- An Ending That's Also a Beginning15 October 2019, 4:30 pm
One of my biggest surprises since I became the editor of Stereophile—and so started focusing more on all things audiophile—is how often I find myself thinking about the ethics of this hobby. This is unusual for me: I dislike moralism and prefer aesthetics to ethics. Tue, 10/15/2019...
- Music in the Round #100: Multichannel & Merging Anubis15 October 2019, 4:17 pm
This is the 100th and—surprise!—final edition of Music in the Round. MitR began in mid-2003, shortly after SACD and DVD-A discs made high-quality multichannel music convenient and widely available. At the time, I was convinced that multichannel reproduction was superior to stereo because it was able to reproduce the full sound of the performance—not just the performers. Stereophile's founder, J. Gordon Holt, had promoted this idea many times, but the appearance of the new media fi... - Gramophone Dreams #30: Skyfi Audio11 October 2019, 9:26 pm
Let's talk about management styles. If you want to run a successful small business, you must first be happy. If your personal goals are to learn and to discover, and you combine those with an intrinsic need to share your achievements and connect with people in your chosen field, you are likely to succeed. Given those qualities, if your business goal is to provide desirable goods and needed services, you will not fail. Fri, 10/11/2019... - Must-Hear Music TV: <I>Country Music</I> and <I>Now Hear This</I>11 October 2019, 4:50 pm
Under the category of "abundance of musical riches," there are two fantastic series about music airing on PBS right now. You probably already know about one of them, but another, which many readers will like even better, is getting far less press.Fri, 10/11/2019... - Vandersteen KĒNTO Carbon Loudspeaker at Audio Advice in Raleigh, NC11 October 2019, 4:22 pm
On Wednesday, October 16, 2019, from 5:00 to 9:00pm, Raleigh, NC, specialty audio retailer Audio Advice (8621-117 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh) will present Music Matters, showcasing the new Vandersteen KĒNTO Carbon loudspeaker.Fri, 10/11/2019...
- In Memoriam: Siegfried Linkwitz, 1935–201815 October 2019, 12:29 am
Siegfried Linkwitz, who died in September, 2018, is famous for the Linkwitz-Riley crossover alignment. But his work in audio went far beyond that. He was a profound thinker about the foundations of audio, and in particular about the all-important question of establishing some reciprocity between the recording of sound and its playback. At first sight, this might seem a simple thing: Recording with a flat microphone and playing back on a flat speaker might seem to suffice. And anechoically, this ... - Wilson Audio Introduces ActivXO Dual Subwoofer Crossover and Controller15 October 2019, 12:02 am
The following is a press release issued by Wilson Audio. October 14, 2019 - Wilson Audio’s approach to subwoofers, whether to augment a music system or a high-end home theater system, has always been unconventional. Even in the most expensive competing designs, there seems to be a willingness to compromise performance in favor of convenience or lifestyle considerations. In an effort to appeal to a broader audience, they design subwoof- ers in small enclosures. Perhaps they cater to a parti... - Audience Now Shipping Its New adeptResponse T4 and T3 Upgraded Power Conditioners11 October 2019, 5:48 pm
The following is a press release issued by Audience. San Marcos, CA | October 11, 2019 – Audience today announced the availability of its new adeptResponse T4 and T3 AC power conditioners, upgraded from the company’s previous TSSOX and TSOX models. Available in 2, 6, and 12-outlet versions, the T4 and T3 now feature the company’s newly refined Aura-TR Teflon filter capacitors, which replace the previous Aura-TO version. These capacitors, designed by Audience to be the ultimate ... - 2019 Golden Ear Awards: Robert Harley11 October 2019, 2:13 pm
Wilson Benesch Eminence Loudspeaker $235,000 The Eminence is a nothing short of a technical tour de force in advanced loudspeaker design. With its in-house-made carbon-fiber enclosure, custom drivers, isobaric woofer loading, innovative tweeter, and no-compromise execution, the Eminence can lay claim to being one of the world’s most sophisticated loudspeakers. All that cutting-edge technology is in service of a single goal: to make the speaker disappear. And disappear it does, not just spa... - Command Performance AV Listening Event Oct. 1910 October 2019, 6:02 pm
This press information was provided by Command Performance AV. On Saturday, October 19th, Command Performance AV will co-host a special listening event with Nick Doshi of Doshi Audio, Peter Mackay of Magico Loudspeakers, Vince Galbo of MSB Technology, and Jon Zimmer of Transparent Cable. Listening will be through two complete Transparent/MSB/Magico/Doshi systems. Also, each company will explain the unique design philosophies and technologies that make their products so special. There will be giv...
- Review: Mola Mola Makua Pre/DAC/Phono & Kaluge Amp16 October 2019, 12:54 pm
"If you've been sitting on the high-end fence doubtful that well-designed Class D amps and solid-state preamps can deliver the sonic goods, particularly if you are a tube person, mark my words, the Mola Mola suite may very well change your mind. Now get thee hence and find a dealer, ASAP!" -- Maurice Jeffries of Positive Feedback.Read the Mola Mola Makua Pre/DAC/Phono & Kaluge Amp review. ... - Florida Audio Expo -- Last Chance Exhibitor Discount16 October 2019, 11:15 am
The Florida Audio Expo is excited to announce their second annual show for 2020! This show is scheduled to be held on Friday February 7th through Sunday February 9th, 2019 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore. This Southeast show gives music lovers the chance to personally audition some of the industry's finest offerings, all taking place in sunny Florida. Exhibitor Early Bird discount rate expires soon, so click this link to see our show page to contact Bart Andeer ASAP to re... - Free 24/192 HD Music For Three Months From Amazon15 October 2019, 2:06 pm
Amazon Music reaches a massive amount of music lovers globally and is offering three free months of Hi-Res Music! Their new Ultra HD tier ($14.99 a month, $12.99 for Prime members) delivers upwards of true lossless 24-bit/192kHz streaming music to subscribers. There are 10 million songs within their Ultra HD tier. EnjoyTheMusic.com greatly appreciates the first mainstream music provider in offering true lossless Hi-Res Music streaming services to their customers. Learn more and get three fr... - Ear Jewelry For Audiophiles: Roger Skoff writes about the state of the 'art' in Hi-Fi.15 October 2019, 1:37 pm
Have you seen what some of the latest, ultimate, super-duper High-End turntables look like? To me, they're reminiscent of what the "cities of the future" looked like in those old Buck Rogers or Flash Gordon movie serials of the 1930s and 1940s – great networks of massive gleaming towers, all surrounded and interconnected by loops and swirls of the aerial highways predicted by the people back then to be the roads for the flying cars of the future. Even as a kid, watching ancient re-runs on ... - Chord Electronics Huei MM/MC Phono Stage15 October 2019, 12:53 pm
American distributor Bluebird Music today announced immediate availability of the new Huei phono stage from Chord Electronics ($1495). Designed and built in the UK, the Huei features MM/MC compatibility, highly versatile adjustable gain and loading easily accessed from the front panel, RCA unbalanced and XLR balanced outputs, a rumble filter and Chord's brand new ultra-low-noise microprocessor.---> Read More ...
