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TAS 2014 EDITORS’ CHOICE AWARDS

Welcome to the 2014 edition of The Absolute Sound’s Editors’ Choice Awards, our annual Recommended Products list. On the following pages we present the gear that our editors and writers have selected as most worthy of your consideration. These are the components we ourselves would buy—or recommend to friends and family. Each product category is divided into price ranges, with components listed in order of ascending cost (though a few items, like cables and accessories, are listed alphabetically). Each recommendation is also accompanied by a capsule review, the original reviewer’s name or initials, and the issue the review appeared in. Note that in a few cases a product may have been reviewed in one of our sister publications, Playback or AVguide. com, or the review may be pending publication, or the product may not have been formally reviewed but earns a recommendation based on one or more writer’s extensive experience with it. Given that this is the high end, where components generally have long lifespans, some of our recommendations look back several years. At the same time, in an effort to be as selective and up-to-date as possible, we have dropped some components that appeared on last year’s list, usually because they have been discontinued but sometimes because fresh competition has caused us to reconsider the choice.

the absolute sound March 2014 25

TAS 2014 EDITORS’ CHOICE AWARDS DIGITAL-TO-ANALOG CONVERTERS

detailed, and transparent enough to invite comparisons to more expensive DACs. High-res “togo” for less than the price of a decent set of headphones! TAS’s Year. NG, 234 Micromega MyDAC $399 Micromega’s MyDAC is entrylevel in price only. The unit looks very much like an Apple AirPort Extreme, but with a front-panel

coaxial, and asynchronous USB inputs. The Micromega gives you some sonic attributes usually found in much more expensive DACs—qualities like air around instruments, a sense of three-dimensional space, and a laid-back ease. Timbres are remarkably smooth and free from grain. The bass is solid and tight, although the very lowest bass lacks ulti-

JoLida Glass FX Tube DAC III $499 Whether matched with its companion Glass FX-10 amp or used with other electronics,

output with volume control can drive headphones from 32 ohms op-amp operating in pure Class A. Sonically, the ZDAC offers an immaculate soundstage with velvety, black backgrounds devoid of electronic hash or noise. In the real-world systems where the ZDAC is likely to take up lodgings, this is one for the long haul. NG, 238 Simaudio Moon 100D $650 For those accustomed to the run-of-the-mill iTunes experience, computer-based performance through the Simaudio 100D USB will be a revelation. Its USB input accepts a digital audio signal of up to

inputs to make the most of its asynchronous sample-rate convertor and its BurrBrown DAC. Its sonics are excellent for this class with just a hint of a narrower soundstage and

Tube DAC is an incredible bargain. The attractively displayed tube output section adds great presence and pure sweetness to acoustic music like combo jazz and folk and chamber ensembles. The unit is also high in resolution and can handle complexity and punchy, satisfying, and detailed reproduction of electronic rock and orchestral music. The current DAC III version adds a volume control and headphone jack. GH, 222 Parasound ZDAC $499

includes optical and coaxial digital inputs, and a front-panel headphone input. It even serves

Astell&Kern AK100 and AK120 $699 and $1299 The Astell&Kern AK100 and AK120 promise to bring highend performance to portable music—and, boy, do they deliver. In industrial engineering the

but sonically they are in another realm. Best thought of as iPods on steroids, the AK pair supports

Through good ’phones, vocals have a “right there” quality, the bass is full and tight, resolution is 84 March 2014 the absolute sound

startling, and dynamics are rousing. The decision to spring for the AK120 over the AK100 boils down to more memory capacity, DSD support, plus slightly greater purity and even more impressive bass. TAS’ 2013 Portable Audio Product of the Year.

Channel Islands Audio Transient II $699

from CIA, the Transient Mark II’s exterior is simple and lacks the cosmetic frills that increase a component’s cost without adding to its sonic performance. If you

convertor or USB DAC, you Channel Islands Audio Transient II. For a reasonable price it lets you keep up with the current state of USB 2.0-compliant audio, and does it beautifully. SS, 228 Meridian Direct DAC $699 Meridian’s Direct could best be described as an Explorer with a larger portfolio. Compact yet designed for the home rather than the street, its mission is digital media—from computer audio via USB to virtually any device with an optical or SPDIF input. However, unlike Explorer, Direct uses a pair of

permitting audiophiles to exploit the potential of interconnect options. With included Meridian resolution enhancements such knockout, recapturing much of the realism and dimensionality that once reduced digital images to surface players. A costeffective solution for inoculating a system against digital obsolescence. NG, 240 NuForce DAC-80 $795 Eight hundred to twelvehundred dollars seems to be a price that many manufacturers

are aiming at with their latest high-performance USBenabled DACs. NuForce’s entry at this hotly contested price point delivers excellent sound combined with a useful feature set, making it one of the products that should be on anyone’s short list if he’s in the market for an under-$1000 USB

