- Spectral SDR-2000 Professional D/A processor3 July 2020, 4:21 pm
Spectral is a bit of an enigma in the high-end audio world. Although nearly 20 years old and one of the founders of the American high-end audio industry, Spectral isn't a name that comes quickly to mind when considering the best of the best in high-end. Spectral's low profile is of their own choosing. They advertise very little, their products are demonstrated in a small number of stores, they almost never send products to magazines for review, and they are very quiet about their accomplishment...
- Gramophone Dreams #38: HEDD HEDDphones, Schiit Jotunheim amplifier2 July 2020, 4:21 pm
Today is March 22, 2020. Outside my door, the plague is gaining intensity. People are wearing masks and rubber gloves. But outside the window by my desk, there is a Callery pear tree, and every day its blossoms are becoming more intensely white. Each day its brightness (measured in units of luminous flux) increases noticeably. The optical radiance of its zillion-petal whiteness illuminates the whole garden. Thu, 07/02/2020... - Spatial Coherence TVA-1 preamplifier1 July 2020, 4:55 pm
There are some standing jokes in the audio industry about the qualities a piece of equipment must have in order to be truly "high-end." One definition is that it must be unavailable, unreliable, and dangerous. Another is that it will sound great, break, and its manufacturer go out of business. By meeting at least half of these variables, the Spatial Coherence TVA-1 preamplifier qualifies as a classic audiophile product. Sat, 07/01/1989... - Sheltering In Place In New Orleans30 June 2020, 5:51 pm
New Orleans, Louisiana — As I write this, my city is locked down. To make sure of it, the National Guard is encamped in Louis Armstrong Park, site of Congo Square, where in former times enslaved Americans gathered to dance and play music, and tourists gathered to watch them. People still gather there when the city is not locked down; they gather at other places, too. No one's gathering now. Tue, 06/30/2020... - MBL Noble Line N11 line preamplifier26 June 2020, 4:13 pm
During the four years that I've reviewed for Stereophile, I've had the privilege of evaluating products from some of the world's best-known audiophile companies: Audio Research, Bel Canto, CH Precision, dCS, D'Agostino, Dynaudio, EMM Labs, Jadis, Krell, Nordost, and Wilson, among others. But one long-standing manufacturer whose exhibits at audio shows invariably inspire ecstatic reports, Germany's MBL, has remained outside my purview. Fri, 06/26/2020...
- The Third Mind: The Third Mind3 July 2020, 6:12 pm
The old stoner adage “If you remember the 60s, you really weren’t there” applies only in part to The Third Mind, the fully improvised eponymous album by the ad hoc band of Dave Alvin (guitar, vocals), Victor Krummenacher (bass, vocals), David Immergluck (guitar, keyboards, vocals), Michael Jerome (drums, percussion), with guest Jesse Sykes (guitar, vocals). The 64-year-old Alvin (The Blasters, X, et al.) and the 58-year-old Immergluck (Counting Crows, Camper Van Beethoven, Crac... - Gold Note Announces Launch of PSU-10 EVO2 July 2020, 7:00 pm
Firenze, Italy | July 2, 2020 – Gold Note is pleased to announce the launch of the PSU-10 EVO, the new external power supply designed for the DS-10 and DS-10 PLUS streaming DACs, available worldwide at authorised Gold Note dealers at a suggested retail price of 1100€ (approximately $1240). Part of the awarded Series 10, the power supply follows in the same innovative footsteps of the PSU-10 (which is dedicated to the acclaimed phono stage PH-10) and has been inspired by the same princ... - Nordost Tyr 2 Interconnect, Speaker, and Power Cables2 July 2020, 12:43 pm
I’ve written about this coincidence before, yet I still find it fascinating that the vocabulary I use in my day job as a fine-wine merchant is notably similar to the concepts and descriptors employed in the observational audio reviewing we do here at TAS and in similar publications. On the surface this may not appear a likely scenario. Especially if one is used to the standard 100-point scale of wine criticism that emphasizes wines’ more hedonistic side. The so-called “fruit bo... - Aesthetix Atlas Eclipse Power Amplifier30 June 2020, 11:35 pm
Aesthetix has developed an enviable reputation as a manufacturer of elite components at down-to-earth prices. The company’s earliest products, the all-tube Io phonostage and Callisto linestage, have long set the stage for what is possible in modern all-tube designs. As the mainstay of Aesthetix’ top “Jupiter” line, these products have received updates and modifications through the years and have developed a loyal following among audiophiles who value the sound of all-tube... - Bruce Springsteen’s Western Stars29 June 2020, 5:10 pm
Bruce Springsteen is a philosopher masquerading as a rock star. This was evident from the beginning, when we saw that the cars in his lyrics were more than mere modes of transport; they were a metaphor for freedom and the possibilities promised by the American dream. Then, as his live performances gained legendary stature, Springsteen’s concerts morphed from chock-a-block music marathons to events featuring homily-like interludes wherein Springsteen delivered the gospel according to Bruce....
- Hi-Fi+ July 2020 High-End Audio Magazine2 July 2020, 1:01 pm
Hi-Fi+ magazine's July 2020 issue features reviews of the AURALiC Altair G1 digital audio streamer, Totem Skylight stand-mount loudspeaker, ReQuest Audio The Raptor music server, Accuphase E-650 integrated amplifier, Computer Audio Design GC-R passive grounding system, and Accustic Arts Mono II MK 2 mono power amplifiers. Hi-Fi+ keeps the reviews coming with their assessment of the English Electric 8Switch audiophile network switch, Effect Audio Code 51 personal audio cables, Shunyata Research N... - EnjoyTheMusic.com's July 2020 Review Magazine1 July 2020, 11:42 am
EnjoyTheMusic.com just posted our July Review Magazine online. This month features a variety of fun and educational videos, six audiophile manufacturers chime in with our 10 Questions For Manufacturers, plus we have world premiere reviews too! We invite you to discover the many great articles and reviews.---> See EnjoyTheMusic.com's July Review Magazine. ... - Hi-Fi World's August 2020 Issue30 June 2020, 1:44 pm
Hi-Fi World's August 2020 issue features your chance to win an English Electric 8switch worth £450. Gear reviews within this issue include the Wharfedale Evo 4.3 loudspeakers, Martin Logan Motion 40i speakers, FiiO K5 Pro Headphone DAC, Chord Electronics 2go and Hugo 2 DAC, SOtM SMS200 Mini Neo Special Edition streamer, Burson Conductor 3 Reference headphone amp, Black Rhodium Operetta 2 interconnects, and a throwback with Technics' old SL-P550 CD player.---> Learn more about Hi-Fi Worl... - Gryphon Audio Designs Vanta Cable Series30 June 2020, 11:53 am
Gryphon Audio Designs has announced their new Vanta Cable Series (from € 2900 to € 23,800). As the top-of-the-line from Gryphon, it is said to be a new evolutionary step in the company's cable production. The Vanta Series consists of speaker cables, power cables, analog interconnects, and digital cables. Utilizing some of the most exclusive materials in terms of the highly unique silver-gold alloy for each individual conductor, they are tightly sealed within a tube of PTFE insulation, ... - Watch The HiFi Summit Q2 2020 By Joe N Tell29 June 2020, 12:16 pm
Finally, the audio community now has an excellent high-quality online streaming show resource for 2020 and beyond! The HiFi Summit, produced by Joe N Tell (Joe Mariano), brings modern features that are expected when showcasing the best in high-fidelity audio and home theater gear. Excellent seminars and group chat are joined by questions from viewers within their Lobby Discussion and YouTube live stream.---> Learn more and watch videos from The HiFi Summit. ...
