- Göbel Loudspeakers & Cables, Engström Pre and Power, Wadax Digital, Kronos Turntable, Zyx Cartridge19 May 2019, 10:12 pm
Pretty eye-catching, eh? Such was the class act from Göbel High End, who even brought their own room treatment panels to the show.Sun, 05/19/2019...
- Dynaudio Confidence 30 Loudspeakers and Simaudio Moon Electronics19 May 2019, 9:34 pm
When Dynaudio’s Mike Manousselis told me that the new Dynaudio Confidence 30 ($20,000/pair) has a new Esotar3 tweeter, I thought of John Atkinson, who praised this company’s tweeters in a review some years back. The new tweeter includes a Hexis inner dome to help dissipate back wave energy and, as with all the other new drivers in the speaker, uses new “ultra-powerful” neodymium magnets. Sun, 05/19/2019... - Octave Jubilee 300 B, HP-700 preamp, Focal Scala, Clearaudio Master Innovation, Wireworld Cabling19 May 2019, 9:13 pm
I was never able to take a photo of Octave’s full system, because so many people were walking up to the equipment rack and Focal Scala speakers to ogle Octave’s new Jubilee 300B amplifier (54,000 Euros). (That’s what happens when you display in one of the big glass-entranced spaces surrounding three sides of the first floor Atriums in the MOC.) You’ll have to settle for this photo, taken of a static display on the other side of the room divider from the active system.Sun,... - Cube Audio Nenuphar Loudspeakers, Teutron TU 2A3/50S-1 Amplifier, Lampizator Big 7 DAC18 May 2019, 6:12 pm
At AXPONA 2019 and now at High End 2019, Cube Audio demonstrated their beautifully finished complete speakers, like the €16,000 Nenuphar that I would die to hear in my own system.Sat, 05/18/2019... - Gershman Grand Avant Garde Loudspeakers, VTL Amplification18 May 2019, 5:56 pm
Without forethought, at every audio show I attend, I inevitably end up smiling, relaxed, and happy in the Gershman Acoustics room. Especially lately, when the always-cheerful Ofra Gershman is playing the $13k/pair Grand Avant Garde floor-standing loudspeakers.Sat, 05/18/2019...
- Audirvana Launches New Version Audirvana 3.5 for MacOS17 May 2019, 7:31 pm
The following is a press release issued by Audirvana. Paris, France | May 17, 2019 — AUDIRVANA, maker of the leading expert audio software for Mac, has redesigned the software and is thrilled to unveil its new version 3.5. AUDIRVANA, Completely rewritten, the new Audirvana version 3.5 for Mac benefits from an improvement in Sound Quality compared to previous versions, as well as a new-generation Graphical User Interface and new features such as the Mini Player. Created by Damien Plisson an... - Munich High End 2019: Loudspeakers17 May 2019, 3:02 pm
The biggest and best audio show in the world was, I’m pleased to say, good-sounding on the whole, which has not always been the case in the past in Munich. Oh, there were the usual room nodes and specular reflections, but more often than not the speakers on display showed well in spite of any added boom or sibilance. Please note that I had to cover everything in the way of loudspeakers this year—from Elac’s phenomenal $2400 Carina to Living Voice’s half-million dollar Vox... - Q&A with Hans-Joachim Voss of Accustic Arts17 May 2019, 12:44 pm
What ignited your interest in the high end? The music side or the electronics side? My interest in music has accompanied me since my early youth. I’ve always enjoyed listening to music and attending concerts regularly. During my school years I worked part-time in a music store. This allowed me to buy records inexpensively. It was here that I bought my first hi-fi system, which I improved over the years. Today I still like to go to rock concerts, and every year I invite our partners for a w... - Sonner Audio Legato Duo Loudspeaker16 May 2019, 9:44 pm
I have to admit that Boston-based Sonner Audio was unfamiliar to me until I read colleague Andy Quint’s 2018 AXPONA report. He was impressed with the potential he heard under arduous show conditions (“Satisfying orchestral weight and timbral nuance were evident even on a brief audition”). Such audio qualities have always been near and dear to my heart, so I was eager to have a listen to this new kid on the block. Sonner Audio is led by president Gunny Surya—a music and au... - Marvin Gaye: What’s Going On16 May 2019, 3:59 pm
Kudos to Mobile Fidelity for this extraordinary release of Marvin Gaye’s 1971 masterpiece, What’s Going On. A major artistic step, this brilliant psychedelic-soul song-cycle’s themes of social and economic injustice, the horrors of war, displaced veterans, and environmental concerns rings all too clearly to this day. The latest in MoFi’s 1-Step series, this elaborately packaged and pricey reissue also introduces the company’s SuperVinyl technology. Developed by NEOT...
- PRESS RELEASE: STEREO Magazine Teams Up With Enjoy the Music.com17 May 2019, 5:42 pm
EnjoyTheMusic.com, a significant provider in high-end luxury audio equipment reviews, news and show reports since 1995, is elated to announce our teaming up with STEREO Magazine. As Europe's most respected magazine, STEREO has successfully reached millions of music lovers throughout the world spanning many decades. This new partnership continues the vision of both publications to share in the joys of music and how to best reproduce it within your home, office, and everywhere possible. For nearly... - HIGH END 2019 Exhibitor And Visitors Press Release17 May 2019, 12:04 pm
At HIGH END 2019, held last weekend in Munch, was incredibly successful as they showcased 551 exhibitors from 42 countries (+3.8% compared to 2018), had 21,180 visitors in total (+6.5%), and 8,208 trade visitors from 72 countries (+8.6%). According to HIGH END, whose motto this year was 'Enjoy The Music', "Friday clearly turned out to be the strongest visitor day, drawing several thousand music enthusiasts to the many exhibition stands. Continuously increasing number of exhibitors 551 exhibitors... - HIGH END 2019: Ayon Audio, Lumen White, Stromtank, And Sonitus16 May 2019, 4:44 pm
Just as during their debut at AXPONA 2019, Ayon Audio had their sweet looking pure Class A Epsilon Evo Mono vacuum tube amplifiers (€20,000) here at HIGH END 2019. A nice set of KT150 tubes, with very high quality parts and small signal tubes, produce an extraordinarily wide frequency response from 8Hz to 70kHz. Wide bandwidth, Class A power, super clean / transparency... you need to hear these in action to truly appreciate their ability to drive speakers.---> Read More ... - TBT: World Premiere Review! Elly Audio Loudspeaker16 May 2019, 5:06 am
Hello again everyone, I have been away awhile both enjoying and surviving the birth of my two daughters but things have settled down to a point where I can have some time in the evenings to pour myself a glass of my beverage of choice and not only put time in with my system, but write about it even. I have missed this so much, but I needed the right thing to come back to from my retirement... semi-retirement... or we'll call it a sabbatical?---> Read More ... - Tencent Music Entertainment Group Q1 2019 Results16 May 2019, 5:05 am
Tencent Music Entertainment Group (NYSE: TME), the leading online music entertainment platform in China, announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2019. Revenues were RMB5.74 billion ($855 million), an increase of 39.4% year-over-year. Operating profit was RMB1.15 billion ($171 million), an increase of 22.9% year-over-year. Net profit attributable to equity holders of the Company increased by 17.4% year over year to RMB987 million ($147 million). This past q...
