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Vivo Xplay review: $500 buys plenty of smartphone in China
A review of a smartphone that's primarily sold in China? Yes, that's exactly what this is, and with good reason. The Vivo Xplay merits attention because of the components it contains -- some of which are exotic, like its "HiFi grade" audio chips, and some of which are straightforward but desirable, like its huge, 5.7-inch 1080p display and Snapdragon 600 processor. The handset also helps to set a benchmark for what smartphone hardware is actually worth, since its $480 street price puts it closer to the smaller, Google-sponsored Nexus 5 ($350) than typical big-phones like the Galaxy Note 3 or HTC One Max, which fetch around $800 unlocked. Although US customers can import the Xplay for $520, it lacks the right bands for proper 3G support in North America and is actually more suitable for HSPA+ networks in the UK, where it costs £495. So, let's find out what China can deliver for that sort of money.
Onkyo's latest headphones add iOS controls to their posh copper cables
Does the choice of metal inside a headphone cable have much discernible impact on sound quality? It's a debate we'd struggle to contribute to, with ears as bruised as ours, but Onkyo clearly believes that such things matter. Its latest over-ears (the ES-CTI300) and in-ears (IE-CTI300) come with the company's first "super-conductive," oxygen-free 6N copper cable to include in-line controls for music and calls on iOS devices. The translucent cable is detachable, so you can switch it out if it gets damaged or if you'd prefer the older, seamless 6N cable (which has no controls) or the flat anti-tangle cable instead. Other specs are pretty much on a par with Onkyo's existing range, with the on-ears having 40mm titanium drivers tucked inside aluminum ear-cups, and with the in-ears using 14.3mm drivers inside hybrid aluminum/ABS resin enclosures. We're waiting to hear on US availability, but Brits should expect to find these products in stores from December, priced at £200 and £150 for the bigger and smaller pairs respectively. Oh, and depending on your own level of bruising, you might want to try them with Onkyo's new iOS app, which lets you play your iTunes library through a touch-adjustable equalizer that claims to have 16,000 discrete bands, no less.
Sony preps portable and integrated stereo amps for its High Resolution Audio series
Sony began catering to well-off audiophiles last month with its High Resolution Audio series, but it left out portable music fans and those with existing audio systems. The company is covering those gaps in its lineup this weekend. Its new PHA-2 (shown above) is billed as the first portable amplifier/DAC combo to support "virtually every" studio-grade audio format, including 24-bit/192KHz PCM files; it can handle digital audio from PCs and iOS devices, as well as analog audio for other sources. Listeners who are primarily stationary, meanwhile, may want the TA-A1ES integrated stereo amp (seen after the break). The audio companion puts a strong emphasis on reducing unwanted noise through a specially-designed chassis, gain volume control and transistors that minimize sound channel variations. The TA-A1ES is shipping this month for a hefty $1,999, but you'll have to be patient for the PHA-2 -- the portable amp won't arrive until March, when it will cost $600.
Bang & Olufsen promises 'second-to-none' experience from new wireless speaker technology
Wireless speakers still aren't usually the first choice of those primarily concerned with sound quality, but high-end manufacturer Bang & Olufsen is setting out to change that perception with its latest offering. Announced at the CEDIA conference this week, the company's new wireless speaker platform promises to deliver 24-bit, uncompressed audio to either a pair of speakers or a full 7.1 surround setup. To do that, the platform employs the WiSA open standard, which operates in the 5.2-5.8 GHz range, along with some more proprietary tech from B&O and Summit Semiconductor. The end result of that, the company says, is not only speakers that provide a "second-to-none multi-channel wireless experience," but ones that are compatible with any WiSA-compliant device. The company isn't quite ready to show off any new speakers based on the new platform just yet, though; it's saving that announcement for late October, when a new set of "Immaculate Wireless Sound" speakers is set to debut.
