Darko.Audio podcast

This episode brought to you by Bowers & Wilkins

👉 https://bit.ly/4ggz8X0

w/ 6moons' Srajan Ebaen

👉 As discussed in this episode...

0:00 Intro

0:49 Schiit

8:45 GaN

31:11 Dongle DACs

45:01 Gustard

53:21 Aune

Schiit Buf

📖 https://darko.audio/2026/04/schiit-announces-buf-a-99-tube-buffer/

Five dongle DACs for your consideration

📖 https://darko.audio/2026/07/five-dongle-dacs-for-your-consideration/

AudioQuest DragonFly Copper

📖 https://darko.audio/2026/06/audioquest-revives-the-dragonfly-with-a-copper-clad-sequel/

$12 to stream Apple Music like an audiophile (and from the couch)

📖 https://darko.audio/2026/04/12-to-stream-apple-music-like-an-audiophile/

Aune

📖 http://auneaudio.com

LaiV

📖 http://laiv.audio

Hifi Rose

📖 http://hifirose.com

Ixycore

📖 http://ixycore.com

Gustard

📖 http://gustard.com

Cables and power products by AudioQuest

🛒 https://audioadvice.io/Audioquest

Hi-fi furniture and speaker stands by Solid Steel

🛒 https://howl.me/ckbW9947Hdi

Room treatment by Vicoustic

📖 https://audioadvice.io/Vicoustic

Darko.Audio may earn a small commission from items purchased via affiliate links, as indicated by a '🛒'.

This episode brought to you by Vienna High-End

👉 https://www.highendsociety.de/high-end-44.html

w/ 6moons' Srajan Ebaen

0:00 Intro

1:02 Alternative use cases for the WiiM Pro / Plus / Ultra

9:04 HiFiMAN

23:47 HiFiMAN (again)

37:21 FangSound

👉 As seen in this video...

WiiM Pro

🛒 https://amzn.to/4cXljwO

WiiM Pro Plus

🛒 https://amzn.to/48ulezi

WiiM Ultra

🛒 https://amzn.to/4eTX7Ob

HiFiMAN Edition XV

🛒 https://amzn.to/4elY69M

HiFiMAN HE600

🛒 https://amzn.to/42byXHB

HiFiMAN Ananda Unveiled

🛒 https://amzn.to/4tcUfQj

Using a WiiM Pro Plus in a different way

📖 https://darko.audio/2026/03/using-a-wiim-pro-plus-in-a-different-way/

Another use case for the WiiM Ultra DAC

📖 https://darko.audio/2026/03/another-use-case-for-the-wiim-ultra/

HiFiMAN Susvara Unveiled

📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/hifiman-susvara-unveiled/

FangSound Dionysus

📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/fangsound-dionysus/

Cables and power products by AudioQuest

🛒 https://audioadvice.io/Audioquest

Hi-fi furniture and speaker stands by Solid Steel

🛒 https://howl.me/ckbW9947Hdi

Room treatment by Vicoustic

📖 https://audioadvice.io/Vicoustic

Darko.Audio may earn a small commission from items purchased via affiliate links, as indicated by a '🛒'.

This episode brought to you by AudioQuest

👉 https://bit.ly/4fIkmaU

w/ 6moons' Srajan Ebaen

0:00 Intro

0:50 Moondrop

30:07 spl & Zu

1:08:40 Dunu

1:18:47 Audalytic / Gustard

1:30:54 Srajan's hi-fi hierarchy

1:46:39 Campfire

👉 As discussed in this episode...

Moondrop Skyland

🛒 https://amzn.to/46d4ivX

DUNU Concept R

🛒 https://amzn.to/3MEc77k

Zu Method subwoofer

📖 https://www.zuaudio.com/subwoofers/p/method-sub

spl crossover MKII

📖 https://spl.audio/en/

Campfire Andromeda 10

📖 https://www.campfireaudio.com/collections/andromeda-10

Audalytic DR70 & HP70

📖 https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/324_audalytic

Darko.Audio may earn a small commission from items purchased via affiliate links, as indicated by a '🛒'.