- REVIEW: Mytek BROOKLYN BRIDGE | streamer | POLAND | RED Fingerprint1 May 2019, 10:00 pm
⌈ The MYTEK was founded in 1992 in New York by a Polish engineer MICHAŁ JUREWICZ. At the time he worked as a technician in recording studios and while working there he realized a weakness of one of the elements in the signal’s path - the analog-to-digital and digital-to-analogue conversions. The rest is history - currently it is one of the most recognizable brands with studio pedigree in the high-end audio industry. This time we had a chance to test its latest product, the BROOK... - COVER REVIEW: Cambridge Audio ALVA TT | turntable | GREAT BRITAIN1 May 2019, 10:00 pm
⌈ CAMBRIDGE AUDIO is a British company founded in - clearly - English Cambridge. Its origins date back to the early 1960s, when a group of engineers graduated the university there, and formally began operating in 1968. The first product was the 20-watt P40 integrated amplifier. Turntable ALVA TT is a turntable, created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the brand. ⌋ ambridge Audio is one of the „middle generation”, companiesfounded more or less in the same time as s... - REVIEW: Erzetich Audio DEIMOS + PHOBOS | headphone amplifier + headphones | SLOVENIA1 May 2019, 10:00 pm
⌈ The ERZETICH AUDIO was founded in 2012 and specializes in designing headphone amplifiers, and lately also two models of headphones were added to the lineup. The owner is Blaž Erzetič. He studied electronics, but also worked as a designer, illustrator and photographer. He lectured at two Slovenian universities: the University of Arts and the University of Natural Sciences, and as a musician he released four albums. This time we review his top headphone system: DEIMOS amplifier a... - REVIEW: Transrotor ALTO TMD | turntable | GERMANY1 May 2019, 10:00 pm
⌈ Model: Alto TMD Colour: ALU Tonearm: TR5012 Cartridge: without A description on turntable’s packaging ⌋ urntables by Transrotor, the oldest German manufacturer of record player, share a specific look: they are massive, solid, heavy and we see them mainly in three shapes: round, triangular and rectangular. You can see that the company peaks from time to time towards other manufacturers’ products, which results in such designs as Argos and Massimo, sometimes it c... - REVIEW: Vermöuth Audio REFERENCE RCA-FT01-Rho-Ho | analogue interconnect |RCA| INDONESIA1 May 2019, 10:00 pm
hen in April 2013 Hendri Ramli asked me if I would be willing to test his cables in "High Fidelity", I knew nothing about his company - this was the first time that I heard its name, VERMÖUTH AUDIO. This should have really been surprising considering the fact that this is a one-man micro-company with all its products hand-made from components purchased from sub-contractors. That’s what this company was back then and that’s what it is still today. When some time later his cables ...
- GALILEO POWECELL SX17 May 2019, 8:39 pm
The Galileo PowerCell SX is both evolution and revolution with four times the Active Filtration of the PowerCell 12 SE thanks to eleven more densely packed Active Electromagnetic Cells to the PowerCell 12 SE’s six EM Cells. The power supply for biasing the internal EM Cells has been completely re-engineered to have a lower noise... Read More » The post GALILEO POWECELL SX appeared first on Positive Feedback.... - Video Interviews from Munich 2019, Part 1: NativeDSD.com Talks with the Industry About DSD16 May 2019, 11:11 pm
Our good friends at the well-known DSD downloading site, NativeDSD.com, attended Munich 2019. During that time, they did a handful of video interviews with some key industry figures, which provide an excellent look at, and feel for, what Munich is all about. It also gives our readers an opportunity to hear more from companies that... Read More » The post Video Interviews from Munich 2019, Part 1: NativeDSD.com Talks with the Industry About DSD appeared first on Positive Feedback.... - Coltrane '58: The Prestige Years16 May 2019, 9:34 pm
What can I possibly say about John Coltrane that hasn't already been said? Every jazz lover worth their salt knows John Coltrane was a player and band leader of unparalleled depth, creativity, and skill. With Craft Recording's new box set Coltrane '58: The Prestige Years the question is less about Coltrane and more about whether... Read More » The post Coltrane '58: The Prestige Years appeared first on Positive Feedback.... - Brief Impressions: Jan Kraybill, The Orchestral Organ16 May 2019, 12:05 am
Reference Recordings RR-145, SACD and HDCD™ Price: $19.98; high-resolution download file, $24.98 While I don't do music reviews on a regular basis, there are times when a particular album really strikes me, and I have to say something…usually brief, but definite. This is one of those times. I just received a new SACD from my... Read More » The post Brief Impressions: Jan Kraybill, The Orchestral Organ appeared first on Positive Feedback.... - 1More Stylish True Wireless In-Ear Headphones15 May 2019, 3:33 pm
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to experience the Aerosmith: Deuces are Wild in-residence concert at the Park MGM hotel in Las Vegas. In addition to the show being one of the most extraordinary rock concerts of my life, I was treated to a direct feed from the band's mixing board to a... Read More » The post 1More Stylish True Wireless In-Ear Headphones appeared first on Positive Feedback....
- The world’s finest 300B tubes24 April 2019, 4:45 pm
If you are a lover of single ended triode amplifiers, no doubt you are familiar with the mighty 300B. The mightiest of them all are the vintage Western Electric 300Bs, and then if you can find them, the reissued WE 300Bs that came out around 2005 or so. Only a few pairs of these were [...]... - Issue 9511 April 2019, 12:15 am
Features Old School: Juan Cavillo restores a very old Pioneer Turntable 995: Jerold O’Brien scopes out the new mini ProJect Integrated Amp Journeyman Audiophile: Chord Qutest DAC By Shanon Swetlishnoff The Audiophile Apartment: Harbeth P3ESR Anniversary Edition By Jeff Dorgay Mine: It Should Be Yours Still more lego stuff! Porsche Coloring book Talking fish Snazzy reading [...]... - MOON by Simaudio 39010 April 2019, 11:42 pm
Building on the success of their Neo 380D DAC, Simaudio went back to the drawing board, creating the MOON 390 from the ground up, offering a perfect combination of flexibility and sonic performance that we’ve come to expect from this great Canadian company. Thanks to an onboard phono stage and a streaming DAC (that is [...]... - The Devialet Expert Pro 14010 April 2019, 5:13 pm
It’s been a long time since Devialet set the audio world on its axis, creating a product that sounds fantastic, yet looks as it should be on display at MOMA. Or perhaps in this case, the Louvre. Since Devialet, “lifestyle” is no longer an unmentionable word in high end audio. Like any classic, the design [...]... - The Krell K-300i9 April 2019, 4:49 pm
It’s funny what you remember. My tenure with Krell goes way back, to the demo room I was scared to enter, where an early Krell KSA 150 was matched to a pair of Apogee Stage speakers. Even though I had just purchased a Rotel integrated from the same dealer the “Krell room” seemed like exalted [...]...
- Paradigm Defiance X12 Subwoofer15 May 2019, 4:00 am
Paradigm’s newest line of powered subwoofers, Defiance, comprises six models. The Defiance V subline ranges from $399 to $649 USD, while the Defiance X subseries ranges from $999 to $1499. All but the lowest-priced model, the V8 ($399), include advanced features such as Anthem Room Correction (ARC), a built-in wireless Bluetooth module for Paradigm’s Subwoofer Control app, and an optional wireless connection module ($199). The Defiance subs offer the value-conscious audiophile a... - GoldenEar Technology Triton One.R Loudspeakers1 May 2019, 4:00 am
Note: Measurements taken in the anechoic chamber at Canada's National Research Council can be found through this link. The bigger, the better, right? The old adage doesn’t always hold, but so far, it’s been true of my own experiences of reviewing loudspeakers from GoldenEar Technology: the Aon 3 bookshelf ($998.98 USD per pair), the Triton One floorstander ($4999.98/pair), and their flagship, the Triton Reference ($8999.98/pair), each bigger and costlier than the one before. An... - Seven Shades of AC/DC's "Back in Black" -- Finding the Best Version to Test Your System With1 May 2019, 4:00 am
Every so often, I post to my Facebook page my opinions on audio- and music-related subjects, to see what others think. For example, on March 27, 2019, I uploaded an image of the cover of AC/DC’s album Back in Black (1980) and wrote: “Is it only me who thinks that this is one of the best-recorded rock albums of all time?” ... - Big Surprise -- Fluance RT83 Turntable1 May 2019, 4:00 am
In last month’s column, I expressed the disappointment I felt when I first unpacked Paradigm’s Premier 100B loudspeakers. For speakers costing $798 USD/pair, I thought the 100B looked a bit too much like its little brother, Paradigm’s Monitor SE Atom, which costs only $298/pair. Thankfully, the 100B’s sound didn’t disappoint. ... - Recommended Reference Component: Meze Audio Empyrean Headphones1 May 2019, 4:00 am
Brent Butterworth began his review of the Meze Audio Empyrean headphones, published April 1, 2019, on SoundStage! Solo, with this declaration: “The Empyreans represent the gutsiest move the headphone biz has seen in a long time. At $2999 USD, they’re almost ten times the price of Meze Audio’s next-priciest over-ear headphones, the 99 Classics ($309). They use a new driver technology I’ve never seen before. And they’re designed and manufactured in the medieval countr...
