- Tim de Paravacini, RIP18 December 2020, 3:28 pm
Dammit! Tim de Paravicini, the Baron as he was known, passed from this mortal coil on December 17th, 2020. I loved the guy. His deep, steeped, sharp-elbowed engineering bona fides in matters of electronics, cars, planes, and life earned him plaudits from all over the world.Fri, 12/18/2020...
- "Truthiness" in hi-fi17 December 2020, 6:20 pm
Stereophile has discussed the pandemic occasionally because of its relevance to our industry and our listening lives. But for the most part, I've steered the magazine away from politics and current events, and I will continue to do so. In this essay, though, I will engage, glancingly, not with politics or current events but with an idea that's drawn from them. I'm doing it to make a point about audio. Thu, 12/17/2020... - KEF LS50 Meta loudspeaker16 December 2020, 5:43 pm
KEF's LS50 loudspeaker was introduced in 2012 to celebrate the English manufacturer's 50th anniversary. Usually, anniversary models are large, floorstanding "statement" designs with a price to match, but the LS50 was a minimonitor, priced at $1500/pair. I reviewed the Anniversary Edition LS50 in December 2012 (footnote 1), writing that it was rare to find a loudspeaker that offers this combination of clarity and neutrality and concluding that within its limits of dynamic range and bass extension... - Recording of January 2021: <I>Rainbow Sign</I>15 December 2020, 6:06 pm
Ron Miles: Rainbow Sign Ron Miles, cornet; Jason Moran, piano; Bill Frisell, electric guitar; Thomas Morgan, bass; Brian Blade, drums. Blue Note (CD, 2LPs). Ron Miles, prod.; Colin Bricker, eng. Performance ***** Sonics ***** If Ron Miles lived in New York instead of Denver, he would have become a jazz star long ago. With Rainbow Sign, his 12th album as a leader but his debut on a major label (at age 57), now's his time—or should be anyway.Tue, 12/15/2020... - Bob Katz on Loudspeaker Isolation14 December 2020, 3:27 pm
(Photo by Mary Kent) Of late, Stereophile has written a lot about vibration-isolating footers under loudspeakers. The idea of isolating loudspeaker vibrations from floors is controversial. Many (perhaps most) designers believe that dynamic loudspeakers in particular—those with significant moving mass in their cones—should be rigidly connected to the floor as is typically done with spikes. A rigid connection of the speaker to the floor reduces the Newton-1 reactive motion of the cabinet...
- Spearheading in Musical Delight – The New Rezonator From Ansuz Acoustics18 December 2020, 3:16 pm
The following is a press release issued by Ansuz Acoustics. […] The post Spearheading in Musical Delight – The New Rezonator From Ansuz Acoustics appeared first on The Absolute Sound.... - CEntrance Updates HiFi-M8 Adding Four Outputs and Bluetooth17 December 2020, 6:26 pm
The following is a press release issued by CEntrance. Chicago, […] The post CEntrance Updates HiFi-M8 Adding Four Outputs and Bluetooth appeared first on The Absolute Sound.... - Helius Omega Tonearm and Alexia Turntable17 December 2020, 4:50 pm
One of the things that most interests, fascinates, and sometimes […] The post Helius Omega Tonearm and Alexia Turntable appeared first on The Absolute Sound.... - Sonner Audio Appoints Exclusive Distributor for China, Hong Kong, and Macau17 December 2020, 2:00 pm
The following is a press release issued by Sonner Audio. […] The post Sonner Audio Appoints Exclusive Distributor for China, Hong Kong, and Macau appeared first on The Absolute Sound.... - Clarus Announces the Sextet Power Conditioner16 December 2020, 5:42 pm
The following is a press release issued by Clarus. December […] The post Clarus Announces the Sextet Power Conditioner appeared first on The Absolute Sound....
- Video: Blues Masters At The Crossroads Concert18 December 2020, 1:12 pm
Enjoy two days of authentic Blues music recorded in high-resolution during Blues Masters at the Crossroads concert. This preeminent authentic blues concert, thanks to Chad Kassem of Acoustic Sounds, features performances by Rip Lee Pryor, Moreland & Arbuckle, Marquise Knox, Big George Brock, Joe Beard, Lazy Lester, Mighty Sam McClain, Sonny Green, and Bernard Allison. As always, in the end what really matters is that you... Enjoy the Music.... - Great Audio Gift: KEF Q150 Uni-Q Bookshelf / Desktop Speakers18 December 2020, 12:30 pm
The KEF Q150 Bookshelf Speaker helps round out the company's award-winning Q Series. KEF's Q150 features a solid cabinet, sleek black finish, and a modern 5.25" Uni-Q driver array. The Q150 contains an enhanced Uni-Q Driver Array designed to smooth out treble frequencies, and reimagined crossovers to provide cleaner and more accurate bass. The front port has been moved to the back of the Q150 and internal architecture has been redesigned to reduce internal resonances to improve audio clarity. KE... - Great Audio Gift: Hosa G5S-6 Caig DeoxIT Gold Cleaner / Enhancer18 December 2020, 12:29 pm
Hosa's Caig DeoxIT Gold ($19, formerly ProGold) is a unique conditioning solution designed for use in critical applications where only slight cleaning action is necessary. It is intended for use on new and recently cleaned surfaces. You can enhance, protect, lubricate, and maintain optimum signal quality be ensuing all your contacts and clean. Hosa G5S-6 Caig DeoxIT Gold Contact Cleaner / Enhancer Hosa's G5S-6 Caig DeoxIT can reduce intermittent connections, unwanted arcing, and reduce RFI as we... - HIFICRITIC's Latest Issue Features Reviews & More18 December 2020, 12:28 pm
HIFICRITIC's latest issue features Peter Qvortrup of Audio Note UK celebrates his 70th birthday and more than 40 years in the hi-fi industry, Stan's taking a break from the minutiae of hi-fi design – he's been working on electronic systems, CH Precision P1, L1, X1, and A1.5 plus an interview with Florian Cossy. Howard On Feedback educates you about the magic bullet of amplifier design / feedback, Metamaterial Absorption Technology brings you information about KEF's new secret ingredient, a... - TBT Review: Allnic H-7000 Vacuum Tube Phono Preamplifier Review17 December 2020, 1:53 pm
I've been lucky enough to be able to review a variety of excellent preamplifiers during the last few years, from the more affordable to the quite extravagant. As with the Allnic H-7000 vacuum tube phono preamplifier, as reviewed here, I'm hoping that these different types of phono preamplifiers that I've reviewed might help some audiophiles make a decision as to which phono preamp might be best for their system's analog set-up. Since not everyone is looking to purchase a new phono preamp, I also...