- REVIEW: Rogoz Audio FINALE/BBS | anti-vibration platform | POLAND | RED Fingerprint30 September 2019, 10:00 pm
PREMIERE ⌈ ROGOZ AUDIO is a company specializing in anti-vibration components. It is one of those Polish companies that are well-known not only in Poland but also abroad. It sends its products almost all over the world - the recent delivery was sent to Israel. We test its latest product, the top FINALE / BBS anti-vibration platform. ⌋ OGOZ AUDIO doesn't introduce new products too often. What's more, most of those that were presented in 2007, when the company was founded, and ... - TECHNOLOGY: Few words ABOUT PLACING THE SPEAKERS30 September 2019, 10:00 pm
⌈ Audio is a field of technic where each element affects the sound. The consensus assumes that the biggest changes are related to the speakers and how they interact with the listening room. PIOTR GAŁKOWSKI, owner and constructor of the DIVINE ACOUSTICS company, talks about how to deal with this problem. ⌋ f all the rooms in which we listen to music had the same dimensions and were equally furnished, and identical speakers were placed in them, one could count, measure and d... - REVIEW: WK Audio THE AIR | power cable AC | POLAND30 September 2019, 10:00 pm
PREMIERE ⌈ WK AUDIO is Witold Kamiński's company, founded in 2017 in Plichtów, near Łódź. By profession, he's an architect, but also a music enthusiast, author of columns in "High Fidelity" regarding broadly understood culture, he offers record clamps, anti-vibration platform and three AC power cables. For this test we received the latest power cable, that happens to be also the most expensive one, THE AIR model. ⌋ ower cables have become an eleme... - REVIEW: Pylon Audio RUBY 30 | loudspeakers | floor-standing | POLAND30 September 2019, 10:00 pm
PREMIERE ⌈ The RUBY 30 is the largest and latest model of the Ruby series from PYLON AUDIO. This is a large, floor-standing, three-way, four-driver loudspeaker, in which the material called Endumax, from which the membranes were made, was used. This is one of their larger speakers and it still look sleek. For this test we got the first pair that came off the production line. ⌋ arly August 2016 we received information about new Pylon Audio drivers: We are one of the first m... - REVIEW: Horn Acoustic VIVO | loudspeakers | floor-standing | POLAND30 September 2019, 10:00 pm
PREMIERE ⌈ Established in 2017 in Poznań, the HORN ACOUSTIC is a result of collaboration between Messrs Rafał Szczepaniak and Marek Kostrzyński. The manufacturer wants to specialize in loudspeakers and horn speakers. For now, they offer only one model - VIVO, that we received for a review. ⌋ n the beginning was the Word: We are a Polish company that manufactures horn speakers. Currently, we offer the Vivo model and we have developed the low-midrange driver...
- Centrance Cerene dB Transparent Reference Headphones15 October 2019, 4:50 pm
I've owned a number of decent headphones over the course of my life as an audiophile, and I always generally have a couple of pairs on hand. Mostly for listening when my wife, Beth, has control of the television and has landed on HGTV or some insanely sick horror flick that I could care less... Read More » The post Centrance Cerene dB Transparent Reference Headphones appeared first on Positive Feedback.... - Impressions: My Audio Oasis! Awards for RMAF 2019, Part the First14 October 2019, 4:28 pm
Ye Olde Editor at RMAF back in 2015 (photograph by Jeff Day) Introduction: RMAF at a major new site After a hiatus of three years (2016-2018), during which my colleagues Dave and Carol Clark headed up show coverage for Positive Feedback at the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest, it was time for Lila Ritsema (PF's Business... Read More » The post Impressions: My Audio Oasis! Awards for RMAF 2019, Part the First appeared first on Positive Feedback.... - Steinway & Sons Streaming: An Excellent No-Cost Music Source12 October 2019, 11:49 pm
Our good friend John Marks of The Tannhauser Gate continues his collection of re-published essays here at Positive Feedback. In this one, he makes us aware of a wonderful musical resource in the online archive of recordings from none other than Steinway. What a fine and generous opportunity this is! Many thanks to John for bringing... Read More » The post Steinway & Sons Streaming: An Excellent No-Cost Music Source appeared first on Positive Feedback.... - The Neoteric Listener - The Audio Research VSi75 Stereo Integrated Amplifier10 October 2019, 5:28 pm
It was I who killed punk rock in the Listening Room with the Record Player. Well, kill might be too strong a word, defanged it might be closer to the mark. But at least I learned something about audio, so it wasn't a total loss. The moment square poseurs like me played Black Flag's Damaged... Read More » The post The Neoteric Listener - The Audio Research VSi75 Stereo Integrated Amplifier appeared first on Positive Feedback.... - SVS Announces Five-City “Night of Sonic Thrills” Event Series9 October 2019, 9:46 pm
Free events feature immersive home theater and HiFi audio demos, massive prize giveaways, SVS president Gary Yacoubian sharing insights on audio, and more. Youngstown, OH – October 9, 2019 – SVS is bringing immersive, heart-pounding sound to five U.S. cities as part of a new event series billed Speakers and Subwoofers Unleashed: A Night of... Read More » The post SVS Announces Five-City “Night of Sonic Thrills” Event Series appeared first on Positive Feedback....
- Gold Note A3 EVO Speakers15 October 2019, 5:00 am
Many of us think of “that other company” when we think Italian loudspeakers, but the team at Gold Note is a serious contender, making their way into North America, after achieving major success in the rest of the world. We’ve been very excited with the performance of the Gold Note electronics we’ve used so far, [...]... - Totem Tribe Towers3 October 2019, 5:57 am
Listening to the deep bass line in Lyle Lovett’s “She’s Already Made up her Mind,” I’m still amazed after nearly 20 years of reviewing speakers, at how Totem’s Vince Bruzzese gets so much bass out of such small cabinets. These svelte speakers are instantly riveting. The tiny frontal area of the enclosures houses a 1.3-inch [...]... - Issue 9828 September 2019, 6:45 am
... - ANA Mighty Sound4 September 2019, 2:53 am
Of all the perils analog enthusiasts are faced with, the worst is breaking the cantilever on a precious cartridge. Ask any audiophile with more than few cartridges, many of them will tell you that it is not a matter of if, but a matter when. If you handle tonearms and cartridges long enough, sooner or [...]... - The AudioSolutions Figaro M Speakers4 September 2019, 12:08 am
A relative newcomer on the HiFi scene, AudioSolutions comes out of the gate producing speakers that are top performers, offering tremendous value. To be straight up with you, I prefer speakers more in the GamuT, Sonus faber, and Gold Note part of the spectrum. Slightly on the warm side, but still dynamic and resolving. A [...]...
- Cambridge Audio Edge A Integrated Amplifier-DAC15 October 2019, 4:00 am
Cambridge Audio’s first product, designed by Professor Gordon Edge in 1968, was the P40 integrated amplifier, which Cambridge claims was the first amplifier ever to use a toroidal (i.e., donut-shaped) transformer. While continuing to make amplifiers, Cambridge has come a long way in the half-century since then, producing CD players, D/A converters, surround-sound receivers, loudspeakers, and, more recently, network streaming devices and a 4K UHD universal BD player. They also make turntabl... - Recommended Reference Component: Revel PerformaBe M126Be Loudspeakers1 October 2019, 4:00 am
When Revel first released the PerformaBe M126Be stand-mounted minimonitor, its retail price of $4000/pair (all prices USD) seemed a stretch. The M126Be is largely based on the Performa3 M106, which Philip Beaudette reviewed in April 2015 -- but the M106 costs only $2000/pair (both models are still available). To charge twice as much for a speaker of nearly identical size and appearance, with upgrades that at first glance aren’t at all obvious, seemed out of line. But as Philip explained in... - A Return to Passives with Bespoke Audio1 October 2019, 4:00 am
Audiophilic obsessions, trends, or movements have proven to be cyclic over the years. I can’t quite nail down the lengths of the cycles, but it seems that we periodically revive hi-fi practice modes, the renewed interest coming from Japanese enthusiasts, French tube worshippers, Italian anachrophiles, or other hobbyists. ... - Paradigm Premier 800F Loudspeakers1 October 2019, 4:00 am
After many years of producing, basically, the same few lines of loudspeakers, Paradigm recently revamped almost its entire range of hi-fi speaker models. Except for the Atom, the naming convention used for the new Monitor SE series is entirely different from that of the previous line, and comprises fewer models -- and completely gone are the venerable Studio and Signature lines, now replaced by the intermediately priced Prestige line. Of course, change can be good -- built into Paradigm’s ... - The Budget British Invasion Continues with QED and Wharfedale1 October 2019, 4:00 am
These days I’m seeing so much great-sounding, great-looking, inexpensive audio gear, particularly from the UK, that I’m not sure there’s ever been a better time for the audiophile on a budget. In my August 2019 column, I wrote about two spectacular values from a British company founded in 1983: Audiolab’s 6000A integrated amplifier-DAC and 6000CDT CD transport, which respectively retail for $949.99 and $499.99 (all prices USD). This month I write about two high-value prod...