- Conrad-Johnson Announces HVA1 Reference Headphone Amplifier17 May 2019, 10:21 pm
The conrad-johnson design team is particularly excited to announce the release of our latest product, a headphone amplifier that just sounds right. The HVA1 is a reference quality single-ended class A triode amplifier designed to power low-impedance headphones (around 20 to 32 Ohms). The HVA1 accommodates two line-level inputs. Power output is 3 Watts into [...] The post Conrad-Johnson Announces HVA1 Reference Headphone Amplifier appeared first on Dagogo.... - Audio-Technica Debuts Next-Generation OC9X Series Phono Cartridges14 May 2019, 4:20 pm
STOW, OHIO, May 9, 2019 — Since their introduction more than 30 years ago Audio-Technica’s OC9 Series moving coil phono cartridges have been acclaimed by listeners and reviewers worldwide for their exceptional sound quality and musical transparency. Audio-Technica is introducing its AT-OC9X Series, the fourth generation of this legendary range of cartridges. “When the first [...] The post Audio-Technica Debuts Next-Generation OC9X Series Phono Cartridges appeared first on Dagog... - Mirroring the Industry: Weekends come in all sizes and shapes11 May 2019, 6:42 pm
Long weekends…really long weekends. It comes as no surprise. Their hype and advance marketing make their impending … a foregone conclusion. For the attendee it is a chance to get away, embrace the hobby, and marvel/revel in all that is on offer for 3 days. For the industry: manufacturers, distributors, dealers and members of the [...] The post Mirroring the Industry: Weekends come in all sizes and shapes appeared first on Dagogo.... - Naim Audio launches Mu-So 2nd Generation wireless music system9 May 2019, 8:41 pm
8th May 2019. New York Naim Audio, the British hi-fi specialist with 45 years of audio expertise, has launched the 2nd Generation of its multi award-winning Mu-so wireless music system. Mu-so 2nd Generation evolves the iconic styling of its predecessor, but under its luxury aluminum casing are game-changing performance, feature and functionality upgrades. From high-resolution streaming [...] The post Naim Audio launches Mu-So 2nd Generation wireless music system appeared first on Dagogo.... - Design Notes 3: Sound Lab “The Complete White Paper”9 May 2019, 4:58 pm
Publisher’s note: Every product comes with an Owner’s Manual to familiarize the customer with its operations. These documents are often written in a dry style and to the point. But once in a while, we come across vast sections in Manual that reads like a smooth presentation of ideas and juicy description of brilliant technologies, [...] The post Design Notes 3: Sound Lab “The Complete White Paper” appeared first on Dagogo....
- Meeting the Experts of Purifi in Munich17 May 2019, 4:00 pm
Meeting the Purifi'sts: A quick report from DuckToller During final preparations for the Munich High End the audiophile universe has born a new star, Purifi ApS and audiophilestyle.com received an invitation to preview its pre-production units in a private setting close to the official expositions. What is Purifi? This new star, Purifi ApS in Roskilde, Denmark, which in reality was founded as early as 2014 by Pete... - Incredible Start To Munich High End 201915 May 2019, 6:10 pm
The Munich High End show for 2019 is in the can and boy what a show it was. The MOC exhibition hall was completely full. The show organizers said there was absolutely no way to squeeze one additional exhibitor into the space this year. I have no idea if attendance was up, down, or even, but I know I couldn't get into some rooms because the fire marshal said the rooms were too crowded. Not a bad problem to have if one is an exhibitor. Audiophile Style was officially represented... - dCS Takes My Audio System To Another Level7 May 2019, 2:19 pm
A couple weeks ago dCS brought my audio playback system from disappointing and uninviting to stellar and addictive. How did this happen? First, a little back story. As some Audiophile Style readers know, I moved my listening room from the basement of our house to the old attic (link) located above our main living area. The new listening room has dimensions I like much better for both an office and listening space, including a 9' ceiling. There was no reasonable way to in... - IFi Audio xCAN Portable Headphone Amplifier Full Review3 May 2019, 2:40 pm
As we all know, headphone listening has become big-business of late. As a subset of the major HiFi shows such as AXPONA and The Rocky Mountain show, there are now whole shows devoted solely to headphones and associated equipment. With such catchy show names as “Can-Jam” and “The HeadRoom Show”™, this market has become so large and so diverse, that such shows command large attendance and have enough exhibits to engage the enthusiast for the entire day. And the pr... - AXPONA 2019 Sights & Sounds Part 21 May 2019, 3:01 pm
Here is part 2 of my unedited videos from the show. No words necessary, just sights and sounds. ...
- SAT's Marc Gomez Introduces at The Audio Salon June 1st the New XD1 Record Player System20 May 2019, 9:42 am
SAT presents the new XD1 Record Player System in the U.S. at an exclusive event on June 1st from 12pm-6pm at The Audio Salon in Santa Monica, CA. SAT's designer and founder, Marc Gomez, will go through the design and development of his latest CF1 and LM series of arms and explain the differences between them and the original SAT Pickup Arm. Gomez will also show the technical details about the XD1, explaining how a compact and minimalistic design can produce such a grand and effortless sound.... - Vertere Acoustics' Touraj Moghaddam at The Voice That Is June 1st20 May 2019, 9:32 am
Saturday, June 1, 2019: Doug White, of The Voice That Is, in cooperation with the Philadelphia Area Audio Group and the New Jersey Audio Society, hosts a vinyl event featuring Vertere Acoustics and Touraj Moghaddam, Designer.... - "Spirit & Time", Blue Note Review Number Two is Musical and Packaging Perfection17 May 2019, 11:48 pm
The first bi-annual Blue Note Review may have been a somewhat tentative and ill-focused project as label head Don Was worked to re-establish with a younger generation the Blue Note brand identity and “community”, yet few who purchased were disappointed (the set sold-out) other than in the digitally mastered Blue Mitchell album and its grade B jacket. ... - Veteran Turntable Designer Touraj Moghaddam Introduces The Dynamic Groove Record Player17 May 2019, 5:31 pm
Vertere Dynamic Groove "plug'n'play" turntable Yes, the megabuck turntables and other costly products get the most attention, but the introduction of the Vertere Dynamic Groove turntable, a circa $4000 "plug'n'play" design from Vertere struck me among the most significant debuts at High End Munich 2019. ... - Turntables and More at High End Munich 201915 May 2019, 3:04 pm
Vertere DG-1 (photo: Michael Fremer)The days are over of aimlessly wandering around the MOC searching for turntables and other analog accouterments. This almost two hour video covers just what I saw on opening day (press day) at High End Munich 2019! And it's not padded with "drive by" footage....
- We listen to the Bowers & Wilkins Formation Duo wireless speakers - CNET18 May 2019, 1:47 pm
It was only a matter of time, but now with the Formation Duo Bowers & Wilkins has made a bona fide high-end wireless speaker system.... - The joy of listening to the $130 Micca RB42 speakers - CNET18 May 2019, 1:45 pm
The fiesty Micca RB42 sounds a lot bigger than it is.... - Klipsch Forte III speakers are masters of reality - CNET11 May 2019, 1:57 pm
The Klipsch Forte III speakers once again prove size really does matter: big speakers sound better.... - Modern sounds and the Q Acoustics Concept 300 speakers: Review - CNET11 May 2019, 1:47 pm
Stunning design, innovative tech, and superb sound come together on the Q Acoustics Concept 300 speakers.... - Schiit’s little amplifier punches way above its weight - CNET4 May 2019, 1:57 pm
The Audiophiliac comes away mightily impressed by the Schiit Aegir amp....
