- Records to Die For 201917 January 2019, 7:52 pm
When we premiered this feature in 1991, we felt that, rather than a selection of all-time (or year's) best recorded performances or a list of audiophile reference albums, we should choose recordings that were, in then music editor Richard Lehnert's words, "both musically and sonically impeccable—in other words, the best, the tops, to die for." As RL went on, "such a list also makes for some strange procrustean bedfellows—obscure recordings that would never make the proverbial 'desert i... - Ayre Acoustics EX-8 Integrated Hub integrated amplifier17 January 2019, 6:51 pm
It's a high-end audio truism: Successful companies are founded by a creative engineer or entrepreneur with a vision. So what happens when the founder is no longer around? While Mark Levinson is an example of a brand that not only survived the exit of its leader but thrived, speaker manufacturer Thiel dwindled after co-founder Jim Thiel died in 2009, and eventually closed up shop. Colorado company Ayre Acoustics was faced with this problem when founder Charley Hansen passed away in November 2017.... - Did Music's Bad Boy Ever Really Reform?16 January 2019, 4:23 pm
That's the question raised by Antheil: Orchestral Works (Chandos 10982), the latest anthology of symphonic music by composer/pianist George Antheil (1900–1959). This second Antheil title from John Storgårds and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra finds Storgårds exploring music written on both sides of Antheil's successful Symphony No.4, which can be found on Vol.1 of what looks to be an ongoing Antheil series.Wed, 01/16/2019... - Recording of February 2019: <I>The Beatles—50th Anniversary Edition</I>15 January 2019, 6:28 pm
The Beatles: The Beatles—50th Anniversary Edition Apple B0028831-01 (2 LPs). 1968/2018. George Martin, orig. prod.; Geoff Emerick, orig. eng.; Giles Martin, reissue prod., remix; Sam Okell, reissue eng., remix; Miles Showell, mastering. ADA. TT: 93:27 Performance ***** Sonics ***** The Beatles, aka the "White Album," was first released on November 22, 1968. On November 9, 2018, in honor of that event, Apple Corps Limited issued the new 50th Anniversary Edition. My comments here refer to li... - Memories: Best of, Vol.115 January 2019, 6:27 pm
It happened 30 years ago, but I remember it as if it were yesterday: My best friend's brother's friend showed me his record player—an AR turntable equipped with an SME 3009 Mk.III tonearm and a Shure V15 Type V-MR cartridge—and offered to sell it to me at a price that, until that moment, I would never have considered spending for a complete system. "It's audiophile gear," he said with a knowing smile. Audiophile? The word sounded exotic—and grown-up.Tue, 01/15/2019...
- CES 2019 Report19 January 2019, 1:27 pm
I arrived without any expectation. It’s hardly headline news that high-end audio at CES has been running on fumes in recent years. Would this be the year that showing up would be a waste of time? Turns out, what I found was a show relegated to a shadow of its former self but not quite down for the count. My curiosity was soundly rewarded. I was reminded of the closing line from the classic Western film The Wild Bunch: “It ain’t like it used to be, but it’ll do.&rdquo... - Next Level HiFi to Host Speaker Launch Event18 January 2019, 7:56 am
Join Next Level HiFi as it opens its showroom for a special event on Saturday, January 26 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. to celebrate the launch of the new Børresen line of loudspeakers. Michael Børresen and Lars Kristensen—also the minds behind Aavik Acoustics and Ansuz Acoustics—will be on hand to share the innovative engineering and beauty of their new loudspeakers through lively demos and discussions. Three models from the Børresen loudspeaker line will be presented&... - John Williams at the Movies16 January 2019, 6:17 pm
Those listeners not totally convinced by the change in sonority from a full symphony orchestra including a substantial string section and a wind band should give this spectacular recording a serious audition. The principal reason for the recording’s success is that Williams composed so effectively for brass and percussion. The sonority here is frequently very different from the original orchestrations, but in most cases it works very well. Much of this is predictable. For example, the Olym... - The 2019 Consumer Electronics Show15 January 2019, 10:07 pm
It’s no secret that the high-end audio segment of the massive Consumer Electronics Show has been waning for years as the industry has shifted its focus to Munich and the growing juggernaut of AXPONA. But this year’s CES was the death knell. After attending 36 consecutive CES events, this was my last. Nonetheless, it was worth going this year to see and hear some intriguing product introductions. Here are the highlights. In a radical rethinking of the traditional audio-component chass... - Goldmund Presents The New Prana Active Speaker15 January 2019, 4:39 pm
The following is a press release issued by Goldmund. January 15, 2019 - In Hindu philosophy, the Sanskrit word for « life force » - Prana - is the universal sea of energy that infuses and vitalizes all matter. Prana is the breath. Without it the body can’t live. Prana - the name of the freshly launched flagship wireless loudspeaker – pays tribute to our engineers who worked hard to design this exceptional piece and bring to life the musical message with a level of definit...
- World Premiere Review! Chord Electronics Symphonic MC Phono Preamp28 December 2018, 3:16 pm
The first thing one might notice in regard to Chord's Symphonic Moving Coil (MC) phono preamplifier is its eye-catching appearance. At least that's the first thing that I noticed, even though by now I should be accustomed to this: I've never seen a Chord component that uses a rectangular 17" wide cabinet.---> Read More ... - Goal Zero Yeti 400 Lithium Portable Power Station28 December 2018, 3:15 pm
I've always been a proponent of some sort of power conditioning for one's high-end audio system. This is because no matter how "good" the power coming from your wall receptacle might be, unless your locale power company has set up a transformer in your yard, you are not only sharing power with many others, the power that you are using has traveled quite a distance before it finally arrives at your home.---> Read More ... - World Premiere Review! MarkAudio-SOTA Viotti Tower28 December 2018, 3:13 pm
Back in June 2016 I reviewed the MarkAudio-SOTA Viotti One, this was the launch speaker produced by the company. Mark Fenlon – the chief designer – has been creating loudspeaker drivers for years and is now a big part of the MarkAudio-SOTA which is a collaboration between Steve Chen's SOTA Acoustics and MarkAudio Loudspeakers. I was most impressed with the Viotti One, the initial flagship product.---> Read More ... - Schiit Jotunheim HeadAmp & Lyr 3 DAC/Phono28 December 2018, 3:12 pm
The names Mike Moffat (Theta Digital) and Jason Stoddard (Sumo) are legendary in high-end audio circles. Both have been determined engineers seeking the highest musical fidelity from their circuit designs and playback efforts, utilizing both analog and digital components; near-on over 38 years now. But you may have missed their combining forces, nearly 10 years ago (in 2010) in the form of a new company featuring plenty of Schiit: A name chosen not for its apparent resemblance to a similar sound... - See More High-End Audio Reviews...12 December 2018, 12:10 pm
EnjoyTheMusic.com has many more high-end audiophile articles and reviews available this month. Click here to see them all. ...
