LM3886 Stereo Power Amplifier Kit
I recently posted a review of a volume control, and today I'm continuing the series of reviews about all kinds of audio equipment. This time, I'm looking at a power amplifier based on the fairly popular LM3886 chips.
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TV boxes: a roundup of tested models
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2-08-2018, 12:07
I’ve been meaning to write an article like this for a long time, partly because I’ve already tested quite a few of these devices, partly because I wanted to organize all the information, and partly because readers have asked me to do it more than once.
Stereo volume controller with input selector and VFD display
Somehow, despite the large number of reviews I've written, I've hardly ever reviewed devices related to audio equipment in one way or another. Of course, I did review a power supply for a power amplifier, but in my view that's only tangentially related. So I've decided to take a look at amplifiers, DACs, and other audio devices, starting with a volume controller. I chose this volume controller mainly for aesthetic reasons, since it's very simple in terms of functionality, so today's review won't be very long.
Compact QC 3.0 charger / power supply
25-07-2018, 17:15
Standalone devices that support Quick Charge are becoming increasingly common, so I decided to take a closer look at what “feeds” these “pets”—a QC 3.0 charger (power supply). It’s very compact, but you can read all about it in the review: as usual, I’ll take a look, run some tests, take it apart, and share my conclusions.
YR1030, a milliohm meter for measuring low resistance and the internal resistance of batteries
16-07-2018, 20:12
I've published quite a few battery reviews, and people often asked why I don't measure the batteries' internal resistance in them. My answer was usually the same: the instruments I had couldn't measure this parameter accurately, so there was no point in taking measurements. But fairly recently, I got my hands on a specialized instrument designed specifically for this kind of measurement. This device belongs to a very specialized class of measuring instruments, but I can imagine it being useful for more than just working with batteries.
Epilot E4 power bank for 4×18650 cells with pass-through charging
15-07-2018, 18:37
How many times have I started with the words, “I’ve already reviewed a similar product,” only to find myself doing it again. About a year and a half ago, I posted a review of a somewhat unusual power bank for four 18650 batteries, with independent charging and pass-through power. Today’s review is of a very similar device, though with a few differences.
150 W Simple Electronic Load Kit
9-07-2018, 20:34
Some time ago, a friend of mine who works with various batteries asked me to come up with a test bench for battery packs. One of the bench’s key functions would be discharging them. At first, I planned to build everything myself, but it turned out that China sells an inexpensive, decent kit for the job, and in some situations it makes more sense to use it than to start from scratch.
Flash sale on a popular Xiaomi TV box
3-07-2018, 00:07
GearBest is holding a sale on one of its popular TV box models, and as far as I can tell, this is currently the lowest price.
Compact power supply with power factor correction and a claimed output of 400 W
2-07-2018, 14:02
Another power supply has landed in my hands. I didn't buy it; a friend of mine did, but that doesn't matter here. What caught my attention first was its claimed output of 400 W, its fairly compact size, and the fact that it has power factor correction.
Dahua IPC-HDBW4431R-ZS surveillance camera, or what the competition has to offer
1-07-2018, 11:49
As it happens, there are currently two leaders in the video surveillance industry. I’ve written quite a bit about one of them, the well-known company Hikvision. But the other company has somehow remained in the shadows. Although its name, Dahua, may not sound particularly appealing to Russian speakers, it would still be wrong to overlook it. I don’t know why, but there are noticeably fewer reviews of this company’s products, and that’s partly why I decided to fill the gap. Besides, I’ve been asked about Dahua products several times already. So today I’m reviewing and briefly comparing products from two major companies.
Alfawise T1, a mini PC with an N4100 processor based on Gemini Lake
28-06-2018, 10:44
Not long ago, I saw someone mention that there hasn't been anything new on the market lately. But now I've got my hands on a mini PC with a processor announced late last year, and today I'm reviewing this new model. About a year and a half ago, I posted a review of a similar new model with an Apollo Lake processor. This version is its logical successor and is called Gemini Lake. As usual, the review covers the exterior, teardown, tests, and conclusions.
Beelink Announces Two New Mini PC Models
28-06-2018, 03:00
I thought I’d share the news: the fairly well-known Chinese company Beelink recently introduced a couple of interesting mini PC models. If you’re interested in this category, I think you’ll find some useful information here.
Raitool trim router, or “file it down after assembly”
A router is definitely not one of the most popular tools, unlike a drill, hammer drill, or screwdriver, but it can still be a real lifesaver in some situations. I can't say I'm any kind of expert when it comes to using routers, but I've had a chance to work with them a few times over the years, so today I'll share what I've learned from those experiences. I'll also talk about the different types of routers.
DS-2CD1141-I or another Hikvision camera
17-06-2018, 20:18
Not long ago, I posted a review of a relatively expensive 8-megapixel camera. Today I'm reviewing a somewhat simpler model, both in resolution and features. Its key advantages are its 4 MP resolution, low price, and well-known manufacturer. As always, read on for the rest of the review.
Another set of crimp terminals and insulated wire splices
Last month I posted a review of crimp terminals for stranded wire. Today, I’m continuing the review on the same topic. In this review, I’ll test two different sets: one contains various types of terminals, and the other contains insulated sleeves for joining wires.
Teclast P80 Pro: A Brief Review of a Small Tablet
15-06-2018, 10:54
Another tablet has landed in my hands, but this time it isn't one of those 10–11-inch "giants". It's a small, modest tablet with a screen diagonal of just 8 inches. I liked it, even though it has its share of drawbacks. Read on for the full review, including a closer look, teardown, tests, and conclusions.
12V-10A board (claimed)
14-06-2018, 14:53
Hello everyone. I put together a short review of a “new” used 12V-10A board (claimed). First, I apologize for any inaccuracies or mistakes. I’ve never written a review before.
Xiaomi MiBox 3 TV box, international version
I’ve already reviewed quite a few TV boxes from different manufacturers, but this is the first time I’ve had a model from the well-known Chinese company Xiaomi in my hands. Actually, no—not the first time. More accurately, this is the first time I’m writing a review of a TV box from this company. As usual, I’ll take a look inside and test it. I’ll also try to compare its pros and cons with devices I’ve tested before, and of course I’ll add the information to the summary table.





