- Sly Stone, a Great, Recent Musical Loss26 August 2025, 12:53 pm
Sly Stone, a Great, Recent Musical Loss John Atkinson Tue, 08/26/2025 - 05:53 Show Promo Image Super fans who dig deeper into a favorite artist's recording catalog eventually come to the crossroads of performance versus sonics. In the case of Sly Stone, who died this past June at age 82, that question has new relevance with the release on CD and vinyl of a "new" Sly and the Family Stone record, The First Family: Live at Winchester Cathedra...
- Volti Audio Lucera loudspeaker Measurements22 August 2025, 12:56 pm
Volti Audio Lucera loudspeaker Measurements John Atkinson Fri, 08/22/2025 - 05:56Show Promo Image 0 0... - Volti Audio Lucera loudspeaker Associated Equipment22 August 2025, 12:54 pm
Volti Audio Lucera loudspeaker Associated Equipment John Atkinson Fri, 08/22/2025 - 05:54Show Promo Image 0 0... - Volti Audio Lucera loudspeaker Specifications22 August 2025, 12:52 pm
Volti Audio Lucera loudspeaker Specifications John Atkinson Fri, 08/22/2025 - 05:52Show Promo Image 0 0... - Volti Audio Lucera loudspeaker22 August 2025, 12:47 pm
Volti Audio Lucera loudspeaker John Atkinson Fri, 08/22/2025 - 05:47 Show Promo Image This past May, I stormed the halls of the international audio orgy High End Munich. My scorched-earth tour covered countless rooms, in pursuit of the holy grail of music playback. Among the finalists, a clear pattern emerged: With a few exceptions, my favorite rooms used horn-loaded speakers. Ken Micallef ...
- Lucinda Williams: Lucinda Williams Sings The Beatles From Abbey Road26 August 2025, 2:00 pm
Okay, The Beatles are late to the party, but fashionably […] The post Lucinda Williams: Lucinda Williams Sings The Beatles From Abbey Road appeared first on The Absolute Sound.... - Golden Ear Triton 5 Loudspeakers26 August 2025, 1:44 pm
In many loudspeaker reviews, you’ll hear the word ‘soundstage’ and […] The post Golden Ear Triton 5 Loudspeakers appeared first on The Absolute Sound.... - 2025 Ultra-High-End Loudspeaker of the Year: Magico S3 202426 August 2025, 1:21 pm
$45,500 Magico makes large claims for its new, demure (less […] The post 2025 Ultra-High-End Loudspeaker of the Year: Magico S3 2024 appeared first on The Absolute Sound.... - Dave Stryker: Stryker with Strings Goes to the Movies23 August 2025, 1:06 pm
The veteran guitarist joins forces with arranger-conductor Brent Wallarab on […] The post Dave Stryker: Stryker with Strings Goes to the Movies appeared first on The Absolute Sound.... - Lumin S1 Streaming DAC23 August 2025, 1:03 pm
“New and improved!” As familiar a refrain with high-end audio […] The post Lumin S1 Streaming DAC appeared first on The Absolute Sound....
- Tencent Music Achieves A Standout Q2 202525 August 2025, 11:05 am
Tencent Music Entertainment Group, a leading online music entertainment platform with 124.4 million paying users and 553 million total monthly active users, delivered a standout second quarter in 2025, with total revenues climbing 17.9% year-over-year to RMB 8.44 billion (U.S. $1.18 billion). Online music services drove much of that growth—up 26.4% to RMB 6.85 billion—while music subscription revenue alone rose 17.1% to RMB 4.38 billion. Strong unit economics lifted monthly ARPPU fr... - Turntable Lovers: Special Edition: Clearaudio In Focus22 August 2025, 11:54 am
Years ago my favorite watch magazine came out with a special Patek Philippe issue. Mechanical timepiece enthusiasts recognize Patek Philippe as one of, if not the, worlds most accomplished manufactures in their field. For the past few years i have been hoping to do the same basic idea, having a complete issue highlighting a single manufacturer within high-end audio. The February 2006 Superior Audio is the first of what we hope to be an ongoing series, with different manufacturers being highligh... - Throwback: Venerable Dynaco Stereo 70 Vacuum Tube Stereo Amplifier22 August 2025, 11:52 am
Said to be the most popular tube amplifier ever made, the Dynaco Stereo 70 has been around for over thirty-five years. Its early popularity was due to a reasonable price coupled with good quality iron and a sound seemingly liked by all. A simple circuit consisting of a then new RCA 7199 sharp cutoff pentode medium mu triode driving a pair of 6CA7/EL34's per channel, with a GZ34/5AR4 for B+ , made for an easily built, easily adjusted kit It has also been a platform for more modifications than an... - Audio Note UK M2 Linestage / Preamplifier And Conqueror Power Amplifier Review21 August 2025, 10:28 am
Hi-fi audio emerged in the 1950s with the introduction of the LP record. As the business evolved and stereo became the norm, acoustic suspension speakers gained popularity due to their smaller footprint in the family room. What followed after that can be called an arms race between audio manufacturers to build more powerful amplifiers. This continued as hi-fi became high-end audio. It was not uncommon to see on the pages of print magazines reviewing amplifiers rated at 400 Watts per channel or ... - TBT: FiiO M15S Desktop / Portable Hi-Res Lossless Music Player Review21 August 2025, 10:27 am
Until I received my FiiO R7 Music Server my go-to player to burn in headphones or to act as a digital source for DAC reviews (computers tend to be noisy over USB) has been my trusty FiiO M11 DAP (while the FiiO M11 Plus LTD offers some advantages, it also sucks up a lot of power), but FiiO is not a company to rest long, always pushing the envelope and developing new and better players, and in this vein is their new FiiO M15S Desktop/Portable Hi-Res Lossless Music P...
- REVIEW: TOTALDAC d1-CD ⸜ compact disc transport » FRANCE1 August 2025, 12:00 am
Reviewtext WOJCIECH PACUŁA translation Ewa Muszczynko images “High Fidelity”, TotaldacNo 255 August 1, 2025⌈ TOTALDAC is a French manufacturer founded in 2010 by VINCENT BRIENT. Its headquarters are located near Mont Saint-Michel, a rocky island in the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel, in the English Channel. This company specializes in the production of digital-to-analog converters and file players. It also offers amplifiers, speakers and accessories designed... - REVIEW: VIVA AUDIO Egoista 2A3 ⸜ headphone amplifier • tube » ITALY1 August 2025, 12:00 am
Reviewtext WOJCIECH PACUŁA translation Ewa Muszczynko images “High Fidelity”No 255 1 lipca 2025⌈ VIVA AUDIO is a company founded in 1996 by AMEDEO SCHEMBRI, with the help of his brother GIAMPIETRO SCHEMBRI. Amedeo oversees R&D, from conceptualization and design to finishing, while Giampietro is responsible for business development and marketing. Artistic design, on the other hand, is the work of ALESSANDRO COSTANZIA di COSTIGLIOLE, a renowned architect ... - REVIEW: SFORZATO DSP-9EX ⸜ audio file player » JAPAN1 August 2025, 12:00 am
Reviewtext WOJCIECH PACUŁA translation Ewa Muszczynko images “High Fidelity”No 255 August 1, 2025˻ PREMIERE ˼⌈ SFORZATO is a Japanese company established in 2009, run by its founder, Mr. KYOSHI OMATA. It is headquartered in Hino City, which is part of the Greater Tokyo Area. It specializes in only one type of products: file players, both integrated and two-piece ones. We are testing its most affordable player, the DSP-09EX, for the first t... - REVIEW: FOSI AUDIO i5 ⸜ open-back planar headphones » CHINA1 August 2025, 12:00 am
Reviewtext WOJCIECH PACUŁA translation Ewa Muszczynko images “High Fidelity”No 255 August 1, 2025⌈ FOSI AUDIO is a company established in 2017 in Shenzhen, an industrial hub in China. It is focused on producing small portable and desktop devices at exceptionally low prices that Western companies cannot match. The i5 headphones we are testing are the first product of this type in its offer. ⌋THE HEADPHONES IN QUESTION were created thanks to a cr... - REVIEW: EVERSOLO AMP-F10 ⸜ power amplifier – stereo + monoblocks » CHINA1 August 2025, 12:00 am
Reviewtext WOJCIECH PACUŁA translation Ewa Muszczynko images “High Fidelity”No 255 August 1, 2025⌈ EVERSOLO is one of the youngest brands in the audio market, dating back to 2023. It belongs to EVERSOLO AUDIO TECHNOLOGY Co. Ltd., which in turn is owned by Zidoo Technology Co, Ltd. The Zidoo company itself was founded in 2014. Despite being relatively new, EverSolo is widely known in audio circles. We're testing its power amplifier, the stereo AMP-F10, which...
