- ModWright20 November 2023, 12:00 am
Dan Wright of ModWright Instruments Inc., partnered with Cardas Audio, Acora Acoustics, and Woodsong Audio to bring his new compact, affordable 9-series products, which are "based on our Reference Designs," Wright told me in a preshow email.The ModWright room featured a SOTA Cosmos Eclipse turntable ($10,500) with an SME V tonearm ($5500) and an Ortofon Winfeld Ti MC cartridge ($5999) as well as a prototype ModWright step-up transformer ($2000), ModWright Analog Bridge ($3900), ModWright PH... - TAD + PAD20 November 2023, 12:00 am
Japan’s Technical Audio Devices Laboratories, Inc. (TAD) brought several products to CAF, including the US debut of the TAD Grand Evolution One (GE1) floor-standing speakers ($65,000/pair) and new TAD C1000 preamplifier ($24,950). Also in Room 651—hosted by Professional Audio Design (PAD)—were the TAD TAD-D1000MK2 disc player ($21,000), TAD-DA1000TX DAC ($15,900), and, driving the GE-1s, a pair of TAD TAD-M700 monoblocks. Synergistic Research supplied cables, including SR30 Sp... - VK Music20 November 2023, 12:00 am
It was hard to find focus in Victor Kong's room. Between the nearly invisible AER BD3B/650mm full-range open-baffle speakers ($9800/pair) and the various amps on static display—Sun Valley SV-1616D 300B integrated amp ($2450), or the Elekit TU-8900 ($3050) or Elekit TU-8850 ($1850) power amps—my palms felt sweaty, my head, dizzy. Is this SET-amp lover’s heaven?Victor’s active setup included a VPI 40th Anniversary HW-40 Direct turntable ($22,000) with the fantastic Hana ... - Voxativ20 November 2023, 12:00 am
Voxativ's Ines Adler and Christopher Cunningham brought the full Voxativ experience from Berlin to Rockville, including the new and revised Voxativ Ampeggio back-loaded horn with AC-1.9 full-range driver loudspeaker ($12,900/pair).Back in 2011 Art Dudley named the original Ampeggio a Stereophile Product of the Year, so this room held special meaning for industry folk and civilians who cherished Art's unique writing, big ears, and generous humanity of spirit.The original Ampeggio awarded by A... - Nexxus Audio Technologies17 November 2023, 12:00 am
Nexus Audio Technologies' Walter Schofield presented a rig consisting of the VPI Avenger Direct turntable with Fatboy tonearm ($36,000), VPI Shyla cartridge ($2500), and Primare R35 MM/MC phono preamp ($2000); the 432 EVO Master Music Server with Roon core endpoint ($18,000); the Primare PRE35 Prisma DM36 streaming preamplifier featuring the new DM36 advanced DAC module with MQA processing ($5250); and two Primare A35.2 stereo amplifiers ($3900 each) bridged to mono. Walter also presented the S...
- Rory Block: Positively 4th Street: A Tribute to Bob Dylan15 November 2024, 6:28 pm
Fifty-nine seconds into the opening track of Rory Block’s moving […] The post Rory Block: Positively 4th Street: A Tribute to Bob Dylan appeared first on The Absolute Sound.... - Audio Physic Classic 25 Floorstanding Speaker Review15 November 2024, 6:23 pm
So imagine that you’re living space is a small to […] The post Audio Physic Classic 25 Floorstanding Speaker Review appeared first on The Absolute Sound.... - NEW ARCHIVAL RECORDINGS AVAILABLE ON LP NOVEMBER 29, 2024 FOR RSD BLACK FRIDAY14 November 2024, 3:34 pm
NOVEMBER 11, 2024 — The following archival recordings will become […] The post NEW ARCHIVAL RECORDINGS AVAILABLE ON LP NOVEMBER 29, 2024 FOR RSD BLACK FRIDAY appeared first on The Absolute Sound.... - Rega Naia Turntable12 November 2024, 4:30 pm
Written by Bill Philpot, the late Paul Messenger, and Rega […] The post Rega Naia Turntable appeared first on The Absolute Sound.... - HIFIMAN ROLLS OUT ARYA UNVEILED12 November 2024, 3:23 pm
BELLMORE, NY, November 12, 2024 –HIFIMAN, a leader in high […] The post HIFIMAN ROLLS OUT ARYA UNVEILED appeared first on The Absolute Sound....
- Part 1: 8th Floor And More CAF 2024 Show Report18 November 2024, 2:56 pm
Making my way to CAF 2024, I rolled out of Rochester at 2 p.m. and headed South on Route 15. I crossed the Pennsylvania border and noticed some road kill while I drove through poor towns that have only marginally changed over the forty-five years I've traveled this route. It was impossible to imagine a market for high-end audio gear in these parts. Even as I approached Harrisburg there were few signs of growth or modernization. Highway signs just west of town warned "Beware of increased deer ac...
- Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation AK4497SVQ DAC18 November 2024, 1:29 pm
The new AKM (Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation) AK4497SVQ is a premium 32-bit stereo DAC with Velvet Sound technology. It also has an extremely low distortion characteristics and very wide dynamic range. According to AKM, "The OSR-Doubler technology establishes wide signal band, low power consumption and low distortion characteristics. Moreover, the AK4497S has six types of 32-bit digital filters, realizing simple and flexible sound tuning in wide range of applications. The AK4497S accepts ... - My Exciting First Foray At CAF 2024 Show Report17 November 2024, 2:21 pm
November is a beautiful time of year in the northeastern United States, especially this year. The leaves are finally turning, the weather is relatively mild, and people realize there will be a winter. Rockville, Maryland, audiophiles and music lovers gathered from November 8th – 10th to attend the largest audiophile event in the northeast USA, the 13th Annual Capital Audiofest. The Capital Audiofest is a melting pot of people, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. Individuals can in... - High-Performance Audio's Impressive Modernization17 November 2024, 12:48 pm
The hi-fi world is occasionally rocked. Sometimes by performance, by a revolutionary change in technology, and sometimes by the demise of a designer, a founder or a manufacturer. This time, however, what seems to have sent out the shock-waves is a price. Cambridge-based digital expert dCS is no stranger to 'upper-echelon' pricing; the company's existing four-box Vivaldi APEX comes in at an already 'spendy' £124,250 without cables. However, the company's latest project, Varèse, conf... - Musicians And Audiophiles -- Other Ways Of Listening17 November 2024, 12:47 pm
The great thing about the audio industry is that every day our perceptions are challenged. There are so many different ways to approach sound, so many different audio disciplines. That's what motivates me daily with audioXpress. I get to engage with a huge diversity of professionals and companies, all of which are extremely passionate and dedicated to what they do, and strongly believe in their missions. For some, it's all about pure enjoyment, for others pure survival. For some, it's about und...
- REVIEW: TiGLON MS-DR20R ⸜ analog interconnect RCA » JAPAN1 November 2024, 12:00 am
ReviewText by WOJCIECH PACUŁA translation by Marek Dyba images by “High Fidelity”No 246 November 1, 2024⌈ The Japanese company TiGLON was founded in 2008. Initially named Kryna Pro, it changed its name to TiGLON in 2010, and its founder and chief designer is Mr. KENTARO OKINO. We test the inexpensive RCA analog interconnect MS-DR20R. ⌋THE JAPANESE COMPANY TIGLON (its name is stylized by the manufacturer as 'TiGLON') should be familiar to readers ... - MUSIC ⸜ Our Albums Series: MILTON NASCIMENTO & ESPERANZA SPALDING, Milton + Esperanza, Concord Records UCCO-1243, SHM-CD ⸜ 2024 » USA / JAPAN1 November 2024, 12:00 am
... - REVIEW: Stage III Concepts A.S.P. REFERENCE LEVIATHAN LIMITED EDITION ⸜ power cable AC » USA1 November 2024, 12:00 am
ReviewText by WOJCIECH PACUŁA translation by Marek Dyba images by “High Fidelity”, Stage III Concepts (cross-section)No 246 November 1, 2024⌈ Stage III Concepts is an American company based in Brooklyn, New York, specializing in audio cables. It was founded by LUIS DE LA FUENTE in 1996 - he is its owner and also its designer. Stage III Concepts gained recognition with its vacuum dielectric cables, and later with the use of rare materials for conductors. It ... - REVIEW: Phonia GRAVIS 400 ⸜ loudspeakers • floor-standing » POLAND1 November 2024, 12:00 am
ReviewText by WOJCIECH PACUŁA translation by Marek Dyba images by “High Fidelity”, PhoniaNo 246 November 1, 2024˻ PREMIERE ˼⌈ PHONIA is one of the youngest Polish companies, founded in 2018 by Mr. PIOTR KUROWSKI. It specializes in loudspeaker development and is based in Wronki. We are PREMIERE testing the three-way, seven-driver (!), floor-standing GRAVIS 400. ⌋AUDIO COMPANIES COME AND GO. One look at the list of Polish brands de... - REVIEW: Aura VA-40 REBIRTH ⸜ integrated amplifier » JAPAN1 November 2024, 12:00 am
ReviewText by WOJCIECH PACUŁA translation by Marek Dyba images by “High Fidelity”No 246 November 1, 2024⌈ AURA, currently a Japanese company, was founded in 1989 in the UK. Its first and most famous device was the VA-40 integrated amplifier. In 1996 the brand was bought by the Japanese company Yukimu, which last year prepared a new version of the classic, the VA-40 Rebirth. ⌋THE HISTORY OF THE AURA COMPANY in some ways resembles the adventures o...
