- Ayre Acoustics VX-8 power amplifier22 September 2023, 12:00 am
Can an audio brand maintain a "house sound" if the original creator of that sound is no longer among the living? If the brand in question is Ayre Acoustics, the answer is a resounding Yes. When Ayre founder Charley Hansen passed in late 2017, Ariel Brown, who is now Ayre's vice president and chief technology officer, was ready, waiting in the wings. Brown has worked for Ayre since he was a sophomore in college. As John Atkinson wrote in his February 2019 review of Ayre's EX-8 Integrated Hub, "B... - Spin Doctor #5: Vertere DG-1S record player & Playing 7" Records the Right Way21 September 2023, 12:00 am
I have found that turntable designers typically fall into one of two camps. First are what I call the obsessive machinists. These are the people with impressive manufacturing chops and a sharp eye for fine detail and precision. For them, making a better turntable usually involves taking what we already know and simply doing it better. Whether it's a thicker chassis, more powerful motor, more precise bearing, more effective isolation system, or something else, the emphasis is always on stepping ... - Revinylization #46: Chronic Jazz from Craft Recordings & ECM20 September 2023, 12:00 am
Today's scrappy record labels understand that an intimate brand connection captures consumers. Every major label has its own boutique imprints, from Columbia's Legacy to Blue Note's Tone Poet and Classic Vinyl. Craft Recordings, the catalog label for Concord, is set up well for achieving such a connection, since the parent company also owns Fania, Prestige, Milestone, Pablo, Telarc, Vanguard, Concord Jazz, and Riverside (not to mention Stax, Rounder, and Sugar Hill). For vinyl reissues, that's t... - Lenbrook Acquires MQA19 September 2023, 12:00 am
Note: This is a developing story. Updates will be posted as they unfold. Lenbrook Corp, the privately owned Canadian enterprise whose holdings include NAD electronics, PSB speakers, and Bluesound (the maker of the BluOS music operating software system) has acquired the assets of MQA, Ltd, including MQA technology and the SCL6. The press release announcing the acquisition, which went public September 19 at 8am EDT, notes that the deal "further solidifies Lenbrook's commitment to excellence and i... - Recommended Components Fall 2023 Edition15 September 2023, 12:00 am
Every product listed here has been reviewed in Stereophile. Everything on the list, regardless of rating, is genuinely recommendable. Within each category, products are listed by class; within each class, they're in alphabetical order, followed by their price, a review synopsis, and a note indicating the issues in which the review, and any subsequent follow-up reports, appeared. "Vol.46 No.7" indicates our July 2023 issue, for example. "WWW" means the review is also posted online. Stereophile'...
- Dailey & Vincent: Let’s Sing Some Country!22 September 2023, 6:57 pm
Since teaming up in 2007, Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent […] The post Dailey & Vincent: Let’s Sing Some Country! appeared first on The Absolute Sound.... - Best Music Servers: Over $10,00022 September 2023, 6:48 pm
The post Best Music Servers: Over $10,000 appeared first on The Absolute Sound.... - Fremer reports on NEW D’Agostino Momentum 800 Amplifiers22 September 2023, 6:35 pm
Fremer had the opportunity to stop by Innovative Audio in […] The post Fremer reports on NEW D’Agostino Momentum 800 Amplifiers appeared first on The Absolute Sound.... - Luxman America Announces L-509Z Long Awaited Flagship Integrated Amp22 September 2023, 2:56 pm
BALLSTON SPA, New York, September 2023 – Luxman continues to […] The post Luxman America Announces L-509Z Long Awaited Flagship Integrated Amp appeared first on The Absolute Sound.... - Reel Sound Distribution Takes Reel-to-Reel on the Road22 September 2023, 2:29 pm
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL—September 2023—In cooperation with leading specialty-audio retailers throughout […] The post Reel Sound Distribution Takes Reel-to-Reel on the Road appeared first on The Absolute Sound....
- Australian Hi-Fi September / October 202325 September 2023, 12:58 pm
Editorial: What It Means To Be Legendary History Of Portable Audio: Part 1 Should You Buy A Single-Brand System? MartinLogan Motion F20 Loudspeakers Roksan Attessa Streaming Amplifier T+A Solitaire T Wireless Headphones Naim NSC 222 Streaming Preamplifier And NAP 250 Power Amplifier Best Live Albums And Music Reissues High-End Review Of Perreaux's VP4 And Much More!... - Art Dudly's Listener Magazine's The Intro24 September 2023, 10:48 am
Volume two of the Monumental five-volume set of Bob Dylan's The Genuine Basement Tapes reaches an emotional climax with a plaintive song called "I'm Not There" — no mean feat after the brilliant "Going to Acapulco" and three takes of "Tears of Rage," one in waltz time. "I'm Not There" has appeared before, on The Great White Wonder and on Volume One of The Newly Discovered Basement Tapes on Surprise Records (the latter credited to Blind Boy Grunt and The Hawks), and while the version on Th... - Alsyvox Audio Design Botticelli X Loudspeaker Review24 September 2023, 10:46 am
The first week of September last year brought a highly rewarding conclusion to an audio quest that was more than five years in the making. Since my very first exposure to the Alsyvox Audio Design Botticelli full-range ribbon loudspeaker — back in May of 2017 in Munich, it has been my goal to spend some serious time in front of these gorgeous and utterly remarkable sounding loudspeakers. I was first introduced to the seductive voice of these remarkable Spanish planar dynamic loudspeakers a... - Dan D'Agostino Master Audio Systems Progression S350 Stereo Power Amplifier Review24 September 2023, 10:44 am
Dan D'Agostino Master Audio products are not the most expensive audio components on the market, but in my opinion, their audio products are some of the best sounding high-end audio components I've ever had the pleasure of auditioning. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to review two D'Agostino Master Audio components in the past. In 2017, I reviewed the excellent-sounding Momentum Lifestyle integrated amplifier, which had an onboard DAC and could also be used as a streamer with its fron... - UK Audio Show At Staverton Park Hotel October 202322 September 2023, 12:22 pm
This year's very special UK Audio Show will once again take place at the Staverton Park Hotel on October 7th and 8th, 2023. With four established events, plus a new one, and the return of an old favorite, let's raise a glass to the Chester Group and the enterprising UK industry. Manufacturers and distributors can now cover the whole of the UK, and local dealerships benefit from local promotion and sales. Once again the Staverton Park Hotel will expand further, with brand new and unique attracti...
- REVIEW: Totaldac D1-UNITY ⸜ digital-to-analog converter | FRANCE1 September 2023, 12:00 am
Review text by WOJCIECH PACUŁA images by „High Fidelity” No 232 September 1, 2023 ⌈ Totaldac is a French audio manufacturer, founded in 2010 by VINCENT BRIENT. Its headquarters are located near Mont Saint-Michel, a rocky island in the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, in the English Channel. The company specializes in digital-to-analog converters and audio file players. It also offers a range of amplifiers, speakers and accessories to improve digital signal reproduct... - REVIEW: Ciarry Audio C8 ⸜ standmount speakers | POLAND1 September 2023, 12:00 am
Review text by WOJCIECH PACUŁA images by „High Fidelity” | Ciarry No 232 September 1, 2023 ˻ PREMIERE ˼ ⌈ Warsaw-based Ciarry company specializes in manufacturing high-performance loudspeakers. It was established in 2016 by JACK BAREJKA and started with open-back columns. The C8 model belongs to a new series of speakers with classic enclosures. We are first to test it. ⌋ HE MANUFACTURER'S INTERNET WEBSITE, right next to their contact ... - REVIEW: Thöress SE300B ⸜ power amplifier • monaural | GERMANY1 September 2023, 12:00 am
Review text by WOJCIECH PACUŁA images by Piksel Studio/Bartosz Łuczak | „High Fidelity” No 232 September 1, 2023 ⌈ REINHARD THÖRESS founded the company under his name around 2000, shortly after graduating from college. He majored in mathematics, and was a university teacher for a while. He received his degree from RWTH University in Aachen, a border town near where German, Belgian and Dutch territories meet; it is still where the company is headquart... - REVIEW: Rega PLANAR 10 (+ APHETA 3) ⸜ turntable (complete) | GREAT BRITAIN1 September 2023, 12:00 am
Review text by WOJCIECH PACUŁA images by Rega | „High Fidelity” No 232 September 1, 2023 ⌈ REGA was founded in 1973. Its name honors its two founders, Tony Relph and Roy Gandy (RElph & GAndy); Roy is now the company's owner and managing director. Rega specializes in turntables, and they have given it its popularity. For years, however, it has offered electronics and speakers. We test its PLANAR 10 turntable. ⌋ O BE HONEST, I WAS NOT PREPARED for w... - REVIEW: Crystal Cable MINISSIMO FORTE ⸜ standmount speakers | NETHERLAND1 September 2023, 12:00 am
Review text by WOJCIECH PACUŁA images by „High Fidelity” | Crystal Cable No 232 September 1, 2023 ⌈ CRYSTAL CABLE is a brand owned by INTERNATIONAL AUDIO HOLDING, along with the Siltech brand. It is a specialty manufacturer offering cabling, from interconnects to headphone and AC power cables, and also has a line of speakers. The chief engineer of both brands is Edwin van der Kley-Rijnveld, who puts his ideas into practice this way. However, the "face" of Crys...