- REVIEW: PrimaLuna EVO 200 INTEGRATED - integrated amplifier | THE NETHERLANDS30 November 2020, 11:00 pm
Review Tekst: WOJCIECH PACUŁA Zdjęcia: Wojciech Pacuła No 199 December 1, 2020 ⌈ PRIMALUNA is a Dutch company founded in 2003 by HERMAN VAN DEN DUNGEN. A year later, it made its debut in the USA, and Kevin Deal, its American distributor, became one of the most important people responsible for its development. The company specializes in tube devices. ⌋ he FINAL RESOLUTION OF THE 5TH PLENUM OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF CHINA, which took place end of October, ... - AWARD | STATEMENT in HIGH FIDELITY | POLISH EDITION 2020: AYON AUDIO CD-35 II HF Edition / Transrotor TRA 930 November 2020, 11:00 pm
... - REVIEW: JBL STUDIO MONITOR MODEL 4349 - stand-mount loudspeakers | USA30 November 2020, 11:00 pm
Review Text: WOJCIECH PACUŁA Images: Wojciech Pacuła | press materials No 199 December 1, 2020 ⌈ JBL stands for JAMES BULLOUGH LANSING. Born in 1902 as James Martini, in 1927 he founded his first company LANSING MANUFACTURING COMPANY, still existing as Altec / Leasing; due to financial problems, he had to sell it in 1941. In 1946, his next company, Lansing Incorporated, was founded, which would soon change its name to JBL and becomes one of the most important manufactu... - REVIEW: Dynaudio CONFIDENCE 50 - floor-standing loudspeakers | DENMARK30 November 2020, 11:00 pm
Review Tekst: Wojciech Pacuła Zdjęcia: Dynaudio | Wojciech Pacuła No 199 December 1, 2020 ⌈ DYNAUDIO is a Danish company founded in 1977 in Skandenborg, specializing in the development and manufacturing of loudspeakers. In 1978, it presented the Model 100, which featured their own drivers and most of the technical solutions they still use to this day. In 2018, i.e. for the 40th anniversary, they introduced a completely new installment of the Confidence series. Thi... - KRAKOW SONIC SOCIETY | meeting #128: AYON AUDIO S-10 II SIGNATURE - streamer/network player | AUSTRIA30 November 2020, 11:00 pm
KSS Write up by: WOJCIECH PACUŁA Images: KTS Meeting #128 December 1, 2020 ⌈ KRAKOW SONIC SOCIETY is an informal group of audiophiles and friends who meet every now and then to learn something new about audio products, music releases, music itself, and so on. The idea for KSS was born in 2005. It has already been the 128. KSS meeting. ⌋ HE ENTERTEINMENT INDUSTRY IN THE TIME OF PANDEMIC found new spaces on the Internet. It is impossible to replace a direct contact ...
- Tim de Paravicini - The Passing of a True Giant in the Audio Industry17 December 2020, 11:21 pm
Photograph by David W. Robinson, copyright © 2020, all rights reserved. Photograph may not be used or republished without the express written consent of the artist. It is with deep sorrow that I report that legendary audio designer Tim de Paravicini passed away on December 17 in Japan, at age 75. The cause of death... Read More »... - Astell&Kern SR25 - Incredible Transparency Weds Wondrous Musicality!16 December 2020, 9:34 pm
In the late 1990's, prior to Apple's creation of the iPod, the company, IRIVER, had been manufacturing consumer electronic products and some of the first portable music players in the world. Music players that were capable of both lossy and CD-quality music playback. For the next twenty plus years IRIVER would continue to produce portable... Read More »... - The Volti Audio Razz Loudspeaker16 December 2020, 9:08 pm
In 2018, Volti Audio's Greg Roberts offered me the opportunity to review his wonderful Rival Loudspeakers (HERE) I'd never heard a horn speaker in my home, and the Rival was somewhat of a dynamic revelation. Like the Rival, the new Volti Audio Razz is also a hybrid horn / bass reflex loudspeaker, designed by Mr.... Read More »... - Thöress EHT Amplifiers16 December 2020, 8:50 pm
Hybrid a thing made by combining two different elements; in biology: the offspring of two plants or animals of different species or varieties; a mythical creature being a combination of existing animal, such as griffin; […] If there was an audio award that would be given to products for their design, the Thöress brand would... Read More »... - CEntrance Updates “HiFi-M8” Adding Four Outputs & Bluetooth16 December 2020, 8:54 am
Portable amplifier now supports a variety of headphones, offers freedom to audiophiles on the move Chicago, IL — December 15, 2020 — CEntrance has just announced the launch of the updated HiFi-M8™, a portable headphone amplifier and D/A converter for audio enthusiasts on the move. The new version of the acclaimed portable device adds Bluetooth support, four... Read More »...
- Andover Audio Songbird Hi-Res Music Streamer – First Look16 October 2020, 6:35 pm
Life is good. I’ve got my head under the hood of my car, changing radiator hoses, and I’m streaming my favorite tunes (in this case about 4 hours of XTC, spanning the entire catalog) on my old Marantz 2220B receiver on top of my tool box. I’m in my happy place, thanks to the Andover [...]... - The PrimaLuna ProLogue One Integrated13 October 2020, 7:21 am
Who knew that almost 20 years ago that this cool little tube amplifier would change my life? My first assignment for The Absolute Sound was supposed to be a NAD integrated amplifier. But the day I got my copy of Stereophile in the mail with the ProLogue One you see here on the cover, I thought that might [...]... - DS Audio’s assault on high end analog12 October 2020, 4:55 pm
Japanese cartridge manufacturer DS Audio has just raised the bar significantly on their optical phono cartridge platform. We’ve reviewed a couple of their cartridges in the past, along with their own proprietary equalizer (necessary for use with an optical cartridge) to great result. Both Richard Mak, our resident analog master and our publisher found the [...]... - Monster integrated from McIntosh – the MA120009 October 2020, 5:36 pm
Today, McIntosh announces their mighty MA12000 integrated amplifier. The MSRP is $14,000, and if you’ve got a shelf capable of holding it, this looks to be a fantastic product. Blazing a trail started with the MA252, and MA352, the MA12000 offers a full set of the features you’ve come to enjoy from McIntosh. The giant, [...]... - Rotel’s A11 Tribute Integrated Amplifier8 October 2020, 5:50 pm
We’ve just received the new A11 Tribute from Rotel, aptly named as this project was initially designed with the late, legendary audio designer Ken Ishiwata. One of the most influential designers in audio’s history, Ishiwata was equally famous for taking components that he felt “had extra potential,” and reworking them to his liking. The results [...]...
- Kinki Studio EX-M1+ Integrated Amplifier15 December 2020, 5:00 am
Note: for the full suite of measurements from the SoundStage! electronics lab, click this link. I’ve reviewed a slew of exceptional integrated amplifiers in the last few years, from the likes of such well-known companies as Anthem, Cambridge Audio, Hegel Music Systems, Lyngdorf Audio, NAD, and Naim Audio. But this latest integrated to arrive is made by Kinki Studio, a Chinese company I’d never heard of. I didn’t know what to expect when Jeff Fritz contacted me about reviewing ... - The 2020 SoundStage! Network Products of the Year—in One or Two Sentences15 December 2020, 5:00 am
It’s that time of year again. We are pleased to announce our annual SoundStage! Network Products of the Year, which have been selected from the Reviewers’ Choice products reviewed in 2020 on one of our sites: SoundStage! Access, SoundStage! Hi-Fi, SoundStage! Simplifi, SoundStage! Solo, SoundStage! Ultra, or SoundStage! Xperience. ... - Recommended Reference Component: KEF LS50 Meta Loudspeakers1 December 2020, 5:00 am
In 2012, UK loudspeaker manufacturer KEF released the LS50 loudspeaker, which Doug Schneider reviewed for this site in April 2013. The LS50 received a Reviewers’ Choice award at the time of the review, was further recognized as a Recommended Reference Component in August 2013, and was one of 2013’s Products of the Year. In October 2020, KEF released the LS50’s successor, the LS50 Meta. Doug reviewed it last month, and it too received a Reviewers’ Choice award. The LS50 Me... - Munich's High End Returns . . . Maybe1 December 2020, 5:00 am
As I write this, in late November, my diary is empty for the foreseeable future. Lockdown in the UK has been reintroduced to a draconian level, e.g., restaurants are closed except for take-out, the only open retail operations are pharmacies and supermarkets, etc. Thus, less-essential matters such as hi-fi retail, let alone shows or press events, are non-starters. Indeed, I haven’t attended anything hi-fi-related since the Tonbridge Audiojumble in February. ... - Musical Fidelity M8xi Integrated Amplifier-DAC1 December 2020, 5:00 am
A couple years ago, Musical Fidelity was bought by Audio Tuning Vertriebs GmbH of Austria, which is owned by Heinz Lichtenegger, a cordial and respected industry veteran who founded and is CEO of Pro-Ject Audio Systems. At the time, a news release stated, “The future vision for Musical Fidelity is to grow with new products and push into new markets, while still retaining the sound quality, reliability and striking industrial design that helped make the brand such an influential part in the...
