- McIntosh Laboratory MC462 power amplifier19 April 2019, 5:46 pm
It hit me not long ago: I need more Mac in my life! I promptly purchased the current production version of McIntosh Laboratory's time-honored MC275 tubed amplifier, to mate to the Mac C2300 tubed preamplifier I already owned. The recently reinvigorated debate in these pages comparing solid-state and single-ended tube designs got me to thinking. One thing led to another, and voilà! McIntosh's latest solid-state stereo amplifier, the MC462 Quad Balanced ($9000), arrived, bolted to a shippin...
- KEF LSX wireless loudspeaker system19 April 2019, 5:37 pm
I keep getting older. By the time you read this, I will be genuinely old. When I was genuinely young, I bellyached, "Wires are the worst part of hi-fi—there's gotta be a way to get rid of them." I first made that statement when audio electronics and loudspeakers both still nestled inconspicuously in proper bookcases. Back then, people sitting on the sofa weren't forced to stare at diverse audio boxes and ungainly wires.Fri, 04/19/2019... - Who Watches the Watchers?18 April 2019, 11:34 pm
When we launched Stereophile's website at the end of 1997, we decided that we would not reprint the magazine's most popular features, including the biannual "Recommended Components" listings and Michael Fremer's monthly "Analog Corner" column. We were concerned that doing so would cannibalize magazine sales. As it turned out, we were wrong—and so the latest "Recommended Components" is available on our free-access website day-and-date with the publication of the April and October issues in w... - Recording of May 2019: <I>Never the Same</I>18 April 2019, 11:33 pm
Francesco Diodati Yellow Squeeds: Never the Same Francesco Diodati, electric & acoustic guitar, gongs; Francesco Lento, trumpet; Glauco Benedetti, tuba, valve trombone, flute; Enrico Zanisi, piano, Fender Rhodes, synths; Enrico Morello, drums, gongs Auand AU9080 (CD). 2019. Francesco Diodati, Marco Valente, prods.; Stefano Del Vecchio, Roberto Lioli, engs. DDD. TT: 44:24 Performance ****½ Sonics **** Guitarist Francesco Diodati is one of the freshest voices to enter jazz in the new m... - AXPONA 2019: It's a Wrap18 April 2019, 5:17 pm
AXPONA 2019 was a good show—I'm tempted to say an important show. It's just an intuition, but I sense renewed vitality. Thu, 04/18/2019...
- AXPONA 2019: Loudspeakers $20k and Up19 April 2019, 8:38 pm
Sonically AXPONA 2019 was a 180-degree change from the last trade show I attended, in Denver. Where RMAF was a nearly uniform disaster, AXPONA was a nearly uniform success. Oh, next to nothing sounded spine-tinglingly realistic at the Chicago show, so if you were an “absolute sound” kind of listener you might’ve been slightly let down. On the other hand, if the drama, detail, and color of music were your first priorities (i.e., if you were an “as you like it” or &ld... - AXPONA 2019: Loudspeakers under $20,00018 April 2019, 9:43 pm
At the end of a major audio show, there’s often a sense of depletion, a let’s-pack-this-stuff-up-and-go-home kind of exhaustion. Not so at 4 p.m. on Sunday at AXPONA 2019. There was, instead, a vibe of slightly giddy accomplishment as the big loudspeakers were returned to their wooden crates and the unsold LPs re-boxed. The consumers, too, seemed happily weary, having had a comprehensive exposure to an industry that is flourishing as it adapts to new technologies and to the requireme... - 2019 Editors' Choice Awards: Integrated Systems17 April 2019, 8:30 pm
Riva Arena/Festival $249 (optional Arena battery, $99)/$499 Riva’s two, wireless, multi-room systems in the Wand series offer stunning sound quality from small packages. The compact Arena ($249) and the larger Festival ($499) are both easy to set up and use; just connect via Google, AirPlay, or Bluetooth, and begin streaming music. Both have deeper bass than expected from their compact enclosures, and both play loudly with ease. The Festival is particularly impressive. With 200W of power, ... - Eric Bibb: Global Griot16 April 2019, 7:17 pm
Exploring the themes of unity, inclusiveness, and social justice from a spiritual perspective, Eric Bibb delivers a double-disc masterpiece in Global Griot, an album ideally suited to the temper of progressive times, or “challenging times,” in Bibb’s words. Recorded in a dozen studios around the globe, Global Griot finds Bibb immersed in the West African tradition of history and storytelling while addressing issues relevant to all cultures. Singing with deep feeling, commitment... - 2019 Editors' Choice Awards: Loudspeakers $100,000 and up15 April 2019, 6:40 pm
Lansche No.7 $105,000–$113,000 depending on finish With its massless corona-plasma tweeter, the Lansche No.7 brings something different to the upper-end-loudspeaker arena. This driver works by modulating a plasma field surrounding an electrical arc, producing sound with no moving parts. Transparency, delicacy, resolution, and transient fidelity are stunning. A pair of 4" midranges and dual 8.7" woofers are optimized to blend with the massless tweeter—that is, to sound quick and clean...
- M2Tech Nash Phono Pre And Joplin MKIII ADC/Phono19 April 2019, 12:02 pm
M2Tech is well-known for its digital-to-analog converters, but this doesn't mean that vinyl is not important for them as their new MM/MC Nash Phono Preamplifier was just announced (€1545). Nash is for those who desire enjoying their beloved vinyl records in the old way, but with a little touch of modernity. M2Tech has developed the Nash MC/MM Phono Preamplifier. It's a phono preamplifier with everything a user needs to perfectly handle a cartridge, be it an affordable MM or a top-notch MC.-... - AXPONA 2019 Report Part 1 By Rick Becker18 April 2019, 2:25 pm
Unlike the Montreal show a month prior, the trip from Rochester to Chicago was uneventful. I simply got up in the morning and drove to Chicago, cutting through Ontario, Canada, to save some miles and tolls. Detouring through downtown Chicago in hopes of getting a glimpse of The Bean in the dark, I ended up winding my way through the west side out to Wheaton where I stayed with the kids and grandkids, a half-hour south of Schaumburg.---> Read Rick Becker's AXPONA Sshow report at this link. ... - Zagreb AV Show 2019 Report18 April 2019, 1:18 pm
This year marks the 24th annual Zagreb AV Show, which in 2019 gathered at the Sheraton Zagreb Hotel. There were 24 exhibitors from Slovenia, Slovakia, Serbia and Croatia showcasing more than 60 brands of the high-end audio industry's latest hi-fi and audiophile components, plus home theater systems too.---> Read our Zagreb AV Show 2019 report. ... - TBT: BBC's A Dream Of Audio Perfection18 April 2019, 1:17 pm
A Dream Of Audio PerfectionStereo: Three dimensional sound.The biggest contribution to music since Barnum & Bailey Throughout the years, even from the very beginning, there was audio gear... and critics soon thereafter. Audio gear evolved, just as audiophiles carefully adjusted our listening space to accommodate it all. Finding the best recordings can be a challenge, too!---> See BBC's historic video at this link. ... - ~~ Special AXPONA 2019 Coverage ~~ Over 200 Photos / 15 Pages17 April 2019, 5:41 pm
EnjoyTheMusic.com has posted over 200 photos spanning more than 15 pages from AXPONA 2019. Photo-phreaks seeking visual delights will be very pleased. We've only just begun so check back daily for more!---> See our AXPONA 2019 show coverage at this link. ...