- IsoAcoustics Gaia I Footers23 September 2023, 4:30 pm
Advanced Audio in Tacoma, Washington was the first high end audio shop I ever walked into. There I was introduced to the Linn LP 12 turntable, Vandersteen speakers, Meitner amplification, and several other iconic pieces. One day the shop owner had a pair of Martin Logan CLS speakers set up in the main listening room,... Read More » The post IsoAcoustics Gaia I Footers appeared first on Positive Feedback.... - NEO iDSD 2: iFi’s new sensation23 September 2023, 3:53 pm
Sporting a host of upgrades and industry ‘firsts’ including lossless Bluetooth, iFi’s NEO iDSD 2ultra-res DAC/headphone amp is every music lover’s perfect housemate Southport, England – Since its inception in 2012, iFi audio has been at the forefront of DAC technology for home and portable use, delivering exemplary sound with digital music sources both online... Read More » The post NEO iDSD 2: iFi’s new sensation appeared first on Positive Feedback.... - New flagship integrated amplifier from Luxman America21 September 2023, 7:36 pm
L-509Z is the first to offer LIFES1.0 stages in both preamp and power amp and the first with LECUA-EX volume control BALLSTON SPA, New York, September 2023 – Luxman continues to prepare for 2025, the company’s centennial, with a new top-of-the-line integrated amplifier. In addition to the company’s trademark sound quality, the L-509Z is the first component... Read More » The post New flagship integrated amplifier from Luxman America appeared first on Positive Fe... - Qobuz partners with Deutsche Grammophon21 September 2023, 5:46 pm
Qobuz partners with Deutsche Grammophon to celebrate 125th label anniversary Curated content to be released throughout 2023; special download sales to be set Paris, September 21, 2023 - Qobuz, the high-quality music platform, has teamed up with Deutsche Grammophon to celebrate 125 years of the iconic classical label. The global content initiative will include exclusive... Read More » The post Qobuz partners with Deutsche Grammophon appeared first on Positive Feedback.... - TIDAL Audio Launches New Digital Source20 September 2023, 6:26 pm
Hürth, Germany, June, 17th, 2022 – Effective Immediately, TIDAL-Audio GmbH is proud to announce the TIDAL Contros, a new digital controller. The TIDAL Contros is designed to be the perfect digital music content controller for TIDAL high-end systems. This is the first TIDAL masterpiece directly benefitting from the ultra-exclusive TIDAL for Bugatti project and its... Read More » The post TIDAL Audio Launches New Digital Source appeared first on Positive Feedback....
- REL Classic 98 Subwoofer8 September 2023, 1:13 am
REL has achieved a well-deserved reputation for making some of the (if not the) world’s highest performing subwoofers. Whether you have a single, pair or a six-pack, you can count on REL to deliver solid, defined bass response with prodigious output, mating invisibly with the main speakers. Considering how much speakers have evolved over the […]... - The REL Classic 98 Subwoofer7 September 2023, 6:58 am
It may look retro, but rest assured the new Classic 98 from REL delivers the goods. This is a unique sonic tool, geared more towards listeners that enjoy vintage/classic speakers, with a slightly warmer low-frequency response, or perhaps a British monitor, with some of the same. Ever hear Harbeth owners complain that you can’t mate […]... - YG Acoustics Cairn Speakers5 September 2023, 4:03 am
Listening to the expansive sound field created by the tiny YG Cairns, with a pair of 8-foot tall electrostatic speakers in the background is really impressive, but not surprising. The opening of Tears For Fears “Woman in Chains” is big and broad – paying homage to some of the best studio craft the 80s had […]... - Welcome to Distilled!3 September 2023, 3:40 pm
Hello and welcome to our new section – Distilled. We are not abandoning our standard reviews, but for those of you that would like a little more than the canned press releases everyone else is posting, but not sure if you want to make the time investment in a full review, we present the distilled […]... - The Peak Consult Sinfonia Speakers3 September 2023, 5:03 am
Listening to Kraftwerk’s “Boing Boom Tschak” through the Peak Consult Sinfonias has so much information in all three dimensions, it’s almost psychedelic. Tracking all the way through the Techno Pop album is almost too much fun. The sonic field created by these speakers is so enormous, you might think you were listening to a pair […]...
- Technics Grand Class SL-G700M2 Streaming SACD Player/DAC15 September 2023, 4:00 am
Note: for the full suite of measurements from the SoundStage! Audio-Electronics Lab, click here. Some audiophiles still prefer reading their digital music in real time from shiny discs to streaming it from the internet or accessing it via computer from a networked or attached drive. So companies like Marantz, Denon, Esoteric, Yamaha, Luxman, Arcam, McIntosh, and Mark Levinson, among others, continue to manufacture high-quality CD and SACD players. Technics, the brand relaunched by Panasonic in ... - Recommended Reference Component: Hegel Music Systems H600 Integrated Amplifier-DAC15 September 2023, 4:00 am
Norway’s Hegel Music Systems has produced separate preamplifiers and power amplifiers since the early 1990s, but in recent years it has become best known for its DAC-equipped integrated amplifiers. In August 2023, Hegel introduced the H600, priced at $12,500 (in USD), which replaced the H590 as the company’s flagship integrated amp. ... - Ars-Sonum Armonía Stereo Amplifier1 September 2023, 4:00 am
Note: for the full suite of measurements from the SoundStage! Audio-Electronics Lab, click here. Say it with me: Are-moh-NEE-uh. Handcrafted by Ars-Sonum, the Armonía ($5250, all prices in USD) is the boutique Spanish audio company’s first power-amplifier offering. It’s a stereo power amplifier based on the company’s Filarmonía SM integrated amp. Spain is probably not the first country that comes to mind when discussing boutique stereo tube amplification; nor is ... - Evaluating a Stereo System’s Sound with a Single Song1 September 2023, 4:00 am
As followers of my personal social-media pages know, I post something almost daily (Doug SoundStage Schneider on Facebook, Doug Schneider on LinkedIn). Sometimes I’ll deliberately choose a provocative topic that’s sure to stir up emotions to spur a lively discussion. Anything about MQA, analog versus digital, tubes versus transistors—these and such other topics fire audiophiles up. Other times I’ll choose a product, a company, or a person to write about. I recently wrote ... - Recommended Reference Component: Yamaha YH-5000SE Headphones15 August 2023, 4:00 am
In his July 2023 review of Yamaha’s YH-5000SE headphones, SoundStage! Solo senior editor Geoffrey Morrison noted that Yamaha’s flagship headphones “come with a flagship price: $4999.95 (all prices in USD).” Unlike some competitors, these headphones have “no wood veneers, no fancy colors, just structural metal work, grilles, and a hint of yellow where the cables connect to the earcups”—a design that “shows purpose, and if you know what you’re ...
