- Recommended Components: 2019 Fall Edition19 September 2019, 10:16 pm
Products listed here have been formally reviewed in Stereophile, and we have determined them to be among the finest available in each of four or five quality classes. Whether a component is listed in Class A or Class D (or E), we consider it to be a genuinely recommendable product. Each listing, in alphabetical order within classes, is followed by a brief description of its performance characteristics and a note indicating the issue of Stereophile in which its review, and in some cases its Foll... - Amazon Music Goes High-Rez18 September 2019, 2:15 am
The era of streaming in CD-quality and hi-rez music has arrived at one of the world’s major subscription streaming services, complete with a free 90-day trial.Tue, 09/17/2019... - Spirited Away by Music17 September 2019, 6:30 pm
Yup, you're in a strange position, all right. You're in love with a girl who is no more.—Haruki Murakami The quote above, from Haruki Murakami's novel Kafka on the Shore, is addressed to Kafka, a 15-year-old boy who has fallen in love with the teenage ghost of an older woman. The woman is still alive, but ever since the death of her lover many years before, she has existed separate from her spirit. Falling in love with ghosts is something I've done often, starting at about Kafka's age. Tue... - Vertigo17 September 2019, 6:28 pm
In Alfred Hitchcock's great film Vertigo, filmed in San Francisco in 1957, the protagonist, Scottie, played by James Stewart, becomes obsessed with Madeleine, played by Kim Novak. Scottie, a retired detective, suffers from a disabling case of acrophobia, which becomes a critical if tenuous plot point. Tue, 09/17/2019... - Four 3rd-Generation CD players: Adcom, Magnavox, Onkyo, Yamaha12 September 2019, 6:49 pm
I once told Stereophile publisher Larry Archibald it might be worth, say, a 10% loss in sound quality with CD not to have to jump up and turn over the damned record. Sometimes a CD saves you from popping up twice—Mahler's Fifth or Bruckner's Seventh on a single disc instead of three LP sides—or three times—Mozart's Magic Flute on three CDs instead of 6 LP sides. That might be worth a 15% sacrifice. Wed, 03/01/1989...
- RMAF 2019 – Highlights and Photos20 September 2019, 11:13 am
Although it turns out I wasn't on "official" assigment this year for RMAF, I’d made some plans to be in the Denver area to see family, friends, and yes, a concert at the same time as the show. Other TAS staffers who live closer by were assigned to cover the show this year—no problem. But since I was going to be in town anyway I didn’t want to miss the chance to check out RMAF and its swanky, palatial new venue, the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center not far from the D... - MartinLogan Motion (i) Series Launch Event Report19 September 2019, 10:21 pm
On August 22nd, I attended one of four launch events for the “new” Motion Series at Audio Advice, just outside of Charlotte, NC. (The other three events were in Georgia, Arizona, and California.) Before we discuss event specifics, let’s look at the first-blush details of the new Motion Series (designated as “i”) speakers, all of which were on display. Motion 15i Two-way bookshelf. Ported. 1" x 1.4" Folded Motion Transducer tweeter. 5.25" aluminum-cone mid/woofer. ($... - Jeremy Denk: c.1300-c.200019 September 2019, 6:42 pm
c.1300–c.2000. Denk (24/96) SuperHiRez.com I’m not big on saving printed programs from concerts—I’ve got too much stuff I’ll never look at again as it is—but made an exception in January of 2017 when I heard Jeremy Denk play a recital now released by Nonesuch as c.1300–c.2000. This was among the most memorable performances I’ve ever attended and keeping the program seemed appropriate. Having the high-resolution sound files is even better. Denk chro... - Audiovector Introduces New R-Series18 September 2019, 8:19 pm
The following is a press release issued by Audiovector. September 18, 2019 - For more than 40 years Audiovector has designed, developed, and handcrafted its loudspeakers in Denmark and today we can finally announce a new launch of Audiovector loudspeakers: the R-series, a speaker line based on a mixture of evolution and new inventions. Everything that the makers believe a pair of loudspeakers should ever deliver, the Audiovector R-series does to perfection. The Audiovector Freedom Grounding syst... - Rocky Mountain Audio Fest 2019: Loudspeakers18 September 2019, 7:40 pm
Everyone loves a cliffhanger. And as I flew into Denver for RMAF’s latest installment I was about to find out how this one was going to shake out. Specifically, the change of venue, and the transposition of show dates from mid-October to early September (this year only), elements that are fraught with all kinds of risks—and potential rewards. The brand-spanking-new venue, the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center, certainly provided a distinct adjustment from the homey if incr...
- RMAF 2019: Wilson Audio, VTL, Sonus faber, Vitus Audio...21 September 2019, 2:47 pm
Stepping into the Wilson Audio room (11115) was like walking from Fanfare for the Common Man to Beethoven's 9th, or 2001, A Space Odyssey, depending on whether you wanted to go back in time, or forward. The outer room of the suite featured a pair of Sasha DAW (for David A. Wilson, the man who built this company) supplemented with a pair of subwoofers, each channel driven by a tall VTL stereo amplifier with one channel driving the Sasha full range and the other channel powering the respective sub...
- Tannoy Gold 7 And Gold 8 Active Studio Monitor Loudspeaker20 September 2019, 11:54 am
Tannoy's Gold 7 active monitor is a premium 300 Watt bi-amp'ed nearfield studio reference monitor for accurate sound reproduction with outstanding definition. The Gold 7 by Tannoy features a proprietary 6.5" dual concentric point source driver to ensure time accuracy, while the Gold 8 uses an 8" dual concentric driver. A front-firing bass port design allows for near-wall placement and ensures optimal low frequency performance.---> Read More ... - Audio Analogue AAdac DAC / Pre / Headamp20 September 2019, 2:38 am
Audio Analogue's new AAdac (€3495) combiens a preamplifier, headphone amplifier and DAC all within one convenient piece of luxury audio gear. The internal high performance digital-to-analog converter (DAC) handles upwards of 32-bit/768kHz Hi-Res Music files by employing a Sabre ES9038 chip. Native DSD up to 512 is also handled with ease. There are seven different digital filters to provide sound shaping of your choosing. Digital inputs include coax S/PDIF, optical TosLink, and XLR AES/EBU.-... - RMAF 2019 Seminar Videos Updated!19 September 2019, 9:48 am
EnjoyTheMusic.com sponsored the 16th annual Rocky Mountain International Audio Fest (RMAF) Thursday night industry / press party plus all event seminars. For nearly 25 years, EnjoyTheMusic.com has been a major resource for information about consumer electronics high-end audio industry and high resolution / streaming music on the Internet. Our sponsorship and posting seminar videos continues our supporting the industry's efforts in strengthening the reach of high-end audio and high quality music ... - HIFICRITIC's Latest Issue Features Articles & Reviews19 September 2019, 9:26 am
HIFICRITIC's latest issue features reviews including the ATC SCM50 ASL studio-derived active monitor, ATC'S 'Starter System', Goldmund Telos 590 Nextgen integrated amplifier, Melco N10 & N100 Digital Music Libraries, Audio Note TT3 three-motor turntable, various headphone surprises, Chord Hugo TT2 and M Scaler, Atoll Electronique CD200 Signature, DAC300, IN200 Signature and IN300. Also reviewed within this issue are Quiescent Mains Cable Loom, Q Acoustic Concept 300 standmount speakers, Nain...
