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Podcast #56 – If every hi-fi manufacturer did this… (+ FiiO, IKEA & Triangle)

  • I call it ‘a promotional wave’. Srajan calls it ‘carpet bombing’. We’re talking about loading up a multitude of reviewers with product samples before a product is formally announced to ensure a glut of coverage once the manufacturer’s starting pistol fires and the review embargo drops. It’s a practice that’s commonplace in the smartphone and camera worlds and per recent events has started its creep into the hi-fi space. In this episode, Srajan and I discuss what we think about review embargos and invite viewers/listeners to consider: what if every manufacturer did this?

    Also in this episode of the Darko.Audio podcast, we also look at a new portable CD player and R2R DAC from FiiO, some new tube products from Linear Tube Audio, some streaming actives from Triangle as well as the twin spicy issues of a manufacturer doubling a product’s asking price within a year and launching new products under a subbrand to ‘protect’ the host.

    🎥 Camera 1: John Darko
    🎥 Camera 2: Srajan Ebaen
    🎬 Editor: John Darko
    🕺🏻 Motion GFX: John Darko
    💰 Ad segment: Jana Dagdagan

    If you’d prefer to listen to an audio-only version of this podcast, find it now on SoundCloud, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, TuneIn or use the embedded player below:

    👉 As discussed in this podcast…

    FiiO DM13
    📖 https://darko.audio/2024/07/a-portable-cd-player-in-2024/

    FiiO K11 R2R
    📖 https://darko.audio/2024/07/is-fiios-k11-the-most-affordable-r2r-dac-available-right-now/

    IKEA MITTZON
    📖 https://darko.audio/2024/06/cheap-easy-room-treatment-with-ikeas-new-mittzon-range/

    Palma DHS-1
    📖 https://6moons.com/industry_articles/yo-palma/

    Triangle Capella
    📖 https://darko.audio/2024/07/french-future-fi-triangle-capella-streaming-speakers/

    Exact Express & Silent Power
    📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/exactexpress-flame-cables/

    Meze Alba
    📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/meze-alba/

    Linear Tube Audio Velo
    📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/linear-tube-audio-velo/

    Linear Tube Audio Aero
    📖 https://6moons.com/audioreview_articles/lta-aero-2nd-opinion/

    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 ‘🛒’.

    Written by John Darko

    John currently lives in Berlin where he creates videos and podcasts for Darko.Audio. He has previously contributed to 6moons, TONEAudio, AudioStream and Stereophile.

    Follow John on YouTube or Instagram

    [UPDATED!] A portable CD player in 2024?

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