- Stereophile's Products of 19977 August 2020, 4:27 pm
For the sixth consecutive year, Stereophile has named a select few components as "Products of the Year." By doing so, we intend to give recognition to those components that have proved capable of giving musical pleasure beyond the formal review period. Mon, 12/01/1997... - Mark Levinson No.36 D/A converter6 August 2020, 4:46 pm
To echo Audio Cheapskate Sam Tellig, who was in turn paraphrasing Thomas R. Marshall, what the world needs is a great $299 CD player. Certainly there's no shortage of expensive units vying for your attention—most of them consisting of separate transports and D/A converters. Wed, 11/01/1995... - Florida Audio Expo is 2021's First Audio-Show Casualty5 August 2020, 5:13 pm
The organizers of the 2021 Florida Audio Expo have announced the show's cancellation. All deposits, the organizers say, have already been refunded.Wed, 08/05/2020... - James Taylor: an American Standard5 August 2020, 4:58 pm
On iconic singer-songwriter James Taylor's 20th album, American Standard, the lanky crooner adapts the classic American songbook to his easy-rolling musical ways. The result is an American mixture of timeless songcraft. Where some popular singers use the songbook canon to increase record and ticket sales, Taylor has no need to change himself or increase his audience. He's as comfortable as any man can be, having sold many millions of records the world over for almost 50 years.Wed, 08/05/2020... - Analog Corner #299: Haniwa HCVC01, CAD Ground Control, DS Audio Vinyl Ionizer-0014 August 2020, 4:25 pm
Lately, current amplification–based moving-coil phono preamplifiers have gotten a great deal of well-deserved press. For years, Haniwa's Dr. Kubo has been designing and selling super–low-internal-impedance cartridges because such cartridges work best with such devices. He has also been designing and selling his own current-amplification phono preamplifier.Wed, 07/01/2020...
- Introducing the Hana Umami Red8 August 2020, 5:39 pm
The following is a press release issued by Hana. August 8, 2020 - The HANA-Umami Red hand-built MC cartridge embodies Umami, officially coined in 1908 by Japanese chemist Kikunae Ikeda-san as a very pleasing or delicious flavor on the palette, a synergistic effect resulting in higher taste intensity. Hana’s Master cartridge designer Masao Okada-san applies this concept as he combines brilliant materials and classic Japanese techniques with modern audio engineering in creating his HANA-Umam...
- Bela Fleck: Throw Down Your Heart: The Complete Africa Sessions7 August 2020, 1:16 pm
Bela Fleck’s musicianship and seemingly endless musical curiosity have made him a household name among acoustic music fans. He was a founding member of the New Grass Revival, whose approach to bluegrass broke new ground and helped build a wider audience. Since then Fleck has gone on to collaborate with a long list of musicians, including Chris Thile, Yo-Yo Ma, and Abigail Washburn. His 2009 release Throw Down Your Heart found Fleck collaborating with African musicians in more than a dozen ... - McIntosh Announces MC1502 Vacuum Tube Amplifier6 August 2020, 7:50 pm
The following is a press release issued by McIntosh. Binghamton, NY | August 6, 2020 – McIntosh, the global leader in prestigious home entertainment and ultimate-quality audio for 70 years, is proud to announce the MC1502 Vacuum Tube Amplifier. The new McIntosh MC1502 Vacuum Tube Amplifier is a stereo amplifier designed for home audio and home music systems that produces 150 Watts per channel. It is the direct replacement to McIntosh's award winning MC2152 Limited Edition 70th Anniversary ... - SME Model 12A: Model 12 Turntable and 309 Tonearm6 August 2020, 12:46 pm
SME’s new model is the latest turntable-with-tonearm package from a company whose long and honorable history makes one regret the adjective “iconic” has been so preposterously overused these last many years. As over a half century of innovative design and standard-setting precision in engineering and manufacturing lie behind this new product, it is worth tracing its lineage. SME stands for the Scale Model Equipment company, a British firm founded in 1946 by Alastair Robertson-A... - Thrax Audio Teams Up With High End by Oz as Their North American Distributor6 August 2020, 4:24 am
The following is a press release issued by Thrax and High End by Oz. August 5, 2020 - Thrax Audio is pleased to announce High End by Oz, based in Los Angeles, CA, as its official distributor for North America. High End By Oz LLC. is a hifi distribution and sales company covering North America with some of the finest hifi products from Europe. The addition of Thrax Audio to the portfolio further expands our state of the art offering in the North American market. Thrax Audio was founded in 2010 by...
- Audio-Technica AT-ART9XI And AT-ART9XA MC Phono Cartridges7 August 2020, 12:33 pm
Audio-Technica has just announced their AT-ART9XI and AT-ART9XA ($1290 each) dual moving coil (MC) stereo phono cartridges. These two high-performance models are designed to deliver extraordinary sound quality and performance for a moving coil phono cartridge and is Audio-Technica's new flagship magnetic-core models. These new cartridges feature dual moving coils aligned in an inverted “V” shape, which provides 30dB channel separation, good imaging, and wide dynamic contrasts.--->... - Applied Sciences: Psychoacoustic Engineering And Applications7 August 2020, 11:28 am
A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417) features various papers concerning audio / hearing perception. Psychoacoustics is an important research field not only for understanding the fundamental mechanism of human auditory perception, but also for developing methods of capturing, processing, and measuring audio signals for practical applications. The present Special Issue aims to introduce the state-of-the-art of psychoacoustics engineering in various application areas and explore new... - McIntosh C22 Vacuum Tube Stereo Preamplifier Mk V And MC1502 Stereo Amplifier6 August 2020, 2:08 pm
McIntosh is proud to announce the C22 vacuum tube stereo preamplifier Mk V and MC1502 vacuum tube stereo amplifier ($6000 and $11,000 respectively). Their McIntosh C22 Mk V preamplifier uses one 12AT7 and five 12AX7A vacuum tubes, which can be seen through a glass panel located on the top of the unit. Knobs and rocker switches operate all control functions while modern LED lights indicate input selection and volume level. The C22 Mk V has two XLR balanced inputs, three unbalanced RCA inputs, one... - Hi-Fi+ August 2020 High-End Audio Magazine6 August 2020, 11:42 am
Hi-Fi+ magazine's August 2020 issue features reviews of the Gershman Acoustic Grand Avant Garde floorstanding loudspeaker, Audiovector R3 Signature floorstanding loudspeaker, Living Voice R25A V2 floorstanding loudspeaker, Triangle Borea BR08 floorstanding loudspeaker, Wilson Audio Tunetot stand-mounted loudspeaker stands, Arcam SA30 streaming integrated amplifier, Aurender A30 caching music server / CD ripper / streamer, Cardas Audio Clear Reflection power cord, Focal Stellia circumaural closed... - TBT World Premiere Review! Wells Audio Commander Level II Tube Line Stage6 August 2020, 11:41 am
For much of my life I tried my hand at playing guitar – with little, if any, success. Truth be told, early and often friends and family – several of whom are professional musicians – encouraged me to abandon my efforts. Ultimately, fear of being friendless and homeless carried the day, and my nascent, if not burgeoning, career came to a screeching halt. This tragedy, notwithstanding, my love of music has continued to grow unabated. Like the majority of you, I love listening to ...
