Chord Mojo + Dignis Leather Case

The Chord Mojo that I reviewed here is a spectacular little DAC. It is a portable DAC with headphones amplifier in one small package.

I mostly using this Chord Mojo on my home stereo system that consist of gainclone amplifier and DIY SB Acoustic Speakers. It is sound very good and far above it's price. The great sound is actually coming from the DAC inside Chord Mojo with the line output mode ON, pushing 3 volt audio signal to the amplifier.

The battery life when using in this setup is not great, but very acceptable. For the portable use is about 8 hours great music enjoyment which is more than enough for me.

The Chord Mojo using high grade aluminum body shell, meaning it is not so easy to dent if it is accidentally hit something. Unlike the Sony NW-A55 which I have here, the aluminum body is in the different material class. Sony NW-A55 aluminum more soft and it got one dent as I accidentally hit it to the airplane chairs when I traveling to Bali few weeks ago.

Then good things happens, I just got the leather case from Korean company named Dignis. It is a high quality leather case which I really like to share here.

Beautiful Bali, Movenpick Resort & The Sony DAP Companion In This Holiday

Last week, I got a chance to enjoy the exotic island, Bali. This is my fourth times for whole of my life going to this beautiful island. Still, Bali has it's own magnet for me to enjoy and release the tension I got in my daily routine. In this travel companion, I bring my new DAP Sony NW-A50 along with the Sony MH1 earphones. I prefer the very portable device every time I traveling and previously the iPod is the only one I choose. In this time, I give a chance for Sony DAP going with me. Surprisingly, the sound from the headphones output are very good compares to iPod. The Sony sound signature has very smooth mid-range and vocal, more on warm sounding system.

US$10 Earphones Challenge - Knowledge Zenith KZ ATE VS. Sony MH1

Finding any US$10 earphone is very easy. But finding the good one is another problem. Knowledge Zenith, the new comers product from Shenzhen has gain popularity on it's first earphones model. The KZ ATE has good review and the price is par with the Sony MH1. So I guess put the KZ ATE model to against the Sony MH1 will be very interesting.

US$10 Earphones Challenge - Buying Sony MH1 In 2019

I put this Sony MH1 earphone as the most tempting budget earphone up to today. Thus, I am quite remember at the first time I am using this Sony MH1, the felling for this earphone is not so much fun. The sound quality is very bass oriented and the staging is quite narrow. These earphone also not comfortable in my ears at all. I have no choice at that time since this earphone is the only one I have, so I bring this MH1 for on-the-go. The truth is, the more I listen to this MH1, the bass become more control and the high frequency reveal to it's full potential. This MH1 is a gem on mid-range and this is happen after the earphone breaking in.

IHEAC 8th 2019 Indonesia Hi-end Audio Show

Previously I absent to IHEAC show in the past 2 years, I guess this time I shouldn't miss it. This show held in the same place as before, at Menara Peninsula Hotel Jakarta from 14 - 17 November 2019. The show still rolling, grab your ear, go to this show and enjoy great music from great audio system:)

Gainclone Amplifier Build In 2019

Tube amp, Class-A amp, Tripath amp, Discrete bipolar amp, and it always back again to the Gainclone amplifier. It has a magnet that attract DIY to build it again and again. Gainclone amplifier is so simple and sounds really good. No matter how much you have spent on higher price amplifier, with so much audiophile topology theory inside, thus, building this Gainclone amplifier is still fun. Using this Gainclone amplifier in 2019 still keep up the sound performance to my others amplifier. This post is about the building process of Gainclone LM3886 based amplifier using full aluminium case. Today post has not much written information about this build, it is just a lot of pictures describe by it's own.

Atmel Based LCR Meter For Cheap

When looking for a LCR meter, It is quite difficult to find the most reliable with the affordable price. The Fluke and Sanwa is way to expensive, yet the display are too old fashioned. Finding the affordable yet simple to use LCR Meter is quite difficult. Thus accurate is something really important aspect when choosing this LCR meter of course. It is different when talking to this China made DIY LCR meter. I knew this device around 5 years ago and reviewing this today is still worth to do.

Picture For Weekend - The STAX Headphones & Amplifier

This weekend will be full of dynamic music with this STAX headphones and amplifier combo. I cannot resist to take a photos of it and post it right away.

STAX SRM-252S Blackgate Capacitor

If you following the components upgrade on the STAX SRM-252S previously here & here, you probably know that the capacitor near the transformer labeled C36 is has critical point to effect the sound quality. That is why I leave it with the standard OEM Sanyo capacitor after I change it to higher grade but the sound comes worse. Then on hand I got this Rubycon Blackgate capacitor. It is a legendary capacitor that still glorify by many audiophile until today. Not harm for me to test this new capacitor once again in the STAX SRM-252S headphones amplifier and what is the result after this upgrade is so curious.