Sony Walkman F886 offers hi-res audio, 32GB storage, full Android 4.1 for £250
Gone are the days when you needed a niche media player just to handle hi-res music. Phones and tablets are already starting to support higher bit-rate standards and Sony has just announced that its latest Walkman does too. The Walkman F886 handles WAV, AIFF, FLAC and ALAC playback up to 192KHz/24-bit and sports an "S-Master" digital amplifier that Sony claims has been customized for precisely these sorts of files. The F886 also houses a 4-inch Triluminos (854 x 480) display, which should do slightly more justice to Android 4.1 (with full Google Play access) than last year's smaller F800. Sony conveniently glosses over the impact that playing 192KHz tracks will have on battery life, and how few of those files will actually fit on the 32GB of onboard storage (with no microSD expansion), but the company does promise 26 hours of playback of more reasonable 96KHz files on a single charge. Just bear in mind that, at around 1GB per hour of 96KHz/24-bitcontent, your playlist may well expire before your battery does. Expect the F886 to arrive in Europe in October for 319 euros or £249.
Nuforce Icon DAC and headphone amp arrives for Android, Mac and PC for $325
NuForce has been pumping out high end audio gear for the digitally inclined for years, and its latest effort is the Icon DAC and amp for Android, Mac and PC. It shares the same aluminum construction as the Icon iDo amp aimed at iDevice owners that was released in 2011. However, the latest Icon adds a few new features. While it still has analog RCA and digital coax output, the new model offers RCA and 3.5mm analog input as well as a USB connection for pulling in audio. Additionally, it can drive 600-ohm headphones thanks to its 8V output amp, and its DAC supports sampling rates up to 96kHz, 32 bits of resolution and direct stream digital decoding. It's available now for $325 for folks with Windows 7 or 8 PCs, Macs and Android devices running 4.1.1 or higher.
Sennheiser's HDVD 800 digital headphone amp now available in the US for $2,000
Analog may be king for audiophiles, but digital is the future, friends, and Sennheiser knows it. That's why it built the HDVD 800 digital headphone amplifier to improve the sound of your digital tunes, and now stateside listeners can finally get their mitts on the thing. That's right, folks, a year after it was revealed across the pond alongside its analog brother, Senn's digital offering's finally available in the US for just a nickel less than two grand. Folks looking to part with the necessary cash to improve their listening pleasure can do so at the company's online storefront linked below.
V-moda unveils Vamp Verza: a dockable, device-agnostic headphone amp and DAC for mobile audiophiles (update: video)
Last we heard from V-moda, the company was appealing to audiophile sensibilities with its $300 Crossfade M-100 portable headphones. Continuing in that respect, today it's officially unveiling the Vamp Verza as a followup to last summer's $650 iPhone 4/4S-purposed Vamp spy tool headphone amp, DAC & case combo. The aluminum-clad Verza is a device-agnostic solution that uses a sliding dock system with special $100 Metallo cases to give any supported devices a similar all-in-one feel to the original. At launch, a GS III case is available, with an iPhone 5 model a few weeks out -- the company is aiming to get GS IV and Note II cases out next. The unit's 150mW x 2 amplifier will bypass your iDevice's audio output via a USB port on its bottom, while an adjacent microUSB port can take advantage of the external sound card profile found in Android Jelly Bean. V-moda notes the microUSB port acts like a traditional USB audio device, so it'll work with mostly any device. As you might guess, both ports have their own specific DACs routing audio at different power levels to its op-amp.
HiFiMAN launches HM-901 'high resolution' audio player, we go ears and hands on
The humble personal music player has seen many iterations over the last few decades. That doesn't mean that people aren't still giving the area some love, and HiFiMAN is definitely flying the flag with its HM-901 Reference Music Player. The unit incorporates dual Saber ES9018 32-bit DAC chips, with upsampling 20 24-bit / 96kHz. It claims to be able to play most lossless audio formats, including Apple lossless. Of course, it'll still play your regular MP3s too, should you so desire. One neat trick is a removable amplifier card which means -- at a future date -- you could be able to swap them out for other amp cards that bestow a different sound, much like different guitar amps etc. Other forthcoming features include gapless playback, and the ability to use it as a WiFi music server. If you want some hard numbers, then HiFiMAN states that the distortion is less than 0.003 percent, with a signal to noise ratio of 107dB. Want to know the stereo cross talk? That'd be 86 db (line) and 76 db (headphone). Head past the break for our impressions.