- Wyred 4 Sound mINT integrated amplifier Review2 October 2019, 9:58 pm
I have always enjoyed attending the California Audio Show and feel it is worth the drive to Northern California to attend as much as I can. This year I had the opportunity to listen to a number of products that are not sold by my local retailers or are available only direct from the manufacturer. [...] The post Wyred 4 Sound mINT integrated amplifier Review appeared first on Dagogo.... - Luxman launches new flagship control amplifier CL-10002 October 2019, 8:49 pm
BALLSTON SPA, New York, October 2, 2019 –Luxman’s new flagship control amplifier, theCL-1000 is the spiritual heir to the legendary C-1000, launched in 1975. Yet even as it salutes the past, the new preamp looks forward with an all-new LECUTA volume control system, a nanocrystal core transformer, Luxman’s proprietary oil-impregnated capacitors and more. “The CL-1000 [...] The post Luxman launches new flagship control amplifier CL-1000 appeared first on Dagogo.... - PS Audio Releases New OS for DirectStream/DSJ: Windom!1 October 2019, 9:04 pm
PS Audio Releases New OS for DirectStream/DSJ: Windom! New “mountaintop” advances state of the art, yet again Boulder, CO: 10/1/2019—-Since its introduction in 2014, the PS Audio Perfect Wave DirectStream DAC has repeatedly advanced the state of the art in digital audio. Thanks to its FPGA-based architecture, owners of the DirectStream can update their [...] The post PS Audio Releases New OS for DirectStream/DSJ: Windom! appeared first on Dagogo.... - Joseph Cali presents Gryphon Audio Designs at The Pacific Design Center Studio 661 October 2019, 5:49 pm
August 29, 2019 I attended the Joseph Cali/Gryphon Grand Opening event Thursday, August 29, 2019 at his new showroom in the very upscale Pacific Design Center Studio 66. The Pacific Design Center is a 1,600,000 square foot complex for the design community located in trendy West Hollywood, CA. This is the West Coast’s top decorating [...] The post Joseph Cali presents Gryphon Audio Designs at The Pacific Design Center Studio 66 appeared first on Dagogo.... - Orchard Audio PecanPi Review30 September 2019, 3:27 pm
A Tasty Alternative The Orchard Audio PecanPi DAC/Streamer is, as one would surmise from the name, built and designed upon the Raspberry Pi architecture: A Raspberry Pi 3B and a Raspberry Pi DAC all in a neat and attractive chassis. Numerous readers and followers online have been asking me to explore such designs as this, [...] The post Orchard Audio PecanPi Review appeared first on Dagogo....
- Amazon Music HD With iOS, macOS, Windows 10, BluOS, and a Sonos Port16 October 2019, 2:40 pm
Now that Amazon Music HD has been live for about one month, many in the Audiophile Style community have had a chance to test it on numerous platforms. The results have been all over the board. Some have said the sound is different than other services, possibly even louder. Others have expressed frustration over getting music to output to a DAC without running it through a virtual spaghetti of operating system audio paths. I decided to gather up some devices, run some tests, and write down th... - Summerbreeze | How to establish a low cost, high quality system for your deck & desktop costing less than $35014 October 2019, 5:20 pm
Summerbreeze by DuckToller Great sound against global warming 😉 How to establish a low cost, high quality system for your deck & desktop costing less than $350 USD "If you've forgotten what I'm naming you're gonna long to reclaim it one day Because that summer feeling is gonna haunt you One day in your life." (Jonathan Richman, That Summer Feeling, 1983*/1992) * The original version of "Th... - Sonore opticalRendu & Signature Rendu SE Optical Review | Part 210 October 2019, 2:15 pm
On June 26, 2019 I wrote, "Just when some are doubting the need or capability of D to D converters, Sonore releases the opticalRendu, Signature Rendu SE optical, and enables local storage on the platform. There isn't a single box solution available with the same level of performance, flexibility, and cutting edge features as the Rendus. In addition, there isn't a yearly, monthly, or lifetime fee associated with all this greatness from Sonore. As soon as my new speakers are ins... - Brainwavz Audio Alara Planar Magnetic Headphone Review7 October 2019, 2:45 pm
The Brainwavz Alara are a very good pair of open-back headphones. No, they’re not “giant killers.” But they’re an accurate, affordable pair of headphone with few major flaws. And almost no one is talking about them. “Why,” I keep asking myself, “haven’t these cans gotten more attention?” As a reviewer, I’m not worried about dissenting from the conventional wisdom. But it’s an odd state... - The Value Proposition In Computer Audio: Front End Software2 October 2019, 8:00 pm
THE VALUE PROPOSITION IN COMPUTER AUDIO: front end software The three party software system is now firmly entrenched in our culture. And, per a recent AS poll I posted, there’s been some serious change in platform preferences and practices among computer audiophiles over the last 7 years. Half of all respondents in the 2012 poll favored Mac. About 35% preferred Windows, while a scant 13% favored Linux. My 2019 poll results showed that a majority ...
- At "Making Vinyl, Hollywood", Bernie Grundman Gets A Lifetime Achievement Award15 October 2019, 7:29 pm
Guitarist Steve Vai gave veteran mastering engineer Bernie Grundman a well-deserved Making Vinyl lifetime achievement award at Monday's Making Vinyl, Hollywood 2019, Blue Note Tone Poet reissue series curator Joe Harley delivered an 80th Anniversary Blue Note slide show and Phonocut demonstrated a home new vinyl cutting system. Those were only a few of day one's highlights at Making Vinyl, Hollywood taking place at the W Hotel, Hollywood.... - This is What <i>IGOR</i> "Stitching" Looks Like14 October 2019, 6:31 pm
We inadvertently identified Memphis Record Pressing as being responsible for pressing Tyler, the Creator's IGOR. Obviously some buyers got copies like mine seen in this picture showing a horrendous case of audible "stitching". MRP received some not pleasant emails from readers. These should be directed to United Record Pressing, which actually pressed this terrible looking record. Apologies to MRP and we vow greater diligence going forward.... - The Mikey and Chad Show Comes to The Audio Salon For One Night Only!13 October 2019, 12:31 am
"Making Vinyl, Hollywood" comes to the W hotel Monday and Tuesday October14th and 15th. AnalogPlanet editor Michael Fremer moderates panels and Analogue Productions/Acoustic Sounds mogul Chad Kassem participates. Tuesday evening the Mikey and Chad Show (or the Chad and Mikey Show, if you you prefer) comes to The Audio Salon, Santa Monica 6-9PM for one show only! If you're in the area, come on over. We'll have fun and spin some great records on a killer system.... - <i>IGOR</i> Vinyl Arrives! (Correction and Apologies to MRP)12 October 2019, 3:21 am
This story has been corrected and updated to reflect the fact that the standard IGOR pressing is from United Record Pressing and NOT Memphis Record Pressing, which because of our error has received some nasty emails from AP readers. Apologies to MRP. We have egg on our faces_ed. As I approached the check-out counter at Music Millennium with a standard black vinyl copy of IGOR, I told the cashier about my endless obsession with this album. “Don’t get too obsessed with these things,&rd... - Beverly "Guitar" Watkins R.I.P. October 1st, Played At Last Year's "Blues at the Crossroads"9 October 2019, 11:04 pm
Beverly "Guitar" Watkins passed away in Atlanta on October 1st at age 80. She had a heart attack after previously suffering a stroke. I'd missed the news until reading the obit in today's New York Times. If you've not watched this video posted here and on the AnalogPlanet YouTube channel last fall, do yourself a big favor and watch it now. Here's what was written when the video originally posted: 79 year old Beverly "Guitar" Watkins, unknown to most in the audience, puts on a fiery, funky and fi...
