High-End Audio / Audiophile Equipment
Reviews And Think Pieces
Great Audiophile Gift 2020 Special Edition
Great Audiophile Gift Ideas For The
2020 Holiday Season
Enjoy the Music.com celebrates our
15th annual gift ideas to give your audiophile!
Enjoy
the Music.com proudly presents our 15th annual Great Audiophile Gift recommendations! We all love gifts, yet getting that something special for an audiophile can be quite a challenge.
Enjoy the Music.com's annual Great Audiophile Gift wish list brings you some truly spectacular ideas for music lovers.
There are so many wonderful products we recommend! All recommended gifts this
year are very reasonably priced too! We have gifts that will make your vinyl junkie smile, plus a few
surprised along the way!
Everyone here at Enjoy the Music.com
wishes your a yours a prosperous, joyous and healthy holiday season. And now, on
with our Great Audiophile Gift 2020 suggestions we know you'll love!
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Free Cartridge Protractor And Speed Discs!
There's no place like home. Home is where my turntable is and everyone should have a two point protractor and speed
strobe discs. For the cartridge alignment tool, the trick is to have the cartridge mounted so that the needle aligns perfectly on BOTH dots without moving the protractor. What you may need to do is mount the cartridge a bit loose and slightly move it forward or back and see how it aligns on both points. You know you have it perfect when both points are perfect without moving the protractor. It takes time and patience to get it just right, but the results are worth
it! As an added bonus for you, Enjoy the Music.com also offers a free Excel file two page
spreadsheet with one page for Löfgren "A" alignment and one page for Löfgren "B"
alignment, plus you can calculate your own custom alignment points too!
---> Get
your free Enjoy the Music.com cartridge protractor and speed discs at
this link.
Acoustic Foam Panels For A Better Sounding
Room
Here we have a special 50-pack of 1" acoustic foam panels for less than $50.
Everyone knows that your hi-fi system will sound best when your room's acoustics are
optimized. Eco-friendly and safe, they are made of high quality environmentally polyurethane foam. These studio foam squares are durable and effective, plus they dampen and diffuse sound waves inside of your listening room. As a side note, if you have a
noisy, echo-laden workspace at your job, using these foam tiles will lower the annoying sounds so your ears are not offended by that sound. Basically, they aid in reducing slap-back and room ring.
--->
Acoustic Foam Panels For A Better Sounding Room.
Apple AirPod Pro Bluetooth In-Ear
Monitors
They say the third
time's the charm, and with the new Apple AirPod Pro Bluetooth IEMs (in-ear monitors,
$200 at Amazon) you can enjoy many musical pleasures with your Apple iPhone. Windows 3.0,
Goldfinger, Godfather III (not!). Well on its third iteration of the
Airpod, Apple has finally nailed it!
--->
Apple AirPod Pro Bluetooth In-Ear Monitors.
Audience Forte F3 Audiophile Power
Cord
RReplace your performance-robbing stock power cord today with Audience's Forte F3 audiophile power cord (5.75-feet long). The forte f3 powerChord contain massive 10 AWG conductors, made from 99.9999% pure OFC stranded copper in XLPE (cross linked polyethylene dielectric) with PVC jacket. It's "Cryogenically Treatment" process takes a full three days. This cable is shielded with drain to ground to eliminate stray RF and EMI. Audience's Forte F3 sports C688 Olin Brass contacts too. The forte f3 powerChord is a product in keeping with the long standing reputation of Audience of California for making highest quality power cords for high end audio. Audience put a great deal of work into the forte f3 powerChord to provide audio enthusiasts an absolutely unbeatable product below the $500 price point.
--->
Audience Forte F3 Audiophile Power Cord.
Beteran KZ-ATE In Ear Monitors
(IEMs)
Back
by popular demand is something we've recommended before. The KZ-ATE are the best inexpensive in-ear monitor (IEM)
I've ever heard, at a ridiculously low price! There has been some headphone "experts" that have written that spending a little bit more will reward the listener with better sound.
--->
Beteran KZ-ATE In Ear Monitors (IEMs)
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Bosch GLM165-10 Blaze One Laser Distance Measure
The Bosch Blaze One GLM165 10 165 ft. Laser Measure is recommended by
Enjoy the Music.com's Senior Editor Greg Weaver. This unit features auto square, which automatically calculates the square footage totals with a push of a button. The easy to read backlit color display delivers outstanding visibility and usability. This laser distance measurer includes default real time measuring, adjusting as you move closer to or further from the target, just like a tape
measure.
Bottlehead Single Ended eXperimenter's Kit
3.0
Bottlehead's affectionately-named S.E.X. 3.0 Kit ($593 on up) is extremely easy to build and will run any dynamic headphones – even AKG K1000s and Audeze LCD-2s – to great effect. Power output is a generous two watts per channel, so it could also drive highly efficient loudspeakers too! The big update for Version 3.0 is that Bottlehead has changed the tubes used from the now difficult to find 6DN7 to the 6FJ7. The 6FJ7 is the same tube in a different glass envelope designed to fit in a Compactron socket. Same great sound as the 6FJ7, but in a tube that isn't being gobbled up by our competitors who have (finally) caught on to the great sound of the 6DN7.