- Historically Significant Phono Cartridges, Part 4: Sumiko16 December 2020, 6:34 pm
For some time I have been wanting to take a look back at Sumiko as a topic in my series (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3) on phono cartridges. I go way back with Sumiko, to 1976 and its early days with founder David Fletcher. I believe most of my readers are familiar with Sumiko [...] The post Historically Significant Phono Cartridges, Part 4: Sumiko appeared first on Dagogo.... - New Album Releases Project 2020-12-1414 December 2020, 7:26 pm
And then there were … Liner Notes Christian Löffler’s – Parallels – Shellac Reworks of Beethoven is the answer. The question: Where is the intersection of EDM and Classical Music? This past weekend Deutsche Grammophon presented Löffler’sParallels in its entirety as an EP. There will be a full-length album including tracks from other composers. I [...] The post New Album Releases Project 2020-12-14 appeared first on Dagogo.... - MOON products now feature Apple Airplay 27 December 2020, 4:32 pm
The following is a press release from Simaudio. MOON is delighted to announce that its performance audio streaming products* are even more connected as they now feature Apple AirPlay 2. The new integrated streaming module effortlessly allows Apple users to play music from any iOS device and to change music with Siri voice control. AirPlay [...] The post MOON products now feature Apple Airplay 2 appeared first on Dagogo.... - New Album Releases Project 2020-12-77 December 2020, 4:16 pm
And then there were … Liner Notes From the start I knew this was going to be a banner week with releases from: Cats In Space’s Atlantis Girls In Airports’ Dive Mica Paris’s Gospel Silje Nergaard’s Hamar Railway Station Tenderlonious’ Ragas from Lahore – Improvisations with Jaubi VOS’ Charlatan And then the unexpected: [...] The post New Album Releases Project 2020-12-7 appeared first on Dagogo.... - Stranger Times Indeed: From Stranger Records to Stranger High Fidelity6 December 2020, 7:46 pm
Audiophiles maintain a not-so hushed reverence for recording engineers, producers, and independent record label owners. Deep down they harbor a desire to lay claim to being one, if not all, of the above. So, imagine my surprise when I learn that Cameron Jenkins, who is indeed all of the above as well as a classically [...] The post Stranger Times Indeed: From Stranger Records to Stranger High Fidelity appeared first on Dagogo....
- Review | Boulder 866 Integrated Amp16 December 2020, 6:45 pm
As many Audiophile Style readers know, I fell in love with the RAAL-requisite SR1a headphones this year (link). They are the first true ribbon headphones and have very unique power requirements. Other than using one of only two direct drive amplifiers made specifically for these headphones, from Schiit and RAAL-requisite, the SR1a must be driven by a traditional power amplifier. In other words, these headphones connect to a power amplifier's speaker output terminals, with an interf... - Meet The Audiophile Style Community | Volume 1311 December 2020, 3:48 pm
Welcome to the thirteenth installment of our Meet the Audiophile Style Community series. All previous installments can be found here, in the series index. Please send me a message, email, or telegram if you'd like to participate. The response so far has been wonderful. It ranges from hardcore audiophiles to those who are more interested in numbers and graphs, and even people in the industry are eager to participate. This series is all about getting to know everyone and... - Review | DenaFrips Pontus DAC9 December 2020, 3:30 pm
DenaFrips Pontus Digital to Analog Converter. The Best DAC This Reviewer Has Ever Heard; Bar None! George Graves My last review, as you might remember, was the latest iteration of the very successful Schiit Yggdrasil DAC. It is a very nice DAC, and it sounds extremely good and is quite an improvement over the earlier Yggy models. But, since receiving this unit, I have also received the Pontus DAC from the Singapore based company DenaFrips (a division of V... - Review | AURALiC ARIES G2.13 December 2020, 4:39 pm
Over the last couple days tech writers have released their initial reviews for Apple's new Mac products containing the M1 system on a chip (SoC). The opinions and measurements are nearly unanimous, the new platform's performance is objectively and subjectively better than all but the highest powered Intel based Macs. The battery life is lightyears better than everything that came before the M1. Following the glowing prose, the conversation usually turns t... - Review | SONCOZ LA-QXD1 DAC with Balanced Outputs30 November 2020, 5:00 pm
This is a subjective review of the SONCOZ LA-QXD1 DAC from Shenzhen, China. A) Description, heritage, presentation, functionality The Soncoz DAC has received some praise and some ridicule from some well regarded reviewers throughout this year, and I got interested in it especially because in the latest batch the so called ESS-Hump had been tamed by the former designer of the Khadas Tone Board D...
- "The State of The Vinyl Industry" Webinar With Michael Fremer Today at 5PM EST17 December 2020, 5:21 pm
Register now for this afternoon's Webinar, live this afternoon at 5PM EST hosted by AXPONA. There will be an opportunity to ask questions.... - Black Friday Was Green Friday As 1.253 Million Records Sold the W/0 11/27-12/311 December 2020, 1:04 am
Nielsen/MRC reported that this year between Friday, November 27th and Thursday, December 3rd, vinyl record sales jumped 56% compared to the same period last year. 1.253 million records sold in that week, which was the largest sales volume of any week in almost thirty years.... - Free All Star Charlie Parker Tribute Concert Streams Tonight10 December 2020, 8:23 pm
Streaming tonight at 8PM EST (replay at 8PM PST) is "Bird Calls" a Charlie Parker tribute concert featuring a genuine all-star cast as you can see above. It's a benefit for the Jazz Foundation of America's Covid-19 Musicians' Emergency Fund, so please give.... - Hagerman Audio Labs Introduces Trumpet MC-Vacuum Tube Phonostage7 December 2020, 5:49 pm
The 3rd generation Hagerman Audio Labs Trumpet MC, according to the designer, "...maintains the superb sonic performance of the original, while cleverly cutting costs via technological advancements.... - Channel D's Seta L Comes Out as Transimpedance3 December 2020, 6:46 pm
Channel D's long in production (10+ years) high performance Seta L ultra-wide bandwidth, fully balanced, battery powered voltage amplification-based phono preamp (Stereophile "Class A" rated) now features a transimpedance (current amplification) option, switchable via circuit board jumpers. ...
- Hot new Schiit! The $149 tube Vali 2+ headphone amp/preamp17 December 2020, 12:00 pm
... - Audiophiliac Live 12/15/2015 December 2020, 11:00 pm
... - Preview: Going live tonight at 5P ET15 December 2020, 12:00 pm
... - A holiday gift guide for audiophiles AND music lovers!13 December 2020, 12:30 pm
... - Are vintage receivers right for you? This McIntosh 1500 review will address that question11 December 2020, 12:00 pm
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- Sonner Audio Legato Unum Loudspeaker | REVIEW18 December 2020, 10:00 am
The story begins with my coverage of the Sonner Audio (website) Legato Unum at hi-fi shows, and what I found accompanying the brand. Touring the hi-fi show circus circuit I often found myself face-to-face with many of the audio industry’s most interesting characters. The bulk of them are pleasant and interesting people. A select few are extraordinarily engaging and charming. Gunny Surya, the President of Sonner Audio, easily fits into all of those aforementioned descriptions. If you care t... - Sonner Audio Names Avantgarde Hong Kong the Exclusive Distributor for China, Hong Kong, Macau17 December 2020, 2:00 pm
Sonner Audio of Merrimack, New Hampshire, USA has been having a very successful year. Sonner has grown their dealer network here in the USA, along with winning several industry awards from the American hi-fi press. Today, Sonner Audio adds another achievement to their long list of accomplishments. Sonner Audio names Avantgarde Hong Kong as its exclusive China distributor, including Hong Kong and Macau. In the press release below you’ll find the details of this new partnership and the philo... - Squarewave’s Hazy | The Vinyl Anachronist17 December 2020, 10:00 am
The vinyls. Remember those? Seems like I haven’t received a lot of vinyl to review in the last couple of months. I had a reader comment not too long ago that I should limit the Vinyl Anachronist music reviews to just LPs if I’m going to give this column that name. Deep down, I keep the name because it’s a continuation of my blog, which I just recently discontinued, and an extension of this persona I created back in 1998. But I agree with you. YES, I should limit this column to ... - Simone Kopmajer, Christmas | The Vinyl Anachronist16 December 2020, 10:00 am
As I mentioned in yesterday’s 3D Jazz Trio review, I only received two Christmas jazz releases for 2020. Fortunately, both were strong enough to review. The other holiday title came from Austrian singer Simone Kopmajer (website) and is simply named Christmas, which hints at the direct nature of this album. While Christmas in 3D was also direct–it’s basically a very talented piano trio taking on the holiday classics–Kopmajer is focusing on bringing Austrian holiday traditi... - TIDAL for BUGATTI | Announcements15 December 2020, 6:24 pm
COLOGNE, GERMANY (PTA) — The comparison made between these two brands has existed among the high-end audio press for some time now. Potentially it was myself who first published the linking of these two brands in an analogous metaphor back in 2018 (here). Bugatti became the first supercar manufacturer to break the 300mph barrier when a modified version of their Chiron (hypercar) set a track record of 305mph. Likewise, TIDAL Audio has been designing and manufacturing ultra-high-end masterpi...