- Miguel pops the lid on his CD transport to tweak the sound15 October 2019, 12:00 pm
... - We hit 75,000 YouTube subscribers! Next call for audiophile system pictures14 October 2019, 6:00 pm
... - Ears on: The Cambridge Audio CXA81 integrated amplifier14 October 2019, 12:00 pm
... - Audiophiliac viewers under $1K systems will surprise you13 October 2019, 12:00 pm
... - Outrageous horn speakers and tube amps, straight outta Brooklyn12 October 2019, 12:00 pm
...
- Filter, Title of Record 20th Anniversary LP | The Vinyl Anachronist16 October 2019, 9:00 am
Part-Time Audiophile Craft Recordings, the company that just released It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! for the first time on vinyl, has also sent me the 20th anniversary reissue of Filter’s second album, 1999’s Title of Record. Listen to these two reissues back to back and you’ll start to understand just how ambitious and eclectic Craft Recordings is. For those of you who don’t already know and enjoy the music of Filter, the story kinda goes like this…f... - Jillian Rae, I Can’t Be the One You Want Me to Be | The Vinyl Anachronist15 October 2019, 9:00 am
Part-Time Audiophile I almost didn’t get to review this LP from singer-violinist Jillian Rae, I Can’t Be the One You Want Me to Be. The first obstacle was presented by the USPS mail carrier who left the album on my front porch during a big rainstorm. I barely saved it in time, but for some reason the LP was also badly warped in addition to soaking wet. (Thank goodness for record clamps and phono cartridges that are excellent trackers, right?) Second, this album didn’t make that... - Carlos Cipa, Retronyms | The Vinyl Anachronist14 October 2019, 9:00 am
Part-Time Audiophile Carlos Cipa‘s beautiful new album Retronyms reminds me of this CD I’ve had in my collection for years, one simply called Music for Relaxation, Meditation and Concentration. I don’t know how long I’ve had this CD, where I found it or why I decided to buy it. It looks like a generic sampler, something that’s played during an hour of massage therapy, but it contains music from Popol Vuh, John Lurie, Maurice Jarre and Jurgen Kneiper. It’s an i... - dCS Bartok DAC, Part One | Review13 October 2019, 9:00 am
Part-Time Audiophile Every once and a while, a product will turn up at the house for review that is so special, it changes what I understand to be possible for an audio component. And let’s face it; most of us don’t have anything resembling “unlimited budgets”, so finding something magical at a price you might (barely/one day/maybe-possibly) afford can make for a great day. For me, I found the dCS Bartok DAC to be just such an animal. I started reviewing DACs in the headp... - Troy Roberts, Days Like These | The Vinyl Anachronist12 October 2019, 2:10 pm
Part-Time Audiophile Saxophone players aren’t known for being shy or demure, but Troy Roberts takes extroversion to another level. He’s known as a young lion in today’s jazz scene, a musician who really stands out with a bold, passionate style. Every note he plays is a statement, one that stems from who he is and where he’s been. He’s an ambitious sax player, so much so that after ten albums he founded his own jazz label, Toy Robot Music. The first release is this, ...
- A short film about True Wireless IEMs16 October 2019, 6:47 am
What’s best? In the world of True Wireless earphones, where Bluetooth carries the digital audio signal from smartphone to both earpieces (hence ‘true’), Apple Airpods (Gen 2, €179) are often the first touchpoint. Apple’s earbud design – where the earpiece sits in the outer-ear (not inner) – makes them number […] More-------------------------------------------------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed with... - Arcam’s Solo Uno is a compact streaming amplifier15 October 2019, 8:13 am
Teased at CEDIA 2019 and now appearing on Arcam’s website is the British company’s all-new Solo Uno: a Class D streaming amplifier that’s roughly the size of a hardback book. A surprisingly stylish aluminium chassis puts Ethernet and WiFi inputs on the back panel, next to a pair of loudspeaker […] More-------------------------------------------------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For private use only.... - iFi’s ZEN is a £129 MQA/DSD DAC & headphone amplifier14 October 2019, 6:47 am
An MQA DAC and headphone amplifier that will talk to a Mac, a PC and a smartphone* for a hundred quid (ish)? Not the AudioQuest DragonFly Black but the forthcoming ZEN DAC from iFi that eschews the dongle in favour of a quarter-width aluminium chassis more becoming of a desktop […] More-------------------------------------------------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For private use only. Copyright 2010-2018 · Dark... - Letters to the editor: Suitcase Coffee Co., Onix, Klarita Muso13 October 2019, 12:08 pm
The pursuit of better coffee is none too dissimilar to the pursuit of better sound: we marry machines to trial and error (that sums to experience) in order to improve the quality of an outcome. And so we start this edition of ‘Letters to the editor’ with an email response […] More-------------------------------------------------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For private use only. Copyright 2010-2018 ·... - A journey through hi-res audio w/ LG V40, Apple iPad11 October 2019, 1:16 pm
With LG’s V series smartphones, the proposition is simple: connect a pair of headphones and you’re off to the races with an ESS DAC/headphone chip for some of the best portable sound in the world this side of a DAP. Yes, the LGs sound better than any Apple iPhone. That’s […] More-------------------------------------------------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For private use only. Copyright 2010-2018 &m...
- Streaming the Classics 6/Bruckner 9 Symphonies Box Sets10 October 2019, 5:07 pm
Do you ever type a streaming query in Roon for a classical work and are overwhelmed by the choices? Rather than clicking on any old recording or the first one you see, Audiophilia will make things a little easier for you and do the heavy listening. These choices are for streaming only. Is the best in streaming also the best vinyl recording and performance? That’s for another article. A few criteria: 1. Recording must be on Qobuz and/or Tidal HiFi. 2. It does not have to be Hi... - PS Audio DirectStream (DS) DAC: Windom Update4 October 2019, 12:56 pm
About 9 months ago PS Audio released a significant software upgrade, Snowmass, for their DirectStream (DS) DAC; I was impressed and wrote about it. I stated that ‘I think the most apparent changes are in soundstage, imaging and reduction of noise. Snowmass throws a larger/deeper soundstage with a more stable imaging of instruments that synchs so well with my new amps; kindred spirits.’... - Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earphones1 October 2019, 4:16 pm
Before rapper Dr. Dre became a billionaire by selling his eponymous headphone company Beats by Dr. Dre to Apple, he propelled the company into first place among the lucrative millennial mobile/computer/home headphone market with relentless marketing and colourful products that were deemed ‘cool’ by the kids. And in marketing and profitability, nothing beats ‘cool’. His first headphone, the Beats by Dr. Dre Studio (2008), was a bass monster. And not in a good way. L... - Alta Audio Alec Loudspeakers26 September 2019, 5:17 pm
At the recent 2019 Rocky Mountain Audio Fest (RMAF), Alta Audio premiered a new $10,000/pair 2-driver loudspeaker (1 tweeter, 1 woofer) named the Alec. Unlike Alta’s flagship FRM-2 Celesta ($15,000/pair), which also has 2-drivers but is monitor sized and sits on stands, the Alec is a floor standing model, with a larger (8.75” versus 6”) woofer, and 20 more pounds in weight (75 pounds versus 55 pounds). In the showroom at RMAF, Alta’s President, Mike Levy, joined for... - Audiophilia YouTube Channel23 September 2019, 5:38 pm
With PewDiePie hitting 100,000,000 subscribers, yes, you read that right, 100 million, our new Audiophilia channel looks a little silly. But, we’ll jump on the bandwagon, not for poops & giggles, but once in a while we want to show off a new piece of equipment, play a track that’s sublime, promote a review, or just shoot the breeze. That said, yours truly has a face for radio. I do not want to be a ‘Youtube Star’. Others, it seems, do. We just want to promote qu...