- 2023 Speaker & Amp Camp, Sebastopol, CA: July 8, 202329 June 2023, 9:02 pm
Speaker Camp With Optional Amp Camp Amp Build Saturday, July 8, 2023 Sebastopol, California About 1½ hours north of San Francisco, site of the 2008 and 2022 Speaker Camps and the 2012 Amp Camp The build: Moth Full Range in SLOB Open Baffle with Eminence 15” bass as featured in the Pass Lounge at Burning [...] The post 2023 Speaker & Amp Camp, Sebastopol, CA: July 8, 2023 appeared first on Dagogo.... - Bricasti Design M21 dual-mono DSD, Ladder and Delta Sigma DAC Review21 June 2023, 6:17 pm
Also read: Q&A – Bricasti Design M21 DAC. Since reviewing the Audio Note UK Fifth Force/Fifth Element DAC system and the Esoteric K-01XD SACD player/USB DAC in Summer 2020, I have auditioned half a dozen more DACs ranging from sub-$1,000 to over $20,000. Many of them relied on the ESS Technology Sabre Pro chipsets but [...] The post Bricasti Design M21 dual-mono DSD, Ladder and Delta Sigma DAC Review appeared first on Dagogo.... - 2023 California Audio Show – SYSTEM DETAILS14 June 2023, 9:58 pm
SYSTEM DETAILS (back to MAIN page) Aaudio Imports. Lobby Pavilion Lotus Group. 12th Floor Parlor 1211 The post 2023 California Audio Show – SYSTEM DETAILS appeared first on Dagogo.... - 2023 California Audio Show – EQUIPMENT LIST14 June 2023, 9:48 pm
EQUIPMENT LIST (back to MAIN page) A Aaudio Imports. Lobby Pavilion Audio Note UK. Room 1222, 1223 Audio Reference Technology. Lobby Silver Ballroom. B Bricasti Design. Lobby Silver Ballroom G Gestalt Audio Design. Room 1211 P Pranawire cable system. Room 1211 Pranawire Interceptor Ground Conditioners. Room 1211 Pranawire Linebacker In-Line Passive Power Filters. Room 1211 [...] The post 2023 California Audio Show – EQUIPMENT LIST appeared first on Dagogo.... - 2023 California Audio Show – Lotus Group system details14 June 2023, 9:29 pm
Lotus Group system details Room: 12th Floor Parlor Room 1211 System details: Electronics from SW1X of England SW1X cable system SW1X DAC IV Special SW1X Level III Balanced Phono Stage SW1X Titan DHT SET integrated amplifier SW1X VDT IV Special Digital Source Wolf von Langa London field-coil loudspeakers, $59,995/pair – full-range field-coil two-way dipole main [...] The post 2023 California Audio Show – Lotus Group system details appeared first on Dagogo....
- High Resolution Concert Downloads, and More22 September 2023, 2:20 pm
Audio: Listen to this article. Hey Guys, I'd planned on publishing a definitive immersive audio article this week, but the more I wrote, the more I struggled to organize the information in a way that's best for the most people. Immersive audio playback in HiFi is in its infancy, yet there are a few very different ways to go about playback. I hope to have it in an easily digestible format next week.&nb... - Recovering 20,000 Albums From A NAS Failure Without Backup15 September 2023, 4:23 pm
Audio: Listen to this article. As The Computer Audiophile I often get contacted by audiophiles in a technological pinch. This was the case over the weekend, and I've been working to resolve it for the last couple days. The issue and solution are more tech related than audio related, but when one's unstreamable music is stored on a NAS, it becomes an audio issue. A great friend of mine ha... - Immersive Music Favorites, Part 612 September 2023, 4:16 pm
Audio: Listen to this article. Growing up on a steady diet of Led Zeppelin, The Who, Van Halen, and Pearl Jam, I'm fully aware of the limits of my worldly musical knowledge. These limits lead to enjoyable discoveries, as I found out a couple weeks ago. I had a gues... - A Pearl Jam Weekend For The Ages6 September 2023, 2:17 pm
Audio: Listen to this article. I've seen Pearl Jam perform at Wrigley Field, Fenway Park, Alpine Valley, and Madison Square Garden among other iconic venues. This weekend I saw two shows at Xcel Energy Center right here in St. Paul, MN, and I'm incredibly happy to say they were the best shows I've ever seen. All the stars aligned for these two nights, where Eddie and the entire band sounded fantastic, and I loved every song they play... - The Perfect Limited Ultimate Super Deluxe Edition Complete Unicorn Boxed Set29 August 2023, 1:07 pm
Audio: Listen to this article. Before I take a few days off to wind down the Summer, enjoying two Pearl Jam shows here in Minnesota this week, and the Labor Day holiday, I just have to write an article about boxed sets. I thought I was over boxed sets once "everything" was available for download or streaming. However, my journey into immersive audio has plunged me back into the boxed set world more than ever, and I have some strong fee...
- Musical Fidelity M8xTT Turntable22 September 2023, 12:00 am
Musical Fidelity’s latest offering, the M8xTT turntable, continues to uphold the British company’s decades-long rep for making great analog gear. Musical Fidelity says the new M8xTT belt-drive turntable follows the same design philosophies that were in place when the company introduced the M1 amplifier over 20 years ago. The philosophy behind this turntable’s design — in effect, born from the 2002 collaboration between then-owner Antony Michaelson and current owner Hei... - New All-Analog Small Batch One-Step RTI-Pressed 180g 1LP of Thelonious Monk’s Breakthrough 1957 Album Brilliant Corners Is a Clear Winner, as It Sounds More Realistic, Full-Bodied, Natural, and Richer21 September 2023, 12:00 am
How lucky are we — as fans of this stuff that Charles Mingus would sometimes refer to as “jazz music” — that the master tapes of many classic LPs are still in existence and in good enough condition to prompt a series of generally outstanding all-analog reissues over the relative recent past from the archives of legendary labels like Blue Note, Impulse!, Prestige, and Riverside? This is why it is nothing less than exciting to find that jazz pianist Thelonious Monk’... - Technics SL-1200GR2 & SL-1210GR2 Turntables20 September 2023, 12:00 am
Technics has just announced the next generation of their direct-drive turntables — namely, the new Grand Class SL-1200GR2 and SL-1210GR2, both of which are meant to replace their notable SL-1200 and SL-1210GR predecessors. As per the patented Technics tradition, the silver version is the SL-1200GR2, whereas the black version is the SL-1210GR2. According to Technics, the new GR2 series was “planned to build on the reputation of our existing design” and was developed “aro... - Table Toppers: Show Us Your Turntables!18 September 2023, 12:00 am
We have so many vibrant discussions about our turntables, personal listening systems, and the music we listen to that we here at AP decided it was time to see and hear about them in much more detail. To that end, we are introducing a new section on AP called Table Toppers that’s all about you. We want to see your turntables, tonearms, cartridges, phono preamps, other amps, speakers, accessories, even your vinyl collection — the literal analog works! To be a part of Table Toppers, ... - The Doors’ Live at The Matrix, 1967: The Original Masters Finally Inhabits Comprehensive 5LP+7In Deluxe Edition Box Set Mastered by Bruce Botnick and Bernie Grundman15 September 2023, 12:00 am
The new Live at The Matrix, 1967: The Original Masters super deluxe box set that features early live recordings by The Doors as captured on the cusp of their impending, immense fame is a wonderful historic document on vinyl — and a crucial crossroads moment. Issued for the first time in as complete form as possible — and from better sources than what’s been previously available — these semi-professional recordings give us a glimpse of this legendary L.A. band just before...
- SCHIIT's new KARA PREAMP!22 September 2023, 4:00 pm
... - Even if YOU don't like Hip-Hop, you might ENJOY this interview20 September 2023, 6:00 pm
... - Playing LPs on a $1,000,000 Hi-Fi, I LOVE my job!15 September 2023, 5:00 pm
... - BOWERS & WILKINS 606 S3, A BIG Step Up!12 September 2023, 5:00 pm
... - REL Classic 98, A Music Lover's Sub8 September 2023, 3:30 pm
...
- Dr. Vinyl and McGary Audio Event | Announcements25 September 2023, 8:27 pm
When we visited Dr. Vinyl in his Baltimore-area dealership earlier this year, we were able to get a sneak listen to a couple of new products from McGary Audio: the SPA1 tube preamplifier and the [...]... - Fern and Roby Isolation Feet | REVIEW24 September 2023, 8:00 am
Why do I need the Fern & Roby Isolation Feet in my system? If you haven’t noticed, I’ve been using a gorgeous Fern and Roby equipment rack for the last few years. I love it. [...]... - Falcon Acoustics M10 Loudspeakers | REVIEW22 September 2023, 8:00 am
One of these days, Part-Time Audiophile publisher Scot Hull is going to send me that pair of Falcon Acoustics LS3/5a Gold Badges he’s commandeered for most of 2023. That’s my speaker, I thought. I’m the [...]... - Luxman L-509Z Flagship Integrated Announced | Announcements21 September 2023, 4:06 pm
Just a couple of weeks after reviewing the fabulous Luxman LMC-5 phono cartridge, we receive the news that Luxman has introduced a new flagship integrated amplifier, the Luxman L-509Z! Yep, we’ll be getting in line [...]... - Andrew Jones Discusses Crossovers In Speaker Design20 September 2023, 10:34 am
Andrew Jones is one of our favorite people to have on the show because he: 1. knows things 2. shares that knowledge in an articluate manner 3. has a British accent that just makes things [...]...