- The "Dark Horses" versus the (Orchestral) "War Horses," Part 220 April 2025, 2:10 am
John Marks is a multidisciplinary generalist and a lifelong audio hobbyist. He was educated at Brown University and Vanderbilt Law School. He has worked as a music educator, recording engineer, classical-music record producer and label executive, and as a music and audio-equipment journalist. He was a columnist for The Absolute Sound, and also for Stereophile magazine. His consulting... Read More » The post The "Dark Horses" versus the (Orchestral) "War Horses," Part 2 appea... - PS Audio Debuts Its New Top-of-the Line PMG Signature Series Audio Components18 April 2025, 8:16 pm
New PMG Signature Preamplifier, Signature 512 PureStream DAC, Signature Phono Preamplifier and Signature SACD Transport incorporate numerous design advancements to deliver extraordinary soun Boulder, Colorado, April 17, 2025 – In the most significant product introduction in its 50-year history, PS Audio announces its all-new PMG Signature Series of top-of-the-line ultimate-performance audio components. The four models... Read More » The post PS Audio Debuts Its New Top-of-the Line PM... - A Rare Musical Experience with Pianist David Fung17 April 2025, 11:35 pm
David Fung, Evening Conversations. Yarlung Records 2006 2025 (Pure DSD256) HERE Edit Master Sourced I found myself talking recently on the phone with my friend Bob Attiyeh, the creative founder and visionary of Yarlung Records. I'm always intrigued by these occasional calls with Bob. One never knows whence they may wander. That day, Bob... Read More » The post A Rare Musical Experience with Pianist David Fung appeared first on Positive Feedback.... - Joni Mitchell's Classic Court and Spark now on Mobile Fidelity Limited Edition UltraDisc One-Step 45 rpm LPs13 April 2025, 4:44 pm
Last year Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab began releasing six of Joni Mitchell's most iconic albums, making them all available not only as hybrid SACDs, but also in MoFi's ne plus ultra analog statement format, their UltraDisc One-Step 180 gram LP set. The series began with Ladies of the Canyon (1970), then moved to Joni's deeply... Read More » The post Joni Mitchell's Classic Court and Spark now on Mobile Fidelity Limited Edition UltraDisc One-Step 45 rpm LPs appeared first on Positive Feedback... - Recent Finds No. 34 New Releases from HDTT11 April 2025, 9:01 pm
Bob Witrak has been busy these past months with additions to the HDTT catalog. The biggest news is that the International Phonograph Jazz recordings are back! See my earlier note about this great news, HERE. Below are some of the new reissues (not IPI) that have caught my ear in recent weeks. Witches Brew, Alexander... Read More » The post Recent Finds No. 34 New Releases from HDTT appeared first on Positive Feedback....
- Welcome to Distilled!25 August 2025, 7:12 pm
Hello and welcome to Distilled. We are not abandoning our standard reviews, but for those of you that would like a little more than the canned press releases everyone else is posting, but not sure if you want to make the time investment in a full review, we present the distilled column. A quick overview […]... - Record of the Day – 009: Court and Spark23 August 2025, 6:21 pm
It’s been a week or so, and I’m back in the Joni Mitchell mode again. My one-step copy of Court and Spark has arrived, and while this was Mitchell’s most commercial record, it remains a favorite. Court and Spark was Mitchell’s transition to a more jazzy period. On a parallel track, she was also part […]... - Record of the Day – 008: Liz Story21 August 2025, 7:51 pm
This one goes way back to my early audiophile days, when anything that was “half-speed mastered” or “recorded on audiophile vinyl” caught my attention and my wallet. A trip to my favorite hifi store of the day, Audio Emporium, just outside of Milwaukee, WI where they were playing Ms. Story’s Solid Colors on a pair […]... - Record of the day-007: Made In Japan21 August 2025, 6:16 pm
Just the other day, the 10-album box set of Deep Purple’s classic: Made In Japan was released. This one features the main album remixed by Steven Wilson, and if you like what he’s done with classic Yes and King Crimson, there’s a great chance you’ll enjoy this rendition as well. I’m usually not a fan […]... - The Klipsch AK7 Klipschorn20 August 2025, 8:41 pm
There aren’t a lot of companies that have been making speakers for nearly 80 years, (2026 is their 80th anniversary!!) but Klipsch and the legendary K-horn are still here, better than ever. With a sealed back since the AK6 model, they still really should be in the corner (as the late, great Paul Klipsch intended), […]...
- Recommended Reference Component: Anthem P2 Stereo Amplifier15 August 2025, 4:00 am
The hi‑fi market tends to be obsessed with newness, which makes Anthem’s P2 stereo power amplifier a rare outlier. As Doug Schneider explains in a review published on this site on August 1, the P2 was originally launched in 2005 as the Statement P2—words still stamped on the front and back panels of today’s units. Jason Thorpe reviewed the Statement P2 the year it was introduced. ... - EISA’s Best Products of 2025–202614 August 2025, 10:00 pm
The Expert Imaging and Sound Association (EISA) traces its roots to 1982, when editors from five European photography magazines joined forces to select the year’s standout camera. Since those early days, EISA has steadily broadened its scope to include a wide spectrum of consumer electronics—specifically hi-fi, home theater, in-car electronics, and mobile devices—which it categorizes as “Expert Groups.” Over time, the association has also expanded its reach well bey... - Anthem P2 Stereo Amplifier1 August 2025, 4:00 am
Note: for the full suite of measurements from the SoundStage! Audio-Electronics Lab, click here. The Anthem P2 stereo amplifier is not a new product, nor is this the first time we’ve reviewed it. Launched in 2005 as the Statement P2 stereo amplifier, it was reviewed by Jason Thorpe, who praised its sonic transparency. At that time, the amplifier retailed for a very reasonable $2500 in the United States, and Jason bought the review sample and used it for several years. Now, 20 years later,... - Inside Views: Why SoundStage! Goes the Distance1 August 2025, 4:00 am
This article will be briefer than usual because as I write this, I’ve been home for less than 24 hours after visiting Beijing and Weifang, two cities in China. The outward journey took about 24 hours, but the trip home—delayed by bad weather that diverted our final flight—stretched to a grueling 34 hours. I’m not just jetlagged; I’m thoroughly exhausted and more than a little edgy. Still, the message I want to share feels too important to postpone—and I wanted... - Recommended Reference Component: Bluesound Node Icon Streaming Preamplifier15 July 2025, 4:00 am
For more than a decade, Bluesound’s Node streamers, introduced in 2014, have impressed us with their performance and minimalist design. The Node Icon, the latest addition to the series, has gone far beyond the earlier models in both respects. According to Roger Kanno, who reviewed the Node Icon on June 1 on SoundStage! Simplifi, it “provides an unbeatable combination of sound quality and practical features.” ...