- REVIEW: Silent Angel RHEIN Z1 | audio files transport/server | CHINA1 July 2020, 10:00 pm
⌈ Historically, 'STREAMER' meant 'tape drive' - a device for transferring data from computer systems to magnetic tapes for archiving. Currently it is defined as a device used to provide multimedia data from the streaming provider to the user in an UNINTERRUPTED manner. In audio, streamers are simply TRANSPORTS (or players) of AUDIO FILES.⌋ t seems that more and more companies with their roots in "hard" IT business are using their knowledge, combining it with their passion - audio... - TECHNIQUE: MITSUBISHI ProDigi: ProDigi - digital reel-to-reel recorders – from X-80 to X-880 | PART 2: RECORDINGS | JAPAN1 July 2020, 10:00 pm
⌈ DIGITAL SOUND RECORDING – method of preserving sound in which audio signals are transformed into a series of pulses that correspond to patterns of binary digits (i.e. 0’s and 1’s) and are recorded as such on the surface of a magnetic tape or optical disc. „ENCYCLOPÆDIA BRITANNICA” | www.britannica.com; accessed on: 09.04.2020⌋ ⁝ n the first part of the article, we looked at the first digital audio tape recorders - reel tape recorders... - REVIEW: JCAT OPTIMO 3 DUO | DC power supply | POLAND1 July 2020, 10:00 pm
⌈ A POWER SUPPLY is a component that supplies power to at least one electric load. Typically, it converts one type of electrical power to another, but it may also convert a a different form of energy – such as solar, mechanical, or chemical - into electrical energy. www.techopedia.com, accessed: 19.05.2020⌋ o be clear: there are no audio devices that could operate powered directly from an power grid, wall socket - in Poland the current in the socket has a value of 230 V a... - REVIEW: Canor CD1.10 | Compact Disc Player | SLOVAKIA1 July 2020, 10:00 pm
⌈ ‘Compact disc’ (CD), a molded plastic disc containing digital data that is scanned by a laser beam for the reproduction of recorded sound and other information. Since its commercial introduction in 1982, the audio CD has almost completely replaced the phonograph […]. „Encyclopædia Britannica”, accessed: May 15th 2020⌋ he 2013 financial statements (available online) show that Canor is a subcontractor of PRO-JECT, but... - COVER REVIEW: Heed LAGRANGE | integrated amplifier | HUNGARY1 July 2020, 10:00 pm
⌈ HEED is a small, specialized company from Hungary, run by Mr. ZSOLT HUSZTI. It was established in 1987 as a distribution company offering British brands. In 1991, they prepared their first product, StandArt speakers. Since 2000, they have been also offering electronic devices packed in chassis of unusual, as for today, dimensions. The LAGRANGE integrated amplifier is their first "full-size" product.⌋ he first product related to electronics, bearing the Heed logo, was a power su...
- RADIO FREE CHIP: The Sounds of Silence3 July 2020, 11:41 pm
Do You Believe In Ghosts? A boy hears a sound. He hears sound before he has a name. He hears gurgling, pounding underwater. He hears an ocean of blood swimming around him. Through his veins. Through his mother. He breaks into the light of day. He's shocked that he has a voice. He finds his... Read More » The post RADIO FREE CHIP: The Sounds of Silence appeared first on Positive Feedback.... - Ekaterina Siurina: French and Italian Arias3 July 2020, 5:35 pm
Amour Éternel, Ekaterina Siurina, soprano; Kaunas City Symphony Orchestra/ Constantine Orbelian. Delos DE 3583. TT: 76.11 CARPENTIER: Louise: Depuis le jour. GOUNOD: Roméo et Juliette: Je veux vivre; Va! Je t'ai pardonné...Roméo! Qu'as-tu donc? (with Charles Castronovo, tenor); Faust: O Dieu! que de bijoux...Ah! je ris (Jewel Song). BIZET: Les pêcheurs de perles: Me voilà seule... Read More » The post Ekaterina Siurina: French and I... - Alta Audio’s Alyssa Speaker Delivers Rich, Full-Range Sonics from a Compact Cabinet1 July 2020, 9:18 pm
Alyssa’s Detail and Bass Response Rival the Most Respected Floor-Standing Models Huntington, NY, June 30, 2020 – Alta Audio, the company that combines advanced technology and exquisite aesthetics to create industry-leading home audio loudspeakers, will soon deliver Alyssa, a new loudspeaker that combines compact dimensions with intimate detail and deep, natural bass response, for sonic output that is... Read More » The post Alta Audio’s Alyssa Speaker Deliv... - INTRODUCING GIK ACOUSTICS X TAPE OP LIMITED EDITION ACOUSTIC ART PANELS 1 July 2020, 9:13 pm
ATLANTA, GA (June 30, 2020) – Leading acoustic treatment manufacturer GIK Acoustics has teamed up with Tape Op Magazine to release six (6) of their popular covers as exclusive 242Acoustic Art Panels for the US market. This new addition is a fun collaboration between GIK Acoustics and Tape Op Magazine, pairing high-quality acoustic art treatments with striking,... Read More » The post INTRODUCING GIK ACOUSTICS X TAPE OP LIMITED EDITION ACOUSTIC ART ... - Monarchy Audio SM-70 Pro Amplifiers1 July 2020, 5:31 pm
This article, as reviewed by Francisco Duran, Victor Chavira, Carol Clark, and Dave Clark originally ran in Issue 2, August/September 2002, so while we call this section "New Old Stock - Articles from Our Days in Print" you are also going to see some articles from our early days of going online. Back in Issue... Read More » The post Monarchy Audio SM-70 Pro Amplifiers appeared first on Positive Feedback....
- 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) [...]... - REVIEW: The JBL L-100 Classic25 June 2020, 1:14 pm
In the 70s and throughout the 80s, the JBL L-100 was a very successful loudspeaker. Having a production run from 1970 to the mid-80s, the L-100 sold in more significant numbers than any other model, and perhaps one of the greatest selling speakers in audio history. For those squealing about the $4,000/pair cost, a quick [...]... - Ammoflage!23 June 2020, 12:06 am
Friend and occasional TONE contributor Andy “Ammo” Schneider has been doing something incredibly creative with his spare time, combining a love for music, art, and high end audio. You may have seen “Ammo” on the stage at Coachella, or selling audio gear at AV San Francisco in a past life, or roaming the streets of [...]... - The Luxman L-509x Integrated Amplifier22 May 2020, 8:47 pm
Sammy Hagar once said in a song, “There’s only one way to rock,” but after listening to the new Luxman L-509x, I beg to differ. Luxman actually makes a full lineup of tube and transistor electronics (separates and integrated amplifiers), and should you take the solid-state path, they offer more options. Luxman makes a pair [...]... - Sumiko Audio now distributing ROTEL5 May 2020, 4:30 pm
Rotel has been a manufacturer of fine audio gear for decades now, always offering maximum value at a reasonable price. Today, they have joined forces with Sumiko Audio to strengthen their distribution channel. For those not familiar, they have also added a new, premium line – MICHI to their offerings. Senior management at Sumiko, Rotel [...]...