- REVIEW: Gryphon SCORPIO S | Compact Disc Player | DENMARK31 August 2019, 10:00 pm
⌈ GRYPHON is a Danish company, a „child” of Flemming E. Rasmussen. It was founded in 1986, and its first commercial product was a „head amp” for MC cartridges. The products are quite characteristic and all belong to the top-high-end category. What catches the eye is not only an extremely solid made and finish but also a beautiful logo – a griffin, a mythical creature with a body of a lion and a head and wings of an eagle. ⌋ RYPHON is one of the few ... - KRAKOW SONIC SOCIETY | Meeting #121: ULTIMATE HQCD DISCS | JAPAN/Poland31 August 2019, 10:00 pm
he history of the Krakow Sonic Society meetings with various types of Compact Discs is quite long. Almost as long as the list of technical studies intended to improve the process of reading signal from these discs. Already in May 2009, as part of the 64th KSS, we discussed new (for us) patents of EMI Music Japan, i.e. HiQualityCD (HQCD) and Sony Music Japan, i.e. Blu-Spec CD. Both, together with the Universal Music and JVC patent – the SHM-CD - were launched in 2008 In July 2013 (meeti... - REVIEW: Nordost QPOINT | Resonance Synchronizer | UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | RED Fingerprint31 August 2019, 10:00 pm
am sometimes ashamed of how little we know about audio, how little we understand about it. We fly to the Moon, we are getting ready to fly to Mars, we have quite good knowledge of how the universe is changing and what its structure is, we have found thousands of planets that are similar to the Earth and we have finally “seen” a black hole, but we still cannot comprehend what (often) negative or (sometimes) positive impact a little wire, a piece of wood or aluminum foil, etc., have on... - REVIEW: C.E.C. TL2 N | Compact Disc Transport | JAPAN | RED Fingerprint31 August 2019, 10:00 pm
⌈ The Japanese company C.E.C. Was founded in 1954, hence this year it celebrates their 65th anniversary. For many years it was primarily an OEM manufacturer, supplying various turntable components such as motors, bearings and suspensions for other brands, for example for SME and Oracle. In 1991 however, it presented an invention that defined it for many years to come – a belt mechanism for a Compact Disc drive. For this review we received the latest product, TL2N CD Transport. &rf... - REVIEW: Cambridge Audio AXC35 | Compact Disc Player | GREAT BRITAIN | RED Fingerprint31 August 2019, 10:00 pm
⌈ CAMBRIDGE AUDIO is a British company specializing in audio and audio-video electronic components, whose distinctive feature is a particularly good value for money of their products. The Edge anniversary series launched a year ago seemed to change this approach. And yet ... Cambridge Audio has just launched a new, cheapest AX series. Designed in the UK by its engineers, it uses innovative techniques sourced from the higher CX and Edge series. For this review we received the Compact Disc p...
- A Black Diamond - The ATC 50SE Loudspeakers20 September 2019, 9:30 pm
I enjoyed hearing ATC's 40A (then $12,999) speaker four years ago; enough so I was tempted to buy them (see HERE for the review). They had a fuller range than my reference, and the sound was a bit sweeter. However, my reference ATCs employ an "SL" (super linear) driver for midrange and lower frequencies, as... Read More » The post A Black Diamond - The ATC 50SE Loudspeakers appeared first on Positive Feedback.... - The Neoteric Listener - The Butcher Block Acoustics Rigidrack 3 Shelf Rack20 September 2019, 4:29 pm
I don't suppose I'm alone in admiring those who can really work with their hands. Years ago, while serving a semester-long sentence in woodshop, I envied my pals who could cut, glue, plane, and sand mundane articles like planters and bowls into magnificent works of craftsmanship. Not being able to do any of this, I... Read More » The post The Neoteric Listener - The Butcher Block Acoustics Rigidrack 3 Shelf Rack appeared first on Positive Feedback.... - Notes of an Amateur: Monteverdi, Bach, Henze, and Richard Strauss20 September 2019, 3:59 pm
Monteverdi, L'incoronazione di Poppea. Les Ars Florissants, Willam Christie. Harmonia Mundi 8902622.24 3 CD's, 1 DVD. This new release of Monteverdi's last opera, considered by students of the composer's work to be his best, is an extraordinary musical enterprise, especially if you take into consideration Jan Lauwers' somewhat off the wall stage production provided on... Read More » The post Notes of an Amateur: Monteverdi, Bach, Henze, and Richard Strauss appeared first on Positive Feedba... - BluOS Among First to Integrate Amazon Music HD18 September 2019, 4:41 pm
Users of BluOS Enabled players will be among the first to experience Amazon’s new premium hi-res music service TORONTO, CANADA, SEPTEMBER 18, 2019 – Lenbrook International, developer of hi-res audio solutions for residential and commercial applications, has announced that its BluOS wireless multi-room streaming platform is among the first to integrate Amazon Music HD and... Read More » The post BluOS Among First to Integrate Amazon Music HD appeared first on Positive Feedback.... - KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES TO RAISE FUNDS FOR INNOVATIVE AUDIO AMPLIFIER18 September 2019, 4:39 pm
(Succasunna, NJ 09/17/2019) Orchard Audio is proud to announce the launch of BOSC™, a hi-fi monoblock audio amplifier that utilizes the latest gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductor technology to produce crisp sound from a small box. BOSC™ is a compact, affordable amplifier that creates the feel of live music in any room. With an impressive design... Read More » The post KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES TO RAISE FUNDS FOR INNOVATIVE AUDIO AMPLIFIER appeared first on Positive Fe...
- ANA Mighty Sound4 September 2019, 2:53 am
Of all the perils analog enthusiasts are faced with, the worst is breaking the cantilever on a precious cartridge. Ask any audiophile with more than few cartridges, many of them will tell you that it is not a matter of if, but a matter when. If you handle tonearms and cartridges long enough, sooner or [...]... - The AudioSolutions Figaro M Speakers4 September 2019, 12:08 am
A relative newcomer on the HiFi scene, AudioSolutions comes out of the gate producing speakers that are top performers, offering tremendous value. To be straight up with you, I prefer speakers more in the GamuT, Sonus faber, and Gold Note part of the spectrum. Slightly on the warm side, but still dynamic and resolving. A [...]... - The Boulder 1161 Power Amplifer31 August 2019, 8:19 pm
August 31, 2019 I love wristwatches, but I’m kind of a lurker. I’d love one of those big, chunky, Rolex Submariners, but I can’t quite make the leap to almost $20k for a watch. I wear a much more modest Tudor Bronze Black Bay. In a recent article from John Mayer on the Hodinkee.com website, [...]... - The Wharfdale Linton Speakers26 August 2019, 8:00 am
For some odd reason, paging through the album artwork in the Roon browser, trying to decide what record to play first on the Wharfdale Lintons in my system, Queen’s News of the World jumps out at me. Maybe it’s that I haven’t actually listened to this record in ages, or perhaps it was just watching the Family [...]... - Issue 9718 August 2019, 1:26 am
Features Old School: Jeff Dorgay continues the roll with Pioneer and bags an RT-701 Reel to reel deck 1095: Michael Laurance samples the Bowers&Wilkins 607 speakers Journeyman Audiophile: We put the Linn Selekt DSM through its paces with multiple power amplifiers The Audiophile Apartment: McIntosh’s new MTI100 is a killer combination Shanon Says: Shanon breaks [...]...
- Klipsch Reference R-820F Loudspeakers15 September 2019, 4:00 am
Note: Measurements taken in the anechoic chamber at Canada's National Research Council can be found through this link. In over 20 years of writing for the SoundStage! Network websites, I can’t recall our ever having reviewed a Klipsch loudspeaker (we may have -- my memory isn’t what it used to be), unless you count the Heritage Wireless Three, recently reviewed at SoundStage! Simplifi, or the headphone models reviewed on SoundStage! Solo. This is surprising, considering Klipsch&rsqu... - EAT3: European Audio Team, Exceptional Audio Tubes, Expensive Audio Tubes1 September 2019, 4:00 am
This summer I conducted an experiment that I hoped would answer a question that’s been on my mind ever since I heard that European Audio Team (EAT)’s KT88 Diamond vacuum tube would be made widely available in North America through their distributor, Vana Ltd., at the hefty price of $1795 USD for a factory-matched box of four (the KT88 Diamond is not available singly). Would it make sense to replace the eight output tubes in my pair of JE Audio VM60 monoblock amplifiers ($6400/pair wh... - Recommended Reference Component: KEF R11 Loudspeakers1 September 2019, 4:00 am
KEF’s latest generation of R Series loudspeakers, introduced in 2018, includes four main stereo models: the stand-mounted R3 ($1999.98) and three floorstanders, the R5 ($2799.98), the R7 ($3799.98), and the R11 ($4999.98). (All prices per pair, USD.) Last month, in Diego Estan’s review of the R11 for this site, he declared, “you’d be hard-pressed to find a better speaker at the price.” ... - Will the CD Make a Comeback?1 September 2019, 4:00 am
While I have no idea what the quotidian existence is for my fellow audio scribes, I seem to have a lot of traffic through my listening room. Most obviously, there are visits from manufacturers delivering, installing, and then collecting review equipment, but there’s also a steady flow of “civilians.” That is not a pejorative term; it’s merely my way of identifying people not employed in the hi-fi business who drop by, and that includes a number of friends, audiophiles, or... - Focal Spectral 40th Loudspeakers1 September 2019, 4:00 am
Note: Measurements taken in the anechoic chamber at Canada's National Research Council can be found through this link. I’ve long been intrigued by Focal loudspeakers, but while I’d heard them at audio shows, I’d never had a pair in my listening room. My curiosity is always piqued by a speaker maker that manages to produce what is arguably one of the finest speakers in the world, the Grande Utopia EM Evo ($229,000 USD per pair), as well as models that most audio enthusiasts can...
