- How Does the Music Make You Feel?18 June 2019, 5:43 pm
Stereophile's first change in editorial leadership in 33 years calls for a restatement of the magazine's core principles. Stereophile was founded in 1962 by J. Gordon Holt, on the premise that the best way to review an audio component is to listen to it. Following Holt as editor, John Atkinson turned that premise into a viable concern—a real magazine—and, in 1989, added a regular suite of measurements to Stereophile's otherwise subjective mix.Tue, 06/18/2019...
- Kuzma Stabi R turntable18 June 2019, 5:42 pm
I've been the proud owner of a Kuzma Stabi S turntable and Stogi S tonearm since 2001. The combination was an impulse purchase, made after seeing and hearing it in action at Stereophile's Home Entertainment Show at the New York Hilton. Even under unruly show conditions, the Kuzma player created rock-solid images and played music with serious jump factor. With its matte brass finish, tubular bell looks, and overtly industrial design, the Slovenian-made Stabi S/Stogi S was steampunk before steampu... - An Audio/Video Event in Silverdale, Washington17 June 2019, 3:25 pm
On 26 June at 6pm, Kitsap AV in Silverdale, WA, will be hosting an event at which representatives from several manufacturers—Greg Topp from KLH, Dave Kakenmaster from GoldenEar, Stan Beil from Audioquest, Matt Silberstein from Market Share, and Jordan Gerber from Bob Carver Corporation—will be showing off new products new products. Mon, 06/17/2019... - The July Issue is Here17 June 2019, 2:16 pm
The July issue—now in mailboxes and on newsstands—features the world's first review of Mark Levinson's fully loaded (and affordable by Levinson standards) No.5805 integrated amplifier, reviews of audio products from CH Precision (a big amplifier), Vanatoo (affordable active speakers), PrimaLuna (a new flagship preamplifier), and Kuzma (their Stabi R turntable).Mon, 06/17/2019... - Getting Real14 June 2019, 5:47 pm
If you: 1) live in an apartment, condo, townhouse, dorm, or share a house or apartment with someone; 2) are going to, have recently graduated from, or have never gone to college and are not working at all, are working a minimum-wage job, or have just gotten your first job but have loans, Visa/MasterCard/American Express bills, a brand-new car payment, and can't afford to eat anything but macaroni and cheese anyway. . .Tue, 11/01/1994...
- Nordost Purple Flare USB Cable18 June 2019, 7:01 pm
Nordost Corporation has been at the forefront of high-end cable innovation and technology since it was founded in 1991. Precision and scientific methodology are the cornerstones of Nordost’s approach to cable solutions for audiophile systems. They provide everything from audio/video cables to resonance and vibration control devices and power products (as well as new grounding devices). Its products are currently sold in more than 68 countries worldwide, and everything it produces is develo... - Joe Lovano: Trio Tapestry17 June 2019, 8:10 pm
On his ECM debut as a leader and his first studio album in six years, tenor saxophone titan Joe Lovano lays out a fertile 12-tone improvisational soundscape for him, pianist Marilyn Crispell, and drummer Carmen Castaldi to mystically create colorful sonic tapestries of melody, harmony, and rhythm. Known for his brawny command of the tenor in his three-and-a half-decade recording career that includes two dozen albums for the Blue Note label, Lovano displays an expressive beauty and sensitive lyri... - Esoteric E-02 Phonostage14 June 2019, 2:42 pm
MAGNIFYcation At the most recent RMAF I was using my handheld, foldable 3x-to-8.5x magnifier to align an Ortofon A95 cartridge on a manufacturer’s turntable. The little Carson Triview is inexpensive (I think I got it at Staples), and it works great to get a nice, clear picture of where that tiny stylus is in relation to the “bullseye” on the protractor. I’m easily dazzled by the benefits of these small things, and it got me thinking about the upper limits of magnification... - Accustic Arts Amp II Mk 3 Stereo Power Amplifier13 June 2019, 6:32 pm
Over a decade ago, as I was traveling through Germany, I picked up an audio magazine at a train station to try and kill some time. Leafing through the periodical, I happened upon a review that announced with not atypical Teutonic certainty that the “loudspeaker is the slave of the amplifier.” Somehow or other it’s a statement that has stuck in mind through the years. I’ve seen some highly touted solid-state amplifiers wilt under the strain of trying to drive inefficient l... - CCR Revisited12 June 2019, 3:40 pm
All the studio albums by Creedence Clearwater Revival have been reissued on The Studio Albums Collection, Craft Recording’s 7-LP box set spanning the group’s run on the Fantasy label from 1968–1972. Cut by Abbey Road Studio’s Miles Showell using high-resolution transfers from the original analog tapes, these half-speed masters capture in stunning sonic clarity every stinging guitar lick and raspy-throated yowl of the group’s firecracker front man, John Fogerty. The ...
- World Premiere Review! Merrill Audio Element 116 Versus Veritas Monoblock Amplifiers17 June 2019, 12:08 pm
Some of my favorite, albeit rare, audiophile experiences have been what some might refer to as "blind shootouts." Not just A/B sessions with similarly priced, similarly designed audio components, but true variety pack shootouts between significantly varied designs and price points. These experiences have been healthy cleansing reminders for me to avoid listening with my eyes (or my wallet), and keep my ears on the music. In the May issue of EnjoyTheMusic.com's Review Magazine, Roger Skoff offers... - AXPONA 2019 Show Report Part 7 By Rick Becker14 June 2019, 2:22 pm
After finishing the third floor on Sunday morning I retreated to my Tracker in the parking lot for my usual lunch consisting of fine road food washed down with sparkling Mt. Dew from a freshly opened bottle. With snow coming down at a steady pace, I was glad I arrived early enough to get a parking space closer to the door. Starting at the boardrooms by the main hotel entrance, I first encountered Wilson Audio speakers driven by the new large ARC (Audio Research Corporation) REF160M monoblocks ($... - Schiit Ragnarok 2 Stereo Amp, HeadAmp, Phono & DAC13 June 2019, 7:18 pm
Schiit's new Ragnarok 2 ($1499 standard, $1799 with both modules) is a pretty big deal for the company. According to them, "Ragnarok 2 is our future asteroid shuttle, where everyone zips around in space all the time and it's totally safe and no big deal." While we thoroughly enjoy their humor, Schiit's Ragnarok 2 is one serious piece of gear! Ragnarok 2 is a no-compromise design with an all-new integrated speaker and headphone amplifier, with modular architecture, remote control, and intelligent... - TBT Review: Gryphon Sonett MM / MC Phono Stage Preamplifier13 June 2019, 12:03 pm
Perhaps there are some audiophiles that may have only heard of the Danish high-end audio manufacturer Gryphon because they have seen their ads in Enjoy The Music.com. Although, there are probably many more audiophiles and music lovers who have heard of Gryphon Audio Designs because they have been around for more than thirty years and have earned a reputation for making some very nice high-end audio equipment. For those who might not be as familiar with Gryphon as some others, a bit of their hist... - KEF Celebrates Father's Day With Big Discounts13 June 2019, 11:30 am
Father's Day is just day's away and if you're writing about any last minute Father's Day promotion's, KEF is discounting the dad-approved Q150 bookshelf speaker in honor of the holiday. The Q150 speakers are a great way to get hi-fi sound at a mid-range price, and now they're available for just $299.99/pair, down from $549.99. Other Father's Day special include the Gravity One portable speaker, down from $379.99 to $199.99, and the Motion One in-ear bluetooth headphones, down from $249.99 to $14...