- REVIEW: Musician PEGASUS | digital-to-analog converter | CHINA31 July 2020, 10:00 pm
Review Text: Wojciech Pacuła Images: Wojciech Pacuła Translation: Ewa Hornicka No 195 August 1, 2020 PREMIERE ⌈ The Chinese company MUSICIAN Audio Technology was set up in 2020. Its research and development team consists of a group of enthusiasts with over 20 years of experience in the audio industry. Its main aim are discreet balanced D/A R2R converters, balanced headphone amplifiers, balanced amplifiers, balanced preamplifiers, headphones, passive loudspeakers an... - INTERVIEW: WIKTOR KRZAK, Haiku-Audio | owner, constructor | POLAND/Krakow31 July 2020, 10:00 pm
Interview Text: Wojciech Pacuła Interviewer: Wojciech Pacuła Translation: Ewa Hornicka No 195 August 1, 2020 ⌈ HAIKU-AUDIO is a Polish company with a seat in Zabłocie district (Krakow), specializing in the production of audio amplifiers. It was set up in 2012, on the initiative of WIKTOR KRZAK, a musician and audio aficionado, and given a name after a type of a Talcomp output amplifier circuit. We are talking to its founder.⌋ have already talked and wr... - REVIEW: Xavian Prague CORALLO ESCLUSIVO | loudspeakers / stand-mount | CZECH REPUBLIC31 July 2020, 10:00 pm
PREMIERE ⌈ The founder of XAVIAN, Mr. ROBERTO BARLETTA, was born in Turin, Northern Italy. In 1989, he shocked the school's examination board with his design of a Class A audio amplifier. Still the same year, Roberto started working for one of the Italian companies manufacturing loudspeakers and power amplifiers. In 1994, he decided to move to Prague. After two years of uneasy "acclimatization", he founded Xavian. Its name comes from Greek mythology - "Xavian" is a holy place for muses,... - REVIEW: Aurorasound HEADA | headphone amplifier | JAPAN31 July 2020, 10:00 pm
Review Text: Wojciech Pacuła Images: Piksel Studio | Wojciech Pacuła Translation: Marek Dyba No 195 August 1, 2020 ⌈ AURORASOUND is a Japanese company founded in 2010 by Mr. SHINOBU KARAKI. Brand’s lineup includes preamplifiers, phonostages and amplifiers, but also a headphone amp called HEADA, one that we received for this test. ⌋ ne of my favorite moments is when a new issue of the "Stereo Sound" magazine arrives from Japan. I grab it and sit comfort... - REVIEW: Boulder 866 | integrated amplifier | USA31 July 2020, 10:00 pm
Review Text: Marek Dyba Images: Marek Dyba | Boulder No 195 August 1, 2020 ⌈ BOULDER AMPLIFIERS is an American brand that for over 35 years of making perfectly sounding, made and finished audio devices, mainly solid-state amplifiers, has become a synonym for top-high-end. The only integrated amplifier in the lineup, the 865, was sold successfully for 12 years. However, the time has come for the veteran of the Boulder portfolio to be replaced by a new contender, the 866. ⌋...
- AudioQuest Dragon Power Cords8 August 2020, 7:14 pm
I am awaiting delivery in today's post of five AudioQuest Dragon power cords with mixed emotions. The unease is not about them; it is because I'm leery of rocking the boat presently anchored in the placid oasis of audio synergy, where all parts are working and everything important to me in playback is present. From... Read More » The post AudioQuest Dragon Power Cords appeared first on Positive Feedback.... - Cooking Cables with PTFE - a Tour of Straight Wire, Inc. and an AV Cable Factory8 August 2020, 4:15 pm
Steven Hill, president of Straight Wire, Inc. (photo courtesy of Spencer Burke) "Many of our customers are engineers," says Steven Hill, 63, owner of Straight Wire, Inc., a straight-shooting, cigar-chomping graduate of University of Pennsylvania's Wharton Business School, former CPA, and 37-year veteran in the audio industry. Mr. Hill has no time for nonsense or... Read More » The post Cooking Cables with PTFE - a Tour of Straight Wire, Inc. and an AV Cable Factory appeared first on Positi... - AGD Andante Preamplifier and Vivace Monoblocks7 August 2020, 7:12 pm
AGD's Andante and Vivace will transport you to the musical venue. Review By Rick Becker With this article, Positive Feedback continues its content-sharing relationship with Enjoy the Music. Rick Becker shares his thoughts on the AGD Andante Preamplifier and Vivace Monoblocks. Dr. David W. Robinson, Editor-in-Chief It is always an honor when a manufacturer asks me to review... Read More » The post AGD Andante Preamplifier and Vivace Monoblocks appeared first on Positive Feedb... - MQA Teams with Bluesound and JazzRefreshed7 August 2020, 6:28 pm
6th AUGUST 2020 LONDON, ENGLAND: Renowned music and arts organisation JAZZ RE:FRESHED will bring its annual festival JAZZ RE:FEST online this year, as part of a digital strategy to keep UK jazz thriving while venues are closed, and continuing to support musicians whose performance opportunities have dwindled as a result of the global pandemic. Brought to you in association with MQA and Bluesound,... Read More » The post MQA Teams with Bluesound and J... - Between the Buried and Me: The Silent Circus Remix/Remaster6 August 2020, 8:42 pm
2020 marks the 20th anniversary of progressive / hardcore / metalcore / technical deathcore band Between the Buried and Me, and Craft Recordings follows up on the excellent reissue of the band's first album with a remixed / remastered LP reissue of their sophomore effort, 2003's The Silent Circus. The myriad changes to the band's... Read More » The post Between the Buried and Me: The Silent Circus Remix/Remaster appeared first on Positive Feedback....
- McIntosh Group to Enter Autosound7 August 2020, 8:06 pm
McIntosh Group announced today that as part of a partnership with Alps/Alpine, Sonus faber and McIntosh, they will soon announce their arrival in premium autosound. This should prove a powerful force, and we anxiously anticipate hearing what they’ve come up with. About a year ago, when we last visited the McIntosh townhouse for a Sonus [...]... - The LSA T-3 turntable from Underwood HiFi19 July 2020, 1:56 am
One of the toughest parts of putting together an analog player is determining what bits play well together. When buying a budget analog deck in the $500 – $1,000 range, it’s pretty tough to go wrong – nothing resolves enough detail to screw it up too much. However, when you take the next leap or [...]... - Issue 1029 July 2020, 3:38 am
Features Old School: The Audiophile Apartment: Mine: It Should Be Yours Music Playlists: We share our readers choices from around the world Future Tense Gear in our immediate future Cover Feature: The Egglestonworks Nico... - Rega io integrated amplifier6 July 2020, 5:33 pm
It might strike some of you to start a Rega review talking about Naim, but the comparison begs to be made. Rega’s io is destined for legendary status. Naim’s original Nait amplifier was a fantastic product, offering incredible musicality in a compact form factor at a price everyone could afford. It enticed thousands of audiophiles [...]... - The LSA T-3 Turntable28 June 2020, 2:21 am
Those of you that know Underwood Wally of Underwood HiFi, know he’s the king of spotting great value and performance. You might have seen this interesting table at the last Rocky Mountain Audio Fest. Now shipping, this table was originally going to retail for $3,795, bundled with a great suite of accessories: coolio (and massive) [...]...
- Recommended Reference Component: Focal Utopia Headphones1 August 2020, 4:00 am
When Tyll Hertsens reviewed Focal’s Utopia headphones in August 2016, that former editor of Inner|Fidelity called them the “World’s Best Headphone.” Wanting to hear how, four years later, they’d stack up against his own current favorite headphones, our own Brent Butterworth reviewed the Utopias in June 2020 for SoundStage! Solo. We’re glad he did. He ended that review by asking, then answering, a question: “Are the Utopias the ‘world’s best h... - What Is Your Current Reference System?1 August 2020, 4:00 am
After “Which component should I buy?” the most oft-asked question of reviewers is: “What is your current reference system?” Both are loaded requests because of myriad implications. Most obvious is the suspicious thought related to the first demand: Why did he/she recommend Product X and not Y or Z? As for the second query, your nagging doubt is, How can a schmuck like you afford Product X, Y, or Z? ... - Dr. Feickert Analogue Volare Turntable1 August 2020, 4:00 am
Right now, two turntables sit side by each on my custom double-wide equipment rack. On the right is my VPI Prime Signature, and to the left is a newcomer, Dr. Feickert Analogue’s Volare. Each is illuminated by its own 3000K potlight. They look quite dramatic. ... - Why I Prefer Vinyl1 August 2020, 4:00 am
“You could tell a lot about a man by the books he keeps -- his tastes, his interest, his habits.”-- Walter Benjamin, Illuminations: Essays and Reflections ... - PMC Fact.8 Signature Loudspeakers15 July 2020, 4:00 am
Here in Toronto, Ontario, we live in a small community of nine townhouses set back from the main road in a private cul-de-sac. We each have our own parking spots, and from our kitchen table I have an unobstructed view of our courtyard. The cars out front are mostly what you’d expect to see: a couple of Honda CR-Vs, three Subarus, a Hyundai, an Audi, a BMW -- with one outlier. One day last summer, my next-door neighbor Felix pulled in driving an Aston Martin Vantage. Just like that, our cul...
