Golden Schlong 2020 Nominations

1. Hive (headphones)
2. Zen dac signature (dac)

There are many cheap or semi-cheap cool things I enjoyed fantastically this year ("going cheap" was actually my new year resolution) -- many of them come with manageable compromises or peculiarities, and thus need varying extent of effort on an user's end.

But the two above imho reach to the realm of "recommendable beyond personal niche". All value frontiers in what they respectively are.

 

Frequent SBAF reader, seldom SBAF poster, but given how many of my audio components I've purchased based on reviews here, I'm going to weigh in FWIW:

1) Seconding the vote for Elex for V if not L also. Bought it when it was first released and it's still holding strong (I've bought and sold Elear, Clear, and Stellia in the mean time). When I listen to it with past Schlong winners BF2 and DSHA-3F, I can't believe how high-end it sounds for $700.

2) JBL 305 for V? I don't think it has won anything in the past, and given how many people here mention it as a reference, maybe it deserves some recognition.

 

Utopia got a resurgence this year, I'd recommend that for continued excellence and longevity. The 3F is still a pretty spectacular amp as well, it deserves excellence and longevity.

 

Amp:

SW51+ V/E/L
DNA Starlett E

IEM:

Gaudio Nair E
Moondrop Starfield V
JVC Drop HA-FDX1 V/E/L

Digital:

Schiit Bifrost 2 V/E
Schiit Eitr V/L
Massdrop Airist RDAC V
PI2AES V/E/L up the ass all three

Headphones:

Senn HD600/650/6XX V/E/L
JAR650 E

 

Aww shucks. Thanks.

But seriously I really want a Golden Schlong Award. Like for realizies.

 

I think SW51 should get a bit of an extension due to the longer than normal production lead times (and COVID) that limited exposure. IMHO, it's 100% golden schlong worthy. IOW, of anything i've added to my system over the last two years, SW51 has been the greatest value for dollar. I mean, this stupid little amp sounds like it's $2,000. BF2 is a medium-distance second.

 

Floating Turd Award

Put the three together for a system synergy of great value award.

 

Add the PI2AES in the mix if you want to avoid the computer screen altogether. I can make a strong case that this setup can cover 95% of the music listeners and they would be satisfied.

 

Let's all remember last year's winners:

Golden Schlong:

• RAAL Requisite SR1A (E)
  
• Verum 1.0 (V)
  
• Utopia (EL) – won SD 2017
  
• ZMF Verite Open / Closed (E)
  
• ECP DSHA 3F (E)
  
• Schiit Bifrost 2 (EV)
  
• Pi2AES (EV)
  
• Schiit Aegir (EV)

Silver Dong:

• Sennheiser HD600 (LV)
  
• DNA Starlett (E)
  
• SW51 (V)

Now is there a difference between the SW51 to the SW51+, or are they the same?

Unfortunately there were just not many new groundbreaking products released this year.

If you guys want to have a repeat winner, that is no problem. Just wanted to make sure everyone is informed.

 

sw51+ has the upgraded pot
Zana Deux S for longevity, new to me, old for the rest of you. 1 day I'll A/B it with SW51+ but either one makes me happy...
HD800s, again new to me but it has been around for a long time.
Atomic Bob Noise Nuke, very versatile, right now with the pi2aes, I have used it with several different devices...

 

• SW51+ for V and E
• LSR305 for L?
• ....Riva Turbo X for V and L...?

I feel like there should be an award for the Greatest Member of All Time™ and that should go to @atomicbob. I have learned a lot from him and his contributions.

If there's something like a Disappointment of the Year Award (Award for Nasty Unflushable Scheisse? ANUS for short?), for me that'd go to the shenanigans involving a certain racist headphone easily. It still stings. ASR comes as a close second I suppose.

 

For me, the combination of RAAL-requisite SR1a headphones and Schiit Jotunheim R amp is pure gold. Just can't stop listening!

 

Only thing I can think of that doesn't have an award yet is in the two-channel world: Quad 405 for L. It's 40 years old but I haven't found an amp with similar or greater power at up to about €1000 that I like better: it has a gentle sound that is neither all warm and boomy nor too "square".