Cons - Sound could be more entertaining ~

[vinod_david]

- Two days back published.
- "While this streaming amp isn’t for those who put sound quality first, it certainly has a place for those looking for a fuss-free audio solution." -- this is their conclusion statement. I say nonsense.
- IMO its 5 stars given its price.

 

[slartibartfast]

Typical.What Hifi review.

"Our test rooms are acoustically treated and well behaved, so the RoomFit system, which makes use of your phone/tablet’s microphone, proves a bit of a mixed bag."
A proper review would have mentioned that a calibrated microphone can be used and made the effort to use one.

"Adding an external DAC to an all-in-one electronics package like this doesn’t make sense to us."
"And there is no physical headphone output, which is a shame for those who own wired designs."
The reviewer didn't even realise that an external DAC/headphone amp can be used

"This streaming amp, like its cheaper siblings, isn’t great at communicating subtle shifts in intensity or conveying dynamic contrasts."
"It doesn’t help that rhythmic precision is also lacking,"
What does that mean?

 

[dominikz]

Sound could be more entertaining

Perhaps they could try listening to some entertaining music.

- "While this streaming amp isn’t for those who put sound quality first, it certainly has a place for those looking for a fuss-free audio solution." -- this is their conclusion statement. I say nonsense.

I agree with you!

- IMO its 5 stars given its price.

I'd say 5 stars regardless of price - assuming it fits one's I/O and power requirements.

The only (small) value I see in these kind of reviews is their perspective on included functionality and ease of use - though even that can be a mixed bag, as it still somewhat depends on the competence of the reviewer and the effort they put in.

The descriptions of "sound" are so subject to bias (not to mention vague) that I find them utterly pointless, and especially so when talking about electronics.

 

[Valentino]

In my relatively long life as a hifi enthusiast/audiophile I’ve found that the more distortion and nonlinearities I manage to remove from the electronics (these days mostly by changing boxes I admit) the less «entertaining» they sound and I hear more of what’s on the recording.

 

[dangermouse]

"This streaming amp, like its cheaper siblings, isn’t great at communicating subtle shifts in intensity or conveying dynamic contrasts."
"It doesn’t help that rhythmic precision is also lacking,"
What does that mean?

Nothing whatsoever. The usual completely meaningless 'What Hi-Fi' word salad.