- Aurender AP20 reference all-in-one music server ICEpower integrated amplifier Review21 August 2025, 7:52 pm
The South Korea-based Aurender manufacturers high-end digital playback systems, several of which have been reviewed by Dagogo, including the $3,300 N100SC caching music server and streamer, the $15,000 A20 reference analog output network player, and the $12,500 N20 ultra high performance digital output network transport. The company established its reputation early on with its cache [...] The post Aurender AP20 reference all-in-one music server ICEpower integrated amplifier Review appeared first... - Degritter Mark II ultrasonic record cleaning machine Review13 August 2025, 4:05 pm
My ears continue to tell me that vinyl, at its best, can present the most realistic and satisfying portrayal of a musical event when compared to other formats, with the possible exception of open reel tape. My use of the qualifier “at its best” is very important here; I recognize that high resolution digital is [...] The post Degritter Mark II ultrasonic record cleaning machine Review appeared first on Dagogo.... - Evolution Acoustics Model One bookshelf speakers Review30 July 2025, 7:51 pm
It’s nearly a case of six degrees of separation. Considering my involvement with speaker brands that he has designed for, it was only a matter of time before Kevin Malmgren and I would meet. As a speaker designer, he has worked with Egglestonworks, a speaker brand that I have admired from a distance and has [...] The post Evolution Acoustics Model One bookshelf speakers Review appeared first on Dagogo.... - TEAC VRDS-701 dual monaural USB/DAC CD player/pre-amp/headphone amplifier, CG-10M-X Master Clock Generator, AP-701B stereo power amplifier Review23 June 2025, 11:02 pm
I am watching four needles dance against a Mountain Dew (or is it Mellow Yellow; audiophiles might be divided) hued illuminated background, and I am happy. McIntosh this is not, and that’s a good thing. The blue meters of the venerated company are ubiquitous but, like Harley Davidson, are getting long in the tooth. [...] The post TEAC VRDS-701 dual monaural USB/DAC CD player/pre-amp/headphone amplifier, CG-10M-X Master Clock Generator, AP-701B stereo power amplifier Review appeare... - EMM Labs PRE i stereo preamplifier Review with update on the latest MTRX monoblocks1 June 2025, 2:08 pm
Introduction I recently sent my EMM Labs PRE back to the factory for an update, which involved a complete rebuild to match current specifications. Quite honestly, I really was at a loss to know what to expect. Amadeus, Ed Meitner’s son and production head, rightly recommended the upgrade. If you have seen my recent review [...] The post EMM Labs PRE i stereo preamplifier Review with update on the latest MTRX monoblocks appeared first on Dagogo....
- Kiwi Ears Altruva Review25 August 2025, 6:44 pm
Audio: Listen to this article. Since coming across the $35 Cadenza more than two years ago, I’ve reviewed several Kiwi Ears IEMs. The Shenzhen-based company has joined Moondrop, ThieAudio, and a select handful other manufacturers whose new IEMs are sure to catch my attention. But a Kiwi Ears headphone? That, I didn’t expect. Few IEM companies produce headphone... - Top 10 Closed-Back Headphones for Audiophile Purists: A Deep Dive into Summit-Fi Isolation19 August 2025, 11:22 am
Audio: Listen to this article. Introduction Let’s be honest: closed-back headphones are the misunderstood middle child of high-end audio. Open-backs get all the glory — the air, the stage, the shimmer. But closed-backs? They’re the ones we turn to in the real world — apartments, commutes, midnight sessions when the rest of the house is asleep. And th... - The Kids Are Alright - Taylor Swift Style14 August 2025, 3:54 pm
Audio: Listen to this article. Earlier this week it was announced that Taylor Swift would be on the New Heights podcast to introduce her new unnamed album. That announcement launched the craziness, amazingly good craziness if you ask me. Watch parties were planned, outfits were set aside, and food options were contemplated. I know this because I just lived it, and loved every minute of the ... - CASH Albums - Blue Serge12 August 2025, 2:49 pm
Audio: Listen to this article. This wonderful community came through yet again. I could probably write that sentence a zillion times and it would be accurate. This time, as I often do, I eagerly opened a notification from the Album of the Evening topic, to find an album posted by community member Nikhil. The album was Blue Serge by baritonist Serge Chaloff. I hadn’t heard of the artis... - Review - HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled Headphones8 August 2025, 2:36 pm
Audio: Listen to this article. Review - HIFIMAN Susvara Unveiled HeadphonesRajiv Arora In my recent review of the DanaTone Head-Space amplifier, I described how I chanced upon Vinh Vu of Gingko Audio’s table at CanJam Dallas last November, and got a chance to listen to the HifiMan Susvara Unveiled headphones for a relatively long session in a relatively quiet setting. Vinh was graciou...
- Hands On With the Cometa M2 Mixing Preamp22 August 2025, 12:00 am
Not all audiophiles prefer to listen alone. We know that listening to music with others leads to a sense of community — and, ultimately, to more people becoming aware of the hi-fi universe and the gear that permeates it. The perfect example of this tenet is how hi-fi gear, DJ and club culture, and the pro-audio worlds all came together at a couple of recent events in Los Angeles on August 19-20, 2025 — events that were held not only to celebrate a new piece of analog gear, but some ... - Seminal Mid-Century Miles Davis Music Displays Its Full Mettle and Merit in New Miles 55: The Prestige Recordings 180g 3LP Box Set22 August 2025, 12:00 am
At first glance, Miles 55: The Prestige Recordings, a new deluxe 180g 3LP box set that’s being released today, August 22, 2025, and celebrates seminal mid-1950s music by Miles Davis and some of his most important bands of the era (featuring future legends like John Coltrane, Jackie McClean, Red Garland, and Milt Jackson) may appear to be somewhat redundant to hyper-aware jazz collectors. But for a new generation that has not yet gotten into Davis’ catalog beyond his landmark August ... - The Beatles Legendary Anthology Series Gets Proper Restoration and Expansion Into a 180g 12LP Box Set Due Out November 2121 August 2025, 12:00 am
Could there have been a more perfectly named rock documentary than 1995’s The Beatles Anthology, the eight-episode linear-TV doc series that traced the full arc of The Fabs’ magical musical journey that began in Liverpool and Hamburg and soon enough captivated the world? Rather than follow the standard talking heads approach, The Beatles Anthology let John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr do the talking as they candidly (and sometimes, contradictorily) told t... - EISA Hi-Fi Awards 2025-2026: The Analog Winners20 August 2025, 12:00 am
EISA, or the Expert Imaging and Sound Association, is an organization representing 53 of the most respected special interest publications and websites from 26 countries that cover Hi-Fi, Home Theater, Photography, Mobile Devices, and In-Car Electronics. Every year EISA’s Expert Group members, including editors from our sister sites like Stereophile and Hi-Fi News, test a very wide range of new products from their field of expertise before comparing results and voting to decide on the crea... - Marillion’s Steve Rothery Tells Us All About Bioscope’s Gentō, an Immersive, New Ambient Prog Collaboration With Tangerine Dream’s Thorsten Quaeschning That Arrives as a 2LP Set on August 2220 August 2025, 12:00 am
Sometimes, a band name and an album title combine to tell you everything you need to know about the music you’re getting ready to spin on your turntable. This premise is perfectly delineated by a new partnership called Bioscope and their debut 2LP set that’s been duly dubbed Gentō, which is coming out via earMUSIC this upcoming Friday, August 22, 2025.Let’s define some terminology first, before getting into the grooves. Bioscope comes from blending the Greek bios (life)...
- A Reality-Based AUDIOPHILE Speaker Price!25 August 2025, 3:00 pm
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- Nordost QNET7 Network Switch Makes Its Debut | Announcements26 August 2025, 5:17 pm
Network switches are the hottest new product segment in digital audio, providing a stable platform for improved performance with streamers and servers. Our friends at Nordost are introducing their first network switch, the Nordost QNET7. Here's the official press release from Nordost: Nordost Launches the QNET7 Network Switch Nordost is proud to announce the official [...]... - Van den Hul The Grail V3 Phono Preamplifier | REVIEW24 August 2025, 7:00 am
My first round of reviewing Van den Hul gear, a longtime priority of mine, occurred back in 2022 when I evaluated The Grail phono preamplifier and the Crimson Stradivarius XGW phono cartridge. I came away from that review, like just a handful of others, with a sense that I learned something new about analog gear. [...]... - ZYX Ultimate Exceed 4D MC Phono Cartridge | REVIEW22 August 2025, 7:00 am
ZYX ULTIMATE EXCEED 4D MC PHONO CARTRIDGE REVIEW It intrigues me that Hisayoshi Nakatsuka—founder, Chief Engineer, and President of ZYX, a world leader in the production of moving coil phono cartridges—was born in Nagano and grew up in Chiba. When I was a graduate student at the University of Michigan studying Japanese Literature, there were [...]... - 2026 Pacific Audio Fest Is a Go! | Announcements21 August 2025, 4:52 pm
As pt.AUDIO covered the 2024 Pacific Audio Fest, we heard from show organizer and Daedalus Audio founder Lou Hinkley that the Seattle show would switch to every other year starting in 2026. Not long after we heard that news, there was a whispering in the halls that PAF was done, and that 2024 would be [...]... - The Paul Sawtelle Big Band, Live at Pacific Audiofest | The Vinyl Anachronist20 August 2025, 6:10 pm
This might be the first time I've listened to a live album where I was actually present at the original performance. (I know, many of you hardcore concert-goers can say otherwise.) The Paul Sawtelle Big Band's new one-step LP pressing, Live at Pacific Audiofest, was recorded in the big Genesis Advanced Technologies exhibit room at [...]...