- New Album Releases Project 2020-8-88 August 2020, 5:21 pm
Jumping right in, once more into the fray. Mulatu Astatke & Black Jesus Experience’s To Know Without Knowing is a bonafide banger. It has just about everything I could want an album. The music is challenging, and the integration/melding of styles and genres just blew me away. Recently I have been on a world music [...] The post New Album Releases Project 2020-8-8 appeared first on Dagogo.... - Linn Majik DSM revamped8 August 2020, 5:17 pm
The following is a press release from Linn UK. Linn Majik DSM: a beloved classic revamped, inside and out Introducing the new high performance all-rounder from Linn, pioneers of the digital streaming revolution Majik digital streamers have been an integral part of Linn’s industry-leading range since their introduction in 2009. N... - Audio-Technica Introduces AT-ART9XI and AT-ART9XA High-Performance Phono Cartridges6 August 2020, 10:34 pm
STOW, OH, August 7th, 2020 — Audio-Technica today announced the introduction of its AT-ART9XI and AT-ART9XA dual moving coil stereo phono cartridges, two high-performance models designed to deliver extraordinary sound quality and performance in the finest turntables. The AT-ART9XI is Audio-Technica’’s new flagship magnetic-core moving coil cartridge, while the AT-ART9XA features a non-magnetic core construction. [...] The post Audio-Technica Introduces AT-ART9XI and AT-ART9XA Hig... - NAD announces Masters M28 seven-channel power amplifier4 August 2020, 7:01 pm
Pickering, Ontario, Canada, August 4, 2020— NAD Electronics, the highly regarded manufacturer of high-performance audio/video components, today unveiled another new and unique Masters Series product. The M28, a seven-channel high performance amplifier that can serve as a powerful engine for a state-of-the-art multi-channel system for music or home theatre. Of note, the reference amplifier is [...] The post NAD announces Masters M28 seven-channel power amplifier appeared first on Dagogo.... - Godzilla (2014) and Shin Godzilla (2016) motion picture soundtracks3 August 2020, 8:53 pm
In 1954, the Japanese audience in Nagoya, Japan attended the premiere of the original black-and-white movie Godzilla (Gojira) by director Ishiro Honda. Toho Studios produced and distributed the movie and is credited with the invention of the modern-day giant monster movie genre. Godzilla is a giant creature born from the radiation fallout of underwater hydrogen [...] The post Godzilla (2014) and Shin Godzilla (2016) motion picture soundtracks appeared first on Dagogo....
- Audio Recording Primer Part 5: How to Use Microphones for Best Results7 August 2020, 4:25 pm
Editor's Note: Audiophile Style community member George Graves has kindly allowed us to publish his five part series on high quality audio recording. This series is a primer that many audiophiles will find interesting and educational. It isn't a treatise, textbook, or master class designed to cover every detail in depth. As a music lover and audiophile I want to understand a bit more about recording, but I don't want to become a recording engineer. This series is right in my wheelhouse, and ... - Audio Recording Primer Part 4: Microphones for Quality Recording7 August 2020, 4:20 pm
Editor's Note: Audiophile Style community member George Graves has kindly allowed us to publish his five part series on high quality audio recording. This series is a primer that many audiophiles will find interesting and educational. It isn't a treatise, textbook, or master class designed to cover every detail in depth. As a music lover and audiophile I want to understand a bit more about recording, but I don't want to become a recording engineer. This series is right in my wheelhouse, and ... - Audio Recording Primer Part 3: Microphone Mixers and Pre-amps6 August 2020, 2:23 pm
Editor's Note: Audiophile Style community member George Graves has kindly allowed us to publish his five part series on high quality audio recording. This series is a primer that many audiophiles will find interesting and educational. It isn't a treatise, textbook, or master class designed to cover every detail in depth. As a music lover and audiophile I want to understand a bit more about recording, but I don't want to become a recording engineer. This series is right in my wheelhouse, and ... - McIntosh MC1502 Vacuum Tube Amplifier and C22 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier Mk V6 August 2020, 2:02 pm
A couple new gems from McIntosh announced today, that replace limited edition 70th anniversary components. The MC1502 amplifier is the replacement of the limited edition MC2152. The new amp has double the power of the storied MC275 amp but McIntosh managed to improve the signal to noise ratio in this single chassis to 112dB versus 105dB when using two MC275 amps to obtain 150 watts of power. In addition to the new MC1502, McIntosh released the C22 Mk V preamp as a direct replacement for... - Audio Recording Primer Part 2: Recording Media5 August 2020, 3:25 pm
Editor's Note: Audiophile Style community member George Graves has kindly allowed us to publish his five part series on high quality audio recording. This series is a primer that many audiophiles will find interesting and educational. It isn't a treatise, textbook, or master class designed to cover every detail in depth. As a music lover and audiophile I want to understand a bit more about recording, but I don't want to become a recording engineer. This series is right in my wheelhouse, and ...
- My Physics Teacher Was a New York Record Producer and I Had No Idea7 August 2020, 12:58 am
I grew up and went to school in Hereford in the 1980s and 90s - a small, old, and averagely average rural English cathedral city with a bit of a leftie/peacenik 'muesli belt' that definitely included my family. Since a few biggish musicians or bands have had some connection with the town over the years, maybe also because of its hippy side and its proximity to the legendary Rockfield Studios (just down the road near Monmouth), the Herefordshire of my youth seemed to be full of people with tenuou... - Rhino To Release September 18th Coltrane's <i>Giant Steps</i> 60th Anniversary Deluxe Edition on 2 LPs6 August 2020, 6:44 pm
AnalogPlanet readers need to introduction to this groundbreaking album, Coltrane's first for Atlantic recorded shortly after his participation in Kind of Blue. The packaging and presentation are "first class" and include a booklet with new, never before seen photos and an essay by jazz historian Ashley Kahn. The jacket and label art replicate the original's.... - Direct-to-Disc Vinyl Explosion!5 August 2020, 7:58 pm
(Review Explosion is usually a recurring AnalogPlanet feature covering recent releases for which we either don’t have sufficient time to fully explore, or that are not worthy of it. Normally curated by AnalogPlanet contributing editor Malachi Lui, this particular Review Explosion has been hijacked by AnalogPlanet editor Michael Fremer and covers in capsule form Direct-to-Disc releases). ... - Hana introduces Umami Red MC Cartridge4 August 2020, 8:14 pm
Japanese chemist Kikunae Ikeda-san officially coined the term "Umami" in 1908, defining it as a very pleasing or delicious flavor on the palette, a synergistic effect resulting in higher taste intensity. From the Musical Surroundings press release: "When Hana decided to create a high-end cartridge, Master cartridge designer Masao Okada-san applied the concept of Umami combining brilliant materials and classic Japanese techniques with modern audio engineering."... - WAM Engineering's New, Improved WallySkater V2.12 August 2020, 8:01 pm
Skating, a pivoted tonearm’s tendency to “skate” towards the record center is real, is not created by “centripetal force” and is not best ignored because compensating for it somehow worsens sonic performance. If you do not apply some kind of skating counterforce, the stylus will ride the inner groove throughout the record side, producing uneven record and stylus wear. And it can’t possibly improve record playback sound....
