- Göbel High End Divin Marquis loudspeaker17 September 2020, 7:52 pm
Although it was founded by ex-Siemens loudspeaker engineer Oliver Göbel in 2003, I am embarrassed to admit that I had never heard of Göbel High End until I visited the room hosted by Florida retailer Bending Wave at the 2019 AXPONA. There, I listened to the German manufacturer's ginormous $220,000/pair Divin Noblesse loudspeakers, which were making their US debut. I was impressed by what I heard. I was interested, therefore, to learn that Göbel was introducing a smaller Divin mode... - Recording of October 2020: <I>Rough and Rowdy Ways</I>16 September 2020, 3:40 pm
Bob Dylan: Rough and Rowdy Ways Columbia C-250652 194397980991 (2LP; also available on CD and as 24/96 FLAC download) Chris Shaw, eng.; Greg Calbi, mastering. Performance ***** Sonics **** The stats alone are impressive—or, as we at Stereophile like to say, the measurements. 79-year-old Bob Dylan's 39th studio album is his first album of original material since 2012. Rough and Rowdy Ways times out at more than 70 minutes of music, due in part to the inclusion of Dylan's lengthiest studio ... - Mikey Bats 30215 September 2020, 3:32 pm
Issue 54 of The Absolute Sound, cover-dated July/August 1988, had arrived in my mailbox. I had been warned that this issue contained a report from Stereophile's third hi-fi show, which had been held in Santa Monica the previous April. Although it wasn't listed in the issue's table of contents, I found the show report on page 186, written by Michael Fremer, who was listed on the magazine's masthead as "Senior Editor: Pop Mix."Tue, 09/15/2020... - Analog Corner #302: 25 Years and Counting14 September 2020, 6:48 pm
I was planning to ignore the big three oh oh—my 300th Analog Corner column—and go about my normal business of covering an assortment of new analog gear and accessories. There's an abundance of those today, 25 years after the publication of my first column. Back then, there was far less to write about: Vinyl was on life support and headed for the obsolete-music-format trash heap atop a pile of Elcasets and 8-track tapes.Mon, 09/14/2020... - FollowUp RoundUp14 September 2020, 3:29 pm
When Stereophile publishes followup reviews of various kinds in the print magazine, we add the followup as a "child page" to the full review. That means that they don't appear on the website's home page and might get missed. The October 2020 issue included three followups: of the Boulder 2108 phono preamplifier, the Weiss DAC502 D/A processor, and the IsoAcoustics Gaia loudspeaker isolation feet.Mon, 09/14/2020...
- Norah Jones: Pick Me Up Off The Floor18 September 2020, 12:35 pm
Marrying catchy pop melodies with keen jazz constructs is but one of piano prodigy Norah Jones’ many fortes exercised in full across all 45 minutes of Pick Me Up Off The Floor. Jones has often worn her introspective sensitivity on her sleeve, and the album’s underlying theme of longing for connection in a disconnected world carries added weight in our collective pandemic-centric mindset. The perfect aural table-setting comes via the opener “How I Weep,” a veritable bluepr... - Bluesound Node 2i Wireless Multi-Room High-Res Music Streamer18 September 2020, 11:45 am
For the last year and a half I’ve been exploring the world of streaming music, experiences I wrote up in the course of a review of NAD’s M50.2 music streamer/ripper and Aurender’s Model 10 streamer/DAC (Issue 305). While neither of those products is outlandishly expensive by the norms of high-end audio, both are still expensive enough and of very high-tech manufacturing and sonic excellence. Not long ago I decided to treat myself to an audio system for my office. A quite small ... - Mcintosh Announces MC830 Solid State Amplifier and C8 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier17 September 2020, 6:17 pm
The following is a press release issued by McIntosh. Binghamton, NY | September 17, 2020 – Following in the footsteps of their immensely popular and retro styled MA252 and MA352 Integrated Amplifiers, which took design cues from their timeless MC275 Vacuum Tube Amplifier, McIntosh, the global leader in prestigious home entertainment and ultimate-quality audio for 70 years, is proud to introduce two more exciting models with similar styling: the MC830 Solid State Amplifier and C8 Vacuum Tub... - 2020 Golden Ear Awards: Matt Clott17 September 2020, 6:14 pm
IsoAcoustics Orea and Gaia Series Isolation Footers $79/$199 I spent an enormous amount of time determining which isolation racks, shelves, and footers work best for which components, trying almost everything from the sublimely cheap to the ridiculously expensive. In the process I came upon several high-priced, high-end isolation companies that I rely on for my reference system, but I have only one company to suggest to anyone just starting out or on a budget—IsoAcoustics. Unless you&rsquo... - Mytek Audio Introduces Empire DAC/Streamer/Preamplifier16 September 2020, 3:08 pm
The following is a press release issued by Mytek Audio. September 16, 2020 - Mytek Audio proudly introduces the EMPIRE DAC/Streamer/Preamplifier; An "all out" assault on the state-of-the-art, the EMPIRE establishes Mytek as a top echelon player in the high-performance audio arena. The Streamer is “Powered by RoonOS” and features internal Roon Core that can drive both the ultra-high performance EMPIRE DAC and external Roon endpoints. There is a dual mono fully balanced differential an...
- HiFi Media Features News, Reviews & More21 September 2020, 1:43 pm
HiFi Media's latest issue features AV news, gadget news, plus reviews of the TAD-D1000MK2 CD / SACD / USB player, Audiovector R 3 Signature loudspeaker, Q Acoustics 3030i speaker, Arcam Solo Uno streamer with built-in amplifier, Denon Home 250 wireless speaker and IKEA Symfonisk Wi-Fi bookshelf speaker. Other reviews include the LG OLED55C9PLA 4K OLED TV, Strong SRT 8550 DVB-T2 receiver, Audio-Technica ATH-CK3TW & ATH-CKS5TW headphones, Jabees Firefly 2 IEMs, JBL Tune 120 TWS wireless IEM, a...
- Lector Strumenti Audio Grounding Box21 September 2020, 12:28 pm
Lector Strumenti Audio's new Grounding Box (€4700 including two cables) is based on the company's big aAamorph low noise capacitor built within their laboratory. The unit features large copper plate and a round disk made by copper fitted over pillar on top plate. The grounding capacitor is isolated by aluminum box and closed by silicium pills for to reduce humidity. Grounding Box offers a supply with very low noise ground (GND-Earth) terminal for optimal interface with your audio equipment.... - Review: SVS Pinnacle 3.5-Way Floorstanding Speakers -- Blue Note Award Winner19 September 2020, 2:52 pm
SVS came on the scene several years ago and impressed everyone with their range of high performance subwoofers. They established themselves as a high value to performance product and sold primarily dealer direct. Their subwoofers come in multiple sizes, multiple price points and in both sealed and ported versions to seamlessly mesh with home audio and home theater systems. With their success, speaker production was an obvious progression and they introduced a 5.1 HT system, bookshelf speakers, d... - Review: Sonus Faber Nova II Floorstanding Speakers -- Blue Note Award Winner19 September 2020, 2:51 pm
Let's get this started with a hi-fi thought exercise. When does a loudspeaker become something that is considered a luxury item? Is $1000 per pair of speakers a luxury item? How about a $5000 pair? What about those that are priced at $100,000? Although we all may have a different idea of what luxury is, we all know when we are in the presence of something that is truly luxurious.---> Read our Sonus Faber Nova II speaker review. ... - HIFICRITIC Latest Issue's Reviews & More18 September 2020, 12:11 pm
HIFICRITIC's latest issue features retailer Absolute Sounds founder Ricardo Franassovici looking back on high-end culture wars and the early days of his company, Stan's Safari where he's not convinced by expensive streaming hardware, getting your record player's cartridge aligned perfectly for accurate tracking of the record groove, and having interviewed PMC founder Peter Thomas HIFICRITIC reviewer Kevin Fiske found himself intrigued enough to try some of the company's speakers. There's also a ...
