- Sonus faber Presents a Discussion of Their Lumina Family of Passive Loudspeakers, Palladio Architectural Series, and Gravis Subwoofers!26 February 2021, 9:12 pm
LIVE: Friday, March 5, 2021 - 12:00PM ET Join us when Sonus faber will present a brief journey through the history, philosophy, and technology of their company and how these apply to their latest products. Featuring the new Lumina family of passive loudspeakers, Palladio architectural series, and Gravis Subwoofers.Fri, 02/26/2021... - Sony SA-Z1 nearfield active speaker system26 February 2021, 6:27 pm
On top of a desk, an audio system must be able to deliver satisfying sound in a nonoptimal environment: a flat, reflective plane (the desktop) cluttered with keyboard (or maybe a laptop computer); a mouse; assorted papers, books, and trash; and, perpendicular to that, another flat, reflective plane (the computer display), which, if it's not a tiny laptop screen, will block some of the soundwaves emanating from the speakers. Such sonically inhospitable spaces can consign 3D stereo imaging (and ot... - Gramophone Dreams #46: Decware Zen Triode Amplifier25 February 2021, 6:15 pm
I am not a fan of that amp designer who promoted his products by pointing a condescending finger while scolding audiophiles, like errant children, for preferring their records to sound "pleasant" rather than "accurate." He reminds me of my least favorite teacher, Professor Grausamkeit, who was just like that and said similar things. Every time I smarted back, "Accurate to what?" he'd whack me with a wooden yardstick.Thu, 02/25/2021... - Grimm Audio MU1 music streamer24 February 2021, 5:48 pm
In 1979, I visited Philips Electronics' renowned Research Center in Eindhoven, Holland, to examine a prototype of what would eventually be called a compact disc player. In 1989, I returned to the Eindhoven lab to witness the birth of the first sigma-delta DACs, which eliminated the problem of large linearity errors at low recorded levels in resistor-ladder DACs.Wed, 02/24/2021... - Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO turntable23 February 2021, 5:51 pm
A few months ago, a friend asked me to recommend a record player. This friend knows and loves music as much as I do; when he visits, we spend our time drinking wine and listening to records. Last time, it was Scott Walker, Fela, Joni Mitchell, Jacques Brel, Burzum, and both glorious sides of The Chronic. "How much do you want to spend?" I asked cautiously. His answer: $500, tops.Tue, 02/23/2021...
- Boulder Amplifiers 508 Phonostage1 March 2021, 8:55 pm
Boulder Amplifiers’ products tend to be as hefty as their […] The post Boulder Amplifiers 508 Phonostage appeared first on The Absolute Sound....
- Digital Memory Lane26 February 2021, 4:40 pm
The January 2021 issue’s cover story on the remarkable Wadax […] The post Digital Memory Lane appeared first on The Absolute Sound.... - T+A Introduces Caruso R Multi Source Receiver25 February 2021, 5:01 pm
The following is a press release issued by T+A. February […] The post T+A Introduces Caruso R Multi Source Receiver appeared first on The Absolute Sound.... - Yellowjackets + WDR Big Band: Jackets XL24 February 2021, 4:14 pm
For their 25th album, the tight contemporary jazz quartet takes […] The post Yellowjackets + WDR Big Band: Jackets XL appeared first on The Absolute Sound.... - T+A Electroakustik Solitaire P Headphones23 February 2021, 3:51 pm
T+A’s electronic offerings should be well known to most audiophiles […] The post T+A Electroakustik Solitaire P Headphones appeared first on The Absolute Sound....
- EnjoyTheMusic.com's March Review Magazine1 March 2021, 12:37 pm
This month's EnjoyTheMusic.com Review Magazine features a variety of great gear reviews, thoughtful think pieces, and more! Audio Aesthetics has Jules Coleman Articulating the many aspects of beauty in hi-fi audio. Things That Audiophiles Do, But Shouldn't brings th expertise of Roger Skoff as he seeks to foil some 'philes' feckless foibles 'philes do, but shouldn't.Gear reviews within this issue include the impressive Gryphon Audio Essence Preamplifier and Essence Amplifier that has Senior edit... - SVS 1000 Pro Series Reference Subwoofers26 February 2021, 9:04 am
SVS has launched their new 1000 Pro Series reference subwoofers with 12" high-excursion driver and 325 Watts RMS (820+ Watts peak power). SVS says their new 1000 Pro Series subwoofers are a "revolutionary upgrade over their predecessors with flagship features only available from SVS." The sealed cabinet SB-1000 Pro and ported cabinet PB-1000 Pro features an all-new 12" high-excursion drivers, Sledge STA-325D amplifier with fully discrete MOSFET output, 50 MHz Analog Devices DSP, reimagined cabin... - TBT World Premiere Review! Dynamic Sounds Associates Pre I Linestage25 February 2021, 11:49 am
I First met Doug Hurlburt, the man behind Dynamic Sounds Associates, some 20 years ago now; we were members of the same extended southern Maryland listening group. Doug has designed and built audio equipment for his own uses since his high school days. On my first visit to his home in (then) Potomac, MD, I was impressed by his clearly advanced comprehension of electronics and his passionate love of music. He had recently done an incredible mod, rebuilding his KEF CS5 loudspeakers, including tota... - Innuos PhoenixNET 100Mbps Network Switch25 February 2021, 11:47 am
Innuos has announced the release of their new PhoenixNET 100Mbps audiophile-grade network switch ($3499), designed from the ground up for network audio. The PhoenixNET is the realization of Innuos' philosophy of simplicity and signal purity applied to the network switch. Having started with improvements to the Ethernet ports' clock on their flagship Statement, Innuos has now taken the concept to the next level with a completely new network switch design that focuses exclusively on audio use. The... - NAD MDC USB Module For Computer Audio Playback24 February 2021, 12:09 pm
NAD Electronics announced the immediate availability of the latest module within their Modular Design Construction (MDC) portfolio, the MDC USB DSD ($499). The module adds USB 2 audio for PCM and DSD playback capability to six of the company's most popular stereo units (M33, M32, M12, C 388, C 368, and C 658). With NAD’s Modular Design Construction (MDC), adding the latest cutting-edge technology can be as simple as a software upgrade and adding a new hardware module into your stereo ampli...
- REVIEW: Thunder Melody MONUMENT | anti-vibration platform ⸜ POLAND1 March 2021, 12:00 am
Review Text: Wojciech Pacuła Images: Wojciech Pacuła | Thunder Melody No 202 March 1, 2021 PREMIERE ⌈ Thunder Melody is one of the newest Polish audio brands, founded just last year. The men behind it are Mr. KONRAD RASIA and Mr. RAFAŁ HLADZIAK and it is to specialize in anti-vibration, noise reduction and conditioning of the supply voltage products. They start with a top shelf product - the MONUMENT anti-vibration platform we received for this premiere test.... - MUSIC | REVIEW: POLISH JAZZ Remaster 2016 | YOUNG POWER Young Power Polish Jazz vol. 72 & JAROSŁAW ŚMIETANA Sounds & Colours Polish Jazz vol. 731 March 2021, 12:00 am
MUSIC | REVIEW Text: WOJCIECH PACUŁA Images: Wojciech Pacuła No 202 March 1, 2021 ⌈ The "POLISH JAZZ" series is one of the NATIONAL TREASURES OF POLISH CULTURE - and I say it with full conviction. As part of it, selected, often (but not always) most important albums of Polish jazz were released. This, as far as I know, is the longest running publishing series in the world dedicated to jazz. ⌋ YSZARD SIELICKI, the composer and artistic director of the Pols... - REVIEW: Mark Levinson № 5101 | streaming SACD Player ⸜ USA1 March 2021, 12:00 am
Review Text: WOJCIECH PACUŁA Images: Mark Levinson | Wojciech Pacuła No 202 March 1, 2021 ⌈ MARK LEVINSON AUDIO SYSTEMS is a company founded by Mark Levinson in 1972. It is one of the most famous and recognizable high-end electronic brands in the audio industry. Currently, the company belongs to the HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES group, part of the South Korean concern SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS. We test the SACD / file player № 5101. ⌋ HEN IN 2017 THE INT... - REVIEW: Fezz Audio SCULPTOR REFERENCE | power strip AC ⸜ POLAND1 March 2021, 12:00 am
Review Text: WOJCIECH PACUŁA Images: Fezz Audio | Wojciech Pacuła No 202 March 1, 2021 PREMIERE ⌈ FEZZ AUDIO is a company specializing in the production of tube amplifiers. It is an audiophile part of the parent company, TOROIDY.pl, which produces toroidal transformers. Fezz Audio was established in 2014, and its first product was the LAURA integrated amplifier. For some time now, it has been expanding its offer - we are testing the SCULPTOR REFERENCE AC power st... - REVIEW: Accuphase C-3900 | line preamplifier ⸜ JAPAN1 March 2021, 12:00 am
Review Text: WOJCIECH PACUŁA Images: Wojciech Pacuła | Accuphase No 202 March 1, 2021 ⌈ The Japanese company ACCUPHASE was set up in 1972 as Kensonic Laboratory, Inc. in Tokyo and after it moved to Yokohama in 1973, its products have born the Accuphase logo. It used to specialize in amplifiers and radio tuners, and later also in CD and SACD players. We are testing its latest, top-of-the-range C-3900 line preamp. ⌋ N THE YEAR 2010, ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 4...
