- Re-Tales #31: Tektonics Design Group, a Continuing Education22 March 2023, 12:00 am
Probably the biggest group of audiophiles right now are still "Boomers": members of the "Baby Boom" generation, which by most definitions puts their minimum age at close to 60. Boomers are aging and won't be around forever. So bringing new blood into the hobby is more important than ever. Younger people (post-Boomer generations) listen to a ton of music—but are they really listening? Are they paying close attention, or, as the cliché goes, is it, for them, all background music? Gene...
- Gramophone Dreams #71: Heretic AD614 loudspeaker21 March 2023, 12:00 am
Herb at the HiFi Loft. (Photo: Jason Tavares) I remember a Saturday morning around 30 years ago, when I just happened to be at Sound by Singer, the New York City audio salon, watching this wizardy German fella named Joachim Gerhard unbox the newest speaker in his line, Audio Physic. I remember how bright the sun was as it streamed in through the windows, forming a wall of light behind him and silhouetting two implausibly thin box speakers. Their silhouetted forms displayed proportions similar t... - Klipsch La Scala AL5 loudspeaker17 March 2023, 12:00 am
There's a good case to be made that the world's greatest—and strangest—audiophile culture resides in Japan. Probably the most important notion the Japanese have introduced to our hobby is that home audio isn't merely a way of heightening the musical art of others but can be an art in itself. This idea's most flamboyant embodiment was the poet, journalist, chef, and amplifier builder Susumu Sakuma, better known as Sakuma-san. After having built many amplifiers as a young man, Sakuma-sa... - The Spaces Between the Notes16 March 2023, 12:00 am
And to begin with we took out as many [books] as we could. ... We'll take this one and this one, this one, and that one too. ... And we read not one of them all the way through. At the beginning of the 2022 novel Checkout 19, by Claire-Louise Bennett, I encountered some ideas that resonate in interesting ways with my recent experience of recorded music. The first idea is expressed in the quote above: You take out many books from the library—as many as they'll allow—and you don't read ... - Recording of April 2023: Stravinsky: <I>Violin Concerto & Chamber Works</I>15 March 2023, 12:00 am
Stravinsky: Violin Concerto & Chamber Works Isabelle Faust, violin; Les Siècles, François-Xavier Roth, cond. Harmonia Mundi 902718 (reviewed as 24/96 WAV download). 2023. Jiri Heger, prod.; Aurélien Bourgois & Alix Ewald, engs. Performance ***** Sonics ****½ You might think that by 1931—the year Igor Stravinsky (1882–1971) completed his unforgettable Violin Concerto in D Major—orchestral instruments were the same as those used today. Far from i...
- 2023 Editors’ Choice: DACs $3,000 – $10,00021 March 2023, 1:07 pm
PrimaLuna EVO 100 $3395 With sweet, accurate midrange sonics and […] The post 2023 Editors’ Choice: DACs $3,000 – $10,000 appeared first on The Absolute Sound.... - Topping LA90 Power Amplifier21 March 2023, 12:53 pm
Very occasionally, acquiring a component is the hardest part of […] The post Topping LA90 Power Amplifier appeared first on The Absolute Sound.... - David Porter: Chapter 121 March 2023, 12:49 pm
Simply put, southern soul and the spirit of a certain […] The post David Porter: Chapter 1 appeared first on The Absolute Sound.... - Wilson Audio’s Chronosonic XVX vs. Alexia V | Robert Harley Previews21 March 2023, 12:13 pm
Peter McGrath joins Robert Harley as they compare and contrast […] The post Wilson Audio’s Chronosonic XVX vs. Alexia V | Robert Harley Previews appeared first on The Absolute Sound.... - Arctic Monkeys: The Car17 March 2023, 5:31 pm
One of England’s best and most celebrated rock bands over […] The post Arctic Monkeys: The Car appeared first on The Absolute Sound....
- FiiO R7 Desktop Digital Music Streamer, Preamplifier, And Headphone Amplifier Review22 March 2023, 2:18 pm
When FiiO sent me an e-mail showcasing their new R7 desktop stereo music streamer, preamplifier, and headphone amplifier it was perfectly timed. As a longtime classically-trained musician, I've been using a slightly 'outdated' source unit to stream music to play along to tunes. This could be via headphones/IEM or through a stereo pair of QSC KS10.2 mains and KS112 subwoofers thanks to the R7's true balanced XLR outputs. In addition, this is a relatively portable piece of gear, which means when ... - Australian Hi-Fi Show 2023 In Sydney22 March 2023, 1:29 pm
Brought to you by Australian Hi-Fi, What Hi-Fi? and Sound+Image magazines, the Australian Hi-Fi Show 2023 will celebrate the latest and greatest in the hi-fi and AV industry. This show gives visitors the opportunity to see and hear a range of audio products from all around the world. With over$10,000 in hi-fi prizes up for grabs at the 2023 Australian Hi-Fi Show, attendees will surely have a lot to look forward to.... - FLAX 2023: My First Show In Decades!21 March 2023, 2:00 am
The 2023 Florida International Audio Expo (FLAX) marked my return to an audio show for the first time since the late 1990s. I was looking forward to seeing old friends, making new ones, seeing impressive systems, and discovering new music. Making this trip more enjoyable was that I was not responsible for a show report, allowing me to explore leisurely. Arriving in Tampa Thursday night, my wife and I connected with Steven R. Rochlin and his lovely wife, Heather. After the hellos, Steven informe... - Audio Group Denmark @ FLAX 202321 March 2023, 1:59 am
Saving one of the very best rooms for last, the Audio Group Denmark had multiple rooms during the Florida International Audio Expo 2023 in Tampa. Having very extensive product lines means they truly needed multiple rooms just to showcase a fraction of the products offered by Aavik, Ansuz, and Børresen. Instead of going room-by-room multiplied by three separate exhibit rooms with listening impressions, as the sound was close to the same (per se) for all rooms, here are my overall impressi... - T.H.E. Show 2023 SoCal In Orange Country20 March 2023, 1:52 pm
EnjoyTheMusic.com is delighted to share exciting The Home Entertainment Show (T.H.E. Show) 2023 updates with you. As many of you have been aware, T.H.E. Show has been undergoing a re-brand and their new website is finally up and live! T.H.E. Show SoCal 2023 takes place from June 9th through 11th at the Hilton Orange County Costa Mesa (CA), and is the destination where music, entertainment, tech, and media meet in an integrated, state-of-the-art experience trade show....
- REVIEW: Silent Angel GENESIS GX ⸜ master clock | CHINA1 March 2023, 12:00 am
REVIEW text WOJCIECH PACUŁA translation Marek Dyba photo “High Fidelity” No 226 March 1, 2023 ˻ PREMIERE ˼ ⌈ THUNDERDATA CO. LTD. is a company founded by Dr. ERIC JIAN HUANG. It develops and manufactures servers, network communication devices, etc. This company operates in the hi-tech industry and focuses on 5G mobile networks and 8K video signal transmission. Its audio lineup is concentrated in two series of products, available under the Silent ... - TECHNOLOGY ⸜ digital recorders: DIGITAL RECORDING TECHNOLOGY 1971-2023 » Summary1 March 2023, 12:00 am
TECHNOLOGY ⸜ digital recorders text WOJCIECH PACUŁA translation Marek Dyba images “High Fidelity” | Adam Czerwiński No 226 March 1, 2023 ⌈ DIGITAL SOUND RECORDING – a method of preserving sound in which audio signals are transformed into a series of pulses that correspond to patterns of binary digits (i.e., 0’s and 1’s) and are recorded as such on the surface of a magnetic tape or optical disc. „ENCYCLOPÆDIA BRITA... - REVIEW: MoFi Electronics SOURCEPOINT 10 ⸜ loudspeakers • stand-mounted | USA1 March 2023, 12:00 am
REVIEW text WOJCIECH PACUŁA translation Marek Dyba photo “High Fidelity” | press. mat. No 226 March 1, 2023 ⌈ MOBILE FIDELITY ELECTRONICS is a brand owned by the record label Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab. They design and develop products for music playback, such as turntables and loudspeakers. The SOURCEPOINT 10 model is the first proposal of this type. ⌋ N NOVEMBER 2022 MoFi Electronics announced the premiere of its SourcePoint 10 loudspeakers. It too... - REVIEW: Essential Audio Tools MYNI ⸜ power strip AC | NETHERLANDS1 March 2023, 12:00 am
REVIEW text WOJCIECH PACUŁA translation Marek Dyba images “High Fidelity” | Essential Audio Tools No 226 March 1, 2023 ⌈ ESSENTIAL AUDIO TOOLS is a Dutch company focused on the designing and manufacturing of power related products - AC power strips, AC power cords and filters. All its products are made in the Netherlands, in Rijswijk, near the capital of the country, The Hague. ⌋ HE ARE MANY PRODUCTS RELATED TO POWER SUPPLY for audio devices availa... - COVER REVIEW: dCS VIVALDI APEX DAC ⸜ digital-to-analog converter | GREAT BRITAIN1 March 2023, 12:00 am
REVIEW text WOJCIECH PACUŁA translation Marek Dyba photo “High Fidelity” | dCS No 226 March 1, 2023 ⌈ dCS IS A BRITISH COMPANY based in Cambridge focused on development of digital audio sources - D/A converters, SACD and files players. It made its debut in 1987 in the military industry (radar). The first A/D converter, model 950, from 1989 was intended for recording studios, and only after some time they also designed versions for home systems. ⌋ H...