- REVIEW: Synergistic Research FOUNDATION IC & SC & AC | interconnect & speaker cable & AC power cable | USA31 August 2020, 10:00 pm
Review Text: Wojciech Pacuła Images: Wojciech Pacuła Translation: Ewa Muszczynko No 196 September 1, 2020 ⌈ SYNERGISTIC RESEARCH is an American company set up in August 1992 by Ted Denney, its main constructor and CEO. It specializes in interconnects and its first huge success was the AC Master Coupler power cable, one of the first high-end cables of this type. This time, we are testing cables from the affordable FOUNDATION series. ⌋ he new FOUNDATION seri... - INTERVIEW | THE EDITORS SERIES |№ 29|: Eric Teh, “ERIC’S Hi-Fi BLOG” | SINGAPORE31 August 2020, 10:00 pm
INTERVIEW Interviewer: Wojciech Pacuła Images: Eric Teh | press materials The Editors |29| No 196 September 1, 2020 ⌈ “THE EDITORS” is a series of interviews with audio magazine editors from all over the world – both printed magazines, as well as online magazines and portals. It started on January 1st 2012 and 28 interviews have been published so far – the one below is No. 29. Our aim is to make our readers more familiar with the people who usu... - REVIEW: TiGLON TPL-2000A | power cable | JAPAN31 August 2020, 10:00 pm
Review Text: Wojciech Pacuła Images: Wojciech Pacuła | TiGLON Translation: Marek Dyba No 196 September 1, 2020 ⌈ Magnesium (Mg), chemical element, one of the alkaline-earth metals of Group 2 (IIa) of the periodic table, and the lightest structural metal. […] Because of its low density (only two-thirds that of aluminum), it has found extensive use in the aerospace industry. However, because the pure metal has low structur... - REVIEW: Nordost QTR |№ 4| QKORE6 | ground unit | USA31 August 2020, 10:00 pm
Review Text: Wojciech Pacuła Images: Nordost | Wojciech Pacuła Translation: Marek Dyba No 196 September 1, 2020 ⌈ NORDOST is a company founded in 1991 by Joe Reynolds. It specializes in the production of connection cables, and their first designs were developed for the needs of the space industry. In addition to cables, the company also offers QRT series products that are used for powering audio devices and eliminating RF noise and electromagnetic interference. This ... - REVIEW: Ideon Audio AYAZI mk2 & 3R MASTER TIME BLACKSTAR EDITION | DAC & USB signal regenerator | GREECE31 August 2020, 10:00 pm
Review Text: Wojciech Pacuła Images: Ideon Audio | Wojciech Pacuła Translation: Marek Dyba No 196 September 1, 2020 ⌈ BIT: ‘a little part of something bigger’, ‘short distance or short period of time’ | source: Cambridge Dictionary, dictionary.cambridge.org; accessed: 29.07.2020 ⌋ n a world where "a bit is just a bit" everything is simple and the sky is always clear. Moreover, the children are polite and the adults are kind. Believe...
- Preferences in Reproduction21 September 2020, 5:42 pm
I think it's fairly well-known in the high-end community that people tend to like what they like, and they tend to like different sounding systems. Many people like severely colored systems, but they like their kind of severely colored system and they don't like the kind of system their friend likes. Horn speaker people like... Read More »... - Houdini Cartridge De-Coupler - A new patent issued to Arthur Koubesserian21 September 2020, 5:27 pm
London,UK-1September 2020 The Funk Firm has released a new dynamically stable Cartridge DeCoupler. Named Houdini, Funk claims that much as a tuning fork couples its vibration when placed onto a guitar box, the very act of firmly bolting the cartridge to the arm similarly couples and superimposes its resonances directly onto the cartridge. Funk claims... Read More »... - Announcing the new ESP Supply Upgrade to 3 Preamp models21 September 2020, 5:20 pm
Thousand Oaks, CA, September 16, 2020 - Zesto Audio is pleased to announce their new product upgrade, the Energy Source Power Supply, named the ESP Supply available on three of their preamplifiers, the Andros II Phonostage, the Andros Deluxe II Phonostage and the Leto Ultra II Preamplifier. George Counnas, President and design engineer of Zesto Audio says, “I named it the ESP... Read More »... - Qobuz Live & Rhino Present John Coltrane - Giant Steps 6017 September 2020, 8:54 pm
Qobuz Live & Rhino Present: ‘John Coltrane - Giant Steps 60’: An All-Star Livestream Discussion with Archie Shepp, Shabaka Hutchings, Lakecia Benjamin, and Melissa Aldana Moderated by Ashley Kahn and Greg Tate on September 23 The Event marks THREE occasions: Coltrane’s 94th Birthday, Giant Steps’s 60th Anniversary, And the release of Giant Steps: 60th Anniversary... Read More »... - MOON LAUNCHES 40th ANNIVERSARY EDITION SYSTEM SEDUCTIVE SOUND, BEWITCHING LOOKS17 September 2020, 5:34 pm
PRESS RELEASE:17th SEPTEMBER 2020 MOON has created an iconic audio system to celebrate its 40th anniversary. The stunning MOON Anniversary Edition features the highly acclaimed 680D streaming DAC and the elegantly powerful 600i v2 integrated amplifier. Each model is finished in a beautiful Millesime Red colourway designed to give a contemporary look plus a discreet... Read More »...
- Esoteric’s N-01XD DAC/Streamer21 September 2020, 3:54 am
Two years ago, we awarded Esoteric’s N-01 network player our product of the year in the digital category. Now, they return with the XD version of this highly capable network player and world-class DAC. At $20,000, this will not be an impulse buy for most, but on one level, it is an even better value [...]... - Issue 10321 September 2020, 3:39 am
Features Old School: The Audiophile Apartment: Mine: It Should Be Yours Music Playlists: We share our readers choices from around the world Future Tense Gear in our immediate future Cover Feature Michi By Rotel: High performance without the high price... - Flagship Focal Utopia Phones15 September 2020, 4:00 am
Having lived with a number of Focal speakers over the last five years, the family resemblance between the Utopia headphones and their floorstanding speakers is unmistakable. The quick, lively, accurate sound I’ve grown accustomed to is now available for personal listening. Short story, I love them. At $3,995, these are top tier premium phones to [...]... - The latest desktop system from Technics9 September 2020, 5:00 am
Technics has just announced a new, Mk.2 version of their successful SC-C70… While they haven’t given us a full MSRP yet, the MK1 tipped the scales just under $1,000, so we suspect this will be somewhat the ballpark number for the Mk.2. The major upgrades include a revamp of the 2.1 speaker system, a more [...]... - 702 Signature from Bowers and Wilkins7 September 2020, 11:16 pm
We’ve just received the 702 Signature floor standing speakers from B&W… Again, the UK manufacturer sticks to their path of constant refinement, with the new Signature model of this speaker borrowing heavily from the technology developed for the top of the line 800 series. While there is no diamond tweeter sitting on top of the [...]...
- NAD Masters M33 Integrated Amplifier-DAC15 September 2020, 4:00 am
NAD’s Masters M33 integrated amplifier-DAC, announced last January in Las Vegas at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show, is the first commercially available product to implement NAD’s Hybrid Digital Purifi Eigentakt technology. This consists of Purifi Audio’s 1ET400A monaural, class-D power-amplifier technology, about which SoundStage! Network founder and publisher Doug Schneider wrote in June. Purifi Audio, founded in Denmark by entrepreneur Peter Lyngdorf and electronics design... - The Purifi Puzzle, Part One: The Measured Performance of the Eigentakt Amplifier1 September 2020, 4:00 am
On June 1, in “Purifi Audio’s Pint-Sized Powerhouses,” I described a bit of the history and technology behind Purifi Audio’s class-D 1ET400A amplifier module and PTT6.5W04 midrange-woofer, which Purifi sells as OEM parts to other manufacturers. I also gave my impressions of the sounds of the speaker and amplifier evaluation kits Purifi sent me, as listened to in a typical two-channel setup. One kit was the Eigentakt stereo amplifier, a small, DIY-type case housing two 1ET... - Recommended Reference Component: Focal Shape 65 Analog Active Loudspeakers1 September 2020, 4:00 am
Focal’s Shape 65 loudspeaker sells for $1998/pair (all prices USD), but it’s unusual for an audiophile loudspeaker: It was designed for use as a monitor in professional recording studios. Nonetheless, when Gordon Brockhouse reviewed the Shape 65 for SoundStage! Simplifi on June 15, he wrote that it “looks as if it belongs in a stylish living space,” and that “that’s where its sound belongs.” ... - Ken Kessler: "Audio Research: Making the Music Glow"1 September 2020, 4:00 am
Indulge me this month, please: the culmination of my 52 years in hi-fi, 37 in audio journalism, and two years of intense work are about to come to fruition. My fourth brand history is published this month, and if I can’t plug it, who can? It’s the story of the company responsible for the electronics in my reference system for a few decades, so there’s a personal element to Audio Research: Making the Music Glow. ... - Naim Audio Supernait 3 Integrated Amplifier1 September 2020, 4:00 am
In January 2014, in Las Vegas, I saw and heard Naim’s Statement NAC S1 preamplifier and NAP S1 power amplifier at the Consumer Electronics Show. I was blown away by their sound quality, visual design, and construction, all of which were breathtaking -- even at a total price of $200,000 (all prices USD). Together, the NAC S1 and NAP S1 make a large, unique-looking, floorstanding amplification tower with gorgeously curved side-panel heatsinks. They looked totally unlike any other Naim produc...