- Audiomods 12" Series Six Tonearm1 November 2024, 8:44 pm
In 2020 Jeff Spalls introduced the Audiomods Series Six tonearm, providing many analog hobbyists with an opportunity to experience excellent yet affordable analog playback. Shortly after the Series Six's introduction, two significant events altered the audio landscape for many of us. First, the Ichikawa Jewel Company LTD shuttered its doors, leading to the loss of... Read More » The post Audiomods 12" Series Six Tonearm appeared first on Positive Feedback.... - MOON TO SHOWCASE TWO SYSTEMS AT FINEST AUDIO SHOW, ZURICH1 November 2024, 7:14 pm
October 31, 2024 (Montreal, Canada) – MOON will be showcasing two premium systems at this weekend’s Finest Audio Show in Zurich. The 390 and 330A will form the heart of one system, while the flagship 891 network player/preamplifier and 761 power amplifier combination will drive the other. Each system will be voiced by Trenner &... Read More » The post MOON TO SHOWCASE TWO SYSTEMS AT FINEST AUDIO SHOW, ZURICH appeared first on Positive Feedback.... - Introducing Wireworld Cable Technology Series 10 - Xtraordinary1 November 2024, 7:12 pm
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL November 1, 2024 – Wireworld Cable Technology, one of the world’s most respected brands of high-performance audio and video cables, is introducing their next generation ‘Series 10’ audio cables. These new cables incorporate several technical and visual improvements over the previous ‘Series 8’. The patented DNA Helix designs have been upgraded with... Read More » The post Introducing Wireworld Cable Technology Series 10 - Xtraordinary... - ZYX R100H Cartridge1 November 2024, 7:10 pm
This article by Bob Levi originally ran in Positive Feedback ISSUE 15 September/October 2004, so while we call this section "New Old Stock - Articles from Our Days in Print" you are also going to see some articles from our early days of going online. A true bargain doesn't come along often in high end... Read More » The post ZYX R100H Cartridge appeared first on Positive Feedback.... - Schumann, via AI? (Not.)1 November 2024, 7:04 pm
Schumann Symphony 4 (orig. vers.); Manfred Overture. Yun: Cello Concerto. Jaemin Han, cello; Korean National Symphony Orchestra/David Reiland. Decca Records (Korea). Downloads and streams: music.apple.com; plixid.net (FLAC 24/96); qobuz.com (16/44.1); spotify.com; uk.7digital.com (M4A, MP3, FLAC) Universal, the current parent company of Decca and Deutsche Grammophon, has been unusually unforthcoming about this particular production. Although it was listed in... Read More » T...
- McIntosh D1100 Digital Preamplifier18 November 2024, 9:26 pm
If you’re absolutely sure you don’t need a turntable (and I wont call you a bad Smurf if you don’t) the D1100 from McIntosh is a great way to roll. With a built in headphone amplifier, and nine digital inputs consisting of three optical, one USB, three coaxial (1-BNC, 2-RCA) an AES/EBU balanced, and a […]... - MartinLogan Impression ESL 11A Speakers22 October 2024, 9:57 pm
-Photo courtesy, The Music Room Yep, gotta admit being a fanboy of MartinLogan. Having owned and/or reviewed nearly every MartinLogan panel speaker made since the CLS in the 80s, these panels are not only easy to deal with but easy to incorporate into your room without a lot of placement issues. The ESL11A’s are part […]... - The Weiss 501 DAC22 October 2024, 11:12 am
-Photos courtesy The Music Room This DAC is the perfect example of a great, slightly used product. Having just finished my review on the Weiss 502, they explain the difference between the 501 and 502 is the latter having a balanced, 4 pin headphone output on the rear face of the unit. This is the […]... - The Java Double Shot Power Amplifier19 October 2024, 11:41 pm
From the click of the super stylish power button that merely needs your touch to illuminate a diffuse white circle of light, the Double Shot power amplifier from Java gets you going. To illustrate just how serious I am, listening begins with Jon Astley’s “Jane’s Getting Serious” on 12-inch maxi-single no less. Those Yamaha DX7 […]... - Revox releases the NEW B-77 Mk.III16 October 2024, 8:25 pm
How cool is this? Revox announced today, the launch of their new B-77 Mk.III reel to reel tape deck. This is not a discussion about the validity of the format. We know there are plenty of tape enthusiasts, and if you want higher fidelity than a late 70s tape deck can deliver, you’ve had to […]...