- Recommended Reference Component: Rockport Technologies Avior II Loudspeakers1 July 2020, 4:00 am
Located in South Thomaston, Maine, Rockport Technologies is a boutique audio manufacturer known for the tremendous attention they pay to every detail of their loudspeakers. As revealed in a SoundStage! Shorts video featuring president Josh Clark, every Rockport speaker is thoroughly checked before leaving their shop to ensure that its finish is flawless; its acoustical output is listened to and measured, and its crossover is tweaked, until its sound duplicates, as closely as possible, the sound ... - Hi-Fi Shops: The Death Rate Continues1 July 2020, 4:00 am
While I can only speak for the UK -- every country is reacting differently to the relaxing of the lockdown -- I must admit to a newfound pessimism about the future of all retail, but especially hi-fi. Stores in the UK deemed “non-essential,” which includes anything other than pharmacies or supermarkets, reopened on June 15th, but shopping in 2020 is (1) hellish due to limited numbers allowed in-store so one has to queue, the 6' distancing, and wearing masks, and (2) unsustainable for... - Triangle's Borea BR03 Loudspeaker Sounds (Mostly) Spectacular1 July 2020, 4:00 am
Of the reviews we’ve recently published, I was most intrigued by Diego Estan’s May 1 writeup of Triangle’s Borea BR03 loudspeaker, on SoundStage! Access. Of particular appeal was what he described as an “open, airy, lively midrange that was smooth yet rich, and with inviting tonality.” He concluded: “In these ways, the BR03’s midrange reminded me of that of my reference Focal Sopra No1s.” That’s high praise for a speaker costing just $549/pai... - Vivid Audio Giya G2 Series 2 Loudspeakers1 July 2020, 4:00 am
On a recent trip to the UK, I interviewed Laurence Dickie, Vivid Audio’s cofounder and chief designer. He told me that every Vivid loudspeaker is an extension of his work at Bowers & Wilkins, where he was employed from the early 1980s to the mid-1990s. His work there culminated, in 1993, with B&W’s revolutionary Nautilus loudspeaker, which Dickie had begun designing in the late ’80s. As a testament to how advanced the Nautilus was in its day, consider this: B&W stil... - Bryston's Benchmark -- the 4B Power Amplifier1 July 2020, 4:00 am
Last month, Jeff Fritz conducted a SoundStage! Talks video interview with Bryston Ltd.’s VPs of marketing and sales, respectively James Tanner and Gary Dayton. Mostly they talked about Bryston’s Cubed series of amplifiers, now comprising nine models that range in power output from the 2.5B³ stereo amp’s 135Wpc ($4295, all prices USD) to the 28B³ monoblock’s 1000W ($24,390/pair). The Cubed line includes the B135³ integrated amplifier, which costs $6695-$8195...
- Audio Note UK Fifth Element/Fifth Force DAC Review4 July 2020, 7:01 am
Whether you are a tone-phile or a resolution-phile determines if an Audio Note UK DAC is right for you. While Dagogo is about providing “A unique audiophile experience,” Audio Note UK is about being “Music’s Finest Conductor.” Audio Note UK owner Peter Qvortrup’s relentless drive to uphold Audio Note UK’s motto involves development of custom [...] The post Audio Note UK Fifth Element/Fifth Force DAC Review appeared first on Dagogo.... - Audio-Technica new back-to-school gadgets for our time1 July 2020, 1:16 am
The following is a press release from Audio-Technica STOW, OH, June 30, 2020 — Soon, students will be going back to school – but the educational landscape will be different this semester, with some learning from home and others on campus. Audio-Technica offers a variety of products that will help students hear their lessons more [...] The post Audio-Technica new back-to-school gadgets for our time appeared first on Dagogo.... - Pass Laboratories XA200.8 pure Class A monoblock amplifiers Review, Part 230 June 2020, 5:02 pm
Read Part 1 Critical importance of the amplifier to a system I tried various configurations of equipment to gain an understanding of what the XA200.8 was contributing. Here is one example of a streamlined system intended to have the XA200.8 play a dominant role: Small Green Computer AP i7 4T Roon Server ($2,855) and SONORE [...] The post Pass Laboratories XA200.8 pure Class A monoblock amplifiers Review, Part 2 appeared first on Dagogo.... - New Album Releases Project 2020-6-2728 June 2020, 1:06 am
This week came up and bit me in the … I wasn’t expecting it to pick up at the end of the week, so let’s tuck in: Kansas Smitty’s Things Happened Here dropped yesterday on the 26th. I watched the album launch on YouTube and then proceeded to the band’s Bandcamp page to purchase and [...] The post New Album Releases Project 2020-6-27 appeared first on Dagogo.... - EMM Labs DA2 V2 Update Review26 June 2020, 6:03 pm
Introduction If you are like me and have been in this hobby for an extended period, you have encountered manufacturers who for whatever reason seem to update their equipment frequently. Inevitably, your existing piece of equipment 1) cannot be updated and 2) has suffered a significant loss to its resale value. This seems particularly true [...] The post EMM Labs DA2 V2 Update Review appeared first on Dagogo....
- The Best Version Of ... Bill Withers's Still Bill3 July 2020, 3:25 pm
When Bill Withers passed away this April at the age of 81, I put aside the other TBVOs I’d been plugging away at and turned to Withers’s work. Few artists have produced a three-album run as superb as the one that began Withers’s career: Just As I Am (1971), Still Bill (1972), +’Justments (1974). The list grows to four if you count Live at Carnegie Hall (1973), widely regarded as one of the greatest live albums of all time. Withers recorded fi... - Review | Abyss AB-1266 Phi TC Headphones and HeadAmp GSX mk2 Balanced Headphone Amplifier29 June 2020, 1:10 pm
Many consider the Abyss AB-1266 Phi TC headphones to be the best in the world. These US made 'phones certainly vie for the title of best planar dynamic 'phones, if not the best in terms of absolute sound quality. Built like an Abrahms tank, and somewhat unusual looking, these New York State built 'phones certainly do impress in terms of their build quality. At first glance, they look a lot like a medieval torture device, perhaps a chastity belt for one’s ears, but aside from being some... - CAPS Twenty | Part One22 June 2020, 12:40 pm
It's finally time to talk about CAPS twenty! I've been working on this project for months with people from all over the world. Keeping it under wraps for so long has been nearly impossible because I'm so excited about a new CAPS design. CAPS is truly a passion project for me that's fun, educational because I learn so much along the way, and hopefully beneficial to the Audiophile Style community. This time around CAPS information will be in both written and... - New McIntosh Podcast | For the Love of Music17 June 2020, 10:55 pm
Hey Guys, this just in from McIntosh, I'm listening now. If you're a music lover, this series seems pretty cool. "In this special series, we've teamed up with Talkhouse, a leading producer of podcasts about music and film, to explore music history through conversations with renowned musicians and audio professionals. McIntosh has been hand-building the very best audio equipment in Binghamton, NY for over 70 years -- not only did they help create the hi-fi i... - Meet The Audiophile Style Community | Volume 617 June 2020, 2:10 pm
Welcome to the sixth installment of our Meet the Audiophile Style Community series. All previous installments can be found here, in the series index. Please send me a message or email if you'd like to participate. The response so far has been wonderful. It ranges from hardcore audiophiles to those who are more interested in numbers and graphs. None of that matters much because this is all about getting to know everyone and sharing a bit about yourself that others will find int...