- Eversolo’s Control app comes to Android TV26 August 2025, 10:16 am
Yesterday, I connected an Eversolo DMP-A8 streaming DAC via coaxial to a pair of KEF LS60 Wireless. Why? Because I wanted to stream Apple Music bit-perfectly and gaplessly through the streaming active floorstanders and none of the services offered by the KEF – Apple AirPlay 2, Google Cast and HDMI […] The post Eversolo’s Control app comes to Android TV first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed withou... - My retirement system #1 (video version)25 August 2025, 9:48 am
🎥 Camera: John Darko 🎬 Editor: John Darko 🌈 Colour: Olaf von Voss 🕺🏻 Motion GFX: John Darko 💰 Ad segment: Jana Dagdagan 🎵 Song IDs? Playlists of all music heard in this video – and other videos – can be found on PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/johndarko 0:00 Intro 6:22 Actives vs. […] The post My retirement system #1 (video version) first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be repro... - My retirement system #123 August 2025, 7:57 am
I met with accountant last week and he got me talking about retirement. And that conversation got me thinking about what hifi system – or systems – I might want to own when I stop reviewing gear for a living. ‘Systems’ (plural) because I would need to satisfy the part […] The post My retirement system #1 first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. For private use only. C... - DALI’s KUPID is an affordable AND colourful standmount22 August 2025, 11:45 am
After spending the last five years plugging away at the high-end with its KORE and EPIKORE loudspeakers, DALI strikes, once again, at the very heart of the entry-level with KUPID — an exceedingly affordable and colourful standmount speaker. The KUPID is a two-way design that marries a 4.5″ paper and […] The post DALI’s KUPID is an affordable AND colourful standmount first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled o... - Cometa’s M2 rotary DJ mixer comes with audiophile pedigree (and pricing)21 August 2025, 7:39 am
Coming from the left field of audiophile-dom: a new rotary DJ mixer – and debut product – from Los Angeles ‘audio design house’ Cometa. According to the press materials, the M2 is “a rotary club mixer, home blending preamplifier, and high-fidelity active listening platform that merges hand-built analog precision with […] The post Cometa’s M2 rotary DJ mixer comes with audiophile pedigree (and pricing) first appeared on Darko.Audio.----------------------...
- Audiophilia Dream List ©2 July 2025, 9:44 pm
UPDATED JULY 3, 2025.This list will be updated regularly. The latest additions appear at the top. When the latest update appears, the previous update selections will be placed in genre sections for easier viewing. Welcome to the Audiophilia Dream List. A list of original (OG) or reissued vinyl of all genres. I’ll post the list at the top of the review page and link it across our social media any time it’s significantly updated. As vinyl has become prohibitively expensive, you’l... - Mussorgsky arr: Ravel: Pictures At An Exhibition/Orchestre de la Suisse Romande/Ansermet—Esoteric Mastering vinyl reissue [2025]2 July 2025, 7:41 pm
One of the joys of the vinyl Renaissance, especially during the past ten years, when it heated up to a fever pitch, is getting to know hitherto unknown conductors and performers from the Golden Age of Recording, especially those of Decca, EMI, Mercury, and RCA Living Stereo.As an orchestral player and conductor, I’ve always had favourites that I was passionate about, so recordings by Reiner, Previn, et al., stood pride of place in my collection. More often than not, their recordings were t... - Chopin: Polonaises—Maurizio Pollini, piano/DG The Original Source 2 LP 45 RPM vinyl reissue [2025]2 July 2025, 3:24 pm
I believe this is the first DG Original source reissue cut at 45 RPM. I could be wrong, but no matter, I found out the hard way. All the DG OS reissues I’ve reviewed have been remastered and cut by the Emil Berliner Studios’ dynamic duo of Rainer Maillard and Sidney Meyer at 33 RPM. I don’t know the Chopin Polonaises except for the famous Polonaise in A major, Op. 40, No. 1 (nicknamed the “Military Polonaise”). Side 1 contains the unknown to me Polonaise No. 1 in C-... - Pure Fidelity Savant Ti 12 inch Tonearm1 July 2025, 9:36 am
I first heard the Pure Fidelity Savant Ti 12” Tonearm (USD 8000) at the 2024 Pacific Audio Fest in Seattle. It sounded like a great match for John Stratton's new Symphony Turntable. At 12”, it was sized perfectly for the substantial plinth and looked impressive with an IKEDA Kai MC Phono Cartridge. After the show, the whole kit and caboodle came to my place for an extended stay and review. You can watch an interview I did with Stratton and the Symphony/Savant Ti setup here. After a f... - Audiovector QR1 SE Loudspeakers1 July 2025, 9:36 am
It’s a bit of a cliché in the audiophile scene to say that Denmark has the highest concentration of HiFi brands per capita. While I can't confirm the stats, Denmark's contribution to the industry is massive relative to its size. Audiovector is one of the classic names in the Danish HiFi landscape, and their high-end R series speakers have been well covered by the audio media in the US. It’s become my modus operandi to explore high-end speaker brands by getting acquainted with ...
- Magico S5 (2024 edition)10 June 2025, 2:11 pm
Magico’s latest version of its outstanding S5 floorstander is so impressive and natural sounding that no one reviewer was enough. Alan Sircom and Jimmy Hughes take on this big hitter! The post Magico S5 (2024 edition) appeared first on hi-fi+.... - The new AE320² completes the new 300 Series10 June 2025, 1:05 pm
10 June 2025: Acoustic Energy is proud to announce the […] The post The new AE320² completes the new 300 Series appeared first on hi-fi+.... - HiFi Rose RA28010 June 2025, 12:59 pm
Much more than simply matching HiFi Rose’s outstanding line of streamers and servers, the company's amplifiers combine classic style with innovative, great sound. Ed Selley tries the ‘trad’ looking RA280. The post HiFi Rose RA280 appeared first on hi-fi+.... - Music Interview: Fairground Attraction10 June 2025, 12:37 pm
In 1988, Fairground Attraction were the darlings of the Brit Awards but split soon after. Sean Hannam speaks to Eddi Reader and Mark Nevin on their reunion after 36 years. The post Music Interview: Fairground Attraction appeared first on hi-fi+.... - T+A PSD 3100 HV10 June 2025, 12:14 pm
Struggling to lift a preamplifier or DAC is unusual, but the mighty T+A PSD 3100 HV tips the scales at 26kg, and every kilogramme sounds great, according to Ed Selley. The post T+A PSD 3100 HV appeared first on hi-fi+....
- Devialet Astra ‘Opéra de Paris’ streaming amplifier26 August 2025, 12:00 am
French audio marque Devialet has been on quite a journey. Its first product, in 2010, was the D-Premier [HFN Apr ’10], an innovative integrated amplifier showcasing the ADH (Analogue/Digital Hybrid) topology of designer/company founder Pierre-Emmanuel Calmel and colleague Mathias Moronvalle [see boxout]. Eye-catchingly designed, thrillingly innovative and a sonic marvel, Devialet’s amplifier was a shot in the arm for the hi-fi industry.The company followed it with a slew of success... - Nagaoka MP-700 cartridge26 August 2025, 12:00 am
Timed to coincide with its 85th anniversary, Nagaoka is launching the MP-700 as the new flagship model of its longstanding MP series. Sidestepping the usual cartridge question – is it moving-magnet or moving-coil? – by answering ‘moving-permalloy’, this range is already well established.Until recently it topped out with the venerable £799 MP-500 [HFN Jan ’23], which was introduced about fifteen years ago, yet the MP line is even older than that, dating back t... - Michell Apollo/Muse MM/MC phono preamp22 August 2025, 12:00 am
Given that Michell Engineering is not exactly known for its breakneck pace in launching new models, the announcement of a new product at the beginning of 2025 got many a vinyl fan’s pulse racing. With the wraps now off, Michell marks a return to electronics manufacturing in the form of the new £3500 Apollo phono preamp with its matching Muse power supply.Audio electronics is nothing new for Michell, although its heyday for pre, power and phono amps was back in the 1980s and &rsquo... - Perlisten D15s active subwoofer21 August 2025, 12:00 am
Just as the American audio manufacturer Perlisten sells a varied range of loudspeakers [HFN Apr/Jun/Aug ’22 and [HFN May ’25], it also features an equally expansive line of active subwoofers. They don’t quite come in all shapes and sizes – the shapes never vary beyond flavours of cuboid – but there’s a broad sweep of price and specification to match different room sizes. Towards the top of the lineup is the £5500 D15s, reviewed here.Presently, this i... - Teac VRDS-25 CD player21 August 2025, 12:00 am
Appearances are almost always deceptive. Take Teac’s new £1300 VRDS-25. Here’s a CD player that looks rather like the established VRDS-10 and VRDS-7 [see below], featuring the CMK3 version of its VRDS transport with wafer-thin drawer mechanism, elegant orange-coloured display and basic range of onboard controls.As ever, a huge variety of track/index skip, repeat, program and fade options remain available on the matching remote control. Around the back you’ve the choice ...