Full Linear Battery Powered STAX Headphones Amplifier

In the middle of nowhere, I am wondering how is the fully linear power supply impact would be in audio system. The best approach is by using battery as the power supply instead of any related to AC electricity wall outlet. On hand I got the STAX SRM-252S the headphones amplifier. You can follow my previous mod here. This STAX SRM-252S with 12 volt power input and combo with the headphones SR-L300 will be more suitable for this experimental project for fully linear amplifier.

Coil Analysis On MIT Speaker Cable MITerminator 5

I never thought that my post about the mysterious box of the MIT Cable MITerminator 5 is the most views in this blog. You can see the inside of this MIT speaker cable here and perhaps you are wondering how much is the coil value? So here I am now for in depth analysis for the coil inside MITerminator 5 speaker cable.

Sony MH1 & Comply TX400 Ear-tips Upgrade

The Sony MH 1 earphones is very well known for the best earphones out there with superior sound quality for less than US$15. I have it for quite long of time since here and I guess nothing in this price range yet can compares it directly. The only downside of this Sony MH 1 is the ear-tips doesn't feel comfortable. No matter how you adjust it, rather it is feel too pushing your ears canal, or too loose in ears fitment. That is why on hand I got the memory foam ear-tips from Comply, the TX 400, a company that specialized making ear-tips that hopefully can make this Sony MH 1 more comfortable to use.

DAP LOD True Line Out For The External Amplifier

DAP stands for Digital Audio Player is quite hype since the born of the iPod. It is quite long time and I guess the Hi-Res audio label also make the popularity of the DAP become more floating at the surface right now. The DAP doesn't dead yet, even for next few years, I am pretty sure they have their own market. It is simply the sound quality cannot compare to any smartphones right now. Imagine the electrical noise effect to the bad sound is less occurs you find in the dedicated music player like DAP comparing to smartphones. Then how you listen to the DAP is simply connect directly to the headphones. It is very straight forward and nothing special about that. But you know that not every listener enjoy what comes from the box. They figure it out how to maximize the performance and the number one upgrade is adding an external amplifier.

The Reason Why I Choose The Sony NW-A55 Over the NW-ZX300

It is been a week since I bought this hi resolution digital audio player, Sony NW-A55 and I couldn't more happier with this decision. No doubt I rumbling few weeks back than to make a purchase decision compare to the higher spec, the NW-ZX300. This is the reason why I choose NW-A55 over the NW-ZX300.

What Sony Clear Audio+ & Sound Setting Does To The Music?

Yes, I going back to the Sony DAP again. This one is the Sony NW-A55, an entry level DAP that sound so good. This DAP can act as Bluetooth receiver through my headphones only, but the connection is not quite easy. Sony NW-A55 also have radio FM built-in which the reception quality is very good when tuning at outdoor. I listen my favorite music through this Sony DAP via the headphones but not as much as I listen it through my home audio system. One reason I using this Sony DAP is their unique DSP sound setting. Let's figure out them one by one.

DIY Oyaide WM Line Out Dock Connector Kit

This is the Oyaide WM Line Out Dock kit from Japan manufacture specialist on hi quality connector. The WM port use by most Sony DAP can transfer the true line output signal to feed the amplifier. This kit require soldering skill for the SMD resistor and terminal leads. Warning: this project is not for beginner.

The iPod That Changed How We Listen To Music

I talked about Sony Discman as portable CD player previously, which is the exotic player on early 90's. The Walkman, which Sony use the name on their portable player is remarkably put the Sony brand as the top class audio manufacture. They are easy to use and sound really good.

Then in early 2000, Apple company which not so popular for consumer audio market at that time, launch the iPod as the new portable audio player that doesn't need any physicals medium. Apple not the first one who made the player like this. There are so many portable player on the market at that time that already do the same. We all call them MP3 player.

But why Apple with the iPod still come in and become one of the best music player for decades? This is what I think very interesting to share.

Nostalgia In Audio Device - The Sony Discman D-9

Do you remember the first time you fall in love to the music? I am pretty sure you had it and it is always related to the audio system as well. Same with me. In my teenager life, mostly I listen to FM radio. My bed room is sharing with my big brother and I am so happy listening music from radio cassette deck with him. I also remember having a portable cassette player. I carry anywhere I go and listen the music from it, is an unforgettable experience. After the cassette era, CD audio become a holy grail in good audio system. It is booming in early 90's and this is the first portable CD player that I had. The Sony Discman D-9.