- Bach Starker <i>Suites For Unaccompanied Cello Complete</i> Is The Perfect Self-Quarantining Companion3 July 2020, 6:27 pm
What better time than during a period of self-isolation and social distancing could there be to explore Bach’s “Suites For Unaccompanied Cello”? Arguably, there’s no finer recorded performances than the ones Janos Starker performed for Mercury Records April 15 and 17, 1963, September 7-8, 1965 and December 21-22, 1965 (though some may prefer other performances by Casals, Rostropovich, Yo-Yo-Ma, etc.). I'm not here to argue with you. The finest version of these historic re... - The Greatest Artist Resting Or Alive? Kanye’s <i>JESUS IS KING</i> Revisited1 July 2020, 4:20 pm
No matter your (likely misguided) opinion of him personally, Kanye West is indisputably one of the greatest artists of all time. While in certain occupations others come close, only Kanye has the wide scope and collaborative energy to succeed in everything. Whether it’s music, fashion, or film, he enlists world-class multimedia artists’ assistance, precisely executing most media (except opera).Primary Category: Album ReviewsCategory: Album ReviewsArtist: Kanye WestAlbu... - Vinyl Review Explosion: Yves Tumor, Grimes, Perfume Genius, and King Krule30 June 2020, 10:16 pm
(Review Explosion is 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. Curated by AnalogPlanet contributing editor Malachi Lui, Review Explosion focuses on the previous few months’ new releases.)... - Black Pumas' Psychedelic Soul Eponymous Debut29 June 2020, 6:23 pm
Great music doesn’t exist, nor is it created in a vacuum. It evolves from years of being influenced by composers, performers, producers and genres. We don’t reward musically mediocre derivatives; rather, we celebrate musicians who manipulate their favorite influences to create a composite that results in something new and exciting— like Black Pumas’ music.Primary Category: Album ReviewsCategory: Album ReviewsArtist: Black PumasAlbum: Black PumasCred La... - Vinyl Reports: Real Life Record Shopping Returns!28 June 2020, 2:31 pm
(Vinyl Reports is an AnalogPlanet feature aiming to create a definitive guide to vinyl LPs. Here, we talk about sound quality, LP packaging, music, and the overarching vinyl experience.) As the world moves to reopen, record stores are slowly allowing customers back in. Here in Portland, OR, Music Millennium recently held a week of appointment-only personal shopping experiences (charitable donation necessary), then subsequently reopened with a 10 person limit and new safety measures. I shopped du...
- Look Here: Audiophiliac viewers' insanely great systems3 July 2020, 12:00 pm
... - The best live music recordings30 June 2020, 12:00 pm
... - Introducing Mrs Audiophiliac!29 June 2020, 12:00 pm
... - Vintage preamps Part 3, Audio Research SP328 June 2020, 12:00 pm
... - Interview with Tekton's Eric Alexander27 June 2020, 12:15 pm
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- Audio Research CD6 SE Compact Disc Player/DAC | Review3 July 2020, 9:00 am
When’s the last time you heard a new CD player and thought wow, this sounds terrific? I’m not talking about digital in general or a DAC, but a one-box CD transport/DAC playing just a redbook CD. That happened to me with the very first CD I listened to with the Audio Research CD6 SE. When we talk about advances in digital technology, in most cases we’re talking about DACs. We’ve seen plenty of innovative DACs over the last few years, usually employed in conjunction with hi... - Alta Audio Launches New Alyssa Loudspeaker30 June 2020, 4:08 pm
HUNTINGTON, NY (PTA) — Our friends over at Sohmer Associates bring us good news this morning. Today Mike Levy of Alta Audio launched their new Alyssa loudspeaker. If the Alyssa is like any other bookshelf monitors from Alta Audio, it should be no stranger to delivering a sweet and glossy top-end, with some of the fattest and most delicious bass in the category. PRESS RELEASE ENCLOSED Alta Audio’s Alyssa Speaker Delivers Rich, Full-Range Sonics from a Compact Cabinet Alyssa’s De... - Jeff Rowland Design Group Conductor Phono Preamplifier | Review28 June 2020, 9:00 am
Having a Jeff Rowland Design Group product in my reference system reminds me, in a roundabout way, of one of the greatest hi-fi systems I’ve heard. This happened nearly a decade ago, at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas. I had just received my Trenner & Friedl ART monitors—yes, I’ve owned these little gems for almost ten years now—and I was invited to Bob Clarke’s Profundo room to meet Peter Trenner and Andreas Friedl. (This was the first time I... - LSA 20 Statement Loudspeakers | Review26 June 2020, 9:00 am
So here it is, my first audio review in the COVID-19 world, and it’s a real game-changer. I’ve been listening to a lot of music using the LSA 20 Statement loudspeakers (website), yet as much solace as I’ve gotten from the music itself, I really haven’t been in much of a mood to write about it. Well, that stops now. There is hopefulness on the horizon. As a dear friend ended a recent email to me: “There is a collective grieving for the world as we knew it, ... - Qobuz Launches Family Plan Subscriptions25 June 2020, 8:00 pm
NEW YORK CITY (PTA) — Great news comes to us from the land of hi-res streaming, and it’s news the whole family will enjoy. Qobuz introduces two new family plans. Including good news for current members as any current Qobuz customer will have the option of upgrading to a family plan. Press Release Enclosed Qobuz, the world’s first Hi-Res streaming and download service, is launching its family plan today. The release of this much-anticipated feature comes following the recent new...
- Denafrips announces Terminator-Plus DAC3 July 2020, 1:52 pm
“I’ll be back”, said The Terminator, a modern-day take on the R-2R DAC recipe but with full hi-res support and twin i2S ‘standards’-compliance. And back it comes. Worldwide Denafrips dealer Vinshine Audio has announced the immediate availability of the Terminator-Plus, a souped-up Terminator DAC that 1) fully separates the DSP […] More---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For private use ... - ATC readies limited edition SCM150ASLT active loudspeaker system2 July 2020, 10:57 am
Take a look (above) at the new SCM150ASLT loudspeaker from the UK’s ATC: it sits 1.4m tall but, housing three proprietory drivers – a 25mm SH25-76S neodymium soft dome tweeter, a 75mm soft dome SM75-150S midrange driver and an SB75-375SL bass driver – puts a whopping 116kg on the scales. […] 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 &midd... - 5 more thoughts on the Cambridge Audio CXN (V2)1 July 2020, 1:03 pm
In-house comparisons. For the Cambridge Audio CXN (V2) (US$1099/€1099), one might finger the Naim Uniti Atom as a contender. After all, it too offers the Holy Trinity of streaming – Roon, Spotify Connect, Chromecast Built-in – and a colour front panel display plus a Zigbee remote that forgoes the Cambridge […] More---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For private use only. Copyright 2010-2020 ·... - A short film about the Cambridge Audio CXN (V2)30 June 2020, 9:33 am
The €1099/US$1099 Cambridge Audio CXN (V2) is a DAC. Its digital audio inputs are routed through Anagram’s ATF2 24bit/384kHz upsampling filter and a 2 x Wolfson WM8740-based DAC circuit to spill from a choice of balanced XLR or single-ended RCA analogue inputs. Hard-wired inputs number three: TOSLINK, coaxial and USB, […] More---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For private use only. Copyright 2010-2020 &m... - Audioengine’s B-Fi is a $189 wireless network streamer26 June 2020, 10:44 am
Want to stream music on a budget but without a diversion into Raspberry Pi territory? Audioengine has announced the immediate availability of a new plug-and-play network streamer that will sell for US$189 via their website. Their B-Fi is a palm-sized unit whose 802.11a/b Wi-Fi aerial and internal ARM processor enables […] More---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For private use only. Copyright 2010-2020 · Dark...
