburne on Substack
https://substack.com/@philipsherburne
Shawn Reynaldo / First Floor on Substack
https://firstfloor.substack.com/
Darko.Audio may earn a small commission from items purchased via affiliate links, as indicated by a '🛒'.
Darko.Audio is an Amazon Associates Program member, an Audio Advice Program member and a Howl Program member.
#62 - Pixies & R.E.M. in Dolby Atmos, 3D-printed speakers & more (01:16:46)
This episode brought to you by AudioQuest
👉 https://bit.ly/4fIkmaU
w/ 6moons' Srajan Ebaen
0:00 Intro
0:51 Zu Audio
4:09 Sennheiser & aptX Lossless
11:11 3D-printed speakers
26:08 Cambridge Audio
34:10 Stack Audio
41:04 Chord Electronics
50:50 OnFilter
1:07:05 Pixies & R.E.M.
👉 As discussed in this episode...
Sennheiser BTD 700 (Yes, I mistakenly call it the 'BDT 700' in this episode 🙄 )
🛒 https://amzn.to/4jRNYEG
📖 https://darko.audio/2025/06/add-aptx-lossless-to-any-smartphone-for-e50/
Chord Electronics Suze Amp system
📖 https://darko.audio/2025/06/chords-suzi-turns-the-hugo-2-2go-into-a-streaming-amplifier/
Cambridge Audio MXW 70
📖 https://darko.audio/2025/06/cambridges-mxw70-is-a-599-class-d-power-amplifier/
Stack Audio:
📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/stack-audio-rack-use/
📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/stack-audio-auva-70/
📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/stack-audio-vinyl-helpers/
Virtual Hifi:
📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/virtual-hifi-vibron/
📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/virtual-hifi-viper/
OnFilter:
📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/onfilter/
Darko.Audio may earn a small commission from items purchased via affiliate links, as indicated by a '🛒'.
#61 - It's the end of hi-fi show coverage as we know it (and I feel fine) (01:27:48)
This episode is brought to you by AudioQuest
👉 https://bit.ly/4fIkmaU
w/ 6moons' Srajan Ebaen
This episode of the Darko.Audio podcast with 6moons' Srajan Ebaen is audio only. Why? Because the subject matter is what we might call 'inside baseball'. Srajan and I pull apart the hi-fi show model to question what we can learn from hi-fi show demos as they currently stand; and how the limitations of show demos prevent the press from relaying meaningful insight to their audiences.
#60 - Flatten your vinyl records w/ Pro-Ject (& more) (01:10:06)
This episode brought to you by Munich High-End 2025
👉 https://www.highendsociety.de/high-end-44.html
w/ 6moons' Srajan Ebaen
0:00 Intro
0:59 Pro-Ject
8:46 Kinki Studio
20:02 Shanling
29:57 Meze
47:28 Musical Fidelity
55:33 DMAX
👉 As discussed in this episode...
Pro-Ject Flatten It
📖 https://darko.audio/2025/03/say-buh-bye-to-warped-vinyl-with-pro-jects-flatten-it/
Musical Fidelity X-Tube
📖 https://darko.audio/2025/03/how-to-add-tubes-to-any-dac-streamer-or-cd-player-for-e499/
Shanling Onix Zenith XST20
📖 https://darko.audio/2025/03/the-onix-zenith-xst20-is-a-new-sacd-transport-from-shanling/
Kinki Studio x Vinshine Tai Hang
📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/tai-hang/
Meze Poet
📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/meze-poet/
DMAX PH61
📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/dmax-ph61/
Cables and power products by AudioQuest
🛒 https://audioadvice.io/Audioquest
Hi-fi furniture and speaker stands by Solid Steel
🛒 https://howl.me/ckbW9947Hdi
Room treatment by Vicoustic
📖 https://audioadvice.io/Vicoustic
Darko.Audio may earn a small commission from items purchased via affiliate links, as indicated by a '🛒'.
