Audio Science Review Review

Discussion in 'Audio Science' started by purr1n, Aug 30, 2020.

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  1. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    Being friends doesn't stop me from being blunt about anything @zach915m hands me to test. :) Actually made for a funny RMAF story a couple years back...

    Anyway, usually I try to be polite and consider varying tastes and design approaches unless I think something really just isn't anywhere near where it needs to be. The more willing you are to work together long-term, rather than searching for a pat on the back, the better for you, and the better for all of us. ZMF is a good fit in this regard, as is Schiit. Just a couple examples.

    Given that, it seems totally natural that if I get the vibe you're not OK with public poo-pooing of your product, I, and others, are probably going to be less patient and accommodating. Because it's not just about a single product or line of products. Nothing exists in a vacuum. It's about the market and hobby as a whole.

    There aren't many amps I've disliked more than the Magnius myself. GSX, maybe?
     
  2. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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    The means justify the ends dude. $1700. It feeds the bear man.
     
  3. Bobcat

    Bobcat Friend

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    But, but, but... It's nice looking!

    Rob
     
  4. Ruined

    Ruined HD700 ruined my ear holes

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  5. Raimei Templar

    Raimei Templar Friend

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    I have said before I do appreciate what Amir does in terms of the data he offers but I agree that there is some bias on his part, particularly towards Topping and SMSL.

    Another incident that I just remembered was the SMSL SP200 sample incident. In the initial sample he measured they used a logarithmic volume pot as is proper to do on a ridiculous powerful amp like the SP200. But when they actually released the SP200 they pulled a fast one on everyone and switched it to a shittier LINEAR pot. To Amirs credit he did measure the new version and showed that well it was a pretty shit pot but again I would have expected based on previous incidents that he would have taken them to task more for dishonest behavior. But he just kind of let it go, saying well the new pot is worse but its not that bad because look at them great numbers!

    What good is having a super amazing measuring amp if you cant actually use it with your headphones without it detonating them?

    From a objective stand point a linear pot is a massive f'ing flaw on a headphone amp, especially one thats low gain setting is +6DB and outputs 6 f'ing watts into 16 ohms(!).

    That is actually my biggest criticism of the current "objectivity" wave, they dont value practical aspects of the amp at all. Things like multiple (very low) gain settings, great volume pots,cost, sensible ergonomic design, low power usage none of these things are factored in at all. Its JUST the numbers. If you are strictly an objectvist, how is it worth getting slightly more of the numbers you claim to not believe are audible if you have to pay more money or accept a worse end user experience to get them?
     
  6. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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    Crap! It all makes sense now!

    I didn't know this, but it seems Topping and SMSL are owned by the same company: AOSHIDA

    I didn't know the two brands were under a single holding company.

    "Aoshida established in 2014 with headquartered in Shenzhen. As a pioneer in China's cross-border e-commerce industry, we committed to selling high-quality Chinese Hifi products through Amazon, AliExpress, eBay, Lazada, smsl-topping.com and other channels to end consumers around the world, and providing the most professional HIFI audio products with favorable price for global hifi enthusiasts."

    http://www.smsl-topping.com/pages/ASD-11519106.html

    And guess what... They have a blog. And who features prominently in Aoshida's blog? That's right. ASRs Founder Amir "The Easy Button" Majidimehr:

    http://www.smsl-topping.com/blog-Ne...400-Balanced-USB-MQA-DAC-Review-11537651.html
    http://www.smsl-topping.com/blog-Ne...-A90-Headphone-Amplifier-Review-11535266.html
    http://www.smsl-topping.com/blog-Ne...-A90-Headphone-Amplifier-Review-11535266.html
    http://www.smsl-topping.com/blog-Ne...eview-–-Majestic-Quick-Accurate-11533340.html
    http://www.smsl-topping.com/blog-New-product-2545/Topping-E30-USB-DAC-11517047.html
    http://www.smsl-topping.com/blog-New-product-2545/SMSL-Sanskrit-10th-MK-II-DAC-Review-11517848.html
    http://www.smsl-topping.com/blog-New-product-2545/SMSL-M500-DAC-and-HP-Amp-Review-11517271.html
    http://www.smsl-topping.com/blog-New-product-2545/SMSL-M500-DAC-and-HP-Amp-Review-11517271.html
    http://www.smsl-topping.com/blog-New-product-2545/Topping-D90-Balanced-USB-DAC-Review-11516765.html

    Top Level:
    http://www.smsl-topping.com/blog/

    Thats tight man. Very tight.