- YouTube Video from Greg Weaver: GTT Audio Launches Vivid Audio Distribution with a Major Event!21 March 2023, 7:06 pm
David W. Robinson, Editor-in-Chief of Positive Feedback, with Greg Weaver of the audio analyst and a Senior Associate Editor at Positive Feedback in New Jersey for the GTT Audio Vivid Audio launch event. (Photograph by Bill Parish; image processing by David W. Robinson.) The first weekend in March saw a substantial press event hosted by GTT Audio... Read More » The post YouTube Video from Greg Weaver: GTT Audio Launches Vivid Audio Distribution with a Major Event! appeared first ... - Classic Contemporary Records Reissues from Craft Recordings and Acoustic Sounds21 March 2023, 5:06 pm
Craft Recordings is beginning a new push with remasters and reissues of titles from the Original Jazz Classics (OJC) series from Concord Music's vast catalog of classic jazz from the Fifties, Sixties, and beyond. Many titles from the record labels that fall under the OJC umbrella rank among the finest ever recorded or released, and... Read More » The post Classic Contemporary Records Reissues from Craft Recordings and Acoustic Sounds appeared first on Positive Feedback.... - FiiO R7 Desktop Digital Music Streamer, Preamplifier, and Headphone Amplifier20 March 2023, 6:16 pm
With this article, Positive Feedback continues its content-sharing relationship with Enjoy the Music where Steven R. Rochlin shares his thoughts on the FiiO R7. Dr. David W. Robinson, Editor-in-Chief A superb DAC, streamer, preamplifier, and headamp designed for music lovers. Review By Steven R. Rochlin When FiiO sent me an e-mail showcasing their new R7 desktop stereo... Read More » The post FiiO R7 Desktop Digital Music Streamer, Preamplifier, and Headphone Amplifie... - The Bobby Hammack Quintet20 March 2023, 5:21 pm
When you think of jazz pianists you probably don't think of Bobby Hamack (1922-1990). That's because his work was primarily behind-the-scenes studio work in radio and television. Hammack was the West Coast musical director of the ABC-TV and radio networks between 1958 and 1963, and he conducted his own orchestra and scored music for several... Read More » The post The Bobby Hammack Quintet appeared first on Positive Feedback.... - Focal Naim Spring Promotion, March 20 – 26, 202320 March 2023, 3:05 pm
For one week only get 20% off Focal and Naim products**. Focal Headphones, including New Focal Bathys Bluetooth and ANC headphones for your spring and summer travels. Bathys $639 ($160 off) Celestee $799 ($200 off) Clear Mg $1199 ($300 off) Stellia $2,399 ($600 off) Utopia 2022 (excluded) Use with Naim Audio Uniti Atom Headphone Edition... Read More » The post Focal Naim Spring Promotion, March 20 – 26, 2023 appeared first on Positive Feedback....
- The Puron Power Filter12 March 2023, 9:50 pm
$250 verafiaudiollc.com One of the most important things in your audio system is the quality of the power you are feeding it. Before spending a ton of your hard-earned cash on exotic audio accessories, consider sorting out the power first. The more artifacts you have in the power line, the more noise creeps into the […]... - New Wyred 4 Sound Power Conditioner7 February 2023, 7:16 am
We all know how good quality power delivery is to your audio system. The new ProPowerStream from Wyred 4 U/Wyred 4 Sound comes in at an introductory price of $699 with one of their power cords included – A nice touch. With a 1000 Watt capacity (max. 1500) this is a great addition to line […]... - RAW Power – 50th Anniv. Legacy Edition7 February 2023, 4:44 am
Listening to the 50th anniversary edition of this punk classic raises a few questions: How did I get this old? How did Iggy make it this long? But the one question I can answer definitively is how does this record stand up half a century later? It still rules. With multiple alternate takes, mixes, and […]... - New Network Players From Cambridge Audio31 January 2023, 6:15 am
Cambridge Audio just announced the release of their AXN10 and (half chassis sized) MNX10 streamers. Combining an ESS SABRE ES9033Q DAC chipset and Cambridge’s StreamMagic Gen 4 Module, these two streaming DACs let you connect to nearly anything with Chromecast built in, AirPlay 2, and Bluetooth 5, in addition to accessing Spotify Connect, Tidal, and […]... - The LSA VT-150 Integrated22 January 2023, 1:48 am
With the backlit output meters bouncing to the sound of Massive Attack, cranking up the VT-150s bias to the “high” position and plugging in a set of KT150 tubes proves to be a great move to get that club feeling. Our Team Fink Kim speakers are relatively easy to drive and taking advantage of their […]...
- Lehmannaudio Decade Jubilee Phono Preamplifier15 March 2023, 2:55 am
Note: for the full suite of measurements from the SoundStage! Audio-Electronics Lab, click this link. It was very late on a cold, rainy January night in 1975 when The Köln Concert was recorded. Everything went wrong. Instead of the Bösendorfer 290 Imperial concert grand piano ordered by the show’s promoters, a mix-up led to the concert hall’s poorly maintained baby grand being brought out on the stage. Technicians slaved for hours tuning the instrument to get it into a pla... - Recommended Reference Component: NAD Masters M23 Stereo/Mono Amplifier15 March 2023, 2:55 am
In his March 1 review of the NAD Masters M23 power amplifier, Roger Kanno wrote: “Purifi’s Eigentakt class-D amplification technology first came to our attention when SoundStage! Network founder and publisher Doug Schneider raved about the performance of an engineering evaluation sample utilizing the company’s OEM modules. We subsequently reviewed several Eigentakt-based products from NAD, including the C 298 stereo amplifier, the M28 multichannel amplifier, and the M33 in... - NAD Masters M23 Stereo/Mono Amplifier1 March 2023, 5:00 am
Note: for the full suite of measurements from the SoundStage! Audio-Electronics Lab, click this link. Purifi’s Eigentakt class-D amplification technology first came to our attention when SoundStage! Network founder and publisher Doug Schneider raved about the performance of an engineering evaluation sample utilizing the company’s OEM modules. We subsequently reviewed several Eigentakt-based products from NAD, including the C 298 stereo amplifier, the M28 multichannel amplifier,... - The Best of Florida International Audio Expo 20231 March 2023, 5:00 am
Florida International Audio Expo 2023 was held from February 17 to 19 in Tampa, at the Embassy Suites By Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore. That’s the same hotel it’s been held at since the first show, in 2019, when it was named Florida Audio Expo. Except for 2021, when it was canceled due to COVID-19, I’ve been to this event every year—and have been able to witness it improving with each successive year. ... - Recommended Reference Component: RME ADI-2 DAC FS Digital-to-Analog Converter15 February 2023, 5:00 am
Matt Bonaccio’s review of the RME ADI-2 DAC FS digital-to-analog converter appeared on this site on January 15. Near the beginning of that review, Matt wrote: “Affordable, feature-laden DACs that measure well aren’t hard to come by these days, though the ADI-2 DAC FS manages to push the everyman’s standalone DAC paradigm to the extreme.” The word extreme applies both to its feature set and the way it performs objectively (i.e., on the test bench) and subjectively (i...