- REVIEW: Acoustic Revive ABSOLUTE-POWER CORD | power cable AC | JAPAN31 March 2019, 10:00 pm
⌈ ABSOLUTE is the top series of cables from the Japanese company Acoustic Revive. There are currently three products in it: analog interconnect (RCA and XLR), AC power strip and AC power cord. We test the latter, the Absolute-Power Cord. ⌋ f there was any place where marriage of industry and music could be a normal state of affairs in daily life, it would be Japan. I do not know any other country - maybe accept for Switzerland - where research results and technologies development... - REVIEW | CONVERSATION: JPLAY FEMTO | software audio player | software | POLAND31 March 2019, 10:00 pm
⌈ JPLAY is a software music player. It is a specialized software intended to improve quality of sound played from a computer via optimizing several parameters. It replaces default software players implemented in PCs and by many users it is considered to be the best software of this type in the world. The man behind this product is MARCIN OSTAPOWICZ. ⌋ t has been almost eight years since I first met Marcin - I tested the first JPLAY player in September 2011 ( HF | No. 89). I compa... - INTERVIEW: KARL-HEINZ FINK, FINKTEAM/FINK AUDIO-CONSULTING | owner, main constructor | GERMANY31 March 2019, 10:00 pm
⌈ KARL-HEINZ FINK is now the owner of two companies: Fink Audio-Consulting and FinkTeam. The former deals with commissions from external companies, designing loudspeaker columns for them. The latter has been created to present Mr Fink’s top-of-the-range designs to the world, under his own brand name. We talked to Karl-Heinz Fink in mid February at the seat of “High Fidelity”, on the occasion of testing his latest loudspeaker columns – the BORG model. ⌋ I t... - REVIEW: Falcon LS3/5a | loudspeakers | standmount | GREAT BRITAIN31 March 2019, 10:00 pm
⌈ LS3/5a is simply a symbol for many audio fans. And yet it refers to a product that would fit in a student's backpack. These are loudspeakers manufactured under the BBC license, intended for broadcasting studies, which have also conquered our audiophile world. This text will explain their history, why they are so unique and will tell you about their latest incarnation, the only version currently certified by BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION. ⌋ can not name any other audio produ... - REVIEW: SPEC RPA-MG1000 | integrated amplifier/power amplifier | JAPAN | GOLD Fingerprint31 March 2019, 10:00 pm
⌈ SPEC Corporation is a Japanese company founded by Mr. SHUZOU ISHIMI, in order to achieve one goal: to provide a tube sound with solid-state amplifiers. The RPA-MG1000 amplifier is its latest and the most expensive product. And it's a Class D one. ⌋ f we were to adopt an evolutionary theory of changes in audio, we would have to assume that we are moving from less advanced to more advanced designs, in fact – that these are getting better and better. However, as we all know,...
- My AXPONA Adventures: Music (and Laughter) is the Best Medicine19 April 2019, 9:38 pm
Dateline: April, 2019 Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center. Schaumburg, Illinois Welcome back my Friends, to the show that (hopefully) never ends! (Apologies ELP.) I arrived at the 10th annual AXPONA on Thursday afternoon. The Renaissance Convention Center was a buzzing audio-hive of controlled chaos. Crates and boxes were everywhere. Audio systems taking shape, tweaking... Read More » The post My AXPONA Adventures: Music (and Laughter) is the Best Medicine appear... - AXPONA 2019, Photo Essay Part 119 April 2019, 6:58 pm
AXPONA is a big show. Big as in massive. Big as in I don't know how someone can cover almost 200 rooms in three days. I'm sure one could find many places online that offer in-depth reviews of individual rooms, but you won't find that here, for the most part. Here you will find a... Read More » The post AXPONA 2019, Photo Essay Part 1 appeared first on Positive Feedback.... - PrimaLuna EVO 100 Tube DAC - Premier Review18 April 2019, 12:44 am
Digital Audio Converters (DAC), which take the carefully crafted digital signal and convert it to analog, mostly matured between five and ten years ago. Companies like DCS, Playback Designs, Theta, and more, pushed the chip manufacturers to develop extraordinarily complex and powerful designs, and finally have nearly eliminated jitter and other innate problems. Musicality improved... Read More » The post PrimaLuna EVO 100 Tube DAC - Premier Review appeared first on Positive Feedback.... - AXPONA 2019 - My Favorite Rooms17 April 2019, 7:18 pm
Bottom line. AXPONA 2019 was a blast! I have not seen any numbers just yet, but I feel like AXPONA 2019 was very well attended and will be considered another big success story. I was only able to participate on Friday and Saturday, but many friends and contacts in the Industry seemed very pleased by... Read More » The post AXPONA 2019 - My Favorite Rooms appeared first on Positive Feedback.... - Wojtek Karolak and Adam Czerwiński, In a Sentimental Mood17 April 2019, 2:57 pm
Wojtek Karolak & Adam Czerwiński, In a Sentimental Mood. The album In a Sentimental Mood by leading jazzmen Wojtek Karolak and Adam Czerwiński, is one of the best vinyl records of recent years—both when it comes to music and sound. The text below is about how it was recorded and released, as well as what it... Read More » The post Wojtek Karolak and Adam Czerwiński, In a Sentimental Mood appeared first on Positive Feedback....
- Issue 9511 April 2019, 12:15 am
Features Old School: Juan Cavillo restores a very old Pioneer Turntable 995: Jerold O’Brien scopes out the new mini ProJect Integrated Amp Journeyman Audiophile: Chord Qutest DAC By Shanon Swetlishnoff The Audiophile Apartment: Harbeth P3ESR Anniversary Edition By Jeff Dorgay Mine: It Should Be Yours Still more lego stuff! Porsche Coloring book Talking fish Snazzy reading [...]... - MOON by Simaudio 39010 April 2019, 11:42 pm
Building on the success of their Neo 380D DAC, Simaudio went back to the drawing board, creating the MOON 390 from the ground up, offering a perfect combination of flexibility and sonic performance that we’ve come to expect from this great Canadian company. Thanks to an onboard phono stage and a streaming DAC (that is [...]... - The Devialet Expert Pro 14010 April 2019, 5:13 pm
It’s been a long time since Devialet set the audio world on its axis, creating a product that sounds fantastic, yet looks as it should be on display at MOMA. Or perhaps in this case, the Louvre. Since Devialet, “lifestyle” is no longer an unmentionable word in high end audio. Like any classic, the design [...]... - The Krell K-300i9 April 2019, 4:49 pm
It’s funny what you remember. My tenure with Krell goes way back, to the demo room I was scared to enter, where an early Krell KSA 150 was matched to a pair of Apogee Stage speakers. Even though I had just purchased a Rotel integrated from the same dealer the “Krell room” seemed like exalted [...]... - The GamuT Zodiac Speakers:8 April 2019, 11:16 pm
Letting the audition of the GamuT Zodiac speakers begin with the Beastie Boys “Groove Holmes” is so much fun, I don’t even need the weed. The massive, all-encompassing, psychedelic picture that these speakers paint is outstanding. Keeping the disco groove going with a long playlist of classic Bee Gees tracks has me searching Amazon for [...]...
- Dutch & Dutch 8c Active Loudspeakers15 April 2019, 4:00 am
Note: Measurements taken in the anechoic chamber at Canada's National Research Council can be found through this link. When Doug Schneider asked me to review the 8c active loudspeaker from Dutch & Dutch, my first reaction was: “Dutch and what?” I looked up the 8c on Dutch & Dutch’s website, and the description was intriguing: a speaker with built-in preamp and power amp, subwoofer, DAC, digital volume control, IP control, and advanced digital signal processing, a... - Recommended Reference Component: Luxman L-509X Integrated Amplifier1 April 2019, 4:00 am
Luxman’s L-509X integrated amplifier ($9450 USD) has a phono stage, and a faceplate that showcases its retro styling and old-school features: output meters, tone controls, even a loudness control. It may lack a built-in DAC, but its sound quality doesn’t bow to current-day competitors, nor does it cede first place to separates. In his SoundStage! Ultra review of March 1, 2019, Jeff Fritz said that he couldn’t “think of a commensurately priced combo of separate preamp and ... - The Best of Montréal Audio Fest 20191 April 2019, 4:00 am
Early in the morning of Monday, March 25, I typed this into my personal Facebook feed: “[Montréal Audio Fest] gets a 10 out of 10 this year. Big congratulations to Michel Plante and Sarah Tremblay for bringing this event back to life. The enthusiasm and crowd sizes on all days were the best [they’ve] been in 10 years. See our coverage at www.SoundStageGlobal.com.” ... - Disappointment and Surprise -- Paradigm's Premier 100B Loudspeakers1 April 2019, 4:00 am
When I first unboxed Paradigm’s Premier 100B loudspeakers, I was a little disappointed. I still had Paradigm’s Monitor Atom SEs, which I’d written about in the very first edition of this column, in September 2018. Although the Premier 100B’s front baffle looks markedly different from the Atom’s, their sizes, weights, and textured-black finishes seemed pretty much the same. The 100B measures 11.125”H x 6.625”W x 9.125”D and weighs 12.9 pounds, while... - TEAC Reference NR-7CD Network CD Player and Integrated Amplifier-DAC1 April 2019, 4:00 am
The Tokyo Electro Acoustic Company (TEAC), one of the older hi-fi brands around, was founded in 1953 by brothers Katsuma and Tomoma Tani. The company’s subbrands include TASCAM, which manufactures professional audio gear; Esoteric, which makes ultra-high-end products; and TEAC Consumer Electronics, or TEAC for short. In 2013, guitar maker Gibson acquired a majority stake in TEAC, which has over 1000 employees. While TEAC has been well regarded by audiophiles for its analog and digital sour...