- AudioQuest, AudioQuest, and AudioQuest | High End 201920 May 2019, 9:00 am
Part-Time Audiophile I had a very pleasant surprise at High End 2019 in Munich. For the last handful of high-end audio trade shows, I’ve been assigned to cover AudioQuest. I usually choose to cover this brand because I have many of their products in for review, and also because I have plenty of experience with them. Every time I walk into the so-called AudioQuest room, however, it turns out to be a room featuring a system from other manufacturers and they just happen to be using AudioQuest... - Synergistic, Thrax, MSB, Kharma | High End 201919 May 2019, 1:00 pm
Part-Time Audiophile I was excited to finally hear the new ultra-luxury line conditioner for the Synergistic Research Galileo series which had just been on “static display” at AXPONA. What would I hear? What would an even lower noise floor sound like to current owners of the superb PowerCell 12 UEF? Getting to the perfect sound would be a journey as Ted and Andy and their distributor Frank started to build the room. Setup nights with new gear can be tough. Oft... - Introducing the Estelon Forza | High End 201919 May 2019, 11:00 am
Part-Time Audiophile I still recall the first time I bumped upon Estelon speakers. Among the most outlandish cabinets in the market. They have nothing in common with a typical cabinet, neither as a form nor as materials. The looks are absolutely stunning, the material of that sculpture the cabinet is made from reads “marble based composite”. Not your run of the mill wooden box with a few drivers attached, eh? There are some new traits on this design, the most important of which is th... - McIntosh Labs | High End 201919 May 2019, 9:00 am
Part-Time Audiophile It was probably the darkest and most crowded room at High End 2019, two things that tend to trigger my claustrophobia. But you can’t blame show attendees for wanting to file into the McIntosh room and see all those beautiful new products, and you can’t blame McIntosh Labs for wanting to create a dark visual presentation that accentuated the classic look of their products–black faceplates, blue meters, green lights. It took me a couple of tries to get deep i... - Kondo Audio Note and Kawero! | High End 201918 May 2019, 3:00 pm
Part-Time Audiophile Because of the somewhat contentious and complex history between Audio Note UK and Kondo Audio Note of Japan, we Americans don’t see a lot of the Kondo equipment in the US. At High End 2019, however, I saw a room filled with Kondo, two full systems of it, and it was breathtaking to witness. Or as Scot Hull said, “That might be the biggest collection of Kondo in one room, ever.” From the woman in the kimono at the entrance to the room who was handing out Kond...
- Into tomorrow…17 May 2019, 12:13 pm
The headcount is in for the 2019 edition of Munich High-End: 551 exhibitors from 42 countries (up 3.8%), 21,180 visitors (up 6.5%), 8,208 trade visitors from 72 countries (up 8.6%). That’s a total of ∼30,000 visitors and a turnaround from last year’s minor downturn on the 2017 event. Whatever the […] More-------------------------------------------------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For private use only... - A short film about Munich High-End 201916 May 2019, 1:56 pm
Enjoy the music? Not so easy when the loudest sounds at Munich High-End don’t spill from loudspeaker systems but people. For four days in May, the M.O.C. hosts 20K+ visitors and when a few hundred convene in the glass-lined atria or warehouse-like halls, the background din becomes a roar. A […] More-------------------------------------------------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For private use only. Copyright 2010... - The uncompromising Sistema M2 amplifier15 May 2019, 11:01 am
Sistema’s M2 is a dual-mono loudspeaker amplifier offering 85W per channel into 8Ω. Yours for €5000 plus taxes with optional 15-day money-back trial period. Sounds straightforward, doesn’t it? Not quite. On inputs, there’s no analogue, just a single USB socket to play catch on PCM up to 384kHz and DSD64. […] More-------------------------------------------------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. ... - The look of love (Part 2): Q Acoustics Concept 30013 May 2019, 3:17 pm
Contiguous: “to share a common border or touching”. The traditional loudspeaker stand’s top and base plates act as common borders to its pillar/s. In unboxing the loudspeaker stand that Q Acoustics ship with their Concept 300 2-way standmount (US$4499/£2999), we are confronted with something completely different: three non-contiguous poles that […] More-------------------------------------------------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled... - Chord introduces Huei phono pre at Munich High-End 20199 May 2019, 3:00 pm
It might look like it but this is not Chord’s Qutest. It’s not even a DAC. It’s the Kent company’s forthcoming £990 phono stage. Meet Huei: compatible with MM and MC phono cartridges and wrapped in the same machine-milled aluminum chassis as the Qutest DAC. Any colour you like as […] More-------------------------------------------------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For private use only. C...
- Master & Dynamic MW65 Active Noise-Cancelling Wireless Over-Ear Headphones7 May 2019, 4:00 am
If you are an erstwhile reader of Audiophilia, you’ll know we have given highly positive reviews of several headphones from New York based Master & Dynamic. Although not yet adopted by some of the ‘cool kids’ as they have Beats, Master & Dynamic have shunned the bass booming, teenage friendly designs favoured by some and produced gorgeous headphones and earbuds with very refined sound and exquisite fit and finish. And like Beats, the audio educated of the cool kid... - High End Society—Munich. May 9-12, 20193 May 2019, 6:37 pm
Audiophilia will be there to bring you all the action and fun in real time with our live blog and also on Instagram. Please bookmark both addresses and check back often to experience the famous show as if you were there—May 9 through 12. Remember, GMT +2 (if you check in at 10 a.m. in New York, it’s already 3 p.m. in Munich. Checking in early from Los Angeles? It’s dinner time in Munich). The show, like many others worldwide, has become very popular and will be full... - Grado Labs Aeon Phono Cartridge17 April 2019, 4:19 pm
Two years ago I reviewed the Grado Labs Statement v2 Cartridge ($3500), at that time the highest priced Grado cartridge—the top of their Statement Series. Reviewed using my VPI Industries Prime Turntable, I was so impressed, it has remained as my reference since—it further pulled me into vinyl. After that review, I concluded that besides speakers (which are in general large and heavy), phono cartridges (always tiny and light) are examples of a component that can significantly c... - Kiseki Purple Heart NS Moving Coil Phono Cartridge14 April 2019, 5:22 pm
As soon as most vinylphiles see a trapezoidal nugget in wood, stone or metal with some delicate Japanese Kanji, our moving coil hearts skip a beat. I’m a Phasemation guy—Japanese made, but no Kanji. Just a beautiful hunk of Duralumin. How many of us have lusted after a Koetsu Jade Platinum or Blue Lace? Hand made gems of the very best audiophile jewelry. And the heart of a fine analog front end. The Kiseki Purple Heart NS (New Style) is the modified version of the Japanese car... - J.S. Bach: Sonatas & Partitas for Solo Violin—Henryk Szeryng, violin; DG Limited Edition 180g vinyl reissue14 April 2019, 5:22 pm
For the past two or three years, German classical music label Deutsche Grammophon has been quietly releasing some rather deluxe vinyl box sets of their catalog cornerstones. One of which; Herbert Von Karajan’s recording of Brahms’ Four Symphonies, has already received a review in Audiophilia. Now again, the historic label has reissued one of its classic recordings, the Bach Sonatas and Partitas, recorded in 1967 by Polish-Mexican violin virtuoso Henryk Szeryng. I must admit I ...
- Spatial Audio M3 Triode Master + interview with designer Clayton Shaw15 March 2019, 4:01 am
Oliver Masciarotte spends time with the Spatial Audio M3 Triode Master open baffle speaker, and quizzes designer Clayton Shaw about his design choices. Oliver concludes: "The M3 Triode Master is a outstanding example of OB design; exacting imaging combined with broad uncolored off-axis coverage and an airy, expansive soundstage. It... lends itself nicely to rooms large and small."... - RME ADI-2 Pro : Modes and Audio Routing6 January 2019, 11:58 am
John Reekie takes a deep dive into the "modes" of the RME ADI-2 Pro. "The modes can be considered as a sort of shorthand that gets you close to a solution, which you can then tailor by adjusting parameters away from the default or automatic selections." He provides diagrams that illustrate the signal routing through the ADI-2 Pro in each mode, and also discusses clocking.... - Syncing a music library to a Droidisk (or PiDisk)14 December 2018, 6:26 pm
John Reekie goes all GUI to sync up his droidisk server with music files on a Mac or PC. Well, apart from installation on the ODroid or Raspberry Pi. Compared to his previous rsync-based method, this is "a better solution that is cross-platform, easier to set up, and more flexible."... - Audioengine A5+ Wireless Speakers9 December 2018, 3:24 pm
Patrick Dillon enjoys a change of pace with the Audioengine A5+ wireless speakers, trying them out both with bluetooth and wired via computer and external DAC. His conclusion? "I could envisage a pair of these serving as an almost one-stop audiophile rig, paired with whatever digital device you have. Throw in some stands and you could be rockin’ the joint and having personal late night sounds for comparative chump change in the audiophile universe."... - RME ADI-2 Pro : a Technical Overview29 July 2018, 4:00 pm
"I recently found myself intrigued by an interface from the pro-sound world, the RME ADI-2 Pro," writes John Reekie. This line-level convertor and audio interface is billed as RME's "reference" A/D and D/A convertor, but also has a solid complement of onboard processing, two powerful headphone amps, and technical performance good enough for use as a measurement front end....