The Auralic Aquila X3 in more detail w/ Xuanqian Wang (00:54:33)
w/ Auralic's ex-CEO Xuanqian Wang
This episode brought to you by High-End Munich 2025
👉 https://www.highendsociety.de/high-end-44.html
Auralic Aquila X3
👉 https://darko.audio/2025/01/auralic-readies-aquila-x3-network-streamer/
Auralic Aquila X3 online configuration tool
👉 http://x3.auralic.com/
Laurence Dickie discusses Vivid Kaya 90, S12 loudspeakers (00:53:36)
w/ Vivid Audio's Laurence Dickie
This episode is brought to you by Bowers & Wilkins TW IEMs:
👉 https://bit.ly/4ggz8X0
Vivid Kaya series
👉 https://vividaudio.com/kaya/
#59 - Back to the Future-Fi w/ AURALIC & more (01:17:16)
This episode is brought to you by AudioQuest:
👉 https://bit.ly/4fIkmaU
w/ 6moons' Srajan Ebaen
0:00 Intro
0:42 Auralic
24:10 Zu Audio
37:48 T+A
46:54 Aune
59:34 FiiO / Snowski
1:04:23 LAiV
👉 As discussed in this podcast
AURALIC Aquila X3
📖 https://darko.audio/2025/01/auralic-readies-aquila-x3-network-streamer/
FiiO / Snowski Retro Nano
📖 https://darko.audio/2025/01/a-usb-bluetooth-dac-that-looks-like-a-cassette-tape/
T+A Pulsar S130
📖 https://darko.audio/2025/01/tas-pulsar-s-130-are-designed-for-sub-optimal-listening-rooms/
Zu Method monitor & sub:
📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/zu-method/
Aune S17Pro Evo
📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/aune-s17pro-evo/
Laiv µDDC
📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/laiv-uddc/
☕️ PATREON
www.patreon.com/johndarko
10 hi-fi 'myths' busted by Eelco Grimm (01:41:25)
w/ Eelco Grimm
👉 https://www.grimmaudio.com/
This episode is brought to you by T+A:
👉 https://www.ta-hifi.de/
#58 - Klipsch vs. OJAS + a CD transport that rips CDs (01:14:52)
This episode is brought to you by AudioQuest:
👉 https://bit.ly/3S9qPmf
w/ 6moons' Srajan Ebaen
☕️ PATREON
www.patreon.com/johndarko
📖 OJAS x KLIPSCH kO-R1
https://www.klipsch.com/uk/products/klipsch-ojas-ko-r1-ko-r1-2-way-multicell-loudspeaker
📖 Aune SR7000
https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/aune-sr-7000/
📖 Aune AR5000
https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/aune-ar5000/
📖 Focal Diva Utopia
https://darko.audio/2024/10/focals-diva-utopia-is-future-fi-for-cashed-up-listeners/
📖 Singxer SA-90
https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/singxer-sa-90/
📖 Shanling CR60
https://darko.audio/2024/09/shanlings-cr60-is-a-269-cd-transport-cd-ripper/
📖 Voxativ Hagen2
https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/voxativ-hagen-2/
What's going on inside an €18,000 streaming DAC? (01:01:54)
#57 - Do they SUCK or do they BLOW? (+ Rotel, Pro-Ject & LAiV) (01:35:31)
with 6moons' Srajan Ebaen.
This episode is brought to you by AudioQuest:
https://www.audioquest.com/mythicalcreatures/
0:00 Intro
0:00 Dyson
18:33 ROTEL
29:44 LAiV
43:34 Astell&Kern
57:46 LessLoss
1:13:50 Pro-Ject
👉 As mentioned in this podcast...
Dyson OnTrac
📖 https://www.dyson.com/headphones
Rotel A8
📖 https://darko.audio/2024/07/rotel-readies-affordable-a8-integrated-but-theres-a-catch/
Laiv Harmony HP2A
📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/laiv-hp2a/
Astell&Kern Activo P1
📖 https://darko.audio/2024/07/astellkerns-activo-p1-dap-takes-a-swing-at-the-mainstream/
Forza Audioworks C-MARC headphone cables
📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/forza-audioworks-medicine/
LessLoss Firewall for Headphones
📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/lessloss-firewall-for-headphones/
Pro-Ject Debut Pro B
📖 https://darko.audio/2024/08/pro-ject-readies-balanced-equipped-debut-pro-b/
📖 https://www.henleyaudio.co.uk/tech-support/turntable-support/true-balanced-connections/
10 MORE hi-fi myths busted by Peter Comeau (01:52:21)
w/ IAG's Peter Comeau
👉🏻 This episode is brought to you by PSB:
https://www.psbspeakers.com/
PATREON:
www.patreon.com/johndarko
SHOW NOTES:
#56 - If EVERY hi-fi manufacturer did this... (+ FiiO, IKEA & Triangle) (01:39:54)
with 6moons' Srajan Ebaen.