- MUSIC | REVIEW: MASAYUKI TAKAYANAGI, KAORU ABE - Kaitaiteki Kokan (Kaitai Teki Kokan), Compact Disc | JAPAN2 June 2019, 10:00 pm
s it seems, every music genre and each trend within it and, on the other hand, every national discography have their “rarities” – rare and special, often simply “cult” albums. ⌈ cult «liked very much by a particular group of people» ⌋ The word “cult” is a shortcut that points out to the timeless and exceptional status of what it refers to. When it comes to albums, it is most often related to rarities, such as the Kaitaite... - REVIEW: Haiku-Audio | „Haiku Custom Works” SENSEI 300B SE | Integrated amplifier | POLAND | RED Fingerprint2 June 2019, 10:00 pm
⌈ HAIKU-AUDIO is a Polish company with its headquarters based in Krakow, specializing in the production of audio amplifiers. Established in 2012, it took its name from the type of output amplifier by company called Talcomp. The name of the circuit refers to its simplicity and effectiveness, a harmonious combination of content and form. The owner of Haiku-Audio and its chief designer is WIKTOR KRZAK. The name of the company, the name of the particular model, but most of all the approach to ... - KRAKOW SONIC SOCIETY | Meeting #120: ADAM CZERWIŃSKI and AC RECORDS – tape, test pressing, LP | POLAND/Krakow2 June 2019, 10:00 pm
⌈ A lot has already been said ABOUT ANALOGUE TAPES – by us as well. However, it was the first time we had had the opportunity to compare an analogue “master” tape with the “lacquer” cut from it and then with the LP test pressing. It was all carried out in the presence of the albums’ producer, Adam Czerwiński, the owner of the AC RECORDS record label, in a unique room and with the use of a special system. ⌋ he most expensive music format (i... - REVIEW: DS Audio DS W2 | Cartridge/phonostage | JAPAN2 June 2019, 10:00 pm
⌈ DS AUDIO is a Japanese company specializing in optical systems. Using its experience, they proposed a phono cartridge in which instead of a coil and a magnet there is a diode and a photo cell. The light falling on the photo cells is modulated by a tiny element attached to the cantilever at the same place where the magnets (MM cartridges) or coils (MC cartridges) are usually placed. It is a completely ANALOG system, which aims to eliminate the main issues of classic phono cartridges. We g... - REVIEW: Hijiri SM2R „Sound Matter” | Power cable AC | JAPAN | RED Fingerprint2 June 2019, 10:00 pm
⌈ Mr. KAZUO KIUCHI, the owner of Combak Corporation, is a typical Japanese - he has a master belt in Kendo, he loves opera, he is also a fan of high-class sound. In addition to the production of electronics under the Reimyo brand, Harmonix and HIJIRI cabling and Bravo! loudspeakers, he is also a co-owner of the XRCD24 patent and releases CDs with this logo: jazz in the Master Music series (JVC) and classic in the Hi-Q Records label. A typical Japanese ... ⌋ t seems that with the ...
- Studio Electric Loudspeakers announces the release of their new F2 floor standing speaker.18 June 2019, 4:36 pm
Studio Electric Loudspeakers announces the release of their new F2 floor standing speaker. Building on the success of their well-regarded M4 monitor and larger FS1, the F2 is the company’s attempt to redefine what can be achieved in an under $10K floor standing speaker. According to veteran designer David MacPherson, “Our monitors have been praised as a “new reference” by reviewers and by owners.... Read More » The post S... - Campfire Audio Solaris IEMs17 June 2019, 6:15 pm
Born out of curiosity and experimentation, the Campfire Audio brand have come a long way since the initial release of the well-received Jupiter, Orion, and Lyra earphones. With a keen passion for all things audio, Ken Ball has spent hours of time perfecting releases from rigorous performance testing to tuning iterations. It is thus not... Read More » The post Campfire Audio Solaris IEMs appeared first on Positive Feedback.... - Yuko Mabuchi Trio (Live) Vol. 1 and 2 - Instant Classics!17 June 2019, 5:59 pm
Every once in while an artist comes along who rocks my musical apple cart, challenges my perceptions, and reignites my excitement about a given genre. Listening to the Yuko Mabuchi Trio (Live) Vol. 1 and 2 release had this effect on me. I love it when this happens, and I love sharing these newfound gems... Read More » The post Yuko Mabuchi Trio (Live) Vol. 1 and 2 - Instant Classics! appeared first on Positive Feedback.... - The New Apartment Lounge: Two Memorable Winter Road Trips15 June 2019, 6:19 pm
Back to the Midwest-SR In late January 2019, over the MLK holiday weekend no less, I ventured north by northwest from Florida to the wilds of exurban Indiana to pay my close audio bud, Greg Weaver, a long-overdue visit. I made a similar trek a year earlier to hear his then reference setup, namely Audionet's... Read More » The post The New Apartment Lounge: Two Memorable Winter Road Trips appeared first on Positive Feedback.... - Radio Free Chip June 2019 - Hal Blaine13 June 2019, 5:43 pm
"A dozen of his favorite drummers were me." Hal Blaine Listening and the Art of Drumming… I remember, over the course of an extended sit down with Jim Hall back in the day, for a JazzTimes cover story, how off-putting this master guitarist found what he characterized to be a track meet mentality he sometimes... Read More » The post Radio Free Chip June 2019 - Hal Blaine appeared first on Positive Feedback....
- Sugden A21SE Signature Edition12 June 2019, 6:52 am
Listening to Dexter Gordon’s classic, “GO” through the Sugden A21 (actually the A21SE Signature, but I don’t want to keep writing that) and my Quad 2812s is positively heavenly, with all the tone, texture, and dynamics I’d ever need. There is something incredibly cool about listening to an amplifier that sounds this emotionally involving that [...]... - The Artisan Fidelity Garrard 301 Statement12 June 2019, 4:31 am
The first time I drove an Aston Martin, it was an otherworldly experience. The sheer opulence of the car was equally matched by the performance, providing a feel in a sporting car like no other. Yes, a geeked out Subaru STi is just as fast, but the sheer beauty of the Aston is unmistakable. You’ll [...]... - The JBL L-100 Classic6 June 2019, 5:56 pm
In 1982 I wanted three things: A Nikon F2 with motor drive, a BMW 320i and a pair of JBL L-100s. I got two out of three. I needed the Nikon to earn a living, and a new 3-series was about 13k, well equipped. But I did get a pair of L-100s and they rocked. [...]... - The Whammerdyne DGA Amplifier22 May 2019, 2:47 pm
Stopping by Pat Hickman’s place to drop off a pair of vintage McIntosh amplifiers for his special level of detail and restoration is always a treat. There’s always something super fun on his test bench, either about to be restored, or just finished, ready to go to a customer. Today, he was going to put [...]... - Pass Labs INT-60 Amplifier20 May 2019, 5:31 pm
There used to be a restaurant nearby that offered small portions fantastic deserts. You could have a large shot glass full of whatever deserts were on the main menu for a couple of bucks. It wasn’t about saving on the bill; there are times you really crave desert but don’t need a giant helping of [...]...