- CAS Exhibitor Profile: Selah Audio19 April 2019, 9:18 pm
Respondent: Rick Craig, Selah Audio, Room 5108, 2019 California Audio Show. What’s the “elevator speech” description of your company? We design and manufacture speaker kits and assembled systems for home audio and theater. What makes your company and products special – how do they stand out from the pack? Selah Audio speakers are custom built [...] The post CAS Exhibitor Profile: Selah Audio appeared first on Dagogo.... - The Real Billie Holiday, Part Three – 1950s16 April 2019, 1:00 pm
Also read The Real Billie Holiday, Part One – 1930s Also read The Real Billie Holiday, Part Two – 1940s This profile of Billie Holiday is presented in three chapters covering the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s respectively. She’s quoted from interviews and her famed autobiography, Lady Sings the Blues. Representative recordings, podcast clips and readings [...] The post The Real Billie Holiday, Part Three – 1950s appeared first on Dagogo.... - 2019 Axpona: Doug Schroeder Reports, Part 214 April 2019, 3:34 pm
Also see Part 1 The post 2019 Axpona: Doug Schroeder Reports, Part 2 appeared first on Dagogo.... - 2019 Axpona: Doug Schroeder Reports, Part 113 April 2019, 3:52 pm
Also see Part 2 The post 2019 Axpona: Doug Schroeder Reports, Part 1 appeared first on Dagogo.... - Pro-Ject launches X1 turntable12 April 2019, 5:16 pm
From Pro-Ject … X1 – Our next generation of the legendary X-Line. PRODUCT INFORMATION: Pro-Ject X1-EN (pdf file, 4.53MB) Real High-End Features – True Audiophile Sound – Affordable Price n/c MSRP 699 € (incl. VAT) Pick it S2MM MSRP 799 € (incl. VAT) Speed control with electronic speed switch for ultimate speed stability Carefully isolated [...] The post Pro-Ject launches X1 turntable appeared first on Dagogo....
- Focal Elegia Full Review18 April 2019, 2:50 pm
Focal’s Elegia Is a Clear Winner As mentioned in my January review of the Sennheiser HD820 and HD800S, more and more headphone companies these days are attempting to turn their most well-received open-back headphones into audiophile-quality closed-back cans. But there’s a reason why most flagship headphones are open. As Sennheiser’s former lead designer Axel Grell has explained, “Open type headp... - Exclusive: Warwick Acoustics Aperio Electrostatic Headphone System16 April 2019, 4:11 pm
Announced earlier this year and shown to very few people behind closed doors at AXPONA 2019, the Warwick Acoustics Aperio electrostatic headphone system is one for the ages. At roughly $24,000, it should perform at the highest level, and I'll say right now it doesn't disappoint. Audiophile Stye was given exclusive rights to publish a video of the system before its official release at the Munich High End show in May. I spent quite a bit of time with this system and was ab... - AXPONA 2019 Best of Show15 April 2019, 6:50 pm
AXPONA 2019 was easily the best US audio show in recent memory. I'm not basing this off of any stats, only the feeling I got from walking the show for three days, talking to everyone, and listening to some really great systems. I started walking the show a bit before the opening bell on Friday. I stopped to see Amadeus Meitner at the EMM Labs room because it was already open and reproducing really good sound. Also, I wanted to let Amadeus know that the EMM DV2 DAC with v... - High-End Headphone Roundup: Meze Empyrean, Focal Utopia, Abyss AB-1266 Phi CC10 April 2019, 3:40 pm
Is there life beyond the HD800/HD800S? For many headphone users, the venerable Sennheiser HD800 is a dinosaur, long ago surpassed by a slew of better (and more expensive) headphones. But for classical music lovers like myself, this question is as relevant today as it has ever been. That’s because, try as I might, I have yet to find headphones that can give me the same goosebumps with a well-recorded Mahler symphony that the HD800 does. There’s just something special about t... - Editorial: What's Wrong With You?9 April 2019, 3:29 am
I'm not a fan of writing editorials because this site isn't about me or any ministers of information. It's about the community and everyone who has helped, over the last 11 years, create what this site is today. Perhaps a couple forum posts have irked me enough to need this cathartic outlet. Anyway, what's wrong with you? If you listen to people online or at audio shows you'll think you need medication quickly. Since I started this site I've often wondered what's up with...
- AXPONA 2019 Turntable Round Up16 April 2019, 11:30 am
AXPONA 2019 held this past April 12th-15th at the Schaumberg Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center, established the show as North America's pre-eminent audio event. It was the largest show of its kind in terms of industry participation and when the attendance numbers are announced probably attendance-wise as well.... - At AXPONA 2019 An Encounter With P.S. Audio Electronics Designer Darren Myers13 April 2019, 4:45 am
Electronics engineer Darren Myers is responsible for designing many recent P.S. Audio products. He's finishing up the new P.S. Audio Stellar phono preamp. At AXPONA 2019 AnalogPlanet editor Michael Fremer sat down with Mr. Myers to discuss the new phono preamp. He also learned that Myers was influenced years ago by an email exchange with Fremer that helped set him on a positive career path. More very soon from AXPONA 2019.... - A Special Offer From Anthony Wilson For Analogplanet Readers!6 April 2019, 5:17 pm
Anthony Wilson is offering AnalogPlanet readers for a limited time a 30% discount on his recent "11/11" album Songs and Photographs. ... - AnalogPlanet Participates in TechDAS and Wilson Audio Event April 9-10 at The Audio Salon5 April 2019, 11:39 am
TechDAS's new "statement" Air Force Zero turntable makes its American debut at The Audio Salon in Santa Monica, California April 9th and 10th at an event hosted by TechDAS and Wilson Audio in The Audio Salon's brand new big system room. ... - More Record Store Day News3 April 2019, 5:08 pm
Two recently announced Record Store Day offerings may interest you. One is from the jazz label Newvelle. The other is from Reverb LP, the online record marketplace created by reverb, a website for buying and selling musical instruments and accessories. ...
- Pint-size Harbeth P3ESR Anniversary flabbergasts with high-end sound - CNET20 April 2019, 1:57 pm
The Harbeth P3ESR 40th Anniversary speaker is a force to be reckoned with and will suit audiophiles who like to listen to music up close.... - Focal's $3K Stellia headphones are the sound of luxury - CNET20 April 2019, 1:45 pm
Focal doesn't just focus on the sound quality of its flagship Stellia headphones; comfort is just as important.... - What’s up with millennials' vinyl attraction? - CNET18 April 2019, 2:02 am
The Audiophiliac ponders the LP’s ongoing appeal to people who grew up with digital music.... - An elegant new tower speaker for upscale audiophiles - CNET13 April 2019, 1:57 pm
Meet the Spendor A7, the perfect blend of traditional and contemporary UK design and sound.... - The Instruments of Rock & Roll show rocks the Met Museum - CNET8 April 2019, 3:05 pm
Opening April 8, the Play It Loud: Instruments of Rock & Roll exhibition debuts at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City....