- Taket-Live super tweeter and WHDPURE woofer enhancer Review6 March 2023, 6:46 pm
Introduction: super tweeters I’m sitting here listening to Al DiMeola’s Dinner Music of the Gods and thinking, “Wow, this sounds great!” But does it sound great without the TAKET-LIVE super tweeter and WHD PURE “woofer-high definitioner”? I unplug both of those satellite speakers and, sure enough, my system sounds really good but not as [...] The post Taket-Live super tweeter and WHDPURE woofer enhancer Review appeared first on Dagogo.... - Mahler Symphony No. 4: A child’s vision of heaven3 March 2023, 9:32 pm
Do not rush. (16.20) In unhurried motion. Without haste. (9.32) Restful. (20.06) Very comfortable. (8.25) 4th movement: We enjoy the heavenly pleasures, so we avoid all earthly things. No worldly clamour is heard in Heaven! All live in gentle peace! We lead an angelic life, yet we are quite merry withal! We lead an [...] The post Mahler Symphony No. 4: A child’s vision of heaven appeared first on Dagogo.... - Conrad-Johnson releases ART88 triode reference preamplifier2 March 2023, 12:24 am
The following is a press release from Conrad-Johnson. The ART88 Preamplifier has been designed to serve as an industry reference standard for line-stage preamplifier performance, a role filled for more than a decade by its legendary predecessor, the GAT preamplifier. At the same time, it is notable for its convenience and ease of use. The [...] The post Conrad-Johnson releases ART88 triode reference preamplifier appeared first on Dagogo.... - Hana Umami Blue moving-coil cartridge released1 March 2023, 2:52 am
The following is a press release from Musical Surroundings, importer of Hana cartridges. The HANA-Umami Blue high-end moving coil cartridge from Excel Sound’s Master cartridge designer Maseo Okada-san uses special materials, classic Japanese techniques, and modern audio engineering. The HANA-Umami Blue cartridge follows in the Hana “Brilliant and Gorgeous” tradition of providing the listener with [...] The post Hana Umami Blue moving-coil cartridge released appeared first on Da... - Stage III Concepts Ckahron Ultimate Statement XLR interconnects Review17 February 2023, 4:25 am
The performance of many cables is very similar and comparable to each other, and some cables continue to employ original designs of others dating back to the early two-thousands. I have therefore endeavored to seek out more original designs and that often entails products over $10,000. Like everything else, cable systems manufactured per budget allocation [...] The post Stage III Concepts Ckahron Ultimate Statement XLR interconnects Review appeared first on Dagogo....
- $200 IEM Matchup22 March 2023, 2:04 pm
Audio: Listen to this article. In my previous IEM review, I looked at five budget ($50 or less) IEMs. I followed that up with a Club TBVO post that added a sixth IEM to that roundup. The resounding winner across those six $50-ish IEMs was the Kiwi Cadenza, which costs a scant $35 USD MSRP (Amazon, Linsoul). A logical follow-up question to that budget IEM review is, “At what price point does one begin to see an improvement be... - Using Roon ARC on Vacation - I Hate It, I Love It, I'm Indifferent16 March 2023, 7:46 pm
Audio: Listen to this article. This past week I was in my favorite place on Earth, the Hawaiian island of Kauai. There's nothing better than spending time with family in paradise, with spotty mobile phone coverage. I enjoyed missing several business calls because I was on remote beaches with little to no cell signal. I hope Kauai remains rugged, with single lane and frequently closed bridges, less than full cell coverage, and a treac... - An Audiophile’s Journey into Immersive Audio14 March 2023, 5:03 pm
Audio: Listen to this article. I have been an audiophile since the 1980’s when I first pieced together my first semi serious system once I graduated from law school. Nevertheless, I have always been a fan of multichannel audio as well, mostly experienced through a home theater system. For some reason, home theater seems to have been a hard sell to some audiophiles who prefer to only listen to music the old fashion way, through a ... - A Single Source Of Precision2 March 2023, 3:49 pm
Audio: Listen to this article. On the way to my daughter's school this morning, I introduced her to the magic of the Radio Garden application. The app features a rotating globe on which radio stations from nearly every country can be selected for playback. My daughter is learning Japanese and asked me to play something from Japan. I swiped the globe to Tokyo, and we were listening to Japanese radio within seconds. I remember p... - Electrostatic Headphone Amplifiers Review: Mjölnir Audio Carbon CC and HeadAmp Blue Hawaii Special Edition25 February 2023, 3:16 pm
Audio: Listen to this article. Electrostatic Headphone Amplifiers Review: Mjölnir Audio Carbon CC HeadAmp Blue Hawaii Special Edition Rajiv Arora When I reviewed the Stax SR-X9000 and Audeze CRBN electrostatic headphones a year ago, I didn’t get to spend as much time with them as I would have liked, due to the demand for review samples. Luckily, later in the Fall, I was able to re...
- Peter Frampton’s Limited Edition [email protected]: In the Studio 1972-1975 All-Analog 180g 3LP Box Set Is Coming Our Way Via Intervention Records on July 2822 March 2023, 12:00 am
Peter, we love your way. To wit: iconoclast British guitarist/vocalist Peter Frampton and Intervention Records have collectively announced that his all-analog [email protected]: In The Studio 1972-1975 180g 3LP box set is being readied for release on July 28. This numbered, limited edition tops out at 2,500 copies. [email protected] comprises three key albums from Frampton’s early solo career on A&M Records, following his departure from Humble Pie — namely, July 1972’s Wind of Change... - Gold Note PH-1000 LITE Phono Preamp21 March 2023, 12:00 am
Gold Note has been producing premium analog gear for over a decade. Founded in Firenze, Italy, in 2012 by Maurizio Aterini, Gold Note recently celebrated their 10th anniversary in 2022, and Company Year 11 already looks to be off to an impressive start. For one thing, as of April 1, Gold Note products will be distributed exclusively in the U.S. by Fidelity Imports. The idea behind Gold Note’s approach to making top-tier gear, according to the company’s official site, is “th... - The Birth of Bop 10-Inch 5LP Box Set From Craft Recordings Celebrates a Pioneering and Truly Influential Jazz Series From Savoy Records Originally Released in 1952-5317 March 2023, 12:00 am
In 1949, jazz impresario and eventual Verve Records founder Norman Granz realized a vision to document the burgeoning jazz music scene of that moment in time. He was passionately involved in creating a special edition audio documentary-flavored release called, appropriately enough, The Jazz Scene, a super deluxe limited edition numbered package of 78s featuring new works by many of his favorite artists, with all of it housed in custom original artwork. Today, those original sets are very rare, ... - The White Stripes Set 20th Anniversary Limited Edition Color Vinyl 180g 2LP Edition of Elephant for April 2116 March 2023, 12:00 am
Jack White has vinyl in his veins. Okay, maybe that’s a bit of a stretch, but there’s no denying White is front and center when it comes to his all-out passion for vinyl. In the ongoing effort of releasing both new and reissued LPs under his Third Man Records banner, it’s just been announced that one of White’s previous bands, The White Stripes, will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of their fourth studio album Elephant by releasing a limited edition 180g 2LP version ... - Metallica Secure Controlling Stake in Furnace Record Pressing, Ready to Expand the Scope of Their Blackened Recordings LP and Box Set Catalog15 March 2023, 12:00 am
Enter Vinylmen: Above, Metallica — from left, Robert Trujillo, Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield, and Kirk Hammett — stand and deliver, especially when it comes to vinyl. Photo by Tim Saccenti. Subtitle this one, …And Vinyl for All. To wit: Metallica and Furnace Record Pressing have jointly announced that Metallica has acquired the majority interest in Furnace, a leading provider of high-quality vinyl and related services based in Alexandria, Virginia. This acquisition formalizes...