- REVIEW: Acoustic Revive RTP-4EU ABSOLUTE | power strip AC | JAPAN31 December 2018, 11:00 pm
⌈ A power strip is simply a "splitter" of the power supply – it goes in with a single cable, and it goes out via several outputs/sockets. Acoustic Revive in Europe offers one model, featuring four sockets. We would like to present you the latest version called the ABSOLUTE. This is the first part of a two-part test. Later we will present also the ABSOLUTE POWER cable and an entire ABSOLUTE system with the power strip, power cable and two filters. ⌋ o filter or not to fil... - MUSIC | TECHNOLOGY: RCA Red Seal HIGH PERFORMACE SERIES, i.e. the USA strikes back! | USA31 December 2018, 11:00 pm
⌈ We have got used to the fact that Japanese companies are the driving force in the field of Compact Disc/Super Audio CD remastering and production. However, we cannot forget that manufacturers from the West, mainly from the USA, have also been contributing to these areas. The HDCD format, Mobile Fidelity remasters, Analog Productions and others are just a few examples. One of the most interesting initiatives was the one from the year 1999, when the RCA Red Seal record label decided to re... - REVIEW: Divine Acoustics KEPLER | anti-vibration feet | POLAND31 December 2018, 11:00 pm
⌈ Anti-vibration feet belong to the basic equipment of every device, loudspeaker and even devices used for power supply. Historically, they were treated as the so-called "accessories", today they are often an equivalent element of a system, because they model the sound of audio products placed on them. The best are able to upgrade the sound of a given product to a higher class. We test the first ever anti-vibration feet in the history of Divine Acoustics called KEPLER. ⌋ ivine... - MUSIC | RECORD LABEL: TRPTK | HOLLAND31 December 2018, 11:00 pm
⌈ Record labels usually focuses on promoting the music itself, forgetting that it is closely related to sound. Every now and then, companies are created that try to do something about it. One of the newest is the Dutch company TRPTK, which is the following text is about. ⌋ et's be honest: there are many record labels and new ones are coming almost every day. This, of course, involves an incredible egalitarianisation of recordings - today you can arrange a home recording studio fo... - REVIEW: Acoustic Signature DOUBLE X + TA-1000 | turntable + turntable arm | GERMANY31 December 2018, 11:00 pm
⌈ The DOUBLE X is a turntable manufactured by the German company Acoustic Signature. Tested here with the TA-1000 arm produced by the same company, it is one of the manufacturer’s most inexpensive products, although it is not cheap at all. However, it is an entry into high-end and such a “ticket” always costs a lot. For less than 23,000 PLN, we get a great, excellently made, easy to use system to be used for years. ⌋ hen I tested the ACOUSTIC SIGNATURE Triple X ...
- Get Real Audio: The Artist Perspective - Preparing to do a Direct-To-Disc Record, Part 219 January 2019, 11:01 pm
Lyn Stanley (photograph by Evelina Pentcheva) Synopsis: Preparation for the making a Direct-To-Disc recording is more complicated than a typical album. In this follow-up article to Lyn Stanley's Direct-To-Disc discussion elsewhere in Issue 101 of Positive Feedback, she outlines what are her key considerations and process needed to produce a challenging live format directly to a lacquer with... Read More » The post Get Real Audio: The Artist Perspective - Preparing to d...
- The Pursuit of Happiness: My Rega Revelations18 January 2019, 9:22 pm
Wayne Goins: a portrait. Salina, KS, 2017. Photograph and image processing by David W. Robinson In my last article for Positive Feedback, I extolled the virtues of the Modwright PH150 and the surrounding components that completed the rig (PS150 power supply; VPI Prime Scout; LTA Ultralinear amplifier and Microzotl amp; Daedalus Audio Athena v.2 loudspeakers;... Read More » The post The Pursuit of Happiness: My Rega Revelations appeared first on Positive Feedback.... - The CH Precision M1 goes to M1.1: An Improved Statement Amplifier18 January 2019, 8:19 pm
The old capacitors. A Parcel Arrives One day a box of gargantuan capacitors arrived—really heavy industrial cans measuring nearly 7" high and 3" in diameter. They were destined to replace the main caps in my CH Precision M1 monoblocks. This was the hardware component of the newly released M1.1 Amplifier mod. I had been informed... Read More » The post The CH Precision M1 goes to M1.1: An Improved Statement Amplifier appeared first on Positive Feedback.... - In Search of a Perfect Song, Part 416 January 2019, 8:11 pm
Surprise! I'm back with another installment of my "Perfect Song" series! As I started thinking about writing this article, I reminded myself that perfect isn't the same as favorite. A Google search for the word favorite netted this definition: preferred before all others of the same kind. A search for the word perfect provided this... Read More » The post In Search of a Perfect Song, Part 4 appeared first on Positive Feedback.... - The New Apartment Lounge: It's an Analogue World Part 2 - JE Audio's Delightful HP20 Phono Amplifier15 January 2019, 11:06 pm
Inauspicious Beginnings This review has seen all manner of fits and starts. It began, as do most such endeavors, nobly intended. There was, first and foremost, my heartfelt desire to learn more about a product line (JE Audio's) that I had only recently discovered, but about which others here at Positive Feedback had written extensively.... Read More » The post The New Apartment Lounge: It's an Analogue World Part 2 - JE Audio's Delightful HP20 Phono Amplifier appeared first on Positive Fee...
- Issue 9415 January 2019, 7:21 am
Features Old School: Jeff Dorgay uncovers an ARC DAC 1 995: Will return next issue Journeyman Audiophile: The Quad Z4 Speakers By Rob Johnson Mine: It Should Be Yours Lego Cars Louis Vuitton Duffle Peter Gabriel Live Super Snacks and more…. Music Playlists: We share our readers choices from around the world Future Tense VPI [...]... - Issue 9320 December 2018, 9:35 pm
Features Old School: Jeff Dorgay revisits the Nakamichi 400 Stack 995: The Puffin DSP Phonostage By Rob Johnson Journeyman Audiophile: McIntosh MA252 By Shanon Swetlishnoff Mine: It Should Be Yours Grinch Slippers Shinola Clock Oreo Turntable BMW Bicycle and more…. Music Playlists: We share our readers choices from around the world In Praise of the [...]... - Paradigm’s Persona B7 December 2018, 5:47 pm
Listening to the intricate fretboard work of Bill Frisell on his Good Dog, Happy Man album, I’m reminded of three things: Frisell’s remarkable performance at the Montreal Jazz Festival a few years ago, how much the Persona B captures the essence of their top Persona 9H, and how incredible these little speakers are. Every Paradigm [...]... - ARC’s top effort yet – The REF160M Monoblocks3 December 2018, 2:14 am
Some products you have a casual, cursory exposure with, and others you have a relationship with. Audio Research is a brand I’ve had a long relationship with. They are one of about six brands that I go back decades with, having owned nearly 20 of their products before I even started reviewing hifi gear. And like [...]... - Issue 9219 November 2018, 5:35 am
Features Old School: Jeff Dorgay revisits the KEF C60s 995: Kanto YU6 Powered Speakers By Jerold O’Brien Journeyman Audiophile: Totem’s Sky Towers By Rob Johnson Mine: It Should Be Yours Peanuts Watch Plaid Flannel Jammies Blue Wine Segway’s Go Kart and more…. Music Playlists: We share our readers choices from around the world Can’t Get [...]...