- Q Acoustics 3020i Loudspeakers15 June 2019, 4:00 am
Note: Measurements taken in the anechoic chamber at Canada's National Research Council can be found through this link. A year ago in Munich, when I visited the exhibit room of UK speaker maker Q Acoustics at High End 2018, I knew little about them. However, former SoundStage! Simplifi writer Al Griffin was familiar with their reputation for making high-value, budget-friendly speakers, and wanted to see what they had to offer. They were displaying their Concept 500 floorstander ($5999.99 US... - Focal Kanta No1 Loudspeakers1 June 2019, 4:00 am
Note: Measurements taken in the anechoic chamber at Canada's National Research Council can be found through this link. Through no fault of the speaker or its manufacturer -- last year, shortly after Focal announced the launch of the Kanta No1, they sent me samples -- I wasn’t able to review it as soon as I’d hoped to. Other things got in the way. Better later than never, you might say, but really, it’s too bad -- when at last I got to seriously listen to the Kanta No1s, I wish... - The Best of High End 20191 June 2019, 4:00 am
High End 2019, held May 9-12 at the Munich Order Center (MOC), in Germany, was busier for me than previous High Ends. The show has grown -- a few days after it closed, the event’s organizer, the High End Society, released statistics that indicated that HE2019 had topped their previous biggest show, HE2018, with 551 exhibitors (up 3.8%), 8208 trade visitors (up 8.6%), and a grand total of 21,180 attendees (up 6.5%). The sheer size of High End has always made exhaustive coverage of it a chal... - Two Hi-Fi Accessories Actually Worth Buying1 June 2019, 4:00 am
As far as I can tell, unless it’s something so grand or outrageous that missing it would be a faux pas too far, accessories usually get short shrift in show reports. Given the space allocations, especially in print coverage, a new speaker, amp, or turntable will always trump a new gadget. I do exclude from my contempt for add-ons such items as quality record-cleaning machines, stylus pressure gauges, tube testers, and other items with a valid purpose. But hi-fi accessories in the main tend... - Recommended Reference Component: GoldenEar Technology Triton Reference Loudspeakers1 June 2019, 4:00 am
In Doug Schneider’s May 2019 review of the GoldenEar Technology Triton One.R loudspeaker ($5999.98/pair, all prices USD), he repeatedly referred to its bigger, more expensive sibling, the Triton Reference ($8499.98/pair at time of review, now $8999.98/pair), which he’d reviewed in November 2017. GoldenEar’s flagship Reference model is the source of most of their latest technology that has trickled down into the One.R. ...
- Pro-Ject X2 turntable launched18 June 2019, 6:48 pm
Pro-Ject X2: The Heavyweight, Uncompromised High-End In 1991 Pro-Ject Audio Systems started a revolution in the HiFi industry with the introduction of the Pro-Ject 1 turntable; a new high-end, low-budget turntable released at a time when CD was king. Against all odds, we were creating interest in analogue audio at a time when others [...] The post Pro-Ject X2 turntable launched appeared first on Dagogo.... - PS Audio Trade-In Program18 June 2019, 5:34 pm
Colorado-based PS Audio has launched an unprecedented equipment trade-in program, in which a customer’s equipment of another make in good working and cosmetic condition may receive its original retail value towards a new PS Audio product, or two. On the company website is a page where customers can enter equipment detail such as Make, Model, [...] The post PS Audio Trade-In Program appeared first on Dagogo.... - Visiting Margules Audio17 June 2019, 5:31 pm
Margules Audio While vacationing in Mexico City with my wife Martha, I had the opportunity to visit Margules Audio, one of the premier manufacturers of fine audio equipment. This is a family owned business run by a tight knit family.Julian Margules is the president and chief audio designer while his wife Laura is the business [...] The post Visiting Margules Audio appeared first on Dagogo.... - Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab releases Bill Evans Trio “Portrait In Jazz” numbered 45rpm UD1S Ultradisc13 June 2019, 5:27 am
Elusive Disc, an online high-end audio hardware and software retailer, has announced a limited re-release of one of the most seminal jazz recordings of all time: Bill Evans Trio “Portrait In Jazz.” Lauded as the breakthrough studio recording for the artist Bill Evans himself, PIJ came to be after his last collaborations with Miles Davis [...] The post Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab releases Bill Evans Trio “Portrait In Jazz” numbered 45rpm UD1S Ultradisc appeared first on Dago... - James P. Johnson: Forgotten Musical Genius12 June 2019, 10:27 pm
In this award-winning production, the life, music and career of early Jazz piano player James P. Johnson are explored with musical examples and audio clips from the radio series, Jazz Rhythm. Actor Peter Coyote reads from Johnson’s recollections and Mark Borowsky expertly traces his career, sharing insights gleaned from a lifetime studying this overlooked American [...] The post James P. Johnson: Forgotten Musical Genius appeared first on Dagogo....
- Videos: Coffee Talk With PS Audio's Scott McGowan, AXPONA 2019, A Lyft Driver & HiFi17 June 2019, 5:53 pm
Audiophile Style's Danny Kaey has a very busy day job with Apple and he actually has a life, unlike some of us who eat, sleep, and breathe HiFi. In other words, please excuse the late but much appreciated and unique video reports from Danny. Enjoy. ... - Neumann NDH20 Headphone Review12 June 2019, 3:18 pm
My previous headphone reviews here at Audiophile Style looked at two upper-tier consumer closed-back cans, the Sennheiser HD820 (U.S. MSRP of $2,399) and the Focal Elegia (U.S. MSRP of $900). A common theme in those reviews was the difficulty of crafting closed headphones that approach their open counterparts’ technicalities, with the Elegia doing so more successfully than the HD820. This review will take a look at a new, more affordable entrant into the audiophile closed back market: ... - Radiohead Gets Hacked, Sells 18 Hour Archive For £1811 June 2019, 4:43 pm
In news only tangentially interesting to most people and very interesting to Radiohead fans, the band's singer Thom Yorke had his archive of MiniDiscs stolen. The criminal(s) demanded £150,000 for the return of the archive or said it would be released to the public. In true Radiohead fashion, the band released the entire archive via Bandcamp for £18. It's only available for the next 18 days, so get it directly from the band while you can. https://rad... - Volumio Collaboration With Audiophile Style & Superphonica10 June 2019, 2:07 pm
Happy Monday everyone! I recently spent time with the team from Volumio at the Munich High End show. I must say I was very impressed with how these guys think. Sure, they are technically very smart innovators with respect to digital audio. However, what we talked about most was how to collaborate and bring more value to our customers / members of our communities. I told the guys that anything that is published on Audiophile Style must have a benefit for the reader and th... - The Best of Munich Wasn't At The 2019 High End Show7 June 2019, 4:39 pm
I awoke Saturday morning, after ten hours of the show on Thursday and eight hours on Friday, and was offered an interesting opportunity. A great friend asked me to join him in visiting a high end dealer named Wolfgang Linhard. Wolfgang's store named My Sound is about a thirty minute Uber ride away from the High End show in a town called Starnberg. This is certainly off the beaten path compared to my usual Hotel > MOC > Dinner (repeat) pattern for the fou...