- The NSMT Loudspeakers Model 50/Jamaica Active Speaker System Review15 May 2019, 1:00 pm
The NSMT Loudspeakers Model 50/Jamaica Active Tower speaker system is a pretty unique offering in the high-end speaker world. The post The NSMT Loudspeakers Model 50/Jamaica Active Speaker System Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Fluance Ai60 Powered Bookshelf Speakers Review13 May 2019, 2:00 pm
The Ai60 is the latest powered bookshelf speaker offered by online audio retailer Fluance. With a built-in Class D amplifier and 6.5-inch woofer, they deliver high-end performance in a small size and at the small price of just $299. The post Fluance Ai60 Powered Bookshelf Speakers Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Mark Levinson No 585.5 Integrated Amplifier Review8 May 2019, 1:00 pm
Luxury audio manufacturer Mark Levinson continues to roll out new and upgraded products all the time. In this case, they have taken a very successful platform in the No585 integrated amplifier and made significant improvements to it. The result is the improved and upgraded No585.5 integrated amp which now features a built-in high fidelity phono stage. The post Mark Levinson No 585.5 Integrated Amplifier Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Audioengine A2+ Wireless Computer Speakers Review6 May 2019, 2:00 pm
The new A2+ Wireless Computer Speakers may answer the question: Just how small can a speaker system be and still sound good? The post Audioengine A2+ Wireless Computer Speakers Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Fluance RT85 Reference High Fidelity Turntable Review1 May 2019, 2:00 pm
Today, I’ll be checking out the RT85 turntable from Canadian upstart Fluance. They have released a barrage of new products over the last few years. Entire ranges of speakers and music systems are now joined by turntables. I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing a few pieces and have been thoroughly impressed by the sound and build quality of their product, especially for the reasonable prices. How will the new Reference Turntable fare? The post Fluance RT85 Reference High Fidelity Turntab...
- Revel Performa M126Be Loudspeakers18 May 2019, 9:45 pm
The new Performa Be series of loudspeakers offers an upgrade from the well-received Performa3 series from Revel. The Be speakers feature the Revel’s latest beryllium tweeter that was first introduced more than a decade ago in the Ultima2 series. Revel is a member of the Harman International family of brands which includes Mark Levinson, JBL, Arcam, and Infinity. The Performa M126Be is a ported 2-way stand mount, AKA bookshelf speaker weighing a back-friendly 22 pounds, not including ... - Wyred 4 Sound ST-750LE Stereo Power Amplifier31 March 2019, 9:06 pm
The new Wyred 4 Sound ST-750LE stereo power amplifier sounds very good! The technology includes Wyred 4 Sound's proprietary input circuit that is similar to the one implemented in their '10 LP'-rated STP-SE Stage 2 preamplifier. This is followed by the latest IcePower amplifier module. The base price of the amplifier is $1599.00. The review sample is also equipped with the WBT speaker binding posts and Kimber TCX wire upgrade, a $250 option. From the Wyred 4 Sound Web site:"For the ST-750, we de... - Ayre Acoustics VX-5 Twenty Stereo Power Amplifier17 February 2019, 9:00 pm
The Ayre VX-5 Twenty stereo power amplifier has been in production for about 5 years and followed the well-received V-5xe amplifier. The “Twenty” designation celebrates the Boulder, Colorado company’s 20 years in business. The excellent build quality and beautiful casework belies the amplifier’s recommended list price of $8950. The amplifier is fully-discrete, fully-balanced, and features a zero-feedback design. Other components on hand during the audition include a... - Monitor Audio Platinum PL100 II Loudspeaker27 January 2019, 9:13 pm
The Monitor Audio PL100 II is the smallest member of Monitor Audio’s top-level Platinum series. The PL100 was introduced in 2008 and the upgraded PL100 II model hit showrooms worldwide in 2016. The II version includes a single 6.5" RDT II mid-bass driver and MPD tweeter. “RDT II” is Monitor Audio’s second-generation midrange-woofer sporting a smooth concave cone. The ported Platinum PL100 II have beautiful, furniture-grade cabinets and have a list price of $5,795.00 per p... - Xavian Perla Esclusiva Loudspeakers11 November 2018, 10:00 pm
Xavian, a loudspeaker manufacturer in Prague, Czech Republic, contacted 10 Audio in June of this year inquiring about a review of their very new Perla Esclusiva two-way speaker. The Perla, the smallest model in the Natura product line, had recently been upgraded to the new Perla Esclusiva version. So here we are today, taking the first look – and listen – to a speaker from a company that should be on everyone’s radar. The name of the company comes from the Greek mythology. &ldq...
- Lumin X1 music streamer14 May 2019, 1:16 pm
Lumin sprung out of nowhere a couple of years ago. The Hong Kong-based brand was initially dismissed by the audio industry’s xenophobes as some kind of a rip-off of a well-known popular streamer from the UK that also begins with ‘L’. Then people started to hear Lumin products, and the xenophobes skulked off. In fact, Lumin has been one of those brands that has rarely – if ever – put a foot wrong, and has made some excellent sounding digital audio products. But even ... - Munich High-End 2019: A tale of two Magicos14 May 2019, 12:52 pm
Our coverage of audio shows is now more commonly placed within the confines of the magazine itself, rather than published online. However, the short-form show report doesn’t fully represent some important aspects of audio that appear at the show itself. I’m not talking about the one-off monstrosities or the innovative new technologies that appear in the halls and listening rooms of the event. But instead, the subtle nuances that manifest when hundreds of audio companies appear side-b... - Audioquest Niagara 7000 power conditioner14 May 2019, 10:23 am
Walk the corridors of any recent hi-fi show and you’ll have noticed a creeping, almost insidious presence, the first visible evidence of a (not so quiet) rise in audio’s dark side: mains conditioners, and chief amongst them, AudioQuest’s Niagara models. It’s a tendency that must have old-school audiophiles scratching their heads. After all, doesn’t everybody know that the prophet Ivor banished such devices as the spawn of the devil? When it came to AC power, the man... - WyWires Platinum headphone cable14 May 2019, 10:09 am
Alex Sventitsky of WyWires has been hand crafting high-end cables for audiophiles for many years. They took the personal audio world by storm in 2014 with their RED series headphone cables. At a mere three hundred dollars, RED set a new standard for high performance headphone leads in that price bracket. RED was (is) resolute, lightweight, and probably still one of the best bang-for-the-buck cables on the market today. Platinum picks up where RED left off. It’s listed as the “upgrade... - SIMAUDIO ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH HIGHRESAUDIO14 May 2019, 8:13 am
Simaudio is delighted to announce a new partnership with premium high-resolution audio music streaming and download service, HIGHRESAUDIO. The combination of Simaudio’s industry-defining MOON products and HRA’s high-resolution audio files guarantees a truly unforgettable listening experience. Designed, edited and operated in Berlin and Hamburg, Germany, HIGHRESAUDIO is the first commercial music download service for audiophiles that only offers music recordings at a high-resolution a...
- High End Munich 2019: Just The Facts17 May 2019, 11:07 am
Hot off the press, here are the attendance numbers for High End Munich 2019 (impressive): 551 exhibitors from 42 countries (+ 3.8%) 21,180 visitors in total (+ 6.5%) 8,208 trade visitors from 72 countries (+ [...]... - High End Munich 2019: The Wrap16 May 2019, 12:40 pm
This year I took a different approach to the High End Munich Show as compared to years past. Instead of beginning with the knowledge that there is no way one person can cover all of [...]... - High End Munich 2019: Cries & Whispers15 May 2019, 8:25 pm
I’m not one to gossip. But. I was talking to a friend at the show who owns a retail store and makes turntables right here (there) in München. He asked me, “How many turntables do [...]... - High End Munich 2019: Photo Extravaganza!15 May 2019, 5:00 pm
OK, it’s a photo gallery. Extravaganza just sounded more exciting!... - High End Munich 2019: Interesting Products15 May 2019, 2:00 pm
Here are some of the things I spied at High End Munich 2019 that captured my attention mainly because they strike me as being in need of further examination in Barn (some exceptions where noted). [...]...