- Rupert Neve Designs, from the world’s finest recording consoles right to your headphones | AXPONA 201920 April 2019, 10:00 am
Part-Time Audiophile CHICAGO (PTA) — If it is true that we were all created in God’s image, some of us inherited more godlike ability than others. In terms of the ability to work miracles in the arena of audio engineering, many would argue that people like Rupert Neve were blessed well beyond that which mere mortals are typically endowed. The Story If you are not familiar with Rupert Neve Designs, or the Neve Console, let me quickly fill you in. Some draw comparisons of Rupert Neve a... - McGary Audio and Salk Sound | AXPONA 201919 April 2019, 3:00 pm
Part-Time Audiophile “Wow…how much do those weigh?” the show attendee asked, and I thought that was a rather odd first question. This was the McGary Audio and Salk Sound room at AXPONA 2019, and the relatively simple system on exhibit was exceptional in one respect–the appearance of the components. I’m talking mainly about the Salk 9.5 loudspeakers and the McGary Audio SA2 power amp, gorgeous pieces of high-end audio gear that seemed to imply “significant exp... - Well Pleased AV, Rethm, Qualiton, Aqua, Innuos, GigaWatt, Swisscables, SGR Hifi Racks | AXPONA 201919 April 2019, 1:00 pm
Part-Time Audiophile CHICAGO (PTA) — Mark Sossa of Well Pleased Audio Vida once again demonstrated a stellar stable of components and show-stopping sound. Rethm loudspeakers continue to dominate my personal point-source category, Qualiton, Aqua, and Innuos make quick work of the hi-res streaming, while GigaWatt, Swisscables, and SGR Hifi Racks do more than support the system. The Story The big story is Jacob George’s new Rethm Maarga v2 loudspeaker. The updated Maarga now has a ... - Vana Ltd., Audio Physic, E.A.T. (European Audio Team), Okki Nokki | AXPONA 201919 April 2019, 10:00 am
Part-Time Audiophile CHICAGO (PTA) — European Audio Team (E.A.T.) unveil a new ultra-high performance platter and tonearm, Audio Physic and Okki Nokki were also making a strong showing in the exhibit system. The Story VANA, Ltd. announced the arrival of the European Audio Team (E.A.T) F-Note tonearm as well as an optional high-inertia platter/bearing combo just days before Axpona 2019. The new tonearm is compatible with the company’s Forte’ and Forte’ S turntables, while ... - Ayon Audio, Lumen White Loudspeakers, BBS Audio Rack Systems, USA Tube Audio | AXPONA 201918 April 2019, 4:00 pm
Part-Time Audiophile CHICAGO (PTA) — Great new products once again top the list of what is happening in the Ayon Audio room at AXPONA 2019. Starting with the source, the new Ayon CD-35 SACD/DAC Preamplifier Steamer with DSD, along with the new Ayon Auris Preamplifier, handing off to a new pair of Ayon Epsilon Gen 4 Mono-Block Amplifiers, and finally an expertly finished pair of Lumen White Kyara tower loudspeakers, as shown in French Nut veneer for Axpona. The Story The Ayon CD-35 is a Sin...
- Andrew Jones on the realities of loudspeaker design20 April 2019, 12:54 pm
“Seriously impressive. But you won’t be hearing this at Munich High-End 2019.” — that was yours truly laying down the Rammstein challenge over on Facebook. Picking it up was Andrew Jones of ELAC. “This is strange because today I was preparing my playlists for AXPONA and added some tracks from […] More-------------------------------------------------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For privat... - Munich High-End 2019: ELAC’s Carina are JET-powered!20 April 2019, 8:11 am
JETpacked. The latest loudspeaker to designs to spill from ELAC Americas are the 2-way Carina BS243.4 standmount and the 2.5-way 241.4 floorstander, both of which take strong cues from ELAC Germany‘s speaker designs to feature the company’s JET folded ribbon tweeter. According to ELAC, the JET tweeter offers “lightning-fast response”, “wide […] More-------------------------------------------------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, r... - Morel’s Högtalare is peak Kallax-Fi17 April 2019, 2:40 pm
Kallax-Fi? We’ve covered electronics. What about loudspeakers? Many standmounts will make good on their bookshelf promise to fit comfortably inside an IKEA Kallax unit’s 33cm x 33cm shelf hole. The compromise is the cavity will act as a bi-directional acoustic horn. Not too dissimilar to how we cup our hands around our […] More-------------------------------------------------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without perm... - Munich High-End 2019: Gold Note’s DS-10 & PH-100016 April 2019, 8:13 am
We know Italy’s Gold Note best for their IS-1000 super-integrated amplifier: a DAC and MM/MC phono stage that feeds a Class A/B loudspeaker amplification stage. Phil Wright reviewed it here. I previewed it a few months prior; at Munich High-End 2018 (here). I don’t attend shows to listen to gear but […] More-------------------------------------------------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For private use ... - Audiolab readies 6000N DTS Play-Fi streamer15 April 2019, 6:27 pm
A network streamer for less than five hundred British pounds? With Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity? Plus: analogue and digital outputs? The obvious (if dated) choice is the Sonos Connect whose breadth of streaming service integration is unsurpassed but whose sound quality is found wanting when sat next to more recent rivals […] More-------------------------------------------------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For...
- Grado Labs Aeon Phono Cartridge17 April 2019, 4:19 pm
Two years ago I reviewed the Grado Labs Statement v2 Cartridge ($3500), at that time the highest priced Grado cartridge—the top of their Statement Series. Reviewed using my VPI Industries Prime Turntable, I was so impressed, it has remained as my reference since—it further pulled me into vinyl. After that review, I concluded that besides speakers (which are in general large and heavy), phono cartridges (always tiny and light) are examples of a component that can significantly c... - Kiseki Purple Heart NS Moving Coil Phono Cartridge14 April 2019, 5:22 pm
As soon as most vinylphiles see a trapezoidal nugget in wood, stone or metal with some delicate Japanese Kanji, our moving coil hearts skip a beat. I’m a Phasemation guy—Japanese made, but no Kanji. Just a beautiful hunk of Duralumin. How many of us have lusted after a Koetsu Jade Platinum or Blue Lace? Hand made gems of the very best audiophile jewelry. And the heart of a fine analog front end. The Kiseki Purple Heart NS (New Style) is the modified version of the Japanese car... - J.S. Bach: Sonatas & Partitas for Solo Violin—Henryk Szeryng, violin; DG Limited Edition 180g vinyl reissue14 April 2019, 5:22 pm
For the past two or three years, German classical music label Deutsche Grammophon has been quietly releasing some rather deluxe vinyl box sets of their catalog cornerstones. One of which; Herbert Von Karajan’s recording of Brahms’ Four Symphonies, has already received a review in Audiophilia. Now again, the historic label has reissued one of its classic recordings, the Bach Sonatas and Partitas, recorded in 1967 by Polish-Mexican violin virtuoso Henryk Szeryng. I must admit I ... - ModWright Instruments PH 9.0 Tube Phono Stage5 April 2019, 4:37 pm
Quality phono stages are all the rage. Records are now so popular with audiophiles, vinyl returners and the general population, a quality phono stage is aspirational in any fine analog set up. Dealers and vinylphiles have been shouting this from the rooftops for years. Audiophilia has reviewed five in the past twelve months. All first class, with outstanding fit and finish, varying designs, and with quality sounds unique to themselves. A wide array of prices but all significant investments... - Pure Fidelity Harmony Turntable28 March 2019, 6:19 pm
John Stratton is the hardworking owner/designer of Vancouver High End analogue start up, Pure Fidelity (PF). He made a splash last year with his very well received initial opus, the Eclipse Turntable. It takes guts to dive into audiophile waters as a start up. If you are not in for the long haul with creative ideas, solid engineering and tireless work energy, don’t bother. Stratton had a busy winter. The Harmony Turntable is the result of eight months of research with a new design; ...
