Al Chieng, Author at Positive Feedback

The Little Devil - The ifi iDSD Diablo DAC/Amplifier

Al Chieng — Fri, 07 May 2021 22:03:30 +0000

Established in 2013, iFi currently has developed and manufactured over 30 products from its headquarters in Southport, UK. Sourcing parts from all over the world its main aim has been to create high quality audio wherever you are. Thus, the iFi iDSD Diablo would be the quintessential device to deliver on its mission statement. For... Read More »

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Cheers to Lutz: Sparkos Labs Aries Headphone Amplifier

Al Chieng — Sat, 11 Jul 2020 16:10:17 +0000

Background In this time of Covid 19 it was apt that I was given the opportunity to review a product from a small company headed by a dog named Lutz. Cottage industry is the name of the game, and Sparkos Labs is an outfit out of Westminster Colorado, United States that was born from a... Read More »

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Audio Swiss Army Knife: Manley Labs Absolute Headphone Amplifier

Al Chieng — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 01:11:02 +0000

This review took a little longer than I thought. I originally found out about this amp from my colleague Robert Levi, and could not resist sending EveAnna Manley an email to see if I could procure a review model. She was more than willing to send it out with the 250 monoblocks that I also... Read More »

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The Calgary Audio Show

Al Chieng — Sat, 21 Dec 2019 18:19:57 +0000

Playing catch up as we enter into the holiday season, I wanted to highlight something that I have had the pleasure of attending for the past couple of years. The Calgary Market, although vibrant with many audiophiles, has never had the opportunity to have its own audio show. The owners of the Audio Room, a... Read More »

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The Power of Tubes: Manley Neo-Classic 250W Monoblocks

Al Chieng — Thu, 24 Oct 2019 16:42:37 +0000

For those who have been around audio for a while, Manley Labs has been an industry stalwart for a long time. Headed by EveAnna Manley they produce products for both the home and professional markets. I stumbled upon the company once again when I heard of a new headphone amplifier that they had recently developed... Read More »

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Vermouth Audio Little Luccas MkII Limited Edition Loudspeakers

Al Chieng — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 19:43:35 +0000

Little in Name Only After a number of reviews of products from Indonesian company Vermouth Audio it was time to sample where it all began. The company's founder, Hendry Ramli, started the company on loudspeakers, so I was excited to finally listen to a pair. Enter the Little Luccas MkII Limited Edition (with what Hendry... Read More »

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Rhapsody from Bali - Cables from Vermouth Audio

Al Chieng — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 07:19:47 +0000

Checking my email inbox I was happily surprised to find an email from the owner of Vermouth Audio. Based out of Bali Hendry Ramli has created a line of loudspeaker cable, power cables, and speakers. Being impressed with his top model Black Pearl speaker cable I said yes to his Rhapsody speaker cables. The Rhapsody loudspeaker... Read More »

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Making a Case for Convenience: Audeze EL-8 Closed Back Headphone

Al Chieng — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 03:55:23 +0000

Audeze has come a long way from its first planar magnetic offering. The upstart company from the United States has steadily grown and offered what some would say to be the best headphones currently in the market place. Not wanting to stay on their laurels the guys from Audeze are back at it again; this... Read More »

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The Art of the Subtle - The Pyon Sound Step-up Transformer

Al Chieng — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 02:38:15 +0000

Although a stalwart in many the audiophile setup, you can really see the resurgence of analog playback in mainstream society. Even chain stores are now trying to tap into the market where it once was deemed prehistoric, record players and software are now for sale. The rediscovery of analog has brought about a reintroduction into... Read More »

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Vermouth Audio Black Pearl Speaker Cables - Making a Case for Globalization

Al Chieng — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 05:49:16 +0000

Globalization has definitely made it easier for people to have a chance to show what they can do. When my "o fearless editor" suggested that I review a new cable coming from Indonesia I was honestly surprised by the country of origin. I could not pass up the opportunity to give it a shot and... Read More »

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