- When your speaker, amp, DAC, or system craps out who you gonna call?7 August 2020, 12:00 pm
... - Does your system have the summertime blahs!5 August 2020, 12:00 pm
... - Do you (or will you) buy Chinese audiophile products?3 August 2020, 12:00 pm
... - Impossibly Affordable 300B Tube Amplifier + Top Notch Build + Rich Sound1 August 2020, 12:00 pm
... - Steve & Sean swap stories about heavyweight audio personalities, and Steve reveals a dark secret30 July 2020, 12:00 pm
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- BorderPatrol SE-i DAC | Review8 August 2020, 9:00 am
Whenever the talk of my distaste for digital audio comes up among audiophile friends, there are usually two things mentioned. First, I’m asked “What DAC are you using?” The second thing commonly said is “You should hear that BorderPatrol DAC.” Well lucky me, I finally got to spend some time with a BorderPatrol SE-i. I hear music in digital form just about every dang day while I’m working in the studio. I’ve gotten used to it. It’s almost an oc... - McIntosh Labs, Sonus Faber, Alps Alpine return to Luxury Automotive Industry7 August 2020, 1:00 pm
NEW YORK, NY (PTA) — The McIntosh Group, which includes subsidiaries McIntosh Laboratories and Sonus Faber have agreed to a development partnership which will see both high-end audio brands returning to the luxury automotive market. The new alliance arrives via an agreement by The McIntosh Group and Alps Alpine of Tokyo, Japan. For more information, check out the press release below. MCINTOSH GROUP AND ALPS ALPINE JOIN FORCES TO BRING LUXURY AUDIO TO THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY McIntosh Labora... - A Deep Dive In The High End: Sitting Down With MBL6 August 2020, 6:10 pm
It’s hard to deny that MBL’s Radialstrahler speakers aren’t a unique specimen in the land of speaker town. The 360 dispersion field creates a decidedly different feel than most of the box-n-driver setups, especially those that fill any audio show in the US. Captured at last year’s Florida Audio Expo (FLAX 2020) MBL’s Jermey Bryan sits down with The Occasional Podcast to fill in some of the gaps for the German based loudspeaker brand. It’s actually not just fan... - McIntosh Announces MC1502 Vacuum Tube Amplifier and C22 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier Mk V6 August 2020, 2:00 pm
BINGHAMPTON, NY (PTA) — Two exciting new models from American powerhouse McIntosh Labs were announced this morning. Both models taking cues from McIntosh’s 70-plus year history of excellence. Press release enclosed below. MCINTOSH ANNOUNCES MC1502 VACUUM TUBE AMPLIFIER AND C22 VACUUM TUBE PREAMPLIFIER MK V A Classic. Supersized. & The Newest Take on a Classic. McIntosh, the global leader in prestigious home entertainment and ultimate-quality audio for 70 years, is proud to a... - Joseph Audio Pulsar2 Graphene Loudspeakers | Review6 August 2020, 9:00 am
I first met Jeff Joseph of Joseph Audio (website) back in 1992 at the first Stereophile show in Los Angeles. We were both still in our twenties at the time, as I later learned that we were both born in the same year. I shared an elevator with Jeff, noticed his name tag, and mentioned to him that I had recently heard his small Joseph Audio RM7 monitors at Soundworks in Maryland. I really enjoyed them and put them at the top of whatever audiophile wish list I had going at the time. “Tho...
- Linn’s new Majik DSM super-integrated amplifier6 August 2020, 4:55 pm
Scottish manufacturer Linn has today announced their new Majik DSM super-integrated amplifier. A single box houses 1) a network streamer, 2) a DAC (derived from the Katalyst), 3) a hybrid analogue/digital MM phono stage (derived from the Urika II), 4) a pre-amplifier and 5) a 50wpc (into 8 Ohms) power […] More---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For private use only. Copyright 2010-2020 · Darko.Audio · ... - McIntosh preps MC1502 amplifier: 150wpc, all tubes6 August 2020, 1:50 pm
A new amplifier from McIntosh and a more permanent replacement for the limited edition MC2152 introduced last year to mark the manufacturer’s 70th anniversary. The incoming full-timer is called the MC1502 and threatens a whopping 150wpc — enough for almost any loudspeaker. Not only. According to McIntosh, the MC1502’s power […] More---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For private use only. Copyright... - McIntosh announces C22 MK V pre-amplifier6 August 2020, 1:50 pm
Another new amplifier from McIntosh, the C22 MK V is, as its name would suggest, the fifth revision of the company’s all-tube C22 pre-amplifier and a more permanent replacement for the C70 introduced last year to mark the NY-state manufacturer’s 70th anniversary. Peer through the C22 MK V’s top-mounted glass […] More---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For private use only. Copyright 2010-2020 &midd... - NAD readies Masters M28: a 7-channel Purifi Eigentakt amplifier5 August 2020, 9:58 am
A seven-channel amplifier? When all but a tiny percentage of the world’s music supply is recorded in stereo, for which we only need two channels, what gives with this doff of the cap to home theatre types? The answer comes from Denmark’s Purifi, a formal collaboration between Bruno Putzeys, Peter […] More---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For private use only. Copyright 2010-2020 · Darko.Audio &m... - A short film about the Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB4 August 2020, 12:57 pm
Beginner’s luck. We need a healthy dose to dispense with the wrinkles wrought by many sub-€500 turntables. Many manufacturers, like Austria’s Pro-Ject, help us out with a factory-fitted cartridge – their entry-level T1 (€275) hosts an Ortofon OM 5E – but leave us to source the corresponding phono stage, by […] More---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For private use only. Copyright 2...
- Allnic Audio Amber MC Cartridge24 July 2020, 11:50 am
The star products from South Korea’s Allnic Audio continue to arrive on the island for review. Usually, the delivery guy/gal is cussing me under his/her breath wrangling the massive boxes in which the Allnic tube amps and preamps arrive. This time, no grumbling. A tiny cartridge. The new Allnic Audio Amber Moving Coil Cartridge, in fact, the more expensive sister to the equally new Rose MC Cartridge ($2900—now in Karl Sigman’s hands—review up late August). The MSRP ... - Bernard Haitink conducts Bruckner’s Seventh on Direct-to-disc vinyl24 July 2020, 11:38 am
In late 2016, the analog community was shocked when the Berlin Philharmonic announced that for the first time in the orchestra’s history, they would be releasing an all-analog ‘Direct to Disc’ (D2D) recording. The subsequent limited box set of all four of Johannes Brahms’ Symphonies featuring Sir Simon Rattle at the podium, recorded by a team from nearby Emil Berliner Studios, sold out quickly, and was proof that modern world-class orchestras are willing to cater to... - Allnic Audio A-2000 25th Anniversary Power Amplifier10 July 2020, 1:00 pm
This is the 25th Anniversary edition of Allnic Audio’s A-2000 stereo power amplifier. The 25th is both a 100 watt (pentode) and 50 watt (triode) push-pull design that retails for $9,900. The pentode/triode feature is switchable ‘on-the-fly’. Changes from the original A-2000 include upgraded output transformers, a modified chassis with a newer, swept look and a power tube swap from KT88s to KT150s. Designer Kang Su Park also made some circuitry changes for greater stabili... - Streaming the Classics: Berlioz—Roméo et Juliette10 July 2020, 12:59 pm
Do you ever type a streaming query in Roon for a classical work and are overwhelmed by the choices? Rather than clicking on any old recording or the first one you see, Audiophilia will make things a little easier for you and do the heavy listening. These choices are for streaming only. Is the best in streaming also the best vinyl recording and performance? That’s for another article. A few criteria: 1. Recording must be on Qobuz and/or Tidal HiFi. 2. It does not have to be Hi... - SONOS Arc3 July 2020, 1:00 pm
Driving with cabriolet top down on a particularly sunny Spring day last month, I heard the CEO of Sonos, Patrick Spence, being interviewed by Nilay Patel of The Vergecast. Spence was particularly smooth and spoke mostly in corporate talk but did take responsibility for the debacle last year where some bright spark at Sonos decided to brick older products when new software updates were applied. Even with a healthy discount, my older purchased review units were expensive and not ready for th...