- WTF Are RGB-MiniLED and Micro RGB LED TVs? Breaking Down the Next-Gen Display Tech26 August 2025, 1:00 pm
RGB Mini LED and Micro RGB TVs improve LCD picture quality with higher brightness and wider color gamut, but still face LCD limits. Learn about models, prices, and OLED comparisons.... - Trinnov AltitudeCI Scalable AV Preamp/Processor Launches for the CI Market at CEDIA 202526 August 2025, 12:00 pm
The Trinnov AltitudeCI is a scalable, networked AV processor delivering immersive audio from high-end media rooms to DCI-grade cinemas.... - Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 Wireless Headphones Review: Superior Sound and Build with Improved ANC25 August 2025, 11:36 pm
At $449, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 delivers audiophile-grade sound, deep bass, and premium build that surpasses Bose, Sony, and Apple in clarity and detail.... - Sony WH-1000XM6 Wireless Headphones Review: Best Noise Cancelling Yet25 August 2025, 9:33 am
The Sony WH-1000XM6 delivers the best ANC performance yet with upgraded sound, smarter design, and up to 30 hours of battery life, but is it worth the $450 price?... - WTF Is a Bluetooth LE Transmitter and Why You Might Want to Hold Off on Replacing Your Devices24 August 2025, 9:59 pm
A new wave of Bluetooth USB-C adapters extend the life of laptops, iPads and phones by enabling higher audio quality to wireless headphones....
- Advance Paris MyConnect250, A Second Look Video Review25 August 2025, 12:00 pm
This thing has every single potential bit of connectivity that you would ever possibly want from an integrated amplifier streamer, all in... The post Advance Paris MyConnect250, A Second Look Video Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Geshelli Labs JNOG3 (J3 Pro) Digital-to-Analog Converter Review20 August 2025, 12:00 pm
Geshelli Labs, an American firm, specializes in small DACs and headphone amplifiers. I say “small” because they are petite in size. Their... The post Geshelli Labs JNOG3 (J3 Pro) Digital-to-Analog Converter Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle Loudspeaker Review18 August 2025, 12:00 pm
The Ultra Evolution series of loudspeakers from SVS sits at the top of the company’s product range, and the Ultra Evolution Pinnacle is the... The post SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle Loudspeaker Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Advance Paris X-P700 Preamplifier and X-A160 EVO Amplifier Review11 August 2025, 12:00 pm
Advance Paris offers a wide range of audio components that combine stylish design with versatile features, appealing to audiophiles who... The post Advance Paris X-P700 Preamplifier and X-A160 EVO Amplifier Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista 600.2 Integrated Amplifier Review6 August 2025, 12:00 pm
The Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista 600.2 Integrated Amplifier is a slightly smaller version of their famous Nu-Vista 800.2 that pairs premium... The post Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista 600.2 Integrated Amplifier Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com....
- Mobile Fidelity Master Phono Preamplifier28 October 2024, 7:17 pm
The Mobile Fidelity Master Phono preamplifier has been available for a number of years with reviews available. This review is posted to give you another data point to factor in if you are considering acquiring this component. Executive summary: Consider it! Read on to grok that advice. The Master Phono, $5,995, has a number of […]... - Atma-Sphere Class D Amplifiers – MINI-REVIEW30 July 2024, 8:00 pm
Please see Important Notes on the Reviews page. This is a Mini-Review with no formal rating because after about a week of listening to this product, its strengths and weaknesses were apparent. A longer listening interval, which would be normal for a full review, was not required to draw the following conclusions. The reference system […]... - My Sonic Lab Signature Platinum Moving Coil Phono Cartridge – MINI REVIEW21 April 2024, 3:55 pm
This is a Mini Review: short term audition, impressions below, no rating. A broken-in My Sonic Labs Signature Platinum moving coil phono cartridge recently visited my listening room for a couple of weeks. In that time, there were opportunities to audition the cartridge on both an Acoustic Signature TA-7000 Neo tonearm and an Origin Live […]... - Audience frontRow USB Cable22 February 2024, 7:16 pm
There has been a lot of discussion about digital cables, centering on the fact that digital data simply contains 1 and 0. The 1 is 5 Volts, and the 0 is zero Volts. Either “on” or “off”. What could go wrong? This is the heart of the controversy, since some folks seem to be convinced […]... - Hana Umami Red Phono Cartridge and Musical Surroundings Phonomena III Phono Preamplifier9 December 2023, 11:10 pm
A proper Japanese translation of the word umami is the “essence of deliciousness”. Still another suggests the literal translation to be a “pleasant, savory taste”. These definitions apply to the Hana Umami Red moving coil phono cartridge, which is not only a real treat to hear, but is also a treat for your wallet at […]...
- Review: Advance Paris Playstream A5 Amplifier17 August 2025, 6:43 pm
Review by David Neice Advance Paris A5 Playstream Amplifier: A Swiss Army Knife MSRP: Playstream A5 $1,875.00 Canadian (BT X-FTB01 receiver included) Upgrade: X-FTB02 Bluetooth […]... - Review: Cardas Clear AES/EBU Digital Data Cable15 March 2025, 7:24 pm
Review: Cardas Clear AES/EBU Digital Data Cable Steve Graham tackles the sonic differences of digital cables. I know, I know Cable reviews, yawn. They […]... - Moonriver 404 Reference: A Gold Star Integrated From Sweden11 March 2025, 11:13 pm
Moonriver 404 Reference Amplifier Review – A World Wonder! An ‘In the House’ Review by David Neice MSRP: Base price without any options is $6400 […]... - Review: FiiO K11 R2R DAC/Headphone Amp4 February 2025, 4:20 pm
Review: FiiO K11 R2R DAC/Headphone Amp Steve Graham wonders if a $230 resistor ladder DAC can improve a $400 streamer Audio Friends I’m storing […]... - Review: Bluesound NODE Nano Streaming DAC27 November 2024, 12:26 am
Hello Bluesound Node Nano! Goodbye Raspberry Pi? Steve Graham ponders the possibility of a Node Nano sending his music-playing Raspberry Pi into early retirement. […]...
- SIAS 2025 Show Report26 August 2025, 11:11 am
The 19th Shenzhen International Audio Show, or SIAS 2025 for short, is a new audio show to me in a city that I have passed by but never spent any time in. Shenzhen Shenzhen is essentially the Chinese equivalent of the USA’s Silicon Valley. Located on the border with Hong Kong, the city has experienced remarkable growth over the last two decades, becoming not only one of the largest and most modern cities in the country but also one of […] SIAS 2025 Show Report... - TWISTURA Woodnote Review25 August 2025, 10:51 am
Marcelo reviews the TWISTURA Woodnote, a new flagship wood diaphragm 10mm single dynamic driver IEM with a customizable sound signature. It is currently priced at $179. Disclaimer: This is a sample in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or status. I thank Linsoul for this opportunity. Click here to read more about Linsoul-supplied products previously reviewed on Headfonics. This article follows our latest scoring guidelines, which you can... - FiiO QX13 Review23 August 2025, 10:38 am
Louis reviews the FiiO QX13, a new high-end dongle DAC with an ES9027SPRO chipset, a 1.99″ color display, and up to 900mW of output power. It is currently priced at $219.99. Disclaimer: I received this sample in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or services. I thank FiiO for their support. You can click here to learn more about the FiiO audio products we have previously reviewed on Headfonics. This post follows […] FiiO QX1... - THIEAUDIO Valhalla Review22 August 2025, 10:35 am
Nihal reviews the THIEAUDIO Valhalla, an all-BA 19-driver per side flagship universal IEM packaged with the company’s TOTL EliteNoir cable. It is currently priced at $1999.00. Disclaimer: This is a sample in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or status. I thank Linsoul and THIEAUDIO for this opportunity. Click here to read more about THIEAUDIO products previously reviewed on Headfonics. This article follows our latest scoring guide... - xDuoo XD05 Basic2 Review20 August 2025, 11:18 am
Marcelo reviews the xDuoo XD05 Basic2, a portable CS43131 DAC and 750mW opamp-swappable headphone amplifier with wireless support. It is currently priced at $299.00. Disclaimer: This sample was sent in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or status. I want to thank Shenzhen Audio and xDuoo for their support. Click here to read more on xDuoo products previously reviewed on Headfonics. This article follows our current scoring guidelines, whi...