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Bottlehead Single Ended eXperimenter's Kit 3.0
CHISTO High-End Analog, Digital, And Gear
Cleaners
There's so much to love about CHISTO cleaners, and they have a great product for every format to bring more joy of music, plus a gear cleaner too! Their Easy Groove Concentrate (€49.90) concentrate makes a liter of effective vinyl records cleaning solution. It cleans all types of vinyl records from LPs to ancient, but lovely 78rpm shellacs. It's a quick and convenient way to keep your records at its best and prolong the lifespan of your cartridge too!
--->
CHISTO High-End Analog, Digital, And Gear Cleaners.
CRC QD Plastic Safe Liquid Contact
Cleaner
CRC QD contact cleaner is a unique blend of petroleum-distillates and alcohol which provides a suitable precision cleaner for sensitive electronics. It is a cost effective alternative to all contact cleaners. It Evaporates quickly and leaves no residue and is safe to use on all plastics. Recommended for the cleaning of connectors, tape heads, buss bars and circuits. Effectively removes dirt, dust, light oils and fingerprints from contacts, printed circuit boards, switches and breakers. Plastic safe - allows one product to be used in all applications without risk of costly damage to sensitive modern plastics. Leaves no residue - prevents harmful build-up on equipment and eliminates wiping and rinsing. Fast evaporation
and it minimizes downtime too.
--->
CRC QD Plastic Safe Liquid Contact Cleaner Review.
Dekiru Acoustic Bass
Traps
Every audiophile and recording studio engineer knows that your room's corners can add problems to lower frequency sound production. Dekiru's Acoustic Bass Traps ($26 for 8) are thick, 12" X 7" X 7" noise dampeners ideal for studio or home audio / theater sound treatment.
--->
Dekiru Acoustic Bass Traps
Digital Amplifier Company Cherry USB To
S/PDIF
Cherry USB to S/PDIF Converter by the Digital Amplifier Company ($390) is a premium unit that is plug-and-play easy to use. You
can easily connect a USB device (driver installation not necessary) for modern Windows and Mac PCs. Power is also provided through USB, so there's no need for an external power adapter.
--->
Digital Amplifier Company Cherry USB To S/PDIF
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Drhob Vinyl Record Cup
/ Drink Coasters
There's not much technologically to say about the Drhob Vinyl Record cup / drinks coasters for under $10... except they are an incredible gift for your music lover! Made from ABS plastic, they measure approximately 4.15" round and look great within your listening room / home theater. Decorate your table or desk with these creative vinyl record coasters, which come in a cool retro presentation box too!
--->
Drhob Vinyl Record Cup / Drink Coasters.
ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 Bookshelf
Speakers
ELAC's
original Debut B6 bookshelf speakers were a huge hit and here we're recommending
the latest generation of this design. ELAC's Debut 2.0 B6.2 bookshelf speakers
($299 per pair) are designed and hand-tuned by none other than longtime designer Andrew Jones and they sound simply spectacular!
--->
ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 Bookshelf Speakers
FiiO M3K Portable Hi-Res Audio Player
And FiiO BTR3K Bluetooth Amplifier
Being
an old timer in battery powered portable audio, including everything from a
brand new 1970 Panasonic transistor radio to the world's first portable CD
player (Sony D5 in 1985) and toyed with Diamond Rio mp3 player (1999), I am
truly impressed at these two under $100 offerings.
--->
FiiO M3K Portable Hi-Res Audio Player
And FiiO BTR3K Bluetooth Amplifier
Furutech NCF Cable Booster-Signal Damping
System
Furutech's
NCF Booster ($350 each, with additional extension shafts in 10pcs sets for $33) employs specially developed sound enhancing material for superior connector and cable damping. According to Furutech, "Not only does the Furutech NCF Booster Connector and Cable Holder lift audio cables off the floor minimizing their points of
contact....
--->
Furutech NCF Cable Booster-Signal Damping System
Gingko Audio Acoustic Resonance Clarifier
(ARCH)
The unique shape of the patented ARCH Acoustic Resonance Clarifier ($169 to $499) and its material construction make it an effective vibration control base for speakers and heavy audio components. Ginko Audio's ARCH is constructed from a lossy material that dissipates vibration across the audio frequency spectrum. Its design is a curved shape with two ends that rest on the floor at an angle, thus minimizing transferred energy from the cabinet to the ground. In addition, the ARCH flexes under the weight of the speaker as the latter vibrates, further reducing the transferred energy. Read about the ARCH Technology and how it
works.
--->
Gingko Audio Acoustic Resonance Clarifier (ARCH).