- Podcast: Tom Vek’s Sleevenote and the joy of cover art18 December 2020, 12:07 pm
Thanks to the popularity of the vinyl LP (and its 12″ single cousin), cover art was the world’s most popular visual art form throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Graphic designers had twelve inches square, front and back, with which to create an album’s visually identity. Gatefold sleeves would double the […] More The post Podcast: Tom Vek's Sleevenote and the joy of cover art first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recy... - Modules, Nexus & Continuity run inside Schiit’s Jotunheim 217 December 2020, 2:33 pm
Entry-level endgame head-fi. That’s how I summarised Schiit’s Jotunheim (US$399) back in 2017. A starting point and an endpoint; a first, last and always headphone amplifier. The forever came not just from its sound quality and associated value-quotient but from its modular add-ons, for which we now have a choice […] More The post Modules, Nexus & Continuity run inside Schiit's Jotunheim 2 first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be ... - Swan Lake: ELAC’s Debut Reference loudspeaker15 December 2020, 11:49 am
It’s a common strategy across the automotive and entertainment industries: tweak an existing product, offer it alongside the existing one and charge a premium for the ‘special’ version. Get the formula right and you sell more whilst benefiting from economies of scale in R&D and production. The customer gets more […] More The post Swan Lake: ELAC’s Debut Reference loudspeaker first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be rep... - Global feedback: Tidal? Qobuz? Deezer? Amazon? Or…?14 December 2020, 11:14 am
Tidal or Qobuz? Qobuz or Tidal? Two streaming services with hi-fi tiers that, through a 9:1 mix of CD-quality and hi-res audio, dominate the lossless conversation inside the audiophile bubble. I receive the occasional email asking why I don’t cover Amazon HD or Deezer? The answer is two-fold: 1) neither […] More The post Global feedback: Tidal? Qobuz? Deezer? Amazon? Or...? first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re... - KIH #81 – Great crossover potential13 December 2020, 9:39 am
SUBversion. Recent experiments with an active filter built into my new autoformer passive preamp have suggested a new wrinkle for skinning the multi-way conundrum (well, new to me at least). Pál Nagy’s icOn 4Pro Model 3 SE includes 4th-order Linkwitz/Riley 40Hz outputs. Those feed mirror-imaged data to monitors and subwoofer. […] More The post KIH #81 - Great crossover potential first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, re...
- Audiophilia Products of the Year 202011 December 2020, 11:22 am
Our writers are lucky to intersect with the gear we do. Even luckier to have the kit in our homes and review it for you. There are numerous requests for reviews that we just do not have the manpower to cover. Imagine the hundreds of pieces we miss? With that in mind, please take into account our 'winners' and rate accordingly. The equipment chosen is for a list we admire unreservedly. We hope you get a chance to listen to the kit in your system. We loved it in ours.... - Audiophilia Recordings of the Year 202011 December 2020, 11:16 am
The finest recordings/performances we listened to this year. We discussed some of the recordings on our social media channels, used them in equipment reviews, reviewed them on YouTube or they received full reviews at Audiophilia. For the latter and YouTube, clicking on the image will take you to the review. Format and initials of nominating reviewer appear under the selection. The CDs and LPs are available at many online or artist sites (recordings must be released or rereleased in 2020),... - Tri-Art Audio B Series 4 Open Speaker27 November 2020, 2:00 pm
Down the ribbon of highway, due east from the frenetically paced GTA (Greater Toronto Area), lies the somnolent university town of Kingston, Ontario. Queen’s University, as an intellectual hub of all eastern Ontario, has been the centre of Kingston’s relevance for a century. But if one looks past this well established landmark, one finds a business of some significance that has been quietly sounding out its audio relevance for the last 10 years—Tri-Art Audio. Arising out... - Innuos Statement Music Server27 November 2020, 1:59 pm
If you would like a deeper dive into Innuos as a company and its philosophy, please read my review of their ZENith Mk3 1T Black Music Server ($4249). As promised in that review, here we have a review of Innuos’ top music server, aptly called Statement. The $13,750 Statement is a no-holds-barred entry into the super server sweepstakes. With apologies for the alliteration, the ‘super’ is appropriate—the Statement will be compared to some very serious high end digital ... - Streaming the Classics: Grateful Dead in Concert20 November 2020, 2:00 pm
Here we take a new approach to the Audiophilia's Streaming the Classics series. Instead of highlighting top recordings of a classical work we shift to popular music to explore the live catalog of the Grateful Dead on high resolution streaming services. During their 30 year career from the mid-sixties to the mid-nineties, the Grateful Dead evolved from a psychedelic garage band to the ultimate jam band and became loved worldwide for their myriad contributions to music and popular culture. ...
- Totem Skylight stand-mount loudspeaker16 December 2020, 4:34 pm
Every time I hear Totem speakers, which is usually at international audio shows, they sound bigger and more extended than they should. It’s not unusual to be impressed by bass extension from small speakers, but these generally go further by delivering dynamics and an engaging sound, which is quite an achievement at most shows. For some reason, probably economics, the brand has never made a big impression in the UK. Manufacturing in Canada means far better prices for Canadians than it does ... - finite elemente pagode Mk II MR equipment support16 December 2020, 4:25 pm
finite elemente was the go-to stand-maker for the European high-end cognoscenti for many years. Then it had what can best be described as ‘a bit of a wilderness period’. But now, with the pagode Mk II MR (short for ‘Master Reference’), the company is back in rack! We looked at three models from the new line; the HD02 MR Edition (designed for electronics), the HD02 MR Edition Heavy Duty (ideal for high to very high mass turntables, and the occasional preamp made of solid g... - Meet Your Maker: Cardas Audio16 December 2020, 3:08 pm
Cardas Audio is based in the coastal town of Bandon, Oregon. The town is well known for the annual Cranberry festival (their local harvest), its beaches, cheese, golf and rock formations... and one of the largest employers in this town; Cardas Audio. Founded in 1987, in Ontario, CA, by George Cardas, the family garage becoming the laboratory, George enlisted the help of the family to ‘colour in logos and hammer the grommets into the packaging’ says Angela Cardas. With a career as a t... - Absolute Sounds launches Ten – an artisan collection16 December 2020, 2:44 pm
London, England – For more than 40 years, Absolute Sounds has brought the world’s finest audio equipment to discerning music lovers in the UK. Today, the company launches a new distribution concept called Ten – a hand-selected portfolio of extraordinary sonic creations curated by Ricardo Franassovici, Absolute Sounds’ founder and MD. Ten stands apart from Absolute Sounds’ main catalogue, which consists of 21 established high-end audio marques widely recognised as am... - English Electric 8Switch streaming audio network switch9 December 2020, 12:52 pm
English Electric was once a titan of 20th century British engineering, building trains, steam turbines, guided missiles and even mainframe computers. It was formed out of several companies after the first world war and went on to build landmark aircraft including the Canberra or B-57 and Lighting jets, it was merged with GEC in 1968 with the combined operation employing a quarter of a million people. Then like many great marques from that era, it disappeared in the industrial decline of the 1970...