- New Album Releases Project 2020-9-2020 September 2020, 7:05 pm
Refreshing to see so much new music out there. There was a lull over the summer but not now. I’m going to bullet point the MUST-LISTEN recordings of the New Releases: Matt Berry: Phantom Birds Mary Hopkin: Another Road Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets: Live At The Roundhouse The Dream Syndicate: The Universe Inside Diego [...] The post New Album Releases Project 2020-9-20 appeared first on Dagogo.... - Historically Significant Phono Cartridges, Part 3: Denon, ADC, Micro Acoustics, Koetsu, Stanton, Dynavector, Decca, Ortofon17 September 2020, 11:03 pm
This morning I awoke at 3 am. I had just had a dream about an experience at my store from about 32 years ago when I compared a B&O turntable against an audiophile turntable system that cost over five times as much. I will describe that later. Then my mind drifted to cartridges I had [...] The post Historically Significant Phono Cartridges, Part 3: Denon, ADC, Micro Acoustics, Koetsu, Stanton, Dynavector, Decca, Ortofon appeared first on Dagogo.... - LINLAI tubes distributed by Grant Fidelity16 September 2020, 12:01 am
A team of engineers exited Chinese tube manufacturer Psvane in 2019 and formed LINLAI. And they started big. Instead of manufacturing less costly input and rectifying tubes on the outset, the powers that be at LINLAI introduced triode tubes using proprietary technologies, such as the Elite E-845 ultra purity Molybdenum Metal Plate vacuum tube that [...] The post LINLAI tubes distributed by Grant Fidelity appeared first on Dagogo.... - New Album Releases Project 2020-9-1212 September 2020, 9:15 pm
This week’s New Releases shines the spotlight brightly on Classical music, a bumper crop indeed. For those of you dis-inclined do take note of new albums by The Flaming Lips, The Pineapple Thief, Afel Boucom, Chick Corea and Terje Rypdal. And, in the Re-Issues, Re-Masters & Miscellany category: Earth Wind and Fire, Marvin Gaye, Fleetwood [...] The post New Album Releases Project 2020-9-12 appeared first on Dagogo.... - Aurender N100SC caching music server and streamer Review11 September 2020, 2:00 pm
There are days when I need to refresh my listening habits and switch to the analog system headed by the Clearaudio Master Innovation turntable and the Top Wing Suzaku coreless cartridge, before playing music on the SACD player again, vice versa. Prior to receiving the Aurender, hard-disk and Tidal music listening meant connecting a USB [...] The post Aurender N100SC caching music server and streamer Review appeared first on Dagogo....
- Variable Gain Volume Control19 September 2020, 2:44 pm
Hey Guys, just a quick note this morning encouraging you to watch Ayre's new video about variable gain volume control. There are so many ways to control volume and it's critical to get right in a high end system. A marginal volume control will bring a good system to its knees, no matter what other components are in the system. Cheers to Ayre and its new video series Pints with Ayre. I really like the series because it's all about offering information and educating people on how... - The Value Proposition in Computer Audio: Entering Multichannel at the Ground Floor18 September 2020, 4:05 pm
THE VALUE PROPOSITION IN COMPUTER AUDIO Entering Multichannel at the Ground Floor “Mommy, where does stereo come from?” Every audiophile should start each day with a thank-you to Harvey Fletcher and his dummy (whose name was Oscar and who had a microphone in each ear). Fletcher is widely known as the father of stereophonic sound. He first described what he called “auditory perspective” in sound in... - Meet The Audiophile Style Community | Volume 1016 September 2020, 3:34 pm
Welcome to the tenth installment of our Meet the Audiophile Style Community series. All previous installments can be found here, in the series index. Please send me a message or email if you'd like to participate. The response so far has been wonderful. It ranges from hardcore audiophiles to those who are more interested in numbers and graphs, and even people in the industry are eager to participate. This series is all about getting to know everyone and sharing a bit about... - Putting Together An Audio System With Mytek, Sonus Faber, and AudioQuest10 September 2020, 2:41 pm
There's nothing like a fine tuned high end audio system playing one's favorite music. Great artistry, great music, and great sound can lead to unforgettable experiences. The problem for many audiophiles is that sharing these experiences is very impractical. We can't bring 300 pound speakers and 150 pound amplifiers to a friend's place. Heck, we can't even bring this stuff to other areas of our own residences. Sure, headphones are a great way to experience high end sound, but they ... - Review | Bryston BDA-3.14 DAC / Streamer / Digital Preamp4 September 2020, 2:15 pm
I have a love / hate relationship with the Bryston BDA-3.14. There is much to love about this DAC, streamer, digital preamplifier, and there is much to love about Bryston as a company and its employees. Unfortunately, there is also much to hate about the BDA-3.14. I've had the 3.14 in my system for a few months and in that time I've gone from writing this product off as a flop to my current position that it's a great component as long as it's used in a specific way and one sets expectations ...
- Finest Audio Show Zurich January 9th and 10th, 202121 September 2020, 4:58 pm
The High End Society, (which also runs High End Munich) today announced the first "live" audio show of the new year, taking place January 9th and 10th, 2021. The name has been changed from HIGH END SWISS to FINEST AUDIO SHOW, which is wholly appropriate and indisputable since for now it's the only hi-fi show on the books.... - <i>Rough And Rowdy Ways</i>, Number 39 Is Supreme Bob Dylan Storytelling18 September 2020, 9:47 pm
The big Bob Dylan knocks are that he’s a serial plagiarist, a user, a manipulator and most damning of all that he’s “inauthentic”. Joni Mitchell is reputed to have said about Bob “….he’s borrowed his voice from old hillbillies. He’s got a lot of borrowed things. He’s not a great guitar player. He’s invented a character to deliver his songs. It’s a mask of sorts”. Primary Category: Album ReviewsCategory: Album Revi... - Lifeline Quartet's <i>Music of the Underground Railroad</i>17 September 2020, 11:58 pm
There’s no better time than now to release a live performance of Civil War era “lifeline” spirituals dedicated to Harriet Tubman, an escaped slave herself, who is best known as an “Underground Railroad” organizer personally responsible for smuggling to freedom hundreds of slaves, first to the North and then after the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act in 1850 that allowed the recapture of freed slaves in non-slave states, to Canada.Primary Category: Album Review... - Analog Corner #124—All Quiet on the Vinyl Front17 September 2020, 12:37 am
Talk to vinyl fanatics about record-cleaning fluids? I’d rather discuss with Rummy the wisdom of invading Iraq, or debate with drug czar John Walters the efficacy of the so-called “war on drugs.” I’d rather talk to a wall. But here I am talking about them, having spent the better part of the summer swimming in the stuff. So many claims are made about how well they clean, and even about how they sound, that I decided a careful survey was in order. Remind me never to do it ... - Proof That 1A, 1B and 1C Columbia Records Are All "First Pressings"16 September 2020, 6:35 pm
This order sheet sent by Sundazed's Bob Irwin 14 years ago when the label was reissuing mono Byrds albums proves that 1A, 1B and 1C pressings are all "first pressings"....
- FREE Audiophile Music Sampler From Chesky Records20 September 2020, 12:00 pm
... - REVIEW: Pushing the envelope, the ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0 UB52 speaker18 September 2020, 12:00 pm
... - The Ultimate Analog Format? High-End Reel to Reel Tape!16 September 2020, 12:00 pm
... - Wear Luxury! Beyerdynamic T1 & T5 (3rd Gen) headphones ($999 each)14 September 2020, 12:00 pm
... - Are the richest audiophiles happier than us with the sound of their systems?12 September 2020, 12:00 pm
...
- Louis Armstrong, Live In France | The Vinyl Anachronist21 September 2020, 9:00 am
Many years ago, an audiophile buddy of mine said that the difference between an audiophile and a music lover is that the audiophile won’t truly appreciate mono recordings, especially those that are considered historically important because they represent a lost moment in time. The tide has changed somewhat, especially since many audiophiles have been prompted to appreciate monaural recordings reissues–Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald, I’m looking in your direction–when... - Audio by Van Alstine SET 120 Control Amplifier | REVIEW19 September 2020, 9:00 am
This is a story about that time I joined a cult (or two). In this review I stand to gain nothing and lose everything by telling you how staggeringly capable the Audio by Van Alstine SET 120 Control Amplifier is at delivering all of the musical goods. I am here to confess a rare and simple truth—that true high-end sound does not have to be a luxury. The mere utterance of this truth could shatter the system and render all of our phony-baloney writing jobs into the bin of oblivion. Words and ... - Goldring Ethos Phono Cartridge | REVIEW18 September 2020, 9:00 am
I wasn’t supposed to review the Goldring Ethos phono cartridge. It merely hitched a ride with the Thorens TD-1601 turntable and arm combo that I have in for review. Anthony Chiarella, who represents both companies, had it mounted on the ‘table before it shipped. He told me that it was a match that everyone had really enjoyed while testing out the Thorens. Goldring? Sure, I was more than happy to keep the Goldring Ethos on the arm for the time being. 25 or 30 years ago, when I was dee... - MOON by Simaudio 40th Anniversary Edition System18 September 2020, 7:00 am
BOUCHERVILLE, QUEBEC, CANADA (PTA) — It’s starting to look like my favourite high-end audio trend of 2020 is going to be ‘anniversary trim‘ enclosures. The new 40th Anniversary Edition System from MOON by Simaudio is one of the most stunning looking collections I’ve seen yet. The MOON system is comprised of the 680D Streaming DAC, and 600i V2 Integrated Amplifier, both decked out in anniversary trim. More information and photography are enclosed below. Enjoy! Press ... - Sony A7C Compact Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera17 September 2020, 8:00 pm
SAN DIEGO, CA — You’re probably asking why we—a hi-fi mag—are reporting on a Sony A7C camera. The truth is we’re only Part-Time Audiophiles. After hours we each have family life, social functions, and several hobbies that extend beyond our usual hi-fi desires—photography just being one. The more I delve into the world of high-fidelity imagery, I often find just as many correlations between audiophiles as I do photophiles. It’s true, we at Part-Time Audio...
