Mac Edition Radio

Mac Edition Radio produces reviews and news stories about the latest technologies, digital imaging, music, & photography.

Review – Topping E30 DAC and L30 Headphone Amplifier

The audiophile's holy grail has long been great sound on a budget. Recently, the word around town is that a Chinese company, Topping, is delivering solid products, at extremely affordable price points. Two products, the TOPPING E30 DAC and L30 Headphone Amplifier are inexpensive, yet boast a feature set of far more expensive components. They meet just about every possible spec wish list on the books (with the exception of MQA) to high-resolution audio. We used the ensemble to put the new HIFIMAN HE-R10D dynamic headphones to the test. When Apos Audio offered us the opportunity to live with this affordable duo for a while, we couldn’t say no. Read on to learn more about this dynamic duo.

Harris Fogel & Nancy Burlan, Posted 7/26/2021

Review – The minder® Laptop Tower Stand from obVus Solutions

There was a point last year when it became obvious that the pandemic was not going to be over in a few weeks as everyone hoped, and we would instead continue working from home for the long haul, most often hunched over a laptop at the dining room table. After a month or so of sore necks and backaches, we discovered a solution to our problem: the minder® Laptop Tower Stand from obVus Solutions. Read on to see how an elegant solution helped us maintain a healthy, comfortable posture while working from home!

Nancy Burlan, Posted 6/23/2021

Review – The Vinyl Record Cleaning System from The Vinyl Record Cleaning Company - Part 1 of 2

It's not often that we refer to cleaning albums as fun. But the unique Vinyl Record Cleaning (VRC) System and VRC Restore! vinyl record cleaning film, provided much more fun than we expected. In previous articles we've looked at different approaches to cleaning LPs, all of which used the same process - get the records wet, wash the dirt out, then dry them. We've also commented on the strange (but not recommended) trend of using wood glue to “clean” albums; an interesting but peril-fraught technique. So, when our colleagues recommended that we take a look at a new process from The Vinyl Record Cleaning Company of Australia, our interest was piqued. Read on for our take on this unique process. Part one of a two-part article.

Harris Fogel, Nancy Burlan, and Frank Schramm, Posted 4/7/2021

Review – Accell & Kanex Cables, USB 4 Type-C Adapters, and Thunderbolt Adapters

Do you remember when we were promised that our lives would be wireless? No cables, all our devices magically communicating, charging, printing, and so much more. The reality has been anything but. We seem to need more cables and adapters then ever. While our phones can do amazing things, at some point we need to charge them, transfer data, and attach peripherals. And so much more. Two of our favorite manufacturers are Accell, and Kanex. Both have earned a reputation for solid engineering, with first rate products. USB 4 Type-C got you down, no problem! Read on for our recommendations.

Harris Fogel and Nancy Burlan, Posted 2/21/2021

One Week Later: Seven Observations From CES 2021

It's one week after the virtual CES 2021 ended—and John Mulhern III believes he's got somewhat of a handle on what mattered at this year's show that was truly like no other. He "returns" with seven quick observations, ranging from Sony's Airpeak drone to Lenovo's ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga notebook.

John Mulhern III, Posted 1/20/2021

Review - The 2020 Daguerreian Society Symposium

The Daguerreian Society was formed in 1988 as a group “dedicated to the history, science, and art of the daguerreotype,” but has expanded its mission; hence the Society’s new tag line: “dedicated to the history, science, and art of early photography and processes.” Normally, the Society hosts on an annual five-day conference, but due to the pandemic, they cut two days from the event, but kept a full schedule of speakers, panels, and museum tours, created a Virtual TradeFair, a benefit auction, and even informal time to chat over drinks or dinner. How well did this important symposium work out as a virtual event? Read on for our full review.

Harris Fogel with editorial support by Nancy Burlan, Stephen Perloff, and Sarah Weatherwax, Posted 1/11/2021

Review – Audeze LCD-1 Open-Back Foldable Planar Magnetic Headphones and Orchard Audio’s PecanPi® USB - USB DAC and Headphone Amplifier

One of the most talked about new headphones is the Audeze LCD-1 Open-Back Foldable Planar Magnetic Headphones, an affordable, flexible, and sonically superior product. How to review them? Why, just pair them with the PecanPi® USB - USB DAC and Headphone Amplifier, from Orchard Audio, a small (tiny?) one-man company, run by Leonid (Leo) Ayzenshtat, that’s been winning rave reviews for its affordable gear. To listen, we played wonderful tracks from Qobuz, Universal Music, Chesky Records, Owlsong Productions, and others. Read on for our full review.

Harris Fogel and Frank Schramm, with editorial input from Nancy Burlan, posted 12/9/2020, updated 1/5/2020

One Week out from CES: Eight Areas to Watch

With only a week to go until it begins, John Mulhern III's attention is now solidly on CES 2021 in mid-January, and he writes about eight areas he's watching at the Consumer Technology Association's annual trade show—all virtual for the first time this year.

John Mulhern III, Posted 1/4/2021

2020 Holiday Technology Upgrade Guide

From John Mulhern III's perspective, the (merciful) end of 2020 is a time to re-examine technology categories that have quietly improved over the last few years.

He's got five suggestions for potential upgrades in this holiday season: noise-cancelling headphones, a high-end keyboard, RAM and storage, mesh networks, and considering a new iPad.

John Mulhern III, posted 12/13/2020

Review – Raycop RS Pro UV+ / Steamless Heat Vacuum, Omni Air Cordless Stick Vacuum, Omni Power UV+ Cordless Vacuum, & Raycop GO UV+ Ultra-Light Cordless Vacuum

COVID-19, the invisible virus holding the world hostage, has caused many to worry about staying healthy. Trying to eliminate the bacteria and viruses in our homes, offices, and vehicles is one approach. UV-C light is considered among the most effective ways to disinfect places the virus might be lurking, and the easiest way we have found to keep your home safe is with a line of vacuums from Raycop, a Japanese company founded by Immunologist Dr. Michael Lee to help people make their homes healthier and to mitigate allergies. Their new line of UV-C equipped vacuums promises to keep your home clean as well as kill nasty viruses and bacteria, all without chemicals. Read on for our full report.

Harris Fogel and Nancy Burlan, Posted 9/22/2020, updated 12/2/2020

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