- 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."... - Audioengine A5+ Wireless Speakers9 December 2018, 3:24 pm
Patrick Dillon enjoys a change of pace with the Audioengine A5+ wireless speakers, trying them out both with bluetooth and wired via computer and external DAC. His conclusion? "I could envisage a pair of these serving as an almost one-stop audiophile rig, paired with whatever digital device you have. Throw in some stands and you could be rockin’ the joint and having personal late night sounds for comparative chump change in the audiophile universe."... - RME ADI-2 Pro : a Technical Overview29 July 2018, 4:00 pm
"I recently found myself intrigued by an interface from the pro-sound world, the RME ADI-2 Pro," writes John Reekie. This line-level convertor and audio interface is billed as RME's "reference" A/D and D/A convertor, but also has a solid complement of onboard processing, two powerful headphone amps, and technical performance good enough for use as a measurement front end....
- Mark Levinson No515 Turntable Review17 April 2019, 3:00 pm
I just had the good fortune to review a system comprising two cutting-edge Mark Levinson products – the No515 turntable and the No585.5 integrated amp. The No515 was fitted with an Ortofon Cadenza Bronze MC cartridge on its 3D-printed, Gimbaled tonearm. The high torque AC motor drives three belts that provide precise speed control. The deck also has excellent isolation properties and a full set of calibration controls. The post Mark Levinson No515 Turntable Review appeared first on HomeThe... - VIZIO SB46514-F6 Sound Bar Review15 April 2019, 2:00 pm
A complete 5.1.4 Dolby Atmos sound bar system for under a thousand bucks? Is that even possible? Not only that, but one that includes a powerful 10” wireless subwoofer and dedicated surround speakers. If you are VIZIO, this is a goal that can absolutely be accomplished. Case in point: the VIZIO SB46514-F6 that we have here today. The post VIZIO SB46514-F6 Sound Bar Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Sony XBR-65Z9F Ultra HD TV Review10 April 2019, 2:00 pm
Today, I’ll be checking out a Sony LCD Master Series television, the XBR-65Z9F. It bridges the gap between reference production monitors and consumer televisions by integrating Google Play Store for quick access of content while being uncompromising as a multi-zone LED backlit display capable of 1800 nits in HDR mode. The post Sony XBR-65Z9F Ultra HD TV Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Vankyo Leisure 420 DLP Projector Review8 April 2019, 2:00 pm
The Vankyo Leisure 420 DLP Projector offers a big-screen experience in a compact lightweight chassis for just $110. It accepts 1080p signals through its two HDMI ports and can be used with streaming solutions like Firestick or Roku. The post Vankyo Leisure 420 DLP Projector Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X Powered Subwoofer Review3 April 2019, 2:00 pm
The MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X is the largest among five models in MartinLogan’s refreshed Dynamo powered subwoofer lineup. It is a flexible, affordable powered sub with a massive 15” driver and quite the powerful amplifier. The post MartinLogan Dynamo 1600X Powered Subwoofer Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com....
- Wyred 4 Sound ST-750LE Stereo Power Amplifier31 March 2019, 9:06 pm
The new Wyred 4 Sound ST-750LE stereo power amplifier sounds very good! 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 the ST-750, we de... - Ayre Acoustics VX-5 Twenty Stereo Power Amplifier17 February 2019, 9:00 pm
The Ayre VX-5 Twenty stereo power amplifier has been in production for about 5 years and followed the well-received V-5xe amplifier. The “Twenty” designation celebrates the Boulder, Colorado company’s 20 years in business. The excellent build quality and beautiful casework belies the amplifier’s recommended list price of $8950. The amplifier is fully-discrete, fully-balanced, and features a zero-feedback design. Other components on hand during the audition include a... - Monitor Audio Platinum PL100 II Loudspeaker27 January 2019, 9:13 pm
The Monitor Audio PL100 II is the smallest member of Monitor Audio’s top-level Platinum series. The PL100 was introduced in 2008 and the upgraded PL100 II model hit showrooms worldwide in 2016. The II version includes a single 6.5" RDT II mid-bass driver and MPD tweeter. “RDT II” is Monitor Audio’s second-generation midrange-woofer sporting a smooth concave cone. The ported Platinum PL100 II have beautiful, furniture-grade cabinets and have a list price of $5,795.00 per p... - Xavian Perla Esclusiva Loudspeakers11 November 2018, 10:00 pm
Xavian, a loudspeaker manufacturer in Prague, Czech Republic, contacted 10 Audio in June of this year inquiring about a review of their very new Perla Esclusiva two-way speaker. The Perla, the smallest model in the Natura product line, had recently been upgraded to the new Perla Esclusiva version. So here we are today, taking the first look – and listen – to a speaker from a company that should be on everyone’s radar. The name of the company comes from the Greek mythology. &ldq... - Balanced Audio Technology VK-43SE Preamplifier16 October 2018, 2:46 pm
Balanced Audio Technology (BAT) is a decades old company specializing in, you guessed it, balanced audio components. They have produced a long line of vacuum tube and solid-state preamplifiers and amplifiers, phono preamplifiers and, more lately, digital converters. The BAT VK-300xSE integrated amplifier was reviewed here in 2004, and the VK-31SE tube preamp was reviewed here in 2005. BAT has received numerous “best of” awards over the years for their excellent sounding and innovativ...
- Loud & Clear event17 April 2019, 10:37 am
dCS has a long and prestigious history in designing and manufacturing the very best digital music sources. Innuos music servers provide rock solid, hassle-free, perfectly lossless CD copying and storage, with no sacrifice in sound quality. A perfect match then to launch two excellent new products: dCS Bartók DAC and Innuos Zenith Statement. Join the Loud & Clear team with special guests from dCS from 5pm on Thursday 18th April in the shop to put these two exceptional products through ... - YAR Y-der loudspeakers, B-yond amp, Feeld platforms, YAR cables16 April 2019, 1:04 pm
Let’s start with that name; it’s not an acronym. Everyone in the audio world is so programmed to see the letters ‘A’ and ‘R’ together and assume they have a meaning that one of the first questions people ask of YAR is, “what does the ‘Y’ stand for?” That’s a bit like saying, “what does the ‘K’ in ‘Kent’ stand for?” Moreover, it’s pronounced as its written, like the extended remix of the Ge... - Abyss AB-1266 Phi CC edition planar magnetic headphones16 April 2019, 12:47 pm
The Abyss AB-1266 Phi edition planar-magnetic headphone represented an evolutionary improvement upon the original AB-1266 that first appeared in 2013. In fact my conclusion was that the AB‑1266 Phi edition took “an already superb headphone design and made it markedly better,” specifically through a new driver that offered more linear frequency response, more natural and neutral tonal balance, improved sensitivity, and a substantial across-the-board increase of overall resolutio... - Questyle CMA400i headphone amp/DAC16 April 2019, 12:03 pm
Good audio products are hard to find. However, that cuts two ways; there’s the “to find your prince, you have to kiss a lot of frogs” aspect that suggests there are a lot of mediocre audio devices, but there’s also the simple fact that the really good components like the Questyle CMA400i are always in high demand and on back-order around the world. That’s not too hard to understand once you open the box and are met with an extraordinarily dense mid-sized aircraft-gr... - Finite Elemente Ceraball, Cerabase, Cerapuc isolation products16 April 2019, 11:54 am
I’m not a big fan of the Rocky franchise, but you can’t help but admire the protagonist’s tenacity in those movies. Life throws more than a few rocks at the lead character and he just pushes them aside or even pushes through them. So it is with Finite Elemente, the Rocky Balboa of high-end audio (without the increasingly lumpy face). We’ve covered the Ceraproducts (Ceraball, Cerabase, Cerapuc) before. Several times, last time way back in issue 48. And in essence what appl...