- Schiit Urd video overview24 September 2023, 12:02 pm
“Schiit Urd”. Say it out loud and you’ll think that the Californian/Texan audio manufacturer has reached the natural conclusion of its branding joke but those better clued into the company’s thinking will know otherwise: that the Urd follows Schiit’s Norse mythological product naming scheme. Urd is the goddess of fate […] The post Schiit Urd video overview first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled... - Rise of the machines: Rega, Musical Fidelity & Thorens21 September 2023, 8:34 am
Despite outselling CDs by roughly 8 million units in the first half of 2023, the number of vinyl LPs sold in the USA is down 1.8% from last year. It’s a similar story in Germany where the number of vinyl LPs sold in 2022 was 4.3 million, down from 2021’s […] The post Rise of the machines: Rega, Musical Fidelity & Thorens first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For private us... - My crazy theory about why Lenbrook bought MQA19 September 2023, 4:57 pm
Lenbrook Corp., the parent company of NAD, PSB and Bluesound, has today announced that it has completed a full asset acquisition of UK company MQA Ltd. which went into administration in April. That’s the news. What’s the story? Lenbrook is now the owner of the SCL6 Bluetooth codec (fka MQAir) […] The post My crazy theory about why Lenbrook bought MQA first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without ... - Bowers & Wilkins announces PX7 S2e19 September 2023, 7:44 am
In the same month that Focal and Sennheiser announce new colourways for their respective Bathys and Momentum 4 Wireless models, Bowers & Wilkins would like us to consider an ‘evolved’ PX7 S2. The all-new PX7 S2e replaces the PX7 S2 (review here) in the British company’s active noise-cancelling headphone line-up. […] The post Bowers & Wilkins announces PX7 S2e first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled ... - The HEDDphone Two has been on the treadmill19 September 2023, 7:25 am
In 2019, HEDD Audio reworked the AMT driver technology used for tweeters in its range of active loudspeakers for a new product: the HEDDphone — the world’s first headphone to use such a driver. An AMT driver is different from the dynamic and planar-magnetic drivers found in most other headphones […] The post The HEDDphone Two has been on the treadmill first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without...
- Audiophilia Dream List ©23 September 2023, 4:30 pm
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 23, 2023.This list will be updated regularly. The latest additions appear at the top. When the following update appears, the previous update selections will be placed in genre sections in order for easier viewing. Welcome to the Audiophilia Dream List. A list of OG or reissue vinyl of all genres compiled by me. I’ll post the list at the top of the review page and link it across our social media anytime it’s significantly updated. As vinyl has become prohibitively ex... - FERENC FRICSAY—Complete Recordings on Deutsche Grammophon18 September 2023, 10:16 am
To die young is often an invitation to wider fame by those who follow and appreciate talent. Musicians have applauded the memory of Ferenc Fricsay for over six decades since his tragic death from cancer aged 48 in 1963.His Hungarian contemporaries such as Georg Solti, Antal Dorati, Istvan Kertesz, Eugene Ormandy and Georg Szell enjoyed huge careers around the world but Fricsay still exerts a fascination for many due to the few short years that he recorded and performed around Europe and the U.S.... - Infigo Audio Method 6 Class A Stereo Power Amplifier15 September 2023, 10:24 am
I was first introduced to Infigo Audio (based in BC, Canada; Infigo means “impressive” in Latin) by hearing their Method 3 Class A monoblocks ($55,000/pair) at the home of Mike Levy (CEO/Founder of Alta Audio). Beautiful and unusual looking, they were gold-coloured blocks with an open top but with a clear glass protective cover, revealing the electronics inside with calming blue light. I was seriously impressed by the sound—but intimidated by the price. There was something new ... - Technics SL-1200GR Turntable15 September 2023, 10:24 am
Technics, the Japanese subsidiary of audio mega-firm Panasonic and manufacturer of almost every Hi-Fi component you could wish for, used to be a big player in the turntable business. When the bottom finally finished dropping out of vinyl and the CD had established itself front and centre, Technics stopped manufacturing their very successful SL-1200 line of direct-drive turntables (2010). These turntables were adopted by DJs and admired by audiophiles.In 2016, somebody at Technics saw the vinyl R... - iFi Audio Go pod15 September 2023, 10:23 am
The iFi Audio Go pod is a wearable HD Bluetooth DAC and headphone amp ($399).Audiophilia would like to thank iFi Audio for the opportunity to review their Go pod product. Here you will find an honest review of this product based on my specific uses.IntroFor this review, we were sent the Craft Ears Aurum IEMs bundled with the iFi Go pods, Craft’s flagship model. When paired with your choice of high-quality IEMs from the list provided by iFi, these create the perfect wearable Bluetooth ...
- WIN! A Lateral Audio Stands LAS-9 Cadenz equipment support worth £9207 October 2021, 10:14 am
We have teamed up with our friends at Lateral Audio Stands to bring you a fantastic competition for a chance to win a four-tier LAS-9 Cadenz equipment support worth £920. Our editor, Alan Sircom reviewed the LAS-9 Cadenz equipment support in Hi-Fi+ issue 199 where he wrote, “At first glance, LAS-9 Cadenz is very much the traditional modular equipment stand.” But, he pointed out, “Looks can be deceptive, however. There are a lot of clever techniques used to help dissipat... - After the US, Japan and China, BAYZ also lands in the UK4 October 2021, 7:40 am
We are pleased to announce that BAYZ Audio (http://www.bayz-audio.eu/) speakers will be available for audition at this year’s UK AUDIO SHOW on 9-10 October in Daventry. The event has deservedly aroused considerable interest among British audiophiles and specialist journalists as we have not been able to show off our products during the last 2 years in the UK due to the pandemic. So we can safely say that this event will be the debut of our speakers at this point on the globe. We are also... - Russell K are proud to launch the new Red 120Se Loudspeaker at the UK Audio Show 2021.30 September 2021, 7:16 am
How to improve a speaker already heralded as “sounding fast, controlled and natural”? Enter the ‘Designed and manufactured in England’ Red 120Se which succeeds in raising the performance of the Red 120 to an even higher level. The new 120 Special edition shows exemplary coherence and delivers even more true-to-life dynamic nuance and detail. It’s vivid and highly engaging and because it delivers more micro-detail you hear the true relationship between musical even... - Accuphase DP-570 CD/SACD Player21 September 2021, 1:17 pm
Turns out it’s been a while since I last reviewed a CD player. A few years, in fact. And to be honest, given my long-term player of choice is the dCS Puccini that came in for issue 65 and never really left, any review units following that always had to go some to get my attention. But somewhat to my surprise, it’s been ten years since I bought that dCS player. Probably the most obvious reason why I haven’t reviewed a CD player in a while is that there are rather fewer on offe... - Norma Audio Revo IPA-140 integrated amplifier21 September 2021, 1:03 pm
There are some audio brands that arguably get more coverage than they deserve. There are others that deserve more coverage than they get. Norma is in the second group. It consistently turns in an excellent performance at sensible prices, is loved by almost anyone who hears any product in the line, and both the Norma name and products like the Revo IPA-140 integrated amplifier deserve greater recognition. I can understand why the company flies below the radar, too. Norma has that charming, but ...
- Antipodes Audio Oladra Network Audio Library25 September 2023, 12:00 am
The premier 'server/player/reclocker' from New Zealand brand Antipodes Audio boasts a host of proprietary technology and supports up to 24TB of user-installed SSD storage Network audio is a significant growth area in hi-fi, helped along by network-connected transports and servers, designed to be used into offboard DACs. We used to call these devices 'network bridges', interposed between the home network, and any storage devices thereon, and an audio system. Nowadays they've grown beyond that ba... - Koetsu Coralstone Cartridge22 September 2023, 12:00 am
While unmistakably a 'Koetsu', this Coral stone-cloaked MC demonstrates that every one of the brand's mineral/stone-bodied pick-ups brings its own personality to the party At the high-end of the hi-fi industry, there are companies that, while well-known to the audiophile cognoscenti, still remain something of an enigma. Japanese cartridge brand Koetsu fits that description – its name is often uttered in hushed, reverential tones, but if you're hoping for a quick Google to unleash a thor... - Sonus faber Homage Amati G5 Loudspeaker21 September 2023, 12:00 am
With an impressive back-story, impeccable engineering and glorious finishes, these imposing '5th generation' Italian speakers promise much – so do they deliver? Certo! The Amati G5 sits at the top of a four-strong new 'fifth generation' range of the company's Homage speakers, so-called because they pay tribute to the tradition of musical instrument manufacturing in Cremona, Italy. And they do so not just in name, but in the way they're made, with extensive use of selected woods, handcraft... - Luxman L-30 Amplifier19 September 2023, 12:00 am
With retro styling currently all the rage how will this integrated compare, especially considering it was the most affordable amp in Luxman's mid-'70s lineup? We find out The L-30 was the cheapest amplifier in Luxman's 1976 range. Not that it looked anything like a budget model – rather, it had an almost intangible feel of quality and superior finish that in terms of showroom appeal put it above all but the very best offerings from the Japanese big names at the time. At around £180... - MoFi SourcePoint 8 Loudspeaker18 September 2023, 12:00 am
With the 'proof of concept' SourcePoint 10 already under his belt, MoFi's Andrew Jones has engineered a more compact coincident driver array for the SourcePoint 8 cabinet Speaking to designer Andrew Jones at High End Munich in May '23, he kidded that his latest loudspeaker could be considered the 'European' version of his larger SourcePoint 10 [HFN Apr '23]. 'People were often surprised by its size – it does host a 10in driver after all – so something smaller was needed', he explain...
