Underrated band for sure, like Toto and Men at Work.
Asia is kicking Ass and Taking Names
Ancient 'phile here. Owned a lot of kit over the decades. but for the last ~8 years a dac/pre; Audio Alchemy DDP-1, which died about 4 months ago. Thinking it might cost too much to repair, I contacted AA but got no response, which was a blessing in disguise. Being retired living on SS ans a small monthly insurance stipend, even used hi-end kit is out of h question. I had been watching YTVs (made by several non-hi-end reviewers) about various Asian companies making quality audio, but as a Amazon not only do they carry most of the brands I was curious about, but free returns AND 6 no interest payments: first I bought a SMSL PL200T top loading transport, and partly because it decodes MQA (I know not many many of them available, but still)... Amazing for $500. Next I bought a Topping D90iii Dac/Pre; a one bit, discrete, fully balanced @ $999 (MSRP of AA when new was $2600), and as good as. Reading more, several reviewers urged getting a preamp. I bought the Topping D90 @$900) . IMHO, all outstanding value for < a quality used transport, dac or pre. High end prices are dinosaurs. HTH
- ...
- 16 posts total
@tweak1 I'm glad you found products that you enjoy. We are lucky to live in a time for this hobby when we have access to products that are very good at all points across the price spectrum. |
In the past, I had stayed with mostly U.S. made products and was happy with them. Being on Social Security now with fixed and limited income, I must make other choices as eventually these great pieces will give up the ghost. My first real entry into what some audiophiles now call "Chi-Fi", was a Denafrips Terminator-Plus DAC. Built like a tank and audio-wise, sonics are terrific, and while not cheap, it didn't break the bank. The next piece was a Jays-Audio CDT-2 MK-III transport, also built like a tank and easily replaced my old CD transport at a reasonable price. Trying to help my daughter (a budding audiophile) with her system, and hearing good things about WiiM, I bought her a WiiM Ultra Streamer/DAC. Before I sent it to her, I opened it up and tried it on my system, not expecting it to sound anywhere like my Innuos/Denafrips streamer/DAC digital front end, but I was surprised! The sound was really good and while I of course prefer my Innuos/Denafrips combo (~ $9000) the $329 WiiM Ultra definitely held its own and I kept it and ordered another one and had it sent to my daughter. LAiV, Eversolo, Denafrips, and others have entered the audio market with some great sounding, well built devices. Definitely something anyone entering the Hi-Fi audio realm should consider and for those on fixed incomes, great sonic replacements for aging equipment, IMHO. And Yes... Asia was a terrific band ! |
- 16 posts total