- Two Upcoming Tube Fest Articles4 May 2019, 7:31 pm
Two Upcoming Tube Fests by Steve Graham Tube Fest No. 1 A friend and I decided to sell off the majority of our collections of vintage and classic European tubes. Part of the process was educating our customers about the intertwined and labyrinthian nature of tube production in this golden age of tube making. It occurred to me that a primer on a pair of the most popular small-signal tubes would be of use. A soon to be posted article will be an introduction to the minutia of the ... - C.L.E.A.R. 834L: The Rejuvenation of an Esoteric Audio Research classic (Part 2)14 April 2019, 3:15 am
C.L.E.A.R. 834L: The Rejuvenation of an Esoteric Audio Research classic Part 2, by Steve Graham Modifying or rebuilding anything, be it a piece of classic stereo equipment or, perhaps, a classic car, will involve many value judgements and personal decisions. Some subtle, some not. No two audiophiles, or classic car buffs, departing from the same point, will finish in the same place. Be that as it may, this is my take on a cost-effective rejuvenation. I think I might have s... - Well-Rounded Sound’s MM2, MM6 Speakers, and MX BL Amp/DAC: An Education in Budget High Fidelity12 April 2019, 2:08 am
Review by Jon Eben Field I have to admit that I’m a sucker for low budget gear. Or perhaps I should add a caveat here and say, “I’m a sucker for low budget gear that sounds good.” Being an audiophile often entails spending a lot of time, energy, and, to be frank, money on high end electronics and speakers in pursuit of the ever elusive perfect sound. I should know. I have long since given up on the mental arithmetic required to evaluate the “value of my current syst... - CHE Files: CLEAR/EAR 834L (Or Is It An 834P..?)24 March 2019, 4:36 pm
The C/H/E Files (Classic/Heritage/Exotic): The C.L.E.A.R. 834L: Rescuing an Audio Classic Steve Graham rejuvenates a neglected EAR preamp. Part 1 of a 2-part series. Those familiar with the EAR-Yoshino marque will wonder if the C.L.E.A.R. 834L pictured above is a real EAR component. The answer is yes, basically. But first: Most audiophiles have heard of Esoteric Audio Research (EAR), the British hifi and recording equipment manufacturer. Like so many equipment manufacturers in... - She’s Your Man: Something Profoundly Different From Lana Del Rey19 March 2019, 1:42 pm
Does Lana Del Rey Now Occupy A Seat Near Leonard Cohen In The Tower Of Song? Reviewing Two Tunes From Lana’s Upcoming Album, Norman Fucking Rockwell. Music Review by Noam Bronstein Hope Is A Dangerous Thing For A Woman Like Me To Have by Lana Del Rey (2019, Single) Play in Spotify Play in Youtube Mariners Apartment Complex by Lana Del Rey (2018, single) Play in Spotify Play in Youtube Music: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sound: ⭐⭐&#...
- Naim DAC-V1 Review19 May 2019, 12:14 am
Naim has been on the home audio scene since the early ’70s when Oxford born and self-taught designer Julian Vereker brought the NAP200 power amplifier to market after his disillusionment with then current pro-audio offerings.... - High End Munich 2019: Mark Levinson Strikes Again17 May 2019, 5:44 pm
Right now, in the audiophile marketplace, who is bigger, bolder, more ubiquitous, or more iconic than Harmon Luxury Audio’s Mark Levinson brand? ... - High End Munich 2019 with CH Precision16 May 2019, 11:59 pm
The $20,995 Etsuro-Urushi Gold might be the most expensive phono cartridge in the world. I mention this because in the CH Precision room, at High End 2019 I was delighted to experience the Gold in comparison to C-H’s all-out assault on the digital art – who could ask for more fun? ... - High End Munich 2019: Totaldac Brings TotalPower to DAC Line16 May 2019, 3:54 pm
From the window in my Brooklyn bunker, Vincent Brient’s totaldac company looks like one of the coolest, most independent, audio companies in Europe. (totaldac is located near Mont Saint-Michel, France).... - High End Munich 2019 with T+A15 May 2019, 3:57 pm
I admit it. Prior to visiting the extraordinary-looking, brilliantly-lit 2001 A Space Odyssey-styled T+A room at High End 2019, my knowledge of their product line was sketchy at best. I had no idea German manufacturer T+A made seven separate levels/series of components – each with its own identity. ...
- FiiO M11 Review19 May 2019, 10:11 am
8.8Score$449.99FiiODisclaimer: The FiiO M11 sent to us is a sample in exchange for our honest opinion. We thank FiiO for this opportunity. To learn more about FiiO reviews on Headfonics you can click here. It has been 6 years since FiiO introduced X3, an adventurous budget DAP that draws many of us into the audio hobby. 4 […] The post FiiO M11 Review appeared first on Headfonics.... - Chord Electronics Hugo M Scaler First Contact17 May 2019, 11:25 am
Disclaimer: The Chord Electronics Hugo M Scaler sent to us is a sample in exchange for our honest opinion. We thank the team at Chord Electronics for giving us this opportunity. You can read more about Chord Electronics products we reviewed on Headfonics by clicking here. This is a product review I have been looking […] The post Chord Electronics Hugo M Scaler First Contact appeared first on Headfonics.... - Ultrasone Edition 11 Review15 May 2019, 11:39 am
8.9Score€999Ultrasone Edition 11Disclaimer: This Ultrasone Edition 11 sample sent to us is a purchased unit. We thank the team at Ultrasone for giving us this opportunity. To read more about Ultrasone products we reviewed on Headfonics click here. The story behind the Ultrasone Edition 11 is a bit of something new and a continuation of the German company’s […] The post Ultrasone Edition 11 Review appeared first on Headfonics.... - iFi Audio xCAN review12 May 2019, 11:32 am
8.9Score$299iFi AudioDisclaimer: The iFi Audio xCAN sent to us for the purposes of this review is a sample and does not have to be returned. Thank you to iFi Audio for giving us this opportunity. You can read more about iFi Audio products we reviewed on Headfonics by clicking here. The portable amplifier market has had a […] The post iFi Audio xCAN review appeared first on Headfonics.... - BTG-Audio Starlight Cable Review10 May 2019, 12:27 pm
8.5Score$125BTG-AudioDisclaimer: The BTG-Audio Starlight CIEM cable sent to us is a sample in exchange for our honest opinion. We thank BTG-Audio for this opportunity. This is our first BTG-Audio review on Headfonics but you can read more about cables reviewed previously here. BTG-Audio is headed by Brain Goto and they hail out of CA, USA. […] The post BTG-Audio Starlight Cable Review appeared first on Headfonics....
- High End Munich 2019: MrSpeakers and HeadAmp Wow17 May 2019, 5:40 pm
In the headphone world, companies like Stax relaxed; assuming their position on top of the electrostatic headphone mountain was secure. But we all know: you snooze – you lose. ... - High End Munich 2019: CanEver DAC-Headphone Amp16 May 2019, 11:47 pm
I have not yet experienced the music-playback capabilities of CanEver’s ZeroUno D/A processor. But Art Dudley has. And he praised it at some length in the April 2017 Stereophile: “By the end of its stay in my home, it had pushed virtually all of my Happy buttons — not by doing everything I could ask of it, but by having a point of view that aligned with my own.”... - High End Munich 2019 With Warwick Acoustics16 May 2019, 4:00 pm
At the start of High End 2019, I had never heard of electrostatic headphone manufacturer Warwick Acoustics. Then, on the second High End day, I noticed the $24,000 USD pro-styled Aperio electrostatic headphones and their associated power-supply-energizer, streaming DAC, headphone amplifier, and line stage, sitting on a spot-lit stand outside the Warwick auditioning room. ... - High End Munich 2019 with Auris Audio15 May 2019, 4:09 pm
As much as I like to pretend that my audio-reviewer self is free of pre-conceptions and prejudice I would be lying if I said ‘how a product looks’ does not affect me. ... - Astell & Kern Launch Flagship SP2000 at High End Munich With Native 32-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512 Playback13 May 2019, 5:06 pm
Astell & Kern please stop coming out with so many new and amazing products – my review schedule is already busy enough....