Simple Component Upgrade STAX SRM-252S Headphones Amplifier - Part 3

The previous part, I do the upgrade only on the power line capacitor. The effect is not audible improve. That is why in this part 3, I do a little components modification on the signal path and value increase at the secondary high voltage power supply section caps. The main goal in this upgrade is to improve dynamic range, clarity and widening the sound stage.

Simple Component Upgrade STAX SRM-252S Headphones Amplifier - Part 2

The first mod cannot be said successful. The sound quality weirdly become dull. I can assume that the Elna Silmic capacitor not yet burn-in, but I cannot wait any longer. I should find out what does really matters in the previous components changes.

Simple Component Upgrade STAX SRM-252S Headphones Amplifier - Part 1

STAX SRM-252S amp and the headphones SR-L300 is an entry level in STAX line up. They have more beefy line up above that with the price tag very surprisingly expensive. And this STAX SRM-252S is actually a very good amp, but can this improve? We know that mostly in entry level product, the manufacture usually cut some corner in the components. If they are improve, how is the result?

DAC All Around Part 3 - Chord Mojo

This little portable DAC will soon end up on your main listening room for sure. That statement is not kidding, I couldn't say anything more except this Mojo works for me and it should work with you as well.

DAC All Around Part 2 - Schiit Modi Multibit

In the headphones review last week, I mostly using this Schiit Modi Multibit as DAC then the analog output going through the amp. Yet, this Modi has lots of feature in the input section, almost all popular input nowadays such as, USB input, coaxial, and optical/ toslink input you can hook it up to this tiny DAC. The selling price is very tempting, it is only US$249. But how it is perform?

DAC All Around Part 1 - The Playstation SCPH-1002, Old Phillips DAC & ESS9018

The next few post will be all about DAC. It is become a very important roles to the good audio system. The importance of DAC is because this is the first analog output to the next stages, which is pre-amp or amplifier until reach the speakers. That is why spending lots of money in DAC will draw back to the overall audio quality. Will not become a regret since the DAC will least almost forever in the normal condition.

STAX SR-L300 & SRM252S The Electrostatic Headphones & Amplifier

This STAX SR-L300 & the amplifier SRM252S is the most expensive headphones compares to the previous line up I had. If you find it second hand with the condition like this one, you are definitely lucky.

Sennheiser HD 6XX Better Upgrade Over HE-400?

I put a step ahead again after the Hifiman HE-400. More money burnt over that one and you got this Sennheiser HD 6XX. One question in my mind, is it worth for spending more while you already got the Hifiman? Let's take a look!

Schiit Magni 3 Hum Noise Problem Cures

I test all headphones either with my CMOY amp or this Schiit Magni 3 amp. They have their own advantages but for sound wise, I could not agree more for the Schiit Magni 3 amp is superior against the CMOY.

Sadly but true, I don't know why this Schiit Magni unit comes with hum noise after several minute operate. This happen even with the volume knob fully down and no input present. More over, if the gain switch set to the high position, the humm noise become more audible. Fortunately I already get this problem solved. Let's take a look.

Hifiman Headphones HE-400 The Good And The Bad

The ATH-M40X is a very good headphones above it's price. Double up the money spent, you get for the higher spec headphones like this one, Hifiman Headphones HE-400. But is it worth for the money? Let's find out.

Schiit Modi Multibit & Magni 3: Good Performer DAC And Audible Hum Amplifier

As I said, it will be headphone related all around on next few weeks and this is the DAC and headphone amp that will suit me as price to performance ratio winner! This is Schiit Modi Multibit DAC and the Magni 3 as an headphone amplifier.

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x My Current Daily Driver

I owned this headphone quite some time. This Audio-Technica ATH-M40x is cheap and suitable as all around headphone. It is about US$79 I guess and I have been using it since 2 years ago. The reason I never posting this headphone is because it is already so popular and I don't have to add it more. Since for the next post will be so much on headphone stuff, so I think I should share a bit my current daily driver headphone.

It Would Be A Headphone All Around For Few Next Week

Yes, It is all come together and I will finding out those all headphone performance on the next few weeks. Right now I am stuck with no modification on my current home audio system and my kids voice are louder than mine, so no perfect time for me to enjoy my home audio system lately. This headphones is the answer I think:)

Gainclone LM3886 Parts List

I bought this tiny PCB for my next project, the gainclone LM3886. This PCB is design by our local DIY'ers. It is a worth PCB to buy since they are bundled with the Dale SMD resistors.