- 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 with some softball questions 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 ... - iFi iPhono3 Black Label3 July 2020, 12:59 pm
The iFi iPhono3 Black Label is proof that British hi-fi manufacturer iFi Audio refuses to rest on its laurels. Just four years after the release of its acclaimed iPhono2, iFi is back with a new design in a familiar package. The price has increased substantially (The iPhono3 BL retails for $999.99, while the previous iPhono2 retailed for $550), but the company has done significant work on the unit beyond a few simple tweaks, demonstrating that it still offers a great deal of value even in t... - Mojo Audio Mystique EVO Pro D/A Converter26 June 2020, 1:00 pm
The vast majority of modern audio DACs use a Delta-Sigma DAC chip because such chips are now tiny, manufactured by companies that sell them in mass relatively cheaply, and have become outstanding in quality. Examples of such chips include the California USA Company’s ESS Technology 9038PRO SABRE chip used in many of the highest-end DACs. Even their slightly lesser chip, the ESS Technology 9028PRO SABRE has been used impressively in some high-end DACs with which I am familiar such as ... - Chet Baker Sings—Tone Poet vinyl reissue26 June 2020, 12:59 pm
I first became aware of the music of Chet Baker in a peculiar way, through the Japanese anime Kids on the Slope (Sakamichi no Apollon) which revolved around teenagers in 1960s Tokyo learning to play Jazz. In episode four of the show, the characters find themselves playing a bar set for American GIs. The patrons become disgruntled towards the Art Blakey style hard-bop the musicians are playing, and so to appease the belligerent (and racist) crowd, trumpeter Junichi quickly switches gear, an... - Ortofon 2M 78 Phono Cartridge19 June 2020, 1:30 pm
Why does vinyl have such a strong hold on audiophiles? Perhaps it’s the ritual of the LP, the ‘warm’ sound of the grooves, the quality of the sound, that one can play around with cartridges, speakers, cables and preamps not to mention turntables. A little over two years ago, I started getting more serious about vinyl, wanting more from my music. Spending years collecting records was not just a hobby, but a way to experience sound. Collecting LPs of favorite composers and ...
- 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....
- LOUD & CLEAR REOPENS – SAFE & SOUND3 July 2020, 12:22 pm
Scotland’s leading hi-fi and home cinema specialist, Loud & Clear, has welcomed its first post-lockdown customers. Complete with an outdoor greeting area and an indoor reception desk offering hand sanitisers plus complimentary gloves and masks, the Edinburgh store offered a safe and sound welcome to its visitors. The customers were able to enjoy some of the world’s finest hi-fi equipment on display in the spacious store. Amplifiers, streamers, turntables, DACs and loudspeakers co... - Accuphase E-650 integrated amplifier2 July 2020, 10:01 am
Having recently spent several happy weeks with Accuphase’s E-370 integrated amplifier for issue 178, the prospect of spending yet more quality time with one of its bigger siblings, the 30W Class A E-650 was too good to pass up. It duly arrived, right in the middle of the global pandemic lockdown, which meant its delivery and receipt had more overtones of Bridge of Spies than is usual for such matters. Still, once here, duly disinfected and installed, one obvious benefit to lockdown is some... - Rupert Neve Designs Fidelice Precision Digital to Analog Converter1 July 2020, 2:14 pm
If you saw Dave Grohl’s documentary about the Sound City studio in LA, the hallowed ground where Rumours, Nevermind, Damn the Torpedoes and many, many great albums were made, you will have realised that the real star of the show, and the reason for Grohl’s interest was the Neve mixing desk. Rupert Neve is a British engineer who’s still designing at the tender age of 93! Neve sold the original Neve Company in 1976, but he has been very active in the recording business (and mixin... - Cyrus One Cast Integrated streaming amplifier1 July 2020, 1:49 pm
Having a ‘lifestyle’, rather than a plain old-fashioned ‘life’, can make significant demands on your possessions. After all, if you just live a ‘life’, then your belongings are simply part of it. Aspire to a ‘lifestyle’ and suddenly everything you own has to complement it and enhance it. Simple functionality is no longer enough when you’re enjoying a ‘lifestyle’. For some of the more dogmatic brands involved in the hi-fi industry,... - Allnic Audio ZL-5000 power cord1 July 2020, 9:20 am
I’m more disposed toward reviews of complete cable systems than individual cables, but Nicholas Ripley’s review of Allnic’s clever Zero Loss Technology in the ZL-3000 power cord piqued my interest, so it’s time to try out the flagship. To recap, Allnic’s ‘Zero Loss Technology’ system was designed to minimise or eliminate signal losses by functionally by-passing three regions where active cable resistances might muster — connection, contact and wire...
- Jesus & Mary Chain: <I>Psychocandy</I>3 July 2020, 6:36 pm
Fuzz, feedback and live shows ending in fisticuffs... this debut LP from two brothers from East Kilbride saw the pair meld their love of '60s girl groups with the sounds of the industrial movement to create uncompromising music with a melodic pop heart The 1980s is often referred to as a classic era for pop music, but the musical landscape was changing, with suggestions that rock was becoming outdated – the derogatory term 'rockist' had recently entered the vernacular – and the happ... - Chord Ultima Pre 2/Ultima 2 Pre/Power Amplifier2 July 2020, 11:05 pm
The Chord Ultima range has grown from a single pre and power amp, as the tech becomes more affordable. The Ultima 2 models might just give the flagships a scare Never let it be said that the Chord Electronics range isn't distinctive in its styling: all the way up from the tiny Mojo DAC [HFN Jan '16] to the flagship Ultima reference preamplifier [HFN Feb '19], the company's products look like nothing else on the market, as if to emphasise that what's going on inside them involves no shortage of... - Hi-Res Downloads, June 202030 June 2020, 9:48 pm
This month we review and test releases from: London Concertante, Scottish CO/François Leleux, Budapest Fest Orch/Ivan Fischer, Conan Gray and Game Theory. ... - Audiophile: Vinyl, June 202030 June 2020, 12:45 am
This month we review: 7Ray With Triple Ace, Can, Iron Butterfly and Rolling Stones. ... - Audiophile: Digital, June 202030 June 2020, 12:43 am
This month, we review: Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels, Herbie Hancock, The Honeycombs and Mike Mcgear....