- Five alternatives to PLEX + Plexamp21 September 2020, 7:32 am
Last week’s short film about PLEX and Plexamp showed how we can turn a multi-TB library of FLAC files into a personal/private streaming service: 1) Connect the hard-drive to a computer and install PLEX for it to scan the hard drive’s contents, index the library and overlay a Roon-like layer […] More---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For private use only. Copyright 2010-2020 · Darko.Audio ·... - A long film about the Buchardt Audio A50021 September 2020, 6:54 am
At the end of January 2020, Buchardt Audio announced the A500 standmount — the Danish company’s first pair of active loudspeakers that took the S400 as their starting point and a full three years to develop. Six months after the initial announcement and with a pair of the A500 in […] More---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For private use only. Copyright 2010-2020 · Darko.Audio · All Rights... - Going for gold: Sennheiser’s HD800 S Anniversary Edition18 September 2020, 7:17 am
Marking 75 years in the audio manufacturing business, Sennheiser is set to release a limited-edition take on their HD800 S headphone. The H800 S Anniversary Edition maintains the original’s 5.6cm (dynamic) duofol-transducer membrane – implemented for a frequency response of 4Hz to 51kHz and THD below 0.02% – and its […] More---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For private use only. Copyright 2010-20... - Focal for Bentley Radiance headphones, inspired by Mulliner Bacalar17 September 2020, 10:49 am
When we visited French loudspeaker manufacturer Focal back in February of this year, we saw how their Saint-Étienne factory had (at least) three large glass-walled rooms dedicated to headphone construction; rooms that were strictly off-limits to filming. This week’s announcement might point to one reason why: Focal has introduced Radiance, […] More---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For private use only... - A short film about PLEX and Plexamp16 September 2020, 7:37 am
Streetlife. It’s not the only life we know. Much of an audiophile’s music listening is done at home, an ever-expanding library of digital files laying the foundation to streaming. My FLAC library of downloads and CD rips, according to Roon, comprises 8000 albums and EPs. MacOS’ Finder says that’s almost […] More---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For private use only. Copyright 2010-2020 &mid...
- IsoAcoustics zaZen Isolation Platform14 September 2020, 1:00 pm
I’ve had a lot of success using isolation devices under high end components (platforms, pucks, feet, etc). My early platform days were with a Townshend Seismic Sink (metal casing with air bladder) under a series of Rega turntables, a brief flirtation with the wondrous and very expensive Vibraplane, some home builts, including a tall ceramic planter filled with soil and a bog standard patio stone perched on top for my turntable (remarkably effective, if a little too ‘Flintstones... - Nordost Frey 2 Speaker Cables, Interconnects and Power Cords11 September 2020, 1:00 pm
Cables are notoriously difficult to review. Capturing the subtle, even minute changes good cables make can be challenging to describe on the page. The ear is a much better arbiter than the written word. Thus, the description must be super accurate if the writer has a whisker of a chance convincing cable naysayers. Also, long term thinking is required to really hear the positive effects cables have on your system. Connecting two or more cables from a ‘loom’ from one manufacturer... - Shabaka & the Ancestors—We Are Sent Here By History/Vinyl Me Please Edition11 September 2020, 12:59 pm
2020 is shaping up to be a fine year for humanity to collectively ponder our mortality as a species. The global coronavirus pandemic, climate change, violent political unrest, accelerating wealth inequality and—for those of us in California—good old fashioned wildfires foreshadow how the end might come about. But what would the end times sound like? Shabaka & The Ancestors have the answer. On their epic double LP We Are Sent Here By History, Shabaka Hutchings, leading his o... - Allnic Audio Rose MC Cartridge28 August 2020, 1:00 pm
The new Allnic Audio Amber MC Cartridge ($4500) was recently reviewed very favorably by Audiophilia where it was also mentioned that Amber had an equally new twin sister, the focus of my review here: the Rose MC Cartridge which retails at the significantly lower price of $2900. Although not an identical twin of Amber—for it comes in a beautiful rose-colored Duralumin 5052 housing (versus amber-colored) with the name ‘Rose’ written elegantly in white on its right side&mdas... - Sonos Arc—Three months later (incl. Sound & Installation)28 August 2020, 12:59 pm
The excitement in late Spring 2020 was palpable. Sonos was debuting its most exciting product for years, the Arc ‘Premium Smart Soundbar’ ($799), successor to Sonos’ very popular and very fine Playbar. Getting an Arc was a challenge, with (communication) hurdles at every level, corporate, distributor, dealer and mass market. I dug deep and found one nailed to the floor of my local ‘Sonos Platinum’ dealer. As usual, the staff were very kind and allowed me a lon...
- McIntosh C8 vacuum-tube preamplifier and MC830 solid-state power amplifier17 September 2020, 4:54 pm
From the McIntosh press release September 17th, 2020, Binghamton, NY, USA: Following in the footsteps of McIntosh’s retro-styled MA252 and MA352 integrated amplifiers, (which themselves took design cues from the MC275 Vacuum Tube Amplifier), McIntosh has launched two more ‘open chassis’ amplifiers, the C8 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier (£4,295) and MC830 Solid State Amplifier (£4,995 each). With style cues that nod to their 1950s and 1960s aesthetic design heritage, both ... - Moon launches 40th Anniversary Edition System17 September 2020, 4:44 pm
From the Reniassance Audio press release MOON has created an iconic audio system to celebrate its 40th anniversary. The stunning MOON Anniversary Edition features the highly acclaimed 680D streaming DAC and the elegantly powerful 600i v2 integrated amplifier. Each model is finished in a beautiful Millesime Red colourway designed to give a contemporary look with a discreet styling cue recalling MOON’s 1980 genesis. To complement the system, the remote-control unit is also in stunning Milles... - MOON LAUNCHES 40th ANNIVERSARY EDITION SYSTEM17 September 2020, 12:25 pm
MOON has created an iconic audio system to celebrate its 40th anniversary. The stunning MOON Anniversary Edition features the highly acclaimed 680D streaming DAC and the elegantly powerful 600i v2 integrated amplifier. Each model is finished in a beautiful Millesime Red colourway designed to give a contemporary look with a discreet styling cue recalling MOON’s 1980 genesis. To complement the system, the remote-control unit is also in stunning Millesime Red and the MOON bridges in rose gold... - Vertere Acoustics DG-1 turntable16 September 2020, 1:19 pm
Vertere Acoustics is a British high-end audio manufacturer whose founder and CEO is none other than the famous audio designer/entrepreneur Touraj Moghaddam, who also co-founded the firm Roksan. Moghaddam is among other things a veteran analogue audio design expert who helped create Roksan’s well-loved Xerxes and Radius turntables and also Roksan’s NIMA and SARA tonearms. After departing from Roksan and founding Vertere, one of Moghaddam’s first acts was to develop and launch th... - Bob Stuart awarded Prince Philip Medal by Royal Academy of Engineering16 September 2020, 11:29 am
From the press release London, 14 September 2020 – Bob Stuart, creator of MQA and co-founder of Meridian Audio, is awarded the Royal Academy of Engineering Prince Philip Medal for ‘his exceptional contribution to audio engineering which has changed the way we listen to music and experience films’. Stuart is the first audio engineer to receive the award in its 20-year history. Previous recipients of the Prince Philip Medal include inventor of the turbojet engine, Air Commodore S...