- Recommended Reference Component: Eversolo Audio DMP-A8 Streaming Preamplifier15 November 2024, 5:00 am
When assessing a product for SoundStage! Simplifi, our reviewers consider more than just sound quality: convenience, features, and ease of use all play a role as such qualities are important to Simplifi’s readers. In contrast, reviewers assessing components for our other sites focus, sometimes almost exclusively, on sound quality. Not surprisingly, shortcomings in one or more aspects of a component’s usability are often identified—few products can tick every box. ... - Pro-Ject Audio Systems XA B Turntable and Pick it Pro Balanced Cartridge10 November 2024, 6:42 pm
Two years after I began writing for SoundStage!, I decided to get a turntable. I wasn’t interested in using it to review other turntables; I simply wanted another option for enjoying music, especially because I was seeing a growing number of LPs in the music stores I frequented. Most importantly, though I grew up listening to cassettes before graduating to CDs, my parents always had a record player in the house—from my earliest memories, vinyl was always around. ... - Wooed by Wood—The Sonus Faber Sonetto V G21 November 2024, 4:00 am
Note: measurements taken in the anechoic chamber at Canada’s National Research Council can be found through this link. If you’ve been following this column, you might know I’ve recently developed a preference for white speakers in my living room. It started with the striking Estelon Auras, which I reviewed a year ago, and continued with the sleek Totem Bison Twin Towers, featured in August. So when my review pair of Sonus Faber Sonetto V G2s arrived and I found out they had th... - Arendal Sound 1528 Tower 8 Loudspeaker: Why I’m Going 3500 Miles to Learn How it Happened1 November 2024, 4:00 am
Company visits The SoundStage! Network began in 1995. By 1998, traveling to visit hi-fi companies had become a regular occurrence for me. At first, I toured companies close to my home in Ottawa, Canada—those located in the Toronto and Montreal metropolitan areas, mostly. By 2000, I was traveling to companies in the United States and Europe as well. ... - Recommended Reference Component: Simaudio Moon 891 Streaming Preamplifier15 October 2024, 4:00 am
In May 2023, Simaudio released its Moon North Collection, comprising the 641 integrated amplifier, 681 streaming digital-to-analog converter (DAC), 761 and 861 power amplifiers, and 791 and 891 streaming preamplifiers. In December 2023, Doug Schneider reviewed the 791 on this site, highlighting the preamp’s DAC, streaming functionality, and MM/MC phono stage, and concluded that it should “appeal to the discerning audiophile who wants an uncompromised preamplifier that could easily ha...
- EMM Labs DA2i D/A converter Review18 November 2024, 9:42 pm
Co-authored by Earl Weed A Revelation When I receive an updated version of a product that I have previously reviewed, the changes are more often evolutionary rather than revolutionary. By this, I mean that the designer has in fact improved areas in which the product was already strong while weaknesses remain. This clearly is [...] The post EMM Labs DA2i D/A converter Review appeared first on Dagogo.... - VPE Electrodynamics Crystal Dipole Speaker & Model 1 DSP Dipole Subwoofer Review11 October 2024, 7:20 pm
Variety for the budget audiophile Let’s say you have $3K to spend on speakers. What will you buy? One of the hundreds of OK sounding box speakers? Maybe a Vandersteen or a dipole speaker like a Magnepan? I have owned the Vandersteen 1B and 2CE, the Magnepan MMG and 1.6QR (and reviewed the .7i; see [...] The post VPE Electrodynamics Crystal Dipole Speaker & Model 1 DSP Dipole Subwoofer Review appeared first on Dagogo.... - 2024 California Audio Show (CAS11) Show Report: Gestalt Audio & Lotus Group17 August 2024, 7:12 pm
2024 California Audio Show (CAS11) Show Report: Gestalt Audio & Lotus Group The post 2024 California Audio Show (CAS11) Show Report: Gestalt Audio & Lotus Group appeared first on Dagogo.... - 2024 California Audio Show (CAS11) Show Report: Audio Note UK17 August 2024, 7:10 pm
2024 California Audio Show (CAS11) Show Report: Audio Note UK The post 2024 California Audio Show (CAS11) Show Report: Audio Note UK appeared first on Dagogo.... - 2024 California Audio Show (CAS11) Show Report: Clarisys Audio, WestminsterLab, LampizatOR12 August 2024, 11:09 pm
2024 California Audio Show (CAS11) Show Report: Clarisys Audio, WestminsterLab, LampizatOR The post 2024 California Audio Show (CAS11) Show Report: Clarisys Audio, WestminsterLab, LampizatOR appeared first on Dagogo....