Sennheiser gets back in the (video)game, refreshes renowned PC360, PC350 headsets (update)
Sure, many gamers will choose between the likes of Turtle Beach, Astro and Tritton for their headset needs, but let's not forget about Sennheiser. While the German headphone-maker hasn't announced anything too exciting for audiophile gamers in last few years, that's changed here at CES 2013. The ever-popular, and impressive sounding, PC350 and PC360 have finally been refreshed with features for times as the P350 Special Edition and the PC363D -- keep reading for the juicy details. Aside from some aesthetic tweaks, the two headsets continue to sport the look found on its HD500 series audiophile headphones. As such, both units are still wired, stereo headsets at their cores, loaded with swiveling boom microphones -- although non-removeable, placing the booms in the up position serves to mute the mics. The PC350 Special Edition features a closed back design with folding earcups for travel like the original, but with improved sound. Sennheiser claims it's enhanced the audio using "Eargonomic Acoustic Refinement," which aims the drivers more precisely at your ear canals. "What about the PC363D," you ask? The headset has the same velour pads as the PC360, but the back of the earcups have vents instead of grills. The big news, however, is that the headset comes bundled with a Dolby decoder box for virtual 7.1 surround sound that hooks in through your USB port. Essentially, this spares you the need to pick up the likes of a pricey Astro MixAmp or Turtle Beach DSS. (Correction: looks like this is going to be computer-only, folks.) The headsets will be available this month, with no word on pricing as of this writing. Check out the press release after the break for more in the meantime. Update: Despite Sennheiser claiming that these headsets officially launched at CES, some of our readers pointed out that both have been quietly available for at least some weeks now. Currently, Amazon US has the PC350 SE priced at $350, while its UK site has the PC363D set at £209.99 (roughly $337). We've pinged the company for clarification. Update 2: A rep from the company confirmed that Amazon has had a quiet exclusive on the headsets for about the past two months, noting they'll now be released to retailers in general.
V-Moda's M-100 headphones get priced at $300, will ship 'in time for the holidays'
It wasn't long ago when we got an early look an listen to a near-final version of V-Moda's audiophile-tuned M-100 lifestyle headphones -- and now, after months of crowd-sourcing feedback, the company is finally green-lighting mass production. You may recall that pricing and availability hadn't been set, but now the company has confirmed that the fashionable metal-clad cans will be ready by the holidays, priced at a cool $300. As a refresher, that dollar amount snags you the foldable mil-spec 810G-rated headphones themselves, a hard-shell case, a duo of 3.5mm cables (one with a single button remote / mic, and another with an auxiliary output), corks for both cable inputs on the earcups and a quarter-inch adapter. You'll have a choice in color between white with gray, black with red (pictured) and matte black with an orange cable, while adding in an extra 10 bucks also lets you add-on a second set of customizable back-plate 'shields' and its Fader earplugs. If you're eager to ensure you'll have your own pair once the M-100 headphones are ready to ship, they'll be up for pre-order by day's end at the source link below. You'll find more details in the press release after the break -- and don't forget to peruse our detailed ears-on and interview with owner Val Kolton from last week while you make up your mind.
Smartphones for audiophiles: is the iPhone 5 more musical than its rivals?
Related reviews Apple iPhone 5 Samsung Galaxy S III HTC Sensation XE (first phone with Beats Audio) The love of audio. It's a dangerous condition, because every minute spent obsessing over headphones or specs or conflicting opinions is a minute not spent enjoying your favorite tracks or discovering new ones. That's why a review like this, which compares the iPhone 5 with rival phones based largely on acoustic qualities, runs a high risk of time-wastage -- no one really needs a cacophony of flowery words with no concrete conclusions. How to steer clear of the technological equivalent of a wine-tasting? By trying our damnedest to focus only on the more practical pros and cons of these top handsets, specifically from the POV of someone who listens to a lot of music on their phone. We're talking about someone who likely prefers high-bitrate recordings and who is ready to spend money on something better than the earbuds (or EarPods) that come in the box. In addition to testing Apple's new flagship we'll also look at the iPhone 4S, which is now a ton cheaper than it was a few weeks ago, as well as the Galaxy S III (both the global and the Sprint US version) plus the HTC One X (global and AT&T), and run them all through an audiophile obstacle course that goes right from purely subjective observations through to slightly more scientific tests as well as storage, OS and battery comparisons. There'll also be some consideration of the iPhone 4, Nokia Lumia 800 and PureView 808, although it'll be more condensed. And yes, we'll end up with an overall winner, but the research here is about more than that. Different phones may suit different people, depending on their priorities. Moreover, new handsets are just around the corner -- the Lumia 920, the Note II, the LG Optimus G and whatever other goodies the future undoubtedly holds -- and so it makes sense to have a bed of knowledge against which new entrants can be judged. Interested? Then let's get started.