- Axpona 2019: The Wrap18 April 2019, 9:00 pm
More so than any other show, I need to apologize. We all know hifi shows can be big, really big, but there’s really no excuse for missing important things. And I missed a bunch. My [...]... - Axpona 2019: My Favorite Things18 April 2019, 2:15 pm
“You’re the best!” When you hear that being said, you know it’s typically meant to come with a pinch of sarcasm. If not, it implies the bestower of said gift is in a position to [...]... - Axpona 2019: Sweet Speakers17 April 2019, 7:12 pm
Speakers live with us in a more obvious manner than other hardware. Speakers, especially loud speakers, live in-room and stand out as objet d’art (ideally). Which is all to say with speakers, looks matter. Kii [...]... - Axpona 2019: Hot Hardware17 April 2019, 3:19 pm
Following are a few thousand words on hardware from Axpona 2019 (if the old saying holds any water). T+A M 40 HV Mono Power Amplifier Anniversary Edition T+A M 40 HV Mono Power Amplifier Anniversary [...]... - Axpona 2019: Analog Analog Everywhere!16 April 2019, 9:51 pm
The simple act of removing a record from its sleeve, placing it on a turntable, queuing it up, and giving it quick brush off takes time. I like to call that time a ritual—a few [...]...
- C.L.E.A.R. 834L: The Rejuvenation of an Esoteric Audio Research classic (Part 2)14 April 2019, 3:15 am
C.L.E.A.R. 834L: The Rejuvenation of an Esoteric Audio Research classic Part 2, by Steve Graham Modifying or rebuilding anything, be it a piece of classic stereo equipment or, perhaps, a classic car, will involve many value judgements and personal decisions. Some subtle, some not. No two audiophiles, or classic car buffs, departing from the same point, will finish in the same place. Be that as it may, this is my take on a cost-effective rejuvenation. I think I might have s... - Well-Rounded Sound’s MM2, MM6 Speakers, and MX BL Amp/DAC: An Education in Budget High Fidelity12 April 2019, 2:08 am
Review by Jon Eben Field I have to admit that I’m a sucker for low budget gear. Or perhaps I should add a caveat here and say, “I’m a sucker for low budget gear that sounds good.” Being an audiophile often entails spending a lot of time, energy, and, to be frank, money on high end electronics and speakers in pursuit of the ever elusive perfect sound. I should know. I have long since given up on the mental arithmetic required to evaluate the “value of my current syst... - CHE Files: CLEAR/EAR 834L (Or Is It An 834P..?)24 March 2019, 4:36 pm
The C/H/E Files (Classic/Heritage/Exotic): The C.L.E.A.R. 834L: Rescuing an Audio Classic Steve Graham rejuvenates a neglected EAR preamp. Part 1 of a 2-part series. Those familiar with the EAR-Yoshino marque will wonder if the C.L.E.A.R. 834L pictured above is a real EAR component. The answer is yes, basically. But first: Most audiophiles have heard of Esoteric Audio Research (EAR), the British hifi and recording equipment manufacturer. Like so many equipment manufacturers in... - She’s Your Man: Something Profoundly Different From Lana Del Rey19 March 2019, 1:42 pm
Does Lana Del Rey Now Occupy A Seat Near Leonard Cohen In The Tower Of Song? Reviewing Two Tunes From Lana’s Upcoming Album, Norman Fucking Rockwell. Music Review by Noam Bronstein Hope Is A Dangerous Thing For A Woman Like Me To Have by Lana Del Rey (2019, Single) Play in Spotify Play in Youtube Mariners Apartment Complex by Lana Del Rey (2018, single) Play in Spotify Play in Youtube Music: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sound: ⭐⭐&#... - Next Coherent Audio Meet is Mar.3 in Hamilton17 February 2019, 11:38 pm
Coherent Audio and Corby’s Audio are inviting all the locals to come out to the Hamilton & Area Audio Meet on March 3. It will again be held at 33 Bowen Restaurant in Hamilton. The hours are from noon until 5pm. Food will be provided throughout the afternoon, a cash bar will be available. This presentation will feature the Coherent Reference 15 speakers, Allnic electronics and cables, and an Acoustic Signature analog front end with Charisma cartridge. For more information please e...
- AXPONA Part 5 from Chicago with MSB19 April 2019, 5:09 pm
Choices have to be made at every price point of DAC design. The majority of budget DACs have to leave off fancy screens or pair down the casework in order to clear the hurdles necessary to turn a profit for the companies who have invested in the manufacturing. ... - AXPONA Part 4 from Chicago with ATC19 April 2019, 1:05 am
ATC has really dug out their niche within the pro community. When asked on a recent hi-fi panel I attended at Capital Studios in Los Angeles, two out of the four self-proclaimed audiophile recording engineers confessed to ATC endpoints in their home stereos. ... - AXPONA Part 3 from Chicago with PS Audio17 April 2019, 4:20 pm
Paul McGowan has been shepherding the good folks at PS Audio for quite a few years now. A long-time audio designer, he takes his role of industry icon pretty seriously. A constant presence on YouTube (and other online sources), his question and answer format to all things audiophile provides an access point to his deep well of knowledge for both laymen and hardcore enthusiast alike. ... - AXPONA Part Two from Chicago with Linnenberg16 April 2019, 6:49 pm
There are horror stories of every type that occasionally trickle out in casual conversation at audio shows. A funky room can be difficult to manage for sonics on the fly, whereas a crushed speaker in transit can be deadly. ... - AXPONA Part One from Chicago with Goldmund15 April 2019, 5:14 pm
Although I was nearly perpetually engaged in interviews for upcoming AudioStream podcasts for most of the first day, I did manage to poke my head into a few interesting rooms along the 16th and 15th floors of AXPONA’s Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Centre. ...
- FLC Technology FLC8n Review19 April 2019, 12:12 pm
8.4Score$299Musicteck USADisclaimer: The FLC8n sent to us is a sample in exchange for our honest opinion. We thank the team at FLC Technology & Musicteck for giving us this opportunity. To read more about FLC Technology products we have reviewed on Headfonics click here. The China-based FLC Technology has proven to be one of the […] The post FLC Technology FLC8n Review appeared first on Headfonics.... - BGVP DM6 Review17 April 2019, 12:24 pm
8.2Score$199Linsoul AmazonBGVPDisclaimer: The BGVP DM6 sent to us is a sample in exchange for our honest opinion. We thank the team at BGVP & Linsoul for giving us this opportunity. To read more about Linsould supplied products we have reviewed on Headfonics click here. In clown world, number plates and earphone nomenclatures are one and […] The post BGVP DM6 Review appeared first on Headfonics.... - Audeze Mobius Review14 April 2019, 11:25 am
8.7ScoreDisclaimer: The Audeze Mobius sent to us is a sample in exchange for our honest opinion. We thank the team at Audeze for giving us this opportunity. To read more about Audeze products we have reviewed on Headfonics click here. I’ve been a long time fan of Audeze, from inception to the current stardate. I […] The post Audeze Mobius Review appeared first on Headfonics.... - Edifier S2000 Pro Active Wireless Speakers Review12 April 2019, 12:16 pm
8.7Score$399Essence USADisclaimer: The Edifier S2000 Pro Active speakers sent to us is a sample in exchange for our honest opinion. We thank the team at Edifier and Essence for giving us this opportunity. To read more about speakers we reviewed on Headfonics click here. A while back, Edifier sent me a set of S2000PRO stand-mount […] The post Edifier S2000 Pro Active Wireless Speakers Review appeared first on Headfonics.... - FiiO FA1 Review10 April 2019, 11:11 am
8.3Score$99FiiODisclaimer: The FiiO FA1 sent to us is a sample in exchange for our honest opinion. We thank the team at FiiO for giving us this opportunity. To read more about FiiO products we reviewed on Headfonics click here. Fiio has revised their entry-level IEM approach combining custom Knowles BA driver, high-quality DLP 3D prints and […] The post FiiO FA1 Review appeared first on Headfonics....