- Bowers & Wilkins introduces P Series Headphones20 September 2019, 2:35 pm
Introducing the all new P Series Headphones by Bowers & Wilkins The PX7 – Leave the noise behind and connect on a deeper level. Our flagship design has the most immersive soundstage, and unrivaled noise cancellation. 43mm drivers – the largest in its class – in conjunction with 24bit/96kHz streaming capabilities, deliver crystal clear sound. [...] The post Bowers & Wilkins introduces P Series Headphones appeared first on Dagogo.... - BluOS Among First to Integrate Amazon Music HD18 September 2019, 2:18 pm
Users of BluOS Enabled players will be among the first to experience Amazon’s new premium hi-res music service TORONTO, CANADA, SEPTEMBER 18, 2019 – Lenbrook International, developer of hi-res audio solutions for residential and commercial applications, has announced that its BluOS wireless multi-room streaming platform is among the first to integrate Amazon Music HD and [...] The post BluOS Among First to Integrate Amazon Music HD appeared first on Dagogo.... - Advancing Audio Streaming, Part 1: Raspberry Pi 4 as USB Network Audio Transport18 September 2019, 12:43 am
Rewind a bit…if your reaction to the title of this article was, “English, please,” then I should take some time to explain. The rest of you can head on down to the section, “This thing is hot!” If you’re still with me, I’ll discuss the title from right to left, starting with “Transport.” For many [...] The post Advancing Audio Streaming, Part 1: Raspberry Pi 4 as USB Network Audio Transport appeared first on Dagogo.... - Wells Audio Commander Preamplifier Review16 September 2019, 8:31 pm
Years after selling them, I still wonder occasionally how could I have divested my pair of Wells Audio Innamorata amplifiers. At the time it seemed necessary, as I was making a purchase of some speakers. Over time, as I continue to review components, I recall how many gorgeous systems I made with those amps, and [...] The post Wells Audio Commander Preamplifier Review appeared first on Dagogo.... - Dynamic Women of Early Jazz and Classic Blues, Part 2 of 25 September 2019, 6:37 pm
Read Dynamic Women of Early Jazz and Classic Blues, Pt 1 Concealed in the shadows of early Jazz and Blues history are dynamic and accomplished women who nurtured, guided and developed the music. In this column are profiles of Ethel Waters, who was the most popular female singer in America around 1930; accomplished jazz [...] The post Dynamic Women of Early Jazz and Classic Blues, Part 2 of 2 appeared first on Dagogo....
- Amazon Music HD Launches17 September 2019, 3:16 pm
Amazon launched it's Amazon HD music streaming service today. Much more to come as details come out and people sign up. The cost is $12.99 for Prime members and $14.99 for everyone else. An interesting quote from Neil Young on this announcement, "earth will be changed forever when Amazon introduces high-quality streaming to the masses.” So far it looks like CD quality music and "higher" up through 24/192. No mention of MQA in the first press releases.&nbs... - ELAC Alchemy DDP-2 DAC Review17 September 2019, 2:45 pm
The ELAC Alchemy DDP-2 is as close to an all-in-one component as they come, without being a jack of all trades, master of none. ELAC calls it a DAC, preamp, and streamer. I tend to leave out the word streamer, opting to call it a DAC with Ethernet input, but that's neither here nor there in the big picture. Designed by Peter Madnick of Audio Alchemy and Constellation Audio fame, the DDP-2 is equivalent to what the car world calls a sleeper. Its unassuming external appearance and suppor... - Book Review - Neil Young's To Feel The Music: A Songwriter's Mission to Save High-Quality Audio10 September 2019, 9:15 pm
Neil Young's book about his most recent efforts to push high resolution audio into the mainstream is finally available. As an audiophile this book is gold in many ways. Seeing sound quality discussed in a book that will reach mainstream audiences makes me feel good inside, just like my favorite music. Reading insider details about the process of bringing Pono and high resolution music to market is insightful and interesting. Many of us have speculated about details such as high resolution mu... - Audeze LCD-4z Review4 September 2019, 10:25 pm
Audeze is an American company producing high-end dynamic (magnetic) headphones. The LCD-4zs are marketed as a high-sensitivity model of the popular LCD-4 which has been the company’s flagship model for some time. The “z” edition was produced to meet the growing demand for headphones that will not only work with high-end, stationary high-powered amplifiers, but can also be driven by line-level devices such as pre-amps and built-in headphone amps in line level equipment... - Subjective: AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt Review29 August 2019, 2:55 pm
I'm sitting in my room at a resort in the mountains of Colorado, in one of the famous ski towns. The view out my window is picturesque, without any snow. I love it here without snow. I get enough of the white stuff at home in Minnesota. Plus, the town is nearly empty, except for the wildlife. A deer walked right in front of my car as I pulled out of the parking lot of the resort earlier today and I've seen numerous warnings about bears in the area. What's not to like? I can tell you. It's my...
- RMAF 2019 Wrap Up16 September 2019, 8:55 pm
This final RMAF video includes the Pro-Ject room, an image from which was inadvertently used in a previous video. Also here is the interesting $1699.99 Direct Drive turntable from Cambridge Audio and a few more analog-y items that will be of interest. ... - I'll Be Spinning Records at Sound By Singer, NYC This Thursday Evening16 September 2019, 4:36 pm
I'll be spinning records this Thursday evening at Sound by Singer, 242 W. 27th Street, New York, N.Y. 10001. There will be two sessions: one at 7 P.M. and one at 8:30. Please R.S.V.P. by calling (212) 924 8600. Everyone attending these events enjoys themselves, but I enjoy it more. Win-Win for all!... - The Prince Estate, In Partnership With Warner Records to Release <i>1999</i> Remastered and Expanded November, 29th11 September 2019, 4:45 pm
Prince's standout album 1999 that included "Little Red Corvette", "1999" and "Delirious" first released in 1982 when 1999 seemed a long way off gets the deluxe treatment in time for the holidays. Along with the standard remastered by Bernie Grundman at 192/24 bit edition (as a double 180g purple vinyl LP) there will be a Deluxe 2 CD/2LP version and a Super Deluxe 5 CD+DVD/10LP+DVD edition (all will include downloads and streaming).... - <I>Let It Bleed</i> 50th Anniversary Deluxe Box From ABKCO Coming November 1st11 September 2019, 3:55 pm
You can always get what you want: ABKCO will release a remastered by Bob Ludwig "stand-alone" CD or vinyl LP version of Let It Bleed if that's what you want, but if you want it all, you can have it all.... - Review Explosion: BROCKHAMPTON, Iggy Pop, Olivia Jean, Post Malone, & David Bowie9 September 2019, 8:21 pm
(Review Explosion is a new AnalogPlanet feature covering recent releases for which we either don’t have sufficient time to fully explore, or that are not worthy of it. Curated by AnalogPlanet contributing editor Malachi Lui, Review Explosion will focus on the previous few weeks' new releases as well as archival titles and reissues....