- Somewhere Between: Mutant Pop, Electronic Minimalism and Shadow Sounds of Japan 1980 - 19881 March 2021, 5:13 pm
Light In The Attic Records (LITA) is a record label based in Seattle that has a certain knack for the unconventional, and has specialized over the last couple of decades in reissuing obscure, underrepresented, and sometimes virtually unknown artists. With the intent of bringing that unknown gem of an album, or perhaps a lesser-known artists'... Read More » The post Somewhere Between: Mutant Pop, Electronic Minimalism and Shadow Sounds of Japan 1980 - 1988 appeared first on Positive Feedbac... - Taking it With You - Clarus CODA DAC1 March 2021, 5:01 pm
In December of 2020, Clarus Cable released the Coda DAC/headphone amplifier ($300), giving the audiophile on-the-go a new and elevated option for taking music everywhere. Utilizing the ESS Professional Series SABRE DAC, the CODA plugs directly into your laptop via USB-A, and features a 3.5mm headphone jack on the other end. Inside the solidly-constructed device... Read More » The post Taking it With You - Clarus CODA DAC appeared first on Positive Feedback.... - Creedence Clearwater Revival: Pendulum and Mardi Gras 50th Anniversary 180 gram LPs26 February 2021, 8:54 pm
Craft Recordings completes their 50th anniversary celebration of the founding of Creedence Clearwater Revival with new LP reissues of the band's final two albums, Pendulum and Mardi Gras. 1970's Pendulum—which was CCR's second album release that year (Cosmo's Factory streeted only months earlier in July)—was recorded in a month in November, and was released only... Read More » The post Creedence Clearwater Revival: Pendulum and Mardi Gras 50th Anniversary 180 gram LPs appeared ... - Roy Hamilton and His Influence on Elvis26 February 2021, 8:53 pm
Part 1: The Awaking Late October of last year, a friend of mine who lives in Wichita Kansas, came to visit me for a jam session and a guitar lesson. We had a great time, and when he made it back home, he sent me a text photo of a vinyl haul he'd snagged at... Read More » The post Roy Hamilton and His Influence on Elvis appeared first on Positive Feedback.... - New firmware readies Melco’s digital music libraries for the all-new Roon 1.826 February 2021, 5:39 pm
Melco’s latest 4.10 firmware enables its Japanese-engineered libraries for the latest version of Roon 25th February, 2021, Surrey, UK: Leading digital music library specialist Melco Audio has today released a new over-the-air firmware update (4.10) which brings Roon Ready integration to its five-strong EX Series of digital libraries, enabling them to exploit the... Read More » The post New firmware readies Melco’s digital music libraries for the all-new Roon 1.8 a...
- REVIEW: The Sonus faber Sonetto V Speakers1 March 2021, 4:34 pm
Thomas Dolby’s “May the Cube be With You” turns out to be the track used to put about 100 hours on the Sonus faber Sonetto V speakers before serious listening begins. The deep synth bass line in this track works wonders at breaking in woofer cones, and the spacy production vibe and multiple layers in [...]... - REVIEW: The Thrax Enyo Integrated Amplifier26 February 2021, 6:22 am
Ironically, Anja Garbarek’s “Big Mouth” truly shows off what a big voice the Thrax Enyo integrated amplifier delivers. The Enyo shares the same aesthetic as the flagship models, with a familiar front panel look. Still, the engineering team has managed to combine a 50-watt push-pull amplifier with line stage for $12,500, allowing you the ability [...]... - Red Miracle RCA interconnects25 February 2021, 5:51 am
You all know we don’t do a lot of cable reviews around this place. We’ve got a few things that work, and we stick to it. Kind of stubborn that way. However, when my friend Francois Saint-Gerand from Ana Mighty Sound asks me to listen to something, I take note. If you’ve ever visited their [...]... - The Boulder 866 Integrated Amplifier21 February 2021, 3:19 am
Back when we were still going to hifi shows, you might have caught the introduction of Boulder’s 866 at 2019′s Rocky Mountain Audio Fest. I can’t even recall if they had a functioning sample yet, but Boulder’s Steve Huntley was showing it off and answering questions. There are two versions of the 866, the analog [...]... - Unboxing: The Harbeth C7ES-3 XD19 February 2021, 12:10 am
I have to confess. The Harbeth Compact 7 has always been my favorite model in the lineup. I’m excited to tell you we have the new XD (extended definition) version of Harbeth’s legendary Compact 7. In years past, there was the Compact 7ES-3 (a long time TONE reference speaker) and recently, the Anniversary model. Harbeth [...]...
- Recommended Reference Component: Audeze Euclid Earphones1 March 2021, 5:00 am
Audeze’s new Euclid earphones ($1299, in USD) have earpieces made from aluminum and carbon fiber, each containing a single, bespoke 18mm planar-magnetic driver. Because of the high price, unique driver, and high-quality materials, the Euclids might seem targeted mostly at serious enthusiasts simply looking for the best possible sound. But as Brent pointed out in his February 2021 review on SoundStage! Solo, with their reasonably high sensitivity and what he called the “the outward no... - Retro Hi-Fi in Several Forms1 March 2021, 5:00 am
Lovers of retro come in two types. They are not mutually exclusive, but most of the retro-addicts I know are absolutists, one way or the other. There are (1) those brave enough to employ actual, vintage items, and (2) those who prefer the peace of mind offered by brand-new products which are retro in concept but otherwise modern. Examples include running an original Fiat 500 or Mini vs. buying a new one; wearing a 1940s British military watch or choosing one of the recent replicas; and, of cours... - Aurelia XO Cerica XL Loudspeakers1 March 2021, 5:00 am
Note: measurements taken in the anechoic chamber at Canada's National Research Council can be found through this link. I traveled 4298 miles to discover Aurelia speakers, and in that first encounter, at the 2018 Warsaw Audio Video Show, I didn’t realize what I was hearing. Even at the best of times, the listening conditions at audio shows are terrible, and this wasn’t the best of times: the multitudes of attendees made it almost impossible to hear what was going on, and we had to ke... - High-Value Surprise—the Music Hall a15.3 Integrated Amplifier1 March 2021, 5:00 am
Originally, I had no intention of writing about Music Hall’s a15.3 integrated amplifier for this column, even though its price (only $549, all prices in USD) makes it ideally suited. In December 2020, the a15.3 was sent to us by Music Hall’s Canadian distributor, Motet Distribution, for James Hale to review, which he did in February 2021 in his SoundStage! Xperience “Art+Tech” column—and that should’ve been that. ... - Cleaned Up, Rearranged, and Improved—My 2021 Reference Room and Stereo System1 March 2021, 5:00 am
On December 16, 2020, I posted the picture below to my personal Facebook newsfeed with this caption: “There are valid reasons why I don’t often post pictures of my listening room—this reviewing gig can get a little out of hand sometimes.” ...