- 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.... - Spatial Audio M3 Triode Master + interview with designer Clayton Shaw15 March 2019, 4:01 am
Oliver Masciarotte spends time with the Spatial Audio M3 Triode Master open baffle speaker, and quizzes designer Clayton Shaw about his design choices. Oliver concludes: "The M3 Triode Master is a outstanding example of OB design; exacting imaging combined with broad uncolored off-axis coverage and an airy, expansive soundstage. It... lends itself nicely to rooms large and small."... - RME ADI-2 Pro : Modes and Audio Routing6 January 2019, 11:58 am
John Reekie takes a deep dive into the "modes" of the RME ADI-2 Pro. "The modes can be considered as a sort of shorthand that gets you close to a solution, which you can then tailor by adjusting parameters away from the default or automatic selections." He provides diagrams that illustrate the signal routing through the ADI-2 Pro in each mode, and also discusses clocking.... - Syncing a music library to a Droidisk (or PiDisk)14 December 2018, 6:26 pm
John Reekie goes all GUI to sync up his droidisk server with music files on a Mac or PC. Well, apart from installation on the ODroid or Raspberry Pi. Compared to his previous rsync-based method, this is "a better solution that is cross-platform, easier to set up, and more flexible."...
- 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....
- Aurorasound VIDA Prima Phono Preamplifier22 September 2019, 4:06 pm
Aurorasound is a company in Yokohama, Japan. Designer Shinobu Karaki has 28 years’ experience working for Texas Instruments Japan, Inc. He is also a passionate musician, music teacher and a long-time audiophile. His love of music, combined with trained ears and extensive know-how in electronics and integrated circuits makes Mr. Karaki well suited for designing high-end audio components. Shinobu Karaki-san's designs are state of the art innovative semiconductor technology and combined with ... - ZYX UNIverse Optimum Phono Cartridge4 August 2019, 9:41 pm
Another ceiling has been shattered, another mountain conquered, and another superlative surpassed. The new ZYX UNIverse Optimum moving coil phonograph cartridge has risen above the very high pinnacle of performance set by the ZYX UNIverse Premium, reviewed here on 10 Audio. I encourage you to read the Premium review, as this review will only attempt to detail the differences between the $14,995 Premium and the $16,995 Optimum. The cartridge is labeled with the distributor’s name beca... - Valvet E2 SE Stereo Power Amplifier29 June 2019, 8:12 pm
The new Valvet E2 SE single-ended Class A solid-state amplifier is a revelation. Coming to market about a year after my review of the Valvet E2, the SE version exceeds the E2's audible performance in every parameter. Please see the older review for context. The special edition SE version takes all the E2's excellent performance and offers improvements in every area. The review system has changed since the E2 review, and provides the potential for higher resolution. The significant changes are a ... - Revel Performa M126Be Loudspeakers18 May 2019, 9:45 pm
The new Performa Be series of loudspeakers offers an upgrade from the well-received Performa3 series from Revel. The Be speakers feature the Revel’s latest beryllium tweeter that was first introduced more than a decade ago in the Ultima2 series. Revel is a member of the Harman International family of brands which includes Mark Levinson, JBL, Arcam, and Infinity. The Performa M126Be is a ported 2-way stand mount, AKA bookshelf speaker weighing a back-friendly 22 pounds, not including ... - Wyred 4 Sound ST-750LE Stereo Power Amplifier31 March 2019, 9:06 pm
The new Wyred 4 Sound ST-750LE stereo power amplifier sounds far above it's price class. The technology includes Wyred 4 Sound's proprietary input circuit that is similar to the one implemented in their '10 LP'-rated STP-SE Stage 2 preamplifier. This is followed by the latest IcePower amplifier module. The base price of the amplifier is $1599.00. The review sample is also equipped with the WBT speaker binding posts and Kimber TCX wire upgrade, a $250 option. From the Wyred 4 Sound Web site:"For ...
- Primare announces NP5 Prisma network player to ship end of October 201914 October 2019, 1:18 pm
NP5 Prisma is a clever little device that provides Primare’s Prisma network player technology to virtually any system with a digital input. Incorporating all the functionality found in their latest award winning Prisma enabled models, including AirPlay 2*, Bluetooth, Chromecast built-in, Roon Ready*, Spotify Connect, in addition to network connected hard drive control, NP5 Prisma also allows for volume adjustment and input selection for previous Primare models with RS232 inputs, all using ... - Black is the new black for Devialet11 October 2019, 9:37 am
A BRAND NEW DESIGN FROM DEVIALET Until now, the Devialet Phantom series has been available only in white, but now Devialet has unveiled a new, Matte Black version of its Phantom REACTOR ultra-compact speaker. The result of a year’s design efforts, the speaker’s sharp matte finish is achieved with an aqueous solution, creating a soft touch and a smooth finish capable of handling intense power and pressure. Devialet’s high expectations for quality, combined with specific acoustic... - Moor Amps Ltd is proud to introduce the Angel 6 Power Amplifier and the Angel Pre Preamplifier.11 October 2019, 8:55 am
The Angel-6 power amplifier is a revolutionary combination of low-feedback purity with high power delivery and control. These amplifiers are the culmination of a 30 year journey, discovering how to make truly musical amplifiers. It turned out a new approach from the ground up was needed to achieve the stunning musicality of these amplifiers. The Angel-6 design goes to great lengths to maximise the linearity of every single stage of the amplifier, then applies a low level of overall feedback just... - Linn launches the world’s best-sounding wireless speaker at Harrods11 October 2019, 6:47 am
LONDON 11th October 2019: Linn, the Glasgow-based high-end audio specialist, unveils Series 3, an all-in-one, wireless speaker unlike any other and the embodiment of five decades of audio innovation. Launching in their brand-new flagship showroom in Harrods, Series 3 exudes elegance in every way, fitting seamlessly into any home and enhancing every day with exceptional musical clarity. With its unrivalled combination of looks and the outstanding audio performance that Linn is famous for, it&rsqu... - Meze Audio Empyrean planar magnetic headphone8 October 2019, 1:09 pm
Until now the Romanian firm Meze Audio has been best known for its excellent and affordable 99 Classics headphones, which offer incredible value for money. However, for over two years Meze has been hard at work developing an extremely sophisticated, ultra high-performance, cost-no-object headphone called the Empyrean (£2,699, $2,999). The Empyrean is an open-back planar magnetic headphone stemming from collaboration between Meze Audio and the Ukrainian firm Rinaro™ Isodynamics (a vet...
- Farewell10 August 2019, 12:20 am
Due to personal and professional reasons, Twittering Machines will close its virtual doors next month [footnote 1]. I am, in effect, retiring from hifi. I hope you’ve enjoyed our 1-year journey as much as we’ve [...]... - Listening6 August 2019, 1:38 pm
Here’s what I’ve been doing of late: listening. I am in the process of listening to a number of products, using them in different system configurations to get an idea of what aspects of performance [...]... - HiFi Bargains: AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt4 August 2019, 12:02 pm
In the beginning, there was Black. Then Black v1.5, followed by Red. Well, there’s a new sheriff in town and his name is Cobalt. DragonFly Cobalt. A DragonFly is a flash drive-sized digital-to-analog-converter (DAC) and [...]... - Why I Hate Measurements (I don’t)1 August 2019, 11:00 am
I don’t hate measurements but some people think I do because I am often critical of how people interpret them. These are two very different things. Measurements, when properly performed, can tell us about aspects [...]... - Review: Linear Tube Audio MZ330 July 2019, 12:00 pm
I just dropped the Linear Tube Audio (LTA) MZ3 at our local UPS store. It’s hot (112, says The Weather Channel), so I rushed back home to the shady, cool listening space that is my [...]...