- Coming Soon: MUTEC MC1.2+ Bi-directional Audio Converter15 November 2024, 4:59 pm
Audio: Listen to this article. Hi Guys, another quick but worthy note to close out this week. I've been waiting for the new MUTEC MC1.2+ for seemingly ever, and its time is almost here. According to MUTEC it'll launch before the end of this year and I'm in line to get one as soon as possible (the first units arriving in the USA will land at the beginning of December 2024). I ... - Create Lasting Music Memories12 November 2024, 6:45 pm
Audio: Listen to this article. Many of us have great memories of getting a new component, new speakers, or hearing an incredible system playing our favorite music. In fact a couple weeks ago I wrote about such an unforgettable system in Santa Monica, CA (link). I also vividly remember hearing a friend’s system using Pass Labs mono amps driving TAD Labs CR1 loudspeakers, then pursuing ... - Portable Battery Powered DAC Amp Review6 November 2024, 4:08 pm
Audio: Listen to this article. Audiophiles are perfectionists by nature. The phrase “good enough” rarely enters their lexicon. So, when I began my bedtime ritual of listening to my music collection through Roon’s iPad app and a pair of IEMs, I also began searching for the best mobile DAC/amp. Initially, that search was limited to passive dongles. While dongl... - 72 Hours in Santa Monica with the dCS Varese1 November 2024, 6:10 pm
Audio: Listen to this article. When Rolls Royce unveiled its bespoke Sweptail in 2017, journalists had to travel to Villa d'Este for Concorso d'Eleganza in Cernobbio, Italy to see it. When the first McLaren W1 rolls off the line in 2025, one can bet it won’t be delivered to the doorstep of writers seeking to hammer on the accelerator of the magnificent 1,200+ horsepower machine. The s... - dCS Varese Listening Events23 October 2024, 3:17 pm
Audio: Listen to this article. Hey guys, if you’re in the Los Angeles area this weekend, or even if you don’t currently have plans to be, I highly recommend making a point to be at The Audio Salon Friday or Saturday to hear the new dCS Varese. I’ll be there both Friday and Saturday, and have scheduled time to listen to the entire Varese stack on my own after the event. I&r...
- Capital Audiofest 2024 Highlights, Part 1: Belleson, Rega, Linear Tube Audio, Anticables18 November 2024, 12:00 am
A post-election visit to the Washington, DC, metro area for the 2024 edition of Capital Audiofest (a.k.a. CAF) brought plenty of hi-fi fun, including some great sounds and music along with new faces, exhibitors, and products. Helmed once again by Gary Gill, this year’s event took place from November 8-10, 2024, at the Twinbrook Hilton in Rockville, Maryland. According to Gill, CAF 2024 welcomed approximately 4,750 attendees, a figure that exceeded last year’s record number of around... - Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers’ Transitional 1982 Album Long After Dark Deserves a Full Reassessment, Thanks to Newly Remastered, Expanded 180g 2LP Deluxe Edition15 November 2024, 12:00 am
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers’ November 1982 LP on Backstreet/MCA, Long After Dark, was not exactly everyone’s immediate favorite back in the day — this, despite it hitting the Top 10, going Gold, and giving birth to several Top 40 hit singles, including the synth-heavy smash “You Got Lucky.” Even as I got deeper into collecting Petty’s complete catalog, Long After Dark often left me wanting a bit more as an end-to-end album listen — but I was never s... - Andover Audio SpinBase 2 Turntable Speaker System14 November 2024, 12:00 am
Here at AP, when it comes to gear coverage, we try to balance our admitted high-end proclivities with some more affordable options for the analog newcomer and budget-minded alike. Today’s serving comes from the more affordable side of the menu, thanks to Andover Audio.To that end, the Boston-based company has just announced SpinBase 2, the next evolution of their turntable speaker system concept. Maintaining the clean, classic design of the original SpinBase, this next-gen offering now ... - Analogue Productions to Release Miles Davis’ Birth of the Blue, the Historic First Recording Session With the Kind of Blue Band, as a 180g LP on December 13; NYC Playback Session Set for December 414 November 2024, 12:00 am
There are landmark LPs, and then there is Kind of Blue, Miles Davis’ indisputable August 1959 masterpiece on Columbia. As much as we truly love and can’t live without that historical album, we are beyond thrilled to hear that Analogue Productions is set to release Birth of the Blue — a 180g 1LP collection documenting the transformative first session held in 1958 by the same band that would go on to record Kind of Blue the following year — on December 13, 2024.Birth of ... - Capital Audiofest 2024: Turntables? We Got Your Turntables!13 November 2024, 12:00 am
Last week, Capital Audiofest ruled large in the Washington, DC area from November 8-10, 2024 — and, as always, I anointed our main product reviewer Ken Micallef to shoot as much video footage as he could of all the cool turntables and other analog-centric gear and goodies he came across at the show. CAF offers “a world of vinyl, gadgets, turntables, amplifiers, loudspeakers, and the mad audiophiles who love them,” as Ken has noted about the show in recent years, and CAF 2024 o...