This episode brought to you by the Eversolo PLAY

👉 https://bit.ly/3WK0Q6T

w/ 6moons' Srajan Ebaen

0:00 Intro

1:21 FiiO

43:23 Shanling

52:04 Aune

1:03:31 Schiit

1:09:41 Spotify Lossless (again)

👉 As mentioned in this episode...

FiiO FT7

🛒 https://amzn.to/3YDraQU

📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/fiio-ft7/

Shanling SCD3.3

📖 https://darko.audio/2025/11/shanlings-scd3-3-is-an-cd-sacd-player-w-r2r-dac-tubes-a-touchscreen/

Schiit Modi 5 / Magni Unity

📖 https://darko.audio/2025/12/schiits-149-modi-5-199-magni-unity-land-with-mesh/

Jade Audio JT3 + JT7

🛒 https://amzn.to/497aB4Z

🛒 https://amzn.to/490nlKr

📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/jadeaudio-jt3-jt7/

FiiO FT13

🛒 https://amzn.to/4pKsltI

📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/fiio-ft13/

aune N7

🛒 https://amzn.to/4s6me4H

📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/aune-n7/

aune AC55

🛒 https://amzn.to/4p1Q2wo

📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/aune-ac55/

Darko.Audio may earn a small commission from items purchased via affiliate links, as indicated by a '🛒'.

w/ 6moons' Srajan Ebaen

This episode brought to you by AudioQuest

👉 https://bit.ly/4fIkmaU

🎓 PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/c/johndarko

0:00 Intro

0:41 Spotify Lossless

17:40 Topping

33:20 DALI

40:54 Node Audio

48:31 HiFiMAN

59:37 Kinki x Vinshine

👉 As seen in this video...

Spotify Lossless

📖 https://darko.audio/2025/09/spotify-lossless-lands-at-last/

DALI KUPID

📖 https://darko.audio/2025/08/dalis-kupid-is-an-affordable-and-colourful-standmount/

HiFiMAN Edition XV

📖 https://darko.audio/2025/09/hifimans-edition-xv-tackle-the-xss-comfort-issues/

TOPPING B200

📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/topping-b200

Node Audio Atom

📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/node-audio-atom

Kinki + Vinshine

📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/vinshinex-dazzle

This episode brought to you by AudioQuest

👉 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

👉 As discussed in this episode...

Shanling

🛒 https://amzn.to/4fsQTTM

📖 https://darko.audio/2025/08/shanlings-cd80-ii-is-a-359-tray-loading-cd-player/

Bluesound

🛒 https://amzn.to/4fvnqbN

📖 https://darko.audio/2025/06/bluesound-teases-home-theatre-leaning-powernode/

Hiby

🛒 https://amzn.to/3HulRyl

📖 https://darko.audio/2025/07/hibys-uc10-is-a-29-usb-s-pdif-converter-for-smartphones-tablets/

FituEyes

🛒 https://amzn.to/3UmdNCQ

📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/fitueyes-eiffel-rack

Virtual Hifi

📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/virtual-hifi-viper

CoLinear Aocustics:

📖 https://colinear-acoustics.co.uk/about

Qualio Audio:

📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/qualio-iq30

Exact Express

📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/exact-express-earth-jumpers

Furutech

📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/furutech-flow-28

iFi / SIlentPower

📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/silentpower-omni-usb

w/ Twittering Machines' Michael Lavorgna

👉 This episode brought to you by Bowers & Wilkins

https://bit.ly/4ggz8X0

👉 Darko's choices:

Was (Not Was) - Out Come The Freaks (1984)

🛒 https://amzn.to/44gVK6H

📖 https://www.discogs.com/master/55697-Was-Not-Was-The-Woodwork-Squeaks

Thin White Rope - The Ruby Sea (1991)

🛒 https://amzn.to/3GaMEPO

📖 https://www.discogs.com/master/236818-Thin-White-Rope-The-Ruby-Sea

Fila Brazillia - Maim That Tune (1995)

📖 https://filabraz.bandcamp.com/album/maim-that-tune-30th-anniversary-re-master

📖 https://www.discogs.com/master/67440-Fila-Brazillia-Maim-That-Tune

Bright Eyes - I'm Wide Awake It's Morning (2005)