- Dan’s New Little Toy, The D’Agostino Progression Integrated18 May 2019, 12:00 pm
Big watt amp-maker Dan D’Agostino is still dropping new products like greased beer bottle at last call. The latest creation The post Dan’s New Little Toy, The D’Agostino Progression Integrated appeared first on AudioHead.... - A Song Of Fire and Metal – Totem Elements Speakers Move to V216 May 2019, 8:13 pm
With the summer audio show circuit landing squarely around us, it is the season for product launching of all stripes. The post A Song Of Fire and Metal – Totem Elements Speakers Move to V2 appeared first on AudioHead.... - Mark Levinson Adds The No. 5101 Streaming SACD/DAC To The Line16 May 2019, 12:45 am
Straight out of Munich, Mark Levinson by Harman is debuting a new disc spinner turned all-things-digital-audio called the No. 5101. The post Mark Levinson Adds The No. 5101 Streaming SACD/DAC To The Line appeared first on AudioHead.... - Manzanita Audio Solutions, Ming Da – Lone Star Audio Fest 201915 May 2019, 12:18 am
I’ve been covering a lot of open-baffle speakers at audio shows these days, and many of them are more recent The post Manzanita Audio Solutions, Ming Da – Lone Star Audio Fest 2019 appeared first on AudioHead.... - Audeze Ups Its Video Game – The New LCD-GX14 May 2019, 7:30 pm
It hasn’t been that long since Audeze revealed its intensions to move from the heart of its beloved audiophile crowd The post Audeze Ups Its Video Game – The New LCD-GX appeared first on AudioHead....
- AXPONA 2019 Coverage Sponsored by Underwood HiFi – Part 620 May 2019, 5:00 am
... - 1MORE Launches Feature-Packed Stylish True Wireless In-Ear Headphones15 May 2019, 5:24 pm
... - The Phobos Orthodynamic Headphones by Erzetich Audio – A Serious New Contender in Town!13 May 2019, 5:00 am
... - Focal to Demonstrate recent 40th Anniversary Product Releases at Munich High-End Show9 May 2019, 6:17 pm
... - Nordost at HIGH END 20199 May 2019, 5:00 am
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- High End Munich 2019: Day 3 – Photo Tour14 May 2019, 3:35 pm
The post High End Munich 2019: Day 3 – Photo Tour appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - High End Munich 2019: Day 2 – Photo Tour11 May 2019, 8:28 am
The post High End Munich 2019: Day 2 – Photo Tour appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - High End Munich 2019: Day 1 – Photo Tour10 May 2019, 5:47 am
The post High End Munich 2019: Day 1 – Photo Tour appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - 3 New Groundbreaking Products by Nordost9 May 2019, 7:01 am
Munich, Germany 2019: This year, at the High End show in Munich, May 9-12th, Nordost will be previewing three new, groundbreaking products. Attendees will be the first to see, and hear, an innovative redesign of the Valhalla 2 Tonearm Cable, newly coined the Valhalla 2 Tonearm Cable +, as well as a cutting-edge new QRT […] The post 3 New Groundbreaking Products by Nordost appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - AXPONA 2019 – The Awards7 May 2019, 12:53 pm
AXPONA is theaudio show in the US for many reasons. It’s not only well-organized but feels like a melting pot of positive energy. You get to meet attendees and designers from all walks of life. And everyone and every sound – has a story. The biggest question I get about these shows is: “Could these […] The post AXPONA 2019 – The Awards appeared first on Audio Bacon....
- Cayin N8 DAP – master of all, jack of none13 May 2019, 12:53 am
REVIEW: Cayin's flagship N8 digital audio player ticks almost all the boxes...... - Naim rolls out next-gen Mu-so12 May 2019, 1:09 pm
NEWS: About time, too, the original Mu-so was growing long in the tooth... Naim says the next-gen model features 95% changes.... - Chord tempts vinyl fans with the Huei phono preamp10 May 2019, 1:57 am
NEWS: Chord Electronics, having made a point in the digital realm, now aims to please vinyl diehards.... - Dan D’Agostino announces the Progression Integrated Amplifier9 May 2019, 11:06 pm
NEWS: A new integrated amplifier from Dan D'Agostino will cater to all needs, if you have the wallet for the whole package.... - Pro-Ject Essential III Phono – audiophile-grade on a budget9 May 2019, 2:42 am
REVIEW: For a taste of what a truly audiophile turntable can do for not so much money, try a Pro-Ject... in this case, the Essential III...
- Thorens TD-150 Rebuild Part Two, Project Maple20 May 2019, 9:20 am
a stock Thorens TD-150 transformed but with its original charm intact. The post Thorens TD-150 Rebuild Part Two, Project Maple appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Thorens TD-150, Rebuild & Modification Part One17 May 2019, 8:58 am
It’s been a while since I owned a suspended belt drive turntable. I decided to build two decks; one based on a stock TD-150 MK2 in a Maple plinth and the other, using the inner workings of the TD-150 (sub chassis, bearing, platter and motor) but with a new top plate and extensive modification and in a Cherry plinth. The post Thorens TD-150, Rebuild & Modification Part One appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - DIY Plinth Dimensions For Linn LP12 / Thorens / Ariston and other suspended turntables16 May 2019, 2:55 pm
With a great deal of research and a bit of trial and error I have managed to assemble a list of dimensions that work to build a Linn plinth. They are published here in the hope that they will help future DIYers. The post DIY Plinth Dimensions For Linn LP12 / Thorens / Ariston and other suspended turntables appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Pro-Ject CD Box S2 Review16 April 2019, 9:22 am
If Pro-ject can tweak the software and include a better remote handset in the box (a must at this price), this would be a serious contender and is very much worth an audition. The post Pro-Ject CD Box S2 Review appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Audio-Technica AT-VM95 Detailed Review & Measurements10 April 2019, 12:57 pm
Succeeding the AT95 was a tough ask, but Audio-Technica have risen to the challenge. May the ‘green king’ rest in peace, the successor has arrived to steal the throne. The post Audio-Technica AT-VM95 Detailed Review & Measurements appeared first on Audio Appraisal....
- EAN Audiophile Review!The KLH Kendall Tower3-Way Loudspeaker“Making Mr. Kloss Proud"24 March 2019, 8:52 pm
... - Home Theater Review!Paradigm Defiance X12 Subwoofer“15-inch Driver PerformanceFrom A 12-inch Subwoofer”4 March 2019, 2:24 pm
... - Audiophile Review!McGary Audio SA 1Stereo Tube Amplifier"The Little Tube Amp That Can"14 December 2018, 11:52 pm
... - Audiophile Review!Benchmark HPA4Headphone Amplifier/Line-Stage Preamplifier:"Precision Volume, Pure Transparency"31 July 2018, 5:28 pm
... - Audiophile Review!Essence HDACC II 4KHeadphone Amp/DAC/Preamp“Low Cost, Versatile HDACCGets Major Performance Boost”27 June 2018, 8:00 pm
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- B&W Formation Duo speakers, are they worth $4,000?20 May 2019, 10:18 am
... - The death of high-end audio has been greatly exaggerated + Music review19 May 2019, 10:29 am
... - Meet Robert, he rolls with Zu speakers, tube & solid state Schiit, & a Rega ‘table18 May 2019, 11:01 am
... - Two channel home theater, is it an alternative to sound bars?17 May 2019, 10:52 am
... - Are you a happy audiophile?16 May 2019, 11:17 am
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- REVIEW: EPSON EH-TW9400 4K PRO-UHD PROJECTOR20 May 2019, 5:28 am
No sooner had BenQ's latest W5700 been boxed up, Epson's new EH-TW9400 4K PRO-UHD projector arrived for review. We take a closer look at Epson's latest offering in the 4K space.... - REVIEW: ELAC MIRACORD 90 ANNIVERSARY TURNTABLE16 May 2019, 6:40 am
ELAC's Miracord 90 Anniversary is the current top of the line turntable in its line-up and is something rather special to look upon. We put it through its paces to see if it performs as good as it looks.... - REVIEW: BENQ W5700 4K UHD PROJECTOR6 May 2019, 6:01 am
There's been quite a buzz around BenQ's W5700 announcement since word broke earlier this year. Demand has outstripped supply, and we were as eager to get our hands on a review sample as consumers have been to snap one up!... - REVIEW: PRO-JECT PHONO BOX S2 PHONO PREAMPLIFIER6 May 2019, 5:23 am
Never overlooking the value-for-money offerings on the Hi-Fi market in Australia, StereoNET takes a closer look at Pro-Ject's $280 compact phono preamplifier capable of bringing out the best of either MM or MC phono cartridges.... - REVIEW: STAX SRM-D50 ELECTROSTATIC DRIVER AND DAC6 May 2019, 3:38 am
In all my years as a headphone listening enthusiast, one thing has remained clear from the very start - there is nothing quite like listening to a Stax system. We take a closer look at the new Stax SRM-D50 which blends electrostatic earspeaker driving ......