- Review: Noble Audio FoKus Amadeus True Wireless25 August 2025, 5:20 pm
Review of the Noble Audio Amadeus True Wireless earphones. If there is one thing that the past 5 years has The post Review: Noble Audio FoKus Amadeus True Wireless appeared first on AudioHead.... - Top 10 Best Turntables Of 202515 July 2025, 7:29 am
Some Of The Top 10 Best Turntables Of 2025 – also known as Record Players (but never vinyl players). We The post Top 10 Best Turntables Of 2025 appeared first on AudioHead.... - Rhino Records Reissues Fleetwood Mac On Vinyl And New Dolby ATMOS Mix11 July 2025, 4:58 pm
Depending on when you were born, Fleetwood Mac (and the band’s 1975 self-titled album) can be either a seminal work The post Rhino Records Reissues Fleetwood Mac On Vinyl And New Dolby ATMOS Mix appeared first on AudioHead.... - Focal Adds The Diva Mezza Utopia To The Active Wireless Lineup9 July 2025, 7:02 pm
This week France-based Focal and the legendary Naim amplifier company (owned collectively under the Vervent Audio Group umbrella) announced a The post Focal Adds The Diva Mezza Utopia To The Active Wireless Lineup appeared first on AudioHead.... - Review: Schiit Kara F Pre, Gungnir 2 DAC & The Rest Of The Gigastack7 July 2025, 2:55 pm
This our full review of the Schiit Kara F preamplifier, Schiit Gungir DAC and Wotan Stereo Power Amplifier in the The post Review: Schiit Kara F Pre, Gungnir 2 DAC & The Rest Of The Gigastack appeared first on AudioHead....
- Schiit Lyr+ Fusion Architecture Headphone Amp & Preamp – Saving the best for last18 August 2025, 6:00 am
So this is my third installment of reviews that started when I received the Schiit Audio Lyr 3 Fusion Architecture™ The post Schiit Lyr+ Fusion Architecture Headphone Amp & Preamp – Saving the best for last appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - A Tribute to Frank Iacone, a Life Lived Large, Larger than Life5 August 2025, 6:00 am
Last week, my close friend, colleague, and business partner Frank Iacone passed away. He was an icon of the Personal The post A Tribute to Frank Iacone, a Life Lived Large, Larger than Life appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - HIFIMAN ISVARNA Hybrid Headphone4 August 2025, 6:00 am
Once again, I received a combination of products simultaneously for review, in this case, the HIFIMAN ISVARNA Hybrid Headphone and The post HIFIMAN ISVARNA Hybrid Headphone appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - Introducing: 105 SILVA open-back headphones by Meze Audio23 July 2025, 6:21 pm
CAPTIVATING ALL SENSES The new 105 SILVA offers a smooth blend of clarity and richness. Through a combination of perfected The post Introducing: 105 SILVA open-back headphones by Meze Audio appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - Musical Fidelity is proud to unveil the B1xi Integrated Amplifier, the first in its newly reimagined B-Series23 July 2025, 5:54 pm
Musical Fidelity B1xi Integrated AmplifierAvailability: August 2025 Prices: $879 USD / $1,229 CAD North America Distribution: Focal Naim America (focalnaimamerica.com) The post Musical Fidelity is proud to unveil the B1xi Integrated Amplifier, the first in its newly reimagined B-Series appeared first on Headphone Guru....
- Audeze LCD-521 August 2025, 12:00 am
Founded back in 2008 in Southern California, Audeze’s aim is to adapt NASA technology to create high-resolution audio products. For those that don’t know, the company’s name was inspired by a poster for 2001: A Space Odyssey that hung in the garage where the company first started operations – the name is pronounced Odezy, geddit?Ever since the release of the LCD-2 in 2009, it has been instrumental in the comeback of planar technology in high-end headphone design. Jump ... - REL T/9x SE12 August 2025, 12:00 am
While Paint It Black might be the best rock track to summarise subwoofer cosmetics, REL’s new Special Edition T/9x is way more ‘prog’. It’s available in Italian Racing Red, Le Mon Yellow and the punchy orange Tangerine Dream.A £150 premium on a standard T/9x in black or white gets you a bold new colour makeover, larger, triple-chrome-plated feet and a chrome badge. Flourishes of carbon automotive styling abound, including the neat carbon border to the REL badge on... - How much do you use your hi-fi?7 August 2025, 12:00 am
... - September 2025 issue now on sale7 August 2025, 12:00 am
Welcome to the September 2025 issue! One of the most rewarding – and stressful! – things about editing HFC is pulling together the front cover. As it’s an advert for what you’ll find inside the magazine, the contents kind of pick themselves and, as we’ve made a concerted effort to ensure that as many varied types of products as possible are featured in the issue, there should be a wide range of kit displayed on the front.Choosing the main cover star, though, is a... - Musical Fidelity M6xTT6 August 2025, 12:00 am
For a company that makes no fewer than eight phono preamps ranging in price from £175 to £10,000, Musical Fidelity’s history as a purveyor of turntables is rather sparse and, it must be said, unfulfilled. True, 2002’s M1 was a mighty opening gambit and statement of intent cooked up by company founder Anthony Michaelson and then distributor, now proprietor, Heinz Lichtenegger – all crystalline acrylic magnificence and resonance-defying layer-cake construction that ma...
- Klipsch Unveils Jurassic Limited Edition Sevens for Sweepstakes12 June 2025, 9:49 pm
KLIPSCH UNVEILS LIMITED-EDITION JURASSIC WORLD SPEAKERS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH UNIVERSAL PICTURES AND AMBLIN ENTERTAINMENT’S JURASSIC WORLD REBIRTH Collector Alert: Limited Edition Klipsch The Sevens Are Rare SpecimensJurassic World Rebirth arrives in theaters July 2, 2025 Enter here! https://www.klipsch.com/jurassic-world-rebirth#enter-to-win June 5, 2025 (Indianapolis, IN) — Klipsch, a globally renowned American audio brand, has created a limited-edition […] The post Klipsch Un... - AXPONA 2025 – Show Report & Awards1 May 2025, 1:54 am
Every year, I’ve made it a point to visit every room at the show – lugging a DSLR and gimbal through hundreds of setups. But heading into my mid-40s, that pace no longer makes sense (especially with this new dad bod). This time, I came with a single goal: to find the most romantic, warm-sounding […] The post AXPONA 2025 – Show Report & Awards appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - Treating Small and Medium-Sized Rooms for Better Sound4 March 2025, 11:50 pm
I’ve been going down the rabbit hole of figuring out how best to treat a difficult listening room. It’s a pretty small room, about 12′ x 13′ with plenty of windows. I’ll get into what worked for me at a later time but I felt like a quick guide on room acoustics wouldn’t be a […] The post Treating Small and Medium-Sized Rooms for Better Sound appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - Bowers & Wilkins Unveils New Finishes for PX7 S2e & PX8 Headphones18 September 2024, 7:00 am
18th September, Worthing, UK: Renowned British audio brand, Bowers & Wilkins, has introduced two new premium finishes to its portfolio of high performance, multi-award-winning over-ear headphones, Px7 S2e and Px8. The new Px7 S2e Ruby Red and Px8 Dark Forest finishes expand on the already extensive range of colors available – the widest choice of colors […] The post Bowers & Wilkins Unveils New Finishes for PX7 S2e & PX8 Headphones appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - XACT unveils revolutionary XACT S1 EVO Music Server and PHANTOM Cables5 September 2024, 6:44 pm
XACT is proud to announce the launch of two groundbreaking products that set new benchmarks in high-fidelity audio performance: the XACT S1 EVO Music Server and the XACT PHANTOM™ USB and LAN Cables. These new offerings cater to the most discerning audiophiles, delivering exceptional sound quality through advanced engineering, meticulous craftsmanship, and innovative design. XACT […] The post XACT unveils revolutionary XACT S1 EVO Music Server and PHANTOM Cables appeared first on Aud...