- New Year, New System1 March 2021, 5:12 pm
Most audiophiles would love to start the new year with a new audio system, but few have the means or time to build a new system from scratch. For the rest of us, myself included, let’s kick off the new year right by overhauling the space and gear that we already own. In this post, [...] The post New Year, New System appeared first on Dagogo.... - Ortofon MC Anna Diamond moving coil cartridge Review23 February 2021, 9:53 pm
Introduction At the beginning of July, 2020, I shipped my three-year-old Lyra Atlas SL to the US importer to take advantage of a program that allowed owners to have their existing Lyra cartridge upgraded to Lyra’s new lambda technology. At the time I was hoping that the rebuild of my cartridge would take 8-12 weeks. [...] The post Ortofon MC Anna Diamond moving coil cartridge Review appeared first on Dagogo.... - New Album Releases Project 2021-2-2222 February 2021, 11:19 pm
And then there were … Liner Notes As some of you may have realized by now, I’m dropping hints during the week both in the NARP feed and my personal one of albums that are queued up and to which I am listening. Some, not all of those, have made their way to the list. [...] The post New Album Releases Project 2021-2-22 appeared first on Dagogo.... - New Album Releases Project 2021-2-1515 February 2021, 9:30 pm
And then there were … Liner Notes Unabashed, I have been and continue to be a raving fanboy of Cathode Ray Tube, and their latest recording entitled Anabasis has done nothing to quell my enthusiasm. Recently, I listed a Christian Löffler EP, a precursor to his full album entitled Parallels: Shellac Reworks by Christian Löffler. [...] The post New Album Releases Project 2021-2-15 appeared first on Dagogo.... - Sony TC-200 Reel-to-Reel tape deck and My 50-Year Audio Journey in Southern California12 February 2021, 8:05 pm
The Sony TC-200 reel to reel tape recorder is where it all began. These days, I primarily listen to my turntable, but it did not start out that way. As a teenager, my favorite listening was to reel-to-reel tapes. Because they were recorded from records, it was not of the highest fidelity, but I still [...] The post Sony TC-200 Reel-to-Reel tape deck and My 50-Year Audio Journey in Southern California appeared first on Dagogo....
- Audiophile Style Podcast: Episode 8 | Music Photographer & Audiophile Charles Peterson Interview1 March 2021, 10:00 am
Episode 8 is up and being delivered to all the podcast platforms right now. In this episode I talk with famous music photographer, music lover, and audiophile Charles Peterson about some of his most iconic shots, including Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Johnny Cash to name a few, and his home audio systems. The show concludes with how to purchase Peterson's prints and a round of bonus questions where there are no wrong answers. You can see more ... - Review | Rosson Audio Design RAD-025 February 2021, 3:45 pm
Any audiophile considering planar magnetic headphones in the past 10 years could scarcely avoid Audeze. While other competitors have begun giving Audeze a run for its money in recent years, no company has done more to define the top-of-the-line planar can market. As the company’s co-founder and CEO, mastering engineer Alex Rosson helped Audeze secure its place at the top of the planar pyramid. Rosson resigned from Audeze in 2015, going on to work with Alex Cavelli designing the Carbon h... - Audiophile Style Podcast: Episode 7 | Ayre Acoustics Interview22 February 2021, 2:50 pm
Episode 7 is up and being delivered to all the podcast platforms right now. In this episode I talk with Ayre Acoustics team about founder Charles Hansen, products that put Ayre on the map, what makes Ayre special, the QB-9 DAC, and a look into the future of the company. The show concludes with a book and album recommendation and a round of bonus questions where there are no wrong answers. Thanks to @Ryan Berry and the Ayre team! ... - Editing File Tags The Easy Way With Mp3tag for Mac18 February 2021, 12:27 pm
Editing file tags is still a thing in 2021. I thought I'd have a flying car at the turn of the century, and I thought editing file tags would be a thing of the past by now. However, we're far from anything resembling the extinction of tag editing. In fact, it's still critical on every platform I use, and I use almost all of them from Aurender, Lumin, Naim, Roon, and many more. Yes, tags are even important in Roon, an app that for the most part doesn't use tags. Released t... - Audiophile Style Podcast: Episode 6 | Qobuz Interview15 February 2021, 2:01 pm
Episode 6 is up and being delivered to all the podcast platforms right now. In this episode I talk with the Qobuz team about how the service works, including how it gets the music we here, what happens if a listener finds an issue with an album, and the thorny issue of artist compensation, among many other topics. I also discovered a "new" jazz album from 1960 that I highly recommend, and show finishes with a round of bonus questions where there are no wrong answers....
- Catching Up With Neil Young1 March 2021, 9:16 pm
Those who can’t tour, release. That’s what Neil Young has been up to. The latest in his ongoing 2021 series of archival releases is the just announced Young Shakespeare set for March 26th release. It’s a previously unreleased January 22nd, 1971 solo acoustic show recorded at the Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford, Connecticut, mixed from the original 50 year old master tapes “in the highest possible resolution”. ... - John Scofied And Pat Metheny: <i>I Can See Your House From Here</i>—A Tone Poet "Outlier"1 March 2021, 5:46 pm
I Can See Your House From Here, originally released in 1994, is an outlier in the Tone Poet series, the bulk of which are past Blue Note titles, that for whatever reason or reasons, the label originally shelved only to release years later in limited production, and/or titles not released by other jazz audiophile outfits like Analogue Productions, Music Matters and Classic Records. The series also includes titles on Pacific Jazz, Solid State and a few other labels now under the Blue Note umbrel... - On <i>Medicine At Midnight</i> Foo Fighters Embrace Disco & Funk Roots27 February 2021, 6:47 pm
The music of Foo Fighters is never a far cry from the band’s influences. That’s true with their 2021 release, Medicine At Midnight: an album that throws into a melting pot their rock tendencies, disco roots, and funk fascinations. If this sounds interesting to you, that’s because it is. Primary Category: Album ReviewsCategory: Album ReviewsArtist: Foo FightersAlbum: Medicine at MidnightCred Label: Roswell/RCA Records 194390-78836-1 LPCred Prod: Gr... - Watch the "2020 Making Vinyl Packaging Awards" Ceremony24 February 2021, 10:06 pm
"Making Vinyl" today announced its "2020 Packaging Awards" at a crisply executed "virtual ceremony" that you can (and should) watch. The entrants were dazzling as you will see. The larger "canvas" provided by vinyl records has attracted a crop of extremely creating artists (though there were also awards for CD and cassette packaging). ... - Pro-Ject and UMe Introduce George Harrison Themed Turntable24 February 2021, 6:31 pm
George Harrison would have turned 78 today but this George Harrison themed Pro-Ject turntable spins at 33 1/3 and 45. It's a special edition Essential III featuring stainless steel bearing, aluminum pulley, new DC motor speee controller, acrylic platter, 8.6" one piece aluminum tonearm featuring sapphire bearings and an Ortofon OM10 cartridge....
