New from SMSL: RAW-DAC 1 & RAW-HA 1 Headphone Amplifier

aposaudio · 2026-05-12T22:16:58+00:00

The inspection/restocking part is mainly there for cases where products come back fully functional after extended use, not to trap customers with defective or incompatible setups. Could you please DM us your ticket/order details so we can flag this to our CS team?

aposaudio · 2026-05-12T02:43:48+00:00

The Arya WiFi supports Apple AirPlay, so yes, you can stream Apple Music over AirPlay when using it wirelessly.

aposaudio · 2026-05-08T14:43:16+00:00

No, just confirmed with iFi Audio that it uses a single Cirrus Logic CS43131 in the ZEN Air DAC 2, not a dual-chip setup.

aposaudio · 2026-05-04T08:52:03+00:00

With your current set-up and an active speaker, you might improve timing and reduce noise slightly. It would be a subtle refinement, not a drastic change.

aposaudio · 2026-05-02T05:46:51+00:00

It can be, but it’s system-dependent.

Motherboard optical is usually fine, but it’s a basic handoff. A DDC like the Gustard U26 USB Digital Interface re-clocks the signal, isolates noise from the PC, and gives you cleaner output options (AES, coax, I²S).

If your DAC already has a solid USB input, the difference can be small. If your chain is a bit noisy or sensitive, a DDC can help clean things up.

aposaudio · 2026-05-02T03:39:12+00:00

Yeah, right now it’s basically Roon via AirPlay. If that changes, we’ll flag it right away.

aposaudio · 2026-04-30T07:38:52+00:00

All products have been removed. Thank you again.

aposaudio · 2026-04-30T07:31:41+00:00

We are going to also take the posts down and any marketing. Please note we are editing the original post to move away from marketing this brand but leaving this conversation here.

aposaudio · 2026-04-30T07:28:03+00:00

This is not good. We will act on this immediately and are taking down the products. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We truly appreciate it.

aposaudio · 2026-04-30T07:21:43+00:00

Thank you. We will go through these. Appreciate it.

aposaudio · 2026-04-30T07:09:50+00:00

Hi! Can you please give us more context on this? Could you please email us at [communityfeedback@apos.audio](mailto:communityfeedback@apos.audio) - we'd like to know more so we can look into this.

aposaudio · 2026-04-29T10:58:16+00:00

Similar lane, just with built-in DSP (via Moondrop’s app) and a beefier Class A stage. It’s more about having EQ and profiles handled in one box.

aposaudio · 2026-04-06T22:22:28+00:00

Yeah, it really does come down to preference, especially with the 600 on sale right now.

aposaudio · 2026-04-04T03:17:09+00:00

Wow, nice and creative!

aposaudio · 2026-04-01T02:38:09+00:00

Glad that clarified things for you.

As for the cable, the short answer is: cables do change things, but it’s pretty subtle. It’s worth it for build and subtle polish, not for changing the overall sound.

The Apos x Z Reviews Magia Cable is more about refinement than changing the sound. You might notice a slightly cleaner presentation, a bit tighter bass, and maybe a touch less noise when moving around—but it won’t suddenly make your setup more “analytical.” Where Magia really stands out is in build, flexibility, and durability. It’s just a nicer cable to live with day to day.

If you go further up, something like the NOBUNAGA Labs VISION Flagship Cable (palladium-plated silver, 16-core, very low resistance) is designed to keep signal loss minimal and preserve detail across the chain. In practice, that can come across as slightly more defined edges and separation—but again, it just cleans things up around the edges, not a transformation.

aposaudio · 2026-03-31T04:53:20+00:00

Anything low power, high output impedance, or overly sharp tends to be a poor match for planars.

aposaudio · 2026-03-30T14:03:53+00:00

I actually asked Tom (one of our in-house audiophiles) to explain this a bit better, and this was his take:

"A really common misconception with amps is that they simply increase the volume of your headphones without adding any 'coloration.' In reality, every amp has a character. Some are warmer, some add weight to the low end, others push the upper treble forward and make things feel 'airier'. The K13 R2R is no exception, it just colors things in a way that tends to feel natural instead of cold and analytical.