- Virtualizing Roon ROCK5 December 2019, 7:00 am
John Reekie continues his virtualization experiments with Roon, this time virtualizing the ROCK software appliance. Performance seems to be about the same as the virtualized Roon Server. He writes "I’m ambivalent about whether I prefer ROCK or Roon Server in a virtualized setting... instructions are here for anyone who would like to try it."... - Virtualizing Roon Server – Part 22 December 2019, 10:51 am
John Reekie continues his article on virtualizing Roon Server with more load measurements. He discovers that the virtualized Roon Server is difficult to break. "I'm impressed by how well it handled the loads I threw at it. I declare the experiment a success!"... - Virtualizing Roon Server1 December 2019, 8:54 am
"In my last article on running Roon Server on the ODroid H2, I initially spent some time worrying about whether this little computer would be powerful enough for Roon," writes John Reekie in the introduction to this article on running Roon Server in a virtualized environment. He walks through the installation procedure and runs a set of experiments on it.... - Roon Server on ODroid H210 July 2019, 10:22 am
John Reekie tests out the ODroid H2 SBC (single board computer) as a Roon Server. "Ever since I discovered how easy it is to set up a DLNA music server on a Raspberry Pi or an ODroid HC1, I’ve been reluctant to dedicate a 'proper' computer as a music server," he writes, to explain the appeal of this inexpensive x86 computer. After walking through the install, he runs some UI tests.... - How to stream Qobuz to almost anything4 July 2019, 2:55 pm
John Reekie decides it's time to branch out from the Raspberry Pi and start streaming to a greater variety of devices. He summarizes the architecture that enables Qobuz to stream to "almost anything" and how to set it up. As a bonus, he provides installation instructions to turn any Linux SBC into a compatible audio player....
- Linn's new Majik DSM: a classic revamped, inside and out6 August 2020, 5:14 pm
Majik digital streamers have been an integral part of Linn’s industry-leading range since their introduction in 2009. Now, Linn’s best-selling streaming product of the last decade has been completely reimagined to deliver a stunning new look, an all-new feature set and, most importantly, an impressive boost in performance. Gilad Tiefenbrun, Linn Managing Director said, ‘Recent years have seen the rapid expansion of Linn’s product portfolio, both in terms of category and t... - Exclusive: Linn's new Majik DSM – First Impressions6 August 2020, 5:02 pm
I’ve been fortunate in being the only person not working for Linn who got an exclusive pre-release listen to the new £2,950 Majik DSM. OK, to bring myself into line I had to change my name from ‘Sircom’ to ‘Sirkom’ for the duration, but that’s a small price to pay for the privilege. And listening to the Linn Majik DSM in advance was a bit of a privilege. Let’s be honest. Hi-Fi has got a bit po-faced. We’ve gone down a snobby route that can wo... - Marantz unveils its 12 Series Special Edition models6 August 2020, 9:23 am
Eindhoven, August 6th, 2020 – Marantz, a world leader in advanced audio reproduction, is proud to announce its 12 Series Special Edition models, the PM-12 Special Edition Integrated Amplifier and SA-12 Special Edition SACD Player with DAC-Mode. Our dedicated in-house Sound Masters occasionally identify products with higher potential than expected, then hone them into Special Edition models through extraordinary attention to detail, embarking upon more considered component selection and tun... - WIN! A fantastic Computer Audio Design GC1 Ground Control worth £1,695!6 August 2020, 7:56 am
Computer Audio Design has teamed up with Hi-Fi+ magazine to bring you an exciting competition and a chance to win a GC1 Ground Control and CAD Ground Control Cable worth £1,995. Roy Gregory wrote the most recent Computer Audio Design review on the company’s Reference £20,500 GC-R Ground Control in Hi-Fi+ issue #185 (pages 33-38). Roy Gregory wrote: “The premise behind the GC-R is to provide a separate, clean ground for the system’s signal bus, independent of and in ... - Sonus faber and Fine Sounds UK3 August 2020, 1:30 pm
3rd August 2020, Glenrothes, Scotland: McIntosh Group, the leading group in the high-end audio sector comprising some of the biggest and most iconic brands in the industry, including McIntosh Laboratory, Sonus faber, Audio Research and Sumiko, has launched Fine Sounds UK, a new high-end audio distributor set to specifically focus on further developing McIntosh and Sonus faber in the United Kingdom. Fine Sounds UK is a joint venture between McIntosh Group and McIntosh Laboratory’s British d...
- Seiji Ozawa: Conductor7 August 2020, 3:08 pm
One of the few Japanese musicians to have made a long career in the West, with a Boston tenure of 29 years. Christopher Breunig looks at his life and wide discography Atough game of rugby football put an end to the hopes that a young Japanese boy would become a concert pianist. Seiji Ozawa, then 15, was mad about the game but severely damaged his hand in a scrum. When his piano teacher suggested he might think of conducting instead, he had never even seen a symphony orchestra, live or on televi... - Lumin D2 Music Server/DAC6 August 2020, 5:57 pm
This is not quite the most affordable of Lumin's network-attached players, but the D2 looks good, is sensibly priced and – thanks to a super-slick app – is a delight to use too As the model number suggests, the £1845 Lumin D2 is the latest version of the company's affordable network audio player, the entry point for a range that started with the A1 back in 2012. And while the range has expanded, and some things have changed, much still seems the same: the D2 is compact, at jus... - Edgar Winter Group: <I>They Only Come Out At Night</I>5 August 2020, 10:09 pm
Take one pale Texan and a band of top talent and you have an LP ready to rock the charts. Steve Sutherland assesses a 1972 album destined for reissue on 180g vinyl Say what you like about Quentin Tarantino, but one thing's for sure: the man's got great taste in movies. Listed among his favourites are the obvious (Apocalypse Now, Fight Club), the not so well known but fantastic (Takashi Miike's Audition, Bong Joon-ho's The Host) and one that especially concerns us here, Richard Linklater's Daze... - Musical Fidelity M8xi Integrated Amp/DAC4 August 2020, 5:06 pm
A new big beast stalks the integrated amplifier jungle, courtesy of the refreshed Musical Fidelity brand. Armed with ears and test gear, we track the M8xi to its lair... If you are into fancy-looking hi-fi with machined fascias and decorative meters then the £5649 M8xi integrated amplifier is not for you. 'Sorry, that's the way it is', says Musical Fidelity, though I suspect this declaration of intent for the entire M8 series owes more to Musical Fidelity's founder than the new owners, Au... - Raidho TD2.2 Loudspeaker3 August 2020, 10:03 pm
Danish-based Dantax Radio reinvents a classic: a rework of the Raidho D2.1, now fitted with tantalising drivers Déjà vu, all over again? Very recently we were playing 'spot the difference' with the Scansonic MB5 B floorstanders [HFN Jun '20], a superficially lookalike but substantially revised version of the old MB5 and one of the latest from Dantax Radio's growing GamuT/Raidho/Scansonic family. This month the focus is back on Raidho itself, with the arrival of a new version of th...
- Bayern Munich vs Chelsea live stream: how to watch in 4K, anywhere in the world8 August 2020, 5:32 pm
Watch the Champions League knockouts wherever you are.... - Barcelona vs Napoli live stream: how to watch from anywhere in the world8 August 2020, 5:31 pm
Watch the Champions League knockouts wherever you are.... - England vs Pakistan live stream: watch the cricket anywhere in the world8 August 2020, 9:29 am
England vs Pakistan live stream, online, on mobile wherever you are.... - Juventus vs Lyon live stream: how to watch anywhere in the world7 August 2020, 6:54 pm
Watch the Champions League knockouts wherever you are.... - Man City vs Real Madrid live stream: how to watch in 4K, anywhere in the world7 August 2020, 6:53 pm
Watch the Champions League knockouts wherever you are....