- More SCHIIT: Rekkr & Gjallarhorn Amp Reviews21 March 2023, 3:30 pm
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- Fidelity Imports Partners With Gold Note | Announcements21 March 2023, 11:19 pm
We’re excited to report that Fidelity Imports is now the US distributor for Gold Note. PTA has enjoyed Gold Note products in the past, but we’ve been noticing that some of the newest products from [...]... - Naim Uniti Atom Headphone Edition | REVIEW19 March 2023, 8:00 am
The Naim Uniti Atom Headphone Edition, along with the Focal Celestee headphones, is an attempt to ask myself an important question for 2023: to headphone or not to headphone? There was a point last year [...]... - Rethm Trishna Loudspeakers | REVIEW17 March 2023, 8:00 am
Rethm, Pitch, Texture, the three muses of music. Can’t make it without them, can’t think too hard about them or the illusion fades away. But wait… Rethm? The quietly excellent Indian speaker company that’s been [...]... - Luxman D-07X Digital Player Available in US | Announcements16 March 2023, 7:38 pm
We love Luxman gear at PTA, but the gear has been so consistently excellent over the last few years that we haven’t been able get any of their products in for review. There’s a long [...]... - 5 Things To Consider When Buying A Tube Amplifier13 March 2023, 9:06 pm
Five Things To Consider When Buying A Tube Amplifier – it may be commonplace YouTube thumbnail graphic, but interest in analog tubes has always been one of the biggest talking points from so many PartTimeAudiophile [...]...
- Windsor Earl & Windsor Duke commence Castle restoration process20 March 2023, 2:12 pm
Chinese conglomerate IAG has resurrected the Castle brand of loudspeakers for the UK production of two new high-end standmount loudspeakers. The all-new Windsor Earl (43 x 24 x 26cm) and the slightly larger Windsor Duke (47 x 28 x 31cm) will be made in the same Cambridgeshire factory as the […] The post Windsor Earl & Windsor Duke commence Castle restoration process first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed ... - Podcast: Shanling M3 Ultra review18 March 2023, 4:38 pm
The basics of Shanling’s M3 Ultra portable audio player are as follows: a 4.2″ 1280 × 768px touchscreen display gives us access to an Android 10 operating system that permits library navigation, audio file selection and playback. A pair of ESS ES9019C DAC chips then decode the audio file to […] The post Podcast: Shanling M3 Ultra review first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permissi... - Are two subwoofers REALLY better than one?17 March 2023, 3:54 pm
🎥 Camera: John Darko 🎬 Editor: John Darko 🌈 Colour: Olaf von Voss 🕺🏻 Motion GFX: John Darko 💰 Ad segment: Jana Dagdagan 🎵 Song IDs? Playlists of all music heard in this video – and other videos – can be found on PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/johndarko Further information: GoldenEar 👉🏻 As […] The post Are two subwoofers REALLY better than one? first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- No part ... - Luxman readies D-07X CD/SACD player & DAC17 March 2023, 9:12 am
One company very much leaning into the high-end SACD/CD player + DAC product category is Luxman. The Japanese company has this week announced the D-07X which sits below the flagship D-10X but inherits much of its technology: a pair of MUS-IC BD34301EKV DAC chips (from ROHM Semiconductor Co. Ltd) that […] The post Luxman readies D-07X CD/SACD player & DAC first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without perm... - Global feedback: how many subwoofers do you use?14 March 2023, 10:23 am
Ahead of my investigation into the possible advantages of using two GoldenEar Forcefield 30 subwoofers (instead of just one), I was curious as to how many subwoofers were being used by members of the Darko.Audience. And that curiosity led to a poll. First up, the Darko.Audio YouTube community page where […] The post Global feedback: how many subwoofers do you use? first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed withou...
- Allnic Audio T-1500 MK2 Single-Ended Stereo Integrated Amplifier3 March 2023, 12:01 pm
We live in an age of behemoths. Corporate behemoths that are the agents and producers of things. We have been told that large economies of scale are a requisite for modern life, and only vast multinational corporations can service the requirements of a globalized modern world. So, we hand over our agency and purchasing power and national sovereignty to enormous trade agreements; we listen to a large, noisy backdrop of corporate advertisements that are all competing for our gullibility; we smell ... - HiFiMan Sundara Closed-Back Headphones3 March 2023, 12:00 pm
In a time when high-end wireless headphones are all the rage and have invaded my home, I am happy to get back to those old wired cans that I love and cherish. This is a review of the HiFiMan Sundara Closed Back Headphones ($399). I consider these cans a good example of entry-level audiophile type of headphones. The more affordable price range (I’d say from four hundred to a thousand dollars for headphones) makes it better suited for many; this competitive dynamic is good for audiophiles as... - Ansuz Acoustics C2 Cables3 March 2023, 11:58 am
This is another top gun, full loom review. I’ve enjoyed listening to high-quality looms from Allnic Audio, AudioQuest and a few from Nordost, including $85,000 of Valhalla 2 cabling. Let’s get it all on the table before we continue. Cables make a difference in how your system will sound, and at times profoundly so (see the Valhalla 2 review). It’s a fact, it’s not fake news. As a distributor friend of mine always says, “You can’t hear a difference? Lucky you a... - Streaming in the here and now (2023 and beyond)18 February 2023, 5:12 pm
In 2023 and beyond, who knows where streaming technology will take us? In the here and now, once you get past the interested parties’ manicured PR, there are some interesting and quite exciting facts to consider as you make your informed choices for services and gear. Streaming comes in two flavours, entry-level consumer streaming and high-end audio. There’s not much in between. This post is for folks wanting to know more about quality streaming and the choices an educated consumer c... - Streaming the Classics: Jean Martinon18 February 2023, 1:02 pm
Do you ever type a streaming query in Roon for a classical work or artist and are overwhelmed by the choices? Rather than clicking on any old recording or the first one you see, Audiophilia will make things a little easier for you and do the heavy listening.These choices are for streaming only. Is the best in streaming also the best vinyl recording and performance? That’s for another article.A few criteria:The recording must be on Apple Music, Qobuz or Tidal HiFi.It does not have to be HiR...
- 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 ...
- Shostakovich: String Quartet No 321 March 2023, 12:00 am
An overlooked masterpiece of the mid-20th-century – but how Soviet, or even Russian, should the Third Quartet sound? Peter Quantrill listens back to its history on record Alongside his Tenth Symphony, Shostakovich took special pride in the Third Quartet, in a way that most artists do, who have to think their latest piece is their best. More telling is the testimony of Fyodor Druzhinin, violist of the Beethoven Quartet at a much later period in the composer's life: 'Only once did I see Sho... - Lyra Kleos SL Cartridge20 March 2023, 12:00 am
Coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the company's founding, Lyra introduces a refinement to the popular Kleos moving-coil cartridge – the SL with, yes, lower output Has it really been 40 years since Jonathan Carr and Stig Bjørge founded what would become Lyra? Did I really play with a (Scan Tech) Tsurugi, launched in 1986 and which I still have, when Maggie was PM? As I have enjoyed Lyra cartridges for over half my life, including many happy hours with the mono Kleos, the &poun... - Samuel Johnson Audio17 March 2023, 12:00 am
The arrival of a new British hi-fi brand is a major event. Ivor Humphreys hears Samuel Johnson's 50W-rated pca100/ppa100 pre/power amplifiers Abrand new company, Samuel Johnson was founded by a group of enthusiasts, most of whom had met through their work with a Scottish-based manufacturer of control systems for industrial applications and who discovered further common ground in a consuming interest in hi-fi. With an established background in the design and manufacture of precision electronics... - Alta Audio Alec Loudspeaker16 March 2023, 12:00 am
Do your speakers make the earth move? If not then Alta Audio may have the answer with its XTL bass loading... Alta Audio, likely a new name to most UK hi-fi enthusiasts, was created with the idea of finding new solutions to old problems. Founded over 30 years ago in New York, USA, its £10,000 Alec floorstanders are the central models in its Statement series, above the standmount Alyssa and below the magnificently monikered Adam. Those 'problems', identified by owner and founder Michael L... - Bryan Mark III Model 500/700 Pre/Power Amp14 March 2023, 12:00 am
From a UK manufacturer quick to take advantage of the arrival of high-power transistors comes a '60s pre/power amp combo as curious as it is rare. How does it sound today? Hands up those who have seen a Bryan amplifier before, let alone heard one. Me neither – until I unpacked the Mark III Model 500/700 pairing seen here. The first 500 arrived when higher-power transistors were beginning to be used in quality audio, yet while the technology became universal, British brand Bryan sank witho...
