Darren Melrose Photography

Something quite different….

I have always been a bit of an audiophile.  I have worked in the audio industry, always craved the best and even if I couldn’t afford truly high end gear, I built myself quite a nice sounding audio system back in Canada.  However, since moving to Taiwan, the audio gear has been in storage back in Canada, my thousand or so CDs have been replaced by my iPod, and I have kind of lost touch with what was happening not only at the highest end of audio, but in the budget audiophile ranks as well.

Well after deciding that the sound quality of the on board sound card of my computer was no longer tolerable when listening through headphones (my usual method), I had kind of decided on a new sound card.  Well, I thought, if I am going to spend about 2500nt on a new sound card, maybe I should give a little more consideration to a piece I have seen around town, but never really looked into that deeply.  This is how the Dared MP-5 ended up on my desk.

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The Dared is a really cool piece.  It is basically a very small integrated amplifier, with a line level input on the back and a USB input on the front.  Simply by plugging in a USB cable between my computer and the amp, I can now let the Dared make the sound I hear from my computer.  Further, I can use my iPod or any other source along with the MP-5.

The Dared is an integrated amp, being able to deliver something like 13 watts per channel, as well as having a headphone jack for more private listening.  As of right now, I am only using it with my ‘phones.

I have to say that I could not be more pleased with what I get for my money from the Dared.  The sound is clean, lively and open; far surpassing what I was expecting.  It is hard to explain if you haven’t had experience with tube electronics, tubes sound good and the Dared doesn’t dissappoint.  For a pretty inexpensive, made in China piece, I have to say that the fit and finish is also really nice.   The attenuator has a good, resistive feel, as does the source selector switch.  The chrome is nicely finished, although easy to fingerprint and probable scratches easily.  Nice touches are that included in the package are a pair of white cotton gloves for handling and a brush for cleaning out little nooks and crannies.  Nice touches on a budge piece.

Since getting the MP-5, I have spend a lot of time, just relistening to old favourite tracks; it has reminded me why I used to enjoy music and audio gear so much.  I guess now my next purchase will be a small, efficient set of speakers to mate with them.

Buying stuff is so much fun…

Strictly a vanity project…

We all have our vices.  One of mine is most certainly smoking, just not in the way most who have  the habit are addicted to it.  I don’t partake of the death candles myself, but when it comes to taking photos, I can’t help but take shots of men while smoking.  There is something about those little cancer sticks which make for great props in a photography to my eyes.

The Ma@100 demonstration certainly presented me with the opportunity to indulge my weakness.  Here are some of the selects.

I hope my indulgent little sidestep is ok with you all.