- Formula 1 live stream: how to watch 2020 F1 races anywhere in the world4 July 2020, 11:04 am
All you need to know about watching the world's favourite motorsport in style, wherever you are.... - Best TV 2020: the best 4K Ultra HD TVs3 July 2020, 4:58 pm
This year's best TVs for 4K resolution pictures, smart features, streaming apps and more.... - Best 4K Blu-ray discs to test your system3 July 2020, 4:36 pm
4K Blu-ray discs to give your home cinema system a workout.... - Austrian Grand Prix live stream: watch Formula One in 4K3 July 2020, 3:59 pm
All you need to know about watching the world's favourite motorsport in style, wherever you are.... - How to watch Hamilton online on Disney Plus right now3 July 2020, 3:14 pm
Hamilton: An American Musical is now available to stream online thanks to Disney Plus, and it's available in HD, 4K, Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision HDR....
- 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....
- Mivera 1200AS2 Stereo Power Amplifier21 June 2020, 7:50 pm
The Mivera 1200AS2 stereo power amplifier is a limited production offering. The amplifier uses the IcePower 1200AS2 dual-channel module with the IceEdge chipset. The $1000 Mivera amplifier was chosen for this review because, as you can see in the image below, the IcePower module is the sole occupant of the normal-size enclosure aside from connectors and wiring. Now we can hear the sound of the IcePower module itdelf, unaccompanied by added input electronics as we see in amplifiers from Wyred 4 S... - Dynaudio Evoke 30 & 25C Loudspeakers30 April 2020, 2:02 pm
“Born in Jupiter”. This is the headline on the Dynaudio Web site product page. I had no idea what that means. Further digging on the site revealed that “Jupiter” is the name of Dynaudio’s test and development center, a very large room reportedly measuring 13 meters (42.6 feet) in every dimension. In Jupiter, “(a) speaker can be measured individually or, given the room’s size, engineers can install several speakers at once to simulate the typical home aud... - Benchmark AHB2 Power Amplifier15 March 2020, 8:01 pm
The Benchmark AHB2 solid-state stereo power amplifier immediately grabbed the audio world’s attention about 7 years ago when it was introduced. Combining state of the art specifications, cutting-edge technology, and amazingly small size and light weight, the $2999 amplifier quickly became a must-audition. There are already a number of reviews, so the purpose of this one is to add another data point, another reaction to add to the knowledge base of this remarkable amplifier. Just look... - Cable Lifters19 February 2020, 11:15 pm
Dry wood is one of the best electrical insulators, behind diamond and air. All of the parts for these cable lifters came from Hobby Lobby: 2" x 3" wood bases, dowel rods, thread spools, and wood glue. Sandpaper and paint are optional. Glue the dowel rods to the bases, with a nice amount of glue forming a ring or collar around the rod at the base. Let dry. Lay the spools on a table, flat end down, spaced evenly apart. Squirt some wood glue on the tops of the spools, in a line. Lay a dowel rod on ... - Holbo Turntable System6 February 2020, 10:47 pm
The Holbo Turntable System is made in Slovenia by Bostjan Holc. The $7900 model has been available for a couple of years and consists of two very interrelated components: the airbearing turntable, where the platter rides on an airbearing; and the linear tracking tonearm, also incorporating an airbearing. There is no metal-to-metal contact anywhere in this novel and very effective design. For example, there is a huge non-magnetic stainless steel ring - mounted to the plinth - under the platter wh...
- KLH Kendall26 June 2020, 9:02 am
KLH’s floorstander is an awful lot of speaker for the money, but does it have the sound to match its size?... - Talk Electronics introduces A500 and A600 tonearms25 June 2020, 9:37 am
New captive uni-pivot designs dress to impress... - Magnepan unveils Little Ribbon System24 June 2020, 8:58 am
New high-end, entry-level flat panel comes to UK... - Monitor Audio releases IMS-4 Music Streamer23 June 2020, 8:23 am
BluOS-packing streamer with easy access to music libraries, streaming services and voice control using Alexa or Google Assistant... - iFi introduces iPhono3 Black Label22 June 2020, 9:52 am
New solid-state, valve-alike MM/MC phono stage offering multiple adjustments...
- 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... - Review: MayFly Audio Systems MF201A Speakers26 April 2020, 11:39 pm
May jump? May fly? Will fly? Review by Noam Bronstein It’s not every day that a truly interesting, unique new speaker crosses my path. Nor a term like “Skyline Diffuser”. But both things happened after Trevor May contacted me in late December about reviewing his MF201A. Ignore that stack of magazines, close your eyes and just listen Trevor’s startup is called MayFly Audio Systems, and is based in our nation’s capital, Ottawa – a city which has a long history w...
- Nugs.net Concert Livestreaming10 June 2020, 7:36 am
An interesting bit of info recently crossed my desk, from a site called ‘nugs.net.’ I’m rather surprised I’ve never heard of them before, since they seem to be addressing a market I’ve long wondered about the feasibility of: Live performance streaming.... - PAF Announces New Show Amongst Cancellations22 May 2020, 8:54 pm
Hot on the heels of RMAFs cancellation, as well as the cancellation of pretty much every other show in 2020, Lou Hinkley of Daedalus Audio and Gary Gill of Capital Audio Fest have recently announced the Pacific Audio Fest, to be held near Seattle in 2021.... - Decomposition and Breakdown: Fetch the Bolt Cutters by Fiona Apple3 May 2020, 8:42 am
Fiona Apple’s newest Album Fetch the Bolt Cutters has been causing quite a stir in the popular music world and is proving to be a bit of an enigma for many folks. I’ve had enough folks request I shed some light on what’s going on that I figured it was worth doing a full breakdown of the album. We’ll be looking at everything: composition, lyrics, production, sound quality - the works.... - Totaldac offers 80 per cent Money Back19 April 2020, 3:06 pm
Vincent Brient, the man behind the totaldac brand – which is celebrating its 10th Anniversary – is offering new totaldac owners a unique service in these difficult financial times – anyone ordering a DAC, streamer or driver between the 1st April 2020 and the 31st August 2020 will be able to return it and get 80 per cent of the cost back (excluding shipping costs) up to 12 months after purchase.... - Songs For Self Isolation17 April 2020, 8:06 pm
I never thought my time spent as a reclusive artist would turn out to be a survival skill....
- TRI I3 Review3 July 2020, 12:18 pm
The TRI I3 is a triple driver universal IEM consisting of one planar magnetic driver, an 8mm Composite Dynamic Driver, and a single BA driver. It is priced at $169.99 Disclaimer: The TRI I3 was sent to us as a sample in exchange for our honest opinion in this review. We thank HiFiGo for giving […]... - Unique Melody Mason V3+ Review1 July 2020, 11:22 am
The Unique Melody Mason V3+ 16 driver BA flagship IEM and an upgrade on the original V3 with a new carbon fiber design. It is priced from $3199. Disclaimer: The Unique Melody Mason V3+ was sent to us as a sample in exchange for our honest opinion. We thank Unique Melody for this opportunity. To learn more […]... - Noble Audio Sultan Review28 June 2020, 11:08 am
The Noble Audio Sultan is their new tri-brid universal flagship universal monitor consisting of dual-electrostatic, quad BA, and a 10mm dynamic driver. It is priced at $2900. Disclaimer: The Noble Audio Sultan sent to us is a sample in exchange for our honest opinion. We thank the team at Noble Audio for giving us this opportunity. […]... - MPOW H21 Noise Cancelling Headphones Review27 June 2020, 10:51 am
The MPOW H21 Noise Cancelling Headphones is an ANC enabled closed-back portable headphone featuring BT5.0 and up to 40 hours battery life. It is priced at an SRP of $103.99 but Amazon US currently sells for around $79.99. Disclaimer: The MPOW H21 Noise Cancelling Headphones are a sample sent to us in exchange for our […]... - Lime Ears psi Review26 June 2020, 11:14 am
The Lime Ears psi is a custom triple BA monitor featuring a custom bass module switch delivering two unique sound signatures. It is priced from €625.00. Disclaimer: The Lime Ears psi sent to us is a custom sample in exchange for our honest opinion. We thank the team at Lime Ears for giving us this opportunity. To […]...