- BenQ CinePrime HT5550 Ultra HD DLP Projector Review3 June 2019, 2:00 pm
BenQ isn’t just about compact value-oriented DLPs; witness the CinePrime HT5550 Ultra HD DLP Projector. It offers premium clarity from a single-chip light engine, 1800 ANSI lumens, HDR, DCI-P3 color, and generous lens shift at the very reasonable price of $2499. I’m checking it out today. The post BenQ CinePrime HT5550 Ultra HD DLP Projector Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Audio Research LS28 Triode Stereo Preamplifier Review29 May 2019, 2:00 pm
Audio Research as a company is half a century old, founded in 1970 by William Johnson. They are one of the pioneers in hi-fi equipment design. The post Audio Research LS28 Triode Stereo Preamplifier Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Powered Speaker Review28 May 2019, 2:00 pm
Vanatoo engineers Gary Gesellchen and Rick Kernen have recently updated their award-winning desktop speakers with a new powered model, the Transparent One Encore. It aims to be an affordable, high quality audiophile system that meets the needs of music enthusiasts with portability, a small footprint, big sound, and deep bass; combined with the ability to stream music from a computer or phone. Six years after the original Transparent Ones, the powered Vanatoo Transparent One Encore improves upon ... - VAVA 4K Ultra Short Throw Laser Projector Review22 May 2019, 2:00 pm
Today, I’ll be checking out VAVA’s 4K Ultra Short Throw Laser Projector. It projects an image up to 150 inches diagonal while sitting only 16.7 inches from the wall. It sports Ultra HD resolution courtesy of a pixel-shifted DLP chip with support for HDR. The post VAVA 4K Ultra Short Throw Laser Projector Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Starke Sound Halo Elite 5.1 Home Theater Speaker System Review20 May 2019, 3:00 pm
Looking for a home theater speaker system that makes a statement in both the visual and aural sense? Then the fine folks at Starke Sound have an impressive looking system to tempt both your eyes and ears! The post Starke Sound Halo Elite 5.1 Home Theater Speaker System Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com....
- Floorstanding Gold Star Bargain: The DALI Oberon 5 Speakers29 July 2020, 1:22 am
‘In The House’, with David Neice Review Article: DALI Oberon 5 Speakers MSRP: $1399 (Canadian) Verdict: Taking up much less floor space than a stand mount speaker (when on a stand), the diminutive DALI Oberon 5 floor-standing speakers deliver on so many sonic fronts that it is hard to know where to begin. Always terrific fun to listen to and highly balanced, these condo-friendly floorstanders break the mold for what can be achieved on a budget. DALI is to be commend... - Lindemann Limetree Network Streamer and DAC17 June 2020, 10:25 pm
As I unboxed this diminutive offering from the renowned German firm Lindemann, the words of Clara Peller echoed, thus, in my trivia-soaked mind: ‘where’s the beef?’ I should have remembered that other firms like Canada’s Resonessence Labs offer world-class products in pint-sized casings. I own one such product–their Herus DAC/headphone amp. Right off the bat, even as I profess my continuing love for my portable Herus/iPhone combination, I’ll say that the Limet... - Review: MastersounD’s Dueundici Integrated Amplifier10 June 2020, 7:22 pm
In The House, with David Neice Mastersound Dueundici – An Affordable Italian Class A Amp Verdict: The Mastersound Dueundici is an entry level integrated tube amp that provides a ‘taste of tubes’ in an affordable package. However, this amp is just so very musical as to be able to delight any dedicated listener. Although I did some tube swapping (see details below), my verdict is based on the factory stock configuration and reflects the best sound available from the unit d... - An Interview With Frank Ng Of Finale Audio / Triode Lab27 May 2020, 8:25 pm
A conversation with Frank Ng, head of Canada’s Triode Lab and Finale Audio. Thanks for doing this, Frank. First of all, is every one in good health, and how are you managing through the pandemic at this stage? Thanks for asking, Noam. Like most Canadians, the family is sheltering at home, and family, friends and colleagues are all in good health. That said, as with many small business owners, we have noticed a sharp decrease in orders. We have also been challenged with supply... - Review: iFi Zen Blue, A Budget Bluetooth Streaming DAC14 May 2020, 5:44 pm
Review by Noam Bronstein Continuing my Bluetooth / aptX journey begun a few weeks ago, here is the first of a series of mini-reviews of audio gear that tries to make the most of these technologies. iFi Audio’s Zen Blue is a wireless DAC – specifically, it’s billed as a high-resolution Bluetooth streamer. This is a dedicated Bluetooth unit: it has a range of output options, but the only way it can receive a signal is from a Bluetooth device (smartphone, tabl...
- Flare Audio Calmer Review8 August 2020, 12:14 pm
The Flare Audio Calmer is a uniquely developed hearing device that fits in your ear to reduce stress and enhance your listening experience. It is priced at £19.99. Disclaimer: The Flare Audio Calmer sent to us is a sample in exchange for our honest opinion in this review. We thank Flare Audio for this opportunity. To […]... - Kinera Freya Review7 August 2020, 10:38 am
The Kinera Freya is a 4 driver hybrid universal IEM featuring a single dynamic driver and 4 balanced armature drivers. It is priced at $249. Disclaimer: The Kinera Freya was sent to us a sample in exchange for our honest opinion in this review. We thank the team at Kinera and HifiGo for giving us this opportunity. […]... - HELM Audio DB12 AAAMP Review5 August 2020, 11:13 am
The Helm Audio DB12 AAAMP is a THX-certified mobile in-line headphone amplifier with up to 110mW of power and 8 hours battery life. It is priced at $199.99. Disclaimer: The Helm Audio DB12 AAAMP was sent to us is a sample in exchange for our honest opinion in this review. We thank the team at […]... - Fir Audio M4 Review2 August 2020, 11:27 am
The Fir Audio M4 is a hybrid 4 driver universal monitor using a proprietary tubeless design and their 3rd gen Atom pressure release system. It is priced at $1899. Disclaimer: The Fir Audio M4 sent to us is a loan sample in exchange for our honest opinion in this review and was sent back right […]... - AAW Aoraki Review1 August 2020, 11:21 am
The AAW Aoraki is a new in-house IEM cable design consisting of a 24AWG monocrystalline silver/gold/palladium conductor with pure platinum core, UPOCC cast. It is priced at $699. Disclaimer: The AAW Aoraki sent to us is a sample in exchange for our honest opinion in this review. We thank the teams at AAW for giving us […]...
- An Interview With MBL High End Loudspeakers and Electronics5 August 2020, 5:49 pm
The Occasional Podcast Interviews Jeremy Bryan from MBL - a maker of unique, high-end 360-degree-throw loudspeakers. The post An Interview With MBL High End Loudspeakers and Electronics appeared first on AudioHead.... - What’s Going On With Audiostream & InnerFidelity?3 August 2020, 5:58 pm
What's Going On With InnerFidelty and Audiostream? The post What’s Going On With Audiostream & InnerFidelity? appeared first on AudioHead.... - Review: Pass Labs INT-25021 July 2020, 12:07 pm
Review of the Pass Labs INT-250 Integrated Amplifier. This 250w per channel integrated from Pass Labs get put through the paces on Audio-Head.com. The post Review: Pass Labs INT-250 appeared first on AudioHead.... - An Audiophile’s Guide To The Loudness Wars13 July 2020, 5:28 pm
The Occasional Podcast takes a look at the “Loudness Wars” in this week’s episode. The subject is heavily discussed among The post An Audiophile’s Guide To The Loudness Wars appeared first on AudioHead.... - Alta Audio Reveals The New Alyssa Standmount Speaker30 June 2020, 5:30 pm
Alta Audio announces a new standmount speaker called the Alyssa. Utilizing a ribbon tweeter and 6 inch woofer, the two way design manages a small footprint at 28 pounds. The post Alta Audio Reveals The New Alyssa Standmount Speaker appeared first on AudioHead....