Oppo continues its legacy with two new top end Blu-ray players
Regarded as the best of the best when it comes to disc players, Oppo has two new ones that can easily handle any disc you've got. Physical media isn't the only game in town, obviously, so in addition to Netflix, Vudu and local file support like MKV, Oppo has stepped it up even further by adding an HDMI port in front for use as an MHL input. This allows you to leverage the high-end Oppo's processing to do wonders on content stored on your portable or other MHL source. Speaking of video processing, both the new guys use Marvell's Qdeo video processor and are capable of doing both 2D-to-3D conversion as well as up-scaling to 4K. From a control perspective, a back-lit remote is included, but there's also an IR input, RS-232 and mobile phone apps. The BDP-103 will surely satisfy any videophile at $499 this October, but if you happen to be an audiophile too, then you'd probably want to wait until the BDP-105 is released later this year. Not only does it feature two ESS Sabre32 Reference DACs and a Toroidal linear power supply, but there are also dedicated stereo outputs with both RCA and XLR balanced connections and a headphone amplifier -- if you know what all that is, we're sure you really want it.
SteelSeries Flux and Flux In-Ear Pro headsets ears-on (video)
"This is the best sounding in-ear product below $250," SteelSeries' Chief Marketing Officer, Kim Rom, told us between songs. "I'll go on record saying that." Rom was talking about the firm's new Flux In-Ear Pro headset, and had similar words for the brand's foldable on-ear Flux cans. The earbuds and their full sized companions are part of the company's "freedom to play" campaign, and it has the utmost confidence in them. Rom even told us the foldable Flux headset lasted 90 minutes in the firm's "soccer test," a SteelSeries tradition that plays out exactly like it sounds: international football with consumer electronics. Our hands-on was decidedly less rough.
Biostar Hi-Fi Z77X gives audiophiles 7.1-channel analog sound, overpriced cables thankfully optional
There haven't been many choices in PC motherboards for audiophiles -- the 'real' kind that might see even a good dedicated sound card as slumming it. Biostar wants to fill that untapped niche with the Hi-Fi Z77X. Along with run-of-the-mill expansion for an Ivy Bridge- or Sandy Bridge-based desktop, the board's built-in 7.1-channel audio flaunts six 3.5mm analog jacks, an amp and the kind of exotic-sounding language that leads audio addicts to buy $2,000 cables they don't need. We're talking "metal-oxide film resistors" and "non-polarized electrolysis electric audio capacitors," here. Whether or not the changes have an appreciable impact on sound quality, listeners are ironically left out of S/PDIF audio, which exists only as a header on the board unless buyers spend a little more on parts. That said, if we assume the as yet unknown price isn't stereotypically high -- and that audiophiles don't mind a big, potentially noisy desktop as a home theater PC -- the Hi-Fi Z77x could be a treat for those who want to wring every nuance out of music and movie soundtracks.
Beats increases its share ownership to 75%, lets HTC keep 'commercial exclusivity in mobile'
Although HTC and Beats are just shy of the one-year anniversary of their 300 million dollar partnership, it looks like the two are again growing apart. In a letter to shareholders today, it's been announced that the original owners of Beats plan to buy back 25 percent of its own shares, for a total ownership stake of 75 percent. That said, HTC will still retain nearly 25 percent of the remaining shares for itself, ensuring that it remains the largest external shareholder. As the release puts it, this new setup "provides Beats with more flexibility for global expansion while maintaining HTC's major stake and commercial exclusivity in mobile." All in all, it seems like this is more about shifting priorities given recent news like Beats' MOG acquisition, but it wouldn't make eventual breakup all the more unsurprising given the partnership's mixed results.