- Class Distinction18 September 2020, 3:58 pm
Ken Kessler goes Class A in a small way with the Marantz PM-4 Phone calls from company spokespersons such as Marantz's Steve Harris, are generally one of two types. Either 'Would you like to review our new Model XYZ whatever?' or 'Where the hell is our Model XYZ whatever, which you've had for nine months?' Such phone calls are never about reviewing components that are out of production. ... - T+A HA 200 USB/DAC Headphone Amp17 September 2020, 8:01 pm
Close on the heels of T+A's flagship Solitaire P headphone comes this appropriately luxurious partner combining familiar digital tech with a Class A headphone amplifier Well, it seems everyone's doing it, so why shouldn't German high-end company T+A have its own headphone system? Hot on the heels of its first headphone offering, the Solitaire P planar magnetic design [HFN Jun '20], T+A also has a matching headphone amplifier, the HA 200 – and here it is. Even by the standards of some of ... - The Rolling Stones: <I>It's Only Rock 'N' Roll</I>15 September 2020, 3:36 pm
Their 1974 riposte to criticism, which Steve Sutherland finds a mixture of downright goodies with a sprinkling of duds is remastered on 180g vinyl from pure analogue The Rolling Stones have just released their first original track for eight years. 'Living In A Ghost Town', started some time ago when the band could convene together in a swanky recording studio and hastily rounded off with isolated overdubs. It's getting a bit of a pasting from the online community who are having a lot of fun moc... - Monitor Audio Bronze 100 Loudspeaker14 September 2020, 7:18 pm
A foundation range for two decades, MA's Bronze series goes for gold with the standmount 100 Is it brave to label a loudspeaker series 'Bronze', with the implication that its models are worse than second-best? Monitor Audio doesn't seem to think so, and has been using its precious metal hierarchy long enough for its Bronze lineup to now be relaunched in sixth-generation guise, five years after a previous update [HFN Feb '16]. The promise, as always, is of speakers that hit the price/performance... - Stevie Wonder: <I>Innervisions</I>11 September 2020, 11:01 pm
Released in 1973, the singer's 16th album marked his transition from child star to a musically mature performer able to grapple with the social issues of the day and make sense of them for an audience wedded to pop. And he was just 22 years old... Stevie Wonder's 1973 album Innervisions is widely regarded as one of his best and has featured prominently in magazine polls of the greatest albums of all time. But apart from all the plaudits, it's astonishing that it was his 16th studio album and wa...
- Sony WH-1000XM4 vs Sennheiser Momentum 3: which is better?21 September 2020, 4:58 pm
We pit two top-tier headphones against each other to find out which is best for you...... - OnePlus 8T and 8T Pro: specs, design, price, release date21 September 2020, 3:49 pm
Likely to be among the best Android phones of 2020, the OnePlus 8T and 8T Pro are set to arrive soon. Here's everything we know so far....... - JBL Flip 5 vs UE Boom 3: which is better?21 September 2020, 3:49 pm
Two tubular Bluetooth speakers go to battle, but which is the better buy? We'll take you on a guided tour of both.... - OnePlus 8T launch event confirmed – and there's not long to wait21 September 2020, 3:35 pm
OnePlus has just confirmed the date for the OnePlus 8T launch event on Twitter...... - Samsung QE75Q950TS 8K TV21 September 2020, 2:56 pm
Samsung’s top 2020 TV is the most compelling 8K model we’ve seen, so is now the time to jump in and invest in an 8K set?...
- BenQ CinePrime HT5550 Ultra HD DLP Projector Review3 June 2019, 2:00 pm
BenQ isn’t just about compact value-oriented DLPs; witness the CinePrime HT5550 Ultra HD DLP Projector. It offers premium clarity from a single-chip light engine, 1800 ANSI lumens, HDR, DCI-P3 color, and generous lens shift at the very reasonable price of $2499. I’m checking it out today. The post BenQ CinePrime HT5550 Ultra HD DLP Projector Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Audio Research LS28 Triode Stereo Preamplifier Review29 May 2019, 2:00 pm
Audio Research as a company is half a century old, founded in 1970 by William Johnson. They are one of the pioneers in hi-fi equipment design. The post Audio Research LS28 Triode Stereo Preamplifier Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Powered Speaker Review28 May 2019, 2:00 pm
Vanatoo engineers Gary Gesellchen and Rick Kernen have recently updated their award-winning desktop speakers with a new powered model, the Transparent One Encore. It aims to be an affordable, high quality audiophile system that meets the needs of music enthusiasts with portability, a small footprint, big sound, and deep bass; combined with the ability to stream music from a computer or phone. Six years after the original Transparent Ones, the powered Vanatoo Transparent One Encore improves upon ... - VAVA 4K Ultra Short Throw Laser Projector Review22 May 2019, 2:00 pm
Today, I’ll be checking out VAVA’s 4K Ultra Short Throw Laser Projector. It projects an image up to 150 inches diagonal while sitting only 16.7 inches from the wall. It sports Ultra HD resolution courtesy of a pixel-shifted DLP chip with support for HDR. The post VAVA 4K Ultra Short Throw Laser Projector Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Starke Sound Halo Elite 5.1 Home Theater Speaker System Review20 May 2019, 3:00 pm
Looking for a home theater speaker system that makes a statement in both the visual and aural sense? Then the fine folks at Starke Sound have an impressive looking system to tempt both your eyes and ears! The post Starke Sound Halo Elite 5.1 Home Theater Speaker System Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com....
- Origin Live Gravity One Record Clamp24 August 2020, 3:02 pm
Several readers let me know that they appreciate the short format of the reviews offered here on 10 Audio. The word “pithy” has been noticed a few times in the feedback. Pithy means “concise and forcefully expressive” and “having substance and point” and “short and sweet”. This review definitely supports those definitions. The new Origin Live Gravity One record clamp works differently than the usual “record clamp”. Almost every clamp av... - Magico S1 Mk II Loudspeakers31 July 2020, 10:13 pm
The floor standing, 2-way Magico S1 Mk II speakers are exceptional. Before we get into the specifics of this particular model, let’s take a minute or two and let me share with you why I am a fan of 2-way speakers. Crossovers. Almost every loudspeaker utilizing more than one driver has a crossover. These passive electronic devices split the incoming audio signal into frequency ranges which the various drivers – woofers, midranges, tweeters – can handle. Crossovers are not perfec... - Mivera 1200AS2 Stereo Power Amplifier21 June 2020, 7:50 pm
The Mivera 1200AS2 stereo power amplifier is a limited production offering. The amplifier uses the IcePower 1200AS2 dual-channel module with the IceEdge chipset. The $1000 Mivera amplifier was chosen for this review because, as you can see in the image below, the IcePower module is the sole occupant of the normal-size enclosure aside from connectors and wiring. Now we can hear the sound of the IcePower module itdelf, unaccompanied by added input electronics as we see in amplifiers from Wyred 4 S... - Dynaudio Evoke 30 & 25C Loudspeakers30 April 2020, 2:02 pm
“Born in Jupiter”. This is the headline on the Dynaudio Web site product page. I had no idea what that means. Further digging on the site revealed that “Jupiter” is the name of Dynaudio’s test and development center, a very large room reportedly measuring 13 meters (42.6 feet) in every dimension. In Jupiter, “(a) speaker can be measured individually or, given the room’s size, engineers can install several speakers at once to simulate the typical home aud... - Benchmark AHB2 Power Amplifier15 March 2020, 8:01 pm
The Benchmark AHB2 solid-state stereo power amplifier immediately grabbed the audio world’s attention about 7 years ago when it was introduced. Combining state of the art specifications, cutting-edge technology, and amazingly small size and light weight, the $2999 amplifier quickly became a must-audition. There are already a number of reviews, so the purpose of this one is to add another data point, another reaction to add to the knowledge base of this remarkable amplifier. Just look...
- Digital DIY: Raspberry Pi, Part 2 – Setup and Programming10 September 2020, 7:23 pm
Digital Serving/Streaming on the Cheap with a Raspberry Pi Part 2: Setup and Programming By Steve Graham A complete digital music source, no kidding! Perhaps we should back up a bit and define serving and streaming. These are somewhat crude definitions, but for this article they’ll suffice. In essence, a server sends out a digital data stream, in this instance one containing music. This may be a music service, Tidal for instance, or an internet radio stream, or we may ser... - Hifiman’s Ananda-BT Headphones2 September 2020, 9:08 pm
by Noam Bronstein This is another mini-review in my series on the ‘evolution’ of Bluetooth as an option for audiophiles. Hifiman is known for its big, planar magnetic headphones, and the Ananda-BT is a dedicated Bluetooth version which retails for $999 US. All the electronics are built in and hidden from view, this is a true wireless headphone – all you need is a Bluetooth music source, e.g. streaming from a phone. The Ananda-BT does offer the option of taking a wired digital (... - Digital DIY: Steve Bakes A Raspberry Pi – Part 129 August 2020, 7:16 pm
Digital Serving/Streaming on the Cheap with a Raspberry Pi (But is it any good?) By Steve Graham Part 1: Introduction and Shopping List Not really powerful, but powerful enough! The first thing you must know is that I blinked and missed the microchip revolution – it was a very long blink. To those already immersed in the Raspberry Pi-for-audio ecosystem, this article might be irrelevant. This is for those like me: newbies to DIY file-based playback. ... - Floorstanding Gold Star Bargain: The DALI Oberon 5 Speakers29 July 2020, 1:22 am
‘In The House’, with David Neice Review Article: DALI Oberon 5 Speakers MSRP: $1399 (Canadian) Verdict: Taking up much less floor space than a stand mount speaker (when on a stand), the diminutive DALI Oberon 5 floor-standing speakers deliver on so many sonic fronts that it is hard to know where to begin. Always terrific fun to listen to and highly balanced, these condo-friendly floorstanders break the mold for what can be achieved on a budget. DALI is to be commend... - Lindemann Limetree Network Streamer and DAC17 June 2020, 10:25 pm
As I unboxed this diminutive offering from the renowned German firm Lindemann, the words of Clara Peller echoed, thus, in my trivia-soaked mind: ‘where’s the beef?’ I should have remembered that other firms like Canada’s Resonessence Labs offer world-class products in pint-sized casings. I own one such product–their Herus DAC/headphone amp. Right off the bat, even as I profess my continuing love for my portable Herus/iPhone combination, I’ll say that the Limet...