Revisiting Tripath TA2024 +DAC Amplifier

Today, I take another photo of my current update of the Tripath TA2024 amplifier combo with the DAC TDA1543. You probably may know that from the last upgrade is actually few weeks ago here and here, I put the Pass H2 generator pre-amp along with some upgrade on the DAC capacitor. So here is the recent update.

Revisiting LG DVD Player DV-440 For Audio

In 2016, I have review LG DVD Player DV-440 and the result is very positive. This DVD player has better in audio quality compares to the others. Especially compares to the over-hype Pioneer DV-373S, the analog audio output from this LG is far better. Since I already have the external DAC, in this post I will try to answer about, do the digital audio out sound different? Let's find out.

Revisiting The Sony Playstation SCPH-1002

The Sony Playstation SCPH-1002 I got here is the first model for UK market. This unit power by 220 volt AC input same as my country wall voltage rating. I've using it for years and it is have an issue at the lens unit since 2 years ago. I am now using DVD player with separate DIY DAC and satisfy with them already. But some how, I really want to revive this Sony to back to life again.

DIY Portable FM Radio (Part 3) 3 Volt Amplifier

One things in mind when build a simple amplifier is by using an IC. It is very reliable and don't bother in too much complicated circuit like discrete transistor amplifier. It is not wrong, but not right either when you are planning for small 3 volt battery powered amplifier for this radio project. This IC amplifier could not working properly with this 3 volt battery.

DIY Portable FM Radio (Part 2) Potentiometer Tuning

I continue my post here about making the FM radio front end. The AFC out from it need to be connect to the FM modulator. In this project I using the very popular IC, it is LA1260. I also using the common potentiometer for radio frequency tuning instead of variable capacitor just like many commercial radio have.

DIY Portable FM Radio (Part 1) Tuner Front End

It is started when I have spare time in home and try to figure out what is on my storage box. I usually throw my ex. DIY project to this big cardboard box. I think I will not use it, or I just explore something related to electronic device then put it in the box for future need.

Sometimes like this day, I open up again the box and it is kind of nostalgic moments. So this is what I found.

Easy Way To Spot Genuine K170 & J74 Transistor

As we know that finding the original 2SK170 & 2SJ74 is very hard now. Some seller might sell them in pairs for about US$50. I remember 8 years ago I bought this transistor only US$2 each. No wonder the price jump that higher due to the Toshiba itself who made this J-FET is already stop production for few decades ago. As long you get the genuine then it is good. But you might consider not getting the fake one for sure. Especially if you don't know how to check it visually, then I tell you the clue for it.

Tripath H2 DAC Amplifier - The Miniature Of Complexity (Part 2)

I want to fit the H2 generator pre-amp to my Topping Tripath TA2014 amplifier. This post is the following from my post here. The evaluation board is big and would not fit into this small case. So I remove all the H2 components and put them back to the smaller board like this one.

Sanyo Os-con SEPC Capacitor For The DAC Circuit

I remember watching the advertising from Sony NW-ZX2 in Youtube, they put the Sanyo Os-con capacitor as their marketing object that creates the superior sound to that device. Strangely, what I saw is they put it as DC blocking capacitor before the line audio output. The Sanyo Os-con is well known for their low ESR and good at filtering the power supply of digital audio system. No harm to use it on the audio signal line anyway but in this post, I have order several and I will put it as it should be, is at the digital power supply!

Tripath H2 DAC Amplifier - The Miniature Of Complexity (Part 1)

If you're not follow my blog yet, perhaps you might wonder what amplifier that I am talking about. So please read on here here and here. This is Tripath TA2024 amplifier from Topping. I did upgrade the components and add the DAC from TDA1543 into one casing. The goal when making this amp is make the sound just like a F5 amplifier. It is sound good by the way, but not close to the F5 yet. So, recently after I do testing the H2, I am fully confident that adding it will improve the sound.

 

Portable H2 Generator - It's Not Portable After All (Part 2)

The Jfet transistor just arrived yesterday. It is a long delivery due to many public holiday in my country last week. I have this J112 original from On-Semi and fortunately it is not hard to find the seller for it yet.

Fiio M3K Vs. iPhone 5S Vs. iPod 5th Gen

The good things about technology is they become cheaper each year. And if we are talking about digital audio player (DAP), today DSD player can cost about US$70 only. But do they compromise the sound quality? I will figure it out with this new Fiio M3K along with the others DAP sound quality which price higher at the time they released.

Portable H2 Generator - The DC Converter (Part 1)

It is been a while I am not posting anything. But now I have an opportunity to sharing of my building process of H2 Generator. This is a pre-amp design by Nelson Pass at First Watt. You can find the full schematic on firstwatt.com.