Sonos Sub review
More Info Sonos' wireless Sub adds extra thump to your Sonos system for $700 (ears-on) Sonos Play:3 review Sonos S5 ears-on review: a premium iPod speaker dock without the dock Every audio product Sonos has delivered so far has worked on the assumption that you would never need anything else after you bought it, whether it's linking to a sound system you already owned or an all-in-one system that Sonos built itself, like the Play:3 or Play:5 (born as the S5). The newly released Sub, by its nature, is entirely dependent on having one of the two Play speakers, and shows the company is becoming more of a traditional audio brand with a full ecosystem. A primary Sonos component can now be just the first step in a growing collection that improves as you expand it -- much as you'd buy a basic stereo, then better speakers, then more at a high-end audio shop. The Sub's $699 price certainly catapults any Sonos system into high-end territory, however, and sets some decidedly lofty expectations for how it will perform. We'll find out after the break if the sheer power and a few clever tricks are enough for the Sub to be an essential ingredient of a wireless home audio setup.%Gallery-158435%
V-MODA VAMP makes the case for audiophiles with money to burn
Audiophiles who are less than thrilled with the sound that they get from their iPhone 4 or 4S now have a new companion accessory that is bound to make a difference in the quality of their listening experience. The US$650 V-MODA VAMP, available today from V-MODA.com and Amazon.com, is a rather different iPhone 4/4S case that packs a lot of power and sophistication in to a solid metal casing. This isn't just a battery case, although it packs a 2200 mAh battery. It uses an audiophile-grade digital-to-analog converter (DAC) to extract the digital audio signal of the iPhone, and then runs it through a two-channel 150 mW amplifier (five times more powerful than that built into the iPhone) to bump up the signal. The VAMP has two audio processing modes built-in: the PURE mode processes audio to provide the truest sounding audio playback, while a VQ mode adds a "slight spatial 3D soundstage, tightened bass, and increased treble attack" to punch up the sound. %Gallery-158089% All of this is integrated into a brushed aluminum case with red highlights. The area that cradles the iPhone 4/4S is made of a silicone material for easy insertion and removal of the phone, as well as protecting it from bumps. Probably the most unique feature of the VAMP is the built-in optical audio output. This allows audiophiles to connect the VAMP to an A/V receiver or DJ mixer over Toslink or S/PDIF optical audio. As V-MODA notes, once your phone has been retired from your pocket, you can still use it as a high-grade audio source. The company is donating $50 of the sale of every VAMP to the InTheLoop Foundation, a non-profit that exists to educate and promote "safe sound." As expected with an accessory that costs more than most iPhones, the VAMP also comes with a one-year warranty. I had an opportunity to try the VAMP prior to its release. Charging is done through an included USB to mini-USB cable, but a "charging brick" isn't included with this expensive case -- instead, you'll need to use the AC adapter that came with your iPhone 4 or 4S. I tried to use another charging brick that apparently wasn't the right type, as the device didn't charge the first time. After using the suggested Apple adapter, I thought it was charged (a couple of LEDs on the side of the box showed orange and green), but a quick test showed me that was not the case. After perusing the included user's manual for a few minutes, I finally found the secret -- the VAMP must be switched on prior to charging. That's different from most devices, where the state of the device doesn't make any difference to charging. The device finally got charged, and then it was keynote Monday... Finally, I had the opportunity to give the VAMP a try. To test, I queued up several songs in a few different musical genres, grabbed my pair of V-MODA Crossfade LP headphones, popped the iPhone 4S into the VAMP, and flipped the toggle switch to "on." You can tell it's on because the switch itself glows red, and the optical output also glows red due to the laser inside. Of course, my Crossfades don't use optical audio; just a standard 1/8" plug. To compare the sound output from the VAMP, I listened first to the songs through the standard iPhone headphone jack to get a feel for the sound quality. Next, I jacked the Crossfades into the VAMP and listened to the same song at approximately the same volume using the PURE mode. There was a difference in the quality of the sound that was almost immediately noticeable. Bass was more crisp, highs seemed more precise, and was surprised by how long sustains in some songs could be heard with PURE or VQ turned on. Listening to an acoustic guitar piece I'm very familiar with, I was amazed to hear a fingering