- What's up with Pure Audio Project's open baffle speakers?22 September 2019, 12:00 pm
... - Big for a reason: Klipsch Cornwall IV21 September 2019, 12:00 pm
... - First review: Audeze LCD i3 headphones20 September 2019, 12:00 pm
... - Your speakers make too much bass? I've got the cure(s)19 September 2019, 12:00 pm
... - Do you have big speakers? Huge amps? King-size turntable? We want to see them18 September 2019, 3:00 pm
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- PranaFidelity 108a, Antipodes, Audio Conductors, Furutech | RMAF 201922 September 2019, 1:05 pm
Part-Time Audiophile The PranaFidelity 108a active speakers retail for $34,950 per pair, which might not seem like a fantastic value to many audiophiles. But here’s some context for you. These beautiful speakers, with birch-ply enclosures made from over 800 individual layers, also feature DSP, a programmable digital crossover (onsite programming is included) and amplifiers that provide 630 total watts per speaker. Plus, these speakers sound absolutely magnificent. That’s quite a feat... - Klipsch RP600-M, Cambridge Audio | RMAF 201921 September 2019, 2:15 pm
Part-Time Audiophile I walked into this Klipsch room before the one I reported on yesterday, and I was a little disappointed to find a pair of Klipsch RP600-M loudspeakers ($549/pair in walnut or black, $649 for piano gloss) instead of something from the Heritage line. I have nothing against Klipsch’s other speaker lines, but I just don’t get as excited about them as I do a gorgeous pair of La Scalas or Cornwalls. For many years Klipsch has made more affordable speakers with this spe... - ListenUp Audio Video and RMAF Domination | RMAF 201920 September 2019, 6:00 pm
Part-Time Audiophile ListenUp Audio Video, which operates a chain of high-end audio stores throughout Colorado and New Mexico, exhibited in at least a dozen rooms and booths at the 2019 Rocky Mountain Audio Fest. Remember when I said I was amazed at Scott Walker Audio for running eight rooms at T.H.E. Show back in June? Well, ListenUp has upped the ante considerably. I know, since I visited at least 11 of those rooms, spending much of Sunday basking in the glow of many excellent systems. When a ... - Klipsch Heritage and the Art of Pissing Off Your Neighbors | RMAF 201920 September 2019, 3:00 pm
Part-Time Audiophile I was walking down the hallway at the 2019 Rocky Mountain Audio Fest, minding my own business, when I heard it–Tool’s Fear Inoculum coming out of the Klipsch Heritage room. The two Klipsch rooms were on my list anyway, but I was on my way to visit someone else before my sudden detour into pure power and undeniable visceral impact. There they were, against the back wall, two pairs of Klipsch Heritage speakers, the Cornwall Special Edition ($6000/pair) and the Here... - Moon Audio and Headphone Heaven | RMAF 201920 September 2019, 1:20 pm
Part-Time Audiophile I didn’t get to spend very much time in the marketplace at the 2019 Rocky Mountain Audio Fest, but I had one booth I really wanted to visit–Drew Baird’s Moon Audio. Drew’s booth was very much like a CanJam event where you could compare top headphones with top headphone amps, all to your heart’s content. Moon Audio has established itself as not only one of the finest headphone system retailers in the country, but also as a vanguard for innovative...
- Podcast #16 – Amazon Music HD, RMAF/CEDIA 201922 September 2019, 10:16 am
The last time Jeff Dorgay and I sat down for a chat over Internet wires, Munich High-End 2019 had just wrapped and I wanted to talk about lifestyle products. At the end of that podcast, I’d gone out on a limb with a Munich-sourced rumour: that Amazon Music would soon […] More-------------------------------------------------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For private use only. Copyright 2010-2018 · Darko.Aud... - A short film about the Schiit Freya +20 September 2019, 7:36 am
The shortest distance between two points? That’s a straight line. In the hi-fi world, Occam’s Razor and financial prudence cast that shortest distance for digital audio enthusiasts as DAC with volume control wired directly into the back of a power amplifier or pair of active loudspeakers. In my case, that’s […] More-------------------------------------------------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For pri... - Global feedback: Do you classify CD-quality as hi-res audio?19 September 2019, 3:32 pm
What is hi-res audio? If you’re living Stateside under the tutelage of the Digital Entertainment Group (DEG) and Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), hi-res audio is a PCM file with at least 20 bits of depth and a sample rate of at least 48kHz. In less technical terms: “lossless audio that […] More-------------------------------------------------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For private use only. Copyri... - Amazon Music launches CD-quality, hi-res streaming tier17 September 2019, 4:12 pm
And here it is, the Munich High-End rumours made real: Amazon Music has today announced the immediate availability of CD-quality streaming from its 50 million-strong song library via a new ‘HD’ subscription tier: US$14.99/month, discounted by US$2/month for Amazon Prime subscribers. A small percentage of this same lossless library will […] More-------------------------------------------------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed witho... - The McIntosh MHA150 is more than meets the eye16 September 2019, 1:17 pm
McIntosh Labs is, by all accounts, an iconic audio firm. Throughout their 70 years of operation, McIntosh gear has been reviewed countless times and their history thoroughly documented in a number of places – see former employee Roger Russell’s meticulous website coverage for a definitive take on the subject. I […] More-------------------------------------------------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For priva...
- The Power of the Orchestra—Analogue Productions 200g vinyl reissue19 September 2019, 6:03 pm
For audiophiles of all stripes, The Power of the Orchestra, a 1962 Kingsway RCA, produced by Charles Gerhardt and engineered by Kenneth Wilkinson, is the stuff of legends. A top ten classical vinyl on most lists. Gerhardt probably came up with the cool name—he was one of the most enlightened musicians/producers working at the time—but in reality, it’s simply a recording of Mussorgsky’s two best loved works, Night on Bare Mountain and Pictures at an Exhibition.... - Mono Classical treasures18 September 2019, 4:48 pm
What a find. What a haul. 100 absolutely mint mono classical LPs for $200. The covers and inner sleeves were as new and if the records had been played more than a couple of times each, I’d be surprised. This type of score only happens once or twice in a collector’s life, if at all. I was nodded in the right direction by my friend Demitri, a very generous audiophile and record collector (15,000 at last count). While covering RMAF 2019 earlier this month, I received a late night ... - Andrew Hill: Black Fire—Blue Note Tone Poet16 September 2019, 4:11 pm
For the 80th anniversary of the historic jazz label Blue Note Records, the company, headed by president Don Was, has decided to embark on a reissue series decidedly different from anything they have attempted in recent memory. Was has long been an admirer of Joe Harley’s Blue Note reissue work with famed audiophile label Music Matters, whose increasingly expensive and coveted AAA Blue Note reissues have garnered universal praise by audiophiles and jazz fans alike. While Blue Note ha... - Rocky Mountain Redux11 September 2019, 4:35 pm
Denver, CO In case you missed our live blog and social media posts from the 2109 Rocky Mountain International Audio Fest, below are the links to the channels and all the posts about the wonderful rooms, people and sound seen & heard in Denver. Audiophilia Live Blog Twitter Instagram I’ve also posted below my Facebook summary of this year’s very special and unique show. Thanks for following.... - Allnic Audio L-7000 Preamplifier30 August 2019, 12:46 pm
David Beetles of Hammertone Audio, the North American distributor for Allnic Audio electronics, gave me a nod that an L-7000 Preamplifier was available for review. The new linestage is the $16,500 replacement of the L-3000 ($13,900). After my continuing musical experiences of the most passionate and intense kind with Allnic’s similarly priced H-7000 Phono Stage, how could I pass up the opportunity to hear Allnic’s linestage equivalent? The L-7000 is not your grandpappy’s...