    EDIT: Shit goes even deeper! Looking at the brands under Aoshida is not only Topping and SMSL, but also Aune, Xduoo, Yaqin, Shanling, Quloos (which translates poorly in Spanish), HxMelody, Dilvpoetry, Muzishare, and Jiuyi, among other fronts for IEMs.

    And guess what tops the ASR charts? Topping, SMSL and Aune. Wow.
    tumblr_mbslgawZc11rttlrno1_500.gif

    Edit2: It remains unclear how deep this Amir - Toppong/SMSL connection is, since it maybe that this Topping-SMSL site might be a distributor. That said, it seems like a pretty focused distributor with a tight relationship with both companies, and with Amir as a top contributor. As always, where there is smoke, there is fire.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 7, 2021
  7. ChaChaRealSmooth

    ChaChaRealSmooth SBAF's Mr. Bean

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    This is like "2 dudes 1 cup"
     
  8. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    [​IMG]

    Jeez. Amir’s a one man marketing machine for that Chinese conglomerate. And they like to point out about me being tight with Schiit. Sheesh.
     
    Last edited: Sep 2, 2020
  9. tommytakis

    tommytakis MOT: E.T.A Headphones

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  10. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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    It's actually a tree-some with Aune, which seems to be under Topping/SMSL as well.
     
  11. YEEEEGZ

    YEEEEGZ Almost "Made"

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  12. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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  13. Raimei Templar

    Raimei Templar Friend

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    That is a amazing find, I didnt realize that either but it makes sense. Explains why all those "different" brands have so much in common. I am particularly amused that they used a Japanese name, presumably so people wouldnt realize its from Shenzhen.

    Quite a conglomerate there, that is basically all the big CHIFI dac/amp companies.

    Didnt realize there was a SMSL-Topping website either. They also have a Z reviews button which doesnt actually work and 404s lol. Appropriate!

    I must say that is a pretty shady looking website, it comes up as NOT SECURE in my Chrome and many of the links are broken. Some of the prices are hilariously bad as well. The A30/D30 Stack says originally $219.99 now its $499.99 / piece! What a deal!
     
  14. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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    Yep. The website is a bit sketchy.

    The website seems like a distributor actually, since SMSL story places it back to 2009:
    https://www.smsl-audio.com/portal/about/index

    Not clear about Topping.

    It's very confusing. What is not that confusing is that this website commits to the brands aforementioned. And the website has Amir-blogs as well.
     
    Last edited: Sep 2, 2020
  15. Elmer Danilovich

    Elmer Danilovich MOT:Earmen, HeadAmp, Bricasti; AKA:MShenay

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    I mean... I casually read ASR. Just to sorta be in the loop that and I rather like their photography thread as I do ours here too,

    But... I've never seen anything there that's any where close to the quality of content @atomicbob posts... plus we've got @Hands here tooooo and honestly In my years in this hobby/community I've yet to find too many folks with your guys track record of just phenomenally consistent posting.

    Shout out to ya @purr1n for all your hard work as well as building this thread to help other people see this shit behind a lot of what ASR puts out as well. Not every one knows how to read thru and uncover the bull shit and I appreciate your sharing and helping make it clear how much of what comes out of there is skewed by Amirs true goals and backers
     
  16. JellyRhino

    JellyRhino Facebook Friend

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  17. GoodEnoughGear

    GoodEnoughGear Evil Dr. Shultz‎

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    I just had the misfortune of wading through 10 pages of ASR members pontificating about a DAC that basically none of them had ever heard. The one guy who had ordered one commented along the lines of ASR being like a lot of talk about engine specs without actually driving the damn car to see what it feels like.

    Don't these folks get a sneaking suspicion it's all just too f'ing easy?
     
  18. Psalmanazar

    Psalmanazar Most improved member; A+

    Pyrate Slaytanic Cliff Clavin
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    You found the connection everyone has been looking for.

     
  19. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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    LOL! I just became aware of it. Some other folks might have been aware of it already. Other folks are still proly unaware.
     
  20. Bina

    Bina MOT - Shanling

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    Shanling is not owned by this company, we have our own share holders, with many of them being in this position since establishing brand in 1988.

    While Aoshida may own some other brands, we work with them only as with distributor.
     
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