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Darko.Audio podcast

124Β Episodes
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This episode brought to you by AudioQuest
π https://bit.ly/4fIkmaU
w/ 6moons' Srajan Ebaen
0:00 Intro
0:46 Shanling
7:37 Virtual Hi-Fi
14:05 Co-linear Acoustics
30:45 FitUEyes
51:04 Bluesound
58:32 Qualio Audio
1:03:12 Hiby
1:10:03 iFi / SilentPower
1:20:00 Exact Express & Furutech
π As discussed in this episode...
Shanling
π https://amzn.to/4fsQTTM
π https://darko.audio/2025/08/shanlings-cd80-ii-is-a-359-tray-loading-cd-player/
Bluesound
π https://amzn.to/4fvnqbN
π https://darko.audio/2025/06/bluesound-teases-home-theatre-leaning-powernode/
Hiby
π https://amzn.to/3HulRyl
π https://darko.audio/2025/07/hibys-uc10-is-a-29-usb-s-pdif-converter-for-smartphones-tablets/
FituEyes
π https://amzn.to/3UmdNCQ
π https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/fitueyes-eiffel-rack
Virtual Hifi
π https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/virtual-hifi-viper
CoLinear Aocustics:
π https://colinear-acoustics.co.uk/about
Qualio Audio:
π https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/qualio-iq30
Exact Express
π https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/exact-express-earth-jumpers
Furutech
π https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/furutech-flow-28
iFi / SIlentPower
π https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/silentpower-omni-usb
w/ Twittering Machines' Michael Lavorgna
π This episode brought to you by Bowers & Wilkins
https://bit.ly/4ggz8X0
π Darko's choices:
Was (Not Was) - Out Come The Freaks (1984)
π https://amzn.to/44gVK6H
π https://www.discogs.com/master/55697-Was-Not-Was-The-Woodwork-Squeaks
Thin White Rope - The Ruby Sea (1991)
π https://amzn.to/3GaMEPO
π https://www.discogs.com/master/236818-Thin-White-Rope-The-Ruby-Sea
Fila Brazillia - Maim That Tune (1995)
π https://filabraz.bandcamp.com/album/maim-that-tune-30th-anniversary-re-master
π https://www.discogs.com/master/67440-Fila-Brazillia-Maim-That-Tune
Bright Eyes - I'm Wide Awake It's Morning (2005)
π https://amzn.to/4la9pm1
π https://www.discogs.com/master/3010-Bright-Eyes-Im-Wide-Awake-Its-Morning
Thomas Fehlmann - Gute Luft (2010)
π https://amzn.to/4nAyOXH
π https://www.discogs.com/master/238758-Thomas-Fehlmann-Gute-Luft
Automat - Ostwest (2016)
π https://amzn.to/4lz473T
π https://www.discogs.com/master/1091919-Automat-Ostwest
Bohren und Der Club of Gore - Bohren for Beginners (2016/2022)
π https://amzn.to/4eCtAq5
π https://www.discogs.com/master/2079847-Bohren-Und-Der-Club-Of-Gore-Bohren-For-Beginners
π Lavorgna's choices:
Mal Waldron - The Quest (1962)
π https://amzn.to/4eVSaml
π https://www.discogs.com/master/288946-Mal-Waldron-With-Eric-Dolphy-And-Booker-Ervin-The-Quest
The Birthday Party - The Friend Catcher 12" (1983)
π https://www.discogs.com/release/377249-The-Birthday-Party-The-Friend-Catcher
EinstΓΌrzende Neubauten - YΓΌ-Gung (1985)
π https://www.discogs.com/master/7604-Einst%C3%BCrzende-Neubauten-Y%C3%BC-Gung
Martha Argerich - Bach (2000)
π 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)
π https://amzn.to/44ghrDU
π https://www.discogs.com/master/2381503-Lonely-Guest-Lonely-Guest
Jessica Pratt - Here in the Pitch (2024)
π https://amzn.to/4kq4Vq2
π https://www.discogs.com/master/3474940-Jessica-Pratt-Here-In-The-Pitch
π 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 'π'.