- LG Announces New 49-inch UltraGear 32:9 Curved Screen Gaming Monitor for 202322 March 2023, 9:11 pm
The LG 49GR85DC-B UltraGear Widescreen Monitor elevates the gaming experience with advanced features and picture quality.... - The Most Significant Loudspeakers of All-Time?22 March 2023, 8:21 am
A look back at the most significant loudspeakers of my audiophile journey. What moved the needle for you?... - The Duke of Earl? Castle’s Windsor Series Loudspeakers Will Be Made In the UK22 March 2023, 2:36 am
IAG has turned the switch back on for Castle Acoustics with the new Windsor series loudspeakers. Both models will be made in the UK.... - Samsung’s 2023 4K QD-OLED TVs Offer Some Very Unique Features21 March 2023, 5:25 pm
Featuring more competitive pricing, advanced video processing and the Samsung Smart Hub, the new generation of Samsung 4K QD-OLED TVs are very compelling options for your home.... - Home Theater Speaker Deal: Focal Sib Evo 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos Speakers: $1359.20 (20% Off)21 March 2023, 2:32 pm
Forget soundbars and big imposing speaker systems, Focal's compact 5.1.2-channel Sib Evo system offers a great immersive home theater experience, and now at a reduced price....
- Klipsch Forte IV Loudspeaker – A Video Review20 March 2023, 12:00 pm
The Klipsch Forte IV Loudspeaker’s heritage might make you think that it’s simply a party speaker designed specifically for playing loud. While that may be partially correct, it doesn’t tell the whole story of what these fantastic speakers have to offer. The post Klipsch Forte IV Loudspeaker – A Video Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Aperion Audio Verus III Concert V8T Tower (Floor-standing) Speaker Review15 March 2023, 12:00 pm
In this review, I will be taking an in-depth listening session with Aperion Audio’s flagship speaker which represents a lot of design prowess and research to bring forth their very best speaker to date; the Verus III Concert V8T. The post Aperion Audio Verus III Concert V8T Tower (Floor-standing) Speaker Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Marantz CINEMA 60 AV Receiver Review13 March 2023, 12:00 pm
Marantz recently revamped its AV product lineup with the introduction of the new CINEMA series AV receivers, one of which is the subject of this review. The post Marantz CINEMA 60 AV Receiver Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Sony VPL-XW5000ES 4K Laser Projector Review8 March 2023, 12:00 pm
Sony brings laser technology and 4K imaging chips to an attractive price point with its VPL-XW5000ES 4K Laser Projector. It also delivers advanced video processing and tremendous light output for just $5,999. The post Sony VPL-XW5000ES 4K Laser Projector Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Aperion Audio Verus III Concert V8B Bookshelf Speakers Review6 March 2023, 12:00 pm
In my video series, Home Theater 101+, I describe three different bookshelf speakers that are excellent choices for setting up a basic system. Well, here is a fourth choice, and an excellent one, Aperion Audio Verus III Concert V8B bookshelf speakers. The post Aperion Audio Verus III Concert V8B Bookshelf Speakers Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com....
- 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 […]... - Bricasti Design M1 Series II Digital-to-Analog Converter3 January 2023, 10:34 pm
First review! The adoption of digital sound, as recorded on CDs, DVDs, downloads in various formats, and other media has been underway since about 1983. In the intervening 50 years, the sound quality of these recordings has improved significantly, along with a huge increase in the quality of digital playback gear. Even so, many […]... - Simaudio Moon 810LP Phono Preamplifier30 November 2022, 11:37 pm
The Simaudio Moon 810LP Reference Dual-Mono Phono Preamplifier is unusually heavy. The lid alone weighs 7 1/2 pounds, and the total weight is about 30 pounds. This mass is expected in a top-of-the-line product from established Canadian audio equipment maker Simaudio. Boasting an outstanding signal-to-noise ratio of about 100 dB (depending on gain), the Moon […]... - Sutherland TZ Direct Moving-Coil Phono Preamplifier27 October 2022, 6:13 pm
FIRST REVIEW! The Sutherland TZ Direct is a brand new moving-coil cartridge preamplifier that is the result of Ron Sutherland’s exploration into the possibilities of transimpedance or current amplification. His earlier works with this technology – in contrast to the more common voltage-amplifying phono stages – include the Loco, Little Loco, and TZ Vibe. The […]... - Aurorasound VIDA Supreme Phono Preamplifier29 September 2022, 10:13 pm
“Be careful what you wish for”, goes the old saying. In this case, my wish to hear the top-of-the-line Aurorasound VIDA Supreme phono preamplifier was granted and the listening was all pleasure and no pain. Concluding the review of the Aurorasound VIDA mk.II in January of this year, I noted that wish while also suggesting […]...
- Concert Review and Interview: Ilios Steryannis and Babylonia Ensemble, Guelph 2-10-202316 February 2023, 1:19 am
by Noam Bronstein 10-Feb-2023 Ilios Steryannis’ Babylonia Ensemble Silence. (Silence Sounds) Guelph, Ontario (Canada) Ilios Steryannis introduced the first set by telling the audience that he had been scheduled to perform here on March 13, 2020 – the day the world shut down. That show didn’t happen, and some 1,062 days later, here we were at Silence in Guelph, to hear Babylonia Ensemble perform his touching and compelling Babylonia Suite (and other pieces). What a special ... - Review: IsoAcoustics zaZen Isolation Platform27 January 2023, 1:59 pm
IsoAcoustics II: zaZen I & II Series Isolation Platform Review by Jamie Gillies “At this point, I was kind of floored.” For anyone who has owned a turntable, stabilization and isolation are almost as important as setting the tonearm and stylus correctly. A record that skips off because of a footfall or a bump is not good and a turntable that is not level never sounds very good. But for many of us, trying to achieve isolation relatively inexpensive... - Review: exaSound e62 DAC and exaSound Sigma MkII Streamer: A Canadian-Made Gold Star Combination20 December 2022, 4:55 pm
exaSound e62 DSD512 DAC and exaSound Sigma MkII Streamer: A Canadian-Made Gold Star Combination Review by Jamie Gillies In 2019, I purchased an exaSound e20 DAC and PlayPoint streamer from my good friend and fellow audiophile. He wanted to upgrade to experience the streaming capability of MQA and he wanted an integrated DAC/streamer. He bought a Lumin D2 and sold me the pre-MQA exaSound combination that he had purchased new from exaSound when it was released in 2014 and the streamer ... - Ace and Steve Vintage Update No.5: Leak Stereo 20 Restomods5 December 2022, 7:30 pm
Ace and Steve’s Big Vintage Summer Adventure Concludes Update No. 5: You Can’t do That* by Steve Graham Rewired and running like a new amp. Literally, like a 2022 amplifier. *Except I did. Let me start by ripping the Band-Aid off quickly. I gutted this classic amplifier, before completely rebuilding its under-chassis components. The method of assembly chosen by Leak made it virtually impossible to trouble-shoot the previously reported hum issues.&... - Review: IsoAcoustics Orea Graphite Isolators15 November 2022, 7:06 pm
IsoAcoustics Orea Graphite Isolators Review by Jamie Gillies As part of my quest in search of, to use poet Garrett Hongo’s great term from his recent memoir about audio obsession, “the perfect sound,” I began to consider isolation devices and products over the last couple of years. There are two schools of thought with respect to isolation. The first is that as sound travels out of a speaker, it obviously creates vibration and that can affect the performance of your...
