Presumably, as long as there has been recorded music, there have been people trying to perfect the art of listening to it. I’d like to imagine these folks in the 1890s, some sort of proto-audiophile, insisting a certain cranking method or wax sourcing makes for a better Edison Cylinder listening experience. Realistically speaking, however, modern-day audiophiles find their roots in the late ’60s and ’70s with the rise of home HiFi systems, when the age of serious audio systems as we know them today became prolific.
Since then, we’ve gone from vinyl, to 8-tracks, then cassettes, to CDs, MP3s, back to vinyl, and now high-resolution digital audio files as popular listening media. And throughout those 50-plus years and many format changes, there remained at least one constant: if you want a HiFi listening experience, you are looking at a home system.
However, as we have become more smartphone-centric, we’ve come to expect multiple facets of our lives to fit in our pocket, resulting in our ability to order a pizza without talking to anyone, find a date, take a picture of the pizza to share with our friends, and then never call that date again (which I guess doesn’t require a phone at all). In a Shyamalanian-style twist! this trend has extended itself to HiFi audio, and you can now get a portable audio experience that, in many ways, rivals that of a home system. Here’s a list of top-shelf audio products that don’t require, well, a shelf.
Portable Player
Since this list is gear-centric, we are taking Hi-Res digital files as a given, and start with high-quality portable players. Astell&Kern has created a reputation for producing some of the most sought-after items in the portable audiophile market (typically with a hefty price tag), and with good reason.
Taking a look at the AK 240 Portable Hi-Fi System, you’ll get all of your digital file types supported, including WAV, FLAC, AAC, MP3, and DSD. Unlike many players that handle DSD, the AK240 plays back DSD files as opposed to converting them into PCM prior to the digital to analog conversion. It also sports a dual DAC setup, so the left and right channels have independent conversion, providing pronounced stereo separation. A bonus of the AK 240 is that it can function as a USB DAC, as well, for when you’re listening at home.
If your father didn’t give you a small loan of a few million bucks to start your business, and your budget is a little more modest, fear not—you too can have access to Hi-Res on the go. Our friends at Astell&Kern offer the AK Jr, which forgoes some of the more advanced features of the AK240, but not its attention to quality or detail. The Jr provides a single Wolfson WM8740 DAC, and supports FLAC, WAV, ALAC, AIFF playback, as well as DSD (after converting it to PCM prior to the D to A stage). Like the AK 240, it will function as a USB DAC.
If DSD compatibility isn’t a need for you, there’s the FiiO X1, which gives WAV, FLAC, WMA, APE, and ALAC file compatibility and a Texas Instrument PCM5142 DAC chip for its digital to analog conversion.
Portable DAC
“But Jaime,” you say, taking a somewhat overly familiar tone considering we haven’t met, “I already carry my phone with me everywhere. A separate music player seems like a bit much.” Well, luckily for you, there are options to get that lackluster built-in digital to analog converter in your phone up to snuff. Or if you’re an iPhone user, your new audio reality. Coming in with one of the smallest form factors available, the AudioQuest DragonFly Black connects to your iOS, Android, Mac, or PC via USB (with an adapter where needed) and gives you improved audio, thanks to its 32-bit ESS Sabre chip. The DragonFly Black is one of the most straightforward options you have, offering no other controls for plug-and-play simplicity.
No stranger to high-quality audio, Shure has gotten into the game with its audiophile quality SHA900 Hi-Res DAC and headphone amplifier. The additional size (compared to the DragonFly) does pay off with more features, including an integrated headphone amp for driving lower-ohm headphones, a 4-band parametric EQ, and a line input to accompany the headphone out. iOS and Android compatible, the SHA900 comes with two security bands to hold the device to your phone.
Headphones
The headphone industry has established itself as a multi-billion-dollar enterprise, which has some pros and cons for the consumer. Pro, you have a vast selection of makes and models to select from, ranging from in-ear to on-ear, and over-ear, in just about every conceivable style of ear. Con, headphones have become somewhat of a status symbol, and you can drop a lot of cash on a pair and end up with a fancy-lookin’, mediocre-sounding pair of cans. Here are a few that cater to the more sonically discriminating among us.
Audeze has, in a short time, made itself one of the most discussed names in high-end headphones, especially here at B&H. The company employs magnetic planar drivers, which my colleague, Dan Bockrath, explains all about in this B&H Explora article for those looking for an excellent Internet rabbit hole down which to fall. The nickel tour: the technology provides accurate transient and bass response, as is evidenced in the SINE headphones, which sport a lighter-weight design than some of the models that made them popular among audiophiles.
The Spirit Classic, from monitor heavyweight Focal, is a fan favorite among the Web Content audio writers, myself included, providing a balanced and full listening experience that caters to most musical styles, but shines especially on jazz and classical.
Grado has been making audio components for seemingly as long as there have been consumer headphones, and this company’s headphones are handmade in Brooklyn (yes, before it was cool to be there). The GS1000e model provides a staggering 8 Hz to 35 kHz frequency response (so you can share them with your dog) and have a classic, somewhat vintage visual aesthetic.
Now Put ’em Together
When you’re looking to create a solid portable Hi-Fi system, the audio rule of “you’re only as good as the weakest link in your chain” remains true. You’ll get your best experience using all your equipment together, so if you’re working with a budget, I’d recommend getting your headphones sorted out, and then a DAC, like the Dragonfly, to work with your smartphone if you don’t have the funds handy to grab a dedicated player yet.
Have any favorite high-end portable audio components? Tell us about them in the Comments section, below.