- Bricasti M20/M25 Pre/Power Amplifier18 December 2020, 12:26 am
With a rich heritage in the pro audio field, US brand Bricasti is paying closer attention to the high-end consumer market with this new, dual-mono pre/power combination Few products passing through the HFN review process elicit quite as much discussion as has this Bricasti pairing – or at least one half of it. Our initial listening results were slightly puzzling, with a sound clearly doing many things right when interposed between editor PM's dCS Vivaldi One/Melco front-end [HFN Feb '18]... - Allen Toussaint15 December 2020, 8:42 pm
His ability to mix funky rhythms with sophisticated arrangements saw this US-born producer create a string of magical smash hit singles. Steve Sutherland looks at the legacy of Allen Toussaint, whose work epitomised the sound of 1960s New Orleans R&B You'll be aware, no doubt, of the phenomenon known as Cancel Culture – a state of mind in which those celebrities deemed to have diverged from what today passes for socially acceptable behaviour are called upon to renounce their past and ... - iFi Audio ZEN CAN Headphone Amp14 December 2020, 8:51 pm
The giants of small-scale audio solutions have just expanded the ZEN range of BT and USB DACs with a beefier, all-analogue 'drive anything' headphone amp. A bargain? There's an air of 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' about iFi Audio's ZEN CAN. The third model in the Merseyside-based company's affordable range of (non-portable) desktop devices, it shares the physical chassis design of the earlier £129 ZEN DAC and ZEN Blue models [HFN Jul '20] and promises the same mix of 'high-performan... - AVID Reference Ruby Cartridge11 December 2020, 4:26 pm
Synonymous with top-end turntables for two decades, AVID has extended its 'Very Interesting Design' portfolio to include MC pick-ups. Here's its open-bodied flagship Irrespective of having installed what must be thousands of cartridges in my life, AVID's Reference Ruby moving-coil brought me out in a cold sweat. The top model in a trio that also includes the £4000 Boron and the £2000 Ionic, its £6000 sticker price, allied to a completely exposed cantilever, reminded me of the... - Bob Marley: <I>Natty Dread</I>10 December 2020, 6:51 pm
Released in October 1974, this was the first Island Records LP with the re-formed Wailers and its all-female backing group, The I-Threes. It sold over 100,000 copies and prompted interest in the States, many critics now citing it as the greatest reggae album of all time By the mid-1970s the UK had already enjoyed a lengthy relationship with Caribbean music, from the gentle exotica of calypso to its more syncopated cousin, reggae and the upbeat ska. ...
- How to watch Amazon Prime Premier League football fixtures for free18 December 2020, 4:05 pm
Free Premier League football on Amazon Prime to Prime members; have you used your Prime Video free trial yet?... - Southampton vs Man City live stream: how to watch the Amazon Prime Premier League fixtures18 December 2020, 3:58 pm
Watch Southampton vs Man City and all of the service's December's Premier League football with free Amazon Prime membership.... - Best JBL Reflect Flow deals 202018 December 2020, 3:55 pm
Looking for a pair of true wireless earbuds? The JBL Reflect Flow are some of the best around – check out the latest deals here.... - Best Netflix alternatives: streaming services for serious film fans18 December 2020, 3:54 pm
Cinephile? Horror buff? Non-fiction nerd? Several more niche video streaming services are fighting for your monthly fiver.... - The best Elac B5.2 Debut 2.0 speaker deals 202018 December 2020, 3:50 pm
Here are the best deals going on some of the most capable budget speakers we've ever tested......
- Sonus Faber Electa Amator III Speaker Review16 December 2020, 1:00 pm
Part of the Sonus faber Heritage Collection, the Electa Amator III stand-mount speakers combine old-world Italian styling and crafts... The post Sonus Faber Electa Amator III Speaker Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Naim Mu-so 2 and Mu-so Qb 2 Wireless Music Systems Review14 December 2020, 1:00 pm
Today I’ll be checking out Naim’s Mu-so 2 and Mu-so Qb 2 Wireless Music Systems. They’re elegantly styled wireless speakers with powerful... The post Naim Mu-so 2 and Mu-so Qb 2 Wireless Music Systems Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Marantz SACD 30N Network SACD Player Review2 December 2020, 1:00 pm
You may ask what Marantz is doing by offering an SACD/CD player in the days when CDs and SACDs have been pretty much pronounced dead. Ah... The post Marantz SACD 30N Network SACD Player Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Denon AVR-X4700H AV Receiver Review30 November 2020, 1:00 pm
Denon’s AVR-X4700H AV Receiver delivers 9.2 channels at 125 watts per with nearly every available audio and video technology packed into... The post Denon AVR-X4700H AV Receiver Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - MartinLogan Balanced Force 212 Subwoofer Review25 November 2020, 1:00 pm
MartinLogan, a renowned manufacturer of electrostatic speakers, also makes many other fine audio products, including some impressive... The post MartinLogan Balanced Force 212 Subwoofer Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com....
- Marantz SA-10 CD/SACD Player & DAC21 November 2020, 9:39 pm
Just like Rodney Dangerfield, the Marantz SA-10 CD/SACD Player and DAC gets no respect. This is a shame as the SA-10 could well be the best sounding, best built player/DAC anywhere close to its $6990 list price. At the top of the Marantz line of digital products, the SA-10 could easily maintain that preeminent position for years to come. There have been a ‘boatload’ of mergers and acquisitions of audio companies over the last few years. Marantz is owned by Sound United, LLC, a Califo... - Minus K Technology CT-2 Bench Top Vibration Isolation Platform12 October 2020, 10:41 pm
The Minus K Technology CT-2 Bench Top Vibration Isolation Platform was originally developed for scientific and research applications such as spacecraft design, nanotechnology, and medical research. The patented technology is called “Negative-stiffness”, where the isolating platform seems to float with no resistance. From the manufacturer’s Web site (link below): “Dr. David L. Platus is President and Founder and is the principal inventor of the technology. He earned a B.S.... - Origin Live Gravity One Record Clamp24 August 2020, 3:02 pm
Several readers let me know that they appreciate the short format of the reviews offered here on 10 Audio. The word “pithy” has been noticed a few times in the feedback. Pithy means “concise and forcefully expressive” and “having substance and point” and “short and sweet”. This review definitely supports those definitions. The new Origin Live Gravity One record clamp works differently than the usual “record clamp”. Almost every clamp av... - Magico S1 Mk II Loudspeakers31 July 2020, 10:13 pm
The floor standing, 2-way Magico S1 Mk II speakers are exceptional. Before we get into the specifics of this particular model, let’s take a minute or two and let me share with you why I am a fan of 2-way speakers. Crossovers. Almost every loudspeaker utilizing more than one driver has a crossover. These passive electronic devices split the incoming audio signal into frequency ranges which the various drivers – woofers, midranges, tweeters – can handle. Crossovers are not perfec... - Mivera 1200AS2 Stereo Power Amplifier21 June 2020, 7:50 pm
The Mivera 1200AS2 stereo power amplifier is a limited production offering. The amplifier uses the IcePower 1200AS2 dual-channel module with the IceEdge chipset. The $1000 Mivera amplifier was chosen for this review because, as you can see in the image below, the IcePower module is the sole occupant of the normal-size enclosure aside from connectors and wiring. Now we can hear the sound of the IcePower module itdelf, unaccompanied by added input electronics as we see in amplifiers from Wyred 4 S...