- Shanling M0 Pro Review22 March 2023, 10:04 am
In this feature, we review the Shanling M0 Pro, which is a compact dual DAC DSD128 and LDAC wireless capable entry-level digital audio player. It is priced at $129.99 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 Shanling for their support. To learn more about Shanling products we previously discussed on Headfonics click here. Note, that this article follows our lat... - FiiO FW5 Review20 March 2023, 9:56 am
Today, we review the FiiO FW5 which is an aptX Adaptive-capable 10mm dynamic and dual Knowles BA driver true wireless system with IPX4. It is priced at $149.99 SRP. 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 FiiO for its support. You can click here to learn more about the FiiO gear we have previously highlighted on Headfonics. Note, that this post follows our late... - Shanling H7 Review18 March 2023, 10:16 am
We review the Shanling H7 which is a portable DAC and headphone amplifier with local playback, MQA decoding, and wireless Bluetooth capability. It is priced at $829. Disclaimer: This is a sample sent to us in exchange for our honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or status. We thank Shanling for their support. To find out more about Shanling products we have previously discussed on Headfonics click here. Note, that this artic... - Kinera Orlog Review17 March 2023, 10:10 am
We review the Kinera Orlog which is a 4 or 8-core 26AWG UP-OCC hybrid aftermarket IEM cable developed in partnership with Effect Audio. The 8-core is priced at $999 and the 4-core at $599. 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 the team at Kinera for giving us this opportunity. To read more on Kinera products we have featured on Headfonics click here. […] K... - EarMen ST-Amp Review15 March 2023, 10:39 am
In this feature, we review the EarMen ST-Amp, which is a balanced desktop integrated DAC and a 1.85W capable headphone amplifier. It is priced at $599. 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 EarMen for their support. You can click here to learn more about EarMen products previously covered on Headfonics. Note that this article follows our latest scoring guidel...
- Tube Amplifiers – 5 Things Everyone Wants To Know13 March 2023, 10:31 pm
One of the more passionate groups of audiophiles is the analog lovers. Of those vinyl-spinning, high-electrical-drawing individuals, perhaps the most The post Tube Amplifiers – 5 Things Everyone Wants To Know appeared first on AudioHead.... - Focal And Naim Make A Splash In Florida – FLAX 202328 February 2023, 9:19 pm
Focal speakers and Naim amplification made quite the splash at this year’s Florida Audio Expo, with new products and a The post Focal And Naim Make A Splash In Florida – FLAX 2023 appeared first on AudioHead.... - Acora And Ampsandsound – FLAX 202328 February 2023, 1:00 am
We have been keeping a careful eye on the hobbyist-turned-semi-pro amp maker Justin Weber of ampsandsound for a few years The post Acora And Ampsandsound – FLAX 2023 appeared first on AudioHead.... - Marc’s Top 5 Rooms From FLAX 202323 February 2023, 8:33 pm
This was only my second visit to the Florida Audio Expo—my first was back in February of 2020 when we The post Marc’s Top 5 Rooms From FLAX 2023 appeared first on AudioHead.... - FLAX 2023 Highlights and Best Of Show23 February 2023, 5:44 pm
The buzz was all buzzy at this year’s Florida Audio Expo 2023 in Tampa. PartTimeAudiphile’s The Occasional Podcast managed to The post FLAX 2023 Highlights and Best Of Show appeared first on AudioHead....
- Florida Audio Expo 2023 – Coverage sponsored by XSA-Labs Conclusion20 March 2023, 6:00 am
Welcome back to our coverage of the 2023 Florida Audio Expo. We would like to express our thanks and appreciation The post Florida Audio Expo 2023 – Coverage sponsored by XSA-Labs Conclusion appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - Enjoy the Music.com Sponsors Salon Audio Montréal Audiofest 2023 Exhibitor / Press Party17 March 2023, 6:24 pm
(March 17, 2023) Enjoy the Music.com, premium audio’s celebrated online publication for 28 years and a leader in providing industry news, The post Enjoy the Music.com Sponsors Salon Audio Montréal Audiofest 2023 Exhibitor / Press Party appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - Focal Powered by Naim Opens in Newport Beach16 March 2023, 5:45 pm
Newport Beach, CA – March 16, 2023 – A Focal Powered by Naim retail space opened in Newport Beach near South The post Focal Powered by Naim Opens in Newport Beach appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - Andover Now Shipping SpinDeck 214 March 2023, 6:50 pm
Enjoy quality and convenience—drop the needle and play! Andover is now shipping SpinDeck 2 ($299), the latest addition to its The post Andover Now Shipping SpinDeck 2 appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - Now Shipping the CS1 Endpoint Network Streamer14 March 2023, 6:33 pm
NAD Electronics begins retail availability of new compact music streamer Pickering, Ontario, Canada, March 14, 2023 – NAD Electronics, the The post Now Shipping the CS1 Endpoint Network Streamer appeared first on Headphone Guru....
- Sony adds NW-A306 to Walkman range15 March 2023, 12:00 am
Sony has added a new digital music player to its Walkman range: the NW-A306, which offers full wi-fi compatibility, weighs 113g and features a 9.14cm touchscreen and tactile physical music controls. The body is milled from premium aluminium and utilises S-Master HX digital amp technology, which has been independently developed for Walkman and is compatible with the native DSD format. The company claims that this: “reduces distortion and noise across a wide range of frequencies for rich an... - Cyrus unveils PSU-XR power supply14 March 2023, 12:00 am
Cyrus has released what it’s calling: “the most intelligent power supply” it has ever designed. It’s called the PSU-XR (pictured third down from top) and is the first power supply from the UK company to have its own built-in microprocessor, which it claims: “enables it to talk to the product it is connected to, providing the best configuration of power sources demanded by the host product”. It has been designed to work with all of the current XR range and wa... - Cambridge Audio adds AXN10 and MXN10 network players13 March 2023, 12:00 am
Cambridge Audio has added two new network players, the AXN10 and MXN10, to its range. The limited edition AXN10 features the latest StreamMagic Gen 4 module and software, and joins the company’s entry-level AX Series of separates, adding a dedicated music streaming option alongside the AX series’ integrated amplifier, CD player and tuner models. The AXN10 offers wi-fi and Bluetooth connectivity, Ethernet and USB (mass storage) input, plus unbalanced RCA line out and digital coaxial ... - Do you use a power amp in your setup?13 March 2023, 12:00 am
... - Naim launches New Classic range8 March 2023, 12:00 am
In celebration of its 50th anniversary Naim has launched its New Classic range featuring the NSC 222 streaming preamplifier; an all-new iteration of the NAP 250 power amplifier and the NPX 300 power supply upgrade. The NSC 222 allows streaming from Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz, Apple Music and more, with support for bit-rates up to 32-bit/284kHz. For vinyl lovers it boasts an integrated MM phono stage and also features Naim’s latest headphone technology as featured in the company’s Uniti A...
- 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... - Chord Company Launches the World’s First Wireless Cable: C-thru1 April 2022, 6:38 pm
1 April 2022, Wiltshire, England: Chord Company has applied its 38-year cable expertise to produce a truly unique product: the world’s first wi-fi cable, C-thru. C-thru is the painstaking result of literally weeks of research and development. The new wireless wire is not only the most transparent cable in the company’s history, it offers vanishingly low noise, making it ideal for […] The post Chord Company Launches the World’s First Wir... - 10% Off on Lazuli Products Nov 25 through Dec 2523 November 2021, 7:53 pm
From November 25 through December 25, 2021, Danacable will hold a Giving2021 sale on standard headphone products across all Lazuli product lines. You get 10% off the product’s price by entering the coupon code Giving2021 at checkout. At the end of the Giving2021 sale period, Danacable will tally up the discounts given and match the total in […] The post 10% Off on Lazuli Products Nov 25 through Dec 25 appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - JCAT Launches OPTIMO Nano PSU Upgrade Set11 September 2021, 7:17 am
ELEVATE YOUR COMPUTER AUDIO TO THE NEXT LEVEL. JCAT INTRODUCES OPTIMO NANO – POWER SUPPLY UPGRADE SET FOR THEIR USB & NET CARDS PROMISING EXCEPTIONAL SONIC IMPROVEMENT. OPTIMO nano filters and enhances power coming from computer or almost any ‘audiophile grade’ power supply on the market. It will revitalize JCAT cards and allow them to express their […] The post JCAT Launches OPTIMO Nano PSU Upgrade Set appeared first on Audio Bacon....