- Shuoer Tape Review20 September 2020, 4:28 pm
The Shuoer Tape is a single low-voltage electrostatic Dynamic Driver 5-Axis CNC Carve metal body universal IEM with an affordable price of $129. Disclaimer: The Shuoer Tape sent to us is a sample in exchange for our honest opinion. We thank the team at Linsoul for giving us this opportunity. To read more about Linsoul products […]... - Periodic Audio Nickel Review19 September 2020, 12:24 pm
The Periodic Audio Nickel is a tiny pure analog portable headphone amplifier with a 250mW unbalanced output rating into 32Ω. It is priced at $299. Disclaimer: The Periodic Audio Nickel Headphone Amplifier sent to us is a sample in exchange for our honest opinion. We thank the team at Periodic Audio for giving us this opportunity. […]... - Empire Ears Odin Review18 September 2020, 11:04 am
The Empire Ears Odin is a flagship universal IEM with 11 proprietary drivers including a dual dynamic, 5 BA, and 4 electrostatic drivers. It is priced at $3399. Disclaimer: The Empire Ears Odin was sent to us in exchange for our honest opinion in this review. Many thanks to Empire Ears for giving us this opportunity. You […]... - iBasso IT00 Review16 September 2020, 10:48 am
The iBasso IT00 is an entry-level 10mm multi-layered graphene diaphragm dynamic driver universal IEM. It is affordably priced at $69. Disclaimer: The iBasso IT00 was sent to us as a sample in exchange for our honest opinion in this review. We thank iBasso for this opportunity. To learn more about iBasso products reviewed on Headfonics you […]... - FiiO EM5 Review13 September 2020, 11:10 am
The FiiO EM5 is a flute-designed earbud using a beryllium-coated 14.2mm dynamic driver with a twist-lock swappable jack system. It is priced at $299.99 Disclaimer: The FiiO EM5 sent to us is a sample in exchange for our honest opinion. We thank FiiO for this opportunity. To learn more about FiiO reviews on Headfonics you can click […]...
- Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Two-Way Speaker Design20 September 2020, 5:25 pm
Two way? Three way? When it comes to speakers that take up less space than your average floorstander, some debate The post Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Two-Way Speaker Design appeared first on AudioHead.... - Bowers And Wilkins Issues New PX7 Carbon Edition16 September 2020, 7:04 pm
Tis the season for special editions. In preparation for the upcoming holiday sales rush, the pressman’s (or woman) inbox is The post Bowers And Wilkins Issues New PX7 Carbon Edition appeared first on AudioHead.... - New Cost-No-Object Digital Product From MyTek15 September 2020, 8:04 pm
Not only did Mytek proudly proclaim the “cost no object” category for their newest EMPIRE streamer, but the accompanying PR The post New Cost-No-Object Digital Product From MyTek appeared first on AudioHead.... - Focal Partners With Bentley – The New Radiance Headphone14 September 2020, 9:11 pm
For hard core fans, brand partnerships and special edition products can be a real treat. When Star Wars partners with The post Focal Partners With Bentley – The New Radiance Headphone appeared first on AudioHead.... - AXPONA Announces New Dates For 202110 September 2020, 4:37 pm
The audio show circuit in the US (and abroad) is slowly putting things together for the upcoming year. The certainty The post AXPONA Announces New Dates For 2021 appeared first on AudioHead....
- The New iFi hip-dac: Small Player, but Huge Value!21 September 2020, 5:00 am
After having a chance to review the incredibly resolving (and affordable) Zen DAC and Zen Blue by iFi, I was The post The New iFi hip-dac: Small Player, but Huge Value! appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - Being a Musician in 2020 and Dealing with a Pandemic16 September 2020, 5:00 am
Do you want to know what it’s really like to be a musician and artist in 2020? Many times over The post Being a Musician in 2020 and Dealing with a Pandemic appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - Bowers & Wilkins launches special PX7 Carbon Edition wireless headphones to celebrate a decade of headphone success16 September 2020, 5:00 am
North Reading, MA – September 16, 2020: Over the past 12 months, Bowers & Wilkins has enjoyed outstanding success with The post Bowers & Wilkins launches special PX7 Carbon Edition wireless headphones to celebrate a decade of headphone success appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - Mytek Audio introduces the Empire DAC/Streamer/Preamplifier; the flagship of the new “Empire” Series15 September 2020, 5:09 pm
Mytek Audio proudly introduces the EMPIRE DAC/Streamer/Preamplifier; An “all out” assault on the state-of-the-art, the EMPIRE establishes Mytek as a The post Mytek Audio introduces the Empire DAC/Streamer/Preamplifier; the flagship of the new “Empire” Series appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - Headphone.Guru Grado Hemp Limited Edition Giveaway Winner Announcement15 September 2020, 5:00 am
Thank you to all the people who entered our Grado Hemp Limited Edition headphone giveaway contest last month. We are The post Headphone.Guru Grado Hemp Limited Edition Giveaway Winner Announcement appeared first on Headphone Guru....
- Harman Kardon Citation 50021 September 2020, 8:24 am
The Citation 500 is intended to combine room-filling sound with the convenience of voice control... - Exposure XM CD18 September 2020, 9:26 am
A welcome blast from the past, Exposure’s new XM CD shows there’s still plenty of life left in compact disc yet... - Keith Monks introduces Prodigy record cleaning machine17 September 2020, 9:09 am
Give your vinyl a new lease of life... - Kimber's new KS Phono tonearm cable16 September 2020, 9:06 am
Russ Andrews introduces new tonearm cable range... - Cassette Store Day cancelled15 September 2020, 8:50 am
The tape version of Record Store Day is no more...
- ASUS LAUNCHES MQA HEADPHONES18 September 2020, 1:19 am
New ROG Delta S headset adds MQA technology MQA’s award-winning technology has been adopted by global tech leader ASUS for its latest ROG (Republic of Gamers) headphones. The headset, designed to offer flawless audio quality for gaming enthusiasts, was revealed alongside the latest gaming gear during the ROG 2020 META BUFFS international online launch event on 1 September […] The post ASUS LAUNCHES MQA HEADPHONES appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - Introducing the New McIntosh C8 and MC83018 September 2020, 1:10 am
New open chassis McIntosh duo combines valve luxury, solid-state power and timeless industrial designC8 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier and MC830 Solid State Amplifier: stunning looks, legendary McIntosh sound quality September 17th, 2020, Binghamton, NY, USA: Following in the footsteps of McIntosh’s retro-styled MA252 and MA352 integrated amplifiers, (which themselves took design cues from the MC275 Vacuum […] The post Introducing the New McIntosh C8 and MC830 appeared first on Audio Baco... - Innuos Phoenix USB Reclocker Review8 September 2020, 6:21 pm
The Innuos Phoenix USB reclocker is here. Avid computer audiophiles are well aware of the sonic gains of having USB conditioning. If you’d like an introduction behind using USB reclockers in your digital playback system, check out my review of the SOtM tX-USBultra here. In short, the goal of a USB reclocker is to provide […] The post Innuos Phoenix USB Reclocker Review appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - Power Connectors: They Sound Different!22 August 2020, 10:34 pm
Here’s a quick post for the curious. As with many DIYers out there, I noticed differences when trying different power connectors on the same cables. My expectation was that the cable (metal, dielectric, etc) should have a more significant impact over the connectors. I didn’t really have time to investigate while I was finishing up […] The post Power Connectors: They Sound Different! appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - Historic Automotive Venture: Mcintosh and Sonus Faber14 August 2020, 7:28 pm
McIntosh Group and Alps Alpine join forces to bring luxury audio to the automotive industryMcIntosh Laboratory and Sonus faber standards of excellence to be delivered by Alps Alpine in select vehicles 14th August, 2020, Binghamton, NY, USA: McIntosh Group Inc. and Alps Alpine have teamed up to deliver transcendent audio systems to the automotive industry. The […] The post Historic Automotive Venture: Mcintosh and Sonus Faber appeared first on Audio Bacon....