Hosa G5S-6 Caig DeoxIT Gold
Cleaner
/ Enhancer
Hosa's Caig DeoxIT Gold ($19, formerly ProGold) is a unique conditioning solution designed for use in critical applications where only slight cleaning action is necessary. It is intended for use on new and recently cleaned surfaces. You can enhance, protect, lubricate, and maintain optimum signal quality be ensuing all your contacts and clean.
--->
Hosa G5S-6 Caig DeoxIT Gold Cleaner / Enhancer
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KEF Q150 Uni-Q Bookshelf
/ Desktop Speakers
The KEF Q150 Bookshelf Speaker helps round out the company's award-winning Q Series. KEF's Q150 features a solid cabinet, sleek black finish, and a modern 5.25"
Uni-Q driver array. The Q150 contains an enhanced Uni-Q Driver Array designed to smooth out treble frequencies, and reimagined crossovers to provide cleaner and more accurate bass.
--->
KEF Q150 Uni-Q Bookshelf / Desktop Speakers
Kimber Kable B BUS Cu USB Cable
Kimber's
very high quality B-Bus USB cable ($50 for 0.5 meter length) is without a doubt
much higher quality than the throw-away cables that come standard with most
electronics equipment. Our very own Dick Olsher has made very positive comments
about the difference in the sound quality of one's digital system when using
this cable. Kimber has earned a great reputation for making excellent cable and
this is one example of many I could recommend. Kimber Kable's B BUS Cu USB cable uses
silver-plated (6.1%) wire that are maximum gauge signal and power conductors.
High-density polyethylene signal conductor dielectric keeps the signal flowing
purely and the included ferrite noise reduction beads keeps unwanted noise away.
--->
Kimber Kable B BUS Cu USB Cable Review.
Nordost Qv2 AC Line Harmonizer
Nordost, out of Holliston, MA, not Norway, is one of the premier cable manufacturers in the world. They often run comparative demonstrations of their products at audio shows that I've found instructive on several
occasions. It was there that I first encountered their Qv2 AC Line Harmonizer. I listened intently with the Qv2 both in and out of the AC power strip, but I could hear little difference. Sometimes it takes a while to pick up on minor differences when you don't know exactly what it is you should or should not be hearing. In my case, it would be years before a friend brought one over for me to try in my system. In the familiar surroundings of my own listening room it was easy to hear the difference it makes.
--->
Nordost Qv2 AC Line Harmonizer.
Novus 7100 Plastic Polish Kit
Novus 7100 plastic polish kit is great for those who are still enjoying their digital disc collection. It also removes scratches from plastic lens sunglasses, and many other plastic items that you want to polish to a shine. According to Novus, who is where many companies seem to 'repackage' this product and sell at a far higher
cost....
--->
Novus 7100 Plastic Polish Kit
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC Turntable
/ Ortofon 2M
Pro-Ject's colorful Debut Carbon DC turntable comes with the
highly-regarded Ortofon 2M Red moving-magnet cartridge ($460). You also get a glorious 8.6" carbon fiber tonearm, while the increased platter size has more weight than lesser turntables to ensure speed stability and sound
quality.
--->
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC Turntable / Ortofon 2M
Schiit Lyr 3 Modular
Headamp
/ DAC / Phono Stage
To improve on their Lyr 2, Schiit had to completely reinvent the amplifier, introduce two new technologies, and make it modular. Yes,
that's right. Not only is the new Lyr 3 (starting at $499) a big sonic upgrade, it can be configured with the DAC or phono preamp of your
choice — just like Schiit's Jotunheim.
---> Schiit Lyr 3 Modular Headamp / DAC / Phono Stage
S.M.S.L SP-200 THX AAA-888 Headphone Amplifier
For the longest time, getting your hands on a headphone amplifier featuring THX technology was a headache. There were previously only three headphone amplifiers that included
THX's groundbreaking technology, the most popular of the three had notoriously inconsistent availability, leaving many adopters with long wait times.
--->
S.M.S.L SP-200 THX AAA-888 Headphone Amplifier
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SVS Prime Wireless SoundBase
SVS' Prime Wireless SoundBase ($499) is a dual-threat audio component that brings high-resolution wireless audio streaming, advanced connectivity and smart control to conventional speakers or, using its line level output, creates a smart wireless music zone with your AV receiver or two-channel stereo system.
--->
SVS Prime Wireless SoundBase
Synergistic Research Orange Quantum Fuses
And UEF Black Duplex Outlet
The ORANGE Fuse is Synergistic Research's latest and greatest version of their extremely popular UEF Blue Fuse. In fact the Blue fuse earned Enjoy the Music.com's 2018 Great Audiophile Gift recommendation. If you are one of the thousands of SR Fuse users, than you already know what an improvement the tiny devices add to your
electronic's performance.
--->
Synergistic Research Orange Quantum Fuses and UEF Black Duplex Outlet
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Previous Great Audiophile
Gift Suggestions
Great
Audiophile Gifts 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017,
2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012,
2011, 2010, 2008,
2007, 2006,
and 2005.