- Roon Server on ODroid H210 July 2019, 10:22 am
John Reekie tests out the ODroid H2 SBC (single board computer) as a Roon Server. "Ever since I discovered how easy it is to set up a DLNA music server on a Raspberry Pi or an ODroid HC1, I’ve been reluctant to dedicate a 'proper' computer as a music server," he writes, to explain the appeal of this inexpensive x86 computer. After walking through the install, he runs some UI tests.... - How to stream Qobuz to almost anything4 July 2019, 2:55 pm
John Reekie decides it's time to branch out from the Raspberry Pi and start streaming to a greater variety of devices. He summarizes the architecture that enables Qobuz to stream to "almost anything" and how to set it up. As a bonus, he provides installation instructions to turn any Linux SBC into a compatible audio player.... - Spatial Audio M3 Triode Master + interview with designer Clayton Shaw15 March 2019, 4:01 am
Oliver Masciarotte spends time with the Spatial Audio M3 Triode Master open baffle speaker, and quizzes designer Clayton Shaw about his design choices. Oliver concludes: "The M3 Triode Master is a outstanding example of OB design; exacting imaging combined with broad uncolored off-axis coverage and an airy, expansive soundstage. It... lends itself nicely to rooms large and small."... - RME ADI-2 Pro : Modes and Audio Routing6 January 2019, 11:58 am
John Reekie takes a deep dive into the "modes" of the RME ADI-2 Pro. "The modes can be considered as a sort of shorthand that gets you close to a solution, which you can then tailor by adjusting parameters away from the default or automatic selections." He provides diagrams that illustrate the signal routing through the ADI-2 Pro in each mode, and also discusses clocking.... - Syncing a music library to a Droidisk (or PiDisk)14 December 2018, 6:26 pm
John Reekie goes all GUI to sync up his droidisk server with music files on a Mac or PC. Well, apart from installation on the ODroid or Raspberry Pi. Compared to his previous rsync-based method, this is "a better solution that is cross-platform, easier to set up, and more flexible."...
- BenQ CinePrime HT5550 Ultra HD DLP Projector Review3 June 2019, 2:00 pm
BenQ isn’t just about compact value-oriented DLPs; witness the CinePrime HT5550 Ultra HD DLP Projector. It offers premium clarity from a single-chip light engine, 1800 ANSI lumens, HDR, DCI-P3 color, and generous lens shift at the very reasonable price of $2499. I’m checking it out today. The post BenQ CinePrime HT5550 Ultra HD DLP Projector Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Audio Research LS28 Triode Stereo Preamplifier Review29 May 2019, 2:00 pm
Audio Research as a company is half a century old, founded in 1970 by William Johnson. They are one of the pioneers in hi-fi equipment design. The post Audio Research LS28 Triode Stereo Preamplifier Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Powered Speaker Review28 May 2019, 2:00 pm
Vanatoo engineers Gary Gesellchen and Rick Kernen have recently updated their award-winning desktop speakers with a new powered model, the Transparent One Encore. It aims to be an affordable, high quality audiophile system that meets the needs of music enthusiasts with portability, a small footprint, big sound, and deep bass; combined with the ability to stream music from a computer or phone. Six years after the original Transparent Ones, the powered Vanatoo Transparent One Encore improves upon ... - VAVA 4K Ultra Short Throw Laser Projector Review22 May 2019, 2:00 pm
Today, I’ll be checking out VAVA’s 4K Ultra Short Throw Laser Projector. It projects an image up to 150 inches diagonal while sitting only 16.7 inches from the wall. It sports Ultra HD resolution courtesy of a pixel-shifted DLP chip with support for HDR. The post VAVA 4K Ultra Short Throw Laser Projector Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Starke Sound Halo Elite 5.1 Home Theater Speaker System Review20 May 2019, 3:00 pm
Looking for a home theater speaker system that makes a statement in both the visual and aural sense? Then the fine folks at Starke Sound have an impressive looking system to tempt both your eyes and ears! The post Starke Sound Halo Elite 5.1 Home Theater Speaker System Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com....
- ZYX UNIverse Optimum Phono Cartridge4 August 2019, 9:41 pm
Another ceiling has been shattered, another mountain conquered, and another superlative surpassed. The new ZYX UNIverse Optimum moving coil phonograph cartridge has risen above the very high pinnacle of performance set by the ZYX UNIverse Premium, reviewed here on 10 Audio. I encourage you to read the Premium review, as this review will only attempt to detail the differences between the $14,995 Premium and the $16,995 Optimum. The cartridge is labeled with the distributor’s name beca... - Valvet E2 SE Stereo Power Amplifier29 June 2019, 8:12 pm
The new Valvet E2 SE single-ended Class A solid-state amplifier is a revelation. Coming to market about a year after my review of the Valvet E2, the SE version exceeds the E2's audible performance in every parameter. Please see the older review for context. The special edition SE version takes all the E2's excellent performance and offers improvements in every area. The review system has changed since the E2 review, and provides the potential for higher resolution. The significant changes are a ... - Revel Performa M126Be Loudspeakers18 May 2019, 9:45 pm
The new Performa Be series of loudspeakers offers an upgrade from the well-received Performa3 series from Revel. The Be speakers feature the Revel’s latest beryllium tweeter that was first introduced more than a decade ago in the Ultima2 series. Revel is a member of the Harman International family of brands which includes Mark Levinson, JBL, Arcam, and Infinity. The Performa M126Be is a ported 2-way stand mount, AKA bookshelf speaker weighing a back-friendly 22 pounds, not including ... - Wyred 4 Sound ST-750LE Stereo Power Amplifier31 March 2019, 9:06 pm
The new Wyred 4 Sound ST-750LE stereo power amplifier sounds far above it's price class. The technology includes Wyred 4 Sound's proprietary input circuit that is similar to the one implemented in their '10 LP'-rated STP-SE Stage 2 preamplifier. This is followed by the latest IcePower amplifier module. The base price of the amplifier is $1599.00. The review sample is also equipped with the WBT speaker binding posts and Kimber TCX wire upgrade, a $250 option. From the Wyred 4 Sound Web site:"For ... - Ayre Acoustics VX-5 Twenty Stereo Power Amplifier17 February 2019, 9:00 pm
The Ayre VX-5 Twenty stereo power amplifier has been in production for about 5 years and followed the well-received V-5xe amplifier. The “Twenty” designation celebrates the Boulder, Colorado company’s 20 years in business. The excellent build quality and beautiful casework belies the amplifier’s recommended list price of $8950. The amplifier is fully-discrete, fully-balanced, and features a zero-feedback design. Other components on hand during the audition include a...
- Cambridge Audio Alva TT turntable system17 September 2019, 10:31 am
It’s a bold manufacturer who underestimates the appetite amongst audiophiles for pain and aggravation. The belief that optimum sound is truly worth suffering for – in fact, can’t be achieved withoutsuffering – is all too common. And like any religious supplicant anxious to display the scars of their self-flagellation, the audiophile zealot will have numerous anecdotes about the physical and financial lengths they’ve gone to in order to transcend to audio Nirvana. Wi... - Spendor A4 floorstanding loudspeakers17 September 2019, 10:28 am
Back when I was just getting interested in audio, ahem mumble years ago, the Spendor BC1 was one of the darlings of the hi-fi press, and rightly so. But to some Spendor is a brand forever associated with those 1960s vintage, BBC-inspired monitor loudspeakers. The classic BC1 large monitor design made the company’s name but has, somewhat unfairly, linked Spendor with the slightly fusty air of the BBC of the 1960s; technically competent but a bit buttoned-up, which is as much a description o... - Brainwavz B400 earphone17 September 2019, 10:19 am
For the past couple of years, the Brainwavz B200 universal in-ear monitors have been one of my go‑to earphones for the gym due to their compact footprint, excellent fit, and good all-around sound. When Brainwavz announced their new Quad-balanced armature model, the B400, I wondered if it would have a similar level of comfort and utility. That answer would be affirmative. The B400 uses four balanced armature drivers. The configuration is one driver dedicated to the high frequencies, two dri... - Exposure XM CD Player11 September 2019, 10:29 pm
While BOGOF has an undeniable ring to it, BOGTF is just so much better – even if it is unpronounceable. That might have stood in the way of the wider advertising industry, but it hasn’t discouraged Exposure: when it comes to upping the versatility and value stakes, its new XM CD player really is three rather fine products in one. Of course, delivering rather more than meets the eye tends to be something of a digital speciality, with apparently plain fascias concealing a rear panel pa... - KEF LSX active stand-mount loudspeaker11 September 2019, 10:23 pm
Reviewers both love and hate in equal measure reviews that basically write themselves. We love them because they are so easy to write – words fall onto the page without a care. We hate them for pretty much the same reason, as we barely get a chance to place our own fingerprints on the review itself. The KEF LSX is one such review; about 20 seconds after I had plugged it in, the review was practically fully constructed in my head, nothing in the extended process of listening swayed that ear...