- ROGUE CRONUS DARK: The Price Is Right!16 November 2024, 5:15 pm
... - Radiant Clarity 6.2 -- A BAD ASS, Hi-Tech Wonder!9 November 2024, 6:00 pm
... - Vista Zest Amplifier, Affordable Excellence!!1 November 2024, 4:45 pm
... - KEF's Best Ever Q Series Speaker!25 October 2024, 4:45 pm
... - Can a $70 SPEAKER wow AUDIOPHILES?18 October 2024, 4:45 pm
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- The PTA Gold Record Weight, Just In Time For The Holidays18 November 2024, 6:59 pm
Sometimes when a thing glitters, it is actually gold. Take our pt.AUDIO Record Weight In Gold. If you are not careful, you might find yourself staring into its lustrous depths for longer than Gollum from Lord Of The Rings. We love things that are well built, with clever design and made to last. That is [...]... - Kroma Atelier and Matterhorn | CAF 202418 November 2024, 6:08 pm
I "discovered" Kroma Atelier speakers earlier this year in the Innuos room at the Munich show--all I had to go on was the big K logo. Those big speakers were impressive enough to make the Innuos room one of my favorites at High End 2024, so when I noticed a couple of big Kroma Atelier [...]... - Master Fidelity, TLA, Vivid & GTT | CAF 202418 November 2024, 5:23 pm
"You might be familiar with this integrated," Bill Parish of GTT Audio & Video said to me when I entered his exhibit room at CAF 2024. Indeed, I had just reviewed the True Life Audio TSI-300 integrated amplifier ($53,700) and found it to be one of the most exceptional integrated amps I've ever used. But [...]... - Acora Acoustics MRC | CAF 202417 November 2024, 5:10 pm
There's no doubt about it--Acora Acoustics had one heck of a show. I wandered into the biggest room at Capital Audiofest, the one that always says VAC over the glass doors, and once inside I surveyed the usual system--Acora Acoustics VRC-1 loudspeakers ($218,000/pr, more for that amazing Sunset Fire finish) and all those wonderful tube [...]... - Command Performance AV: Back to the ’80s | CAF 202417 November 2024, 8:00 am
Why are all the exhibitors in the room wearing long, brightly colored wigs? Why are they playing nothing but music from the '80s in here? Is that a little image of Reagan on top of the speakers? It took some people--including me--quite a while to figure out why the Command Performance AV exhibit room was [...]...
- KEF Q Concerto Meta video review17 November 2024, 9:41 am
🎥 Camera: John Darko / Olaf von Voss 🎬 Editor: John Darko 🌈 Colour: Olaf von Voss 🕺🏻 Motion GFX: John Darko 💰 Ad segment: John Darko 🎵 Song IDs? Playlists of all music heard in this video – and other videos – can be found on PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/johndarko Further […] The post KEF Q Concerto Meta video review first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycle... - DUNU’s Concept R is a retro-futuristic portable CD player (and I want one)13 November 2024, 10:34 am
This isn’t a new story. The product in question hasn’t even been (formally) announced. So far, we’ve only seen a social media video teaser and a public outing at September’s Shenzhen Audio Show. By all accounts, the internal design isn’t quite finished. So — let’s call it a (ahem) ‘concept’ […] The post DUNU’s Concept R is a retro-futuristic portable CD player (and I want one) first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- ... - FiiO’s BTR 17 offers aptX Lossless & ‘Desktop Mode’11 November 2024, 2:10 pm
FiiO’s product development lab keeps trucking at a rapid pace with the introduction of the BTR 17: a palm-sized Bluetooth receiver, DAC and headphone amplifier with IPS display. Codec support runs the gamut: AAC (for iPhones), aptX HD and LDAC for Android devices and aptX Adaptive when paired with Snapdragon […] The post FiiO’s BTR 17 offers aptX Lossless & ‘Desktop Mode’ first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reprod... - In Lisbon for review: KEF’s Q Concerto Meta11 November 2024, 12:55 pm
If you think you’re seeing double it’s because you are. We’ve already previewed KEF’s new Q Concerto Meta in Berlin (US$1299/pair) so why are we doing it again a month later and almost 3000km away in Lisbon? The answer: the quest for helpful side-by-side comparisons. Long-time readers will know of […] The post In Lisbon for review: KEF’s Q Concerto Meta first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or... - More information on Marantz’s SACD 10 and Link 10n7 November 2024, 10:09 am
When Marantz unveiled the MODEL 10 last month, the supplied photos didn’t make it obvious that this new ‘reference integrated amplifier’ would be something of an audio behemoth. It measures 44cm across the front panel – as do most full-width hi-fi components – but it’s also 42cm deep. That’s too […] The post More information on Marantz’s SACD 10 and Link 10n first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be ...