- Charybdis is Erzetich’s new planar-magnetic headphones22 March 2023, 1:52 am
NEWS: New planar-magnetic cans from Erzetich hold back nothing in sound and materials.... - Belt up, your Rega turntable will thank you16 March 2023, 2:42 am
RANTS 'N RAVES: Want to upgrade your Rega turntable? The belt is the first place to start.... - All-new N1-S38 is Melco’s new digital library flagship8 March 2023, 2:53 am
NEWS: If nothing but the best will do for storing your music, Melco's N1-S38 spares no effort delivering the goods.... - Chord Company’s PowerARAY cuts out the noise2 March 2023, 2:29 am
NEWS: Noise from your mains bugging you? Chord Company's PowerARAY technology keeps it at bay.... - Review: EarMen Angel DAC/headamp is a poster boy for neutrality24 February 2023, 2:52 am
REVIEW: Earmen's Angel DAC/headamp aims higher, in price and performance, and it's no letdown....
- Edifier WH950NB High-Res Bluetooth Headphones Reviewed17 March 2023, 11:55 am
The Edifier WH950s offer you a lot for your money. They’re ideal for a busy digital lifestyle where conveniences like the excellent active noise cancellation implementation come into their own. While they’re not the last word in sonic fidelity, they do offer everything you might expect from a high-end pair of Bluetooth headphones. The post Edifier WH950NB High-Res Bluetooth Headphones Reviewed appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Cambridge Audio MXN10 & AXN10 Streamers Reviewed10 March 2023, 2:41 pm
Rock-solid performance, sonic neutrality and an abundance of features, all in a tiny box. What’s not to love? The post Cambridge Audio MXN10 & AXN10 Streamers Reviewed appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Kali Audio LP6 Active Monitors Reviewed8 March 2023, 2:05 pm
the LP-6 is the very foundation of what a great reference monitor should be. You can be confident that your productions on these monitors will translate as you intended across all manner of systems and devices. And they’re a joy to listen to as well, when you want to kick back and chill with your favourite tunes. The post Kali Audio LP6 Active Monitors Reviewed appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - MC Pro by Michael Fidler Moving Coil Phono Stage Reviewed1 March 2023, 10:04 pm
The finest technical performance of any phono stage I can find on the market at any price. The MC Pro will shake up this stagnated industry for the better. It demonstrates that real-world performance is not wizardry or pseudoscience, but competence and ability. The audio industry needs more of both if it is to stand a chance of survival, and Michael Fidler is a clear frontrunner. The post MC Pro by Michael Fidler Moving Coil Phono Stage Reviewed appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Technics ST-600L FM/ AM Tuner22 February 2023, 1:44 pm
An excellent tuner that never seems to get a mention. Tuners in general are quite unpopular these days. This humble late ‘80s tuner is a capable performer though, and a neat, discrete package that modestly hides its true colours. The post Technics ST-600L FM/ AM Tuner appeared first on Audio Appraisal....
- Triangle Borea BR03 BT Active Speakers Review17 March 2023, 4:00 am
Jay Garrett auditions a neatly styled, affordably priced, compact active loudspeaker system…... - Klipsch The Nines Powered Bluetooth Speakers Review16 March 2023, 2:29 am
Mark Gusew is impressed by this large active standmounting loudspeaker package from one of the oldest names in the industry…... - Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2 In-Ear True Wireless Earbuds Review16 March 2023, 1:51 am
This new premium-priced True Wireless earbud offers a bold feature list, but is it worth the money? Matthew Jens decides…... - Bowers & Wilkins 702 S3 Floor Standing Loudspeaker Review5 March 2023, 5:51 am
John Pickford auditions the largest floorstander in the British speaker specialist's new mid-price range…... - Linn Selekt DSM Edition Hub Review5 March 2023, 5:12 am
Craig Joyce spends time with this finely fettled, high-end streaming DAC preamplifier…...
- Spring into Savings: Get 20% Off On Focal Naim With Their One Week Promotion!20 March 2023, 6:12 pm
Get 20% off on Focal Naim with their one-week sale! Take advantage of this amazing offer and spring into savings today. Spring is finally here, and it’s the perfect time to indulge in some much-needed retail therapy! Luckily, Focal Naim is making it easier than ever to upgrade your audio experience with their One-Week sale continue reading The post Spring into Savings: Get 20% Off On Focal Naim With Their One Week Promotion! appeared first on HIFI Trends.... - The List: Unleash Sonic Bliss With The Latest Gear Releases For Audiophiles!19 March 2023, 4:14 am
Ready to take your audio game up a notch? Check out this list of new gear for audiophiles and unlock sonic bliss! Are you an audiophile on the hunt for the latest and greatest gear releases? Look no further than “The List” – your go-to source for hot new gear coming your way. Whether you’re continue reading The post The List: Unleash Sonic Bliss With The Latest Gear Releases For Audiophiles! appeared first on HIFI Trends.... - New Music Friday: March 17th – A Look At This Week’s Best Albums17 March 2023, 8:01 pm
Get ready to discover some great new music this week! Check out our list of the best new albums released on New Music Friday, March 17th. Music lovers, rejoice! It’s that time of the week again. New Music Friday is here, and this week’s releases promise to delight your ears and keep you grooving all continue reading The post New Music Friday: March 17th – A Look At This Week’s Best Albums appeared first on HIFI Trends.... - Rock the House: Best Affordable Floorstanding Speakers for Music Lovers (2023)17 March 2023, 6:31 pm
If you’re looking to upgrade your sound system, check out our list of the best affordable floorstanding speakers for music! Are you a music lover looking to upgrade your listening experience? Look no further than floorstanding speakers. These powerful speakers offer high-quality sound and sleek designs that elevate any room. But with so many options continue reading The post Rock the House: Best Affordable Floorstanding Speakers for Music Lovers (2023) appeared first on HIFI Trends.... - Wiim Pro Review: An Affordable, Flexible Wireless Music Streamer16 March 2023, 9:27 pm
We have thoroughly tested this streamer and found it to be an affordable, flexible streaming solution for music lovers everywhere. Read our comprehensive Wiim Pro review now! Are you tired of dealing with tangled wires and messy cables while trying to play your favorite tunes? If yes, then the Wiim Pro Wireless Music Streamer ($149) continue reading The post Wiim Pro Review: An Affordable, Flexible Wireless Music Streamer appeared first on HIFI Trends....
- Denafrips Ares II DAC6 March 2023, 4:46 pm
Seventeen 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. Now in 2023, the DAC marke... - Peachtree Carina Integrated Amplifier12 January 2023, 5:08 am
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 GaN400 amplifier, and the scree... - LSA Signature 80 Loudspeakers20 December 2022, 10:55 pm
Link 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. Viet Nguyen, and voicin... - Long Term Update: Peachtree PreDac & GaN 4002 December 2022, 7:40 pm
Last January, I posted my review of the PreDac and GaN400. Respectfully, Peachtree was kind enough to allow me a full year experience with both pieces. I’m not going to rehash the review. Instead, I want to focus on the long-term physical performance of the two pieces. The PreDac never gave a hint of a hiccup. The volume control stayed absolutely smooth and silent. Never a pop or a click, scratching, or catching. The input selection buttons have remained flush and even, always respond... - Vista Audio Spark Amplifier23 June 2022, 1:32 am
SpecificationsWhat is it about good surprises happening in small packages? In my case, the high school years of the latter 1970’s with the mini-Aiwa stack intrigued me to no end. But that design seemed to fade as quickly as the heat built up in that four-piece grouping of tuner, preamp, amp, and cassette. While headphones seem to rule the desktop sector, there are a few exceptions. One such entry is the $399 Vista Audio Spark, a simplified integrated amplifier, designed and construct...