- Raspberry Pi Postscript: S/PDIF Vs. USB Sound Comparison16 December 2020, 6:50 pm
Pi versus Pi By Steve Graham Raspberry Pi 4B with S/PDIF Out versus Raspberry Pi 4B with USB Out Confession time. In responding to those kind enough to comment on part 3 of my Raspberry Pi series, I mentioned that I didn’t have a decent USB DAC for comparison. WRONG. It completely slipped my mind that my PS Audio DAC has a USB input. A cream pie in the face for me. To satisfy my own curiosity and maybe mend a few fences with readers, I’ve run ... - Review: Triangle Borea BR02 Bookshelf Speakers1 December 2020, 10:16 pm
Triangle Borea BR02 Speaker Review by Steve Graham Everything Old is New Again (and that’s just fine by me) I love the vintage vibe of the oak-finish cabinets. Also available in black, white and walnut. Being confined to barracks, as my Dad, a WWII veteran might have said, has me spending a good deal more time in my workshop. Whilst occupied with a fairly extensive woodworking project, steaming music or playing files has been the order of the day. Many days ... - Helping Older People Set Up A Music System In 202025 November 2020, 8:30 pm
There’s a problem in the world today, and I’m not talking about social media or crazy conspiracies. I’m not even talking about the ‘Rona – that’s for someone smarter to figure out. The problem? Our dear 75-85+ year olds are stuck at home and watching TV, because they don’t have stereos. Imagine this. The hi-fi generation has been leapfrogged. Records? Oh, well y’know, the turntable became a chore to deal with. CD’s? We used to have a few..I t... - An Interview With Sylvio Comtois Of ArtistCloner28 October 2020, 6:21 pm
‘In the House’, by David Neice Manufacturer Spotlight: An Interview with Sylvio Comtois, CEO of ArtistCloner, about their current endeavours. Show setup featuring the Rebel Reference speakers ArtistCloner is a small boutique designer and manufacturer of audiophile equipment, based in Montreal. The owner of the firm and principle designer is Mr. Sylvio Comtois. The equipment is produced ‘without compromise’. ArtistCloner products first came to wide attention ... - Raspberry Pi, Part 3: Sound Quality Evaluation27 September 2020, 6:15 pm
Digital Serving/Streaming on the Cheap using a Raspberry Pi Part 3: Sound Quality Evaluation By Steve Graham Miss K, Pi and Music Are you contemplating a plunge into file-based audio? Have parts 1 and 2 of this series tempted you to take the leap? Fear not. A Raspberry Pi-based system is not a big jump, technically or financially. Components like my NAD 50.2 are a well-thought-out solution that will rip CDs, store them on internal drives then serve and stream them to an ...
- PW Audio Monile Review18 December 2020, 11:09 am
The PW Audio Monile is a mixed 26AWG ultra-purity copper and 25.5AWG super-purity silver 4-core aftermarket IEM cable. It is priced at $551.99 Disclaimer: The PW Audio Monile was sent to us a sample in exchange for our honest opinion. We thank PW Audio and Musicteck for this opportunity. To learn more about cables we have reviewed on […] PW Audio Monile Review... - Austrian Audio Hi-X55 Review17 December 2020, 10:36 am
The Austrian Audio Hi-X55 is a 44mm dynamic driver circumaural headphone designed for studio monitoring and Made in Austria. It is priced at $329.99 Disclaimer: The Austrian Audio Hi-X55 sent to us is a sample in exchange for our honest opinion in this review. We thank Austrian Audio for this opportunity. To learn more about headphones […] Austrian Audio Hi-X55 Review... - MMR Gae Bolg Review15 December 2020, 4:49 pm
The MMR Gae Bolg is a new high-end 5 balanced armature universal monitor featuring a high impact design steeped in Celtic mythology. It is priced at $1199. Disclaimer: The MMR Gae Bolg sent to us is a sample in exchange for our honest opinion in this review. We thank MMR for this opportunity. To learn more […] MMR Gae Bolg Review... - Little Dot LD H1 Review13 December 2020, 11:01 am
The Little Dot LD H1 is a tube-transistor hybrid, fully balanced desktop headphone amplifier capable of up to 3.5W of output power. It is priced at $1399. Disclaimer: The Little Dot LD H1 sent to us is a sample in exchange for our honest opinion in this review. We thank the team at Little Dot for […] Little Dot LD H1 Review... - Astrotec S80 Plus Review12 December 2020, 11:02 am
The Astrotec S80 Plus is an entry-level TWS featuring a beryllium driver, BT5.0, aptX, and a total of 25 hours of playback time. They are priced at $59.00 Disclaimer: The Astrotec S80 Plus sent to us is a sample in exchange for our honest opinion. We thank Astrotec for this opportunity. To learn more about TWS […] Astrotec S80 Plus Review...
- Schiit Audio Launches The Modular Jotunheim 217 December 2020, 7:07 pm
Schiit Audio revamped its modular headphone “combo” product Jotunheim this week into a second generation. Pulling both headphone amplification duties The post Schiit Audio Launches The Modular Jotunheim 2 appeared first on AudioHead.... - Vincent Audio Announces SV-737 Hybrid Integrated For The US Market16 December 2020, 6:54 pm
Although it’s already shipping in Europe, Pangea Audio Distribution announced this week that the new Vincent Audio SV737 Hybrid Integrated The post Vincent Audio Announces SV-737 Hybrid Integrated For The US Market appeared first on AudioHead.... - Review: Focal Kanta No. 1 & Naim Uniti Star8 December 2020, 7:00 pm
Focal Kanta 1 Review, Naim Uniti Star Review In my never-ending quest to unearth the best performing pair of bookshelf The post Review: Focal Kanta No. 1 & Naim Uniti Star appeared first on AudioHead.... - The New Modi 3+ By Schiit Audio Incorporates Unison USB for $992 December 2020, 10:55 pm
While Schiit Audio didn’t participate in any Black Friday Deals, the company is resoundingly known for providing big value at The post The New Modi 3+ By Schiit Audio Incorporates Unison USB for $99 appeared first on AudioHead.... - Why Do Radio Stations Always Play The Same Songs?1 December 2020, 8:16 pm
The Occasional Podcast hosts wire and earphone maker Cardas Audio this week. Interviewees Josh Meredith and Angela Cardas both worked The post Why Do Radio Stations Always Play The Same Songs? appeared first on AudioHead....
- QOBUZ Shares QOBUZ Holiday Gift Guide 202010 December 2020, 6:10 pm
Qobuz, the first Hi-Res streaming service and the audiophile authority, is out today with its official gift guide for this The post QOBUZ Shares QOBUZ Holiday Gift Guide 2020 appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - Kimber Kable Naked Interconnects – REVIEW BY ENJOY THE MUSIC.COM10 December 2020, 6:00 am
December 2020 Kimber Kable Naked Interconnects Let’s go skinny dipping… with an impressive leap in cabling technology! Review By Paul The post Kimber Kable Naked Interconnects – REVIEW BY ENJOY THE MUSIC.COM appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - Schiit Introduces It’s Most Affordable Unison USB™ DAC2 December 2020, 6:27 pm
UNISON USB™ FOR $99: MODI 3+ December 1, 2020, Valencia, CA. Today, Schiit introduced Modi 3+, a 3-input DAC with Unison The post Schiit Introduces It’s Most Affordable Unison USB™ DAC appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - HEADPHONE.GURU 2020 PRODUCT OF THE YEAR AWARDS1 December 2020, 6:00 am
Once again we have reached that time of year when we look back at what was truly amazing. While there The post HEADPHONE.GURU 2020 PRODUCT OF THE YEAR AWARDS appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - 4OE: The Official Grado store offers Black Friday – Cyber Monday Freebies – Cyber Monday Special30 November 2020, 11:00 am
4OurEars: The Official Grado store is offering free Grado headphone stands, storage boxes, and cases when you purchase one of The post 4OE: The Official Grado store offers Black Friday – Cyber Monday Freebies – Cyber Monday Special appeared first on Headphone Guru....