- The SweetVinyl Sugarcube SC-1 Mini11 November 2024, 3:25 pm
This is a guest post by Scott Wilson of The Pressing Matters and Co-Host of Audiophilia’s Everything Classical Music Livestream. Welcome Scott, and thank you.Audiophiles are a curious group. We love to debate the merits of tubes vs transistors, analog vs digital, and if a $20,000 speaker cable is that much better than a hardware store zip cord. Yet I can't recall a device that provokes such an extreme reaction as the Sweetvinyl Sugarcube. The Sweetvinyl Sugarcube products all share one cor... - Soular Energy: The Ray Brown Trio—Concord Jazz/Analogue Productions 45 RPM 2LP Reissue [2024]6 November 2024, 7:28 pm
This 2024 45 RPM double album from Analogue Productions was gifted to me by Jack Graham of Straight Talk with Jack Graham. He was very impressed with this new pressing of Ray Brown’s great 1984 album and wanted me to hear it and review it for Audiophilia. I’ll try to do justice to your generous gift, Jack. The original recording on Concord Jazz is from 1984. Brown enlisted Gene Harris on piano and Gerryck King on drums to fill out a trio. The trio is joined by two guests for the trac... - Pure Fidelity Symphony Turntable1 November 2024, 10:48 am
I believe the debut of a high-end audio manufacturer’s benchmark product is usually a reason for celebration. A turntable is doubly so, especially from a leading manufacturer like Vancouver’s Pure Fidelity Turntables. Owner/designer John Stratton asked me to judge his prototype turntable some years back. It was an excellent debut turntable, full of sonic goodness, great looks and exceptional value. Over the years, Stratton has continued to add to his line and improve upon each model ... - Alta Audio Aphrodite Speakers1 November 2024, 10:48 am
Some years ago, in 2016, Alta Audio came out with a floor-standing loudspeaker that deeply affected me due to its ability to cast a vast, life-like soundstage with intricate pinpoint accuracy in the imaging while keeping an intimate overall sound. It was called the Titanium Hestia, after the Greek Goddess “of the hearth, the home and family,” weighing about 140 lbs and costing USD 32,000 a pair. The Hestia was endowed with a variation of a D’Appolito Configuration and an open-b... - Mendelssohn Violin Concertos—Alina Ibragimova (violin), OAE conducted by Vladimir Jurowski—Hyperion vinyl edition [2024]29 October 2024, 3:16 pm
I’ve been banging on in reviews and our Everything Classical Music Livestream that digital is in our analogue future. As such, if classical fans want new vinyl to spin, many new releases and remasters (there are precious few) will be from digital or at least have, like ESOTERIC’s superb releases, a single digital step.A little research shows that this new pressing is from the initial run of five LPs chosen from the vaults at Hyperion. They are all digital, from the early ‘80s t...
- Meze Audio Empyrean II13 November 2024, 3:00 pm
Meze Audio has established a pretty enviable reputation in the […] The post Meze Audio Empyrean II appeared first on hi-fi+.... - McIntosh Labs MA35213 November 2024, 2:15 pm
Chris Frankland gets to grips with McIntosh Labs’ MA352 hybrid integrated amplifier, with the promise of tube-like smoothness and 200W of solid-state power, all wrapped up in classic McIntosh style. The post McIntosh Labs MA352 appeared first on hi-fi+.... - Graham Audio LS8/113 November 2024, 1:33 pm
Graham Audio’s rethink of one of the UK’s most beloved classic loudspeaker designs, the BC1. But it’s no clone of this stand-mount legend from the 1970s, as Alan Sircom discovers. The post Graham Audio LS8/1 appeared first on hi-fi+.... - Music Interview: Vince Clarke13 November 2024, 12:04 pm
Vince Clarke is an electronic music royalty with a career spanning over 40 years, including being a founding member of Depeche Mode, Yazoo and Erasure. Interviewer Sean Hannam is star-struck! The post Music Interview: Vince Clarke appeared first on hi-fi+.... - WK Audio TheRed loudspeaker cables13 November 2024, 11:32 am
Alan Sircom completes the trio of top cables from Polish manufacturer WK Audio. Do TheRed loudspeaker cables deliver the same performance we got from the company’s power cords and interconnects? The post WK Audio TheRed loudspeaker cables appeared first on hi-fi+....