- "Aretha's Gold" Is Limited to 4000 Copies and Should Already Be Souled Out!18 June 2019, 10:46 pm
Mobile Fidelity's double 45rpm reissue of IAretha's Gold (originally issued in 1969 as Atlantic SD 8227) gets off to not such a great sonic start because though "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)" and "Do Right Woman-Do Right Man" are musical classics that belong at the head of the hits lineup, the Rick Hall engineered recordings at his Fame Record Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama pale in comparison to everything else in this molten set recorded at Atlantic Studios in New York City.Prima... - Ortofon MC Quintet Black S Follow-Up18 June 2019, 3:06 am
Though my initial February review of Ortofon’s $999 MC Quintet Black S cartridge was quite favorable, one part of my system wasn’t best optimized for the cartridge: the Rega RB330 tonearm’s lack of adjustability meant that my VTA was off by two degrees (90 degrees instead of the preferred 92-93). To combat this issue, AnalogPlanet editor Michael Fremer and I installed Acoustic Signature shims underneath the back of the Rega tonearm. However, with sufficient shims installed to ... - This Story Ran in The New York Daily News January 7th 19928 June 2019, 10:07 pm
The reporter called me "Mitchell" Fremer, and you might not recognize me in the photo taken 27 years ago, but the words will be familiar. I laid it all out in 1992 and I was correct! I had completely forgotten about this story and didn't even have a copy. I found it among my wife's aunt's papers.... - Vinyl Me, Please Reissues Buddy Guy's "Left My Blues In San Francisco"5 June 2019, 10:48 pm
Buddy Guy’s 1967 Chess release—his first— has nothing to do with San Francisco, nor was it recorded July of 1967 though the jacket says it was. No big deal. Someone (probably Leonard Chess) chose to reference San Francisco because “flower power” was happening and it seemed like a good way to grab the white kids’ interest. The recording date was chosen close to the original release date so it would sound current but in fact, this is a compilation that include... - EISA (Expert Imaging and Sound Association) 2019 Highlights5 June 2019, 9:53 pm
Founded in 1982 by the editors-in-chiefs from five European photography magazines to select the "camera of the year", EISA has grown to international stature and now includes groups covering Hi-fi, home theater, mobile phones, in-car electronics and other categories...
- FiiO’s new earbud looks and sounds more expensive than it is - CNET16 June 2019, 7:34 pm
FiiO’s hardly a newcomer to headphones, but their FH5 is miles ahead of what came before.... - Triangle’s pint-size speakers are high-end masters - CNET15 June 2019, 1:47 pm
The Audiophiliac’s ears-on review of the Triangle Esprit Titus EZ speakers.... - Wharfedale Linton Heritage: Old-school looks, new-school sound - CNET8 June 2019, 1:57 pm
Wharfedale updates its '70s Linton stand mount speaker with modern drivers and oodles of slam.... - Bob Dylan’s 1975 tour mega box set will delight fans - CNET8 June 2019, 1:47 pm
Fans can experience Bob Dylan’s legendary Rolling Thunder Revue tour with a 14-CD set and a Martin Scorsese-directed Netflix documentary.... - Curvaceous Revel speakers will delight discerning audiophiles - CNET1 June 2019, 1:57 pm
The Revel Concerta2 M16 stand mount speakers roll out a huge soundstage....
- The Audiophile Socialites | T.H.E. SHOW 201918 June 2019, 7:00 pm
Part-Time Audiophile LOS ANGELES (PTA) — Everything I love about audio shows seldom has to do with audio. As for T.H.E. SHOW 2019 in Long Beach, it has proven itself to be one of the most fun and quality shows America’s west coast. T.H.E. SHOW 2019 pulled in a large crowd of industry partners and hobbyists from around the globe. From sunrise to sunset, and those dark hours in between, this festival of sound is equal parts “High-End Audio Show” as it is “a Drinking C... - Ayon Audio, Lumen White Loudspeakers, BBS Audio Rack Systems, USA Tube Audio | T.H.E. SHOW 201918 June 2019, 4:00 pm
Part-Time Audiophile LOS ANGELES (PTA) — New products are on top of the list in the Ayon Audio room at THE SHOW 2019. Starting with a source, the new Ayon CD-35 SACD/DAC Preamplifier Steamer with DSD, along with the new Ayon Auris Preamplifier, handing off to a new pair of Ayon Epsilon (Gen 4) and Orthos XS (Gen 3) monoblock amplifiers. An expertly finished pair of Lumen White Kyara tower loudspeakers, as shown in French Nut veneer round out the USA Tube Audio assembled system. The St... - Computer Audio Design (CAD), Aesthetix, Boenicke Audio | T.H.E. SHOW 201918 June 2019, 1:00 pm
Part-Time Audiophile LOS ANGELES (PTA) — Computer Audio Design (CAD) exhibits at their second ever US audio show, partnering with Aesthetix and Boenicke Audio. It was Scott Berry (CAD) and Jim White (Aesthetix) who gave us a tour of the system and internal display pieces. The Story Two companies, debuting electronics. Well, not exactly, or not exactly in the same way. The new Aesthetix MIMAS Integrated Amplifier is truly a new USA made product debut, whereas Computer Audio Design (CAD) is ... - Alaia Audio’s World Debut, and LKV Research | T.H.E. SHOW 201918 June 2019, 10:00 am
Part-Time Audiophile LOS ANGELES (PTA) — Alaia (“ah-lye-a”) is the Hawaiian word given the wooden surfboards originally used by the Hawaiians in the 19th century. Alaia Audio in partnership with LKV Research electronics, made their world debut for both Alaia Audio (the company) and Alaia’s debut ‘Ekahi loudspeaker. The Story I couldn’t be more proud to introduce you to Alaia Audio. If you follow our live-show-reporting, you may remember reading about Alaia Aud... - CanJam SoCal PREVIEW | CANJAM 201917 June 2019, 8:47 pm
Part-Time Audiophile LOS ANGELES (PTA) — While the rest of the Part-Time Audiophile team are packing their bags for summer vacations, it will be our own Brian Hunter (of AudioHead), and myself (Eric Franklin Shook™) attending the CanJam SoCal 2019 located specifically in sunny Irvine, California. This will be the first year for CanJam SoCal to exhibit in the newly remodeled Irvine Marriott location. The show for 2019 is bigger and better this year with 1...
- A short film about the Volumio Primo18 June 2019, 5:27 pm
Holes — dug by little moles. Logitech and AURALiC. The former’s Squeezebox Touch – a frugalphile favourite – was discontinued in 2012. The latter’s Aries Mini – another goto entry-level streamer – quietly slipped away in 2018. Those are big holes to fill. Stepping forward is Volumio, coders of the […] More-------------------------------------------------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permis... - OnSight: an afternoon at Berlin’s SENIC16 June 2019, 1:40 pm
The move from CDs to rips, downloads and cloud streaming have robbed us of the button pushes once used to open and close a CD player drawer, play the CD, pause it, skip tracks and, in many cases, the immense satisfaction of using a rotary to adjust the volume. Many […] More-------------------------------------------------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For private use only. Copyright 2010-2018 · Darko.Audio &midd... - Schiit introduce Ragnarok the Second13 June 2019, 2:18 pm
Let’s cut the Schiit: is the Californian company’s second-generation Ragnarok a 60wpc Class A/B integrated amplifier with a dedicated headphone amplifier? Or is it a powerful 24 Watt balanced – or 6 Watt single-ended – headphone amplifier armed with loudspeaker outputs? It’s both but, according to Schiit, Ragnarok 2 is […] More-------------------------------------------------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed with... - Amazon Echo Link review follow-up13 June 2019, 10:19 am
We’ve already seen how Amazon’s Echo Link (US$199/€199) can add Alexa-powered streaming to a hi-fi system, albeit with mixed results: the unit’s internal DAC implementation is an also-ran and its 3.5mm headphone output has music sounding distant and foggy. An external DAC is all but mandatory for discerning listeners moving […] More-------------------------------------------------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed withou... - A short film about the Amazon Echo Link11 June 2019, 8:59 am
Formally introduced last year, the Echo Link from Amazon gives us Alexa-powered music streaming for US$199/€199. An Ethernet socket hardwires the Echo Link into a home network; the Amazon Alexa app facilitates a wireless connection. Round back, a pair of digital inputs – coaxial and TOSLINK – and analogue outputs […] More-------------------------------------------------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. Fo...