- T+A Elektroakustik MP 8 Multi Source Player15 January 2019, 5:00 am
T+A Elektroakustik has applied scientific rigor to its formulation of audio equipment since the company was founded in 1978, in Herford, Germany. The 40-year-old, family-owned business designs and manufactures all of their equipment locally and ships worldwide. T+A’s product lines span nearly all aspects of the audio reproduction chain, from wall outlet to the listener’s ears. Their Series 8 range includes the MP 8 Multi Source Player ($4750 USD), the DAC 8 DSD digital-to-a... - My Final CES1 January 2019, 5:00 am
As I write this, the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show is only three weeks away -- or a week after this goes online. I look forward to it not with dread, as I did last year’s, but with sadness. Clichés spring to mind: “How the mighty are fallen!” “Pride comes before a fall!” and “You can’t argue with stupid!” The demise of the high end at CES is nigh, and it is a scandal. And it is self-inflicted. ... - EMM Labs MTRX2 Mono Amplifiers1 January 2019, 5:00 am
First, the elephant in the room: EMM Labs’ MTRX2 mono amplifier sells for $85,000 USD per pair. What’s more, it’s the baby elephant of the two power amps EMM makes -- the MTRX Reference costs $130,000/pair. Those prices are so high that, for the vast majority of audiophiles, including me, these amps are impossible to buy new. ... - Hands Down . . . or Up? The Q Acoustics 3020i and 3050i Loudspeakers1 January 2019, 5:00 am
“Those are really nice speakers -- can we keep them there?” Those are words seldom uttered by my wife when new speakers enter our home. But that’s what she said when she laid eyes on the pair of Q Acoustics 3020i minimonitors ($299.99 USD/pair) that had replaced the Paradigm Monitor SE Atoms ($298/pair) on the shelving unit in our living room that holds my “System One” components. ... - Recommended Reference Component: Campfire Audio Solaris Earphones1 January 2019, 5:00 am
Does it set a bad precedent to give a product a perfect score? Some might think so -- what if something better comes along? But that didn’t stop Brent Butterworth from rewarding Campfire Audio’s Solaris earphones with a perfect 10 for Sound in his December 10 review on SoundStage! Solo. So far, they’re the best-sounding earphones he’s heard -- though they’re also, as he confessed, “complex, bulky, and expensive ($1499 USD).” ...
- Destination Audio System Review17 January 2019, 7:55 pm
Destination Audio is the realization of company founder Sam Wisniewski’s dream of the sound of the directly heated 45 tube in triode mode. From the creation of the two-chassis 417A tube phono stage to the two-chassis 76 tube-based preamplifier, the 45 tube-based monoblock amplifiers and the Vista horn, the creative objective of all of Sam’s [...] The post Destination Audio System Review appeared first on Dagogo.... - Speaker Tech Terms17 January 2019, 1:17 am
How Well Do You Know Speaker Tech Terms? I was thinking that some of my readers might like to test their knowledge of speaker design and terminology. I decided to put a little test together for your enjoyment. Back in 1972 I was working for a company called California HiFi Warehouse, which was a major [...] The post Speaker Tech Terms appeared first on Dagogo.... - A Story of the EVGA Nu Audio Card engineered by Audio Note UK12 January 2019, 2:43 pm
Publisher’s note: Audio Note UK has graciously provided the following article detailing the conceptualization and design of the EVGA Nu Audio Card in collaboration with EVGA. The article is authored by Andy Grove of Audio Note UK. (The EVGA Nu Audio Card is scheduled for launch on January 16, 2019. Price is $249. See the [...] The post A Story of the EVGA Nu Audio Card engineered by Audio Note UK appeared first on Dagogo.... - EVGA NU Audio Card engineered by Audio Note UK11 January 2019, 7:09 pm
Audio Note UK is announcing an audiophile-grade video card at 2019 CES, the EVGA NU Audio Card. Launched at this year’s CES after two years’ development, the EVGA NU Audio Card is designed with the expertise of Audio Note UK for the audio section. According to Peter Qvortrup, head of Audio Note UK, the first [...] The post EVGA NU Audio Card engineered by Audio Note UK appeared first on Dagogo.... - Audience OHNO III speaker cable Review10 January 2019, 10:17 pm
Just recently I penned a commentary piece bemoaning the state of affairs concerning speaker cables, binding posts, termination and how the twain shall indeed never meet. Keeping the hyperbole to the limit, let’s just say of all the speaker cables I managed to easily plug in and out of speakers and amplifiers, one manufacturer stood [...] The post Audience OHNO III speaker cable Review appeared first on Dagogo....
- The Best Version Of… Steely Dan’s Aja16 January 2019, 3:45 pm
When Walter Becker passed away in September 2017, it marked the end of one of the most quixotic music partnerships in modern American popular music. The only constant members of Steely Dan, Becker and co-conspirator Donald Fagen created some of the most lyrical intelligent, musically intricate, and sonically impeccable albums of the past 40 years. For both record buyers and audiophiles, none looms larger than 1977’s Aja, the subject of the third installment of &ldq... - Audiophile 5: Sonore opticalRendu in 5 Minutes10 January 2019, 9:30 pm
Episode 2 of our new video series called Audiophile 5 is now available. In this episode we cover the new and highly anticipated Sonore opticalRendu. A full written review will follow this video shorty, we just need to put more time in listening to music and using the device. From the manufacturer: "The opticalRendu utilizes an SFP fiber optic transceiver at its input to provide 100% galvanic isolation from the network and US... - Qobuz Announces Opening of US Beta8 January 2019, 7:43 pm
I don't have much more, but I don't think much more needs to be said. Qobuz is now open in beta of everyone in the US! Remember, here is a how-to about moving all your favorites and playlists from Tidal. Press Release: Qobuz Announces Opening of US Beta Qobuz, the European-based certified Hi-Res streaming and download service whose launch in the US has been highly anticipated in the audiophile ... - CA is now Audiophile Style!1 January 2019, 5:21 pm
When I started Computer Audiophile in 2007 the site was a one man blog that educated audio enthusiasts about computer based playback and covered the slow industry uptake of high tech. From day one the user community was the most important part of the site, and still is to this day, because it was already onboard with high tech HiFi. In the early days I remember writing articles about the emergence of asynchronous USB and Apple keyboards that caused audible pops and ticks during music playbac... - KEF LS50 (David) Versus JBL 4722 Cinema (Goliath) Speaker Comparison with Binaural Recordings1 January 2019, 4:48 pm
Here are two extreme opposite loudspeakers when it comes to sensitivity, size, directivity, topology and looks. Does the big speaker sound perceptually larger than the smaller speaker? Do the speakers sound the same if eq’d the same and level matched? Does the LS50 sound perceptually bigger when a subwoofer is added? These are some of the questions I attempt to answer in this article. While there are objective measurements, I have included binaural recordings comparing t...
- Cambridge Audio's "Duo" Phono Preamp/Headphone Amplifier Outperforms Its Low Price14 January 2019, 8:03 pm
Cambridge Audio's Duo is a compact, attractive, lightweight (2.1 Lbs) low priced phono preamplifier that will surprise you with its solid sonic performance as well as its low price. It certainly surprised me! It also features a headphone amplifier so it makes for a great desktop or dorm room accessory.... - At CES 2019 Technics Introduces Elegant SL-1500C Coreless Direct Drive Turntable9 January 2019, 4:40 pm
At CES 2019 Technics expanded its turntable line with the introduction of the SL-1500C "complete" turntable with built-in MM phono preamplifier as well as a new SL-1200MK7—the company's first new standard DJ turntable in approximately 9 years. ... - Watch John Atkinson Give Michael Fremer the Founder's Award at the L.A. & Orange Co. Audio Society's 25th Annual GALA!8 January 2019, 11:03 pm
Here's the first in a series of videos Ben Williams produced and edited over the weekend's festivities last November 30th through December 2nd as the L.A. & Orange County Audio Society celebrated its 25th anniversary and presented its Founder's Award to AnalogPlanet editor Michael Fremer.... - Analog Corner #1068 January 2019, 1:13 pm
Sonus Faber's graceful-looking factory. "Do you want to see how they build Pro-Ject turntables?" It was Sumiko's John Hunter, phoning me out of the blue. "Sure!" I've reviewed a few Pro-Ject designs over the years, along with the Music Hall 'tables, which are built in the same factory, and I've long wondered how one small company in the Czech Republic can manufacture such a wide array of products while making almost every part in-house. When Hunter added that the visit to Pro-Ject would be bra... - Blue Note Launches Joe Harley Curated Tone Poet Series AAA Vinyl Releases8 January 2019, 12:55 am
Blue Note Records just announced a new "Tone Poet" Series of all analog vinyl jazz reissues curated by Joe Harley, who co-produces with Ron Rambach the Music Matters Blue Note vinyl reissue series. These records will be produced the way those are: mastered cut directly from the original analog tapes by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio and plated and pressed at RTI and deluxe gatefold packaged....