- JAZZ RE:FRESHED TEAMS UP WITH MQA & BLUESOUND TO BRING ANNUAL FESTIVAL ONLINE7 August 2020, 5:49 pm
Some of the most exciting emerging and established artists are due to perform via YouTube and in hi-res audio to The post JAZZ RE:FRESHED TEAMS UP WITH MQA & BLUESOUND TO BRING ANNUAL FESTIVAL ONLINE appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - Florida Audio Expo Announces 2021 Cancellation5 August 2020, 4:29 pm
Tampa, Florida—August 2020—Given the extraordinary times and continued uncertainty, the founders of the Florida Audio Expo, Bart Andeer, Michael Bovaird, The post Florida Audio Expo Announces 2021 Cancellation appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - NAD ANNOUNCES THE MASTERS M28 SEVEN CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER4 August 2020, 5:21 pm
First amplifier of its kind to feature HybridDigital™ Purifi Eigentakt™ amplifier technology Pickering, Ontario, Canada, August 4, 2020 — NAD The post NAD ANNOUNCES THE MASTERS M28 SEVEN CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - iFi Launches New Zen Can!30 July 2020, 6:47 pm
Great headphone sound? It’s in the CAN! Is it possible to make an analogue headphone amp that delivers high-end performance The post iFi Launches New Zen Can! appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - Andover Audio Introduces Spinstand30 July 2020, 5:51 pm
Fellow Spinners, We are pleased to introduce Spinstand, the latest addition to our Spin family of products. Designed with sturdy shelves and metal-reinforced The post Andover Audio Introduces Spinstand appeared first on Headphone Guru....
- ATC SIA2-100 and CD27 August 2020, 8:56 am
ATC has expanded its range of electronics with a new amplifier and CD player, HFC puts them through their paces... - What's your favourite way to listen to music?6 August 2020, 9:58 am
The fact you like listening to music is a given, but what's your chosen type of transducer? What's your favourite way to listen to music? Choices Floorstanding loudspeakers Headphones In-ear headphones Desktop monitors Standmount loudspeakers Leave this field blank Show Promo ImageHi-Fi ChoiceCategory: TechnologyPrimary Category: Technology... - Origin Live Cartridge Enabler6 August 2020, 9:08 am
Could this be one of the most affordable turntable upgrades ever?... - Winyl One-Touch Polymer stylus cleaner5 August 2020, 3:15 pm
Time to clean up your act... - Audiolab releases 6000A Play amp23 July 2020, 8:18 am
New integrated marries functionality of previous components...
- Gingko Audio Summer Isolation Giveaway17 July 2020, 5:41 pm
Do well by your audio system while doing good: Donate to one of the listed charities, which are helping in the fight against COVID-10, and get Gingko Audio’s award-winning, patented ARCH products for free. Word Central Kitchen (https://wck.org/) Feeding America (https://www.feedingamerica.org/) Doctors Without Borders (https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/) Our “Summer Isolation Giveaway” offer applies to the following ARCH models: […] The post Gingko Audio Summer ... - AXPONA – The Lost Tapes for 202012 July 2020, 1:10 am
All high-end hi-fi shows have been canceled for 2020…and perhaps for 2021. Hardcore audiophiles are starting to forget how it feels like to be at one of these shows. This motivated me to push out some footage I’ve kept in the archives. Aside from being the best footage from a show, I hope it’s enough […] The post AXPONA – The Lost Tapes for 2020 appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - Underwood Hifi and Core Power Tech A/V Introduces the USBe Perfect19 June 2020, 2:36 am
Walter Liederman, owner of Underwood Hifi and Core Power Tech A/V had these comments when asked about the USBe Perfect: The USBe Perfect is designed to yield the best results when using USB (Type 2 or Type 3) in your audio system. Now that USB has become the transmission medium of choice, we saw a […] The post Underwood Hifi and Core Power Tech A/V Introduces the USBe Perfect appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - Sound United to Acquire Bowers & Wilkins12 June 2020, 11:45 pm
Sound United Enters into a Preliminary Agreement to Acquire Bowers & Wilkins Vista, Calif (June 12, 2020) — Sound United LLC, parent company to Denon, Polk Audio, Marantz, Definitive Technology, HEOS, Classé, and Boston Acoustics, today announced it entered into a preliminary letter of intent to acquire Bowers & Wilkins, a leading designer and manufacturer […] The post Sound United to Acquire Bowers & Wilkins appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - Audio Art Cable Statement e SC Cryo Speaker Cable3 June 2020, 11:59 pm
Real, hardcore audiophiles pay attention to all sounds in the natural world. As I’m writing this, and for the last five hours, I’ve been listening to helicopters, explosives, protestors, and police sirens. And also an ice cream truck. #LARiots2020 As a result, the next time Snoop Dogg puts out an album, I could evaluate audio […] The post Audio Art Cable Statement e SC Cryo Speaker Cable appeared first on Audio Bacon....
- Samsung HW-Q950T, HW-Q900T… sleeker, more stylish premium soundbars8 August 2020, 12:14 am
NEWS: Samsung's latest premium soundbars raise the home theatre audio stakes further.... - Sony WH-1000XM4 in stores, with special gifts until Aug 316 August 2020, 10:35 pm
NEWS: Sony's latest wireless noise-cancelling cans, the WH-1000XM4, have landed!... - Arylic S50 Pro, S10 – fuss-free streaming on a budget6 August 2020, 6:29 am
REVIEW: Looking to add streaming capabilities to your staid wired set-up, without hurting your wallet? These Arylic units are calling...... - Pininfarina Battista hypercar to get bespoke Naim sonic gear29 July 2020, 12:39 pm
NEWS: Every hypercar needs a Naim, and the Pininfarina Battista is getting one...... - Cyrus ONE Cast amp – one for the money28 July 2020, 1:03 am
REVIEW: The outside harks back to a past era, but inside, the Cyrus ONE Cast is very much an amp for this century....
- Arylic Up2Stream A30 Miniature Streaming Amplifier Reviewed29 July 2020, 10:04 am
A tiny, generously specced miniature amplifier with integrated streaming, an excellent app and great sound. The post Arylic Up2Stream A30 Miniature Streaming Amplifier Reviewed appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Arylic’s Up2Stream Streaming Platform & The 4Stream App16 June 2020, 9:31 am
A great alternative to the usual streaming suspects, equally suited to first-timers and those looking for a more modular, integrated streaming solution without the hassle of deploying custom software and hardware. The post Arylic’s Up2Stream Streaming Platform & The 4Stream App appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Audio-Technica AT-LP5X Turntable Full Teardown3 June 2020, 12:11 pm
A simple yet effective turntable design of perfectly acceptable quality and very well executed given the asking price. The post Audio-Technica AT-LP5X Turntable Full Teardown appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Analogue Innovation In Sole Elastomer Isolators Reviewed1 June 2020, 9:48 am
Analogue Innovation's elastomer isolator kit brings considerable sonic advantages while removing most of the frustration inherent with the ownership of a suspended turntable. The post Analogue Innovation In Sole Elastomer Isolators Reviewed appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - A Fix For the Pro-Ject VC-E Exhaust Vent Moisture Issue24 April 2020, 7:48 pm
A fix for the Pro-Ject VC-E record cleaning machine, whereby moisture can be blown onto the record underside via the exhaust vent. The post A Fix For the Pro-Ject VC-E Exhaust Vent Moisture Issue appeared first on Audio Appraisal....