error that wasn't apparent when I listened to the tune through the iPhone's built-in jack. I preferred the PURE sound to V-MODA's eQualization mode (AKA VQ) -- VQ tended to accentuate the bass a bit too much for my taste. For DJs who want to push bass, VQ will probably be the setting of choice. Music of all genres sounded much more realistic and "live" through the VAMP than it does through the iPhone's jack. Both old recordings and those that benefit from state-of-the-art recording techniques had an improved sound. As I've mentioned in previous reviews of Mac and iOS audio accessories, a lot of the relative "improvements" in sound can be very subjective. What I hear and what you discern are two different things. But I found that there was enough of an improvement in sound quality through the VAMP to not only be immediately noticeable, but also bump up the emotional impact of the music I was listening to. I was not able to test the optical audio out, which provides 48 kHz, 16-bit output to sound systems and DJ mixers. I did experience a few technical issues with the VAMP. When I plugged the headphones into the VAMP's output port, I occasionally heard interference from the phone that was not apparent when I was plugged directly into the iPhone, as well as a very soft hiss. Both sounds were rather quiet, as I never heard them while listening to music, but they might be discernible at higher volume levels. For that reason, DJs using the VAMP might want to put their iPhones into Airplane Mode before connecting the VAMP to a sound system or mixer. Conclusion: V-MODA's VAMP is a unique product, providing audiophile-level amplification and sound processing to sound output from the iPhone 4 and 4S. It does a remarkable job of improving the sound from an iPhone. However, the price point of $650 makes it out of reach of all but the most well-heeled consumers who want better sound. PROS: Obvious improvement in sound quality through headphones. Optical output from iPhone is perfect for audiophiles and DJs. Battery pack can be used to charge the iPhone as well as provide sound processing and amplification. Impressive and attractive design. Silicone liner surrounding iPhone makes device easy to insert and remove, also provides good protection for the iPhone. CONS: Ridiculously high price point. Interference from iPhone is audible. Adds bulk and weight to the iPhone. WHO IS IT FOR? Audiophiles with unlimited money to spend, DJs who want to use their iPhones as a digital music source.
Denon turns up the volume with 11 new headphone models featuring iOS app integration
If you're looking for something new to wrap around your noggin this coming season, then put it on your radar that Denon will be bringing 11 new sets of headphones to store shelves this August. That number might seem like quite a lot to digest, but it becomes a lot easier when broken down by category. First is the Exercise Freak lineup, a wrap-around earbud design that sells for $149 and will be available in black, blue and yellow. Beyond that, the company has three additional lineups -- the Music Maniac, the Urban Raver and the Globe Cruiser -- and each will be available in earbud and over-the-ear form factors. The Music Maniac headphones ($349 and $499) are designed to cater to audio purists with an acoustically flat signature. Most notable about the Music Maniac lineup is the top shelf Artisan model, which rings in at a healthy $1,199 and pits itself against other audiophile mainstays such as the Sennheiser HD800 and Audez'e LCD2. Meanwhile, the Urban Ravers ($249 and $399) place a heavy emphasis on bass, whereas the Globe Cruisers ($179 and $499) feature noise cancellation. As a nice touch, each of the models feature built-in microphones and volume controls. Denon is supplying iOS apps for each family of headphones, which is a bit of a novel idea, but they vary significantly among lineups. Music Maniac purchasers will be treated to a music app that combines EQ adjustment and integration with TuneIn Radio, while the app for Urban Raver owners focuses on sharing and discovering new music via Facebook and Twitter. Globe Cruiser users will (oddly enough) be treated to a travel app, whereas Exercise Freak owners will find an app that features GPS integration for activity tracking. If it's any redemption for the fragmented assortment of apps, Denon owners may purchase each individual selection in the App Store for $0.99. If your head isn't spinning yet, feel free to check out the PR after the break. %Gallery-156612%
playGo USB hands-on: Like AirTunes, only better