This video is brought to you by AudioQuest:
https://www.audioquest.com/mythicalcreatures/
Care to buy me a coffee? Darko.Audio Patreon:
☕️ www.patreon.com/johndarko
0:00 Meze Alba
22:55 Linear Tube Audio Velo & Aero
40:35 FiiO DM13 & K11 R2R
46:57 Palma DHS-1
52:43 IKEA MITTZON
58:02 [ANON]
1:09:22 TRIANGLE
1:15:00 iFi / Silent Power, Exact Express
👉 As discussed in this podcast...
FiiO DM13
📖 https://darko.audio/2024/07/a-portable-cd-player-in-2024/
FiiO K11 R2R
📖 https://darko.audio/2024/07/is-fiios-k11-the-most-affordable-r2r-dac-available-right-now/
IKEA MITTZON room treatments
📖 https://darko.audio/2024/06/cheap-easy-room-treatment-with-ikeas-new-mittzon-range/
Palma DHS-1
📖 https://6moons.com/industry_articles/yo-palma/
Triangle Capella
📖 https://darko.audio/2024/07/french-future-fi-triangle-capella-streaming-speakers/
Exact Express & Silent Power
📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/exactexpress-flame-cables/
Meze Alba
📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/meze-alba/
Linear Tube Audio Velo
📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/linear-tube-audio-velo/
Linear Tube Audio Aero
📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/lta-aero-2nd-opinion/
#55 - We wish we'd known this earlier... (01:56:16)
with Twittering Machines' Michael Lavorgna
This episode is brought to you by T+A:
👉 https://www.ta-hifi.de/en/
Show notes up at Darko.Audio
PATREON:
https://www.patreon.com/johndarko
https://www.patreon.com/michaellavorgna
Small ROOM ACOUSTICS for beginners (01:06:58)
with Jesco Lohan
This episode is brought to you by T+A:
👉 https://www.ta-hifi.de/en/
Care to buy me a ☕️? https://www.patreon.com/johndarko
0:00 Intro
1:26 Voodoo
3:57 RT60
8:04 Schröder
13:04 Bass first
16:29 Priorities
18:02 One surface
21:25 Side walls
22:30 Open plan
25:43 Curtains
27:25 Furniture
31:20 Wishful thinking
32:59 Room vs. speakers
35:30 Speaker position
40:02 Rugs
40:50 Object size
42:32 Walls
45:17 Windows
47:24 Windows again
48:31 Narrow or wide
52:24 Room Correction Software
55:22 DSP again
59:17 Late night listening
1:00:28 All speakers
1:02:29 Music choices
👉 As mentioned in this video...
All room treatment/s by Vicoustic
📖 https://audioadvice.io/Vicoustic
What are those green speakers?
🛒 https://howl.me/cl1S8kB69fo
Jesco's website
📖 https://www.jescolohan.com/
More about RT60
📺 https://youtu.be/dp_OdILUEkA
My first room treatment (Berlin)
📺 https://youtu.be/3N-yG_Y7XEc
My first interview with Jesco Lohan
📺 https://youtu.be/cTnituQu8ig
Cables and power products by AudioQuest
🛒 https://audioadvice.io/Audioquest
Hi-fi furniture and speaker stands by Solid Steel
🛒 https://howl.me/ckbW9947Hdi
Darko.Audio may earn a small commission from items purchased via affiliate links, as indicated with a '🛒'.
#54 - Best smartphone for wired headphones in 2024? (01:23:19)
This video is brought to you by AudioQuest:
https://www.audioquest.com/mythicalcreatures/
with 6moons' Srajan Ebaen.