- Usher Audio S-520 Loudspeaker18 June 2019, 4:32 pm
Recently, I was in the market for a pair of new mini-monitor loudspeakers. A power amplifier malfunction damaged my last pair—both woofers of my KEF Cresta 1 mini speakers. The speakers were used primarily for my office system, powered by a vintage Harman Kardon 990Vxi receiver. I came across a loudspeaker, the Usher S-520 mini-monitor. I’d heard of the Usher brand and listened to one of their top floor-standing loudspeakers at a show but was no too familiar. I was not aware of... - Vinnie Rossi L2 Signature Preamplifier (Part 2—The L2 Phonostage Module)14 June 2019, 12:09 pm
It would be instructive before reading my thoughts about the L2 phono stage module to read the full line stage review of the Vinnie Rossi L2 Signature Preamplifier. Skinny audio seems to be all the rage these days. Fewer boxes, smaller boxes, fewer cables and a much lighter lifestyle footprint. While this trend can look the part and put a few more dollars in your pocket, the sound trade offs can be quite powerful. It’s why flying cars never took off, pardon the pun. Jacks of all tra... - Vinnie Rossi L2 Signature Preamplifier (Part 1—The Line Stage)7 June 2019, 12:49 pm
Oh my, what do we have here? A full featured preamplifier from Holden, Massachusetts’ Vinnie Rossi, replete with live easy modules for digital and vinyl. And it’s not only a standard tube preamp, but one of the few starring the grail of sonic tubes, the 300B. Gold plated and a matched pair, no less. As a good friend in the industry continues to say to me, ’there’s always room for a full featured preamp’. Full featured, yes, but the L2 Signature is far more th... - Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless30 May 2019, 5:11 pm
I’d like to thank Hummingbird Media and Katie Kailus in particular for getting me a set of PXC 550s so quickly. This enabled me to do a shootout of sorts with Master & Dynamic’s new MW65 wireless set and to use the Sennheisers in the ultimate torture test, flying on Air Canada’s Q400 from Victoria to Vancouver sitting between two howling Pratt and Whitney turboprops. They’d give a headache a headache. The short puddle jump was the opening flight before the much ... - My new Reference—The Bergmann Audio Magne Turntable23 May 2019, 4:24 pm
2019 has been a banner year for both Audiophilia and the improvement of my reference system. Audiophilia has added two fine writers and experienced significant growth in worldwide readership and advertising sponsors. I feel we have accomplished this through timely updates and excellence and honesty in audio reportage. There are no shortcuts at the magazine. And through the generosity and kindness of some audio legacy stakeholders we have known and highly respected for a long time, a couple...
- Spatial Audio M3 Triode Master + interview with designer Clayton Shaw15 March 2019, 4:01 am
Oliver Masciarotte spends time with the Spatial Audio M3 Triode Master open baffle speaker, and quizzes designer Clayton Shaw about his design choices. Oliver concludes: "The M3 Triode Master is a outstanding example of OB design; exacting imaging combined with broad uncolored off-axis coverage and an airy, expansive soundstage. It... lends itself nicely to rooms large and small."... - RME ADI-2 Pro : Modes and Audio Routing6 January 2019, 11:58 am
John Reekie takes a deep dive into the "modes" of the RME ADI-2 Pro. "The modes can be considered as a sort of shorthand that gets you close to a solution, which you can then tailor by adjusting parameters away from the default or automatic selections." He provides diagrams that illustrate the signal routing through the ADI-2 Pro in each mode, and also discusses clocking.... - Syncing a music library to a Droidisk (or PiDisk)14 December 2018, 6:26 pm
John Reekie goes all GUI to sync up his droidisk server with music files on a Mac or PC. Well, apart from installation on the ODroid or Raspberry Pi. Compared to his previous rsync-based method, this is "a better solution that is cross-platform, easier to set up, and more flexible."... - Audioengine A5+ Wireless Speakers9 December 2018, 3:24 pm
Patrick Dillon enjoys a change of pace with the Audioengine A5+ wireless speakers, trying them out both with bluetooth and wired via computer and external DAC. His conclusion? "I could envisage a pair of these serving as an almost one-stop audiophile rig, paired with whatever digital device you have. Throw in some stands and you could be rockin’ the joint and having personal late night sounds for comparative chump change in the audiophile universe."... - RME ADI-2 Pro : a Technical Overview29 July 2018, 4:00 pm
"I recently found myself intrigued by an interface from the pro-sound world, the RME ADI-2 Pro," writes John Reekie. This line-level convertor and audio interface is billed as RME's "reference" A/D and D/A convertor, but also has a solid complement of onboard processing, two powerful headphone amps, and technical performance good enough for use as a measurement front end....
- 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....
- 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... - Monitor Audio Platinum PL100 II Loudspeaker27 January 2019, 9:13 pm
The Monitor Audio PL100 II is the smallest member of Monitor Audio’s top-level Platinum series. The PL100 was introduced in 2008 and the upgraded PL100 II model hit showrooms worldwide in 2016. The II version includes a single 6.5" RDT II mid-bass driver and MPD tweeter. “RDT II” is Monitor Audio’s second-generation midrange-woofer sporting a smooth concave cone. The ported Platinum PL100 II have beautiful, furniture-grade cabinets and have a list price of $5,795.00 per p... - Xavian Perla Esclusiva Loudspeakers11 November 2018, 10:00 pm
Xavian, a loudspeaker manufacturer in Prague, Czech Republic, contacted 10 Audio in June of this year inquiring about a review of their very new Perla Esclusiva two-way speaker. The Perla, the smallest model in the Natura product line, had recently been upgraded to the new Perla Esclusiva version. So here we are today, taking the first look – and listen – to a speaker from a company that should be on everyone’s radar. The name of the company comes from the Greek mythology. &ldq...
- HiFiMAN Shangri-La Junior electrostatic headphone and valve-driven amplifier18 June 2019, 11:05 am
Many audiophiles and music lovers dream of owning the best audio components, but don’t want to shell out as much as a luxury automobile to get them. While no-holds-barred systems advance the state of the art, they are out of the reach of most audiophiles and music enthusiasts. What I like to find are components that approach the state-of-the-art, but are much more affordable, like HiFiMAN’s amazing Shangri-La Junior electrostatic headphone system ($8,000 US, £7,998 UK). Electro... - Russell K Red 120 floorstanding loudspeaker18 June 2019, 11:00 am
Russell Kauffman has been in this industry for as long as I can remember; he has worked for Bowers & Wilkins, Morel, and was a regular on Paul Messenger’s legendary blind listening tests in the 1990s. But his role has generally been in sales and marketing, so it was with some surprise that I discovered the Russell K brand back in 2014. It seems that while in those meetings with engineers Russell was quietly absorbing a lot of what it takes to build a loudspeaker. He mentions Epos found... - Arcam SA20 integrated amplifier18 June 2019, 10:50 am
Arcam has been through a turbulent few years. In 2012 it became a subsidiary of Canadian conglomerate JAM Industries whose main fields are pro audio, music, and lighting. Five years later Arcam was bought by Harman to join brands including Revel, Mark Levinson, and JBL. So in under a decade, what was once little old A&R Cambridge has become part of a global empire that’s ultimately owned by Samsung. So, it’s no wonder that this integrated amplifier looks and operates rather diffe... - Stack Audio launches a new audiophile USB music streamer14 June 2019, 8:10 am
The Stack Audio LINK is a new audiophile USB music player that adds streaming capability to existing 2 channel hi-fi systems. Stack Audio may be a new name to many. It is a British hi-fi company that is focused on source components of both analogue and digital varieties. Stack Audio has been researching and developing its streamer platform for five years and passionately believes that a pure source signal is paramount for enjoyable music reproduction, whether analogue or digital. This philosophy... - Lateral Audio Stands to launch LAS-4 Concert Anniversary edition at The North West Audio Show14 June 2019, 8:03 am
Lateral Audio Stands launches the LAS-4 Concert Anniversary edition at The North West Audio show 29th - 30th June, Cranage Hall, Holmes Chapel. The Anniversary has a black satin finish along with a high performance 4.1 isolation kit, and will be produced in a limited production run. Alongside the Anniversary will be a full range display of the established product range. Further rooms at The North West Audio show will have the range of stands on demonstration’. View their website to find ou...