- Wells Headtrip II Level II15 June 2020, 8:30 pm
Typically I don’t review stuff like the Wells Audio Headtrip - it’s expensive, huge and designed for a very specific kind of customer. However, I had some folks ask for this one and specifically ask about driving extremely hard to drive headphones, things like the JPS labs Abyss 1266, certain HifiMan headphones and the like. So, here we are. If you don’t like expensive stuff, turn back now, you’ve been warned. ... - Campfire Audio Announces Ara, Solaris, Andromeda IEMs15 May 2020, 8:09 pm
I’ve always really enjoyed Campfire’s lineup of IEMs - they make fantastically well-built pieces, and they aren’t afraid to offer a variety of tunings to suit many tastes. Now they have new ones to announce! ... - LIttle Richard Dead at 879 May 2020, 11:04 pm
The legendary artist who was nicknamed the "Architect of Rock & Roll" has died of Cancer at age 87. ... - A&norma SR25 Digital Audio Player Review28 April 2020, 12:26 am
Typically I try to avoid reviewing particularly similar products so close together, however in this case I’m making an exception because I think the opportunity for a comparison of sorts is too good to pass up. ... - Headphone Music for Self Isolation17 April 2020, 8:37 pm
When you're already in self isolation, why not take it up a notch and isolate further by throwing some headphone music for self isolation on? Let's get meta....
- 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.... - Astell & Kern’s Newest SE200 Player Has 3 DAC Chips29 June 2020, 6:29 pm
As an upgrade to the middle-tier A&futura product line of DAP from Astell & Kern, the newest player SE200 features three DAC chips. Offering both a ESS ES9068AS dual mono and AKM AK4499EQ setup, the SE200 is perhaps the first to come to market with this type allocation of digital funds. The post Astell & Kern’s Newest SE200 Player Has 3 DAC Chips appeared first on AudioHead.... - An Interview With Rob Watts26 June 2020, 6:15 am
On this week's episode of The Occasional Podcast the subject of the interview is none other than Rob Watts. Creator of Chord's DAVE DAC and many other digital products, Rob has a deep knowledge of digital and audio in general. The post An Interview With Rob Watts appeared first on AudioHead.... - Audioengine Announces The B-Fi Digital Streamer, Note – It’s Less Than $20024 June 2020, 5:18 pm
Audioengine announces the B-Fi Digital Streamer, a product with a very small footprint and a custom app for playback. The post Audioengine Announces The B-Fi Digital Streamer, Note – It’s Less Than $200 appeared first on AudioHead.... - HiFi News Now! Audio Highlights For The Month Of June22 June 2020, 5:31 pm
HiFi News Now! drops the latest product news for headphones in the month of June. The post HiFi News Now! Audio Highlights For The Month Of June appeared first on AudioHead....
- LSA HP-2 Headphones Giveaway!1 July 2020, 5:33 pm
Headphone Guru fans, welcome to our next contest for the month of July. In partnership with LSA Headphones, by Underwood The post LSA HP-2 Headphones Giveaway! appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - The Sound Organisation Grows North American Sales Team and Enters Canadian Hi-Fi Market with Chord Electronics1 July 2020, 2:00 pm
ARLINGTON, TX — July 1st, 2020 — The Sound Organisation, the US importer and distributor for many high-end audio equipment The post The Sound Organisation Grows North American Sales Team and Enters Canadian Hi-Fi Market with Chord Electronics appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - LSA HP-2 Ultra Horn Loaded Headphone Review1 July 2020, 5:00 am
The LSA HP-2 Ultra Horn Loaded Headphone story is twofold. First, it starts with LSA, Living Sounds Audio, which was The post LSA HP-2 Ultra Horn Loaded Headphone Review appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - Alta Audio announces new soon to be released Alyssa Speaker30 June 2020, 6:29 pm
Alta Audio’s Alyssa Speaker Delivers Rich, Full-Range Sonics from a Compact Cabinet Alyssa’s Detail and Bass Response Rival the Most The post Alta Audio announces new soon to be released Alyssa Speaker appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - A Life in Music-Part129 June 2020, 5:00 am
About 25 years ago I was producing a very exciting project called “People”. It was based on a book and The post A Life in Music-Part1 appeared first on Headphone Guru....
- 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.... - English Electric’s NEW 8Switch Audiophile Ethernet Switch14 May 2020, 1:11 am
Chord Company brand English Electric officially launches its first-ever product: the 8Switch 13th May 2020, Wiltshire, Great Britain: English Electric (a Chord Company brand) has officially launched its first-ever product, the 8Switch data switch. The announcement follows English Electric’s international debut at the UK’s biggest audio event, The Bristol Hi-Fi Show 2020, in February. With […] The post English Electric’s NEW 8Switch Audiophile Ethernet Switch appear... - Danacable Lazuli Isolation Sale3 May 2020, 8:32 pm
To ease your isolation blues and help out during the Covid-19 crisis, Danacable is holding a special sale for the Lazuli line of headphone cables for the entire month of May: You make a donation to one of the following charities, which are helping in the fight against Covid-19: World Central Kitchen (www.wck.org) Feeding America (www.feedingamerica.org) […] The post Danacable Lazuli Isolation Sale appeared first on Audio Bacon....
- Grado’s latest limited edition is The Hemp headphone2 July 2020, 1:17 am
NEWS: Grado's latest limited edition cans, The Hemp, is a mind-expanding venture.... - KLIAV Show called off, back in 202130 June 2020, 3:15 am
NEWS: No KLIAV Show this year... back in 2021 at new venue.... - B-Fi is Audioengine’s affordable Wi-Fi music streamer29 June 2020, 2:27 am
NEWS: If you've still not joined the streaming crowd, Audioegine's B-Fi offers a very affordable entry.... - EarMen Donald DAC – quacking bang-for-buck24 June 2020, 2:23 am
REVIEW: A play of the name aside, this ridiculously-priced DAC is cracking value for one's money...... - Magico aims high with the M916 June 2020, 8:36 am
NEWS: Magico's new M9 loudspeaker system holds nothing back... both in technology and price!...
- 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.... - Musical Fidelity M6 Vinyl Phono Stage Reviewed11 March 2020, 10:00 am
Switchable inputs, plenty of adjustment, accurate RIAA equalisation and a neutral sound. The post Musical Fidelity M6 Vinyl Phono Stage Reviewed 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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- Hegel H120 Integrated Amplifier Review3 July 2020, 4:49 am
David Price sounds out this ergonomically appealing mid-price integrated…... - Audio-technica ATH-ANC300TW True Wireless Earphones Review2 July 2020, 3:12 am
All the big players are bringing their best plate to the True Wireless table. Can this new offering dine with the grown-ups?... - Denon Home Wireless Speakers Review26 June 2020, 1:18 am
Michael Darroch auditions Denon's new Home 150, Home 250 and Home 350 wireless loudspeakers…... - Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Review24 June 2020, 1:41 am
Stephen Dawson is seriously moved by this new high end all-in-one sound system solution…... - EGM Audio Black ML Reference Audio Power Cable Review24 June 2020, 12:54 am
Australian compliance, serious sound quality and excellent value make this a winner, says Mark Gusew…...