- Marantz launches the 10 Series Collection2 September 2024, 2:06 am
NEWS: Marantz pitches for the big league with its newest range of high-end products... starting off with the Model 10 Reference integrated amplifier.... - Auris Audio’s MYSTiK is a plug-n-play turntable28 August 2024, 2:17 am
NEWS: Auris Audio's MYSTiK turntable makes for a hassle-free entry into the world of vinyl.... - Cambridge Audio Evo One… all-in-one entertainer13 August 2024, 2:28 am
NEWS: The Evo One is Cambridge Audio's commendable push to capture a slice of the lifestyle hi-fi market... - Ruark Audio R410 – beyond the box sonically29 July 2024, 1:46 am
REVIEW: One box that does it all? The well-endowed Ruark Audio R410 certainly fits the bill when it comes to a lifestyle audio system with sonic chops... - McIntosh updates its Bluetooth transceiver with the MB2518 June 2024, 3:11 am
NEWS: The MB25 Bluetooth transceiver brings streaming options to systems that have yet to get in with the trend....
- Glasshouse Speaker Kit No. 1 Full Build & Review18 August 2025, 12:31 pm
Little sealed speakers with a big sound and some-assembly required. Satisfying to build resulting in a true hi-fi bargain. THey punch well above their weight and are worth the effort.... - Spartan 20 Phono Stage By Michael Fidler Reviewed21 May 2025, 9:05 am
Fidler's first combined unit, bucking audio industry trends and providing real performance for modest money. Upholds Michael's unsurpassed record for offering objectively the finest, and subjectively the most uncoloured, phono stages you can buy at the moment.... - QlearSoul SoulBox S1 All-In-One Turntable System Reviewed20 May 2025, 10:27 am
a stylish package that’s well-built and offers a lot of performance for the price. It’s a great first step into vinyl and a good choice for those who want an integrated system to fit a smaller space.... - FiiO SR11 Streamer Reviewed28 March 2025, 10:41 am
If FiiO developed the software to the standard of a WiiM Mini, but kept to the streaming transport format (I.E a simple bridging device with no DAC of its own) they’d have the kind of streaming transport that many are looking for at a far more sensible price than the current streaming bridges on the market. At the moment, it's held back by its limitations.... - QlearSoul One-Q All-In-One Turntable Reviewed26 March 2025, 3:59 pm
the One-Q is an excellent Bluetooth speaker and a perfectly acceptable turntable for occasional playback, and is easy to recommend over any of the typical alternatives currently on the market....
- KEF Reference Audio for Lotus Eletre S Review22 August 2025, 1:35 pm
Adam Rayner takes this sporty SUV's flagship factory sound system for a spin…... - DUNU Arashi Headphone Review21 August 2025, 5:20 am
Cheryl Tan auditions this impressive new pair of premium planar magnetic phones…... - Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 Headphone Review18 August 2025, 3:45 am
Cheryl Tan sounds out this classy new pair of on-ear headphones from a respected German brand…... - Eversolo Play Streaming Amplifier Review17 August 2025, 5:50 am
Eric Teh enjoys his time with this keenly priced, all-in-one digital audio solution…... - Sony Bravia 8 II Television Review14 August 2025, 10:42 am
Don't call this a flagship, says Steve May, but he still reckons the company's highest-spec OLED TV is a superstar…...
- Audiolab 9000N Among the First to Gain Qobuz Connect Streaming21 May 2025, 6:16 pm
Audiolab has announced the integration of Qobuz Connect into its 9000N network audio streamer ($3,699). This new feature was announced at the HIGH END show in Munich on May 15, 2025, and the 9000N is amongst the first to incorporate it. This new feature lets users stream music directly from the Qobuz streaming service. Control […] The post Audiolab 9000N Among the First to Gain Qobuz Connect Streaming appeared first on HIFI Trends.... - EVO 5: Wharfedale’s Next-Gen Speakers Aim to Redefine Mid-Tier Audio16 May 2025, 7:22 pm
Wharfedale has launched its new EVO 5 Series loudspeakers, succeeding the popular EVO 4 range (which we loved on the site). The new series features upgrades to drive units, cabinets, and crossovers, aiming to deliver enhanced sound performance. According to the company, the EVO 5 Series maintains accessible price points while incorporating design and engineering […] The post EVO 5: Wharfedale’s Next-Gen Speakers Aim to Redefine Mid-Tier Audio appeared first on HIFI Trends.... - WiiM Introduces Remarkable New Audio Products for Later This Year: WiiM Amp Ultra, WiiM Sound, and WiiM Sub Pro14 May 2025, 10:00 am
WiiM, the global technology company known for its high-value audio gear, is announcing the release of several new audio products: the WiiM Amp Ultra, the WiiM Sound, and the WiiM Sub Pro. These products expand the WiiM ecosystem and aim to provide high-fidelity audio, seamless integration, and whole-home control. WiiM Amp Ultra The WiiM Amp […] The post WiiM Introduces Remarkable New Audio Products for Later This Year: WiiM Amp Ultra, WiiM Sound, and WiiM Sub Pro appeared first on HIFI Tr... - Final DX6000: Magnesium Driver Innovation Redefines Open-Back Listening29 April 2025, 3:54 am
Final Audio has announced the release of the DX6000, the first model in their new DX Series of headphones. A brand new design from the ground up, Final states that the DX6000 utilizes advanced driver technology to deliver a transparent and expressive listening experience. Driver Technology The DX6000 features a newly developed large-diameter dynamic driver […] The post Final DX6000: Magnesium Driver Innovation Redefines Open-Back Listening appeared first on HIFI Trends.... - Andover Audio Releases SpinBase MAX 2: Enhanced Audio for Turntables25 April 2025, 6:40 pm
Andover Audio has launched the SpinBase MAX 2, an upgraded version of its midrange turntable speaker system. This new model features an improved acoustic suspension enclosure design that is said to significantly enhance sound quality compared to the original. Like the SpinBase 2, the MAX 2 utilizes Andover’s IsoGroove™ technology to minimize feedback, allowing any […] The post Andover Audio Releases SpinBase MAX 2: Enhanced Audio for Turntables appeared first on HIFI Trends....
- FiiO K9 AKM Headphone Amplifier/DAC26 August 2025, 4:41 pm
Watch the YouTube ReviewFirst off, I want to thank Ed Holmwood of Old Guy Hi-Fi for loaning me the K9 headphone amp/DAC for review. This is my first piece of FIIO gear that I’ve been able to spend more than a couple of minutes with. And based on the K9 here, I really wish I would’ve had more experiences with FiiO before this.The K9 AKM is a headphone amplifier/DAC that in a pinch could also be used as a preamp. However, since FiiO has the K11 with a remote which is designed to ... - Yulong DP1 Network Streamer/USB Digital Interface15 August 2025, 2:48 am
View the YouTube ReviewYou have a DAC you like, but are looking for both a streamer that can be programmed to your network, has HDMI ARC, and you also want to invest in a DDC? I may have the answer.In July, Rosemary at Apos Audio contacted me, asking if I was interested in reviewing a unique streamer by Yulong, I was more than curious. Now Yulong is a 20+ year-old Chinese company, and its founder is a passionate audiophile. What Apos sent is the YULONG DAART DP1 Network /USB Digital Interf... - Vera-Fi Audio Vanguard Caldera 12 Subwoofer5 August 2025, 12:26 pm
Link to YouTube ReviewTo most people when you think of subwoofers you think of the boom boom boom of the car next to you, disturbing your peaceful conversation at a stoplight. However, a well-designed subwoofer isn’t about the boom. It’s about the bass detail that goes missing in most speakers because they cannot dig that deep. Now I will be the first one to admit that in my 11 x 10“ room, a 12 inch subwoofer is a bit overkill on first glance, but what we forget is that a... - SMSL DO 400 Headphone Amp/DAC/Preamplifier29 July 2025, 3:06 pm
Watch the YouTube VideoMy dive continues into Chinese hi-fi, better known as Chi-fi by many. With the help of an introduction by Ed of Old Guy Hi-Fi, I was able to get in contact with Good people at Aoshida, distributors of many Chinese brand hi-fi products. They were kind enough to send me the SMSL DO 400 that retails at $499. of of course and full disclosure and in compliance with the FCC, although I was provided with this unit I was not compensated in any way. the opinions are my own su... - Galion Audio TS Voyager TL Stand Mount Speakers21 July 2025, 3:52 pm
Watch the YouTube ReviewOne of the things about being an audiophile is that we continue to chase hearing every single note, desiring that ultimate resolution within our budget. During that chase a few audiophiles lose their love of music. Many people point to the supposedly famous Alan Parsons quote about audiophiles listen to their equipment. Well, I’m a music lover first, I listen to just escape and allow my brain synapsis’ to be lit up by the joy of notes and harmonies in in...