Darko.Audio is an Amazon Associates Program member, an Audio Advice Program member and a Howl Program member.
This episode brought to you by AudioQuest
π 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.
π As discussed in this episode...
Sennheiser BTD 700 (Yes, I mistakenly call it the 'BDT 700' in this episode π )
π https://amzn.to/4jRNYEG
π https://darko.audio/2025/06/add-aptx-lossless-to-any-smartphone-for-e50/
Chord Electronics Suze Amp system
π https://darko.audio/2025/06/chords-suzi-turns-the-hugo-2-2go-into-a-streaming-amplifier/
Cambridge Audio MXW 70
π https://darko.audio/2025/06/cambridges-mxw70-is-a-599-class-d-power-amplifier/
Stack Audio:
π https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/stack-audio-rack-use/
π https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/stack-audio-auva-70/
π https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/stack-audio-vinyl-helpers/
Virtual Hifi:
π https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/virtual-hifi-vibron/
π https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/virtual-hifi-viper/
OnFilter:
π https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/onfilter/
Darko.Audio may earn a small commission from items purchased via affiliate links, as indicated by a 'π'.
This episode is brought to you by AudioQuest
π 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.
This episode brought to you by Munich High-End 2025
π 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
π As discussed in this episode...
Pro-Ject Flatten It
π https://darko.audio/2025/03/say-buh-bye-to-warped-vinyl-with-pro-jects-flatten-it/
Musical Fidelity X-Tube
π https://darko.audio/2025/03/how-to-add-tubes-to-any-dac-streamer-or-cd-player-for-e499/
Shanling Onix Zenith XST20
π https://darko.audio/2025/03/the-onix-zenith-xst20-is-a-new-sacd-transport-from-shanling/
Kinki Studio x Vinshine Tai Hang
π https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/tai-hang/
Meze Poet
π https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/meze-poet/
DMAX PH61
π https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/dmax-ph61/
Cables and power products by AudioQuest
π https://audioadvice.io/Audioquest
Hi-fi furniture and speaker stands by Solid Steel
π https://howl.me/ckbW9947Hdi
Room treatment by Vicoustic
π https://audioadvice.io/Vicoustic
Darko.Audio may earn a small commission from items purchased via affiliate links, as indicated by a 'π'.
w/ Auralic's ex-CEO Xuanqian Wang
This episode brought to you by High-End Munich 2025
π https://www.highendsociety.de/high-end-44.html
Auralic Aquila X3
π https://darko.audio/2025/01/auralic-readies-aquila-x3-network-streamer/
Auralic Aquila X3 online configuration tool
π http://x3.auralic.com/
w/ Vivid Audio's Laurence Dickie
This episode is brought to you by Bowers & Wilkins TW IEMs:
π https://bit.ly/4ggz8X0
Vivid Kaya series
π https://vividaudio.com/kaya/
This episode is brought to you by AudioQuest:
π 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
π As discussed in this podcast
AURALIC Aquila X3
π https://darko.audio/2025/01/auralic-readies-aquila-x3-network-streamer/
FiiO / Snowski Retro Nano
π https://darko.audio/2025/01/a-usb-bluetooth-dac-that-looks-like-a-cassette-tape/
T+A Pulsar S130
π https://darko.audio/2025/01/tas-pulsar-s-130-are-designed-for-sub-optimal-listening-rooms/
Zu Method monitor & sub:
π https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/zu-method/
Aune S17Pro Evo
π https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/aune-s17pro-evo/
Laiv Β΅DDC
π https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/laiv-uddc/
βοΈ PATREON
www.patreon.com/johndarko
w/ Eelco Grimm
π https://www.grimmaudio.com/
This episode is brought to you by T+A:
π https://www.ta-hifi.de/
This episode is brought to you by AudioQuest:
π https://bit.ly/3S9qPmf
w/ 6moons' Srajan Ebaen
βοΈ PATREON
www.patreon.com/johndarko
π OJAS x KLIPSCH kO-R1
https://www.klipsch.com/uk/products/klipsch-ojas-ko-r1-ko-r1-2-way-multicell-loudspeaker
π Aune SR7000
https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/aune-sr-7000/
π Aune AR5000
https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/aune-ar5000/
π Focal Diva Utopia
https://darko.audio/2024/10/focals-diva-utopia-is-future-fi-for-cashed-up-listeners/
π Singxer SA-90
https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/singxer-sa-90/
π Shanling CR60
https://darko.audio/2024/09/shanlings-cr60-is-a-269-cd-transport-cd-ripper/
π Voxativ Hagen2
https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/voxativ-hagen-2/
w/ Eelco Grimm
Grimm MU2 preview: https://darko.audio/2024/09/in-berlin-for-review-the-grimm-mu2/
PATREON βοΈ:
www.patreon.com/johndarko
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
π As mentioned in this podcast...
