They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. But from what I've seen at local garage sales and flea markets, the sentiment doesn't seem to apply to outdated technologies, where piles of cassette players, VCRs, DVD players, and media are practically given away. Still, I have to admit feeling a pang of nostalgia when I watched a handful of these videos below, showcasing many of the once hi-tech devices which gave me great joy...until something "newer" and "better" arrived on the landscape.

Product: High Resolution Technologies microStreamer
Price: $189.95
Rating: Recommend*

Walking across the CES show floor earlier this year made one thing clear: more audiophile companies are (finally) realizing music listeners place portability on equal ground with audio performance. High Resolution Technologies took note of the trend, releasing the microStreamer, a tiny USB Headphone DAC unit designed to amplify and massage digital music for headphone listeners.

Electronics style fiends have been lusting over Dieter Rams-designed Braun products for more than half a century. And when it became clear that his simple, principled designs inspired countless Apple products, the furor over his work reached a fever pitch. Braun still makes clocks, shavers, and a few other products that hearken back to Rams’ original designs, but the original electronics are hard to come by and have spawned a fierce vintage market.

I recently took a poll at work and asked my co-workers if they felt like vinyl was making a comeback or if the resurgence was just a temporary fad. Trend or not, I found audiophiles almost always prefer vinyl over MP3s and even CDs. Beyond providing a wider range of sound quality since vinyl records are an analogue recording, they also make a pleasing addition to decor...

Product: Denon Cocoon
Price: $599.00
Rating: Weak Recommend*

With speaker docks becoming the boombox of today, it's no surprise that Denon has finally come to the table with its own offering. Features for ease of use are always important, but a full listen often reveals the true tonal balance capabilities of any speaker system. Here we'll dive in and evaluate the true sonic signature of this new Sound Dock from Denon.

A slew of new audio devices were unveiled at CES, joining an already crowded wireless audio market -- with just about every manufacturer showcasing their take on an Airplay or Bluetooth component. I did spot something a bit different though at the RCA booth -- something more versatile and perhaps more useful. Using magnetic coupling, RCA Soundflow speaker docks were able to broadcast sound from your smartphone without wires and without pairing. You simply place any device on top of the stand and enjoy the amplified music almost magically. More

Product: HandCandy Headphones
Price: $40
Rating: Recommend*

The New Year is a perfect time to explore new things, and that's exactly what I did with HandCandy Headphones. They're headphones designed to look like a necklace. You wear the beads like a long necklace and plug the headphones in your ears when you're listening to music, or leave them hanging if you aren't. For those interested in something new for their next set of headphones, here's my review on testing out two pairs of HandCandy Headphones: DuneTunes and LadyBuds.

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Commuting this time of year can be tough — you have to haul stuff, stay warm and dry, be entertained, and keep your sanity. Over the last eight years I've tried all modes of transportation to my 14-mile-away office, and whether it's walking, biking, or riding the bus or train, I've picked up on a few key elements for making the trip a little more enjoyable. Here are my gifting tips for those commuters in your life. More

You don't have to break the bank in order to get some music at your next holiday party. There are plenty of docks and portable speakers that look cool and don't cost a whole lot. Sometimes all you need is a little tech accessory to amplify the built-in speakers on your phone or tablet. You don't have to have a great music library either, just use an app like Pandora, Spotify or iHeartRadio and you're good to go. More

As we approach the holiday season, we're anticipating a lot of home entertainment and parties to come. Whether you're thinking of having dinner parties, game nights or just having people over to spend time together, here are some tech basics to think about that will help you with entertaining at home. More