- Farewell10 August 2019, 12:20 am
Due to personal and professional reasons, Twittering Machines will close its virtual doors next month [footnote 1]. I am, in effect, retiring from hifi. I hope you’ve enjoyed our 1-year journey as much as we’ve [...]... - Listening6 August 2019, 1:38 pm
Here’s what I’ve been doing of late: listening. I am in the process of listening to a number of products, using them in different system configurations to get an idea of what aspects of performance [...]... - HiFi Bargains: AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt4 August 2019, 12:02 pm
In the beginning, there was Black. Then Black v1.5, followed by Red. Well, there’s a new sheriff in town and his name is Cobalt. DragonFly Cobalt. A DragonFly is a flash drive-sized digital-to-analog-converter (DAC) and [...]... - Why I Hate Measurements (I don’t)1 August 2019, 11:00 am
I don’t hate measurements but some people think I do because I am often critical of how people interpret them. These are two very different things. Measurements, when properly performed, can tell us about aspects [...]... - Review: Linear Tube Audio MZ330 July 2019, 12:00 pm
I just dropped the Linear Tube Audio (LTA) MZ3 at our local UPS store. It’s hot (112, says The Weather Channel), so I rushed back home to the shady, cool listening space that is my [...]...
- Reminder: Only Two Chances Left To Hear Rhitom Sarkar In Toronto19 September 2019, 7:05 pm
Last Chance and Not To Be Missed! As I posted at the end of August, Hindustani Slide Guitar master Rhitom Sarkar has been here on a return visit from Kolkata – performing a series of concerts in the Greater Toronto Area. My son and I saw him play in Waterford on Sept.7th, and my wife and I were at the performance on the 14th at Govinda’s in Toronto. Both performances were amazing, with Rhitom’s mohan veena accompanied by the talented and affable Toronto tabla player, Sonesh Cha... - Review: Finalé Audio F-7189 II Integrated Amplifier16 September 2019, 3:54 pm
Finalé Audio F-7189 II Integrated Amplifier: Watch out old Dynacos, there’s a new EL84 amp in town. Review by Steve Graham Did Finalé Audio just pick the model number for their revised EL84 amplifier out of the air? Not quite. If you know your tube history – yeah, I know, yawn – a 7189 tube is an obscure, uprated EL84, one that could be run harder and therefore output a bit more power. For background on the EL84 and the 7189, try this... - Indo Canadian Slide Project – Upcoming Tour Dates!28 August 2019, 2:24 pm
Great news from our friend Michael Oesch: Hindustani Slide Guitar master Rhitom Sarkar is returning to Canada for a series of exciting shows here in Southern Ontario next month (Sept)! Below are some details. I hope some of our readers can make it and/or let a local friend or two know about it. For those who missed it – here’s my review of the wonderful ICSP album: click to open. Sept.2019 Tour Schedule so far: September 6th – Indo Canadian Slide Project performs live at... - Last Call to Bid On Steve Graham’s Latest SUT/All-Tube Phono Stage For A Great Cause9 August 2019, 2:17 am
Edit: Bidding has now ended Steve’s “NFP” or Not-For-Profit Phono is a great opportunity to own a high end phono stage at a reasonable price – with all the proceeds going to charity. The catch is that Steve only built one, and when it’s gone….it’s gone. All the details can be found here: https://wallofsound.ca/audioreviews/analog/nfp-not-for-profit-tube-mm-mc-phono-stage-built-tested-reviewed-and-it-can-be-yours/ Thanks for your sup... - NFP (Not-For-Profit) Tube MM/MC Phono Stage – Built, Tested, Reviewed. And It Can Be Yours14 July 2019, 11:29 pm
Not-For-Profit MM/MC Phono Stage The DIY bug has bitten Steve Graham, again. And he gets in a bit deeper than he bargained for, again. Warning: This will get a bit wordy. Vinylphiles and/or tubephiles probably won’t mind. Digiphiles won’t likely be reading this, but they are most welcome to. Have you ever noticed the almost carnal look on the face of a tube-loving audiophile when he, it’s always a he, first claps eyes on an attractive tube...
- Rocky Mountain Audio Fest 2019: Parting Thoughts21 September 2019, 3:52 pm
One question that always seems to be raised around audio shows in the United States is “was this audio show a success?” It seems to me the correct answer to that question depends on both who the intended response is for, and how do they gauge success from their vantage point.... - Rocky Mountain Audio Fest 2019: Rupert Neve Designs and Wavelength Audio19 September 2019, 4:23 pm
Studio legend Rupert Neve stepped into the personal audio market with the RNHP Precision headphone amplifier not too long ago, and the success of that launch doesn’t appear to have swayed him away from that audience. ... - Amazon Music HD launches: Cue “Flight of The Valkyries”17 September 2019, 5:25 pm
It was only a matter of time until, arguably, the biggest service provider on the planet brought Thor’s hammer down on the competition.... - Crystal Castles S/T Review and the Nakamichi Dragon problem16 September 2019, 4:23 pm
Bands with “Crystal” in their name. That’s the LP section at Redcat Records where I stumbled across the self-titled album Crystal Castles, around which these musings are based.... - Rocky Mountain Audio Fest 2019: Schiit Audio and Sony14 September 2019, 3:38 pm
One of the biggest surprises from the weekend was not only the appearance of the international megacorp Sony, but also the product brought along in tow. Of equal interest was the most recent update to Schiit Audio's mid-tier Bifrost 2 DAC partnered with Salk Sound....
- qdc Anole VX Review22 September 2019, 12:42 pm
The qdc Anole VX is the company’s new TOTL 10-BA monitor and comes in a custom, (VX-C) and universal, (VX-S) format. Prices start from $2,299 for the universal and $2436 for the custom version. Disclaimer: The qdc Anole VX-C sent to us is a discounted unit in exchange for our honest opinion. We thank the […] The post qdc Anole VX Review appeared first on Headfonics.... - WAVAYA Octa – First Contact21 September 2019, 12:05 pm
The WAVAYA Octa is the company’s flagship porcelain custom monitor featuring a double electrostatic array and a triple BA driver hybrid configuration. It is priced from €1,590. Disclaimer: The WAVAYA Octa sent to us is a sample in exchange for our honest opinion. We thank the WAVAYA for this opportunity. To learn more about custom […] The post WAVAYA Octa – First Contact appeared first on Headfonics.... - Cayin YB04 – First Contact20 September 2019, 11:04 am
The Cayin YB04 is the company’s debut universal monitor featuring a quad balanced armature driver configuration and CNC Aluminum design. It is priced at $499. Disclaimer: The Cayin YB04 sent to us is a sample in exchange for our honest opinion. We thank Cayin for this opportunity. To learn more about Cayin products on Headfonics you […] The post Cayin YB04 – First Contact appeared first on Headfonics.... - Audeze LCD-i3 Review18 September 2019, 10:01 am
The Audeze LCD-i3 is the company’s latest in-ear open design planar magnetic monitor pulling from the design of their flagship LCD-i4 and the low-impedance of the iSINE range. It is priced at $899. Disclaimer: The Audeze LCD-i3 sent to us is a sample in exchange for our honest opinion. We thank the team at Audeze for […] The post Audeze LCD-i3 Review appeared first on Headfonics.... - FiiO M5 Review15 September 2019, 11:40 am
The FiiO M5 is the company’s latest miniature touchscreen digital media player designed to fit into both the lifestyle and audiophile category. It retails for $99.99 Disclaimer: The FiiO FH7 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 […] The post FiiO M5 Review appeared first on Headfonics....
