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Today Stereophile republished two more reviews from the vaults: Merlin Excalibur II speakers ($8,400/pair) SOTA Star Sapphire turntable ($1,450-2,000) The SOTA review is made up of several reviews done during the mid-80s, with Steven W. Watkinson, Anthony H. Cordesman, and J. Gordon Holt all taking a turn (or three).
Home Entertainment magazine reviewed the new flagship Klipsch Palladium P-39F speakers ($20,000/pair). In a departure from right angles of the past, the cabinet shape has curves (designers from BMW Designworks collaborated on the project). Reviewer Steve Guttenberg had this to say of the speaker’s sound: … the P-39Fs sound even bigger than they are. Bass is meaty and solid, yet as clear and concise as the midrange and treble. Oh, and before you get the
6moons published a review of the NuForce Icon system. The Nuforce Icon system is designed primarily for desktop use. It consists of the S-1 speakers ($249/pair), NE-7 headphones ($99), and Icon integrated amp ($249). Regarding the NuForce Icon system, Srajan Ebaen notes: Actually, the S-1 is very Lowther-ish in speed and openness. That part of the equation is no marketing hooey. It’s sealed-box impulse-correct fact. Add the wall, don’t apply certain bass expectations or material
Stereophile republished another set of reviews from their archive today. This time, it’s the Rega Planar 3 turntable that gets the time lapse treatment. The following are excerpts from reviews spanning over a decade: Here is what Sam Tellig had to say about the Rega Planar 3 turntable back in 1984: The Rega is a good-sounding turntable and a good value—at the UK price. Someone once said that the Rega, which has no suspension, is
Enjoy the Music.com published part one of its coverage of the 2008 Hong Kong Hi-End Audio Visual Show, which took place August 8-10. The report includes dozens of photos from a multitude of exhibitors. Some of the brands on display included: Alps Music, Audio Note, Avantgarde, Bel Canto, Brinkmann, Chord, Dali, Dynaudio, EDGE, Eggleston Works, Focal, Harbeth, JL Audio, Kharma, Kondo, Lyngdorf, McIntosh, Meridian, Mod Wright, MUDR Akustik, Nordost, Onix, Oracle, Piega, Quad, Rockport Technologies,
Affordable$$Audio published a new issue today with a variety of new equipment reviews, including: Tec-on Model “55” integrated amp w/ USB DAC ($398 intro, $749 list) GINI Systems LS3/5A speakers ($560/pair) and B+ bass stand ($630/pair) Anti-Cable digital interconnect cables ($150) McIntosh Laboratory MA6300 integrated amp ($4,000) BESL Series 5 TMW full range speakers ($5,980/pair intro, $8,275/pair list) Acoustic Revive RTP-2 ($1,295) and RTP-4 ($2,250) Ultimate power supply boxes Wyred4Sound MC4 power amp ($2,795) Download
Audio Ideas Guide published an article today endorsing the vintage Sony HA-T10 mini step-up transformer (approx. $200, used) as a good alternative to traditional MC transformers such as the Ortofon T-10. Here is a snippet of what writer Andrew Marshall had to say of the Sony’s sound quality: Once again, the sonic surprise was a highly positive one, with a greater degree of neutrality, especially in the upper octaves, these little transformers having no effect
Positive Feedback Online published a new issue today with three new equipment reviews: ASR Basis Exclusive 2X MKII phono preamp ($11,400) Purist Audio Design  20th Anniversary Aqueous cables ($900-1,600) Trafomatic Audio Experience Two integrated amp ($3,900) In addition to equipment reviews, the issue contains new articles on modified SACD players by Karl Lozier, and computer-based audio by Dave Clark. Read music reviews and more in the entire issue, and check out a new commercial videocast
DAGOGO just published its September issue, which includes a review of the Coincident Total Victory IV speakers ($15,000). Here is a sample of what reviewer Ed Momkus had to say: In my opinion, the Total Victory IVs are a great high-end value for those with tube electronics, rich-sounding solid-state electronics or those who seek a neutral sound with more typical solid-state electronics. At $15,000.00 you can get a terrific set of speakers, save money by
SoundStage! published its September 1 update today. It includes a bunch of new component reviews, including: Blue Circle Audio DAR integrated amp ($2,995) Monitor Audio Platinum PL100 speakers ($4,800/pair) MaxxHorn Audio Lumination speakers ($28,500/pair) Lamm Industries ML3 Signature mono amps ($139,290/pair) Check out the entire update, which includes news, as well as columns on DIY and vinyl. Also see SoundStage! editor Doug Schneider’s latest opinion piece on active speakers on partner site, GoodSound!.