- AXPONA Coverage Part 4: The Wrap Up19 April 2019, 4:42 pm
AXPONA has, in a very short time, become the largest audio show in North America, and even despite terrible weather on the final Sunday, the show seems to be growing every year.... - AXPONA Coverage Part 316 April 2019, 11:20 pm
I stopped at the Mr. Speaker’s booth to say hi to the owner Dan Clark, who I respect immensely for his tireless efforts in pursuit of good sound. Dan has some awesome technical chops and I always learn something interesting when chatting with him, and he always has great sounding setups at his booth. ... - AXPONA Coverage Part 214 April 2019, 12:15 am
First up on Day 2 was the Focal Stellia. Focal always has a really cool and enormous booth, and they often bring some of the most top-notch electronics around to every show. They had their usual collection of cool amps, my favorite being the SPL Phonitor series, as well as the newish Stellia cans... - AXPONA Coverage Part 112 April 2019, 10:06 pm
I got to AXPONA on Thursday and was delighted to see that, in a drastic change from last year, headphones and related gear now have their own area.... - Music for Headphones: A Year of Seasonal Mixes11 April 2019, 5:35 pm
With Spring here and Summer fast approaching, it is a good time to ponder the things to come and reflect on the year that has been… what better way to do that then with a selection of curated mixes celebrating the four seasons and the unique mindset which each engenders in all of us....
- The Stiletto 15 Emerges – Vinnie Rossi Launches A Loudspeaker! – AXPONA 201919 April 2019, 12:39 am
Absolutely shocking! Vinnie Rossi debuts a new open-baffle speaker that does so well to find the absolute truth in the The post The Stiletto 15 Emerges – Vinnie Rossi Launches A Loudspeaker! – AXPONA 2019 appeared first on AudioHead.... - SVS Prime Pinnacle Speaker – AXPONA 201917 April 2019, 9:41 pm
The team at SVS always hosts a friendly room. The company attends the audiophile circuit on a fairly regular basis, The post SVS Prime Pinnacle Speaker – AXPONA 2019 appeared first on AudioHead.... - Schiit Audio Unveils New Aegir Amplifier, Sol Turntable – AXPONA 201917 April 2019, 6:09 pm
More Schiit from the Axpona 2019 audio show was to be expected, as the two-channel segment of the audiophile market The post Schiit Audio Unveils New Aegir Amplifier, Sol Turntable – AXPONA 2019 appeared first on AudioHead.... - Schiit Audio Ragnarok 2 – AXPONA 201917 April 2019, 3:19 pm
Schiit Audio has really made their presence know in both the personal audio space and the two channel realm in The post Schiit Audio Ragnarok 2 – AXPONA 2019 appeared first on AudioHead.... - T+A Elektroakustik, Roon Labs, Stillpoints – AXPONA 201916 April 2019, 9:14 pm
Speaking with David Shultz about the system, I come to realize that even though I’ve been with T+A Elektroakustik’s much The post T+A Elektroakustik, Roon Labs, Stillpoints – AXPONA 2019 appeared first on AudioHead....
- AXPONA 2019 Coverage Sponsored By Underwood HiFi19 April 2019, 5:00 am
The post AXPONA 2019 Coverage Sponsored By Underwood HiFi appeared first on HeadPhone.guru.... - Mackie MC-150/250 Professional Closed Back Headphones16 April 2019, 5:00 am
The post Mackie MC-150/250 Professional Closed Back Headphones appeared first on HeadPhone.guru.... - Quad PA-ONE+ Triode Tube DAC/Headphone Amplifier15 April 2019, 5:00 am
The post Quad PA-ONE+ Triode Tube DAC/Headphone Amplifier appeared first on HeadPhone.guru.... - Nordost at AXPONA 2019 World-Class System with Nordost and VTL in Room 734, Live Demonstrations, Product Comparisons, Sales, and More!9 April 2019, 9:15 pm
The post Nordost at AXPONA 2019 World-Class System with Nordost and VTL in Room 734, Live Demonstrations, Product Comparisons, Sales, and More! appeared first on HeadPhone.guru.... - Schiit Mani MM / MC Phono Stage – REVIEW BY ENJOY THE MUSIC.COM9 April 2019, 5:00 am
The post Schiit Mani MM / MC Phono Stage – REVIEW BY ENJOY THE MUSIC.COM appeared first on HeadPhone.guru....
- Rethm Maarga v2 Loudspeakers – Listening Session19 April 2019, 1:00 am
Mark Sossa of Well Pleased AV goes over the design changes to the original Maarga loudspeakers. Not only is the V2 a huge step up aesthetically (that gunmetal is way too sexy) – it was sonically superior to the V1s I heard in the past. In fact, it was one of my favorite rooms at […] The post Rethm Maarga v2 Loudspeakers – Listening Session appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - AXPONA 2019 – Photo Report17 April 2019, 9:24 pm
I’ll be covering High-End Munich next month so took it a bit easier at AXPONA 2019. There were over 180 (!!) listening rooms – therefore impossible to cover everything. Foot traffic felt a little bit tamer from last year – supposedly due to a Star Wars Celebration in the city. As always we had such […] The post AXPONA 2019 – Photo Report appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - AXPONA 2019 – PS Audio Obsidian TSS DAC13 April 2019, 6:55 am
Ted Smith of PS Audio dives into the design philosophy of PS Audio’s upcoming flagship DAC – the Obsidian Ted Smith Signature DAC. PS Audio Obsidian Ted Smith Signature DAC: Separate digital and analog sections. New FPGA has 250% greater computing capacity. High isolation power supplies. Galvanic isolation via fiber optic cable. The post AXPONA 2019 – PS Audio Obsidian TSS DAC appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - Synergistic Research Atmosphere X Euphoria – The Next Level11 April 2019, 1:00 pm
Last year, the Full Loom Edition series started with the Synergistic Research Excite line up of audio cables. In addition, an entire suite of their products made up the entire reference system. In short, it was an eye-opening experience. Feel free to read more about it here. More than any other brand, Synergistic Research excel […] The post Synergistic Research Atmosphere X Euphoria – The Next Level appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - Luxman Releases Next-Gen NeoClassico Series11 April 2019, 2:40 am
BALLSTON SPA, New York, April 2019 – Luxman America is launching the next generation of the company’s NeoClassico Series, built for people whose appetite for sound is large but whose space for equipment is small. The new D-N150 digital player and SQ-N150 vacuum tube integrated amplifier are the company’s most compact and affordable components in […] The post Luxman Releases Next-Gen NeoClassico Series appeared first on Audio Bacon....
- Bose opens single-brand outlet at 1 Utama19 April 2019, 1:43 am
NEWS: There's a new Bose-only store for Petaling Jaya residents.... - Cayin N5iiS – a portable powerhouse player16 April 2019, 3:24 am
REVIEW: If sound quality is everything to you, the Cayin N5iiS player is a tempting proposition... even if the user experience is less glamorous.... - Vitus set to launch new integrated behemoth – the SIA-03012 April 2019, 1:03 am
NEWS: When nothing but the best will do, and money not an issue... you will hear Vitus calling...... - Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2 – a lush-ful phono8 April 2019, 2:37 am
REVIEW: If lushness and warmth are what you seek from vinyl playback, this Pro-Ject phono preamp will get you there without fuss.... - CanJam 2019 Singapore – an earful of headfi4 April 2019, 12:03 am
NEWS: If headfi is your thing, CanJam is the place to be... fortunately, there's one held in Singapore every year....
- Pro-Ject CD Box S2 Review16 April 2019, 9:22 am
If Pro-ject can tweak the software and include a better remote handset in the box (a must at this price), this would be a serious contender and is very much worth an audition. The post Pro-Ject CD Box S2 Review appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Audio-Technica AT-VM95 Detailed Review & Measurements10 April 2019, 12:57 pm
Succeeding the AT95 was a tough ask, but Audio-Technica have risen to the challenge. May the ‘green king’ rest in peace, the successor has arrived to steal the throne. The post Audio-Technica AT-VM95 Detailed Review & Measurements appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Technics SL-1200GR / SL-1210GR Turntable Review4 April 2019, 9:18 am
When Technics commercialised the direct drive turntable in the ‘70s, they became known as class-leading products among the best available at any price. These new Technics turntable set new technical standards which will pave the way for future evolution of vinyl and the equipment we use to play it. The post Technics SL-1200GR / SL-1210GR Turntable Review appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Edifier S2000 Pro Active Speakers Review20 March 2019, 10:05 am
Great looking, well made, well specified and lovely to listen too. That’s the Edifier S2000 Pro summed up in a nutshell. The post Edifier S2000 Pro Active Speakers Review appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Dual CS-435-1 Fully Automatic Turntable Review4 March 2019, 1:09 pm
if you need, or favour the convenience of an automatic mechanism, the CS-435-1 does sound surprisingly good despite its shortcomings. The post Dual CS-435-1 Fully Automatic Turntable Review appeared first on Audio Appraisal....