- Klipsch Introduces The One Plus and Three Plus Bluetooth Tabletop Speakers25 September 2023, 1:00 pm
The One Plus and The Three Plus are retro styled tabletop wireless music systems to bring sound into any room.... - Luxman’s L-509Z Flagship Integrated Amplifier Celebrates 100 Years of Music Playback25 September 2023, 7:59 am
The Luxman L-509Z is the first to offer LIFES1.0 stages in both preamp and power amp and the first with LECUA-EX volume control.... - Craft Recordings Celebrates Wes Montgomery with ‘The Complete Full House Recordings’ on Vinyl25 September 2023, 5:52 am
Available November 10th on 3-LP 180-gram vinyl, 2-CD and digital formats, this remastered and expanded collection presents the entirety of Montgomery’s classic 1962 Berkeley concert, including two previously unreleased performances for the very first time.... - Craft Recordings Announces ‘Hot House: The Complete Jazz At Massey Hall Recordings’ 70th Anniversary Collection25 September 2023, 5:29 am
3-LP and 2-CD boxsets collect every performance by these five jazz legends captured on tape that evening– all meticulously restored and remastered in 24-bit audio.... - Amazon Announces Fire TV Soundbar for Only $119.9924 September 2023, 9:07 am
Can a low-priced soundbar deliver the goods? Find out what Amazon's $119.99 Fire TV soundbar has to offer....
- Gold Note PA-1175 MkII Stereo Power Amplifier Review25 September 2023, 12:00 pm
Gold Note, located in Florence, Italy, is a small and unique audio manufacturer. They design and build all of their products in-house... The post Gold Note PA-1175 MkII Stereo Power Amplifier Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Wharfedale Evo 4.2 Bookshelf Speakers. A Video Review.20 September 2023, 12:00 pm
I used to always get irritated by bookshelf speakers being called stand mounts. Until of course, I got my hands on these. The Wharfdale Evo 4.2. 'EVO' is short for Evolution. The post Wharfedale Evo 4.2 Bookshelf Speakers. A Video Review. appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - VPI Industries Avenger Direct Turntable Review18 September 2023, 12:00 pm
The VPI Avenger Direct turntable. It is literally the one turntable to rule them all. One of the best turntables. The post VPI Industries Avenger Direct Turntable Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - The FiiO R7 Desktop Digital Streaming Player Review13 September 2023, 3:00 pm
It’s unusual that I am at a loss for words just trying to describe Hi-Fi or home theater gear, but that’s the situation here. The reason is that FiiO, with the R7, has created a unique desktop component that does a whole lot of things very well that we don’t usually find in a single component. The post The FiiO R7 Desktop Digital Streaming Player Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Opera Callas Stand-Mounted (Bookshelf) Speakers Review11 September 2023, 12:00 pm
We all know that Italian sports cars are among the most desired in the world. The Stradivarius violin is from Cremona, Italy. Italian fashion also sets the standard, and increasingly, so do Italian audio products. Opera Loudspeakers, based in Treviso, Italy, is one such company that makes unique and sought-after audio components. Our Editor, Carlo […] The post Opera Callas Stand-Mounted (Bookshelf) Speakers Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com....
- Clearaudio Ovation Turntable and Universal Tonearm11 September 2023, 3:22 pm
Clearaudio is a well-respected manufacturer of turntables, tonearms, phono cartridges, phono preamplifiers, and accessories. Their home base is in Germany. The Clearaudio Ovation turntable has been in production for several years. The Ovation turntable features a rectangular footprint, belt drive, electronic speed control and Clearaudio’s patented CMB – Ceramic Magnetic Bearing. The CMB obliterates the […]... - Audience Studio TWO USB Cable28 June 2023, 7:59 pm
Bits is bits, right? Maybe the computer bits really are just little blocks of information, static and unchanged and unchangeable from the recording studio to your awesome music system. However, the reality is that the way those bits travel from one point in the recording process to the final point in the listening chain can […]... - Tzar DST Moving-Coil Phono Cartridge22 May 2023, 8:45 pm
The Tzar DST moving coil phono cartridge is manufactured in Russia in limited quantities and distributed in the US by Robyatt Audio. The $10,000 cartridge has some special features that make it unique in the marketplace of moving coil phono cartridge. Manufactured by Leonid Sinitsin, the Tzar DST bears a resemblance to the Neumann cartridges […]... - Stager Silver Solids Interconnect Phono Cable30 March 2023, 3:14 pm
Stager Sound Systems is a New York company founded in 1986. They rent and sell pro gear for small to medium-large concerts and special events. There is also a “division” that specializes in interconnect and speaker cables called Stager Silver Solids. As you might guess from the name, these audio cables are made from silver […]... - Acoustic Signature TA-7000 Neo Tonearm28 February 2023, 10:33 pm
The Acoustic Signature TA-7000 Neo tonearm sits just below their top-of-the-line TA-9000 Neo tonearm in the product range. It is available in both 9 inch and 12 inch lengths, for $15,995 and $17,995 respectively. There is also a choice of color: black or silver, or chrome or gold at additional cost. A 9” silver arm […]...
- Revisit Your Inner Soul: Unity Audio’s Inner Soul V3 Standmount Speakers9 June 2023, 6:21 pm
Unity Audio ‘Inner Soul’ Speakers Revisited and a Mini Interview with Omer Humayun MSRP: $900 Canadian. Review by David Neice Verdict: The main strength of the Unity Inner Soul V3, a stand mount single driver speaker, is resolution. Initially they come on as bracing and a bit in your face, but with time they also seem refreshingly direct and encourage the listener to plumb the depths of any recording. The laws of physics declare that a four inch or so single driver... - Review: XTZ Edge A2-300 Power Amplifier30 May 2023, 8:41 pm
Class D Power At A Bargain Basement Price: XTZ Edge A2-300 Power Amplifier Review by Jamie Gillies I’ve heard about Class D, read about Class D, but never had tried Class D until Oliver Fragman, the owner of Le Studio du Son in Montreal, Québec kindly sent me a new amplifier from Swedish manufacturer XTZ. The A2-300 power amplifier is their smaller amp, made to power everything from bookshelf and desktop speakers to full range floorstanders. It delivers tremendous power ... - Graham Audio LS8/1 Speakers: A First Look Audition26 May 2023, 4:04 pm
Graham Audio LS8/1 Speakers: A First Look Audition by David Neice Graham Audio LS8/1 Speakers MSRP: $13,360 CAN (US $9700) – the Derek Hughes Signature Edition is limited to 100 pairs and includes custom stands. Lejonklou Boazu Integrated Amplifier MSRP: $5795 CAN. Summary: This report is based on an ‘audition’ of the Graham Audio LS8/1 speakers done at Hearken Audio In Kitchener Ontario. Circumstances mentioned below prevented us from doing a full revi... - Review: Neotech NEVD-2001 Pure Silver 75 Ohm Digital Coaxial S/PDIF Cable10 May 2023, 4:01 pm
Digital Cable for the External DAC Connoisseur: Neotech NEVD-2001 Pure Silver 75 Ohm Digital Coaxial S/PDIF Cable Review by Jamie Gillies Compact discs still matter despite a decade of the music industry moving in the diametrically opposite direction away from CDs and physical digital media. This has occurred because of the increasing emphasis on digital streaming services like Tidal, Qobuz and Spotify, and with the investment and the popularity of vinyl both as preferred form for s... - Review: S.M.S.L D300 Digital to Analogue Converter8 May 2023, 1:13 am
S.M.S.L D300 Digital to Analogue Converter A DAC Out of the Ordinary By Steve Graham Let me start out by describing what the D300 isn’t, doesn’t have or won’t do: -It isn’t physically imposing. -It doesn’t have slabs of sculpted aluminum formed into a jewel-like case. -It doesn’t have a built-in headphone amp. -It won’t impress your audio buddies with its size or looks. -It won’t crush your budget (as long as your budget stretches to $500 CD...