- Gato AMP 150 Integrated Amplifier, wow, wow, wow!28 February 2021, 12:00 pm
... - I OWNED and ENJOYED BOSE speakers, what about you?26 February 2021, 12:00 pm
... - Meet Christopher, he makes speakers, turntables, and furniture24 February 2021, 12:00 pm
... - This time it's about the QUALITY, not QUANTITY of the WATTS!22 February 2021, 12:00 pm
... - Cambridge DACmagic 200M vs. SCHIIT Jotunheim 2 DAC test20 February 2021, 12:00 pm
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- Mola Mola Makua Preamplifier | REVIEW28 February 2021, 10:00 am
The Mola Mola Makua (website), much like the Tambaqui (review) before it, was a device utterly unknown to me before this review. Naming gear after exotic fish isn’t a new concept–I own a pair of Manley Snappers after all–but the gear from Mola Mola is decidedly different than Manley, which prides itself on its “Tubes Rule” motto. By contrast, Mola Mola has Bruno Putzeys and his heritage, an eye towards futuristic functionality and ultra high-end sonic pedigree. I ha... - Volti Audio Razz Loudspeakers, Part Two | REVIEW26 February 2021, 10:00 am
When PTA Editor-in-Chief Marc Phillips asked me to co-review the Volti Audio Razz loudspeakers, of course I said I was interested. This would be my first official review for Part-Time Audiophile, and I’d be fulfilling an aspect of the hobby I’ve fantasized about since reading Audio and other review magazines while I was in college. Excited, I looked up the Volti Audio website and read up on the Razz. My excitement turned into consternation as I read the description. You see, I’... - INNUOS Announces PhoenixNET Network Switch25 February 2021, 8:11 pm
Sometimes you see a product and think, “This makes so much sense, I can’t believe I didn’t see it coming.” Innuos today released their new PhoenixNET switch that was designed from the outset as an audiophile grade product. The details below outline why it is a necessary compliment to any server based system, but especially in concert with other Innuos products. Currently our own Grover Neville is reviewing a Zenith server and PhoenixNET network switch combo. Press Release... - Sue Maskaleris, Love Is the Key | The Vinyl Anachronist24 February 2021, 5:00 pm
I didn’t quite gel with Sue Maskaleris (website) and her new album Love Is the Key on first listen. This is a concept album that borrows heavily from musical theater structures and storytelling tropes, and her approach the libretto seems influenced by Sondheim’s often chaotic “I’m gonna tell the entire story through the lyrics” school of songwriting. I was asked by a friend to take a second listen, however, and that’s so often the secret to enjoying so many co... - Grado Labs Sits Down With PTA – The Occasional Podcast23 February 2021, 5:58 pm
Grado Labs has been around since 1953. That’s the equivalent of more than a few lifetimes in audiophile years. In that span, the Brooklyn-based company has produced both revelatory turntable cartridges and also a well-received slew of open back headphones. While times haven’t always been easy sailing for Grado, there is no denying that both the vinyl resurgence and the tidal wave of iPhone playback has been kind to both markets as of late. Its been a wild ride for a hifi manufacturer...
- Letters to the editor – Week #8, 202128 February 2021, 9:50 am
David writes… John, I have watched many of your videos on YouTube. They are very informative and entertaining. You are an excellent presenter. I just watched your latest on Spotify and the news that they will stream lossless later this year to CD quality. That’s great. I have been a […] The post Letters to the editor – Week #8, 2021 first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission.... - Future-Fi Now! Q Acoustics, NAD, Innuos & Peachtree27 February 2021, 5:24 pm
Further information: Q Acoustics Q Active 200 NAD MDC USB DSD Innuos PhoenixNET Peachtree preDAC ---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For private use only. Copyright 2010-2021 · Darko.Audio · All Rights Reserved The post Future-Fi Now! Q Acoustics, NAD, Innuos & Peachtree first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permissi... - PSB’s Alpha AM5 powered loudspeakers are a $600 solution27 February 2021, 9:00 am
My affair with powered loudspeakers dates back to 2012 when I reviewed – and decided to make an honest speaker out of – the ADAM A3X Active Studio Monitors. They’ve lived ever since on my desktop bringing me daily musical joy. So you could say I’m a relatively soft sell […] The post PSB’s Alpha AM5 powered loudspeakers are a $600 solution first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed wi... - A short film about the Wilson Audio TuneTot25 February 2021, 6:44 pm
---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For private use only. Copyright 2010-2021 · Darko.Audio · All Rights Reserved The post A short film about the Wilson Audio TuneTot first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For private use only. Copyright 2010-2021 · Darko.Audio · All Rights Reserved... - KIH #82 – Verkacktheit24 February 2021, 6:43 pm
Pop. With the smell of napalm following that noise on an otherwise fine morning, it wasn’t the weasel. It was one of my mono amps. Its flashing blue light indicated a fault condition. Off I powered it, then back on. The blinking persisted. Time to pack up and ship out […] The post KIH #82 – Verkacktheit first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For private use only. Copyright 2010...
- Icon Audio PS3 MkII Signature Pure Valve Phono Pre-Amplifier26 February 2021, 11:43 am
I’m fascinated by phono stages, or, more accurately, ‘phono preamplifiers’. I commonly use the term ‘phonostage’, and will do so herein. I can remember back, after a flirtation with the ingenue Compact Disc, I bought a cheap, 2nd hand Direct Drive Sony Turntable. I can’t remember what I used as a phonostage. But, I do remember the exact moment when listening to the Sony I knew I had been missing something compared to the early, heady days of the CD and m... - Mahler: Symphony No. 726 February 2021, 11:43 am
L’Orchestre National de Lille (ONL) performed its first concert in 1976 under the baton of Jean-Claude Casadesus, who retired as music director in 2016. Since then, French conductor Alexandre Bloch has taken the reins. Bloch’s career is impressive; he is principal guest conductor for the Düsseldorfer Symphoniker (2015) and winner of the LSO Donatella Flick Conducting Competition (2012). Bloch has recorded 3 albums with the ONL, all for Alpha Classics: works by Ravel, Chaus... - Technics SL-1200G Direct Drive Turntable12 February 2021, 11:51 am
In 2016, after six years out of the SL-1200 turntable business, Japanese giant Technics retooled for a new, audiophile version of the popular turntable. Over the original’s 38 year life span, upwards of 3.5 million were sold. A remarkable HiFi story. A legendary product. The old ‘table was more of a DJ ‘scratcher’ than purist product. The new ‘G’ turntable was aimed squarely at the audiophile market with an expected jump in price. Thus, in 2016, the $400... - Métronome Technologie Le DAC12 February 2021, 11:51 am
One of the most pleasant audio surprises of 2020 for me was the excellent CD Transport by French manufacturer Métronome, simply titled Le Player. As I noted in my review, Le Player increased detail, control, and musicality significantly in my system when run through my modest Oppo 105D. So, when Wynn Wong at Wynn Audio asked me if I would like to review the sister component to Le Player, the similarly named Le DAC ($7000), I jumped at the opportunity. Features Le DAC is presented ... - iFi ZEN Phono29 January 2021, 12:39 pm
UK based iFi audio has been on a roll lately, releasing a handful of critically acclaimed budget components under the ZEN moniker. Accolades for the ZEN DAC and ZEN CAN headphone amplifier set high expectations for the most recent addition, the ZEN Phono. US consumers spent $232 million on vinyl records last year so iFi were wise to include some analog action in their entry level line. As with their other product lines, iFi has carefully considered the features included in the ZEN product...
- INNUOS ANNOUNCES THE RELEASE OF THE NEW PhoenixNET Audiophile-Grade Network Switch25 February 2021, 12:29 pm
Innuos is excited to announce the release of their new PhoenixNET Audiophile-Grade Network Switch, designed from the ground up for network audio. The PhoenixNET is the realization of Innuos' philosophy of simplicity and signal purity applied to the network switch. Having started with improvements to the Ethernet ports' clock on their flagship STATEMENT, Innuos has now taken the concept to the next level with a completely new network switch design that focuses exclusively on audio use. The design... - Neil Young Archives gets cookin’ with Mojo23 February 2021, 11:55 am
23rd February 2021, Kent, UK: In a new article posted on the Neil Young Archives, Neil Young and Phil Baker describe how they currently use Chord Electronics’ Mojo DAC/headphone amplifier with their phones and desktops. They created a web page dedicated to correct Mojo set up to help their members enjoy all that Neil Young Archives has to offer, at full resolution. In the ‘Let’s Get Cookin’ with SOUND!’ article (neilyoungarchives.com), NYA author Phil Baker introduc... - Zanden Audio Systems Model 1200 Signature phono preamplifier22 February 2021, 4:17 pm
Zanden Audio Systems’ top-of-the-tree Model 1200 phono preamplifier has been through several iterations over its long and illustrious career, but arguably none so significant as the move to the new Model 1200 Signature. The two ‘headline’ features are balanced operation (and consequently features twice as many valves as in the single-ended version), and an even greater set of refinements to its equalisation options, as the circuit now includes a provision to adjust the 4th time... - Xavian Corallo Esclusivo standmount loudspeakers22 February 2021, 4:06 pm
Infinite baffle loudspeakers seem to be a bit like buses, you wait literally years and then two come along at once. First the cast iron Jern11 and now the aesthetically more conventional Xavian Corallo Esclusivo. This is a new name to me yet the company has been making loudspeakers since the 1990s, which goes to show just how crowded the market place is. What differentiates Xavian is that it manufactures in the Czech Republic, a part of eastern Europe that has little in the way of track record w... - T+A Solitaire P headphones/HA 200 headphone amplifier22 February 2021, 3:40 pm
T+A Elektroakustic is one of those incredibly well-known German audio brands that typifies the ‘silo’ thinking that dominates some parts of the audio world. To most, the brand makes electronics and nothing else. Some might know it as a maker of loudspeakers and a few might recall it even makes a turntable. Now, with its Solitaire P headphone system and the HA 200 headphone amplifier, the brand can and should be recognised as a ‘nose-to-tail’/’soup-to-nuts’ com...