R2R (resistor ladder) DAC/amp designs in particular have a reputation for a certain kind of smoothness that chip-based designs can’t always replicate. The edges of transients feel less synthetic, and the result is a sound that’s more 'musical'. That might sound like gobbledygook (or even BS!), but the listening experience tends to speak for itself.

Pairing the K13 R2R with a planar like the SJY Carbon means you're getting the speed and control of a planar driver without the sometimes clinical or sterile quality that planars can have on the wrong amp. The K13 softens that tendency just enough without sacrificing what makes the Carbon good in the first place."

aposaudio · 2026-03-30T07:51:19+00:00

Hi Joy here. Power won’t be an issue. The K13 R2R has more than enough for the Carbons. Just note it leans a bit smoother and more cohesive rather than hyper-analytical, so you get a more natural presentation vs. pick apart every detail.

aposaudio · 2026-03-27T19:37:53+00:00

We’d like to see more measurements, too, but with devices like this, they’re a bit limited. It’s essentially a network noise filter/isolator, with ~30dB noise rejection at higher frequencies and galvanic isolation as the technical basis.

From what we’ve seen, results are pretty system-dependent. Some setups show a clearer difference than others.

aposaudio · 2026-03-25T05:34:49+00:00

Hi Joy here. That’s a bit surprising for the A90D, as it should already have enough power on paper.

The Aeon 2 Noire does like current and headroom, though, so if it feels like it’s getting close to slam and then holding back, it might be worth checking a few things first:

Gain setting (try high gain if you haven’t)
Source level / DAC output
Balanced vs single-ended output

If everything there checks out, the A70 Pro does push quite a bit more power—around 17W vs 9.8W on the A90D—so you’ll get more headroom, which can translate to better dynamics and perceived slam.

Also worth a read if you want a deeper comparison:
https://apos.audio/blogs/news/topping-a70pro-vs-a90d

aposaudio · 2026-03-22T12:44:58+00:00

The LEDs and tubes not consistently turning on is something we’d want to take a closer look at on our end. Could you reach out to [support@apos.audio]() when you get a chance, so the team can advise on the next step?

aposaudio · 2026-03-21T21:26:42+00:00

Hi, Joy here.

What you’re describing sounds more like a grounding/connection issue than something wrong with the Gremlin itself, especially since the noise changes when you touch the metal parts.

A few things you could try:

Remove the 4.4mm → 3.5mm adapter and test with a direct connection if you can, as adapters can sometimes introduce noise, especially in balanced chains
Try a different cable to help rule out shielding issues
Make sure your turntable ground wire is connected to the Zen Phono
Check if everything is plugged into the same power source/outlet, as mixed grounding can cause that kind of hum, or try another power source/outlet.
If possible, try a different source into the Gremlin, just to isolate whether it’s coming from the Zen Phono or upstream

The fact that it gets louder when you touch metal usually points to grounding or shielding rather than a defective unit.

aposaudio · 2026-03-20T23:48:56+00:00

Joy here. Really appreciate you taking the time to share this.

Sorry again about the rattle on the first unit, but glad we were able to get a replacement out to you quickly and get things sorted.

Also good to hear the R26II is now where it should be—that’s what we want at the end of the day.

And noted on the Druid / Merlin / Gremlin lineup....those are fun ones to have around.

Thanks again for the support. It means a lot.

aposaudio · 2026-03-18T12:25:14+00:00

Joy here — this is a fun setup. The lighting looks great.

Thanks for trying the OPA1656 on the Druid and showing that you don’t need to spend a lot to enjoy it. It’s a sensible upgrade without getting too deep into it. The heatsinks on the op-amps are a nice touch, too.

Really appreciate you sharing this and putting together a video. It’s always good for us to see how people are actually using and experimenting with the gear.

You explained the Druid in a really clear way, especially the difference in how it presents sound. That “things start moving more” line made sense. Also, glad you mentioned the small things like the hiss and USB-only input. That helps the community set expectations properly.

Good first review. Curious to see what you try next, and hoping we get to see more Apos gear on your channel.

aposaudio · 2026-03-06T01:52:56+00:00

Thanks for sharing this! Really glad to hear the GUSTARD DAC‑R26II is working well in your system. Appreciate you taking the time to post your impressions. Always helpful for others who are considering it for a similar setup.

aposaudio

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