- Unique Melody MEST MKIII CF Review25 September 2023, 8:55 am
This is an in-depth review of the Unique Melody MEST MKIII CF, a hybrid multi-driver custom in-ear monitor with bone conduction technology. It is priced at $2359 SRP for the custom red and blue versions. Disclaimer: This sample was sent to us in exchange for our honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or status. We thank Unique Melody and Musicteck for this opportunity. To learn more about Unique Melody products previously highlighted on Headfonics you [&hell... - Sennheiser HD 660S2 Review23 September 2023, 9:00 am
Today, we review the Sennheiser HD 660S2, which is a second-generation set of circumaural open-back 300Ω 42mm dynamic driver headphones. It is currently priced at $499.95 Disclaimer: This was sent to us as a sample for our honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or services. We thank Sennheiser for this opportunity. Click here to learn more about the Sennheiser products we have previously highlighted on Headfonics. Note, that this post f... - TOZO Golden X1 Review22 September 2023, 1:46 am
This is an in-depth review of the TOZO Golden X1, which is a multi-driver BT5.3 and LDAC-capable True Wireless System with noise cancelation. It is priced at $149.99 Disclaimer: This sample was sent to us in exchange for our honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or services. We thank TOZO for their support. You can click here to learn more about the True Wireless Systems we have previously assessed on Headfonics. Note, that this article […] TOZO Gold... - Auris Audio HA-2SE+ Review20 September 2023, 8:46 am
We review the Auris Audio HA-2SE+, which is a 3rd gen impedance-selectable Class A desktop headphone tube amplifier with pre-out capability. It is priced at $2399 SRP. Disclaimer: This sample was sent to us in exchange for our honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or services. We thank Auris Audio for their support. You can click here to learn more about the Auris Audio gear we have previously assessed on Headfonics. Note, that this article […] Auris... - PLUSSOUND Silver Plated Copper XL Review18 September 2023, 9:12 am
We review the PLUSSOUND Silver Plated Copper XL, which is an 18AWG Type 6×6 Litz silver plated copper wire designed for IEMs and full-size headphones. It is priced at $999 SRP. Disclaimer: This is a sample sent to us in exchange for our honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links. We thank the team at PLUSSOUND for giving us this opportunity. To read more about PLUSSOUND products that we have previously featured on Headfonics click here. Note...
- Rhino Records Releases New Quad Audio Albums At Los Angeles Event25 September 2023, 3:16 pm
Once upon a time, in a studio far far away, some engineers and musicians got together to create a surround The post Rhino Records Releases New Quad Audio Albums At Los Angeles Event appeared first on AudioHead.... - Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Speaker Crossovers21 September 2023, 2:12 pm
Andrew Jones is a good sport when it comes to sharing his design secrets with the public. While it take The post Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Speaker Crossovers appeared first on AudioHead.... - Focal Adds A New Colorway Plus A Hearing App To The Bathys Wireless Headphone19 September 2023, 3:18 pm
Wireless has always been the direction headphones have been heading. If it is not the True Wireless category of earphones The post Focal Adds A New Colorway Plus A Hearing App To The Bathys Wireless Headphone appeared first on AudioHead.... - PS Audio Reveals A New Network Streamer In The $2k Range13 September 2023, 6:15 pm
PS Audio has been known to offer a range of price points into the audiophile world. Today they announced a The post PS Audio Reveals A New Network Streamer In The $2k Range appeared first on AudioHead.... - Technics Releases Their Latest Generation of the SL-1200 Turntable9 September 2023, 8:48 pm
The Technics SL-1200 has been around since 1972. It has gone through several updates since then, but has always remained The post Technics Releases Their Latest Generation of the SL-1200 Turntable appeared first on AudioHead....
- NAD Announces Vintage Listening Sessions25 September 2023, 5:08 pm
A series of global retail events inviting fans to experience therich history of hi-fi with vintage product showcases and demos The post NAD Announces Vintage Listening Sessions appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - Focal Presents the Dune Finish for Bathys15 September 2023, 8:30 am
Travel with High-Fidelity The Must-Have Wireless Hi-Fi Headphones with Active Noise Cancellation September 15, 2023 – Since their unveiling in October The post Focal Presents the Dune Finish for Bathys appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - Danacable Lazuli Rhapsody Headphone Cable – A Direct Connection4 September 2023, 6:00 am
7 years ago I reviewed the Danacable Lazuli Reference Headphone Cable (as well as the standard Lazuli cable), which was The post Danacable Lazuli Rhapsody Headphone Cable – A Direct Connection appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - New Products in the DALI CI Line: The Phantom IW Sub S-100 and Phantom CI Amp-2500 DSP1 September 2023, 6:53 pm
At CEDIA 2023 DALI introduces the new components to complete the premium Phantom series CEDIA EXPO, September 1, 2023, Denver The post New Products in the DALI CI Line: The Phantom IW Sub S-100 and Phantom CI Amp-2500 DSP appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - DALI Celebrates 40 Years of Loudspeaker Innovation with the EPIKORE 11 at CEDIA 20231 September 2023, 6:36 pm
The 4½-way Floorstanders with Ultra-low Distortion SMC Gen-2 Technology will be available to view and demo at Booth 3516 CEDIA The post DALI Celebrates 40 Years of Loudspeaker Innovation with the EPIKORE 11 at CEDIA 2023 appeared first on Headphone Guru....
- Longdog Audio P6100M25 September 2023, 12:00 am
In these days of networked this and smart that, wireless something and Class D something else, Longdog Audio’s P6100M monoblock power amplifiers feel gloriously old fashioned. They make a sort of negative style statement that only a certain type of hardcore (or purist, as I’d prefer to call them) audiophile would consider. Count me in, because I’m the sort of person who gets more excited about 100W RMS per side of MOSFET power for £3,500, than I do about any number of sm... - Auralic Aries G2.125 September 2023, 12:00 am
It’s become clear over the past few years, that it’s possible to have network-streamed audio in just about any kind of device. From wireless multi-room speakers to inexpensive DIY computers and from high-end players to all-in-one systems, however you want to access music stored in a home library or stream from an online service, it can be done. And it’s not hard to see why: at its very simplest, a manufacturer can buy a complete off-the-shelf streaming solution and simply plug... - Musical Fidelity announces the return of the A1 integrated amplifier22 September 2023, 12:00 am
Henley Audio has announced the launch of Musical Fidelity’s A1 integrated amplifier. The model was first produced in 1985, its Class A electrical design created to work with a wide variety of equipment of the day. The company says the new generation of A1 stays faithful to the original design in almost every way, only making changes to improve specific technical characteristics and satisfy modern requirements. The electrical layout of the A1 features completely discrete, fully symmetrical... - Astell&Kern introduces AK UW100MKII true-wireless earbuds21 September 2023, 12:00 am
Astell&Kern has unveiled its new AK UW100MKII true-wireless earbuds. Boasting a refreshed ergonomic design and improved wireless playback, the company claims that the in-ears deliver: “uncompromising, exquisite hi-fi sound”. The AK UW100MKII features an embedded 32-bit DAC and full-range Balanced Armature driver together with aptX Adaptive codec support and Passive Noise Isolation. The buds also feature a more advanced circuit design in a bid to ensure an improved connection tha... - Rotel A11 Tribute/CD11 Tribute21 September 2023, 12:00 am
Generally speaking, the hi-fi industry doesn’t often go in for much in the way of big surprises: most new product announcements are more evolutionary than revolutionary, more often than not early samples are snuck out to selected outlets and– given that there seems to be little awareness of the ability of social media to ensure that even the biggest secrets leak like a sieve – it’s surprisingly rare that something truly comes from out of leftfield when you’re least...
- AXPONA 2023 – Show Report & Awards27 April 2023, 9:04 am
After four long years of HiFi show drought, I’m excited to share my journey at AXPONA 2023. With RMAF gone, this is currently the largest HiFi show in the US. This year’s event was nothing short of amazing, with over 500 exhibitors showcasing the latest in HiFi equipment to more than 9,000 visitors. As far […] The post AXPONA 2023 – Show Report & Awards appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - “Calypso King” Harry Belafonte Dies at Age 9625 April 2023, 9:51 pm
Harry Belafonte, a music icon who broke down racial barriers with his unique blend of folk, calypso, and jazz music, passed away on April 25th, 2023, at the age of 96 due to congestive heart failure. He passed away at his home on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Belafonte was a trailblazer who broke […] The post “Calypso King” Harry Belafonte Dies at Age 96 appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - Innuos PhoenixNET Review – Revolutionizing Digital Music13 April 2023, 2:39 am
Innuos Design Philosophy In the realm of high-end audio, Innuos has made a name for itself as a Portuguese company that crafts top-of-the-line music servers that are both dependable and expertly designed. The founders, Nuno Vitorino and Amelia Santos, approach their product line with a thorough mindset, choosing to enhance and broaden their existing products […] The post Innuos PhoenixNET Review – Revolutionizing Digital Music appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - CanJam SoCal 2022 – Quick Impressions21 September 2022, 4:33 am
I know I’ve been MIA. Just had a lot of personal things to take care of. I also got married 🙂 Anyway, I’m progressing with the new listening room and will be pumping out new videos soon. Glad I made the last minute decision to attend CanJam 2020. Just picked up my 35mm lens and […] The post CanJam SoCal 2022 – Quick Impressions appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - Meze Audio announces the official launch of the 109 PRO headphone15 September 2022, 11:54 pm
BAIA MARE, Romania – September 15, 2022 – Meze Audio, award-winning high-end headphone manufacturer, announces its first dynamic open-back headphone – the 109 PRO. Made from carefully curated and responsibly sourced materials, including walnut wood, zinc, manganese steel and vegan leather, the 109 PRO is a comfortable, lightweight, yet highly durable headphone capable of producing […] The post Meze Audio announces the official launch of the 109 PRO headphone appeared fir...