- ArteLuthe’s La Piccola: A Monitor Speaker that Refuses to Act like One5 October 2019, 3:43 pm
My experience with ArteLuthe speakers began when I reviewed the Vivace Mini, a combined effort between Robert Gaboury of Arteluthe and Frank Ng of Triode Labs and Finale Audio. The Vivace Mini is a single driver horn-loaded speaker that defied my expectations of what could be accomplished with a tiny high efficiency driver. My review of that speaker is available here. I also had an opportunity to listen to Gaboury’s Cadenza speakers, which combine the elegance of a horn tweeter and a ... - Reminder: Only Two Chances Left To Hear Rhitom Sarkar In Toronto19 September 2019, 7:05 pm
Last Chance and Not To Be Missed! As I posted at the end of August, Hindustani Slide Guitar master Rhitom Sarkar has been here on a return visit from Kolkata – performing a series of concerts in the Greater Toronto Area. My son and I saw him play in Waterford on Sept.7th, and my wife and I were at the performance on the 14th at Govinda’s in Toronto. Both performances were amazing, with Rhitom’s mohan veena accompanied by the talented and affable Toronto tabla player, Sonesh Cha... - Review: Finalé Audio F-7189 II Integrated Amplifier16 September 2019, 3:54 pm
Finalé Audio F-7189 II Integrated Amplifier: Watch out old Dynacos, there’s a new EL84 amp in town. Review by Steve Graham Did Finalé Audio just pick the model number for their revised EL84 amplifier out of the air? Not quite. If you know your tube history – yeah, I know, yawn – a 7189 tube is an obscure, uprated EL84, one that could be run harder and therefore output a bit more power. For background on the EL84 and the 7189, try this... - Indo Canadian Slide Project – Upcoming Tour Dates!28 August 2019, 2:24 pm
Great news from our friend Michael Oesch: Hindustani Slide Guitar master Rhitom Sarkar is returning to Canada for a series of exciting shows here in Southern Ontario next month (Sept)! Below are some details. I hope some of our readers can make it and/or let a local friend or two know about it. For those who missed it – here’s my review of the wonderful ICSP album: click to open. Sept.2019 Tour Schedule so far: September 6th – Indo Canadian Slide Project performs live at... - Last Call to Bid On Steve Graham’s Latest SUT/All-Tube Phono Stage For A Great Cause9 August 2019, 2:17 am
Edit: Bidding has now ended Steve’s “NFP” or Not-For-Profit Phono is a great opportunity to own a high end phono stage at a reasonable price – with all the proceeds going to charity. The catch is that Steve only built one, and when it’s gone….it’s gone. All the details can be found here: https://wallofsound.ca/audioreviews/analog/nfp-not-for-profit-tube-mm-mc-phono-stage-built-tested-reviewed-and-it-can-be-yours/ Thanks for your sup...
- dCS Rossini Master Clock Review16 October 2019, 1:22 pm
I was in denial for about a week. The Rossini Master Clock arrived and I purposefully ignored its shipping box after tucking it in a corner of the dining room. I think it was because I was so happy with the sound from the dCS Rossini DAC in my system that I didn’t want to mess with it. ... - iFi ZEN DAC: $129 USD for Entry-Level Computer Audio13 October 2019, 6:17 pm
The cost of high-fidelity is something of a flash point in the hobby for many who see $10k USD DACs as outrageous and long for pricing more down-to-earth.... - Fear of a 24-bit Planet: High-Resolution Audio10 October 2019, 5:00 am
He was worried. My friend, you see, was worried. He was worried because he’d been listening to some high-resolution audio files and found he preferred them to standard CD-quality. He called me and asked if I could come over.... - Streaming Computer Audio – A Wireless Demo at Hi-Fi Centre7 October 2019, 3:19 pm
We’ve all seen the person shaking their head at the Apple Store’s Genius Bar, or at a local computer repair shop. Gesturing futilely at a laptop, or PC because hardware has gone wrong or they can’t figure out a software problem.... - Wolf Audio Systems with Joe Parvey: AudioStream Podcast No.105 October 2019, 3:46 pm
This is the 10th episode of the AudioStream Podcast and host Brian Hunter brings you Wolf Audio Systems. Wolf is a relatively new company on the digital audio scene, but has already produced some early successes with their lineup of high fidelity audio servers....
- Lear LCM-Skyline Review16 October 2019, 1:08 pm
Tonality8.6Build Quality9Comfort & Fit9.1Matchability8.7Reader Rating4 Votes9.88.9ScoreHK$1,688Lear Audio HKThe Lear LCM-Skyline is a new custom monitor featuring an 8mm PEEK diaphragm single dynamic driver and a balanced in-ear pressure relief system. This retails for HK$1,688.00 or approximately $215 making it one of the best value custom IEMs in the market today. Disclaimer: The Lear LCM-Skyline sent […] The post Lear LCM-Skyline Review appeared first on Headfonics.... - Monoprice Monolith™ THX Amplifier & DAC Review13 October 2019, 12:38 pm
The Monoprice Monolith™ THX Amplifier is a mid-fi priced THX certified DAC/Amp combo featuring dual AK4493 and up to 2W of power. It is priced at $499.99 Disclaimer: The Monprice Monolith™ THX Amplifier sent to us for this review is a paid-for sample. We thank the team at Monoprice for giving us this opportunity. To read […] The post Monoprice Monolith™ THX Amplifier & DAC Review appeared first on Headfonics.... - Meze Rai Penta – First Contact12 October 2019, 1:32 pm
The Meze Rai Penta is the company’s flagship Penta-hybrid universal monitor featuring a single dynamic driver and a quad BA driver design. It is priced at $1099. Disclaimer: The Meze Rai Penta sent to us for this review is a purchased unit. We thank Meze for this opportunity. To learn more about Meze reviews on Headfonics […] The post Meze Rai Penta – First Contact appeared first on Headfonics.... - iBasso DX160 – First Contact11 October 2019, 11:52 am
The iBasso DX160 is the company’s new mid-range compact digital media player featuring Android Oreo, a 1080p screen, and dual CS 43198 DAC implementation. It is priced at $399. Disclaimer: The iBasso DX160 was sent to us as a sample in exchange for our honest opinion. We thank iBasso for this opportunity. To learn more about […] The post iBasso DX160 – First Contact appeared first on Headfonics.... - Campfire Audio IO Review9 October 2019, 10:56 am
The Campfire Audio IO is the company’s latest dual balanced armature driver universal monitor with a unique mid-centric tuning. It is priced at an affordable $299. Disclaimer: The Campfire Audio IO sent to us is a sample in exchange for our honest opinion. We thank the team at Campfire Audio for giving us this opportunity. To read […] The post Campfire Audio IO Review appeared first on Headfonics....
- Capital Audio Fest Preview 201916 October 2019, 1:38 pm
Audio and the industry at large have been distinctly West Coast-centric for many years. Between the huge Los Angeles and T.H.E. shows of years past, Canjam SoCal, and Rocky Mountain Audio Fest – and its accompanying Canjam – the midwest and East Coast have only recently gotten some audio show love. ... - HIFIMAN HE1000se Headphone Review12 October 2019, 7:06 pm
Raise your hand if you’re a sucker for slick industrial design mixed with luxurious accents of leather and chrome. I’ve got two hands up because this could mean not only headphones, but hi-fi, motorcycles, automobiles or watches – all things in which I value style, performance and most of all; the improvement to the quality of life these objects can bring.... - Top Five Bluetooth Wireless Headphones and IEMs under $300 for 20198 October 2019, 5:21 pm
2019 has been a fascinating year from a wireless headphone perspective – we’ve seen a lot of new companies jump into the wireless space, just as Apple changed the entire game in 2018 with their Earpods. ... - Headphone Music 6 October 2019, 1:50 am
Unlike my inaugural mix for AudioStream (This Is a Test), which assembled immaculately produced music ideal for evaluating hi-fi gear, this next instalment is less suited for testing a pair of headphones than it is for enjoying them.... - Cleer Audio NEXT Headphone Review3 October 2019, 4:31 am
The Cleer Audio NEXT headphones themselves are a meticulously assembled piece of gear. The level of industrial fit and finish rivals the Focal Stellia’s I reviewed earlier this year, and the comfort is superior....