- Now’s The Time To Pick Up These Awesome Four Driver Earphones…Now 40% Off At Amazon!19 May 2019, 4:30 am
If you have never heard a pair of earphones with four drivers inside, you are missing out. With the RevoNext QT3s‘ four speakers in each earpiece, you will be able to hear instrument separation and spacious sound like you have never heard before! BTW, you can get them with or without a mic/remote you use continue reading... - #NewMusicFriday…New Record Releases You Need To Hear feat. Brad Mehldau And Wu-Tang Clan!18 May 2019, 1:18 pm
Every #NewMusicFriday, I pick a bunch of the best sounding new albums so you can get your audiophile music fix!…here are my picks for this week, including new stuff from Great Jazz Pianist Brad Mehldau and Hip-Hop Legends Wu-Tang Clan! Their new album “Of Mics And Men” is inspired by their documentary of the same name, continue reading... - Save Some $$ On One Of The Best Sounding Earbuds Out There! (Click For Discount Code)17 May 2019, 3:34 pm
The SoundMAGIC E10C earphone reigned as the king of the budget earphones for many years, until it was taken down last year by its replacement the E11C. What Hi-Fi? called the SoundMAGIC E11C Earphones “Magic” and gave them five stars which is their highest review rating! The E11C has a nice crisp, clear, sound that will continue reading... - 1MORE’s New $99 True Wireless Earbuds Will Make You Forget All About Airpods16 May 2019, 3:00 am
First teased at CES 2019, the new $99 Stylish True Wireless In-Ear Headphones from 1MORE are now officially on sale at various outlets including Amazon and Best Buy. They boast some advanced specs for true wireless earphones in this price range including auto connection to your phone, a nice six and a half hours of continue reading... - MAS Audio Science X5h On-Ear Headphone Review: A Unique Product15 May 2019, 4:31 pm
The MAS Audio Science X5h On-Ear Headphone is a unique product that aims to offer audiophile sound on the go. Most of the time “on-the-go” means you have to choose between a wired or wireless connection, but not in this case. The X5h is part of what MAS Audio Science calls an “Ecosystem,” meaning they continue reading...
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- Pathos Classic One mk. III18 April 2019, 3:15 am
SpecificationsThe Pathos Classic One mk. III was one of those pieces that I always thought it would be amazing to have. I first heard Pathos audio at a friend’s house and it was honestly the first time I thought I could live without separates! The Pathos piece I heard was the Logos, it sounded amazing but I’m not crazy about that whole giant stereo amp thing. It is a very cool looking piece, as almost all of the Pathos gear is. About a year after that encounter I w... - Peachtree Audio nova15018 April 2019, 3:15 am
SpecificationsTypically, I firmly believe in the mantra "If it works great, don't screw with it". When I first heard that Peachtree Audio went all version 2.0 on the audio community I took pause. Their nova125 and 220SE integrated amplifiers impressed me to no end with a top notch pairing of build quality and musical performance. Other than at the end of the 220SE review that I wrote for TONEAudio wistfully asking for a phonostage , I thought Peachtree had created a holy grail. After spending so... - Cherry Amplifier Maraschino Desktop Mono Amplifiers18 April 2019, 2:22 am
SpecificationsIn the audio industry there are a handful hyper-driven designers/engineers that are truly advancing the industry. One of them is Tommy O'Brien, founder of Digital Amplifier Company. Along with Andrew Jones for speakers and Nelson Pass with solid-state amplification, O'Brien is the resident leader in class D amplification. Since 1996, he has been designing digital amplification topology from scratch. I first heard of the Cherry lineup of amplifiers a decade ago thru one of my ... - Audioengine B2 Wireless Speaker4 March 2019, 5:29 am
This review originally appeared on Small Spaces Audio, which we have merged into Audio>Pursuit.Link to specificationsBluetooth. The word conjures up mixed responses from audiophiles, some of them deserving in a negative sense, especially early on, when the sound quality was equal to that of a bad 128 mp3 recording. However, with aptX codec things have changed. Pleasant-sounding audio is possible. No, it won’t replace your man cave two-channel monster. But when you want music in a ... - Talisman Powered Speakers4 March 2019, 5:15 am
This review originally appeared on Small Spaces Audio, which we have merged into Audio>Pursuit.Link to SpecificationsBreaking the mold. Thinking outside the box. Artistic license. Those phrases mean only one thing, a new look at a standard design. Nowhere is that more true than with the Talisman powered bookcase/desktop speakers. The diminutive, yet focus grabbing design defy quick explanation. My wife, after struggling to find the proper description sent a photo of them out to friends a...
- Vinyl Review: John Coltrane – Coltrane’s Sound (ORG Music, 180g, 45RPM)11 June 2018, 1:25 am
Sound: 7.2 Pressing/packaging: 9.2 Value: 8.4 ORG Music reissue released in 2014. 180g vinyl, 45RPM, 2LP, limited edition, numbered. Catalog Number: ORGM-1091. Mastered by Bernie Grundman. Pressed by Pallas in Germany. UPC: 711574708413. MSRP: $49. Buy on Amazon.com Introduction This LP was originally released by Atlantic Records in 1964. It consists of tracks recorded in […]... - Vinyl Review: Chopin – Polonaises Nos. 1-7, Maurizio Pollini (Deutsche Grammophon 180g)3 June 2018, 7:08 pm
Sound: 7.6 Pressing: 7.4 Value: 5.0 Deutsche Grammophon reissue released in 2016. 180g vinyl. Catalog Number: 479 6653. UPC: 028947966531. MSRP: $23. Buy on Amazon.com Introduction I’ve been on a Chopin rampage lately (if such a thing could ever exist). As far as solo piano works go, I spin Chopin more than any other composer. […]... - Vinyl Review: Sibelius – Violin Concerto, Oistrakh, Ormandy, Philadelphia Orch (Speakers Corner 180g)2 April 2018, 2:35 am
Sound: 8.8 Pressing: 8.4 Value: 9.0 Speakers Corner reissue released in 2017. 180g vinyl. Catalog Number: Columbia MS 6157. UPC: 4260019715333. MSRP: $35. Buy on Amazon.com Introduction Speakers Corner is mining the Columbia vaults for early stereo gems, of which this title is one. There are some legendary titles and performances from that era, but […]... - Vinyl Review: Ornette Coleman – The Shape of Jazz to Come (ORG Music, 180g, 45RPM)15 March 2018, 2:45 am
Sound: 9.8 Pressing: 3.5 Value: 8.5 ORG Music reissue released in 2013. 180g vinyl, 45RPM, 2LP. Catalog Number: ORGM-1081. Mastered by Bernie Grundman. Pressed by Pallas in Germany. UPC: 711574707218. MSRP: $49. Buy on Amazon.com Introduction Much has been said about this, Ornette Coleman’s shot across the bow of jazz as it was known in […]... - Vinyl Review: Stravinsky – The Firebird, Dorati, LSO (Speakers Corner 180g)4 March 2018, 3:15 am
Sound: 9.2 Pressing/Packaging: 9.4 Value: 9.7 Speakers Corner reissue released in 2008. 180g vinyl. Catalog Number: Mercury SR90226. UPC: 4260019714978. MSRP: $35. Buy on Amazon.com Igor Stravinsky: The Firebird (Complete). London Symphony Orchestra. Antal Dorati, conductor. Introduction As per our review philosophy, we focus reviews here exclusively on sound quality. Lots of analysis out there […]...