Dyson OnTrac
π https://www.dyson.com/headphones
Rotel A8
π https://darko.audio/2024/07/rotel-readies-affordable-a8-integrated-but-theres-a-catch/
Laiv Harmony HP2A
π https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/laiv-hp2a/
Astell&Kern Activo P1
π https://darko.audio/2024/07/astellkerns-activo-p1-dap-takes-a-swing-at-the-mainstream/
Forza Audioworks C-MARC headphone cables
π https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/forza-audioworks-medicine/
LessLoss Firewall for Headphones
π https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/lessloss-firewall-for-headphones/
Pro-Ject Debut Pro B
π https://darko.audio/2024/08/pro-ject-readies-balanced-equipped-debut-pro-b/
π https://www.henleyaudio.co.uk/tech-support/turntable-support/true-balanced-connections/
w/ IAG's Peter Comeau
ππ» This episode is brought to you by PSB:
https://www.psbspeakers.com/
PATREON:
www.patreon.com/johndarko
SHOW NOTES:
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:
βοΈ 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
π As discussed in this podcast...
FiiO DM13
π https://darko.audio/2024/07/a-portable-cd-player-in-2024/
FiiO K11 R2R
π https://darko.audio/2024/07/is-fiios-k11-the-most-affordable-r2r-dac-available-right-now/
IKEA MITTZON room treatments
π https://darko.audio/2024/06/cheap-easy-room-treatment-with-ikeas-new-mittzon-range/
Palma DHS-1
π https://6moons.com/industry_articles/yo-palma/
Triangle Capella
π https://darko.audio/2024/07/french-future-fi-triangle-capella-streaming-speakers/
Exact Express & Silent Power
π https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/exactexpress-flame-cables/
Meze Alba
π https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/meze-alba/
Linear Tube Audio Velo
π https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/linear-tube-audio-velo/
Linear Tube Audio Aero
π https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/lta-aero-2nd-opinion/
with Twittering Machines' Michael Lavorgna
This episode is brought to you by T+A:
π https://www.ta-hifi.de/en/
Show notes up at Darko.Audio
PATREON:
https://www.patreon.com/johndarko
https://www.patreon.com/michaellavorgna
with Jesco Lohan
This episode is brought to you by T+A:
π https://www.ta-hifi.de/en/
Care to buy me a βοΈ? https://www.patreon.com/johndarko
0:00 Intro
1:26 Voodoo
3:57 RT60
8:04 SchrΓΆder
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
π As mentioned in this video...
All room treatment/s by Vicoustic
π https://audioadvice.io/Vicoustic
What are those green speakers?
π https://howl.me/cl1S8kB69fo
Jesco's website
π https://www.jescolohan.com/
More about RT60
πΊ https://youtu.be/dp_OdILUEkA
My first room treatment (Berlin)
πΊ https://youtu.be/3N-yG_Y7XEc
My first interview with Jesco Lohan
πΊ https://youtu.be/cTnituQu8ig
Cables and power products by AudioQuest
π https://audioadvice.io/Audioquest
Hi-fi furniture and speaker stands by Solid Steel
π https://howl.me/ckbW9947Hdi
Darko.Audio may earn a small commission from items purchased via affiliate links, as indicated with a 'π'.