- Review: TAD Micro Evolution One Loudspeaker15 October 2019, 5:58 pm
My obsession with bookshelf style and standmount loudspeakers knows no bounds. I love the challenge to designers, there is a The post Review: TAD Micro Evolution One Loudspeaker appeared first on AudioHead.... - An Interview With Jeff Joseph Of Joseph Audio10 October 2019, 5:38 pm
Jeff Joseph has been producing top tier audio for consumers for quite a few years now. One of his biggest The post An Interview With Jeff Joseph Of Joseph Audio appeared first on AudioHead.... - PS Audio Debuts AN3 Loudspeaker – RMAF 20198 October 2019, 4:09 pm
At Rocky Mountain Audio Fest 2019, PS Audio debuted their latest state-of-the-art AN3 loudspeaker. With a complete museum like showroom The post PS Audio Debuts AN3 Loudspeaker – RMAF 2019 appeared first on AudioHead.... - Benchmark And Martin Logan – RMAF 20196 October 2019, 3:45 pm
MartinLogan and Benchmark teamed up at Rocky Mountain Audio Fest 2019 to debut the new MartinLogan Motion Series of loudspeakers. The post Benchmark And Martin Logan – RMAF 2019 appeared first on AudioHead.... - Vincent Audio Has A New Compact Hybrid Integrated For Your Listening Pleasure3 October 2019, 4:30 pm
German-based Vincent Audio unleashed a new hybrid integrated amplifier this week which lands on the somewhat audiophile modest side of The post Vincent Audio Has A New Compact Hybrid Integrated For Your Listening Pleasure appeared first on AudioHead....
- The HeadAmp GS-X mini Balanced Headphone Amplifier – Incredible Transparency and Drive!16 October 2019, 1:00 am
I’ve been a huge fan of HeadAmp’s products for pretty much a full decade. Everything from their now discontinued GS-1 The post The HeadAmp GS-X mini Balanced Headphone Amplifier – Incredible Transparency and Drive! appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - Auris Euterpe Tube AMP/DAC Review14 October 2019, 1:00 am
Auris over the last few years has made a significant impact on the personal audio community with world-class reference products. The post Auris Euterpe Tube AMP/DAC Review appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - 1MORE Stylish True Wireless IEMs8 October 2019, 1:00 am
Design, Style, Technology, and Innovation. It could be said that these are the terms that embody 1MORE’s western push. Headphone.Guru The post 1MORE Stylish True Wireless IEMs appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - World Premiere! Fidelice Precision Digital-to-Analog Converter by Rupert Neve Designs – As The Artists Intended7 October 2019, 1:00 am
Musicians and regular attendees of CanJams will be familiar with the name Rupert Neve. Rupert Neve began designing custom mixing The post World Premiere! Fidelice Precision Digital-to-Analog Converter by Rupert Neve Designs – As The Artists Intended appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - HIFIMAN Electronics Ships ANANDA-BT High-Resolution Bluetooth Headphone3 October 2019, 7:13 pm
ANANDA-BT Features Bluetooth Bit Rates Up to 24Bit, 96kHz BELLMORE, NY, October 3, 2019 –HIFIMAN, the leader in high fidelity personal The post HIFIMAN Electronics Ships ANANDA-BT High-Resolution Bluetooth Headphone appeared first on Headphone Guru....
- Vertere Acoustics Launches NEW Redline Cables10 October 2019, 2:00 pm
Vertere Acoustics, London UK. Touraj Moghaddam founder and CEO of Vertere Acoustics confirmed that the new Redline series of cables had started shipping to retailers and distributors worldwide. Vertere Cables unleash the best possible musical performance from a hi-fi system. They allow their owners to sit back, relax, and feel the impact of real musicians in […] The post Vertere Acoustics Launches NEW Redline Cables appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - McIntosh Unveils Next Generation Home Cinema Devices9 October 2019, 2:00 pm
October 9th, 2019, Binghamton, NY, USA: McIntosh, the global leader in prestigious home entertainment and ultimate-quality audio for 70 years, is proud to announce three new next-generation home cinema products: the MX170 and MX123 A/V Processors, plus the MC255 5-Channel Home Theater Amplifier. Mcintosh announces the next generation of blockbuster-performance home cinema devices. Two state-of-the-art […] The post McIntosh Unveils Next Generation Home Cinema Devices appeared first on Audi... - Chord Electronics Dominates DAC What Hi-Fi? Awards 20198 October 2019, 5:48 pm
8th October 2019, Kent, UK: Chord Electronics’ proprietary-technology FPGA-based DACs have once again dominated the UK’s most prestigious audio honours, the What Hi-Fi? Awards (2019), scooping an incredible three out of six accolades and winning every award above £300! The company’s unique British-made digital to analogue convertors, which eschew value-engineered off-the-shelf DAC chips in favour of the proven […] The post Chord Electronics Dominates... - Chord Company Wins Big – What Hi-Fi? Awards 20198 October 2019, 5:18 pm
8th October 2019, Wiltshire, UK: Proven to be the UK’s leading cable manufacturer for yet another successive year, Chord Company has won an incredible three out of four honours in the world’s biggest audio accolades, the What Hi-Fi? Awards 2019. Celebrated for actively implementing a number of proprietary technologies into its class-leading cable ranges, including […] The post Chord Company Wins Big – What Hi-Fi? Awards 2019 appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - Simaudio’s NEW Moon 680D Streaming DAC7 October 2019, 6:53 pm
Simaudio’s new MOON 680D streaming DAC expands and redefines the expectations of digital music playback. With its high-end luxe looks, exemplary build quality, superior connectivity and onboard MiND 2* streaming module, the 680D is a future-proofed streaming DAC designed to combine simplicity of use with an extraordinary musical performance. The design team at Simaudio has […] The post Simaudio’s NEW Moon 680D Streaming DAC appeared first on Audio Bacon....
- Samsung Q90R, Q70R soundbars – ticking most boxes16 October 2019, 12:59 pm
REVIEW: Those bound by space-saving requirements will find many things to like about these premium Samsung soundbars.... - Hifiman TWS600 wireless earphones – staying out of the way10 October 2019, 2:43 am
REVIEW: Hifiman's first true wireless earphones, the TWS600, takes on a tough task in a competitive market.... - Dynaudio Evoke 20 speakers – sweet Danish delight7 October 2019, 3:20 am
REVIEW: These well-presented Danish speakers evoke favourable emotions from a panel/ribbon diehard.... - McIntosh MA252 integrated amplifier – a hybrid with vigour23 September 2019, 1:18 pm
REVIEW: Nothing like a hybrid to bring out the yearning in our hard-nosed reviewer, who finds the McIntosh MA252 very much to his liking.... - Stoner Acoustics UD130 amp/DAC – on a sonic roll20 September 2019, 12:44 am
REVIEW: Why stay rooted to the spot? The Stoner Acoustics UD130 makes a case for being mobile and flexible when listening to music....