- Question: “Michael, What have you been listening to?”18 June 2019, 12:50 pm
Answer: above (and below). In Barn: Vinnie Rossi L2 Signature Preamplifier & L2 Signature Monoblocks now equipped with the Elrog ER300B (B is for Beasts).... - HiFi Bargains: The Tannoy Reveal 402 Active Monitors15 June 2019, 12:00 pm
Are you ever on the lookout for a hifi bargain? A real deal? A steal? From time to time just such beasts exist out there in the wild. You just have get a little adventurous [...]... - Random HiFi Thoughts13 June 2019, 5:39 pm
A hifi is a system where performance is the result of the combination of the things in that system. Not to mention the room it lives in. Which means if you read about *anything* and [...]... - Review: Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Powered Speakers12 June 2019, 12:00 pm
Most people want the same thing from a small speaker—big sound. Amar Bose went to some lengths in his Wave Radios to deliver on this promise but you can only twist the truth so far. [...]... - Top Ten Radical HiFi Ideas10 June 2019, 12:00 pm
Just like the title says. I give you… Michael Lavorgna’s Top Ten Radical HiFi Ideas 10. Reading hifi reviews is like using the Waze app except reviews should also be entertaining. 9. A review doesn’t [...]...
- Review: Tortuga Audio’s LDR3.V25 Passive Preamp And TPB.V1 Tube Preamp Buffer7 June 2019, 10:51 pm
Review by Noam Bronstein Transparency – if there ever was an overused word in home hi-fi circles, this one might take top prize. But I’ve noticed a decline in its usage over the years, too. As electronics (and speakers) have improved over time, transparency has become a basic expectation: the days of euphonic and unresolving components is largely a thing of the past. In high-end circles, harmonic distortions today tend to be more a facet of room interactions, poor recordings, and oth... - Two Upcoming Tube Fest Articles4 May 2019, 7:31 pm
Two Upcoming Tube Fests by Steve Graham Tube Fest No. 1 A friend and I decided to sell off the majority of our collections of vintage and classic European tubes. Part of the process was educating our customers about the intertwined and labyrinthian nature of tube production in this golden age of tube making. It occurred to me that a primer on a pair of the most popular small-signal tubes would be of use. A soon to be posted article will be an introduction to the minutia of the ... - C.L.E.A.R. 834L: The Rejuvenation of an Esoteric Audio Research classic (Part 2)14 April 2019, 3:15 am
C.L.E.A.R. 834L: The Rejuvenation of an Esoteric Audio Research classic Part 2, by Steve Graham Modifying or rebuilding anything, be it a piece of classic stereo equipment or, perhaps, a classic car, will involve many value judgements and personal decisions. Some subtle, some not. No two audiophiles, or classic car buffs, departing from the same point, will finish in the same place. Be that as it may, this is my take on a cost-effective rejuvenation. I think I might have s... - Well-Rounded Sound’s MM2, MM6 Speakers, and MX BL Amp/DAC: An Education in Budget High Fidelity12 April 2019, 2:08 am
Review by Jon Eben Field I have to admit that I’m a sucker for low budget gear. Or perhaps I should add a caveat here and say, “I’m a sucker for low budget gear that sounds good.” Being an audiophile often entails spending a lot of time, energy, and, to be frank, money on high end electronics and speakers in pursuit of the ever elusive perfect sound. I should know. I have long since given up on the mental arithmetic required to evaluate the “value of my current syst... - CHE Files: CLEAR/EAR 834L (Or Is It An 834P..?)24 March 2019, 4:36 pm
The C/H/E Files (Classic/Heritage/Exotic): The C.L.E.A.R. 834L: Rescuing an Audio Classic Steve Graham rejuvenates a neglected EAR preamp. Part 1 of a 2-part series. Those familiar with the EAR-Yoshino marque will wonder if the C.L.E.A.R. 834L pictured above is a real EAR component. The answer is yes, basically. But first: Most audiophiles have heard of Esoteric Audio Research (EAR), the British hifi and recording equipment manufacturer. Like so many equipment manufacturers in the sp...
- T.H.E. Show 2019: Esoteric and Von Schweikert18 June 2019, 8:20 pm
Sometimes you walk into a room and you just know you’re going to be impressed by the sound of the high-fidelity equipment curated for listening.... - T.H.E. Show 2019: Wilson Audio, Dan D’Agostino, Aqua and Innuos17 June 2019, 8:17 pm
This is a hobby where what one hears when it comes to music reproduction is absolutely relative to one’s own tastes not in only in music, but how that music is played back – what it is a particular system is able to pass along from a recording and whether that system is doing it in a manner which is acceptable to us, thrills us or turns us off completely.... - T.H.E. Show 2019: Ayon Audio, Lumenwhite and the (valve) Glass Menagerie15 June 2019, 7:02 pm
“Strange things are afoot at the Cirlce-K.” – Ted, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure. A relatable quote if you’ve ever been to a hi-fi trade show and tried to make sense of hundreds of rooms full of stereo equipment.... - T.H.E. Show 2019: Brooks Berdan Gets Churchlike with Aurender, Burmester, Chord and Magico14 June 2019, 7:04 pm
Azalea is one of my favorite slow jazz/swing numbers ever – Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington flow like honey on a hot summer day if you’re listening to it on the right system.... - T.H.E. Show 2019: MBL is Fatigue-Free10 June 2019, 9:12 pm
Fatigue is something you have to be mindful of at a show, like, well, T.H.E. Show. There’s a lot of listening rooms on multiple floors and as a reviewer you’re constantly hustling, so you need to be mindful to pace yourself, otherwise you’ll suffer the consequences of fatigue....