- Review: Rega Elex MK4 amp – in the middle but never middling20 September 2023, 1:53 am
REVIEW: Rega's midrange Elex amp, now in MK4 guise, gets an update and continues to punch above its class.... - Bowers & Wilkins’ launches new 600 Series S3 speakers25 August 2023, 3:43 am
NEWS: Bowers & Wilkins' 600 Series, now in its eighth generation, benefits from trickle-down upgrades.... - An Ethereal headamp from Kostas Metaxas18 August 2023, 4:27 am
NEWS: If you want your hi-fi or headfi to look different, M&S offers a choice... like its Ethereal headamp.... - Review: HYM Seed – vinyl made simple11 August 2023, 2:20 am
REVIEW: Enjoying vinyl with minimum fuss and component count is made possible by the HYM seed turntable system.... - AudioEngine updates its N22 desktop amp4 August 2023, 2:29 am
NEWS: A desktop amplifier equipped with all the I/Os you'll need, that's the N22 v2 from AudioEngine....
- Edifier MR4 Active Studio Monitors Reviewed21 September 2023, 7:23 pm
a quality speaker for media consumption and perfectly suited to on the go use with portable interfaces. If you’re starting out in production, content creation, recording your band or trying to build a bedroom setup on a budget, you could do a lot worse. The post Edifier MR4 Active Studio Monitors Reviewed appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Technics RS-M225 & RS-M17 Cassette Decks Overview & Belt Replacement13 September 2023, 1:30 pm
Two successive generations of Technics cassette deck, entirely different yet strikingly similar at the same time. The post Technics RS-M225 & RS-M17 Cassette Decks Overview & Belt Replacement appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Aiwa AD-F500 Cassette Deck Repair & Review24 August 2023, 9:00 am
My experience working on the AD-WX727 and AD-wX929 twin decks, the latter returning for a second round left a bitter taste in my mouth. But they did produce some decent hardware in the same era and this, the AD-F500, is one of the more economical examples. It has proven itself to be competitive in its performance and good value on the used market for the right price. The post Aiwa AD-F500 Cassette Deck Repair & Review appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Aiwa AD-WX929 Double Cassette Deck Repair22 August 2023, 1:03 pm
Better than the WX727 in some areas, it does an acceptable job playing back pre-recorded tapes. But the best thing the WX929 has going for it is a few extra metal components which add to its scrap value. The post Aiwa AD-WX929 Double Cassette Deck Repair appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Sivga Luan Open-Backed Headphones Reviewed14 August 2023, 3:06 pm
A pleasant if not strictly neutral listening experience. Beautifully built and generously accessorised out of the box. if you seek exquisite build quality, a thoroughly enjoyable listening experience, and maximum value for money, you’ll find all three here. The post Sivga Luan Open-Backed Headphones Reviewed appeared first on Audio Appraisal....
- Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3 Bookshelf Loudspeakers Review22 September 2023, 1:03 am
Simon Lucas samples an exciting new British budget standmount loudspeaker…... - Samsung Freestyle Portable Projector (2023) Review22 September 2023, 12:45 am
This newly updated transportable LED projector is cute and compact, and has a trick or two up its sleeve, reports Steve May…... - First Impressions: Apple AirPods Pro 222 September 2023, 12:21 am
Cheryl Tan says there’s more than just USB-C to get excited about on Apple’s latest premium in-ear monitors…... - Sonos Move 2 Loudspeaker Review22 September 2023, 12:06 am
Simon Lucas tries his luck with the latest portable wireless speaker from this iconic US audio brand…... - Schiit Audio Saga S Preamp & Aegir Power Amplifier Review21 September 2023, 11:58 pm
James Michael Hughes auditions an impressive pint-sized preamplifier and power amplifier combination…....
- New Music Friday 2023: The Biggest Releases of the Week22 September 2023, 6:25 pm
New Music Friday 2023 is back, and this week’s lineup is stacked with must-hear releases from some of the biggest names in music. It’s New Music Friday again, which means another week of fresh new tunes from some of our favorite artists. This week’s lineup is particularly impressive, with three of our favorite new albums continue reading The post New Music Friday 2023: The Biggest Releases of the Week appeared first on HIFI Trends.... - Lenbrook MQA Acquisition: What Does It Mean for Consumers?19 September 2023, 4:21 pm
Lenbrook MQA Acquisition: Lenbrook’s purchase of MQA, a leading hi-res audio technology company, is a significant development for the audio industry. Is it a new era for hi-res audio? The reports of MQA’s death, it seems, have been greatly exaggerated. Lenbrook Corp., a Canadian enterprise specializing in brand development, technology, and distribution in the audio continue reading The post Lenbrook MQA Acquisition: What Does It Mean for Consumers? appeared first on HIFI Trends.... - 10 Best Hi-fi Products Under $500 (2023 Reviews)19 September 2023, 3:30 am
We list 10 of the best hi-fi products under $500, from speakers and amplifiers to turntables and DACs. Hi-fi audio can be a bit of a niche hobby, but it’s one that offers a lot of rewards. With hi-fi gear, you can experience your favorite music in a new way, with richer sound and more continue reading The post 10 Best Hi-fi Products Under $500 (2023 Reviews) appeared first on HIFI Trends.... - SoundPEATS Air4 Review: The Best Wireless Earbuds Under $100?18 September 2023, 2:21 am
SoundPEATS Air4 Review: These earbuds offer good sound quality, a comfortable fit, and a number of useful features, all for under $100. The SoundPEATS Air4 Wireless Earbuds ($79.99, currently $59.99 with a $20 coupon) are a new premium pair of earbuds offering great features and performance. They feature Snapdragon Sound™ technology for lossless audio, adaptive continue reading The post SoundPEATS Air4 Review: The Best Wireless Earbuds Under $100? appeared first on HIFI Trends.... - Focal Bathys Headphones: Now Available In Dune Color With New Personalized Hearing Profile16 September 2023, 11:14 pm
Focal Bathys Dune: Immersive sound and active noise cancellation in a stunning new color. This week, Focal, a leading brand in high-end audiophile headphones, announced a new colorway for their popular Bathys wireless headphones ($699) and a new Personalized Hearing Profile feature accessible via the Focal & Naim app (iOS and Android). The new finish, continue reading The post Focal Bathys Headphones: Now Available In Dune Color With New Personalized Hearing Profile appeared first on HIFI T...
- KEF LSX II Powered Wireless Speakers: YouTube Review5 September 2023, 5:43 pm
Watch the YouTube ReviewThe KEF LSX II powered bookshelf/desktop speakers are designed for the lifestyle market. All you need is a wall socket, phone, and a wifi router and you're set. Listening/Review time after break-in: 37 hours. Overall: The KEF LSX II are a true lifestyle speaker meant for the simplicity desired by plug -in & play owner. The KEF Connect app deserves an award for its powerful, user-friendly capability. The LSX II's are pure magic with Tito Puente and other percus... - Rotel S14 Streaming Integrated Amplifier- YouTube Review25 August 2023, 2:55 am
Watch The YouTube Video Review ... - Peachtree Carina Integrated Amplifier25 August 2023, 2:41 am
Watch The YouTube Video Review Incarnation four, that is where Peachtree Audio now stands as a company, beginning as speaker manufacturer ERA under the design guidance of noted speaker builder Mike Kelly. Incarnation two, was a dramatic shift into amplification with a vacuum tube window. Incarnation three, came with advanced engineering that improved the sound quality, upped the power output, and in a surprise, parted ways with the signature vacuum tube. Now, incarnation four, between the G... - Denafrips Ares II DAC25 August 2023, 2:36 am
Watch The YouTube Video ReviewSeventeen years ago I was crazy enough to start up the online publication Affordable$$Audio. One of my newly recruited writers, came to me with the idea that we focus on the newest category of audio equipment, the digital to analog converter. At that time, the market was dominated by expensive units with just a few reasonably-priced ones available. Thankfully, over the next four years, the market exploded and the budget audiophile was able to get in on the action.&n... - LSA Signature 80 Loudspeakers25 August 2023, 2:33 am
Watch The YouTube ReviewLink to specificationsThe first rule of being an audio reviewer should be, never stop expecting to be surprised. The moment you think you can predict the performance of a piece of equipment, the unexpected is going to arrive on your doorstep. Having reviewed the LSA 10 bookshelf speakers two years ago, I made the false assumption that the Signature 80's would follow in the same performance lane. I was wrong, very wrong.LSA has created, through the design efforts Dr....