- How to make your audio system sound better for free - CNET19 January 2019, 4:47 pm
Move your speakers into the middle of the room, and listen to them from 4 or 5 feet away.... - Euro style and high-end sound in an apartment-friendly speaker - CNET19 January 2019, 3:00 pm
Trenner & Friedl's Osiris speakers produce amazing sound without taking over the room.... - PSB’s iconic affordable Alpha Series speakers come in for a makeover - CNET12 January 2019, 11:47 pm
PSB Speakers’ popular Alpha Series remained unchanged for 19 years, so with fingers crossed we checked out the all new Alpha P5 bookshelf speaker.... - Monoprice's two desktop headphone amps are spectacular - CNET12 January 2019, 5:14 pm
Monoprice’s Monolith Liquid Spark makes budget headphones sound better than ever, while the Monolith Liquid Platinum takes high-end headphones to the next level.... - Listening test: NAD's feature-packed D 3045 amplifier - CNET6 January 2019, 2:32 pm
The Audiophiliac checks out NAD's latest integrated amp....
- Naim Uniti Atom All-In-One Audio System | Review20 January 2019, 11:00 am
Part-Time Audiophile Introducing the Naim Uniti Atom “All in one, and one for all!” Wait, what? Ha! You’ve just been introduced to my new tagline for Naim Audio’s nifty combined audio system, the Uniti Atom. It’s an all-in-one audio system, as in high-end meets lifestyle. As in “I want this thing, and so should everyone else.” So let me explain… I’ve dealt with combined audio systems before. I suppose I’m a bit biased against them, but... - The Haruomi Hosono Archival Series | The Deep End18 January 2019, 11:00 am
Part-Time Audiophile “You’ve never heard of Haruomi Hosono?” With every music review I write, I try to learn something new. It can be anything–something about the artist, something that happened in history during the recording or even the sound of a musical instrument I’ve never heard until that moment. I learned something quite spectacular while tackling these five remastered releases from Japanese pop/rock/electronica pioneer Haruomi “Harry” Hosono. Th... - CES 2019 Highlights15 January 2019, 9:00 am
Part-Time Audiophile Recap and highlights from Las Vegas CES 2019. An audiophile perspective on the changing landscape of the Consumer Electronics Show from Nevada. All the high end and headphone news from the event including new DACs, streamers and the state of “True Wireless”. SCHIITdotCOM – Audio components made in the USA, starting at $49. The post CES 2019 Highlights appeared first on Part-Time Audiophile.... - CES 2019: New VTL Phonostage sings with Lyra14 January 2019, 11:00 am
Part-Time Audiophile Luke Manley and Bea Lam are two of the hardest working folks in the business. At every show, you can feel confident that VTL will have a room and its going to sounds fabulous. So it’s no surprise even at CES 2019, when the exhibitor list was short and the halls were light, Luke and Bea brought their usual A-game and provided one of my two favorite rooms at CES 2019. Earlier in November 2019, I had an opportunity to spend some time with Luke Manley at Audio Elemen... - CES 2019: Technics SL-1500 and SL-1200MK7 | First Listen13 January 2019, 4:36 pm
Part-Time Audiophile Technics continues its re-entry into the turntable arena bringing something for both both the DJ and Audiophile audience with the annoucement of SL-1200MK7 and SL-1500 turntables. Technics SL-1200MK7 The SL-1200 originally released in 1972 became the standard turntable for DJs for decades. Built on a direct drive system and large platter it provided reliability, speed and stability for clubs. Black dots surrounding its platter and large pitch control button are part of the S...
- Letters to the editor: Konto, Lindemann, Dynaudio & more17 January 2019, 10:58 am
A new year brings a fresh batch of ‘givers’ to the yard. A firm thank you goes out to all who choose to share their findings with us. Ryan K. writes: Just wanted to say thank you for your approach to reviewing, as you’ve become my first in line, go-to guy […] More-------------------------------------------------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For private use only. Copyright 2010-2018 · Dark... - Chord DAVE vs. PS Audio DirectStream?16 January 2019, 5:04 pm
PS AudioDirect Stream vs Chord DAVE? The thirst for comparative data no doubt stems from both DACs’ use of an internal FPGA instead of an off-the-shelf DAC chip to handle data marshalling and upsampling as well as decode preparation and execution. But it’s the software that matters most. In the […] More-------------------------------------------------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For private use only. Copy... - Global feedback: PS Audio-powered needledrops (Part 1)15 January 2019, 1:43 pm
Active loudspeakers – how to square them with vinyl playback? For the KEF LS50W, we connect the twin RCA (single-ended) output of a phono stage to the twin RCA input of the master speaker. I’m using a NuWave Phono Converter from PS Audio. Those concerned about the LS50W converting the […] More-------------------------------------------------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For private use only. Copyright 2010... - That’s Entertainment!13 January 2019, 5:23 pm
Darko.Audio’s biggest success of 2018 wasn’t website related. It took place over on YouTube where a collision of circumstances – a new contributor whose day job turned out to be a professional cameraman and the laying off of Stereophile’s video editor – saw yours truly kick video production into a […] More-------------------------------------------------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For p... - Google pulls plug on Chromecast Audio12 January 2019, 11:27 am
Do you want the good news or the bad news? We’ll start with the bad: citing weaker sales figures than its video-capable counterpart, Google is discontinuing its Chromecast Audio streamer. The Chromecast Audio was launched in 2015 to overnight become the most affordable music streamer this side of a Raspberry Pi. It was […] More-------------------------------------------------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permi...
- Bryston 28B³ Monoblock Power Amplifiers16 January 2019, 5:25 pm
According to its website, Bryston has been in business for 35 years, has 150 dealers in North America and is in 60 countries worldwide. That is very impressive for an audio company. Bryston headquarters is located in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, which is approximately a 2 hour drive from my hometown, Toronto. Even though I have known about Bryston for decades, I have not reviewed any of their products nor have I heard any of their products for an extended period of time. I have heard th... - Rocky Mountain Audio Fest hotel update (Sept 5 - 8, 2019) Denver, CO10 January 2019, 6:07 pm
The latest from our friends at RMAF: This year we are thrilled to be expanding with you into the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center, which will be our new RMAF "home on the range" starting with the 16th Annual RMAF, September 5-8, 2019. The Gaylord Rockies opened on schedule and to great fanfare on December 18. A few of our team spent the opening night there exploring, testing, tasting and...WOW! This $800 million facility has 2 million square feet of upscale accommod... - Allnic Audio H-1202 Phono Stage4 January 2019, 5:26 pm
It’s interesting to note that a $3750 phono stage is now considered, among some audiophiles, as entry level for delivering vinyl sound as it’s meant to be heard. Sure, there are relatively inexpensive examples that do a fine job—the excellent Rega Aria is priced at $1500—and some expensive models that don’t, but in my experience, higher priced analogue gear sounds better. You gotta pay to play. My reference Sutherland Engineering DUO monoblock Phono Preamplifi... - PS Audio DirectStream (DS) DAC: Snowmass Upgrade11 December 2018, 1:13 pm
Over four years ago, in May 2014, I reviewed the PS Audio DirectStream (DS) DAC. I ended up purchasing it and I still use it as my reference. Many times over these last four years I have been approached by other audiophiles asking why I have a DAC as my reference that is not ‘new’ and ‘up-to-date’ as compared to other DACs that have the newest DAC chip. ‘Oh no’, I say, ‘you are wrong’, ‘my DAC is only at most months old, it is your... - Brahms: The Four Symphonies—DG Limited Edition 180g vinyl reissue4 December 2018, 6:39 pm
I usually write music reviews, especially classical, with my classically-trained hat on, commenting on performance, interpretation, comparables, etc. My audiophile nature kicks in at times and posts commentary in each review, for sure, but the main event is always the music. For this review, it’ll be primarily about the sound. What is the lover of classical music, Brahms, von Karajan, the Berliner Philharmoniker, and especially of reissue vinyl, getting from yet another version of ...