- 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
... - Audiophile Review!Benchmark HPA4Headphone Amplifier/Line-Stage Preamplifier:"Precision Volume, Pure Transparency"31 July 2018, 5:28 pm
... - Audiophile Review!Essence HDACC II 4KHeadphone Amp/DAC/Preamp“Low Cost, Versatile HDACCGets Major Performance Boost”27 June 2018, 8:00 pm
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- ELAC’s Andrew Jones: The art of speaker design, Part 320 April 2019, 11:49 am
... - ELAC’s Andrew Jones: The art of speaker design, Part 220 April 2019, 11:36 am
... - ELAC’s Andrew Jones: The art of speaker design, Part 120 April 2019, 11:18 am
... - Klipsch Heresy & Quad ESL, two totally iconic speakers19 April 2019, 11:02 am
... - Sound demos: Can you hear what Klipsch speakers sound like over KEFs?18 April 2019, 10:51 am
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- REVIEW: VAF RESEARCH DC-7 MK3 FLOORSTANDING LOUDSPEAKERS18 April 2019, 5:26 am
Too often overlooked is the fact that we're fortunate to have a world-class loudspeaker manufacturer right here in Australia. We take a closer look at the latest version, Mk.3 of the famed DC-7 Floorstanding Loudspeakers.... - REVIEW: LG C9 4K OLED TV & SL10YG SOUNDBAR17 April 2019, 5:20 am
When LG invited me to travel to Sydney to take part in a ‘lock-down’ review of LG's latest C9 OLED and SL10YG Sound Bar, naturally my bags were packed by the door in anticipation.... - REVIEW: YAMAHA MUSICCAST VINYL 500 TURNTABLE11 April 2019, 3:04 am
When is a turntable more than just a turntable? When it’s a streamer. Huh? Yamaha's MusicCast VINYL 500 Turntable also doubles as a full-featured MusicCast streamer. We take a closer look at what it is and what it does.... - REVIEW: AUDIO-TECHNICA ATH-ANC900BT NOISE CANCELLING BLUETOOTH HEADPHONES10 April 2019, 9:21 pm
How does Audio-technica's new ATH-ANC900BT Noise Cancelling Bluetooth headphones stack up against the competition from Sony, Bose, B&W and Sennheiser? Read on to find out.... - REVIEW: SONY VPL-VW270ES 4K PROJECTOR2 April 2019, 9:15 am
At one-dollar shy of $8K, the VPL-VW270ES doesn’t exactly fall into the budget-end of the projector market, but it’s still far less of a stretch than any of Sony’s other 4K projectors. How does it stack up?...
- Watch: AXPONA 2019-Master Designer Andrew Jones Talks About His Newest Audiophile Speakers20 April 2019, 1:00 pm
I suck at making videos, but Joe N Tell is really, really good at it. Check out this vid from the AXPONA 2019 show where he talks to master speaker designer Andrew Jones of ELAC about his latest passive and powered speakers. His rooms are always amongst the most popular at the show, and in the continue reading... - #NewMusicFriday feat. Beyoncé’s Homecoming & The Rolling Stones19 April 2019, 5:55 pm
Every Friday, I pick a bunch of the best sounding new albums so you can get your hi-fi fix…here are my picks for this week, including Beyoncé’s new live album Homecoming, which was recorded during her history-making set at last year’s Coachella & The Rolling Stones new greatest hits album HONK!…(TIDAL streams below!)... - Atlantic Technology Promises Better Streaming From New Powered Speakers18 April 2019, 11:57 pm
The following is courtesy of Atlantic Technology: Norwood, MA – April 16, 2019 – The FS-252 system are the first of an exciting new range of high-performance wireless products from Atlantic Technology that feature SKAA® wireless technology for receiving and transmitting high-quality audio. Derived from the pro music industry, SKAA is a standard designed for audio creating a dedicated continue reading... - Triangle Elara LN01A Active Bookshelf Speaker Review-Bluetooth Speakers Fit For An Audiophile18 April 2019, 1:33 pm
Triangle is a French manufacturer of high-end speakers and the Elara is their entry-level series of speakers. The range is made up of both passive and active variants, and what I’m looking at today is one of the active models, specifically the $799 LN01A bookshelf speaker. They also make an active floorstanding model, the LN05A. As continue reading... - AXPONA 2019 Show Report: High End Audio In Pictures17 April 2019, 2:59 am
Be sure to check out our other AXPONA Posts: Budget/Affordable Audiophile Speakers And Electronics Hands-On With The Best Audiophile Headphones Part 1 Hands-On With The Best Audiophile Headphones Part 2 As with every audio show, there were some great rooms and then there were some duds…but at the end of the day, I heard some continue reading...
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- Vinyl Review: John Coltrane – Coltrane’s Sound (ORG Music, 180g, 45RPM)11 June 2018, 1:25 am
Sound: 7.2 Pressing/packaging: 9.2 Value: 8.4 ORG Music reissue released in 2014. 180g vinyl, 45RPM, 2LP, limited edition, numbered. Catalog Number: ORGM-1091. Mastered by Bernie Grundman. Pressed by Pallas in Germany. UPC: 711574708413. MSRP: $49. Buy on Amazon.com Introduction This LP was originally released by Atlantic Records in 1964. It consists of tracks recorded in […]... - Vinyl Review: Chopin – Polonaises Nos. 1-7, Maurizio Pollini (Deutsche Grammophon 180g)3 June 2018, 7:08 pm
Sound: 7.6 Pressing: 7.4 Value: 5.0 Deutsche Grammophon reissue released in 2016. 180g vinyl. Catalog Number: 479 6653. UPC: 028947966531. MSRP: $23. Buy on Amazon.com Introduction I’ve been on a Chopin rampage lately (if such a thing could ever exist). As far as solo piano works go, I spin Chopin more than any other composer. […]... - Vinyl Review: Sibelius – Violin Concerto, Oistrakh, Ormandy, Philadelphia Orch (Speakers Corner 180g)2 April 2018, 2:35 am
Sound: 8.8 Pressing: 8.4 Value: 9.0 Speakers Corner reissue released in 2017. 180g vinyl. Catalog Number: Columbia MS 6157. UPC: 4260019715333. MSRP: $35. Buy on Amazon.com Introduction Speakers Corner is mining the Columbia vaults for early stereo gems, of which this title is one. There are some legendary titles and performances from that era, but […]... - Vinyl Review: Ornette Coleman – The Shape of Jazz to Come (ORG Music, 180g, 45RPM)15 March 2018, 2:45 am
Sound: 9.8 Pressing: 3.5 Value: 8.5 ORG Music reissue released in 2013. 180g vinyl, 45RPM, 2LP. Catalog Number: ORGM-1081. Mastered by Bernie Grundman. Pressed by Pallas in Germany. UPC: 711574707218. MSRP: $49. Buy on Amazon.com Introduction Much has been said about this, Ornette Coleman’s shot across the bow of jazz as it was known in […]... - Vinyl Review: Stravinsky – The Firebird, Dorati, LSO (Speakers Corner 180g)4 March 2018, 3:15 am
Sound: 9.2 Pressing/Packaging: 9.4 Value: 9.7 Speakers Corner reissue released in 2008. 180g vinyl. Catalog Number: Mercury SR90226. UPC: 4260019714978. MSRP: $35. Buy on Amazon.com Igor Stravinsky: The Firebird (Complete). London Symphony Orchestra. Antal Dorati, conductor. Introduction As per our review philosophy, we focus reviews here exclusively on sound quality. Lots of analysis out there […]...