- Bowers & Wilkins launch P-Series Wireless Headphones with PX7 Flagship20 September 2019, 6:20 pm
With an eye to keeping the technology wheel spinning in their favor, Bowers & Wilkins announced today that they are launching a new series of wireless headphones, that for North America include; the PX7 Flagship, the PX5 and the PI3 in-ear monitors.... - Amazon HD Music launches, But Questions Remain19 September 2019, 4:54 pm
Amazon launched Amazon Music HD this Tuesday, and it promises to be quite interesting. The service is available for Prime Subscribers for $12.99 USD and non Prime subscribers for $14.99 USD. ... - RMAF 2019: The Wrap-up16 September 2019, 3:29 pm
Rocky Mountain Audio Fest 2019 was an interesting journey. From a personal perspective, I had a great time, seeing friends, people like Jameson Mourafetis of F1 Audio, Eric Franklin Shook of Part-Time Audiophile and many others. ... - RMAF 2019: Part Four with Etymotic & Final Audio14 September 2019, 3:08 pm
One of the final booths I stopped at, almost by accident, was the Etymotic booth. I’ve never really heard much from them that particularly grabbed my attention, but one of my friends urged me to go there. I’m sure glad I did stop by, because I would have missed some exciting and excellent finds if I hadn’t. ... - RMAF 2019 Part Three: iFi Audio and Tom Christiansen12 September 2019, 3:47 pm
iFi has been busy cooking up several new lines of product this year. At RMAF this year they were showing a soon to be released set of products dubbed the ‘Zen’ line. The Zen series is set for an October release date and includes two products; the ZenBlue and ZenDAC....
- Sonus Faber Unveils Olympica Nova With Audio Research – RMAF 201920 September 2019, 7:08 pm
Call me silly, but I think it’s a bad idea to go to an audio show hungry. It’s day one The post Sonus Faber Unveils Olympica Nova With Audio Research – RMAF 2019 appeared first on AudioHead.... - Moon Audio’s New 225W Behemoth 860a v2 Amp – RMAF 201919 September 2019, 5:18 pm
While Moon Audio’s newest announcement might not be as large-and-in-charge as the flagship 888 announced at CES in 2017, the The post Moon Audio’s New 225W Behemoth 860a v2 Amp – RMAF 2019 appeared first on AudioHead.... - NOLA Unveils All-New Grand Reference Gold 2 – RMAF 201918 September 2019, 4:19 pm
This behemoth of a loudspeaker isn’t even the largest model in the Nola Speakers product line-up, and it surely isn’t The post NOLA Unveils All-New Grand Reference Gold 2 – RMAF 2019 appeared first on AudioHead.... - Zu Audio & The Submission 6 Launch – RMAF 201917 September 2019, 4:17 pm
The Zu Audio room is always done up as a dark, and mysterious playground that isolates visitors from all sorts The post Zu Audio & The Submission 6 Launch – RMAF 2019 appeared first on AudioHead.... - ZMF & The New Verite Closed-Back Headphones – RMAF 201916 September 2019, 4:51 pm
Running a wide open exhibit every day of the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest 2019 was ZMF Headphones. “Busy, busy, busy” The post ZMF & The New Verite Closed-Back Headphones – RMAF 2019 appeared first on AudioHead....
- The making of the Grammy Winning album “A Love Affair The Music of Ivan Lins” -Chapter 4 Final chapter19 September 2019, 1:00 am
So by now if you have followed this story you’ve been a part of an 8-year journey to get this The post The making of the Grammy Winning album “A Love Affair The Music of Ivan Lins” -Chapter 4 Final chapter appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - CanJam Global continues its impressive growth, adding Chicago and Shenzhen to its 2020 schedule!18 September 2019, 6:48 pm
As the headphone audio industry continues to grow, CanJam Global had an incredible2019 with each of its CanJam shows breaking their respective attendance records! We’re excited to announce The post CanJam Global continues its impressive growth, adding Chicago and Shenzhen to its 2020 schedule! appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - Power to the people – iFi Launches New PowerStation18 September 2019, 6:06 pm
iFi’s new PowerStation mains block uses Active Noise Cancellation to deliver a whole-system clean-power solution for high-performance audio/AV systems. Southport, The post Power to the people – iFi Launches New PowerStation appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - The Newly Updated Abyss AB-1266 Phi TC Headphones – One of the Very Best, Just Got Better!18 September 2019, 1:00 am
When I first heard the Abyss AB-1266 Phi headphones at CanJam at RMAF, I was floored with what I heard. The post The Newly Updated Abyss AB-1266 Phi TC Headphones – One of the Very Best, Just Got Better! appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - beyerdynamic Unveils Aesthetically Refined Amiron Wireless Copper17 September 2019, 5:59 pm
beyerdynamic Amiron wireless copper boasts incredible sound and high-quality copper details to create the ultimate headphone for music and design The post beyerdynamic Unveils Aesthetically Refined Amiron Wireless Copper appeared first on Headphone Guru....
- Living Sounds Audio LSA-10 Statement Loudspeaker Review21 September 2019, 5:00 pm
At the high-end audio shows, you have your usual suspects. They’re usually in the same rooms and they usually have a familiar sonic signature. This consistency settles in – year after year. Of course, there are plenty of standout rooms – but even then, true “audiophile gems” are a rarity. As it turns out, there […] The post Living Sounds Audio LSA-10 Statement Loudspeaker Review appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - PMC Launches the ci140 and ci140sub slimline Loudspeakers9 September 2019, 9:08 pm
PMC, the loudspeaker brand that makes the movies, launches the ci140 and ci140sub slimline loudspeakers Cedia, Denver, 9 September 2019. The first two models of PMC’s all new custom installation loudspeakers will be unveiled at the Cedia Expo, to bring its technology and Hollywood studio audio quality to the installation sector. The first two models, […] The post PMC Launches the ci140 and ci140sub slimline Loudspeakers appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - HyperX Orbit Cloud S – Audiophile X Gamer Headset5 September 2019, 2:00 pm
Stanley Wong is an audiophile and an avid gamer. He’s a guest reviewer on Audio Bacon for gaming-related audio gear. Straight to the Crunch Pros Cons Comfortable VersatileNext-Level Sound Precise Mic No BluetoothHeavy BuildSomewhat priceyNo Custom Sound Profiles Comfort 🥓 🥓 🥓 🥓 Audio 🥓 🥓 🥓 🥓 🥓 Quality 🥓 🥓 🥓 🥓 🥓 […] The post HyperX Orbit Cloud S – Audiophile X Gamer H... - GINGKO AUDIO INTRODUCES THE SEXTET™ MODULAR SPEAKER SYSTEM4 September 2019, 11:47 pm
Gingko Audio is proud to introduce the Sextet™ Modular Speaker System at the Capital Audiofest in Rockville, Maryland, on November 1-3, 2019. We will feature it in the Monroe room on the third floor. The Sextet is a collaborative effort that builds upon the Tubulous™ technology from Gingko Audio, the Swarm™ from AudioKinesis, and unique […] The post GINGKO AUDIO INTRODUCES THE SEXTET™ MODULAR SPEAKER SYSTEM appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - Interactive ABX Test – Can You Hear the Difference?31 August 2019, 6:05 am
With YouTube’s poll system, we’re now able to blind test the world! I won’t get into the details of this particular test just yet. Just give it a listen and see how well you did compare to everyone else. Regardless of how many you got out of five, please let us know what equipment you […] The post Interactive ABX Test – Can You Hear the Difference? appeared first on Audio Bacon....
- Stoner Acoustics UD130 amp/DAC – on a sonic roll20 September 2019, 12:44 am
REVIEW: Why stay rooted to the spot? The Stoner Acoustics UD130 makes a case for being mobile and flexible when listening to music.... - Primare Prisma I15 – a streaming amp smoothie17 September 2019, 1:49 am
REVIEW: It's getting more difficult to be an amplifier now, multi-tasking is essential. But the Primare Prisma I15 has it down pat.... - Magico’s MRACK is the support you need12 September 2019, 10:47 pm
NEWS: Steady there... you'll need to brace yourself when you hear what Magico's MRACK audio equipment racks weigh and cost...... - Bose’s Portable Home Speaker… get smart12 September 2019, 12:08 am
NEWS: Bose takes convenience to the next level with its new Portable Home Speaker, which is small, smart and savvy.... - Sony SA-Z1… nearfield speakers for your personal space10 September 2019, 2:27 am
NEWS: Sony's SA-Z1 is the high-end compact speaker for those who listen to their music up close and personal....