- Electrocompaniet introduces ECI 80D amplifier16 December 2020, 9:36 am
New integrated from Norway... - Scansonic M series gets an upgrade15 December 2020, 9:49 am
New standmount and two floorstanders coming soon... - Ausounds coming to the UK14 December 2020, 9:48 am
LA-based headphone specialist coming in the new year... - L-Acoustics unveils Contour XO in-ear11 December 2020, 11:44 am
10 balanced armature drivers come with three-way crossover... - Lithe Audio's Wi-Fi ceiling speaker10 December 2020, 9:42 am
AirPlay2 speaker is a world first...
- $3,000 Meze Empyrean Headphones Review25 October 2020, 1:09 am
Now I’ve heard the Meze Empyrean headphones probably a dozen times at the shows. And every time I try to nitpick them, I end up just enjoying the music. It didn’t matter which amplifier or DAC it was plugged into. Music just sounded truthful. I primarily listen to 2-channel these days so didn’t give it […] The post $3,000 Meze Empyrean Headphones Review appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - $62,000 Sonus Faber Il Cremonese ex3me – Absolute Neutrality22 September 2020, 8:16 am
22nd September 2020, Vicenza, Italy: Sonus faber has launched the Il Cremonese ex3me, a tech-rich £48,500 floorstander limited to just 50 pairs, which advances the original thanks to a range of innovative new speaker technologies. The original Il Cremonese was introduced in 2015 with the intention of completing the company’s Homage Collection and was named […] The post $62,000 Sonus Faber Il Cremonese ex3me – Absolute Neutrality appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - ASUS LAUNCHES MQA HEADPHONES18 September 2020, 1:19 am
New ROG Delta S headset adds MQA technology MQA’s award-winning technology has been adopted by global tech leader ASUS for its latest ROG (Republic of Gamers) headphones. The headset, designed to offer flawless audio quality for gaming enthusiasts, was revealed alongside the latest gaming gear during the ROG 2020 META BUFFS international online launch event on 1 September […] The post ASUS LAUNCHES MQA HEADPHONES appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - Introducing the New McIntosh C8 and MC83018 September 2020, 1:10 am
New open chassis McIntosh duo combines valve luxury, solid-state power and timeless industrial designC8 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier and MC830 Solid State Amplifier: stunning looks, legendary McIntosh sound quality September 17th, 2020, Binghamton, NY, USA: Following in the footsteps of McIntosh’s retro-styled MA252 and MA352 integrated amplifiers, (which themselves took design cues from the MC275 Vacuum […] The post Introducing the New McIntosh C8 and MC830 appeared first on Audio Baco... - Innuos Phoenix USB Reclocker Review8 September 2020, 6:21 pm
The Innuos Phoenix USB reclocker is here. Avid computer audiophiles are well aware of the sonic gains of having USB conditioning. If you’d like an introduction behind using USB reclockers in your digital playback system, check out my review of the SOtM tX-USBultra here. In short, the goal of a USB reclocker is to provide […] The post Innuos Phoenix USB Reclocker Review appeared first on Audio Bacon....
- Apple AirPods Max – a driver for change in the headfi realm?17 December 2020, 12:00 am
FEATURE: Apple's AirPods Max may not appeal to audiophiles, but the other stuff on the menu could tempt them.... - VPI… keeping the vinyl flag flying high11 December 2020, 2:37 am
FEATURE: There's no "vinyl comeback" because vinyl never went away... and VPI intends to keep it that way...... - Cary Audio’s DMS-700 network player on preorder now… for US4 December 2020, 2:18 am
NEWS: Cary Audio's latest network audio player, the DMS-700, has big shoes to fill...... - Sivga SV006 / SV007 headphones – premium on a budget2 December 2020, 3:39 am
REVIEW: These Sivga headphones beckon seductively to those looking for something that stands out in a crowd.... - Shanling M6 Pro DAP – refined sound, premium feel25 November 2020, 2:03 am
REVIEW: Looking for a portable DAP that oozes premium quality? You want the Shanling M6 Pro then......
- Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo Turntable Reviewed3 December 2020, 10:09 am
It may have its foibles but so does every audiophile-inspired manual belt drive turntable regardless of cost. A solid turntable capable of great performance. The post Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo Turntable Reviewed appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Nearly 70 Pro-Ject turntables stolen in UK transit27 November 2020, 10:19 am
Nearly 70 Pro-Ject turntables stolen in UK transit The post Nearly 70 Pro-Ject turntables stolen in UK transit appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - WesionTEK Khadas Tone Board DAC Reviewed17 November 2020, 10:52 am
A clean, clear, neutral DAC and a marvellous little board for all kinds of usage scenarios. The post WesionTEK Khadas Tone Board DAC Reviewed appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - IPT RigB 500, Cartridge Body Upgrade For VM500 / AT440 Et Al, Reviewed16 November 2020, 8:15 pm
Buy one and avail yourself of what is undoubtedly one of the best moving magnet cartridges around. The post IPT RigB 500, Cartridge Body Upgrade For VM500 / AT440 Et Al, Reviewed appeared first on Audio Appraisal.... - Edifier S2000MKIII Active Bookshelf Speakers Reviewed22 October 2020, 2:50 pm
For home listening, the S2000s continue Edifier’s excellent track record with superlative acoustic and electronic design, a vast array of inputs, stylish aesthetics and great sound. The post Edifier S2000MKIII Active Bookshelf Speakers Reviewed appeared first on Audio Appraisal....
- Wilson Audio SabrinaX Floor Standing Loudspeaker Review15 December 2020, 5:50 am
David Price auditions an exotic compact floorstander with a pedigree to die for…... - LEAK Stereo 130 Amplifier & CDT CD Transport Review15 December 2020, 3:58 am
David Price goes back to the future with this retro-styled amplifier and CD transport combination…... - NAD Electronics C 298 Stereo Power Amplifier Review10 December 2020, 11:15 pm
Jimmy Hughes samples this iconic company's latest affordable Class D powerhouse…... - Arcam AVR30 AV Receiver Review10 December 2020, 1:48 am
Tony O'Brien is beguiled by this new, powerful and versatile high-end AV Receiver…... - Acoustic Energy AE520 Floorstanding Loudspeaker Review10 December 2020, 1:10 am
David Price samples this iconic British speaker brand's flagship floorstander…...
- Holiday Gift Guide 2020: 10 Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas For The Audiophile/Music Lover!13 December 2020, 1:48 am
Struggling with Christmas Gift Ideas? Don’t know what to get the Audiophile/Music lover in your life? Freaking out because you’re running out of time? Well, don’t worry, our list of affordable high-end gifts has stuff that will make them grin from ear to ear! SpinBase Turntable Speaker System 1. HIFIMAN SUNDARA Planar Magnetic Headphones At continue reading... - iFi NEO iDSD Review: A Headphone Amp/DAC Combo With Captivating Sound!10 December 2020, 7:41 am
The NEO iDSD is iFi’s latest DAC/Amp Combo, and as usual, they have come up with a well-built, well-designed piece of gear. It combines a fully-balanced headphone amp section with a USB and S/PDIF DAC that handles all the hi-res formats (PCM768, DSD512, Full MQA Unfold). BTW, it also acts as a high-quality Bluetooth receiver, continue reading... - The Best Jazz Albums Of 20206 December 2020, 6:00 pm
If you’ve followed our #New Music Friday posts throughout the year, then you know we love Jazz here at Hifitrends. So with all the Best Jazz Album lists coming out, we just had to put our two cents in. As you can see we’ve assembled a huge selection of albums, and they are arranged in continue reading... - HI-FI Trends Product Of The Year Awards 2020: Best DAC, Headphone Amps, Portable Music Players5 December 2020, 3:45 am
It’s that time again! This is when we look back at some of the best gear we’ve come across this year. The mission of HI-FI Trends is “Helping audiophiles to build affordable high-end audio systems,” and to that end, we’ve picked some of the best affordable high-end gear available right now. You can use these continue reading... - Holiday Gift Guide 2020: 10 Stocking Stuffer Ideas For The Audiophile/Music Lover!4 December 2020, 4:18 am
Cheap Christmas Gifts For The Hi-Fi Enthusiast! Need a great gift for the Audiophile/Music Lover in your life? Don’t want to spend an arm and a leg? Well, check out our list of 10 Affordable Stocking Stuffer Ideas that will make any hi-fi enthusiast happy! 1. A Mesmerizing Set of Earphones: Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 continue reading...