- Sony IER-Z1R Review16 June 2019, 11:20 am
Disclaimer: The Sony IER-Z1R sent to us is a loan sample in exchange for our honest opinion and will be returned after this review to Sony Philippines. We thank the team at Sony Philippines for giving us this opportunity. To read more about Sony products we reviewed on Headfonics click here. 2018 was a busy […] The post Sony IER-Z1R Review appeared first on Headfonics.... - Campfire Audio Polaris 2 – First Contact15 June 2019, 11:08 am
Disclaimer: The Campfire Audio Polaris 2 sent to us is a sample in exchange for our honest opinion. We thank the team at Campfire Audio for giving us this opportunity. To read more about Campfire Audio products we reviewed on Headfonics click here. This is the second part of our Campfire Audio First Contact series and this […] The post Campfire Audio Polaris 2 – First Contact appeared first on Headfonics.... - Campfire Audio IO – First Contact14 June 2019, 10:42 am
Disclaimer: The Campfire Audio IO sent to us is a sample in exchange for our honest opinion. We thank the team at Campfire Audio for giving us this opportunity. To read more about Campfire Audio products we reviewed on Headfonics click here. This is the first of a two-part First Contact series involving Campfire Audio products. Tomorrow’s […] The post Campfire Audio IO – First Contact appeared first on Headfonics.... - Hifiman HE6SE Review12 June 2019, 10:20 am
8.9Score$1800HifimanDisclaimer: The Hifiman HE6SE and the Chord Electronics TToby sent to us are samples in exchange for our honest opinion. We thank Hifiman and Chord Electronics for this opportunity. To learn more about Hifiman reviews on Headfonics you can click here and for Chord Electronics click here. Nothing quite like walking into an AV Show […] The post Hifiman HE6SE Review appeared first on Headfonics.... - SendyAudio Aiva Review9 June 2019, 12:35 pm
Disclaimer: The SendyAudio Aiva sent to us is a sample in exchange for our honest opinion. We thank the team at Musicteck USA for giving us this opportunity. To read more about MusicTeck products previously featured on Headfonics click here. Priced at $599, the Aiva is aiming to get close to what I call a […] The post SendyAudio Aiva Review appeared first on Headfonics....
- KLH Ultimate One Headphone Preview18 June 2019, 5:12 pm
KLH is a Brand name that doesn’t necessarily ring any bells in my head, but does activate something distantly familiar.... - New Music for Headphones: Spring 201913 June 2019, 4:10 pm
Between all the disparate ways we hear our daily soundtracks as we move through our lives, we cover quite a wide variety of music and listening modes.... - T.H.E. Show 2019: Phonitor X Preamp and DAC with Audeze LCD2 Closed Back12 June 2019, 7:29 pm
I was first exposed to the SPL (Sound Performance Lab) Phonitor X ($2,499 USD) a few years ago and its sound signature (or lack of one) has stayed with me since. So when I saw it at the Audeze booth in the Marketplace at T.H.E. Show, I knew I’d have to revisit it.... - T.H.E. Show 2019: Where Art Thou Headphones?8 June 2019, 12:27 am
I’m a fan of The Bard just like most other prose knuckle draggers, so I try to sneak in a little Shakespeare to my headlines whenever I can. ... - Cleer Audio Flow Review5 June 2019, 3:36 pm
I’ve been following the folks at Cleer Audio for a couple years now, starting back when they were just showing prototypes of their NEXT headphone. ...
- Sunny Components, Technics, EgglestonWorks, Bryston, Audience – T.H.E. SHOW 201917 June 2019, 3:37 pm
The big news in the Sunny Components room was the NEW super high-end looking, and yet super value priced EgglestonWorks The post Sunny Components, Technics, EgglestonWorks, Bryston, Audience – T.H.E. SHOW 2019 appeared first on AudioHead.... - Alma Music & Audio, Wilson Audio, Luxman, Innuos, MSB, Kubala-Sosna – T.H.E. SHOW 201915 June 2019, 4:35 pm
Alma Music & Audio of San Diego brought to T.H.E. SHOW 2019 one of the more exciting small room exhibits The post Alma Music & Audio, Wilson Audio, Luxman, Innuos, MSB, Kubala-Sosna – T.H.E. SHOW 2019 appeared first on AudioHead.... - A CanJam SoCal 2019 Prep Sheet14 June 2019, 8:36 pm
When preparing for any audio show, a list of needs, wants and must haves immediately comes to any travelers mind. The post A CanJam SoCal 2019 Prep Sheet appeared first on AudioHead.... - Brooks Berdan, Magico & Burmester – T.H.E. Show 201914 June 2019, 1:02 am
If you happened to mosey on down to the first floor at T.H.E. Show in Long Beach last weekend, you The post Brooks Berdan, Magico & Burmester – T.H.E. Show 2019 appeared first on AudioHead.... - Schiit’s Nexus-Equipped Ragnarok Integrated Amplifier Hits The Streets13 June 2019, 7:48 pm
While the promise of an update to Schiit Audio’s integrated amplifier + headamp may have been teased for a bit The post Schiit’s Nexus-Equipped Ragnarok Integrated Amplifier Hits The Streets appeared first on AudioHead....
- Grado’s GH3 the Norwegian Wood Open Headphone Sensation!19 June 2019, 5:00 am
The post Grado’s GH3 the Norwegian Wood Open Headphone Sensation! appeared first on HeadPhone.guru.... - PuroQuiet ANC Wireless Headphones for Kids!17 June 2019, 5:00 am
The post PuroQuiet ANC Wireless Headphones for Kids! appeared first on HeadPhone.guru.... - Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Satellite / Subwoofer System – REVIEW BY ENJOY THE MUSIC.COM12 June 2019, 5:00 am
The post Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Satellite / Subwoofer System – REVIEW BY ENJOY THE MUSIC.COM appeared first on HeadPhone.guru.... - iBasso DX220 Flagship DAP10 June 2019, 5:00 am
The post iBasso DX220 Flagship DAP appeared first on HeadPhone.guru.... - A T.H.E. Show Primer from your friends at Headphone.guru6 June 2019, 10:44 pm
The post A T.H.E. Show Primer from your friends at Headphone.guru appeared first on HeadPhone.guru....
- High End Munich 2019 – The Best Sounds14 June 2019, 6:39 am
Until a month ago, I was a High End Munich virgin. I was told by veterans it was a show I couldn’t prepare for. I just had to absorb and enjoy. They weren’t wrong. There were hundreds of systems from the $500 to over $1 million range. It was absolutely MASSIVE. Fortunately, I was able […] The post High End Munich 2019 – The Best Sounds appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - T.H.E. Show 2019 – Demo Tracks10 June 2019, 5:44 pm
The post T.H.E. Show 2019 – Demo Tracks appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - T.H.E. Show 2019 – It’s a Wrap!9 June 2019, 3:43 am
We just spent a casual day at T.H.E Show 2019. Got some good listens in! If you’re going in for the third day, here are some of the rooms to look out for. Scott Walker Audio / Synergistic Research – Competitors vs. Synergistic Research Demo Synergistic Research is introducing their new 6N, air dielectric, Foundation […] The post T.H.E. Show 2019 – It’s a Wrap! appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - High End Munich 2019 – Demo Tracks5 June 2019, 11:56 pm
A few of you guys have requested a list of demo tracks used at the shows. Many of these recordings are very popular as demos. I usually create a playlist on Roon with these tracks – and give them a quick listen before heading off to the shows. Whether you enjoy them or not – […] The post High End Munich 2019 – Demo Tracks appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - Chord Electronics Hugo M Scaler Review – Digital Disruption1 June 2019, 5:03 am
I’m not a huge fan of upscalers. Many of them sound sterile, overly hyped, and artificial. More importantly, they didn’t make the music sound any less digital. Most often than not- an unadulterated signal is best. Well, that was until I heard the Chord Electronics Blu Mk. 2 M Scaler a few years ago. In […] The post Chord Electronics Hugo M Scaler Review – Digital Disruption appeared first on Audio Bacon....