Musical Fidelity M1 DAC $799 The M1 DAC looks to be an exercise in simplicity but its performance will strike fear into the hearts of pricey USB DACs everywhere. It supports every sample rate from 32kHz to 192kHz and has a complete set of inputs including USB

and more. The result is a superior soundstage, palpable images, and fast transient attacks. SS, 213 Wada 151 PowerDac $799 For only slightly more than a

that will form the backbone of a revealing and musical desktop or bedroom system. Coupled with a pair of top-echelon monitor speakers such as the Paradigm

enthrall anyone. SS, 204

$1000–$3000 Rega DAC $1095

rigs, this DAC lacks a bit of transparency and micro-dynamic is musically at home in leagues well outside its price point— even paired with loudspeakers as ruthlessly revealing as the vaunted mbl 120s. Paired with for a seamless tag team in which each device plays to the other’s strengths. NG, 223

TAS 2014 EDITORS’ CHOICE AWARDS POWER CORDS

Hologram cousin, its strengths were evidenced in the way it imparted depth to orchestral sections, its retrieval of ambience, and its lively and extended bass response. NG, 208 Synergistic Research Tesla Hologram A and Hologram D $2600 Actively shielded power cords of exceptional neutrality, the Holo-

ency and resolution, without the textural imprint or colorcast of other power cords. NG

EARPHONES

Synergistic Research Galileo LE $5600/5 ft. A superb actively shielded power cable with the same lifelike beauty, dimensionality, and heft

interconnects. Along with Crystal

Tara Labs RSC Prime M1 $549 Don’t be fooled by the plain-Jane,

Transparent HighPerformance Powerlink AC cord $105

Powerlink AC cable is a vast improvement over stock AC cords, and just might be the most cost-effective upgrade possible in

VooDoo Ultra Wave and Vector Dragon $375 and $450

amount of midrange warmth, and it is largely free of upperfrequency peakiness, to boot. All in all, a power cord with no

TARA Labs The One Power Cord EX $1800/6 ft. ($150/add’l foot) Although the difference it makes might not be quite as staggering as the interconnect and speaker

has much the same effect as the company’s other remarkable wires, and it rounds out the topof-the-line package with top-ofthe-line sound. Forthcoming 118 March 2014 the absolute sound

beautifully made, the S4i has unusually high clarity, detail, and nuance, albeit with a touch of midrange forwardness. Bass is as powerful or deeply extended as in some competing ’phones. Overall, though, a great musical communicator and a good value. CM, PB 28 Shure SE215 $119

Dragon for digital front ends. cords with a forward sound and a hint of darker tonality. Both capture the instrumentalist’s touch—a feat that makes them top performers in micro-dynamics. Add to that a sumptuous low end and the net result is a visceral performance with many satisfying qualities. NG, 208 Wireworld Stratus 52 $340 Conventional wisdom says power cords should be thick and unwieldy. Offering competitive performance with elite power cords costing many times their

Prime M1. It may look like a stock OEM power cord, but its and immersive, it delivers a big, dense sound in both timbre and

Klipsch Image S4i $99

are lightweight and available in color choices. Another major factor in the Stratus’ favor—they are pliable enough to negotiate corners. A major advancement for today’s media rooms. NG, 208

Earphones Under $399 Final Audio Design Adagio III $99 From the Japanese high-end

comes the Adagio III—one of the most balanced, accomplished, price class. The Adagio III’s midrange is smooth and surprisingly revealing, and as run-in time accumulates the earphone’s bass quiring greater power and depth. 99

and warmly balanced with highs that are somewhat subdued, but the all-important midrange is

is one of the least expensive earphones to offer userreplaceable signal cables. SS,

RHA MA750i $149 From the performance and

the best sounding and best-built a single high-performance

Sony XBA-3 $279 The XBA-3 boasts technical innovations rare at this price, sporting triple-balanced armature-type drivers, a doublelayer vibration-absorbing

housing, and a signal cable gold-plated connectors. But sound quality is the real draw, here. The XBA-3 has excellent midrange clarity without Highs are extended, relaxed, and open. Bass is taut but not overly ample, which may leave some listeners wishing for a bit more

Etymotic Research ER-4P $299

earphones are enduring classics and with good reason. They use single balanced-armature drivers to produce a remarkably pure and tightly focused sound. Tonal balance exhibits textbook neutrality, but without any bass lift to mimic the “room gain” of loudspeakers, meaning some sound somewhat austere or cold. The easiest to drive of all of

offers unusually smooth and well-balanced sound with a good measure of resolution for its

PB1

Etymotic hf2 $179 Etymotic designed the hf2 to serve as a cost-reduced

Monster Cable Turbine Pro Copper Edition $399 The Turbine Pro Copper Edition is arguably Monster’s most accurate and revealing

earphones and as an iPhonecompatible headset. Thus, the hf2 uses balanced-armature drivers to achieve a sound that is more warmly and naturally 4P, with only a small rollback in resolution. Some listeners prefer the hf2’s to the undeniably neutral but also less warmsounding presentation of the