- 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.... - Droidisk – Playing music28 July 2018, 1:01 pm
John Reekie wraps up his articles on inexpensive SBC-based music servers, with instructions on how to install music-related services on the ODroid HC1. This time, he's also using an Android tablet as the renderer....
- VIZIO SB36512-F6 Soundbar Review16 January 2019, 3:00 pm
Atmos for everyone! That’s the main guise behind VIZIO’s new Atmos-capable soundbars. For just $499.99, the VIZIO SB36512-F6 soundbar System offers a full-blown 5.1.2-channel home theater experience in a relatively compact and easy to use package. It also includes a wireless subwoofer and dedicated surround speakers, which are rare at this price. The post VIZIO SB36512-F6 Soundbar Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - E.A.T. C-Major Turntable, E.A.T. E-Glo Petit Phono Preamplifier, and E.A.T. Jo No 5 Phono Cartridge Review8 January 2019, 2:00 pm
E.A.T. (European Audio Team) is an Austrian firm, located in Wilfersdorf, with manufacturing facilities in Eastern Europe. The CEO is Jozefína Lichtenegger. The post E.A.T. C-Major Turntable, E.A.T. E-Glo Petit Phono Preamplifier, and E.A.T. Jo No 5 Phono Cartridge Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Q Acoustics 3050i Floorstanding Speaker Review2 January 2019, 2:00 pm
The Q Acoustics 3050i have come to party. They are a beautifully finished, amazing sounding floor-standing speaker with a healthy dose of trickle... The post Q Acoustics 3050i Floorstanding Speaker Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - McIntosh MCD600 SACD/CD Player Review31 December 2018, 2:00 pm
Built with the same quality that all McIntosh products are known for, and the ubiquitous chrome, glass, and green and blue lights that are distinctive features of their products, the McIntosh MCD600 SACD/CD Player is like no other disc player in the consumer market today. The post McIntosh MCD600 SACD/CD Player Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - NAD D 3045 Hybrid Digital Amplifier Review24 December 2018, 2:00 pm
NAD takes a no-nonsense approach to sound quality with cutting-edge technology and delivers high-end audio at a mid-fi price point. The post NAD D 3045 Hybrid Digital Amplifier Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com....
- Darwin Cable Company Truth II Interconnect and Power Cables22 March 2017, 8:45 pm
There is one thing that all high end audio components require to function as a system, and that is signal and power cables. No getting around it. Of course, there is no market segment more controversial than audiophile cabling. This is partially due to questionable scientific claims and pricing that would make even true believers raise an eyebrow. The great Read more...... - Audioengine HD3 Powered Speakers & DAC Review7 February 2017, 4:02 am
Multi-function powered speakers are all the rage in 2017, and no other company has been more at the forefront than Audioengine. They have been making affordable, great sounding, and versatile powered monitors since 2005, along with DACs, headphone amps, and accessories. There are a number of things I find refreshing about Audioengine. First, their pricing makes Read more...... - Burson Cable+ Active RCA Cable Review24 January 2017, 5:10 pm
A lot of excellent HiFi products are designed and produced in Australia, and none more than Burson Audio belong in the upper tier of offerings from Down Under. Not only do Burson’s products sound excellent, but they also do not make cookie cutter gear, and inject original thinking into the process. I reviewed and loved Burson’s superb Read more...... - Bryston BCD-3 CD Player Review10 January 2017, 9:17 pm
Canadian heavy hitters Bryston surprised everyone a few years ago with their introduction of a speaker line, which now, after wide acceptance and a slew of positive reviews, are considered class leaders in many circles. In fact, the Mini T three-way monitor is my current reference. Possibly more surprising is Bryston’s introduction of the BCD-3 CD Player, with Read more...... - Okki Nokki RCM-II Record Cleaning Machine5 December 2016, 6:37 pm
At the beginning of the year, a good friend called me over to his garage and surprised me with a gift of around 500 vintage vinyl records he had little patience to deal with. I gladly took them off his hands. When I got home and started sifting through the albums, I realized there were hundreds of original pressings of Read more......
- Exogal Comet DAC and Ion stereo power amplifier16 January 2019, 12:53 pm
It’s refreshing to come across a deeply engineered and well-made product that doesn’t arrive with swathes of sales guff to seduce prospective buyers. Exogal is that rare thing; an audio company that is more interested in the product than the spiel. This is probably not a great approach from a commercial perspective but makes a seasoned audio enthusiast all the more interested. Exogal was set up by industry veterans Larry Jacoby, Jeff Haagenstaad, and Jim Kinne. Jim was a digital audi... - NEW GERMAN PHYSIKS WEB SITE LAUNCHED9 January 2019, 12:30 pm
A brand new German Physiks web site has been launched at www.german-physiks.com. It features a much more attractive graphic design and easier navigation. The texts for the loudspeaker range have been updated, including high quality pictures showing the products in a range of real-life settings. Details of our new Emperor high-end electronics range have also been added. These will be shown at Axpona 2019. We will shortly add details of our new PION range of cables. 10 years ago we marketed cables... - Interview: Wes Berwise of WBSSmedia8 January 2019, 1:08 pm
Wes Berwise is a clever man. He has been passionate about his music for as long as he can remember, and was an avid collector from his school days. His love of music in all its guises (but especially soul and R’n’B) led him to an illustrious career as a DJ at Colourful Radio and then Jazz FM (at which point he had three shows per week; two on Jazz FM and one on Colourful Radio), adept at moving across the genres for all the right reasons. Gradually, radio changed and became more abou... - Sonus faber Sonetto V floorstanding loudspeaker8 January 2019, 12:54 pm
A few years ago, Sonus faber made the somewhat bold move of switching some of its production out of Italy. This was a great idea and gave the world speaker lines like the successful Principia, Chameleon, and Venere ranges, all built in China. However, what it also showed to Sonus faber was there was a strong call for a loudspeaker system that combined the elegance of the Italian-built designs with the clean lines of the more affordable ranges, in a package that didn’t cost as much as a Fer... - AURALiC VEGA G2 streaming DAC with LEO GX clock8 January 2019, 12:26 pm
It can’t be many years since AURALiC’s first cute and curvy ARIES streamer appeared on the market, but since that time the company has created some very interesting digital audio products and last year unveiled its most ambitious range to date, G2. Thus far the range consists of the ARIES G2 network streamer and VEGA G2 streamer/DAC/preamplifier, at launch it looked as though the LEO GX clock would join the G2 range but it has taken the GX suffix. This suggests the LEO moves beyond t...