- The new headphone amps keep on coming17 November 2020, 6:46 pm
... - Another USB DAC/Headhpone amp - this time from Clarus14 November 2020, 5:10 pm
... - New vinyl catch up15 October 2020, 8:24 pm
... - The Genius of Jazz6 September 2020, 7:37 pm
... - That USBe Perfect from Core Power Technologies12 August 2020, 3:38 pm
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- LSA-10 Signature Speakers28 November 2020, 6:15 pm
Speakers have a character. They can be precise, enveloping, dynamic, punchy, demanding, and sparkly, just to name a few. I admit, I’ve owned or reviewed seemingly every type described, and then some. Each has their charms and musical genres where they shine. For 90% of owners the key is owning the one set of speakers that best meets their overall personal taste. Thankfully, the last ten years have brought speaker performance up a full level across all price points making the reward all the... - Magna Riser Slim Line 24 October 2020, 10:00 pm
Less than a year ago I managed to find online a used pair of Magnepan .7's for $800 on the used market. A few days after the panels arrived I decided to experiment by placing blocks of wood under the back end of the angled L-bracket metal legs, thus tilting them to a true vertical position. The sonic differences I stored away in my memory until such time as I could consider potential stand replacements. Magnepan's own oval upgrade model held zero interest for a variety of reasons, so my options ... - Audioengine B-Fi Wireless Streamer22 September 2020, 3:14 pm
Link to specificationsOk, I admit it, the wife and I have been relying on Alexa to stream music in the kitchen and living room. I have my man cave in the basement, so the upstairs is her music domain and she wants it simple. But she loves the playlist I created for her on Tidal to use on her phone when she is walking or gardening. Over the months I endured many a complaint about finding a solution. Not for the first time, the gang at Audioengine have come to the rescue. This past late spri... - Totem Acoustics Signature ONE Speakers5 September 2020, 9:47 pm
Link to SpecificationsHow does one improve on a legend? That was the question facing Vince Bruzzese and the team at Totem Acoustics approximately 5 years ago. The Model 1, a diminutive stand mounted speaker had launched Totem as a major player in the industry 30+ years ago. In the decades that followed, the Model 1 would receive tweeks that owners could spot. However, that has all changed.The Signature One is all new, only the “spirit” as Totem refers to the legacy that the Model 1 p... - Cherry DAC DAC 2 HS11 August 2020, 1:16 am
Link to Specifications Fourteen years ago when I started reviewing gear the digital analog convertor (DAC) was a rare piece of gear. Few models existed and for most audiophiles, fanatics, and hobbyists it was technology to watch rather than pursue. Fourteen years later and DAC’s are an indispensable part of our hobby. The quality and capability have risen dramatically, while the price/performance has dropped even more so. The ability of DAC’s to pull out details i...
- Manley Labs Jumbo Shrimp, Neo-Classic 300B and Snapper14 December 2020, 7:48 am
From an American audio brand with a long history, one might expect a stereotypical big and ballsy "American" sound. When talking about transistors this would be maybe something in line with the classic Krell or perhaps McIntosh sound and when talking about tubes, in general, a warm, rich and juicy-liquid sound. But just like modern Audio Research tube amplifiers do not have that kind of sound, neither do the Manley products that I have on visit for review. So, what do they sound like? Read... - Qln Prestige One11 December 2020, 9:01 am
Being great communicators and musical omnivores, the Prestige Ones always put the music first with an energetic, vibrant and involving rendition of anything that you play.... - Monrio mp11 Mono Power Amplifiers1 December 2020, 9:30 am
The Monrio mp11's have a luscious sound that is gently sweet and easy-going, airy, highly refined and beguilingly fluid. It's also nothing like what I have become accustomed to hearing from typical Class-D designs, or from Class A/B amplifiers, for that matter.... - Philips CDM Mechanisms – Page 1 – CDM-0, CDM-1, CDM-2, CDM-327 November 2020, 6:03 pm
Philips CDM Mechanisms - Page 1 - Detailed information about the CDM-0, CDM-1, CDM-2, CDM-3 Swing Arm Mechanisms.... - Philips CDM Mechanisms – Page 2 – CDM-4, CDM-1 MkII, CDM-927 November 2020, 6:02 pm
Philips CDM Mechanisms - Page 2 - Detailed information about the Philips CDM-4, CDM-1 MkII, CDM-9 Swing Arm Mechanisms....
- Empire Ears Odin Review14 November 2020, 12:08 am
Empire Ears has accrued the reputation of the flashy and ostentatious sibling in the IEM… The post Empire Ears Odin Review appeared first on Audiosolace.... - Cayin N3Pro Review8 November 2020, 12:55 am
Tube technology has always been held in high regard within audiophile circles. The ability to… The post Cayin N3Pro Review appeared first on Audiosolace.... - FiiO FA9 Review24 October 2020, 11:24 pm
FiiO have slowly been advancing into the high-end market with their products encroaching onto new… The post FiiO FA9 Review appeared first on Audiosolace.... - Mytek Audio Empire DAC/Streamer/Preamplifier Unveiled19 October 2020, 7:07 pm
New York based high-end audio firm Mytek have proudly launched their new flagship Empire DAC/Streamer/Preamplifier… The post Mytek Audio Empire DAC/Streamer/Preamplifier Unveiled appeared first on Audiosolace.... - 64 Audio Nio Review16 October 2020, 6:44 pm
The 64 Audio Nio is the latest hybrid model from the Vancouver-based audio firm. The… The post 64 Audio Nio Review appeared first on Audiosolace....
Resistor Mag
- #NewMusicFriday: December 18, 202018 December 2020, 2:00 pm
Each Friday, Stephen Mejias, AudioQuest’s Director of Communications and former Stereophile and Audiostream columnist, will browse through the many exciting albums released that day and select 15 worth a closer listen. Arca: Riquiquí;Bronze-Instances (1-100) (XL [...]... - Album of the Week: Sarah Davachi, Cantus, Descant18 December 2020, 1:30 pm
If you love albums as journeys, or journeys as albums, composer and classically trained keyboardist Sarah Davachi’s Cantus, Descant was made for you. Davachi traveled the globe to play six different organs, in situ, for [...]... - In Barn for Review: Clarus CODA DAC17 December 2020, 12:00 pm
Something familiar (looking*) this way comes. The new Clarus CODA DAC ($300) is meant to mostly attach to phones and drive ‘phones but I like using these dongle-DACs on my desktop as well — cash [...]... - Twittering Machines Merch!16 December 2020, 8:22 pm
Just in time for the Holidays — Twittering Machines Merch! Wear it, carry in it, drink from it! Twittering Machines Merch is the perfect gift for HiFi lovers of all ages! Available at the Twittering [...]... - ALO audio Introduces the Portable Pilot USB-C DAC16 December 2020, 6:53 pm
The world of dongle-DACs is exploding! The ALO audio Pilot USB-C DAC ($129) comes hard-wired with a USB-C connector on one side and a 3.5mm Jack (with Mic Support) on the other. The diminutive Pilot [...]...
- 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 […]...