- Audiophile: Vinyl, February 202126 February 2021, 10:28 pm
This month we review: Charles Mingus, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Lou Reed and Margriet Sjoerdsma. ... - Audiophile: Digital, February 202126 February 2021, 10:27 pm
This month, we review: Joni Mitchell, The Everly Brothers, Nilsson and The O'Jays. ... - Rock, February 202126 February 2021, 10:26 pm
This month we review: Casper Clausen, Flying Moon In Space, The Left Outsides, and Passenger. ... - Jazz, February 202126 February 2021, 10:25 pm
This month we review: LAN Trio (Argüelles, Laginha and Norbakken), Elina Duni, Rob Luft, Patrick Cornelius and Blue Note Re:imagined. ... - Classical, February 202126 February 2021, 10:24 pm
This month we review: CBSO/Mirga Gražinyte-Tyla, RAM Soloists Ens/Trevor Pinnock, James Ehnes, Andrew Armstrong and Budapest Fest Orch/Iván Fischer. ...
- Best turntable speakers 2021: top speakers for your record player1 March 2021, 4:56 pm
Looking for some new speakers for your record player? We've rounded up a wide range of options to suit all budgets.... - 21 best pop songs to test your speakers1 March 2021, 4:25 pm
"I've never believed that pop music is escapist trash. There's always a darkness in it, even amidst great pop music" – Thom Yorke.... - Best Dolby Atmos soundbars 2021: the best Atmos TV speakers1 March 2021, 4:14 pm
Add a sprinkling of immersive audio to your TV listening with our pick of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars.... - Best Android phones 2021: Google-powered smarties for budgets big and small1 March 2021, 3:27 pm
Watching or listening on the move? Our pick of the best Android phones will do you proud.... - Lightning headphones: everything you need to know1 March 2021, 3:06 pm
Apple's iPhones no longer have a 3.5mm headphone jack, only a Lightning connection. Oh, and that little adaptor and bundled EarPods? Gone. So what does this mean and what are your options?...
- Revel PerformaBe F328Be Floor Standing Loudspeaker and C426Be Center Channel Speaker Review1 March 2021, 1:00 pm
I once said that the Revel F228Be was all the speaker a music lover would probably ever need. With the new F328Be, Revel has essentially... The post Revel PerformaBe F328Be Floor Standing Loudspeaker and C426Be Center Channel Speaker Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Legacy Audio i-V7 Multichannel Amplifier Review24 February 2021, 1:00 pm
Sporting the latest ICEedge® Class D amplifier modules, the Legacy Audio i∙V7 multichannel amplifier is Legacy’s most powerful amplifier... The post Legacy Audio i-V7 Multichannel Amplifier Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Clarus CODA USB DAC and Headphone Amplifier Review22 February 2021, 1:00 pm
With more and more audiophiles using headphones, we’re all looking for places to use them with high-quality audio. The post Clarus CODA USB DAC and Headphone Amplifier Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Optoma CinemaX P2 UST Laser Projector Review17 February 2021, 1:00 pm
Optoma’s CinemaX P2 is the replacement for last year’s CinemaX P1 Ultra-short Throw Projector. With 4K resolution, HDR, and 3000 lumens... The post Optoma CinemaX P2 UST Laser Projector Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Benchmark Media HPA4 Preamplifier-AHB2 Power Amplifier-DAC3 B DAC Review15 February 2021, 1:00 pm
If nothing else, Benchmark Media Systems provides a textbook case of how good (read: superb) things can come in small packages. The post Benchmark Media HPA4 Preamplifier-AHB2 Power Amplifier-DAC3 B DAC Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com....
- Esoteric E-02 Phono Preamplifier24 January 2021, 4:10 pm
The Esoteric E-02 Balanced Phonostage Preamplifier continues Esoteric’s leadership in audio component design and performance. The $9,000 E-02 replaced the E-03 model about 3 years ago, continuing Esoteric’s tradition of exemplary build quality and top-tier performance. The E-02 has some significant features. The two machined front panel knobs have the feel of a luxury component, requiring just the right amount of force to smoothly rotate. The left knob selects the input: RCA 1, RCA 2... - Marantz SA-10 CD/SACD Player & DAC21 November 2020, 9:39 pm
Just like Rodney Dangerfield, the Marantz SA-10 CD/SACD Player and DAC gets no respect. This is a shame as the SA-10 could well be the best sounding, best built player/DAC anywhere close to its $6990 list price. At the top of the Marantz line of digital products, the SA-10 could easily maintain that preeminent position for years to come. There have been a ‘boatload’ of mergers and acquisitions of audio companies over the last few years. Marantz is owned by Sound United, LLC, a Califo... - Minus K Technology CT-2 Bench Top Vibration Isolation Platform12 October 2020, 10:41 pm
The Minus K Technology CT-2 Bench Top Vibration Isolation Platform was originally developed for scientific and research applications such as spacecraft design, nanotechnology, and medical research. The patented technology is called “Negative-stiffness”, where the isolating platform seems to float with no resistance. From the manufacturer’s Web site (link below): “Dr. David L. Platus is President and Founder and is the principal inventor of the technology. He earned a B.S.... - Origin Live Gravity One Record Clamp24 August 2020, 3:02 pm
Several readers let me know that they appreciate the short format of the reviews offered here on 10 Audio. The word “pithy” has been noticed a few times in the feedback. Pithy means “concise and forcefully expressive” and “having substance and point” and “short and sweet”. This review definitely supports those definitions. The new Origin Live Gravity One record clamp works differently than the usual “record clamp”. Almost every clamp av... - Magico S1 Mk II Loudspeakers31 July 2020, 10:13 pm
The floor standing, 2-way Magico S1 Mk II speakers are exceptional. Before we get into the specifics of this particular model, let’s take a minute or two and let me share with you why I am a fan of 2-way speakers. Crossovers. Almost every loudspeaker utilizing more than one driver has a crossover. These passive electronic devices split the incoming audio signal into frequency ranges which the various drivers – woofers, midranges, tweeters – can handle. Crossovers are not perfec...