- Lejonklou Entity 1.2 MC Phono Stage24 September 2023, 10:15 am
Building on the highly refined and musical sound of its 1.1 predecessor, the updated 1.2 model's seemingly subtle tweaks (new chassis ground parts and a specific fastening torque) yield distinct advantages.... - Aequo Audio New Production Facility – Industry Update24 September 2023, 8:24 am
Aequo Audio is going to expand considerably and has started the construction of a new production facility of 1200 m2. This will be the new home base for the loudspeaker manufacturer from Eindhoven in the coming years.... - AG Lifter Apollo Modular Rack6 September 2023, 6:00 am
The AG Lifter design philosophy is to build a rack for music lovers. Apollo is the top-of-the line product with a modular nature which allows users to start with a single module and build out the system precisely as needed.... - Vermouth Audio Statement XLR Interlink3 September 2023, 8:52 am
Before the introduction of the Statement series, the Reference series was Vermouth's very best. The new Statement series, using OCC silver/gold conductors, promises further elevated performance.... - Harmonic Resolution Systems (HRS) EXR Audio Stand29 August 2023, 10:36 am
For the past five years, HRS has worked on the EXR system to get the performance and modularity on the desired level while also offering a 30% cost reduction over the model it replaced. As a result, the EXR Stand System is the brand's most cost-effective system to date....
- Fiio FF1 Review17 September 2023, 6:41 pm
Fiio was established in 2007 in Guangzhou, China. The company markets high-resolution digital audio players,…... - Fiio FD11 Review19 August 2023, 9:09 am
Established in 2007 in Guangzhou, China, Fiio produces and develops high-resolution digital audio players, portable…... - Fiio FH11 Review6 August 2023, 7:25 am
Fiio was established in 2007 in Guangzhou, China. The company is well known for its…... - EarMen CH-Amp Review23 July 2023, 8:35 am
EarMen is the derivative brand of Auris Audio with a focus on portable audio designed…... - Cleer Arc II Review12 July 2023, 6:18 pm
Based in San Diego, California, Cleer Audio was founded by a group of audio enthusiasts…...
- Experiencing Gigli with Quality Audio22 September 2023, 5:45 am
Sometimes a book enters one’s life and changes or affects our lexicon, and how we lens the world around us. Experiencing Gigli with Quality Audio, authored by Paul James PhD, is just such a book for me. The post Experiencing Gigli with Quality Audio appeared first on Resistor Magazine |.... - Listening Space: Gabriele Maggi and Cinemeccanica in Voghera, Italy16 August 2023, 12:38 am
Music is a religion. It has followers, disciples. There are believers, true believers and fundamentalists. Each of us when asked why we listen to music, responds in their own way, based on how much music fills our thoughts, moments. The post Listening Space: Gabriele Maggi and Cinemeccanica in Voghera, Italy appeared first on Resistor Magazine |.... - Review: Audio Note UK M3 Phono Preamplifier12 July 2023, 11:45 pm
With the Audio Note UK M3 Phono I listen longer, I experience greater note-to-note fluidity, I’m more intrigued, I hear further into recordings than I have previously, yet it is not about this piano hammer pressure on wire, or that shimmering decay of cymbal, nor is it the drive and impact of bass. No, it is all of these things and also, paradoxically, none of them. The post Review: Audio Note UK M3 Phono Preamplifier appeared first on Resistor Magazine |.... - Cicely Balston of AIR Studios: Mastering Engineer of The Year26 June 2023, 5:14 am
Cicely Balston knows a thing or two about the mystique surrounding the mastering process, having been at the cutter-head helm on hundreds of albums, first at Gearbox Records, and now at Sir George Martin’s AIR Studios in Hampstead, London. The post Cicely Balston of AIR Studios: Mastering Engineer of The Year appeared first on Resistor Magazine |.... - The Art of Selling on Discogs23 May 2023, 11:07 pm
Zimy, real name Mike Zimmer, transforms mundane LP shipping boxes into abstract, painted travelogues. Every cardboard sleeve a graphic translation of the cover art of said LP being sold. He is, as far as I know, the only person going to the trouble of illustrating his shipping boxes on Discogs. The post The Art of Selling on Discogs appeared first on Resistor Magazine |....
- The Barn’s New Headspace: Welcome the Meze Audio 109 Pro Headphones25 September 2023, 2:21 pm
What’s better, for reviewing, than one? Two. As I begin my dive into personal listening through review gear that offers a headphone out, I wanted to have two pair of well known and well loved headphones on hand for the endeavor. And my research, mostly [...]... - In Barn for Review: Audio Research I/50 Integrated Amplifier23 September 2023, 7:08 pm
The Audio Research I/50 Integrated Amplifier is available in 6 colors with optional DAC and Phono modules, which is how the review sample is outfitted and dressed in Gold, offering 50Watts of output power from 2 pair of JJ 6550WE vacuum tubes. The Phono module [...]... - #NewMusicFriday: September 22, 202322 September 2023, 7:16 pm
Each Friday, Stephen Mejias, AudioQuest’s Director of Communications and former Stereophile and Audiostream columnist, will browse through the many exciting albums released that day and select 15 worth a closer listen. CHAI by CHAI CHAI: CHAI (Sub Pop Records) softscars by yeule yeule: softscars (Ninja [...]... - Album of the Week: Laurel Halo | Atlas22 September 2023, 10:00 am
Let’s think about the films The Wolverine and Tarkovsky’s Stalker. Both are movies, yet the experience of watching could not be more different. On one hand, we have lots of action (violence) and adventure (movement) played out by comic book thin characters. Entertaining? Sure. On [...]... - Review: YG Acoustics Summit Loudspeakers21 September 2023, 9:00 am
There seems to be as many ways to approach speaker design as there are speaker designers, but some go to greater lengths to achieve their particular goals. YG Acoustics is one such intrepid explorer. These lengths are best represented by the company’s BilletCore Drivers. From [...]...
- Hifiman Audivina Review25 September 2023, 9:30 pm
In this review we look at the Hifiman Audivina headphone. It is selling for $1,999 USD at this moment. Disclaimer: Hifiman directly sent... The post Hifiman Audivina Review appeared first on https://www.headfonia.com/... - ThieAudio Monarch MKIII Review23 September 2023, 10:17 pm
Today we review the ThieAudio Monarch MKiii Tribrid In-Ear Monitors. It sells for $999 USD. Disclaimer: ThieAudio Monarch MKIII was provided by Linsoul for... The post ThieAudio Monarch MKIII Review appeared first on https://www.headfonia.com/... - Eletech Ode to Laura Review21 September 2023, 9:30 pm
In this review we check out the Eletech Ode to Laura. This is Eletech’s all copper co-flagship cable going for $2,799 USD. Disclaimer:... The post Eletech Ode to Laura Review appeared first on https://www.headfonia.com/... - Final Audio ZE8000 Review20 September 2023, 9:30 pm
Today’s review is all about the Final Audio ZE8000 True Wireless Stereo In-Ear Monitor. It’s selling for $349 USD. Disclaimer: KS Distribution handed us the... The post Final Audio ZE8000 Review appeared first on https://www.headfonia.com/... - FiiO FW3 Review18 September 2023, 9:30 pm
Today we’re looking at the new FiiO FW3 True Wireless IEMs, it’s selling for $99 USD. Disclaimer: FiiO sent us the FW3 TWS... The post FiiO FW3 Review appeared first on https://www.headfonia.com/...
- "Jazz Maturity....Where It's Coming From"——Dizzy Gillespie, Roy Eldridge25 September 2023, 8:00 pm
"The records you didn't know you needed"--- #13 of an occasional series... - Rhino Records Co-Founder Harold Bronson To Release "Time Has Come Today: Rock and Roll Diaries 1967 – 2007"24 September 2023, 8:40 pm
Trouser Press Books Releases September 27th... - Aphex Twin's Latest EP Augments Your Reality24 September 2023, 8:00 pm
"Blackbox Life Recorder" has an AR App - but you need the vinyl to use it... - Craft Does the "One Step" With Monk23 September 2023, 11:00 pm
small batch "Brilliant Corners" limited to 4000 gives more buyers a chance to get one... - "Tubular Bells" 50th Anniversary Edition23 September 2023, 8:00 pm
Miles Showell cuts at 1/2 speed from a digital master...