- In Barn: KEF LS50 Wireless ‘Nocturne’ by Marcel Wanders17 January 2019, 1:00 pm
KEF LS50 Wireless ‘Nocturne’ by Marcel Wanders ($2499.99). Specifications Model LS50 Wireless Drive Units Uni-Q driver array: HF: 25mm (1in.) vented aluminium dome LF/MF: 130mm (5.25in.) magnesium/aluminium alloy Frequency Range (-6dB) Measured at 85dB/1m 40Hz [...]... - Review: Border Patrol DAC SE15 January 2019, 1:00 pm
When I listen to music on the hifi, I listen for the music. The closer, the better. While there can be some debate about this simple proposition, why do we listen to music on the [...]... - New Metaxas & Sins Boutique in Athens…14 January 2019, 1:47 pm
[I don’t typically post Press Releases but this is so much more. Ed.] Melbourne audiophiles might remember my move to Greville Street [with a base in Macquarie St], Prahran, in the mid 1990’s, where my [...]... - Non-Review: LiTe DAC-AH (the eBay DAC)10 January 2019, 8:09 pm
We’ve all read about the bargain DACs one can find on eBay, typically originating from China. Some, like the one I bought, use the venerable Philips TDA1543 converter chip which can be found in DACs [...]... - Qobuz Coming Even Closer: US Beta Launch9 January 2019, 3:12 pm
French streaming service and download store Qobuz has opened up their much anticipated US streaming service to select beta users: Qobuz, the European-based certified Hi-Res streaming and download service whose launch in the US has [...]...
- 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... - Balanced Audio Technology VK-43SE Preamplifier16 October 2018, 2:46 pm
Balanced Audio Technology (BAT) is a decades old company specializing in, you guessed it, balanced audio components. They have produced a long line of vacuum tube and solid-state preamplifiers and amplifiers, phono preamplifiers and, more lately, digital converters. The BAT VK-300xSE integrated amplifier was reviewed here in 2004, and the VK-31SE tube preamp was reviewed here in 2005. BAT has received numerous “best of” awards over the years for their excellent sounding and innovativ... - Wyred 4 Sound DAC-2v2SE 10th Anniversary Limited Edition DAC16 September 2018, 1:45 am
State of the art precision. State of the art focus. State of the art harmony. The Wyred 4 Sound DAC-2v2SE 10th Anniversary Limited Edition digital-to-analog converter does not sound like a digital component. It much more closely performs as an excellent analog source. When you compare a good CD with this DAC in your system to the sound of your analog rig, you could very well have the same reaction that this listener experienced: a big smile! The musicality and level of enjoyment that Wyred 4 Sou... - B.M.C. MCCI Signature ULN Phono Preamplifier29 July 2018, 10:42 pm
The original B.M.C. Audio MCCI phono preamplifier earned very positive reviews when it was introduced in 2013. Carlos Candeias used his designs for the $1400 Aqvox Phono 2Ci, reviewed here on 10 Audio, and introduced a much-upgraded model as the MCCI under his own brand, B.M.C. Audio. The MCCI ($3890) was replaced with the MCCI Signature ($4298) in 2016. The model under review today is the MCCI Signature ULN ($4690) which hit the market in March, 2018. B.M.C. Audio builds large numbers of each m... - GoldenEar Triton Seven Loudspeakers24 June 2018, 9:01 pm
GoldenEar Technology was started in 2010 by Sandy Gross and Don Givogue. Mr. Gross might be familiar to audiophiles from his association with Polk and Definitive Technology, both of which he co-founded. Mr. Givogue also co-founded Definitive Technology and holds a patent for multi-driver bi-polar speaker arrays. The GoldenEar Triton Seven was born not from some tinkerer’s basement, but from people with extensive knowledge and experience in speaker design, manufacturing and marketing. There...
- DIY All-Tube Phono Project Wrapup: Feedback from our patron Adrian19 January 2019, 7:24 pm
By Steve Graham The Tubecad Tetra DIY phono stage finds a home. Steve, Just a quick update. I’m really pleased with the phono stage! It has exceeded my expectations. I have had the chance to listen to it for a few days. Tonality and dynamics are excellent with the detail I like. Soundstage is wide and deep. In a word, the sound is ‘big’. It certainly has the tube ‘naturalness’ I love. It is the best phono stage I have had... - Digital Music Player Reviews: Part 2, The Lumin D1, Plus….Umm, Bonus Content!9 January 2019, 9:47 pm
Digital Music Player Reviews: Part 2, plus…. Another installment in the C/H/E series, a My Audio Life special and my wife gets her first stereo system in over forty years. The Lumin D1 As already mentioned in my Holiday gift guide, the Lumin D1 digital music player is not a current product. So why review it, you ask? Well…..this isn’t a review, exactly. Stay with me and I’ll get to it in due course. My Audio Life: Season Finale &ls... - Digital Music Player Reviews: Part 1, The NAD 50.2 Digital Music Player20 December 2018, 7:14 pm
Digital Music Player Review: Part 1 The NAD 50.2 I’ve been having fun, well, cheap thrills actually, playing with the web radio capabilities of the NAD 50.2. It comes with the TuneIn app preloaded, and music by region, country, genre, and on occasion even sexual orientation can be selected. The thing that amazes me the most is the prevalence of English language pop music. In many countries where English is not the first language, announcers speak in their native to... - Hi-fi Holiday Gift Guide 2018 Edition (Part 2)29 November 2018, 12:42 am
Noam’s Picks for the Season What follows is an eclectic mix of mostly unrelated stuff that either interests me, and/or that I think would interest WoS readers. Most of my suggestions this year fall well below the $200 mark. So break out your wallet, and make some audiophile loved one happy this holiday season. (I’m just kidding, audiophiles are never happy) Vincent Bélanger – Audio Note Music CD’s and LP’s. $20 – $60 CAD. By now the gifted cellis... - Hi-Fi Holiday Gift Guide 2018 Edition (Part 1)19 November 2018, 5:47 pm
Holiday Gift Guide, 2018 – Hi-Fi Stocking Stuffers and Gifts, Part 1: Steve’s Picks By Steve Graham Beteran KZ ATE Dynamic Balanced Armature IEM. $23 CDN Hey Miss K, put those cheap and cheerful IEM’s in the box. I already gave you a pair. Santa Steve knows who’s been naughty. These are super-fun earphones and so much better than anything that comes standard with most portable electronics. I’ve already given seven pairs to friends and family...