- Part 5: The Last Piece of Pi – The Allo Boss I2S DAC3 January 2021, 9:46 pm
Raspberry Pi with Allo Boss I2S DAC v1.2 (The Last Piece of Pi, I promise) By Steve Graham In the previous Raspberry Pi installment Raspberry Pi Postscript: S/PDIF Vs. USB Sound Comparison, I pitted a Pi with S/PDIF-out HAT board against another Pi employing USB out. The short version of the tale was that I came away underwhelmed by the USB connection. My plan had been to employ an underutilized, USB-connected, Meridian Explorer 2 DAC in my workshop music system. With tha... - Review: Audiolab M-DAC+ Digital-to-Analog Convertor22 December 2020, 3:30 am
Audiolab MDAC+ – Exceptional Build Quality and Sound. MSRP: $1599 Canadian. Review series ‘In the House’ by David Neice Verdict The Audiolab MDAC+ is built as solidly as any military-specification gear and offers a top notch sound field that will not disappoint potential buyers. This DAC will handle virtually all PCM and DSD files, thus making playback of hi-res file downloads an easy affair. An array of flexible inputs and outputs and onboard sound shaping filters and other me... - Raspberry Pi Postscript: S/PDIF Vs. USB Sound Comparison16 December 2020, 6:50 pm
Pi versus Pi By Steve Graham Raspberry Pi 4B with S/PDIF Out versus Raspberry Pi 4B with USB Out Confession time. In responding to those kind enough to comment on part 3 of my Raspberry Pi series, I mentioned that I didn’t have a decent USB DAC for comparison. WRONG. It completely slipped my mind that my PS Audio DAC has a USB input. A cream pie in the face for me. To satisfy my own curiosity and maybe mend a few fences with readers, I’ve run ... - Review: Triangle Borea BR02 Bookshelf Speakers1 December 2020, 10:16 pm
Triangle Borea BR02 Speaker Review by Steve Graham Everything Old is New Again (and that’s just fine by me) I love the vintage vibe of the oak-finish cabinets. Also available in black, white and walnut. Being confined to barracks, as my Dad, a WWII veteran might have said, has me spending a good deal more time in my workshop. Whilst occupied with a fairly extensive woodworking project, steaming music or playing files has been the order of the day. Many days ... - Helping Older People Set Up A Music System In 202025 November 2020, 8:30 pm
There’s a problem in the world today, and I’m not talking about social media or crazy conspiracies. I’m not even talking about the ‘Rona – that’s for someone smarter to figure out. The problem? Our dear 75-85+ year olds are stuck at home and watching TV, because they don’t have stereos. Imagine this. The hi-fi generation has been leapfrogged. Records? Oh, well y’know, the turntable became a chore to deal with. CD’s? We used to have a few..I t...
- HIFIMAN HE-R10P Review28 February 2021, 11:09 am
The HIFIMAN HE-R10P is the company’s flagship closed-back planar magnetic headphone featuring a nanotechnology diaphragm. It is priced at $5499. Disclaimer: The HIFIMAN HE-R10P or Planar Edition was sent to us as a sample in exchange for our honest opinion in this review. We thank the team at Hifiman for giving us this opportunity. To read […] HIFIMAN HE-R10P Review... - SMSL SP400 Review27 February 2021, 11:03 am
The SMSL SP400 is a THXAAA-888 Headphone Amplifier offering up to 6 watts of balanced output power into 32 Ohms. It is priced at $629.99 Disclaimer: The SMSL SP400 sent to us for this review is a sample in exchange for our honest opinion. We thank Shenzhen Audio for giving us this opportunity. To read more […] SMSL SP400 Review... - ddHiFi Janus Review26 February 2021, 11:12 am
The ddHiFi Janus (E2020A) is a single dynamic driver IEM with a unique dual connector design for two styles of wearing. It is priced at $199.99. Disclaimer: The ddHiFi Janus was sent to us in exchange for our honest opinion in this review. Many thanks to ddHiFi for giving us this opportunity. You can read about previous […] ddHiFi Janus Review... - Empire Ears Valkyrie MKII Review24 February 2021, 11:03 am
The Empire Ears Valkyrie MKII is a revision of the original 2019 tri-brid electrostatic driver Valkyrie featuring a re-engineered 4-way synX crossover. It is priced at $1599. Disclaimer: The Empire Ears Valkyrie MKII was sent to us in exchange for our honest opinion in this review. Many thanks to Empire Ears for giving us this opportunity. You […] Empire Ears Valkyrie MKII Review... - iBasso DX300 Review21 February 2021, 11:06 am
The iBasso DX300 is the company’s latest DAP featuring a dual system controller, Snapdragon 660, Android 9, and a quad DAC implementation. It is priced at $1199. Disclaimer: The iBasso DX300 was sent to us as a sample in exchange for our honest opinion in this review. We thank iBasso for this opportunity. To learn more […] iBasso DX300 Review...
- SVS Introduces The New 1000 Pro Series26 February 2021, 6:54 pm
The current SVS SB-1000 and PB-1000 are undoubtedly one of the company’s biggest sellers, so a complete renovation from the The post SVS Introduces The New 1000 Pro Series appeared first on AudioHead.... - Innuos Introduces The PhoenixNET – A Network Switch For Audiophiles25 February 2021, 6:30 pm
If a cartridge for a turntable can cost thousands of dollars, why couldn’t a network switch? Innuos has helped bolster The post Innuos Introduces The PhoenixNET – A Network Switch For Audiophiles appeared first on AudioHead.... - An Interview With Rich Grado From Grado Labs22 February 2021, 8:56 pm
Whether you know the name Grado from its turntable cartridges or their iconic open back headphones, one thing is for The post An Interview With Rich Grado From Grado Labs appeared first on AudioHead.... - Got CDs? McIntosh Has The New MCD85 SACD/CD Player For You18 February 2021, 5:07 pm
According to average colloquial conversations and even a quick hip check into marketing demands, it seems ultimately apparent that CDs The post Got CDs? McIntosh Has The New MCD85 SACD/CD Player For You appeared first on AudioHead.... - Review: Sonus Faber Olympica Nova III Loudspeaker16 February 2021, 3:25 pm
Natural tones have always seemed to follow Sonus Faber whenever I have the pleasure of hearing them. The Italian company The post Review: Sonus Faber Olympica Nova III Loudspeaker appeared first on AudioHead....
- Grado GT 220 Review1 March 2021, 6:00 am
It hasn’t been more than two years since True Wireless headphones started dominating the landscape. What started out as a The post Grado GT 220 Review appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - NAD Launches New MDC Upgrade Module, MDC USB DSD23 February 2021, 8:46 pm
New module allows users to add the convenience of high-resolution PCM and DSD computer music playback and streaming through popular The post NAD Launches New MDC Upgrade Module, MDC USB DSD appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - Chick Corea18 February 2021, 6:00 am
I kept the title of this blog very simple. All one needs to do is see that name and immediately The post Chick Corea appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - The New RAAL Requisite: HSA-1b Headphone / Speaker Amplifier – The Pinnacle of Personal Audio15 February 2021, 6:00 am
When RAAL Requisite released their true ribbon earfield monitors last year, it literally took the world of personal audio by The post The New RAAL Requisite: HSA-1b Headphone / Speaker Amplifier – The Pinnacle of Personal Audio appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - Qobuz Celebrates Two Years of Hi-Res in the US12 February 2021, 7:40 pm
Qobuz, the first Hi-Res music streaming service, is celebrating its two year anniversary in the US on February 14th. A The post Qobuz Celebrates Two Years of Hi-Res in the US appeared first on Headphone Guru....
- Piega delivers Ace loudspeaker series1 March 2021, 9:21 am
Swiss company unveils its new affordable range... - Novafidelity HA500H26 February 2021, 9:45 am
Novafidelity DAC/headphone amp breaks new ground... - MartinLogan Motion 20i25 February 2021, 9:56 am
The next-gen Motion series from the US speaker specialist ... - March issue now on sale25 February 2021, 9:31 am
Cyrus Audio's i7-XR integrated, Neat Acoustics' Orkestra floorstander, Mark Levinson's No5105 turntable, JBL's L82 Classic loudspeaker and a six-way budget floorstander Group Test... - What is your favourite style of music to listen to on your setup?25 February 2021, 9:24 am
Let us know your chosen demo music style What is your favourite style of music to listen to on your setup? Choices Blues Classical Electronic Folk Jazz Pop Rock Soul Leave this field blank Show Promo ImageHi-Fi ChoiceCategory: MusicPrimary Category: Music...