- Audiophile Review!McGary Audio SA-2 Tube Amplifier“Delivers More Power, Finesse”26 June 2020, 5:24 pm
... - Audiophile/Videophile Review!Essence For Hi Res AudioEVOLVE II-4K HDMI InterfaceMultichannel DAC/De-Embedder!26 March 2020, 6:49 pm
... - EAN Audio Show Spotlight!Florida Audio Expo 2020 Part II:The South's Up And Coming Hi-Fi Show!12 March 2020, 7:14 pm
... - EAN Audio Show Spotlight!The Florida Audio Expo 2020:The South's Up And Coming Hi-Fi Show!2 March 2020, 11:02 pm
... - 2019 Capital Audiofest!Electronics, Live MusicEmbody Best Show In The East!31 December 2019, 8:29 pm
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- Yamaha A-S3200 Integrated Amplifier Review31 July 2020, 1:31 am
David Price samples a big bruiser of an amplifier, from an illustrious Japanese company famous for its musical instruments…... - Luxman D-03X Compact Disc Player Review23 July 2020, 6:33 am
Rafael Todes samples a Japanese silver disc spinner that’s high end in every way, except its price...... - Ayre Acoustics EX-8 Integrated Amplifier Review23 July 2020, 5:22 am
Mark Gusew samples this versatile and powerful modular integrated amplifier…... - Lumagen Radiance Pro Video Processor Review15 July 2020, 2:07 am
Tony O'Brien is dazzled by the brilliance of this new high-end video processor…... - Perreaux VP3 Phono Preamplifier Review14 July 2020, 4:09 am
Mark Gusew samples this impressive and versatile phono stage from New Zealand…...
- The Best Hi-Fi And Audio Deals This Week: Headphones, Speakers, Electronics!1 August 2020, 3:59 am
Hifitrends.com has always been about pointing out the best values in Hi-Fi, so it’s only right that we point out the best deals on Hi-Fi every week. There’s a lot of stuff on sale out there, but we only point out the things worth buying. To determine that, we put a premium on sound quality, followed continue reading... - #NewMusicFriday…New Record Releases You Need To Hear feat. Charley Crockett +11 Other Artists!1 August 2020, 2:46 am
Every #NewMusicFriday, I pick a bunch of the best sounding new albums so you can get your audiophile music fix!… As usual, it’s a very eclectic mix (Albums are arranged with more traditional audiophile genres like Jazz and Blues at the top, and the non-traditional audiophile stuff towards the bottom). Here are my picks for this continue reading... - IFi’s ZEN CAN Adds A Tempting New Option To The Headphone Amp Game!31 July 2020, 3:33 am
This $149 Desktop Headphone Amplifier brings quality power to the masses Late last year, iFi introduced the ZEN Series, an ultra-affordable line of desktop audio components that won over many with their modern design and excellent value. We reviewed both of the first two products, the ZEN DAC headphone DAC/Amp and the ZEN Blue Bluetooth continue reading... - HELM Audio Launches A New Wireless Headphone With Some Tantalizing Specs!30 July 2020, 3:08 am
The HELM SPORTSBAND HD should make gym-bound audiophiles very happy. HELM Audio has released a flurry of portable audio products over the last couple of years, and all of them have scored high marks here at Hifitrends. Their latest creation, the fitness-oriented HELM SPORTSBAND HD, is a $129 neckband style wireless headphone with triple drivers continue reading... - Best Hi-Fi And Audio Deals 2020: Headphones, Speakers & Electronics26 July 2020, 5:53 am
Hifitrends.com has always been about pointing out the best values in Hi-Fi, so it’s only right that we point out the best deals on Hi-Fi every week. There’s a lot of stuff on sale out there, but we only point out the things worth buying. To determine that, we put a premium on sound quality, followed continue reading...
- SDSU receives great jazz collection as a donation23 July 2020, 9:49 pm
... - Underwood/CorePower release USBe Perfect19 June 2020, 6:25 pm
... - 25th anniversary of Rory G's death15 June 2020, 10:07 pm
... - Octave Records aims to support the artists13 June 2020, 10:10 pm
... - And more pertinent to now4 June 2020, 11:23 pm
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- Core Power Technologies A/V USBe Perfect15 July 2020, 4:06 pm
Tweaks. It’s the bastion of audiophiles in the pursuit of wringing the last ounce of audio gold out of the music. It’s also the point where derision from those who don’t relate to our hobby like to inject verbal venom. Granted, over the years there’s been some rather “out there” tweaks, such as the infamous magic marker on cd’s. At the same time audiophiles were the first to hear a weird phenomena, later identified as jitter.Let’s be clear, a wonde... - Peachtree Audio amp50026 March 2020, 11:43 pm
High power amplifier. Those are three words difficult-to-drive speaker owners want to hear. Especially when one is a reviewer. The desire to hear even more of what a pair of panel speakers can do gets the heart racing. When Jim Spainhour of Peachtree Audio contacted me with an offer to review their new top-line amp500, no way was I going to turn down the opportunity. In less than two weeks the piano black oval-cased beauty was at my front door.The amp500 resides in the standard Peachtree cabinet... - Cherry Amplifier Maraschino Desktop Mono Amplifiers20 March 2020, 1:40 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 ... - Chord Mojo Portable DAC10 October 2019, 8:22 pm
Link to SpecificationsRecently, I’ve been searching for a DAC that would go effortlessly with my vintage Adcom system. I desired something simple, and if possible, with a very small footprint. I had tried various USB stick DAC’s. While they were nice and the perfect size, I always felt they were a bit compromised sound-wise. When the opportunity came to review the Chord Mojo I knew I had to take advantage of the opportunity.I will admit that in my mind I wrongfully expected the Mojo ... - Audioengine 512 Portable Bluetooth Speaker10 July 2019, 4:36 pm
Link to SpecificationsLet's face it, there are times when one's big audio system just doesn't work for the situation at hand. The small barbecue gathering on the deck/patio, the picnic in the park, laundry day, the list is endless. Enter the value of bluetooth speakers and their easy portability and instant sound. But, being honest, most small bluetooth speakers sound little better than the transistor radios of the 1970's.While Audioengine has been making bluetooth speakers for several...
- R.T.F.S. SiRRAH – Part 14 August 2020, 7:15 am
The smartly designed SiRRAH units have a twofold function, combining the advantages of a diffuser with those of a bass/midrange absorber. The panels are easy to fix to the wall and the improvements are substantial.... - Graham Audio LS3/5 and LS3/5A with SUB3 – Part 1/227 July 2020, 8:12 am
The LS3/5A a world-famous mini-monitor that is loved by many. But what not many may know is that this was not actually the first incarnation of the model. In this article, I will describe the audible differences between the LS3/5's and LS3/5A's. In addition, I will listen to the SUB3 stereo subwoofer system that is designed by Derek Hughes specifically to work with these speakers.... - Graham Audio LS3/5 and LS3/5A with SUB3 – Part 2/227 July 2020, 8:12 am
Part 2 of the LS3/5 and LS3/5A + SUB3 review, describing the audible differences between the two models.... - Qln Sonora – Part 1/223 July 2020, 11:39 am
The Qln Sonora loudspeaker is equipped with a highly efficient, crossover-less, full-range driver (with a Whizzer/tweeter-cone) and a tweeter that mainly adds resolution at higher frequencies above 10kHz.... - Qln Sonora – Part 2/223 July 2020, 11:38 am
Part 2 of the Qln Sonora review...
- HiFiMAN Deva Review5 August 2020, 7:46 pm
There is no doubt that wireless technology has picked up lately owing to the advent… The post HiFiMAN Deva Review appeared first on Audiosolace.... - Cayin N3Pro DAP Announced2 August 2020, 5:40 pm
Cayin have announced another surprise release – in the form of the N3Pro Digital Audio… The post Cayin N3Pro DAP Announced appeared first on Audiosolace.... - 5 Headphone Driver Types Explained In Depth26 July 2020, 12:14 am
Searching for the perfect headphones may seem like an overwhelming task. This guide aims to… The post 5 Headphone Driver Types Explained In Depth appeared first on Audiosolace.... - Campfire Audio Ara Review20 July 2020, 6:52 pm
From humble origins, Campfire Audio have become a tour de force in the world of… The post Campfire Audio Ara Review appeared first on Audiosolace.... - Bone conduction – from headphones to Bluetooth sunglasses12 July 2020, 9:28 pm
What is bone conduction? Sound can travel in one of the two ways. The first… The post Bone conduction – from headphones to Bluetooth sunglasses appeared first on Audiosolace....
- 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 […]...