- Spin Care Vinyl Record Cleaning Machine & Vinyl Accessories Reviewed4 September 2019, 9:55 am
the performance of the Spin Care leaves nothing to be desired. It leaves records gleaming both visually and sonically. At just £39.95, it’s an extraordinarily cost-effective investment for those getting started, or for those looking to clean their collection on a budget. The post Spin Care Vinyl Record Cleaning Machine & Vinyl Accessories Reviewed appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Edifier H880 Headphones Review23 August 2019, 8:39 am
Another gem from Edifier. They’re more comfortable than the H850 and for sheer enjoyment are a better listen, though those looking for more accurate monitoring will want the H850. The post Edifier H880 Headphones Review appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Musical Fidelity M2scd CD player Review25 July 2019, 10:23 am
The Musical Fidelity M2sCD partners high-quality CD mechanics with one of the best CD servo systems on the market, adds a fine DAC and well-designed power supply and wraps the lot in a smart, solid enclosure. The post Musical Fidelity M2scd CD player Review appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Musical Fidelity M2si Integrated Amplifier Review25 July 2019, 10:14 am
The M2si is a fine demonstration of what a reformed brand can produce from the get-go. The post Musical Fidelity M2si Integrated Amplifier Review appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Will An Audio-Technica AT-LP60 / AT-LP60X Turntable Damage Your Records?1 July 2019, 11:00 am
The Audio-Technica AT-LP60 is without doubt one of the best-selling budget turntables to date, and the newly released AT-LP60X is sure to follow. But will either turntable cause undue damage to your records? The post Will An Audio-Technica AT-LP60 / AT-LP60X Turntable Damage Your Records? appeared first on Audio Appraisal....
- EAN Home Cinema Review!Audio Control’s Dynamic Duo!Maestro M9 Dolby Atmos/DTS-XSurround Processor/Preamp,Plus Savoy G3 200W x 7 Amplifier10 September 2019, 4:43 pm
... - Home Recording Studio Review!The Mojave Audio MA-50Transformerless Microphone:“Entry Level Condenser Is QuiteA Transparency Over Achiever!"14 June 2019, 9:28 pm
... - EAN Audiophile Review!The KLH Kendall Tower3-Way Loudspeaker“Making Mr. Kloss Proud"24 March 2019, 8:52 pm
... - Home Theater Review!Paradigm Defiance X12 Subwoofer“15-inch Driver PerformanceFrom A 12-inch Subwoofer”4 March 2019, 2:24 pm
... - Audiophile Review!McGary Audio SA 1Stereo Tube Amplifier"The Little Tube Amp That Can"14 December 2018, 11:52 pm
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- REVIEW: YAMAHA NS-5000 FLAGSHIP LOUDSPEAKERS13 September 2019, 12:51 am
Are Yamaha's Premium Flagship Loudspeakers a makeover of the original NS-1000, or is there more to the story? Perhaps they're the best speakers you'll never hear?... - REVIEW: ANTHEM MRX-720 7.2 CHANNEL ARC GENESIS AV RECEIVER4 September 2019, 5:27 am
We reviewed Anthem MRX-1120 two years ago, and while the AV Receiver range has not changed since, a series of free firmware upgrades have been released. So we jumped at the chance to review the smaller MRX-720 featuring ARC Genesis Room Correction.... - REVIEW: ONKYO TX-SR393 5.2 CHANNEL AV RECEIVER4 September 2019, 4:28 am
We take a closer look at Onyko's budget-friendly 5.2 Channel AV Receiver that packs grunt along with all the latest immersive sound formats.... - REVIEW: MR SPEAKERS AEON FLOW HEADPHONES3 September 2019, 4:45 am
From humble beginnings selling modified headphones on forums to 3D printing custom cups, Mr Speakers has gone on to become one of the world's most respected headphone companies. We take a closer look at the AEON Flow Headphones.... - REVIEW: NURA NURAPHONE HEADPHONES27 August 2019, 1:20 am
Most headphones deliver a sound signature that remains consistent to each listener that tries them out. But here's the thing - not all listeners are the same. Nuraphone attempts to solve that problem and we take a close look to see just how well....
- Shanling MTW100 TWS True Wireless Earbuds Review: Good Things Come In Small Packages!19 September 2019, 4:14 am
True wireless earbuds are hot right now. I guess it makes sense since all the smartphone manufacturers are getting rid of the headphone jacks. Thanks, Apple! One good thing about this popularity is companies are paying more attention to the sound quality in their TWS buds. They’re doing this by adding CD-Quality Bluetooth codecs like continue reading... - NAD, DALI, Bluesound Among The First To Embrace Amazon Music HD19 September 2019, 12:14 am
If you haven’t heard, Amazon has finally added a lossless music tier to their Amazon Music streaming service. It’s called Amazon Music HD, and manufacturers are already integrating it into their products. One of the first is Lenbrook, who announced today they have added support for the service to their BluOS wireless multi-room streaming platform. continue reading... - Album Of The Week: Chrissie Hynde & The Valve Bone Woe Ensemble-“Valve Bone Woe”18 September 2019, 11:13 pm
This week’s Album Of The Week is a Jazz Vocal album of sorts from Chrissie Hynde, best known as the lead singer of the legendary rock band The Pretenders. The album, entitled “Valve Bone Woe,” features covers of both rock and jazz classics interpreted by Hynde in Jazz Style. Her Rock N’ Roll chops allow continue reading... - HeadAmp Gilmore Lite Mk2 Class-A Headphone Amp Review: Silky Smooth Power!!15 September 2019, 10:35 pm
Many moons ago, when I first learned about dedicated headphone amplifiers, there was one company that every headphone enthusiast talked about. That company was HeadAmp, a venture dedicated to building and selling clean sounding amps for headphones. That was back in the early 2000s. Since then, they have expanded their operation to selling high-end headphones, continue reading... - Rocky Mountain Audio Fest Report Part 5: The Show In Pictures-Room Highlights!13 September 2019, 4:15 am
So this is the wrap-up of my Rocky Mountain Audio Fest 2019 coverage, and basically, I wanted to post some pics of the rooms I dug but haven’t posted yet. Zu Audio’s room was pretty cool with the Druid 6 and Omen Dirty Weekend paired with Pass Labs/Holo Audio gear, the newly launched Sonus Faber Olympica continue reading...
- Audioengine 512 Portable Bluetooth Speaker10 July 2019, 4:36 pm
Link to SpecificationsLet's face it, there are times when one's big audio system just doesn't work for the situation at hand. The small barbecue gathering on the deck/patio, the picnic in the park, laundry day, the list is endless. Enter the value of bluetooth speakers and their easy portability and instant sound. But, being honest, most small bluetooth speakers sound little better than the transistor radios of the 1970's.While Audioengine has been making bluetooth speakers for several... - Klipsch Forte III Speakers22 May 2019, 4:23 am
Link to Specifications My first experience with attempting to fill a large space with sound from home speakers, was my neighbor’s rec room built in the mid-seventies. The room was approximately 30 x 30 with 18ft ceiling. The first time I entered the space Elton John’s anthem “Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding” was on the turntable. But no matter how far we pushed the volume, the room swallowed the sound. If only the Klipsch Forte III’s had been in t... - Pathos Classic One mk. III18 April 2019, 3:15 am
SpecificationsThe Pathos Classic One mk. III was one of those pieces that I always thought it would be amazing to have. I first heard Pathos audio at a friend’s house and it was honestly the first time I thought I could live without separates! The Pathos piece I heard was the Logos, it sounded amazing but I’m not crazy about that whole giant stereo amp thing. It is a very cool looking piece, as almost all of the Pathos gear is. About a year after that encounter I w... - Peachtree Audio nova15018 April 2019, 3:15 am
SpecificationsTypically, I firmly believe in the mantra "If it works great, don't screw with it". When I first heard that Peachtree Audio went all version 2.0 on the audio community I took pause. Their nova125 and 220SE integrated amplifiers impressed me to no end with a top notch pairing of build quality and musical performance. Other than at the end of the 220SE review that I wrote for TONEAudio wistfully asking for a phonostage , I thought Peachtree had created a holy grail. After spending so... - Cherry Amplifier Maraschino Desktop Mono Amplifiers18 April 2019, 2:22 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 ...
- 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 […]...