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:
βοΈ 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
π As mentioned in this podcast...
Sony Xperia 1 VI
π https://amzn.to/3VlGC3s
FiiO KA2
π https://amzn.to/4efK5rQ
Moondrop MIAD-01
π https://moondroplab.com/en/products/miad01
Marantz Model M1
π https://www.audioadvice.com/marantz-model-m1-wireless-streaming-amp-2-1?referral=darko
Campfire Bonneville
π https://www.campfireaudio.com/products/bonneville
Campfire Holocene
π https://www.campfireaudio.com/products/holocene
MonAcoustics website:
π https://monacoustic.us
6moons VC2 preview:
π https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/monacoustics-vc2/
Fyne Acoustics webpage for SuperTrax
π https://www.fyneaudio.com/supertrax-series
Basel Acoustics
π https://basel-acoustics.ch
6moons V01 preview
π https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/basel-acoustics-v01/
Cube Audio website
π http://cubeaudio.eu
6moons Lotus 10 preview
π https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/cubeaudio-lotus10/
Cables and power products by AudioQuest
π https://audioadvice.io/Audioquest
Hi-fi furniture and speaker stands by Solid Steel
π https://howl.me/ckbW9947Hdi
Room treatment by Vicoustic
π https://audioadvice.io/Vicoustic
Darko.Audio may earn a small commission from items purchased via affiliate links, which are indicated with a 'π'.
#smartphone #sony #audiophile
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:
βοΈ www.patreon.com/johndarko
π As discussed in this episode...
π As mentioned in this podcast...
Record Store Day
π https://recordstoreday.com/
LAiV
π https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/laiv-audio-harmony-dac/
π https://www.laiv.audio
Plexamp & Audiolab
π https://darko.audio/2024/04/audiolab-adds-plexamp-support-to-9000n-streaming-dac/
Lindemann
π https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/lindemann-move/
π https://lindemann-audio.de/?lang=en
Steven Wilson & Dolby Atmos
π 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
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:
βοΈ www.patreon.com/johndarko
π 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/
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:
βοΈ www.patreon.com/johndarko
π As discussed in this episode...
Naim Uniti Nova Power Edition
π https://darko.audio/2024/01/shock-horror-naim-goes-class-d-with-uniti-nova-pe/
Hifi Rose RA280
π https://darko.audio/2024/02/hifi-rose-announces-ra280-a-less-bonkers-ganfet-amplifier/
Antelope Audio Atlas i8
π https://en.antelopeaudio.com/products/atlas-i8/
Carbide Audio isolation footers
π http://carbide.audio
π https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/carbide-sapphire-micro-nano/
π https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/carbide-audio-diamond/
π https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/carbide-audio/
LHY Media Converter
π https://www.beatechnik.com/lhy-audio
π https://6moons.com/industry_articles/fmc/
RAAL 1995
π http://raalribbon.com (currently under revision)
π https://raalrequisite.com
π https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/raal-1995-magna-immanis/
argh. after living in Portland for 1 year i had to turn off after he said "antifa doesnt exist". It was almost as if he was just dying to get that into the convo. shame. im still a beginner and was keen on this until i heard that. cant respectbsomeones opinion if it that's 1 sided and delusional. cheers to all your other podcasts and website mate. all very solid. so happy to see you kick on. you deserve it. and i love seeing proper techno on play on your reviews. cheers. ed
Really enjoyed this John, more of the same please. Maybe Marquis Hawkes or Crooked man?
Been waiting for this... Thank you
I think ultimately the CD quality is good enough. What has to be improved is the sound engineering and the recording phase.
I also think location is a key component to Zeppelin & Co success. Sim Lim Square is an international 'tech' draw card. Massive/bustling foot traffic- where people might like the timeout of coffee and a sit down.
Ep 19. - Great conversation. I can't help but think but most, if not all, are stumbling their way through social media strategy - even the 'experts'.
Great podcast!
love the show