Article: ALO Audio Continental Dual Mono DAC / Amp

[Golden Ears]

I listened to this device in Newport at The Show and thought it was bested by a Hugo portable dac to the upcoming Cavalli portable amp (granted that's two pieces of equipment) through both Roxanne customs and LCD-3's. That said, it was a capable sounding unit, but it is a little heavy to carry around.

 

I also heard this unit at Newport at the Head-fi show vs the Hugo (but not with the Cavali) and was very impressed with the LCD-3's in combo. I did not find the Hugo by itself to be as well balanced in terms of even frequency response.

 

This is certainly one of the best Portable DAC/Amps out there.

 

Music was fluid, dynamic with appropriate bloom , color and nuance. Earth Wind and and Fire and Micheal Jackson enveloped me and put the soul in my soul. An excellent job of voicing by Ken, really for me the highlight of the last show. I did not get much time with the Woo tube portable , this form factor is just small enough to lend itself to portable as opposed to transportable use. I preferred the sound of the CDM to many full sized rigs.... battery power is just very very clean with plenty of current for dynamic swings.