Care to buy me a coffee? Darko.Audio Patreon:
☕️ www.patreon.com/johndarko
0:00 Sony Xperia 1 VI
22:26 Monacoustic & Fyne
42:32 Moondrop MIAD 01
58:11 Basel Acoustics
1:05:25 Marantz Model M1
1:18:35 PSI, Cube & Camerton
👉 As mentioned in this podcast...
Sony Xperia 1 VI
🛒 https://amzn.to/3VlGC3s
FiiO KA2
🛒 https://amzn.to/4efK5rQ
Moondrop MIAD-01
📖 https://moondroplab.com/en/products/miad01
Marantz Model M1
🛒 https://www.audioadvice.com/marantz-model-m1-wireless-streaming-amp-2-1?referral=darko
Campfire Bonneville
📖 https://www.campfireaudio.com/products/bonneville
Campfire Holocene
📖 https://www.campfireaudio.com/products/holocene
MonAcoustics website:
📖 https://monacoustic.us
6moons VC2 preview:
📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/monacoustics-vc2/
Fyne Acoustics webpage for SuperTrax
📖 https://www.fyneaudio.com/supertrax-series
Basel Acoustics
📖 https://basel-acoustics.ch
6moons V01 preview
📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/basel-acoustics-v01/
Cube Audio website
📖 http://cubeaudio.eu
6moons Lotus 10 preview
📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/cubeaudio-lotus10/
Cables and power products by AudioQuest
🛒 https://audioadvice.io/Audioquest
Hi-fi furniture and speaker stands by Solid Steel
🛒 https://howl.me/ckbW9947Hdi
Room treatment by Vicoustic
📖 https://audioadvice.io/Vicoustic
Darko.Audio may earn a small commission from items purchased via affiliate links, which are indicated with a '🛒'.
#smartphone #sony #audiophile
#53 - "Move over, Denafrips", more on Dolby Atmos™ + Record Store Day '24 (01:52:37)
This video is brought to you by AudioQuest:
https://www.audioquest.com/mythicalcreatures/
with 6moons' Srajan Ebaen.
Care to buy me a coffee? Darko.Audio Patreon:
☕️ www.patreon.com/johndarko
👉 As discussed in this episode...
👉 As mentioned in this podcast...
Record Store Day
📖 https://recordstoreday.com/
LAiV
📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/laiv-audio-harmony-dac/
📖 https://www.laiv.audio
Plexamp & Audiolab
📖 https://darko.audio/2024/04/audiolab-adds-plexamp-support-to-9000n-streaming-dac/
Lindemann
📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/lindemann-move/
📖 https://lindemann-audio.de/?lang=en
Steven Wilson & Dolby Atmos
📖 https://darko.audio/2024/04/pmc-steven-wilson-to-demonstrate-dolby-atmos-in-munich/
Austin Audio Works
https://6moons.com/industry_articles/austin-audioworks/
https://austinaudioworks.com
#52 - %THD: why is it MISLEADING? (01:23:38)
with 6moons' Srajan Ebaen.
This episode is brought to you by Munich High-End 2024:
https://www.highendsociety.de/high-end-44.html
Care to buy me a coffee? Darko.Audio Patreon:
☕️ www.patreon.com/johndarko
👉 As discussed in this episode...
Tektron Audio
https://www.tektron-italia.com/en/home/
Tektron review on 6moons
https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/tektron-italia-neptune/
FiiO CP13
https://darko.audio/2024/02/a-portable-cassette-player-in-2024/
Astell & Kern SP3000T
https://darko.audio/2024/02/astellkerns-sp3000t-is-a-dap-with-tubes-inside/
PSI Audio
https://www.psiaudio.swiss
PSI Audio preview on 6moons
https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/psi-audio-avaa-c214/
Q Acoustics M40 Micro Towers
https://darko.audio/2024/02/q-acoustics-introduces-the-m40-powered-micro-towers/
Exposure 3510 CD player
https://darko.audio/2024/03/exposure-releases-the-no-nonsense-3510-cd-player/
Sublime Acoustic
https://sublimeacoustic.com
Sublime K231 review on 6moons
https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/sublime-k231/
#51 - What are the differences between CLASS D, CLASS A/B and CLASS A amplifiers? (01:34:21)
w/ 6moons' Srajan Ebaen
This episode is brought to you by Marantz:
https://www.marantz.com/en/
Care to buy me a coffee? Darko.Audio Patreon:
☕️ www.patreon.com/johndarko
👉 As discussed in this episode...