- #NewMusicFriday…New Record Releases You Need To Hear feat. Denai Moore + 10 Other Artists!3 July 2020, 11:30 pm
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... - Here Are The Best 4th Of July Sales For Audiophiles!3 July 2020, 12:49 am
Looking for holiday bargains? Well here is our list of the best Fourth of July sales for Audiophiles! Check out our Amazon Influencer page at https://www.amazon.com/shop/hifitrends for our regularly updated list of the best hi-fi deals on Amazon! July 4th Sale – Save up to 50% at WorldWideStereo.com! Save up to 50% on select products with code FIREWORKS during the continue reading... - Pangea Audio Vulcan 5 Shelf Rack Review: This Quality Audio Rack Is A Real Bargain!2 July 2020, 9:54 pm
A few months back, we did a story on the release of the Pangea Audio Vulcan 5 Shelf Rack, a new addition to Pangea’s affordable Vulcan Rack series. The MDF racks, which are coated in a thick, scratch-resistant vinyl, come in several configurations. Options range from a low-profile single shelf Amp stand, a three-shelf turntable continue reading... - Our Favorite Things: Tantalizing Technology For Your Hi-Fi System Feat. Audiolab, HELM Audio, StylusTimer!1 July 2020, 12:22 am
We’re fortunate to get a lot of cool gear in for testing, ranging from accessories, headphones, and electronics to build out your Hi-Fi system. Here’s some of the coolest stuff sitting on our desk (or rack) this week! For more stuff we love right now, check out our Recommended Gear page! Audiolab 6000A Play continue reading... - #MusicMonday: New Music Playlist Feat. Ray LaMontagne + 28 Other Artists You Need To Hear!30 June 2020, 3:25 am
Here’s another #MusicMonday audiophile playlist of great-sounding music you need to hear, including new music from Grammy-Nominated Singer-Songwriter Ray LaMontagne plus 28 other songs! The playlist starts with more traditional audiophile stuff like Jazz and Blues, then moves on to non-traditional audiophile tracks towards the end. (TIDAL Music Stream Below) Check this music out in High-Resolution Audio! Amazon Music continue reading...
- 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 Perfect28 May 2020, 2:46 am
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...
- Aqua LinQ Network Interface2 July 2020, 11:12 am
Never before has a digital interface, network or otherwise, behaved so utterly consistently and dependently. The LinQ has the uncanny ability to improve the quality of upstream components but it does this while refraining from imposing any discernible character onto the proceedings.... - Origin Live Silver Hybrid analog interlink21 June 2020, 12:57 pm
Clearly, Mark Baker knows what he is doing, not only in the field of turntables but also in the field of cables.... - Doepke DFS2 Audio Grade Differential Switch10 June 2020, 12:16 pm
With solid, silver-plated connections up to 50 mm2 and 0 AWG Massive OFC internal conductors, large contact areas with pneumatic high contact pressure for the lowest possible impedance and a complete absence of undesired inductive parts, the Doepke DFS-2 offers uncompromised quality. At 600 euros, does it justify its cost? Read on to find out!... - ViRa Aidas Gala Gold LE MC Cartridge7 June 2020, 7:08 pm
Highly-sophisticated, super-silent, velvety-smooth and extremely refined, the Gala Gold LE is the most revealing cartridge that I have heard so far. It's rare to hear a cartridge so very precise, so linear and so highly resolving yet with an absolute absence of dryness and with seemingly eternal decays.... - Digital Cables compared – USB and Ethernet5 June 2020, 11:28 am
In order to assess a high-end digital cable, one needs to refer to a standard. But what defines the baseline? And how do USB and Ethernet cables compare to the traditional S/PDIF and AES/EBU cables?...
- Shanling M6 Digital Audio Player Review28 June 2020, 3:30 pm
Founded in 1988, Shanling are a Chinese audio brand which have a firm interest in… The post Shanling M6 Digital Audio Player Review appeared first on Audiosolace.... - Master & Dynamic MW07 Plus Wireless IEMs Review21 June 2020, 7:31 pm
It was not too long ago that Master & Dynamic’s MW07 first graced the scenes… The post Master & Dynamic MW07 Plus Wireless IEMs Review appeared first on Audiosolace.... - FiiO EH3 NC Wireless Headphones Review16 June 2020, 9:00 pm
The EH3NC represents Fiio’s first foray into noise-cancelling wireless headphone technology. The company have already… The post FiiO EH3 NC Wireless Headphones Review appeared first on Audiosolace.... - Master & Dynamic And Leica Release the MW65 Headphones & MW07 PLUS Wireless IEMs [Press]10 June 2020, 6:07 pm
Master & Dynamic have continued their collaboration with Leica with the release of two new… The post Master & Dynamic And Leica Release the MW65 Headphones & MW07 PLUS Wireless IEMs [Press] appeared first on Audiosolace.... - Cayin N8 Digital Audio Player Review9 June 2020, 7:11 pm
Cayin are a well-respected brand with a loyal following since their venture into personal audio… The post Cayin N8 Digital Audio Player Review appeared first on Audiosolace....
- Sony WH-1000XM3 : Part II Film28 June 2020, 6:34 pm
A film appraisal of Sony's WH-1000XM3 noise cancelling headphones which perform very well in this arena. More The post Sony WH-1000XM3 : Part II Film appeared first on 13th Note HiFi Reviews.... - What is my site about? My YouTube Channel Trailer23 June 2020, 9:57 pm
Watch my video below and get an idea of what this site aims to do, which in short is credible, balanced and engaging HiFi reviews. More The post What is my site about? My YouTube Channel Trailer appeared first on 13th Note HiFi Reviews.... - Sony WH-1000XM3 : A Walk in the 𝙿̶𝚊̶𝚛̶𝚔̶ Countryside for Noise Cancelling21 June 2020, 2:22 pm
I compare the newest Sony WH-1000XM3 noise cancelling headphones to Bose QC15 of old, as well as give my impressions on Sound Quality and features in general. More The post Sony WH-1000XM3 : A Walk in the 𝙿̶𝚊̶𝚛̶𝚔̶ Countryside for Noise Cancelling appeared first on 13th Note HiFi Reviews.... - Voice Control: Gadget or Gimmick? Amazon Echo Dot V Google Nest Mini18 June 2020, 5:40 pm
I wanted to try Voice Control with various HiFi to ask, Gadget or Gimmick? Which is the better speaker - Amazon Echo Dot v Google Nest Mini. More The post Voice Control: Gadget or Gimmick? Amazon Echo Dot V Google Nest Mini appeared first on 13th Note HiFi Reviews.... - High-end HiFi wire : Stupidity or Good Judgement?13 June 2020, 8:25 pm
Where do you lie with High-end HiFi wire : can we apply stupidity or good judgements to spending many thousands on HiFi cables. More The post High-end HiFi wire : Stupidity or Good Judgement? appeared first on 13th Note HiFi Reviews....
- 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 […]...