$399 and Up

some listeners feel the earphone leans toward a slightly bright and almost hyper-revealing presentation. Then again, that’s a high-quality problem to have. Copper Editions with Monster’s included, patent-pending, duallayer, gel-type SuperTip ear tips. CM, PB 31

TAS 2014 EDITORS’ CHOICE AWARDS EARPHONES CUSTOM-FIT IN-EAR MONITORS HEADPHONES

Ultimate Ears UE-900 $399 The UE-900 serves as UE’s

and transient speed, plus fullbodied dynamics. CM, follow-up review pending

but also as an introduction to the sonic qualities that distinguish

Final Audio Design FI-BA-SS $1495 Final Audio Design’s FI-BA-SS is a reference-quality, full-range, top-tier earphone whose design is based on a single, very highperformance balanced armature driver. It offers excellent tonal

monitors. In this, the UE-900 succeeds brilliantly, offering overall neutrality, resolution, and balance that are more than a little reminiscent of UE’s Comes with a great set of ear tips and accessories offering

an engaging sound that faithfully conveys the “feel” of live music. made, combining solid acrylic outer shells with ear-canal tips made of a thermally sensitive, soft-feel material. CM, PB 38 Ultimate Ears In-Ear Reference Monitor $999 Ultimate Ears has made custom-

company spokesmen say the three-way, three-driver In-Ear high levels of resolution, textural down the most accurate models Perhaps its strongest quality is its remarkable top-to-bottom coherency. A very sophisticated

Cardas EM5813 Ear Speaker $425 The Ear Speaker features vented, polished, copper-plated solid brass earpieces housing a single, high-performance dynamic driver and, as you might expect,

cables. It offers a remarkably big, full-bodied sound that is very high in resolution with superb cohesiveness. Easily one of the best performers in its class, it comes with a pretty limited set some users better than others. CM, 238 Westone 4R $499 Westone’s TrueFit 4—the

has now been superseded by the similar but improved

AKG K3003 $1599 Based on an unorthodox threedriver array comprising two balanced armature-type drivers plus one dynamic driver used as a woofer, the Austrianmade AKG K3003 represents an all-out attempt to build a state-of-the-art earphone. The K3003 ships with three sets of precision-made, stainlesssteel, screw-in sound-tuning

“high boost,” or “bass boost” voicing curves. The resulting sound offers exceptional overall clarity and transparency and a remarkably coherent presentation. Though undeniably expensive, this is a world-class

Custom-Fit In-Ear Monitors

120 March 2014 the absolute sound

Ultimate Ears Personal Reference Monitor $1999

Bowers & Wilkins P3 $199 B&W’s versatile P3 on-ear

compatible headset is compact, ergonomically satisfying, and beautifully made. We found it to be neutrally balanced and harmonically correct, with a midrange our reviewer described as “a thing of beauty,” staking out that elusive middle ground between “too warm and rich, and too lean and analytical.” Unlike many headphones with this level of sound quality, the P3s can be driven by iDevices and smartphones, etc. One caution: Noise isolation is minimal, which could be depending on your intended use.

proprietary, balanced-armaturetype drivers, but what makes it unique is the fact that it offers fully customizable voicing. UE has created special “Personal

$299–$699

can audition test versions of the

maker showing up a bunch of headphone manufacturers who’ve been at it for decades.

the voicing curves. Once an ideal sound is found, UE records the customer’s settings and then

sounds like a higher resolution, more dynamically expressive

Westone Elite Series ES-5 $950

lets listeners achieve optimal sound on their own terms. CM,

multiple balanced-armature drivers create a cohesive sound that offers satisfying “cut from whole cloth” sonic integrity. Frequency response is for the most part well balanced, but exhibits subtle touches of bass emphasis and midrange

Headphones Under $299

a superior, user-replaceable

of the most accurately voiced earphones we have evaluated, doing a particularly good job in the transition region between upper mids and highs. Other impressive qualities include excellent resolution, articulation,

“nth” degree of treble extension, it is otherwise one the smoothest and most accurately balanced in-ear monitors we’ve heard. CM, PB 40

so often found in other headphones. It also delivers just enough midbass warmth to satisfy, though for bandwidth, low-level detail, and neutrality you can do better if you pay

Grado SR60i $79 One of the great audio bargains,

Grado midrange excellence, avoiding the upper-midrange dropouts and treble grunge

Bowers & Wilkins P5 $299

balance is attractive, especially if you value a clear midrange. The better than most. Instruments and voices are conveyed with a smoothness and level of detail quite reminiscent of the way things sound in life. A seductivesounding, comfortable, easy to drive, and relatively portable headphone. TM, PB 39 HiFiMAN HE-400 with Rev2 Drivers $399 Frankly, HiFiMAN stumbled out of the gate with original HE-400, experiencing a rash of driver failures. Happily, this became a blessing in disguise as