- FiiO M6 Review20 January 2019, 12:41 pm
8.3Score$149.99FiiODisclaimer: The FiiO M6 cable sent to us is a sample in exchange for our honest opinion. We thank the team at FiiO for giving us this opportunity. To read more about FiiO products reviewed on Headfonics click here. M6, the latest consumer market approach by Fiio has caught huge attention since its launch. Packing […] The post FiiO M6 Review appeared first on Headfonics.... - HiBy Music R6 Pro – First Contact18 January 2019, 12:04 pm
$799HiBy MusicDisclaimer: This HiBy Music R6 Pro sample is the first Internation Firmware Edition sent to us in exchange for our honest opinion. We thank the team at HiBy Music for giving us this opportunity. To read more about HiBy Music products we reviewed on Headfonics click here. Note, the sample here is the first […] The post HiBy Music R6 Pro – First Contact appeared first on Headfonics.... - PLUSSOUND Tri-Silver X8 Series Cable Review16 January 2019, 12:31 pm
Tonality9.2Build Quality9.4Comfort & Handling9Matchability9 9.2Score$1599.99PlussoundDisclaimer: The PLUSSOUND Tri-Silver cable sent to us is a sample in exchange for our honest opinion. We thank the team at PLUSSOUND for giving us this opportunity. To read more about PLUSSOUND products reviewed on Headfonics click here. We reviewed the PLUSSOUND Tri-Copper Exo Series back in May 2018 and […] The post PLUSSOUND Tri-Silver X8 Series Cable Review appeared first on Headfonics.... - Campfire Audio Solaris Review13 January 2019, 11:58 am
Tonality9.3Build Quality9.3Comfort & Fit8.9Matchability9.2 9.2Score$1499Campfire AudioDisclaimer: The Campfire Audio Solaris sent to us is a sample in exchange for our honest opinion. We thank the team at Campfire Audio for giving us this opportunity. To read more about Campfire Audio products we reviewed on Headfonics click here. At around 7pm on day 2 of the […] The post Campfire Audio Solaris Review appeared first on Headfonics.... - Meze Empyrean – First Contact11 January 2019, 11:48 am
$2999MezeDisclaimer: The Meze Empyrean sent to us was purchased by us and is an ex-demo unit with burn-in. We thank the team at Meze for giving us this opportunity to review at this early stage. To read more about Meze products we reviewed on Headfonics click here. This is an exciting First Contact for me […] The post Meze Empyrean – First Contact appeared first on Headfonics....
- Cambridge Audio DUO MC/MM Phono Headphone Preamplifier Review16 January 2019, 10:46 pm
This is a more than capable phono/headphone preamplifier at $600 USD, at $299 USD it is an out-and-out bargain and why I named it to my InnerFidelity Editor’s Choice 2018 – Under $500 list. Dynamic, punchy, nuanced when it needs to be, this simply makes listening to LPs a fun, engaging and educational experience as it revealed a lot of detail in its resolution-abilities that had me relaxing and enjoying albums that I hadn’t hauled down from the shelves for years.... - CES 2019 Highlights12 January 2019, 7:43 pm
The trek out to CES in Las Vegas isn’t usually as bad as actually getting around at the show. The event is absolutely massive in comparison to the usual audiophile circuit, and most of the new headphone tech is housed in the very populated South Hall of the LV Convention Center. The South Hall at CES 2019 (and the direction of headphones in general) can be summed up in two words for 2019 – “True Wireless.” ... - Audeze release Bluetooth iSINE headphones and CIPHER Bluetooth Module8 January 2019, 6:05 pm
Bluetooth continues to muscle in on high-end headphone audio as a viable high-resolution alternative to getting tangled up in cables and Audeze is wasting no time capitalizing on the success of it’s Mobius wireless gaming headset’s cutting-edge Bluetooth implementation by spreading that wireless love to the both popular and critically-acclaimed iSINE series of micro planar-magnetic IEMs.... - Sonarworks Releases iOS and Android App for Calibrating Nearly 300 Headphone Models7 January 2019, 7:13 pm
You asked for it and they listened. CES in Las Vegas saw audio calibration software company Sonarworks officially announce the launch of their Tru-Fi mobile application which will be available for $3.99 USD per month or a lifetime license agreement of $99 USD from the App Store and Google Play.... - QUAD PA-One+ Headphone Amplifier and Preamplifier Sneak Peek5 January 2019, 1:15 am
I’m old school in many, many ways, but I’m also a fierce adopter of new technology as well – just at my own pace and in my own way. I’m not on anyone’s bandwagon, I tend to march to my own drummer. So, when an old-school company starts coming out with fresh new gear, I tend to pay attention because I feel – like me – they’ve taken a beat to assess the latest and then come out with their own implementation of said tech, but in their own way and in t...
- Totaldac D1-Direct DAC Review19 January 2019, 1:45 am
Expectations can be a tricky thing. Some people say they are essential, others are of the “don’t get your expectations up” camp. I usually fall somewhere in the middle, but when it was time to write the review of the totaldac d1-direct which sprang forth from the mind of French high-fidelity electronics guru Vincent Brient, I must say I had some serious expectations.... - CES 2019 Highlights14 January 2019, 6:43 pm
The Venetian wasn’t “dead,” so to speak. Before I set out to commit to CES 2019 I wanted to make sure there would still be something to cover. But as the weeks before the giant Las Vegas electronics show drew to a close, it become slowly apparent that my schedule was filling up… over filling perhaps. ... - Qobuz announce US Beta Launch at CES10 January 2019, 6:18 pm
French high-resolution streaming and download service Qobuz used this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) as a launch pad to announce that their US version is now in beta and “available for registration to US customers…” ... - McIntosh C2600 Tubed Preamplifier Review9 January 2019, 7:31 pm
Struggle. We all have at least a couple in one form or another as we live our lives, be they verb or noun. My father taught me that while struggle in life was inevitable, it was about how we dealt with it that mattered the most. Regardless, there is struggle and it is real for many for us… and at many different budget levels. What struggle am I referring to you ask? The struggle for an end-game preamplifier of course.... - NAD launches Statement BluOS Streaming Amplifier with Masters M108 January 2019, 6:51 pm
NAD has seen the writing on the wall for music and connectivity-first oriented consumers who want high-fidelity in their homes with ease of use, as few cables as possible, one box and a price point that is going to offer high quality with technological longevity… oh, and great industrial design chops so it fits in seamlessly with today’s modern decor in urban dwellings. ...
- Astell & Kern’s New Player Is Gold, Because…Why Not?18 January 2019, 9:04 pm
High Res player-maker Astell and Kern has dabbled with all sorts of materials in the construction of their DAPs over The post Astell & Kern’s New Player Is Gold, Because…Why Not? appeared first on AudioHead.... - SVS, The Prime Pinnacle & A New 13 – CES 201917 January 2019, 3:09 am
A New Floorstander It’s always a thunderous stop at the SVS room. Focusing on both monster subwoofers and audiophile 2-channel The post SVS, The Prime Pinnacle & A New 13 – CES 2019 appeared first on AudioHead.... - Technics New SL-1200MK7 & SL-1500C Turntables – CES 201915 January 2019, 9:39 pm
There was quite a bit of buzz all week at CES about the new Technics SL-1200MK7 turntable. The proposition perhaps The post Technics New SL-1200MK7 & SL-1500C Turntables – CES 2019 appeared first on AudioHead.... - The Elac Carina Series – CES 201914 January 2019, 8:14 pm
A new speaker line from Andrew Jones It is now a sight that the general audio press is becoming more The post The Elac Carina Series – CES 2019 appeared first on AudioHead.... - AudioQuest, Folk Heros and Mythical Creatures – CES 201911 January 2019, 4:38 am
The first official day of 2-channel at CES started in the Venetian on Wednesday morn. It was my second presentation The post AudioQuest, Folk Heros and Mythical Creatures – CES 2019 appeared first on AudioHead....