- The Falcon LS3/5a has landed in Malaysia21 September 2020, 1:27 am
NEWS: Here's a speaker to quicken the pulse of any LS3/5a fan... the purebred Falcon version.... - McIntosh adds C8 tube preamp, MC830 monoblock17 September 2020, 11:23 pm
NEWS: Fancy a tube/solid-state pre-power combo? McIntosh Lab's C8 and MC830 may just be the stuff for you...... - Portable DAC shoot-out17 September 2020, 1:11 am
NEWS: If you're looking for a tiny DAC for your pocket, each of these three makes a good case for itself.... - Erzetich’s Thalia headphones get Art Series and Limited Edition versions14 September 2020, 12:50 am
NEWS: Erzetich Audio offers more cosmetic options on its Thalia headphones.... - Denon has four limited edition products for its 110th anniversary10 September 2020, 1:44 am
NEWS: Pulling out all stops is Denon, for its range of special edition 110th anniversary products....
- Austrian Audio Hi-X55 Closed-Back Headphones Reviewed1 September 2020, 4:43 pm
a highly detailed and revealing performance perfect for digital mixing and analytical listening alike. The post Austrian Audio Hi-X55 Closed-Back Headphones Reviewed appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - The IPT RigB, Rigid Metal Body for AT91 Cartridge Reviewed18 August 2020, 7:42 pm
A significant upgrade for a tremendously competent generator held back by its flimsy plastic body. The post The IPT RigB, Rigid Metal Body for AT91 Cartridge Reviewed appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Arylic Up2Stream A30 Miniature Streaming Amplifier Reviewed29 July 2020, 10:04 am
A tiny, generously specced miniature amplifier with integrated streaming, an excellent app and great sound. The post Arylic Up2Stream A30 Miniature Streaming Amplifier Reviewed appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Arylic’s Up2Stream Streaming Platform & The 4Stream App16 June 2020, 9:31 am
A great alternative to the usual streaming suspects, equally suited to first-timers and those looking for a more modular, integrated streaming solution without the hassle of deploying custom software and hardware. The post Arylic’s Up2Stream Streaming Platform & The 4Stream App appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Audio-Technica AT-LP5X Turntable Full Teardown3 June 2020, 12:11 pm
A simple yet effective turntable design of perfectly acceptable quality and very well executed given the asking price. The post Audio-Technica AT-LP5X Turntable Full Teardown appeared first on Audio Appraisal....
- Audiophile Review!McGary Audio SA-2 Tube Amplifier“Delivers More Power, Finesse”26 June 2020, 5:24 pm
... - Audiophile/Videophile Review!Essence For Hi Res AudioEVOLVE II-4K HDMI InterfaceMultichannel DAC/De-Embedder!26 March 2020, 6:49 pm
... - EAN Audio Show Spotlight!Florida Audio Expo 2020 Part II:The South's Up And Coming Hi-Fi Show!12 March 2020, 7:14 pm
... - EAN Audio Show Spotlight!The Florida Audio Expo 2020:The South's Up And Coming Hi-Fi Show!2 March 2020, 11:02 pm
... - 2019 Capital Audiofest!Electronics, Live MusicEmbody Best Show In The East!31 December 2019, 8:29 pm
...
- IsoTek EVO3 Super Nova Power Conditioner Review18 September 2020, 3:06 am
David Price auditions a stellar new ultra-high-end mains power conditioner.... - Chario Audio Constellation Mk2 Cygnus Loudspeaker Review17 September 2020, 2:41 am
Mark Gusew ends up most beguiled by this affordable Italian floorstander…... - Boulder 1110/1160 Pre/Power Amplifer Review17 September 2020, 12:37 am
Jay Garrett is bowled over by this monster pre/power amplifier combination…... - LG 65” CXPTA OLED 4K TV Review8 September 2020, 1:16 am
Tony O’Brien is charmed by the heroic hues of this new mid-sized OLED TV…... - Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs: T. Rex, Electric Warrior Vinyl LP Review6 September 2020, 10:29 pm
David Price auditions this limited edition audiophile vinyl pressing of a nineteen seventies Rock classic…...
- Audeze LCD-1 Review: These Extraordinary Planar Magnetic Headphones Are Spellbinding!20 September 2020, 6:00 pm
When Planar Magnetic headphones first hit the scene, there were three significant barriers to entry. First was the size. Most were big and bulky, and some couldn’t handle the weight wearing them for long periods. The second was their efficiency. You couldn’t just plug them into a portable audio player and expect to get optimum continue reading... - #NewMusicFriday…New Record Releases You Need To Hear feat. Alicia Keys +13 Other Artists!19 September 2020, 12:06 am
Every #NewMusicFriday, I pick a bunch of the best sounding new albums so you can get your audiophile music fix!… As usual, it’s a very eclectic mix (Albums are arranged with more traditional audiophile genres like Jazz and Blues at the top, and the non-traditional audiophile stuff towards the bottom). There’s a lot of good stuff continue reading... - This Weeks Hi-Fi/Audio Best Buys: Best Speakers, Best Headphones, Best Stereo Systems feat. Yamaha18 September 2020, 5:14 am
Hifitrends.com has always been about pointing out the best values in Hi-Fi, so it’s only right that we point out the best deals on Hi-Fi every week. There’s a lot of stuff on sale out there, but we only point out the things worth buying. To determine that, we put a premium on sound quality, followed continue reading... - Vinyl Moon Subscription Review: Discover Awesome New Music With This Unique Service!16 September 2020, 4:37 am
This month is the fifth anniversary of Vinyl Moon, an extraordinary indie vinyl subscription club I just discovered. Every month they ship out exclusive vinyl packages with dazzling artwork from exquisite graphic artists, custom-colored vinyl discs, and a special gift. Each recording has tracks from around ten up and coming artists from all around the continue reading... - IsoAcoustics Releases The Impressive (And Affordable) ZaZen Isolation Platform15 September 2020, 3:49 am
Today, IsoAcoustics announced an addition to its extensive line of isolation products. It’s called the zaZen Isolation Platform, and it’s a cost-effective way to shield your turntables and sensitive hi-fi components from fidelity-killing vibrations coming from the floor or even your speakers. The name is pulled from Zen Buddhism, and it’s supposed to conjure up continue reading...
- The Genius of Jazz6 September 2020, 7:37 pm
... - That USBe Perfect from Core Power Technologies12 August 2020, 3:38 pm
... - SDSU receives great jazz collection as a donation23 July 2020, 9:49 pm
... - Underwood/CorePower release USBe Perfect19 June 2020, 6:25 pm
... - 25th anniversary of Rory G's death15 June 2020, 10:07 pm
...
- Totem Acoustics Signature ONE Speakers5 September 2020, 9:47 pm
Link to SpecificationsHow does one improve on a legend? That was the question facing Vince Bruzzese and the team at Totem Acoustics approximately 5 years ago. The Model 1, a diminutive stand mounted speaker had launched Totem as a major player in the industry 30+ years ago. In the decades that followed, the Model 1 would receive tweeks that owners could spot. However, that has all changed.The Signature One is all new, only the “spirit” as Totem refers to the legacy that the Model 1 p... - Cherry DAC DAC 2 HS11 August 2020, 1:16 am
Link to Specifications Fourteen years ago when I started reviewing gear the digital analog convertor (DAC) was a rare piece of gear. Few models existed and for most audiophiles, fanatics, and hobbyists it was technology to watch rather than pursue. Fourteen years later and DAC’s are an indispensable part of our hobby. The quality and capability have risen dramatically, while the price/performance has dropped even more so. The ability of DAC’s to pull out details i... - Core Power Technologies A/V USBe Perfect10 August 2020, 8:24 pm
Tweaks. It’s the bastion of audiophiles in the pursuit of wringing the last ounce of audio gold out of the music. It’s also the point where derision from those who don’t relate to our hobby like to inject verbal venom. Granted, over the years there’s been some rather “out there” tweaks, such as the infamous magic marker on cd’s. At the same time audiophiles were the first to hear a weird phenomena, later identified as jitter.Let’s be clear, a wonde... - Peachtree Audio amp50026 March 2020, 11:43 pm
High power amplifier. Those are three words difficult-to-drive speaker owners want to hear. Especially when one is a reviewer. The desire to hear even more of what a pair of panel speakers can do gets the heart racing. When Jim Spainhour of Peachtree Audio contacted me with an offer to review their new top-line amp500, no way was I going to turn down the opportunity. In less than two weeks the piano black oval-cased beauty was at my front door.The amp500 resides in the standard Peachtree cabinet... - Cherry Amplifier Maraschino Desktop Mono Amplifiers20 March 2020, 1:40 am
SpecificationsIn the audio industry there are a handful hyper-driven designers/engineers that are truly advancing the industry. One of them is Tommy O'Brien, founder of Digital Amplifier Company. Along with Andrew Jones for speakers and Nelson Pass with solid-state amplification, O'Brien is the resident leader in class D amplification. Since 1996, he has been designing digital amplification topology from scratch. I first heard of the Cherry lineup of amplifiers a decade ago thru one of my ...