- Cambridge Audio CXN V2 Review & Comparison With Original CXN3 October 2019, 9:39 am
As the old adage goes, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. I’m pleased to see Cambridge taking this to heart in designing the CXN V2. The post Cambridge Audio CXN V2 Review & Comparison With Original CXN appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Pro-Ject VC-S2 ALU Vinyl Record Cleaning Machine Reviewed26 September 2019, 10:55 am
another evolution of Pro-Ject’s excellent vinyl cleaner line. The two new models bring more welcome improvements to what was already a top-class product. The post Pro-Ject VC-S2 ALU Vinyl Record Cleaning Machine Reviewed appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Spin Care Vinyl Record Cleaning Machine & Vinyl Accessories Reviewed4 September 2019, 9:55 am
the performance of the Spin Care leaves nothing to be desired. It leaves records gleaming both visually and sonically. At just £39.95, it’s an extraordinarily cost-effective investment for those getting started, or for those looking to clean their collection on a budget. The post Spin Care Vinyl Record Cleaning Machine & Vinyl Accessories Reviewed appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Edifier H880 Headphones Review23 August 2019, 8:39 am
Another gem from Edifier. They’re more comfortable than the H850 and for sheer enjoyment are a better listen, though those looking for more accurate monitoring will want the H850. The post Edifier H880 Headphones Review appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Musical Fidelity M2scd CD player Review25 July 2019, 10:23 am
The Musical Fidelity M2sCD partners high-quality CD mechanics with one of the best CD servo systems on the market, adds a fine DAC and well-designed power supply and wraps the lot in a smart, solid enclosure. The post Musical Fidelity M2scd CD player Review appeared first on Audio Appraisal....
- EAN Home Cinema Review!Audio Control’s Dynamic Duo!Maestro M9 Dolby Atmos/DTS-XSurround Processor/Preamp,Plus Savoy G3 200W x 7 Amplifier10 September 2019, 4:43 pm
... - Home Recording Studio Review!The Mojave Audio MA-50Transformerless Microphone:“Entry Level Condenser Is QuiteA Transparency Over Achiever!"14 June 2019, 9:28 pm
... - EAN Audiophile Review!The KLH Kendall Tower3-Way Loudspeaker“Making Mr. Kloss Proud"24 March 2019, 8:52 pm
... - Home Theater Review!Paradigm Defiance X12 Subwoofer“15-inch Driver PerformanceFrom A 12-inch Subwoofer”4 March 2019, 2:24 pm
... - Audiophile Review!McGary Audio SA 1Stereo Tube Amplifier"The Little Tube Amp That Can"14 December 2018, 11:52 pm
...
- REVIEW: CAMBRIDGE AUDIO EDGE A INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER15 October 2019, 12:24 am
To celebrate the 50th year of operations, Cambridge Audio has released a new Edge series of components. We take a look at the Edge A Integrated Amplifier.... - REVIEW: SONUS FABER SONETTO II 2-WAY STANDMOUNT LOUDSPEAKERS14 October 2019, 7:08 am
Sonus faber's new family of loudspeakers, Sonetto, are handmade in Italy, inspired by the history of Italian literature and made in traditional Sonus faber style. We take a closer look at the Sonetto II, 2-way stand mount loudspeaker.... - REVIEW: BOWERS & WILKINS FORMATION SUITE12 October 2019, 12:20 am
Bowers & Wilkins may well have been late to the high-resolution wireless audio party but with all eyes on them as they release their Formation Suite, it seems they've more than delivered a comprehensive, and formidable product range.... - REVIEW: KRIX MX-5 MODULAR CINEMA SCREEN SPEAKER SYSTEM8 October 2019, 1:55 am
You've probably experienced home cinema before, but have you experienced real cinema at home? In this world-first review, we take a close look and listen to the just announced Krix MX-5 Modular Screen Cinema Speaker System.... - REVIEW: BOSE FRAMES ALTO AUDIO SUNGLASSES8 October 2019, 12:35 am
I love wearable tech. I especially love quirky wearables, so naturally, when Bose announced its Bose Frames Alto, Bluetooth sunglasses with speakers built-in, I was onboard....
- A Thrilling Hi-Fi Home Stereo System For $500? Here You Go!15 October 2019, 5:24 pm
Think you can’t get an enchanting Hi-Fi stereo system, source and all, for $500? Well, think again, because I got one right here. It’s called the SVS Prime Wireless Speaker System, and it’s a sexy pair of Piano Gloss Black powered bookshelf speakers with a powerful amplifier and high-end multi-room audio streamer built-in. There is continue reading... - #MusicMonday: New Music Playlist Feat. Jeff Goldblum & Gregory Porter + 11 Other Artists You Need To Hear!15 October 2019, 3:40 am
Here’s a #MusicMonday audiophile playlist of great-sounding music you need to hear, including a new interpretation of a great Standard from Jazz superstars Jeff Goldblum and Gregory Porter plus 11 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 continue reading... - Atlantic Technology FS-252 Wireless Powered Bookshelf Speakers Review: Multi-Room Wireless Revolution!14 October 2019, 8:42 pm
Have you ever wondered about doing multi-room audio without Wi-Fi? Maybe you don’t want to go through the setup, or your Wi-Fi is too slow to support stable audio connections? Well, Atlantic Technology’s $749 FS-252 Powered Bookshelf Speakers use a technology called SKAA that allows you to do multi-room without an arduous setup process, or worrying continue reading... - Axloie Magic True Wireless Earbuds Review: These Fashionable Earphones Are A Phenomenal Value!13 October 2019, 7:33 am
A few months ago, I got an email from a company called Axloie asking me to help review their Magic True Wireless earbuds. You know, at the end of the day, this site is all about good sound, so I’ll give any product that promises Hi-Fi sound a shot. The Axloie True Wireless Earbuds come continue reading... - iFi’s New $129 ZEN DAC: The Specs Are Tremendous!12 October 2019, 11:01 pm
iFi Audio just released the full info on their new budget desktop DAC/Headphone Amp, and the feature list is impressive. The ZEN DAC will sell for $129 in the U.S., and unlike the similarly-priced portable DAC/Amps they’ve put out in the past, (see iFi Audio Nano iDSD LE) this product doesn’t have a rechargeable battery. continue reading...
- Kickstarter - Michael Weiss analog tape to LP needing MORE support13 October 2019, 6:19 pm
... - Beck delivers live in Austin23 September 2019, 9:43 pm
... - New Miles biopic, fun but fair?19 September 2019, 6:03 pm
... - Biden’s a vinyl guy!13 September 2019, 3:24 am
... - Vinyl outselling the fading CD?9 September 2019, 1:16 pm
...
- 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... - Klipsch Forte III Speakers22 May 2019, 4:23 am
Link to Specifications My first experience with attempting to fill a large space with sound from home speakers, was my neighbor’s rec room built in the mid-seventies. The room was approximately 30 x 30 with 18ft ceiling. The first time I entered the space Elton John’s anthem “Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding” was on the turntable. But no matter how far we pushed the volume, the room swallowed the sound. If only the Klipsch Forte III’s had been in t... - Pathos Classic One mk. III18 April 2019, 3:15 am
SpecificationsThe Pathos Classic One mk. III was one of those pieces that I always thought it would be amazing to have. I first heard Pathos audio at a friend’s house and it was honestly the first time I thought I could live without separates! The Pathos piece I heard was the Logos, it sounded amazing but I’m not crazy about that whole giant stereo amp thing. It is a very cool looking piece, as almost all of the Pathos gear is. About a year after that encounter I w... - Peachtree Audio nova15018 April 2019, 3:15 am
SpecificationsTypically, I firmly believe in the mantra "If it works great, don't screw with it". When I first heard that Peachtree Audio went all version 2.0 on the audio community I took pause. Their nova125 and 220SE integrated amplifiers impressed me to no end with a top notch pairing of build quality and musical performance. Other than at the end of the 220SE review that I wrote for TONEAudio wistfully asking for a phonostage , I thought Peachtree had created a holy grail. After spending so...
- 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 […]...