Recommendations you can check.
American senior staff engineer working on developer and user experience and open source; writes at adamdehaven.com.
16 things
Schiit Modi 3Hardware Schiit Audio
Schiit Modi 3 - An affordable DAC that makes my computer audio sound, well, really good. The Modi also features a 3-way input switch.
His "What I use" page, an up-to-date list of the tools, software and hardware he uses regularly. The page is undated and no dated source for it could be found. (undated page)
2020-10-02·adamdehaven.com ↗
Technics SL-D2 TurnTableHardware Technics
Technics SL-D2 TurnTable - This thing has been around since before I was born. It belonged to my parents, and now it's all mine, including all their vintage vinyl.
His "What I use" page, an up-to-date list of the tools, software and hardware he uses regularly. The page is undated and no dated source for it could be found. (undated page)
2020-10-02·adamdehaven.com ↗
Alpaka Elements Backpack ProHardware Alpaka
Alpaka Elements Backpack Pro - The perfect commuter backpack. Includes space for all of my tech gear, external water bottle pockets, and more.
His "What I use" page, an up-to-date list of the tools, software and hardware he uses regularly. The page is undated and no dated source for it could be found. (undated page)
2020-10-02·adamdehaven.com ↗
Owala FreeSipHardware Owala
Owala FreeSip - What I have determined is the perfect insulated water bottle to use at the office or when working from home.
His "What I use" page, an up-to-date list of the tools, software and hardware he uses regularly. The page is undated and no dated source for it could be found. (undated page)
2020-10-02·adamdehaven.com ↗
Schiit SYSHardware Schiit Audio
Schiit SYS - A simple, 2-input passive preamp. No electronics. No power. No distortion. Just a 2-way switch and a potentiometer. SYS stands for "switch your,...er... schtuff."
His "What I use" page, an up-to-date list of the tools, software and hardware he uses regularly. The page is undated and no dated source for it could be found. (undated page)
2020-10-02·adamdehaven.com ↗
Audioengine A2+ SpeakersHardware Audioengine
Audioengine A2+ Speakers - Powered desktop speakers. I previously owned the A5+, but they took up way too much desk real estate. I also have them sitting on the DS1 Desktop Speaker Stands to isolate the speakers and reduce vibration.
His "What I use" page, an up-to-date list of the tools, software and hardware he uses regularly. The page is undated and no dated source for it could be found. (undated page)
2020-10-02·adamdehaven.com ↗
Cotopaxi Allpa 28L Travel PackHardware Cotopaxi
Cotopaxi Allpa 28L Travel Pack - I've been traveling a lot the past few years (5 countries in Q4 of 2025 alone 😅) and this pack is the perfect size for carry on, alongside my small roller bag.
His "What I use" page, an up-to-date list of the tools, software and hardware he uses regularly. The page is undated and no dated source for it could be found. (undated page)
2020-10-02·adamdehaven.com ↗
Benchmade Mini GriptilianHardware Benchmade
Benchmade Mini Griptilian - There's always a use for a reliable knife. A bonus in going with Benchmade: they will sharpen and clean your knife for free for life; just mail it in.
His "What I use" page, an up-to-date list of the tools, software and hardware he uses regularly. The page is undated and no dated source for it could be found. (undated page)
2020-10-02·adamdehaven.com ↗
Stowa Flieger Classic 40Hardware Stowa
Stowa Flieger Classic 40 - When I'm not wearing my Apple Watch, this classic Pilot watch is on my wrist. Sapphire crystal, blued steel hands, and a date window at the 6 o'clock position. Perfect.
His "What I use" page, an up-to-date list of the tools, software and hardware he uses regularly. The page is undated and no dated source for it could be found. (undated page)
2020-10-02·adamdehaven.com ↗
KBD Fans KBD75 V3.1 Mechanical KeyboardHardware KBDfans
KBD Fans KBD75 V3.1 Mechanical Keyboard - A mechanical keyboard hobby is a pit you can just throw money into. Check out r/MechanicalKeyboards on Reddit for how to get started/empty your pockets.
His "What I use" page, an up-to-date list of the tools, software and hardware he uses regularly. The page is undated and no dated source for it could be found. (undated page)
2020-10-02·adamdehaven.com ↗
Dell UltraSharp 38 Curved USB-C Hub Monitor - U3821DWHardware Dell
Dell UltraSharp 38 Curved USB-C Hub Monitor - U3821DW - A curved widescreen monitor I purchased a few years ago with my work's technology allowance. One wide screen beats two screens for everything. Try it.
His "What I use" page, an up-to-date list of the tools, software and hardware he uses regularly. The page is undated and no dated source for it could be found. (undated page)
2020-10-02·adamdehaven.com ↗
Visual Studio CodeSoftware Microsoft
Visual Studio Code - The main IDE on my personal and work computer.
His "What I use" page, an up-to-date list of the tools, software and hardware he uses regularly. The page is undated and no dated source for it could be found. (undated page)
2020-10-02·adamdehaven.com ↗
SpotifyService Spotify
Spotify - Rock on
His "What I use" page, an up-to-date list of the tools, software and hardware he uses regularly. The page is undated and no dated source for it could be found. (undated page)
2020-10-02·adamdehaven.com ↗
Nomad Goods Card Wallet PlusHardware Nomad Goods
Nomad Goods Card Wallet Plus - A slim leather wallet for cards and folded cash.
His "What I use" page, an up-to-date list of the tools, software and hardware he uses regularly. The page is undated and no dated source for it could be found. (undated page)
2020-10-02·adamdehaven.com ↗
Breville Bambino Plus Espresso MachineHardware Breville
Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine and Baratza Encore ESP Pro Coffee Grinder - Developers need coffee, and I like mine HOT. The integrated milk steamer is a must-have, and since this machine takes freshly ground beans, the grinder allows me to tweak the grind size for perfect single dose espresso shots.
His "What I use" page, an up-to-date list of the tools, software and hardware he uses regularly. The page is undated and no dated source for it could be found. (undated page)
2020-10-02·adamdehaven.com ↗
Google KeepSoftware Google
Google Keep - I use this primarily as a shared shopping list and "wish list," and for saving web links and lists I want to add to/come back to later.
His "What I use" page, an up-to-date list of the tools, software and hardware he uses regularly. The page is undated and no dated source for it could be found. (undated page)
2020-10-02·adamdehaven.com ↗
Every entry is a verbatim quote and a link to the public post it came from. Nothing is paraphrased. If it is not on record somewhere public, it is not here.
The verdict is what they actually said: loved and liked are explicit; recommended means they told others to get it; uses means they only say they use it; read is a book on their public shelf with no verdict; mixed and disliked are kept too.
A dashed affiliate link, sponsored or their own label means the post disclosed a relationship. It is shown, never hidden.
The shading behind a date shows how dated a recommendation is for its kind of thing.
The shading behind a date shows how dated a recommendation is, for its kind of thing. Fully green is recent. It drains a quarter at a time as the post gets older, and is empty once it reads as dated.
What counts as old depends on the thing. A laptop praised four years ago has been replaced twice; a book loved twenty years ago is probably still loved. The shading is gone after about:
Stripes mean the post carries no date and the date shown is an estimate. No date at all, no shading.