- Aries Cerat QuintEssence amplifier – Industry Update20 March 2023, 11:34 am
First photoshoot of the new Aries Cerat QuintEssence amplifier, to be debuted at Munich High End 2023... - Playback Designs MPS-X5 March 2023, 3:23 pm
The concept behind the MPS-X Interface is to connect digital sources such as computers, servers, network-attached storage, internet streaming services, and any other digital sources to it rather than directly to the sensitive circuits of a DAC. The MPS-X is a full-fledged standalone Network Endpoint / Streamer compatible with streaming services such as Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer, and vTuner, as well as local storage solutions on a NAS via DLNA/UPnP, and importantly, Roon.... - AVIDHIFI Tonearms – Industry Update22 February 2023, 10:25 am
Yes, AVIDHIFI Tonearms are now a reality! After years of development during which different techniques were thoroughly tested, AVIDHIFI has just released two new Tonearms.... - Secondary System 5 – February 20235 February 2023, 2:48 pm
This is a quick summary of the Secondary System as it was on February 5th, 2023... - CH Precision C1.2 Upgrade Listening Impressions8 January 2023, 12:35 pm
Following the May 2022 Press Release, CH Precision has recently issued the new C1.2, an update of the longer-running C1 DAC. After having my unit updated, I was so impressed with the results that I simply had to share my findings....
- Edifier S1000W Review13 March 2023, 8:10 pm
Founded in 1996 and based in Beijing, Edifier has become a leading brand in the…... - Campfire Audio Orbit Review26 February 2023, 5:09 pm
Campfire Audio was founded in Portland, Oregon by Ken Ball, the owner of a company…... - The Impact of Digital Audio on the Audiophile Experience11 February 2023, 9:53 am
Digital audio refers to sound recordings that are stored in binary code. With the rise…... - The art of music production: An audiophile’s perspective11 February 2023, 9:48 am
An audiophile is someone passionate about high-quality sound reproduction. An audiophile is a connoisseur of…... - Edifier WH950NB Review8 February 2023, 9:24 pm
Edifier, founded in 1996, is headquartered in Beijing. It specializes in the design and manufacture…...
- In House: The Altec 604e Super Duplex17 March 2023, 4:39 am
The 604e "Super Duplex" can trace its roots back to 1941 when Altec Lansing first began developing a compact loudspeaker for practical home audio use as popular Voice of The Theatre models were simply too large. A coaxial design with combined high frequency and low frequency drivers was green lighted by audio engineer George Carrington Sr., then president of Altec who, with help from Jim Lansing and John Hilliard, brought the concept to fruition with the first 601 "Duplex" design. The post In H... - Vintage Review: McIntosh C28 Preamplifier21 February 2023, 10:24 pm
Vintage McIntosh preamplifiers and amps – like the C28 preamp here – are imbued of a rarified authenticity for high fidelites akin to the original Grateful Dead lineup of Garcia, Weir, McKernan, Lesh and Kreutzmann with Deadheads: No matter how phenomenal or mediocre their performance, fans worshipping their sound will not be silenced. The post Vintage Review: McIntosh C28 Preamplifier appeared first on Resistor Magazine |.... - Listening Space: Terry Tan – Miri Sarawak, Malaysia14 January 2023, 5:33 am
Much like a Haruki Murakami novel, the main characters of a curated sound system are brought together with a purpose which is not always readily apparent, and only through the investment of learned association can one necessarily reveal motive and purpose. The post Listening Space: Terry Tan – Miri Sarawak, Malaysia appeared first on Resistor Magazine |.... - Listening Space: Shawn Boucher – Phoenix, Arizona15 December 2022, 8:28 pm
The ability to "see" into a recording has a profoundly positive and relaxing effect in both the psychological and physiological realms of one's consciousness, flooding one with endorphins in a matter akin to a workout. Many individuals express that their sound systems enable 'well-being experiences.' The post Listening Space: Shawn Boucher – Phoenix, Arizona appeared first on Resistor Magazine |.... - Tim Lawrence on David Mancuso: How High Fidelity Shaped Dancefloor Culture30 November 2022, 5:08 am
Tracing the evolution and defining credo of a global sub-culture and attributing it almost exclusively to the influence of one person is a tricky proposition. Yet, historical data points cross-referenced with hundreds of interviews has led British author Tim Lawrence to the conclusion that reluctant DJ, storyteller, dance party architect and ‘Loft’ legend David Mancuso is that person. The post Tim Lawrence on David Mancuso: How High Fidelity Shaped Dancefloor Culture appeared first ...
- Review: Hegel V10 Phono Preamp21 March 2023, 9:00 am
When I think of Hegel Music Systems, I think quality, nicely balanced sound, and great value. The Hegel V10 Phono Preamp resembles these remarks in the best possible ways. Hegel’s founder Bent Holter decided to build a phono preamp about 30-years after the company was [...]... - Luxman’s New D-07X Digital Player: Discs and a DAC18 March 2023, 12:00 pm
Luxman’s yummy new D-07X Digital Player plays CDs, SACDs, MQA CDs, 32-bit/768 kHz PCM, and 22.4 MHz DSD files via its USB input. Discs and a DAC. Offering both balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs plus digital ins and outs, the D-07X has your digital [...]... - #NewMusicFriday: March 17, 202317 March 2023, 12:00 pm
Each Friday, Stephen Mejias, AudioQuest’s Director of Communications and former Stereophile and Audiostream columnist, will browse through the many exciting albums released that day and select 15 worth a closer listen. Praise A Lord Who Chews But Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between [...]... - Album of the Week: Lia Kohl | The Ceiling Reposes17 March 2023, 10:00 am
You had me at cello. From an interview with Lia Kohl: Most often I experience music as a space I am moving through, a kind of architecture. Just as good sculpture contains implied movement; the music I am most drawn to contains space, texture, even [...]... - Review: Aurorasound VIDA Prima Phono Stage16 March 2023, 9:00 am
Take one look at the Aurorasound VIDA Prima, take another look at the Leben CS600X I call my own, and you have the beginning of a story. I first came across the Aurorasound Phono Equalizer during my phono stage searching, which re-started a number of [...]...
- Topping E70V Review21 March 2023, 7:14 am
In this article, we review the Topping E70V balanced desktop DAC featuring AKM’s latest AK4499EX flagship DAC chip. It costs $449 USD. Disclaimer:... The post Topping E70V Review appeared first on https://www.headfonia.com/... - 2023 Reader voted Best Gear polls – Update 2!18 March 2023, 10:30 pm
In this article we give you a second update on the status of the 2023 Reader voted best gear polls. It’s almost been... The post 2023 Reader voted Best Gear polls – Update 2! appeared first on https://www.headfonia.com/... - Album of the week – N° 517 March 2023, 10:30 pm
In this weekly series, we’ll cover someone’s favorite Album of the Week. Exploring new music and discovering new bands is always fun. Without... The post Album of the week – N° 5 appeared first on https://www.headfonia.com/... - iBasso DC04Pro Review15 March 2023, 10:08 pm
In this article, we review the iBasso DC04Pro, the new dual-chip DAC/AMP dongle from the brand, available for just $119 USD. Disclaimer: the... The post iBasso DC04Pro Review appeared first on https://www.headfonia.com/... - Hifiman SHANGRI-LA jr Review13 March 2023, 10:30 pm
In this review we look at the Hifiman SHANGRI-LA jr electrostat headphone and amplifier. It is selling for $8,000 USD. Disclaimer: Hifiman sent... The post Hifiman SHANGRI-LA jr Review appeared first on https://www.headfonia.com/...