- The Passionate Audiophile – From Robot to Human2 January 2021, 7:33 am
2020 was a whirlwind of a year. But it was an opportunity for self-reflection. Rather than the usual gear-focused reviews, I’m opting for more lighthearted ramblings. I’ll be writing about my personal journey into HiFi. In early February, I lost my primary income streams. These were pseudo-passive streams – and the only reason I was […] The post The Passionate Audiophile – From Robot to Human appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - $3,000 Meze Empyrean Headphones Review25 October 2020, 1:09 am
Now I’ve heard the Meze Empyrean headphones probably a dozen times at the shows. And every time I try to nitpick them, I end up just enjoying the music. It didn’t matter which amplifier or DAC it was plugged into. Music just sounded truthful. I primarily listen to 2-channel these days so didn’t give it […] The post $3,000 Meze Empyrean Headphones Review appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - $62,000 Sonus Faber Il Cremonese ex3me – Absolute Neutrality22 September 2020, 8:16 am
22nd September 2020, Vicenza, Italy: Sonus faber has launched the Il Cremonese ex3me, a tech-rich £48,500 floorstander limited to just 50 pairs, which advances the original thanks to a range of innovative new speaker technologies. The original Il Cremonese was introduced in 2015 with the intention of completing the company’s Homage Collection and was named […] The post $62,000 Sonus Faber Il Cremonese ex3me – Absolute Neutrality appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - ASUS LAUNCHES MQA HEADPHONES18 September 2020, 1:19 am
New ROG Delta S headset adds MQA technology MQA’s award-winning technology has been adopted by global tech leader ASUS for its latest ROG (Republic of Gamers) headphones. The headset, designed to offer flawless audio quality for gaming enthusiasts, was revealed alongside the latest gaming gear during the ROG 2020 META BUFFS international online launch event on 1 September […] The post ASUS LAUNCHES MQA HEADPHONES appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - Introducing the New McIntosh C8 and MC83018 September 2020, 1:10 am
New open chassis McIntosh duo combines valve luxury, solid-state power and timeless industrial designC8 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier and MC830 Solid State Amplifier: stunning looks, legendary McIntosh sound quality September 17th, 2020, Binghamton, NY, USA: Following in the footsteps of McIntosh’s retro-styled MA252 and MA352 integrated amplifiers, (which themselves took design cues from the MC275 Vacuum […] The post Introducing the New McIntosh C8 and MC830 appeared first on Audio Baco...
- DS Audio shares its optical phono cartridge tech publicly1 March 2021, 2:16 am
NEWS: Will optical phono cartridge technology take to the mass market with DS Audio's generous move? We wait...... - PS Audio – staying true to the high-value cause25 February 2021, 1:33 am
FEATURE: PS Audio is a company that doesn't sit still for long... despite the pandemic, expect some audio excitement this year.... - Drop’s Sennheiser HD8XX coming in November22 February 2021, 1:51 am
NEWS: Sennheiser pairs with Drop to give you the HD8XX headphones... but in a limited run only.... - McIntosh takes retro theme to MCD85 SACD/CD player18 February 2021, 11:31 pm
NEWS: McIntosh continues to turn out retro-styled products for its legion of fans... this time, a digital disc player.... - Beyerdynamic 3rd Gen T1 and T5 headphones – the dynamic duo?18 February 2021, 1:25 am
REVIEW: The new Beyerdynamic cans are easier to drive than their previous iterations... but they truly shine with the best ancillaries....
- Airpulse A80 Active Speakers Reviewed9 February 2021, 2:51 pm
Designed as an entry to serious hi-fi listening, targeted toward a younger audience with a strong focus towards digital listening in lifestyle systems. The post Airpulse A80 Active Speakers Reviewed appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo Turntable Reviewed3 December 2020, 10:09 am
It may have its foibles but so does every audiophile-inspired manual belt drive turntable regardless of cost. A solid turntable capable of great performance. The post Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo Turntable Reviewed appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Nearly 70 Pro-Ject turntables stolen in UK transit27 November 2020, 10:19 am
Nearly 70 Pro-Ject turntables stolen in UK transit The post Nearly 70 Pro-Ject turntables stolen in UK transit appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - WesionTEK Khadas Tone Board DAC Reviewed17 November 2020, 10:52 am
A clean, clear, neutral DAC and a marvellous little board for all kinds of usage scenarios. The post WesionTEK Khadas Tone Board DAC Reviewed appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - IPT RigB 500, Cartridge Body Upgrade For VM500 / AT440 Et Al, Reviewed16 November 2020, 8:15 pm
Buy one and avail yourself of what is undoubtedly one of the best moving magnet cartridges around. The post IPT RigB 500, Cartridge Body Upgrade For VM500 / AT440 Et Al, Reviewed appeared first on Audio Appraisal....
- Amphion Argon 7LS Loudspeakers Review25 February 2021, 2:48 am
David Price auditions a top floorstander from a distinguished Finnish line…... - BenQ W2700i 4K Projector Review22 February 2021, 2:17 am
Tony O’Brien looks at an attractive new entry-level DLP projector…... - Benchmark AHB2 Power Amplifier Review16 February 2021, 1:58 am
Rafael Todes samples this pro audio power amplifier both in the studio and at home…... - Wing Acoustics Zerø Standmount Loudspeakers Review16 February 2021, 12:38 am
David Price samples a radical and exciting new New Zealand-designed and built miniature monitor…... - PSB Speakers Alpha AM5 Powered Bookshelf Speakers Review15 February 2021, 11:34 pm
Mark Gusew auditions what he thinks to be one of the finest affordable small powered speaker packages around…...
- Now That’s A Good Question…What’s A Good DAC/Amp For The Hifiman Sundara?1 March 2021, 6:42 am
Choosing a DAC Amp for the Best Value Headphone under $500! A Reader Writes: I’m wondering if you can give me your recommendation for pairing up a DAC for the Hifiman Sundara headphones. I have not purchased either item but I’d like to do so as soon as today. I’ve been unable to confirm what continue reading... - Affordable High-End Audio Guide (2021): Building A Home Hi-Fi System For Less Than $1000!28 February 2021, 9:40 pm
Building A Astounding Hi-Fi System Around The Affordable PSB Alpha AM5 Powered Bookshelf Speakers! When you’re talking about setting up a Hi-Fi System for less than 1000 dollars, a set of good powered bookshelf speakers can go a long way. If designed well, you get a quality set of speakers, a decent amplifier, and a serviceable continue reading... - #NewMusicFriday…New Record Releases You Need To Hear feat. Fred The Godson + 13 Other Artists!26 February 2021, 10:56 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). (TIDAL streams below) My Featured album pick of continue reading... - The Best Audio And Hi-Fi Sales We’ve Found This Week…Kanto, ELAC, HELM, Koss!26 February 2021, 2:42 am
Check Out Our List for the Best Buys in Audio & Hi-Fi! Looking for the best values in Audio and Hi-Fi? Then look no further. We’ve rounded up the best audio and hi-fi from around the internet! There are great buys on excellent speakers and amps, along with some amazing specials on headphones! Don’t sleep continue reading... - Khadas Tone 2 Pro Review: This Revolutionary DAC Amp Will Make Your Headphones Sing!23 February 2021, 5:24 am
I’ve reviewed quite a few dongle style DAC/Headphone Amps over the last year or so, and I must say I dig them. Their compact size coupled with their affordability makes them an ideal way to upgrade a smartphone or laptop’s sound while on the go. Recently, I was really wowed by the $99 HELM Audio continue reading...