- BAT REX DAC – royal performance on demand12 June 2019, 11:33 pm
REVIEW: When nothing but the best will do and money is plentiful, the REX DAC from Balanced Audio Technology should be on your shopping list.... - Samsung releases four new Q Series soundbars11 June 2019, 2:45 am
NEWS: Samsung's Q Series soundbars strive to increase the appeal to those seeking convenience and performance in a compact package.... - Miyajima’s Saboten L cartridge has a cactus-spine cantilever6 June 2019, 11:11 pm
NEWS: Another exotic cartridge from a Japanese manufacturer who takes the organic path.... - Bellini and Donizetti enhance Audio Analogue’s Anniversary line6 June 2019, 11:48 am
NEWS: Audio Analogue takes it further up with its new pre-power combo.... - Goldring E3 cartridge – a modern MM4 June 2019, 12:56 am
REVIEW: Goldring lends a modern slant to vinyl playback with the E3 moving magnet phono cartridge....
- Yamaha DSR 112/115/215/118W Active PA Loudspeakers Reviewed18 June 2019, 2:54 pm
Public address loudspeakers have remained aesthetically similar for decades and truth be told they’ve never been especially lightweight or portable. technological advancements, primarily in class D amplification, have at least reduced the racks of auxiliary equipment needed to run a speaker set to virtually zero. The post Yamaha DSR 112/115/215/118W Active PA Loudspeakers Reviewed appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Thorens TD-150, Rebuild & Modification Part Four13 June 2019, 9:00 am
A tale of two turntables continues. In part 4 we’ll wrap up the series with some final observations, build notes and listening tests. The post Thorens TD-150, Rebuild & Modification Part Four appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Technics SL-1200G Review & Comparison With SL-1200GR10 June 2019, 11:05 am
Like the SP10 in the late ‘60s, the SL-1200G has raised the bar and set new performance standards that should redefine expectations for what high-end vinyl playback should be. The SL-1200G is a masterpiece. You owe it to yourself to hear one. The post Technics SL-1200G Review & Comparison With SL-1200GR appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Fyne Audio F301 Bookshelf Speakers Reviewed29 May 2019, 9:55 am
when old Tannoy talent regroup and launch a new name and fresh ranges designed from the ground up, there is certainly reason to get excited. If this is what the company can produce on a budget, I look forward to auditioning their more upmarket models. The post Fyne Audio F301 Bookshelf Speakers Reviewed appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Building the AAP12, Thorens TD-150 Modification Part Three22 May 2019, 10:25 am
Herein we continue the tale of two turntables with the build of the AAP12, a turntable based on a Thorens TD-150 but with extensive modifications. The post Building the AAP12, Thorens TD-150 Modification Part Three appeared first on Audio Appraisal....
- 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
... - Audiophile Review!Benchmark HPA4Headphone Amplifier/Line-Stage Preamplifier:"Precision Volume, Pure Transparency"31 July 2018, 5:28 pm
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- Is it fair to review a $500 Klipsch speaker, plugged into a $5K Pass Labs amp?18 June 2019, 10:59 am
... - Triangle Titus EZ vs. KEF LS50 shootout17 June 2019, 11:00 am
... - Meet the other Audiophiliac, he’s got issues with Bluetooth headphones15 June 2019, 11:06 am
... - Active speakers have a lot of problems, watch this video before you buy one14 June 2019, 10:27 am
... - How to start your audiophile journey13 June 2019, 11:38 am
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- BLU-RAY REVIEW: ALIEN 4K ULTRA HD4 June 2019, 1:37 am
While many things could be said about the now 40-year-old horror/sci-fi classic, perhaps most surprising is how well it’s stood the test of time.... - REVIEW: KEF R11 FLOOR STANDING LOUDSPEAKERS30 May 2019, 4:31 am
With the release of the next-generation R Series loudspeakers from KEF, we take a closer look at the R11 which is the flagship and largest of the three floor standing models in the series.... - REVIEW: BOWERS & WILKINS 606 STANDMOUNT SPEAKERS29 May 2019, 10:29 pm
Bowers & Wilkins' 606 have some rather big shoes to fill as they replace the 685 S2s. With five years to come up with the perfect recipe, we take a closer look to determine if the wait has been worth it.... - REVIEW: TIVOLI AUDIO GO FONICO TRUE WIRELESS EARBUDS27 May 2019, 3:30 am
The technical boffins at Tivoli Audio have taken the reigns and produced a sleek, portable, true wireless IEM called Go Fonico. With strong indicators pointing towards sound quality and portability, we take an ears-on look and listen.... - REVIEW: JBL STAGE LOUDSPEAKERS22 May 2019, 1:51 am
JBL's latest loudspeaker release, STAGE, promises big sound at affordable pricing that is equally capable for either home theatre or two-channel stereo applications. We take a closer look at the 5.1 Pack One system....
- Dekoni Audio Blue Planar Magnetic Headphones In The House! First Impressions And Unboxing Pics18 June 2019, 6:50 pm
I’ve been trying to get my hands on these headphones for a while now. I’ve heard them at shows and was impressed by the sound, but it’s a whole different animal to break-in a pair at home. There is no shortage of Fostex T50 mods out there, and the Dekoni Blue is the first I’ve continue reading... - #MusicMonday: New Music Playlist Feat. Bruce Springsteen + 14 Other Artists You Need To Hear!17 June 2019, 7:17 pm
Here’s a #MusicMonday audiophile playlist of great sounding music you need to hear, including new music from Rock Legend Bruce Springsteen plus 14 other songs! (TIDAL Music Streaming below)... - HELM Audio Intros New Range Of Gear, Including THX AAA Headphone Amp & $99 MQA DAC17 June 2019, 5:49 pm
WIth CanJam SoCal, the west coast installment of the world’s largest festival for headphone enthusiasts coming up this Saturday, we expected plenty of new product announcements this week. Among the first companies introducing new products for display at the show is HELM Audio, a manufacturer of innovative budget audio gear, and a company whose products continue reading... - #NewMusicFriday…New Record Releases You Need To Hear feat. Keb’ Mo’ + 9 Other Artists!14 June 2019, 5:42 pm
Every #NewMusicFriday, I pick a bunch of the best sounding new albums so you can get your audiophile music fix!…here are my picks for this week, including a beautiful new album from Blues Grammy Award winner Keb’ Mo’ (Play TIDAL streams below)... - DALI OBERON 5 Floor Standing Speakers In The House! First Impressions And Unboxing Pics14 June 2019, 5:21 pm
Every time I listen to DALI speakers, I revel in how they bring out the emotion in the music…it’s hard not to bop your head or tap your foot when playing a pair. The OBERON series to me represents a sweet spot in the DALI line where you are getting the most DALI sound for continue reading...
- Core Power Tech under new ownership - Underwood HiFi purchases assets18 February 2019, 11:43 pm
... - Crutchfield offer remote listening test option17 February 2019, 3:07 am
... - McIntosh slimming down and looking good.15 February 2019, 1:45 pm
... - Auris new headphone amp invokes the muse14 February 2019, 3:03 pm
... - NYT Article explaining loudness war and music recording10 February 2019, 2:38 am
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- 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 ... - Audioengine B2 Wireless Speaker4 March 2019, 5:29 am
This review originally appeared on Small Spaces Audio, which we have merged into Audio>Pursuit.Link to specificationsBluetooth. The word conjures up mixed responses from audiophiles, some of them deserving in a negative sense, especially early on, when the sound quality was equal to that of a bad 128 mp3 recording. However, with aptX codec things have changed. Pleasant-sounding audio is possible. No, it won’t replace your man cave two-channel monster. But when you want music in a ...
- 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 […]...