Naim Uniti Nova Power Edition
📖 https://darko.audio/2024/01/shock-horror-naim-goes-class-d-with-uniti-nova-pe/
Hifi Rose RA280
📖 https://darko.audio/2024/02/hifi-rose-announces-ra280-a-less-bonkers-ganfet-amplifier/
Antelope Audio Atlas i8
📖 https://en.antelopeaudio.com/products/atlas-i8/
Carbide Audio isolation footers
📖 http://carbide.audio
📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/carbide-sapphire-micro-nano/
📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/carbide-audio-diamond/
📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/carbide-audio/
LHY Media Converter
📖 https://www.beatechnik.com/lhy-audio
📖 https://6moons.com/industry_articles/fmc/
RAAL 1995
📖 http://raalribbon.com (currently under revision)
📖 https://raalrequisite.com
📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/raal-1995-magna-immanis/
#50: Yamaha, Rotel, Clayton Shaw & Scansonic HD (01:16:20)
w/ 6moons' Srajan Ebaen
👉🏻 This episode is brought to you by Bluesound
https://www.bluesound.com/products/node-x/
Care to buy me a coffee? Darko.Audio Patreon:
☕️ https://www.patreon.com/johndarko
👉 As mentioned in this podcast...
Rotel RAS-5000
https://darko.audio/2023/11/rotel-readies-ras-5000-super-integrated-amplifier/
Yamaha HS3 & HS4
https://darko.audio/2023/11/yamahas-hs3-hs4-are-powered-but-not-active-loudspeakers/
Clayton Shaw Caladan
https://6moons.com/industry_articles/clayton-shaw-caladan/
https://claytonshawacousticlab.com
Scansonic Q Series
https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/scansonic-q3/
Telos Audio
https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/telos-audio-macro-ground-noise-reducer/
https://telos-audio.com.tw
pbthal. (00:55:22)
With pbthal.
👉🏻 This episode is brought to you by Bluesound
https://www.bluesound.com/products/node-x/
Producer: Nick McCorriston www.nickamc.com
Music: Ben Pit -- Beniospit – Hybrid-rhythms
#49 - Arcam, Marantz, Neumann, Acoustic Energy and Dutch & Dutch (01:03:33)
w/ 6moons' Srajan Ebaen
👉🏻 This episode is brought to you by Bluesound
https://www.bluesound.com/products/node-x/
Care to buy me a coffee? Darko.Audio Patreon:
☕️ https://www.patreon.com/johndarko
👉 As mentioned in this podcast...
Neumann KH120 II
📖 https://darko.audio/2023/10/neumanns-kh120-ii-are-room-correctable-active-loudspeakers/
Marantz CD50n & Model 50
📖 https://darko.audio/2023/10/marantz-announces-cd50n-cd-player-w-hdmi-arc-streaming/
📖 https://darko.audio/2023/10/marantz-musicality-the-model-50/
Dutch & Dutch 8c
📖 https://dutchdutch.com/
📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/dutch-dutch-8c-bacch/
📖 https://www.bacch.com/ubacch
Acoustic Energy Corinium
📖 https://www.acoustic-energy.co.uk/
SoundKaos Vibra68
📖 https://www.soundkaos.com/vibra68
📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/soundkaos-vibra68/
Boenicke SwingBase
📖 https://boenicke-audio.ch/products/accessories/swing-base/
📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/boenicke-audio-swingbase/
Wellfloat
📖 https://wellfloat-global.com
📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/wellfloat/
Audite Acoustics
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Streaming platform by Roon
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Cables and power products by AudioQuest
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Hi-fi furniture and speaker stands by Solid Steel
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Room treatment by Vicoustic
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