🛒 https://amzn.to/4la9pm1

📖 https://www.discogs.com/master/3010-Bright-Eyes-Im-Wide-Awake-Its-Morning

Thomas Fehlmann - Gute Luft (2010)

🛒 https://amzn.to/4nAyOXH

📖 https://www.discogs.com/master/238758-Thomas-Fehlmann-Gute-Luft

Automat - Ostwest (2016)

🛒 https://amzn.to/4lz473T

📖 https://www.discogs.com/master/1091919-Automat-Ostwest

Bohren und Der Club of Gore - Bohren for Beginners (2016/2022)

🛒 https://amzn.to/4eCtAq5

📖 https://www.discogs.com/master/2079847-Bohren-Und-Der-Club-Of-Gore-Bohren-For-Beginners

👉 Lavorgna's choices:

Mal Waldron - The Quest (1962)

🛒 https://amzn.to/4eVSaml

📖 https://www.discogs.com/master/288946-Mal-Waldron-With-Eric-Dolphy-And-Booker-Ervin-The-Quest

The Birthday Party - The Friend Catcher 12" (1983)

📖 https://www.discogs.com/release/377249-The-Birthday-Party-The-Friend-Catcher

Einstürzende Neubauten - Yü-Gung (1985)

📖 https://www.discogs.com/master/7604-Einst%C3%BCrzende-Neubauten-Y%C3%BC-Gung

Martha Argerich - Bach (2000)

📖 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)

🛒 https://amzn.to/44ghrDU

📖 https://www.discogs.com/master/2381503-Lonely-Guest-Lonely-Guest

Jessica Pratt - Here in the Pitch (2024)

🛒 https://amzn.to/4kq4Vq2

📖 https://www.discogs.com/master/3474940-Jessica-Pratt-Here-In-The-Pitch

👉 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 '🛒'.

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

👉 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.

👉 As discussed in this episode...

Sennheiser BTD 700 (Yes, I mistakenly call it the 'BDT 700' in this episode 🙄 )

🛒 https://amzn.to/4jRNYEG

📖 https://darko.audio/2025/06/add-aptx-lossless-to-any-smartphone-for-e50/

Chord Electronics Suze Amp system

📖 https://darko.audio/2025/06/chords-suzi-turns-the-hugo-2-2go-into-a-streaming-amplifier/

Cambridge Audio MXW 70

📖 https://darko.audio/2025/06/cambridges-mxw70-is-a-599-class-d-power-amplifier/

Stack Audio:

📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/stack-audio-rack-use/

📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/stack-audio-auva-70/

📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/stack-audio-vinyl-helpers/

Virtual Hifi:

📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/virtual-hifi-vibron/

📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/virtual-hifi-viper/

OnFilter:

📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/onfilter/

Darko.Audio may earn a small commission from items purchased via affiliate links, as indicated by a '🛒'.

This episode is brought to you by AudioQuest

👉 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

👉 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

👉 As discussed in this episode...

Pro-Ject Flatten It

📖 https://darko.audio/2025/03/say-buh-bye-to-warped-vinyl-with-pro-jects-flatten-it/

Musical Fidelity X-Tube

📖 https://darko.audio/2025/03/how-to-add-tubes-to-any-dac-streamer-or-cd-player-for-e499/

Shanling Onix Zenith XST20

📖 https://darko.audio/2025/03/the-onix-zenith-xst20-is-a-new-sacd-transport-from-shanling/

Kinki Studio x Vinshine Tai Hang

📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/tai-hang/

Meze Poet

📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/meze-poet/

DMAX PH61

📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/dmax-ph61/

Cables and power products by AudioQuest

🛒 https://audioadvice.io/Audioquest

Hi-fi furniture and speaker stands by Solid Steel

🛒 https://howl.me/ckbW9947Hdi

Room treatment by Vicoustic

📖 https://audioadvice.io/Vicoustic

Darko.Audio may earn a small commission from items purchased via affiliate links, as indicated by a '🛒'.