Right now, if you want to pump music on your Mac or PC to some nice speakers or a stereo in your house, you have a few options. With iTunes, you can always use AirTunes to wirelessly connect your laptop or desktop machine to an AppleTV or an Airport Express Wi-Fi base station that's connected to a stereo or speakers. playGo is a US$449.99 piece of hardware from Bicom that doesn't rely on Wi-Fi to stream lossless sound to speakers. TUAW received a review unit recently, and here's my take on this bit of audiophile technology. Design The playGo comes in two colors -- white or orange -- and is made up of two pieces; the playGo tx, which transmits music from your computer, and the playGo rx, which receives the signal and connects to speakers or an amplifier. The playGo pair is machined of Corian, the rock-hard material that's used for countertops. The units are then hand-assembled, and the quality of construction is pretty obvious. The disk-shaped (4" diameter by 1" high) playGo tx connects to your computer via a USB to micro-USB cable, and is bus-powered. The square playGo rx (4" x 4" x 1" high), which looks like a larger, bleached version of the current Apple TV, must be plugged in, and includes a pair of gold-plated RCA connectors and a single digital audio out port. There are no controls on the tx unit with the exception of a single connect button on the bottom. On the rx are capacitive touch controls that are engraved into the unit -- a power button, play/pause button, beginning/previous and end/next buttons, and volume up/down buttons. %Gallery-156595% The specs for the digital output are impressive: 24-bit/96khz digital spdif output (TOSLINK), 192kHz option Burr-brown SRC4192 sample rate converter Clock regeneration for jitter-free clocking Distortion-free volume control (256 step 0dB to -127.5dB digital attenuation) and the analog output is no slouch either: 24-bit/96khz digital to analog conversion 106dB dynamic range -93dB THD+N 2V output Gold plated RCA connectors Green LEDs illuminate the center band of the playGo rx and tx units when they're in operation. How playGo USB works For me, the test of how well-implemented a hardware device is revolves around the need or lack of a user manual. Fortunately, one was not included with the unit I was testing, so I had no choice but to bravely start plugging equipment together. The tx unit was plugged into my office iMac with the included USB cable with its gold-plated connectors, while the rx went downstairs into a Bose home theatre unit. When the playGo tx was plugged in, the middle of the unit glowed red, indicating that it was not yet connected to an rx unit. The second that I plugged in the rx unit, both glowed green to show that they were talking to each other. Setting up output was as simple as pulling up System Preferences and choosing the Sound settings, then selecting the playGo tx as the output device. During playback of tunes from my iMac, the playGo rx LEDs pulsed green to indicate that it was busy receiving tunes. Powering down the unit causes the power button to glow white so that it's easy to find when you want to power up again. I made a connection to the speakers through the traditional analog cables and was instantly rewarded with crisp, clear music coming through the Bose unit. As mentioned earlier, the playGo USB doesn't use Wi-Fi, so there's no Wi-Fi connection required. It uses its own wireless protocol that doesn't interfere with others, so you're assured that it's not chewing up your network bandwidth when you're playing music. The big plus of the playGo USB is just how easy it is to set up. I didn't need a user manual, I went through no complicated setup process; instead, it was truly plug and play. One concern I do have is that Bicom advertises the playGo USB as being able to simultaneously transmit music to multiple rx units in different rooms, but there's no indication that they sell the rx units separately. The future and my conclusions Bicom apparently realizes that the market for this device is somewhat limited, as they've recently begun a Kickstarter project to bring the playGo AP1 device to market. This will be an AirPlay-compatible version of the playGo, so that any Wi-Fi connected iOS device or Mac can beam music to the box. Since Wi-Fi setup will be required for the playGo AP1, the new device will include Ethernet and USB outlets on the back. The design remains pretty much the same. I can't help but feel that the playGo USB won't be a big seller and that Bicom is betting the house on the AP1 instead. The price tag of the present unit definitely puts it into the realm of audiophiles who aren't averse to spending a few hundred bucks for a new way to move music around. The AP1 is less expensive since it won't require a separate tx unit, and that may make it more attractive to a larger audience. I was very impressed with the playGo USB. The setup process was the first I can honestly describe as plug and play; it just worked. The sound quality of the music beamed from my iMac to the Bose home theatre unit about 50 feet away was exceptional, and the build quality of the paired devices is unparalleled (except for Apple products). Whether you decide to back the playGo AP1 project and wait for that edition of the device, or if you buy a playGo USB now, Bicom and the playGo product both bear watching in the future.