- CanJam NYC 2019 to feature over 100 of the world’s most innovative headphone and personal/portable audio brands17 January 2019, 7:44 pm
The post CanJam NYC 2019 to feature over 100 of the world’s most innovative headphone and personal/portable audio brands appeared first on HeadPhone.guru.... - The Legend: Paul Barton and The History of PSB Speakers14 January 2019, 11:38 am
The post The Legend: Paul Barton and The History of PSB Speakers appeared first on HeadPhone.guru.... - FiiO M3K Portable Music Player – Mighty Mite8 January 2019, 6:00 am
The post FiiO M3K Portable Music Player – Mighty Mite appeared first on HeadPhone.guru.... - Moon Audio Silver Dragon V2, Black DragonV2, Bronze Dragon Review7 January 2019, 6:00 am
The post Moon Audio Silver Dragon V2, Black DragonV2, Bronze Dragon Review appeared first on HeadPhone.guru.... - Goal Zero Yeti 400 Lithium Portable Power Station – REVIEW BY ENJOY THE MUSIC.COM3 January 2019, 6:00 am
The post Goal Zero Yeti 400 Lithium Portable Power Station – REVIEW BY ENJOY THE MUSIC.COM appeared first on HeadPhone.guru....
- CES 2019 – True Wireless, SVS, and MQA in a Fancy Car18 January 2019, 10:09 pm
The post CES 2019 – True Wireless, SVS, and MQA in a Fancy Car appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - First Listen – NAD Masters M10 Streaming Amplifier10 January 2019, 1:55 pm
One of the more nifty products at CES 2019 – the NAD Masters M10 BluOS streaming amplifier. The NAD M10 is probably the cleanest looking one-box-solution I’ve ever seen. From the solid brushed aluminum to the large glossy touch screen, there’s an undeniable appeal to having 160 watts of power in such an elegant – […] The post First Listen – NAD Masters M10 Streaming Amplifier appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - Mad Scientist Audio – Black Magic USB Cable9 January 2019, 12:55 am
Who is Mad Scientist Audio? Mad Scientist Audio is based in New Zealand. It’s run by Bob & Kay Prangnell with a posse of Mad Scientists. Mad Scientist Audio designs and manufactures unique audio products. Bob the Chief Mad Scientist. Bob also runs a software company, and is a decent photographer. He’s been tinkering with audio gear for the past 40 years […] The post Mad Scientist Audio – Black Magic USB Cable appeared first on Audio... - Audio Bacon’s Best of 20187 January 2019, 11:46 pm
In 2018, I’ve had the pleasure of listening to over a hundred systems and the privilege to audition many of them in my own listening rooms. After reflecting back on 2018 – there was some gear that just stuck with me. Either from shows or in private. I’ve listed them in this section. I’m also […] The post Audio Bacon’s Best of 2018 appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - JBL by HARMAN Introduces JBL 4312G Studio Monitor at CES 20197 January 2019, 7:51 pm
January 7, 2019 – For Immediate Release The high-performance studio monitor is the latest in a series of loudspeakers inspired by the legendary Model 4310 Control Monitor LAS VEGAS, Nevada — At CES 2019, JBL by HARMAN today introduced the 4312G studio monitor, a modern take on the classic JBL loudspeaker. Crafted in the mold […] The post JBL by HARMAN Introduces JBL 4312G Studio Monitor at CES 2019 appeared first on Audio Bacon....
- Denafrips Ares DAC – a worthy competitor15 January 2019, 11:02 am
REVIEW: A lovely DAC from a rather oddly-named company that's not taking the well-trodden path; Denafrips Ares may be 'entry-level' in price but certainly not in sound.... - Sony does a Bluetooth turntable – the PS-LX310BT10 January 2019, 3:08 am
NEWS: Vinyl goes Bluetooth in a convenient package; Sony's new analogue machine, the PS-LX310BT turntable, makes that perfect transition to the digital realm, sans wires.... - Audio engineer claims his Null Tester settles the debate on wires9 January 2019, 1:54 pm
NEWS: Science or snake oil? Do all wires sound the same or do they make a difference? What do you believe? Well, we believe you need to watch these videos and decide for yourselves...... - Monitor Audio ups the Gold Series3 January 2019, 3:24 am
NEWS: Always a good bet for great sound at reasonable prices, Monitor Audio's updated Gold Series reaches for the next level in sonic performance.... - YG Acoustics launches InVincible sub-bass system31 December 2018, 1:29 am
NEWS: There's rock-solid bass and there's subterranean bass, but these may not enough for some low-end hardheads; YG Acoustics' InVincible takes on the task of silencing such extreme bass heads....
- AirPulse A300 Active Speakers Review3 January 2019, 9:44 am
Their price and size places them in a segment of the market where there is a great deal of competition, but they compare very favourably to models far beyond their price. The post AirPulse A300 Active Speakers Review appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Reloop HiFi Turn 5 Direct Drive Turntable Review13 November 2018, 10:27 am
The Reloop HiFi Turn 5 is a well built, well specified and keenly priced alternative to the norm. The post Reloop HiFi Turn 5 Direct Drive Turntable Review appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Vinyl Styl Audio Cassette Head Cleaner And Demagnetiser24 October 2018, 1:37 pm
Cassettes may be making a comeback, but as yet the machines to play them aren’t. As such it is necessary to keep old machines in good health with regular maintenance and TLC. The Vinyl Styl cleaning and demagnetising tape does just that. The post Vinyl Styl Audio Cassette Head Cleaner And Demagnetiser appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Edifier S350DB Review13 September 2018, 1:40 pm
If you’re after plenty of inputs, smart aesthetics and convenience features with better sonics than the average one box solution, these are worth a look. For no compromise audio performance, look elsewhere. The post Edifier S350DB Review appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Clear Groove Vinyl Record Cleaner28 August 2018, 2:08 pm
Herein we feature the products of Clear Groove, a family run business specialising in the design and supply of products for vinyl and CD care and cleaning The post Clear Groove Vinyl Record Cleaner appeared first on Audio Appraisal....
- Audiophile Review!McGary Audio SA 1Stereo Tube Amplifier"The Little Tube Amp That Can"14 December 2018, 11:52 pm
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... - Audiophile Review!Essence HDACC II 4KHeadphone Amp/DAC/Preamp“Low Cost, Versatile HDACCGets Major Performance Boost”27 June 2018, 8:00 pm
... - Home Recording Studio Review!PreSonus Studio 192 Command Center24-Bit Audio Recording Interface17 May 2018, 5:16 pm
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- REVIEW: SOLIDSTEEL S5-3 HI-FI RACK15 January 2019, 2:23 am
We were first introduced to the Italian brand Solidsteel by way of their impressive SS6 speaker stands. A few weeks ago we took delivery of their S5-3 hi-fi rack to see how the upper level of their introductory range performs.... - REVIEW: BOWERS & WILKINS 607 BOOKSHELF LOUDSPEAKERS14 January 2019, 3:43 am
When B&W announced its new 600 Series, one model emerged as a potentially great package at a very affordable price. The stellar performer we’re gushing about is the entry level 607 stand mount speaker that’s nicely built and nicely priced at just $949.... - REVIEW: PIONEER UDP-LX800 UNIVERSAL DISC PLAYER14 January 2019, 1:32 am
Pioneer's UDP-LX800 Universal Disc Player's announcement was timed almost precisely after Oppo announced its exit from the Blu-ray player market. We put the flagship offering from Pioneer, the UDP-LX800 through its paces.... - REVIEW: DS AUDIO DS-002 OPTICAL PHONO CARTRIDGE11 January 2019, 2:12 am
For a medium that was created in the 19th century, vinyl has continued to defy the odds as a playback source. There's been a number of changes over the decades since, but the introduction of optical phono cartridges could be a game-changer.... - BLU-RAY REVIEW: SICARIO - DAY OF THE SOLDADO (4K ULTRA HD)10 January 2019, 1:04 am
Sicario Day of the Soldado, directed by Stefano Sollima, may follow closely regarding story and style; however, it just can’t reach the same heights as Sicario....
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- 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 […]...