- Bryston: meet the new boss....same as the old boss23 February 2021, 12:31 am
... - Herb Reichert gives tour of his rig2 February 2021, 1:19 am
... - Paul McGowan releases new book and test CD for set up.29 January 2021, 2:52 am
... - Steve McCormack is back (did he ever go away?)27 January 2021, 3:53 am
... - Small batch Lush Life from Craft announced14 January 2021, 5:16 pm
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- KEF Q950 Floorstanding Speakers26 February 2021, 9:32 pm
Link to SpecificationsAs a history teacher I enjoy reading the background of audio companies and their fascinating rise. British-based KEF is no exception. In 1961 BBC electrical engineer Kenneth Cooke founded KEF speakers. From the beginning Cooke focused on science and advanced materials to improve speaker performance. This passion led KEF in the 1960’s to use Mylar film in tweeters, Neoprene for the rubber surrounds in drivers, and Bextrene for the diaphragms. In 1977, KEF came out with... - LSA-10 Signature Speakers28 November 2020, 6:15 pm
Speakers have a character. They can be precise, enveloping, dynamic, punchy, demanding, and sparkly, just to name a few. I admit, I’ve owned or reviewed seemingly every type described, and then some. Each has their charms and musical genres where they shine. For 90% of owners the key is owning the one set of speakers that best meets their overall personal taste. Thankfully, the last ten years have brought speaker performance up a full level across all price points making the reward all the... - Magna Riser Slim Line 24 October 2020, 10:00 pm
Less than a year ago I managed to find online a used pair of Magnepan .7's for $800 on the used market. A few days after the panels arrived I decided to experiment by placing blocks of wood under the back end of the angled L-bracket metal legs, thus tilting them to a true vertical position. The sonic differences I stored away in my memory until such time as I could consider potential stand replacements. Magnepan's own oval upgrade model held zero interest for a variety of reasons, so my options ... - Audioengine B-Fi Wireless Streamer22 September 2020, 3:14 pm
Link to specificationsOk, I admit it, the wife and I have been relying on Alexa to stream music in the kitchen and living room. I have my man cave in the basement, so the upstairs is her music domain and she wants it simple. But she loves the playlist I created for her on Tidal to use on her phone when she is walking or gardening. Over the months I endured many a complaint about finding a solution. Not for the first time, the gang at Audioengine have come to the rescue. This past late spri... - Totem Acoustics Signature ONE Speakers5 September 2020, 9:47 pm
Link to SpecificationsHow does one improve on a legend? That was the question facing Vince Bruzzese and the team at Totem Acoustics approximately 5 years ago. The Model 1, a diminutive stand mounted speaker had launched Totem as a major player in the industry 30+ years ago. In the decades that followed, the Model 1 would receive tweeks that owners could spot. However, that has all changed.The Signature One is all new, only the “spirit” as Totem refers to the legacy that the Model 1 p...
- NuPrime AMG-PRA with 2x AMG-STA power amplifier1 March 2021, 7:10 pm
In the initial NuPrime AMG review, I have focused mainly on the AMG-STA power amplifier. For this second installment, I have been sent a second AMG-STA power amplifier so that I can use a pair in mono-mode as well as an AMG-PRA analog preamplifier to round off the NuPrime system.... - Qobuz Hi-Res On-Demand Streaming Audio28 February 2021, 3:04 pm
After having given Qobuz a new chance, and having compared several of my self-ripped albums and tracks to the downloaded files and the streaming content available on Qobuz, I am happy to conclude that the quality of the service has improved so much to make the decision between local playback and streaming a non-issue.... - Classé Delta Stereo and Delta Pre22 February 2021, 2:58 pm
The third-generation Delta product line includes the STEREO amplifier, MONO amplifiers and the PRE preamplifier with built-in DAC and streamer, and conceptually based on the CP-800. Reviewed here are the preamp and stereo power amp.... - Nieuwjaarsshow at PUUR audio, video & domotica16 February 2021, 8:37 pm
As a result of the ongoing lockdown and restrictions as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, Robert and Daan of PUUR came up with a brilliant idea: to carry out a show for an audience limited to yours truly and with the intention for me to write a report so that readers can still get a nice impression of the show without having to leave their homes.... - Mad Scientist Audio FCGD+ Digital Interlink10 February 2021, 1:59 pm
With the FCGD+, Mad Scientist has entered the true high-end level of digital cables. This cable is simply brilliant, and as it stands, the best digital coaxial cable that I’ve used....
- 8 Best Headphones for ASMR28 February 2021, 6:02 pm
There is nothing better in this modern and technology dependant world than having a perfect…... - Ultrasone Performance 880 Review27 February 2021, 10:14 pm
Hailing from Bavaria, Ultrasone are a company which pride themselves on the use of high-quality…... - How to Use a Headset Mic on Mac Or PC with one Jack24 February 2021, 11:22 pm
If you’ve recently purchased a wired headset, it mostly likely has one jack. Before that,…... - 10 Best HDMI Audio Extractors of 202121 February 2021, 5:20 pm
Do you want to improve your home theatre or stereo speaker system’s overall music and…... - Campfire Audio Vega 2020 Review20 February 2021, 7:12 pm
Campfire Audio have taken up the task of reinvigorating their previous range of products. The…...
- Archetype: The Klipschorn – Iconic American Loudspeaker26 February 2021, 4:57 pm
Much like legendary American industrial designers Charles and Ray Eames influenced all things midcentury modern, so too did Paul Klipsch impact high fidelity. Few, if any, modern audio engineers could profess ignorance of Klipsch’s groundbreaking folded-horn, corner-loading, three-way Klipschorn loudspeaker. The post Archetype: The Klipschorn – Iconic American Loudspeaker appeared first on Resistor Magazine |.... - Heavy Rotation: Cyndi Lauper – She’s So Unusual20 February 2021, 1:47 am
In 1984 Cyndi Lauper achieved what Carole King, Joni Mitchell and Patti Smith before her had not: she became the first female artist to chart four Top 5 singles off one album. A heady space to occupy considering the size of the craters that musical heavyweights like Tapestry, Blue and Horses had left on the industry the previous decade. The post Heavy Rotation: Cyndi Lauper – She’s So Unusual appeared first on Resistor Magazine |.... - Roon 1.8 Update: Go Your Own Way12 February 2021, 1:06 am
Described by some as the second coming of machine learning for computer audio, music playback platform Roon has released its 1.8 update. Hot-rodded with coding updates under the hood, Roon 1.8 also received an eye-pleasing GUI makeover reminiscent of Saul Bass at his best. The post Roon 1.8 Update: Go Your Own Way appeared first on Resistor Magazine |.... - No Film Scores: A Spotify Mixtape from Soundtracks5 February 2021, 4:59 pm
This effort highlights various artist soundtracks that make the best mixtapes, leaving traditional scores and single artist soundtracks out. The post No Film Scores: A Spotify Mixtape from Soundtracks appeared first on Resistor Magazine |.... - Review: Aurender W20SE Music Server31 January 2021, 8:20 pm
Aurender have been perfecting their caching music servers since 2011. The W20SE represents the current state of the art for the company. The post Review: Aurender W20SE Music Server appeared first on Resistor Magazine |....
- Certainly Uncertain: When Measurement Results Don’t Match26 February 2021, 3:45 pm
One of the greatest misconceptions in all of Audiophiledom is the notion that measurements are objective. We can break the subjective intrusions on the measurement process into four main components: The person performing the measurements [...]... - #NewMusicFriday: February 26, 202126 February 2021, 1:00 pm
Each Friday, Stephen Mejias, AudioQuest’s Director of Communications and former Stereophile and Audiostream columnist, will browse through the many exciting albums released that day and select 15 worth a closer listen. Life Is Not A [...]... - Album of the Week: Nick Cave & Warren Ellis: Carnage26 February 2021, 11:59 am
Nick Cave describes Carnage, his new album with soundtrack, Bad Seed, and Grinderman collaborator Warren Ellis thusly — a brutal but very beautiful record nested in a communal catastrophe. Communal catastrophe. We all know what [...]... - Weiss DAC501: Beauty With Brains23 February 2021, 12:00 pm
No matter how smart you think your DAC is, the Weiss DAC501 is probably smarter. A lot smarter. Heck, its Quick Start Guide is 10 pages long. In the history of hi-fi components, especially DACs, [...]... - Spotify Announces “HiFi” Tier: Lossless CD-Quality Streaming22 February 2021, 7:32 pm
As part of Spotify’s Stream On event which took place earlier today, the company has announced the impending launch of their new Spotify HiFi tier, bringing CD-quality streaming to its Premium subscribers. (BOOM) You heard [...]...
- 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 […]...