- Media Room v5 – Part 3 – Aug 202517 August 2025, 10:06 am
A summary of the Media Room and its operational components in August 2025.... - Grimm PW1 MM/MC Phono Preamp15 August 2025, 10:31 am
The PW1 MM/MC phono preamplifier is Grimm Audio's latest product, released in January this year. It is an ideal companion for a Grimm Audio MU2 server/DAC/preamp or a Grimm Audio LS1 active loudspeaker system, but it also functions perfectly standalone in the context of any other audio system.... - Musetec MH-DA006 DAC and MH-SA001 Pre-amplifier8 August 2025, 7:06 pm
Known initially as L.K.S Audio and building on several years of experience, Musetec was founded in 2013. In the following years, the company gained recognition for its series of acclaimed audio DACs. In 2019, the company officially launched the Musetec brand, of which I will review the current Flagship Preamp and DAC.... - Aavik U-588 Unity Amplifier26 July 2025, 1:16 pm
The new Aavik x88 series is a result of a unique collaboration between Gryphon Audio's founder Flemming Erik Rasmussen's artistic vision, combined and Michael Børresen’s innovative technical approach. The new series draws inspiration from the acclaimed 880-series flagship models, with improved performance in a completely new design.... - XACT N1 Network Switch20 July 2025, 11:51 am
Most “audiophile-grade” network switches available today are based on standard, off-the-shelf motherboards intended for office or general IT use. The XACT N1 is built around a 100% custom-designed motherboard, developed exclusively for one purpose: to deliver the purest, most natural sound over Ethernet for high-end audio systems....
- A New Way to Evaluate Audio Systems22 October 2024, 7:16 pm
Dedicated music lovers would like to identify and use the best quality audio equipment. That way they could, potentially, have a richer musical experience. Yet, as Norwitz and Qvortrup identify in Are You On The Road To... Audio Hell?,” none of the methods frequently used to evaluate systems, measurements and specifications, blind tests, double-blind tests, boogie factors, or comparisons to real music, have been definitive. The post A New Way to Evaluate Audio Systems appeared first on Res... - A Visit to Audio Note UK8 October 2024, 7:49 pm
I was being hosted for two weeks at the Audio Note factory and was charged with a variety of tasks from documenting the hub of the company, situated in the picturesque country hamlet of Hove, to interviewing the proprietors of several small studios and mastering companies namely Gearbox Records and The Electric Recording Co. The post A Visit to Audio Note UK appeared first on Resistor Magazine |.... - The Stooges Fun House an Electric Recording Co. Release27 September 2024, 6:32 pm
Fun House is the second studio album released by The Stooges and continued the band’s growl-heavy, proto-punk sonic assault introduced on their first LP, 1969’’s The Stooges and continued on their subsequent 1973 outing Raw Power. The post The Stooges Fun House an Electric Recording Co. Release appeared first on Resistor Magazine |.... - Tour of Gearbox Records23 September 2024, 5:57 pm
Gearbox Records opened in 2009 and has locations in King’s Cross London and Tokyo. The company focuses mainly on jazz, electronic and folk releases and got its start as a means for Sheinman to produce records the way he wanted to. The post Tour of Gearbox Records appeared first on Resistor Magazine |.... - The Troubadour in the Age of Musical Superstars15 September 2024, 8:01 pm
The troubadour sharing musical messages in small and intimate settings seems an anathema to blockbuster songs by superstars. They have so many views, and so many fans, that the number only makes wildly abstract sense, how many stadiums filled with people could such a number even be? Like popping a young boy’s soap bubbles, it is perhaps too easy to point out that many songs that garner huge interest are superficial, shallow, sham show tunes. The post The Troubadour in the Age of Musical Su...
- On Sponsored Content & Other Things I Do Not Do25 August 2025, 2:26 pm
Due to the increased frequency of requests, I thought it wise to post my position on “sponsored posts” and other things I do not do. To be clear, I do not produce sponsored posts of any kind, something I thought was obvious since I’ve never [...]... - Luxman Ups Their CD Game With the D-03R CD Player & DAC23 August 2025, 12:00 pm
What’s different about the new Luxman D-03R compared to the D-03X? Just about everything. I suppose I need to preface this post by talking about how CD’s are making a comeback and how the kids just love ’em and nostalgia, but that’s so…vinyl. Luxman released [...]... - #NewMusicFriday: August 22, 202522 August 2025, 1:00 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. Earl Sweatshirt: Live Laugh Love (Warner Records) It’s A Beautiful Place by Water [...]... - Album of the Week: Birthing by SWANS22 August 2025, 10:00 am
Either you do or you don’t. There’s no in between. Some records are a sprint, others hurdles, while others still are long distance hauls. Swans have been making ultra marathons for decades and Birthing, their seventeenth studio album, sounds as fresh, intense and challenging as [...]... - Review: Ø Audio Verdande Loudspeakers21 August 2025, 9:00 am
Soon after I asked the Ø Audio Verdande to play music I realized they are, at heart, delicate and powerful creatures capable of single-driver intimacy coupled with full range reach while exhibiting the speed and lightning fast dynamics you’d expect from a horn-loaded loudspeaker. A [...]...
- Hifiman Goldenwave GA-10 Review26 August 2025, 4:30 am
In this review we take a close look at the Hifiman Goldenwave GA-10 tube headphone amplifier. It is selling for $1,599.99 USD. Disclaimer:... The post Hifiman Goldenwave GA-10 Review appeared first on https://www.headfonia.com/... - Effect Audio Centurion II Review23 August 2025, 9:30 pm
Today, we review the Centurion II flagship cable by the Singaporean boutique cable manufacturer Effect Audio. It is priced at $5,999 USD. Disclaimer:... The post Effect Audio Centurion II Review appeared first on https://www.headfonia.com/... - FiiO Jiezi Review22 August 2025, 9:30 pm
In this article we review the all new entry-level dongle DAC/Amp from the Chinese brand, the FiiO Jiezi, priced at just $29,99 USD. ... The post FiiO Jiezi Review appeared first on https://www.headfonia.com/... - ZiiGaat Lush Review20 August 2025, 9:16 pm
In this review, I’ll examine the pros and cons of the ZiiGaat Lush hybrid IEM. They sell for $179 USD. Disclaimer: Linsoul is... The post ZiiGaat Lush Review appeared first on https://www.headfonia.com/... - FiiO QX13 Review18 August 2025, 9:30 pm
In this article, we review FiiO’s new portable USB DAC/AMP, the FiiO QX13 dongle. It retails for $219 USD. Disclaimer: FiiO provided the... The post FiiO QX13 Review appeared first on https://www.headfonia.com/...
- More Stellar Shostakovich from Boston: Yo-Yo Ma Digs Deep and also Takes Off in the ‘Cello Concertos'26 August 2025, 1:00 pm
Another outstanding recording from Producer/Engineer Shawn Murphy helps stick the landing... - Analogue Productions' Sonny Rollins "Way Out West" UHQR—What A Long Strange Trip It's Been!25 August 2025, 3:00 pm
was it worth the time and effort?... - Strong(er) Moonlight25 August 2025, 1:00 pm
POST-PUNK CLASSIC GETS 45TH ANNIVERSARY AAA REISSUE... - "Fleetwood Mac" Gets Rhino High Fidelity Edition24 August 2025, 4:48 pm
a band no longer singing the blues... - Grace Bergere Is A New York Rocker Extraordinaire22 August 2025, 5:10 pm
you want it even darker?...