- Xavian Premio Esclusivo11 September 2020, 11:03 am
The Premio Esclusivo is a superbly natural-sounding speaker that always brings the maximum in engagement.... - Mad Scientist Audio Nitro Nano power cable18 August 2020, 10:14 am
The Nitro power cable replaces the NEO and NEO-OCC models and although it looks very similar to the older NEO, the internal differences have resulted in a much-improved performance.... - Origin Live Turntable Record Weight18 August 2020, 8:36 am
When Origin Live issues a Record Weight you can be sure that it will be very different from the competition. While counting at least 9 layers of various combined materials that are all interconnected in a cleverly loosely-coupled manner using nylon screws it's obvious that this product is unlike any other Record Weight.... - Jorma Design AES/EBU Digital Cable11 August 2020, 10:43 am
The Jorma AES/EBU cable, quite simply, the very best digital cable that I have heard.... - R.T.F.S. SiRRAH – Part 14 August 2020, 7:15 am
The smartly designed SiRRAH units have a twofold function, combining the advantages of a diffuser with those of a bass/midrange absorber. The panels are easy to fix to the wall and the improvements are substantial....
- ULTRASONE Ruby Sunrise IEMs Released18 September 2020, 10:18 pm
Based in Bavaria, ULTRASONE is a high-end German company offering products with supreme material selection,… The post ULTRASONE Ruby Sunrise IEMs Released appeared first on Audiosolace.... - Focal for Bentley Radiance Headphones & Naim Mu-so for Bentley Special Edition15 September 2020, 1:41 am
Bentley have held a long-standing relationship with Focal & Naim Audio to equip ultra-luxury cars… The post Focal for Bentley Radiance Headphones & Naim Mu-so for Bentley Special Edition appeared first on Audiosolace.... - iBasso IT00 Review13 September 2020, 9:23 pm
iBasso have been a dark horse within the audiophile industry releasing compelling products from DAPs,… The post iBasso IT00 Review appeared first on Audiosolace.... - FiiO M15 Review4 September 2020, 9:39 pm
With 13 years of experience behind them, FiiO have represented an unstoppable force in the… The post FiiO M15 Review appeared first on Audiosolace.... - Sennheiser CX 400BT Revealed1 September 2020, 4:08 pm
Following on from the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless success, the Sennheiser CX 400BT has been… The post Sennheiser CX 400BT Revealed appeared first on Audiosolace....
- Roon Nucleus+ Network Music Server Review19 September 2020, 3:34 am
Spotify, Qobuz or TIDAL reach millions of people and have a focus on social listening and song or album sharing, the audiophile listening experience is pretty much the opposite of that. The post Roon Nucleus+ Network Music Server Review appeared first on Resistor Magazine |.... - Joni Mitchell Releasing Archival Recordings13 September 2020, 4:32 am
There’s something inherently historical – and cultural – about Canada and Joni Mitchell, much the same way there is with Neil Young. Both seem to have carried a significant amount of this country with them into their careers. The post Joni Mitchell Releasing Archival Recordings appeared first on Resistor Magazine |.... - Zen and the Art of Vinyl Maintenance10 September 2020, 5:43 am
Like a paddle breaking through the glassy reflection of lake water alongside a canoe, the brush broke the surface tension of cleaning solution on the LP. The post Zen and the Art of Vinyl Maintenance appeared first on Resistor Magazine |.... - The Vinyl Detective – Murder, Sex, Mayhem and Rare Record Collecting3 September 2020, 5:25 am
Violent deaths, a nameless protagonist, creepy murderous villians who favour matching outfits, mysterious millionaire Japanese benefactors, femme fatales, sex, drugs, booze, rare jazz albums, vintage hi-fi gear and a pair of cats. The post The Vinyl Detective – Murder, Sex, Mayhem and Rare Record Collecting appeared first on Resistor Magazine |.... - Be Ready, Rocksteady – The Latest Spotify Playlist30 August 2020, 4:21 am
The dawn of the new political day heralding Jamaican independence in 1962 was setting by ’66. Those fading hopes also reflected ska’s slide in popularity. The post Be Ready, Rocksteady – The Latest Spotify Playlist appeared first on Resistor Magazine |....
- In Barn for Review: Line Magnetic Audio LM-845iA Integrated Amplifier21 September 2020, 11:03 am
Glowing tubes and meters. Who doesn’t like glowing tubes and meters? The Line Magnetic LM-845iA Integrated Amplifier ($4895) is a point-point-point wired pure Class-A monster of an amplifier using a pair of 845 triode output [...]... - HiFi Bargains: Sansui AU-555A (1971 – 1973)20 September 2020, 12:00 pm
Vintage HiFi can be a veritable goldmine of HiFi Bargains. It can also be a minefield of mediocrity. I don’t pretend to be a vintage audio anything. Sure, I’ve owned some vintage gear including a [...]... - The Truth About A HiFi Lie: John DeVore Tells It Like It Is19 September 2020, 7:47 pm
Buying an amplifier for your speakers shouldn’t be a guessing game in terms of required power. Yet it is. If you’ve ever wondered why, John DeVore has your answer. As it turns out, the Industry [...]... - Album of the Week: H.C. McEntire, Eno Axis18 September 2020, 11:00 am
The river Eno runs through North Carolina, past H.C McEntire’s home, and right through the heart of Eno Axis. Released by Merge Records on August 21, 2020, Eno Axis is firmly rooted in terra firma [...]... - Is USB Audio Going The Way Of The Dodo?17 September 2020, 2:00 pm
Remember Computer Audio? When I was hired as Editor of the then nascent AudioStream in 2011, Computer Audio was all the rage. If you wanted to play with all of the newfangled higher PCM resolutions [...]...
- Vinyl Review: John Coltrane – Coltrane’s Sound (ORG Music, 180g, 45RPM)11 June 2018, 1:25 am
Sound: 7.2 Pressing/packaging: 9.2 Value: 8.4 ORG Music reissue released in 2014. 180g vinyl, 45RPM, 2LP, limited edition, numbered. Catalog Number: ORGM-1091. Mastered by Bernie Grundman. Pressed by Pallas in Germany. UPC: 711574708413. MSRP: $49. Buy on Amazon.com Introduction This LP was originally released by Atlantic Records in 1964. It consists of tracks recorded in […]... - Vinyl Review: Chopin – Polonaises Nos. 1-7, Maurizio Pollini (Deutsche Grammophon 180g)3 June 2018, 7:08 pm
Sound: 7.6 Pressing: 7.4 Value: 5.0 Deutsche Grammophon reissue released in 2016. 180g vinyl. Catalog Number: 479 6653. UPC: 028947966531. MSRP: $23. Buy on Amazon.com Introduction I’ve been on a Chopin rampage lately (if such a thing could ever exist). As far as solo piano works go, I spin Chopin more than any other composer. […]... - Vinyl Review: Sibelius – Violin Concerto, Oistrakh, Ormandy, Philadelphia Orch (Speakers Corner 180g)2 April 2018, 2:35 am
Sound: 8.8 Pressing: 8.4 Value: 9.0 Speakers Corner reissue released in 2017. 180g vinyl. Catalog Number: Columbia MS 6157. UPC: 4260019715333. MSRP: $35. Buy on Amazon.com Introduction Speakers Corner is mining the Columbia vaults for early stereo gems, of which this title is one. There are some legendary titles and performances from that era, but […]... - Vinyl Review: Ornette Coleman – The Shape of Jazz to Come (ORG Music, 180g, 45RPM)15 March 2018, 2:45 am
Sound: 9.8 Pressing: 3.5 Value: 8.5 ORG Music reissue released in 2013. 180g vinyl, 45RPM, 2LP. Catalog Number: ORGM-1081. Mastered by Bernie Grundman. Pressed by Pallas in Germany. UPC: 711574707218. MSRP: $49. Buy on Amazon.com Introduction Much has been said about this, Ornette Coleman’s shot across the bow of jazz as it was known in […]... - Vinyl Review: Stravinsky – The Firebird, Dorati, LSO (Speakers Corner 180g)4 March 2018, 3:15 am
Sound: 9.2 Pressing/Packaging: 9.4 Value: 9.7 Speakers Corner reissue released in 2008. 180g vinyl. Catalog Number: Mercury SR90226. UPC: 4260019714978. MSRP: $35. Buy on Amazon.com Igor Stravinsky: The Firebird (Complete). London Symphony Orchestra. Antal Dorati, conductor. Introduction As per our review philosophy, we focus reviews here exclusively on sound quality. Lots of analysis out there […]...