- Live and Kicking15 November 2024, 12:00 am
British trumpet player Enrico Tomasso on stage at the Felpham Village Memorial Hall in West Sussex. During lockdown Tomasso bought the microphones and equipment needed and taught himself how to stream his music from scratch When the Covid lockdown made traditional music concerts a no-go, artists and venues turned to live streaming over the Internet. But first, says Barry Fox, they had to master the technology... Covid sea-changed how we listen to recorded music and watch live events. Obviously, ... - Optimising The Bottom End15 November 2024, 12:00 am
Barry Willis believes a subwoofer can bring a performance boost to your hi-fi system as long as you take the time to calibrate it - so look out for models with remote/app control A properly setup subwoofer can add enormously to your musical satisfaction. Improperly setup, it can be an annoying nemesis. Many subwoofers are designed for maximum dynamic impact with multichannel movie soundtracks. While they may excel at making explosions sound convincing, they may not contribute much to your enjoym... - Radio Changes15 November 2024, 12:00 am
When an FM/DAB tuner supports only one antenna, you'll achieve better performance from both types of transmission using a VHF aerial, says Jim Lesurf. But which type, and where to put it? A few decades ago, FM radio transmissions - particularly those on BBC Radio 3 - were an excellent way to hear music with a very high level of sound quality. Sadly that has been eroded over the years due to a number of changes, which have occurred for various reasons. One has been the loss of many highly capable... - An Irreplaceable Maestro15 November 2024, 12:00 am
English conductor Sir Andrew Davis stood in for his colleagues at the last minute and saved the day on many occasions, remembers Peter Quantrill. But who will be able to take his place? On the 20th of August, there will be an empty space - spiritual, if not physical - at the centre of the Royal Albert Hall. At time of writing, the replacement for Sir Andrew Davis had not been announced, but whoever takes on the task, I hope they keep the programme unchanged. Rather than fulsome speeches of tribu... - Make Mine A Large15 November 2024, 12:00 am
Walk into any hi-fi show and you'll spot towering horn-loaded loudspeakers, says Steve Harris, but 'big' speakers in the UK have typically gone down another route, as he explains... Not so long ago the idea of a hi-fi system costing a million pounds would have raised eyebrows and hackles. Such systems might exist, we thought, but only in the secret hideaways of a few eccentric billionaires. But today you can have a good chance of hearing a million-pound sound just by walking in to a hi-fi show. ...
- RSL Speakers is Bringing the Thunder Down Under18 November 2024, 10:48 pm
Customers in Australia can now purchase direct from RSL Speakers and get free shipping, faster delivery and a 30-day in-home trial.... - A Tohoku Jazz Kissa Adventure (Part 3): Exit To Vintage Street18 November 2024, 3:11 pm
Eric Pye's Tohoku saga comes to a close in Hakodate, and some final thoughts about his Jazz Kissa journey through Japan.... - Say Goodbye to Unsightly Cables With the AUDIO Cu Sound Over Power Line Solution18 November 2024, 1:28 am
AUDIO Cu plug-in adapters eliminate long cable runs by sending up to 10 channels of audio over power lines already in your home.... - Schiit Audio’s Gungnir 2 DAC Supports 32-Bit/384kHz PCM, DXD and the Forkbeard Control System and App18 November 2024, 12:18 am
At $1,599, the Schiit Gungnir 2 DAC is modular, upgradable, and compatible with Schiit's new Forkbeard control system and app.... - Metaxas & Sins’ New Prinz Electrostatic Speakers Are About to Get A Serious Low End Boost From SVS16 November 2024, 7:18 pm
SVS Chosen as Official Subwoofer Partner of Reel Sound Distribution for Metaxas & Sins New Electrostatic Speakers....
- Primare SPA25 Multichannel Integrated Amplifier Review18 November 2024, 12:00 pm
Primare touts the SPA25 as a “home cinema integrated amplifier.” By eschewing the more common “A/V Receiver” title, the folks at Primare... The post Primare SPA25 Multichannel Integrated Amplifier Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Debut 3.0 DB63-BK Bookshelf Speaker, A Video Review13 November 2024, 12:00 pm
This speaker is going to be a hit. This review is my first go-around with Elac. The Debut series has been around for quite some time, and... The post Debut 3.0 DB63-BK Bookshelf Speaker, A Video Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - JBL L100 Classic MkII Speaker Review11 November 2024, 12:00 pm
JBL builds on a legend with its new L100 Classic MkII Speaker. This timeless design delivers full range sound over a wide stage with... The post JBL L100 Classic MkII Speaker Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Astell & Kern SP3000T Digital Audio Player – A Video Review6 November 2024, 12:00 pm
This is a luxury-tier Digital Audio Player. It has a very specific target consumer in mind. The kind of consumer with not only the... The post Astell & Kern SP3000T Digital Audio Player – A Video Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Sonus faber Sonetto VIII G2 Floor Standing and Sonetto Center Channel Loudspeaker Review4 November 2024, 12:00 pm
Sonus faber recently introduced the G2 (as in second generation) of its Sonetto line of loudspeakers. Sonetto is derived from the Italian... The post Sonus faber Sonetto VIII G2 Floor Standing and Sonetto Center Channel Loudspeaker 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
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, on hand or in recent memory, included an […]... - 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: The Schiit Loki Max Equalizer24 September 2024, 5:57 pm
The Schiit Loki Max Equalizer: Miracle Worker – A Brilliant Way To Fix Imperfect Sound Review by Jamie Gillies When I was sixteen, my parents surprised me with a Panasonic CH-80 Mini System for Christmas. It was one of those 3-disc CD changer, tape deck, tuner, integrated amplifier and speakers in one. Many of you remember these mid-1990s systems. They have largely been vilified by audiophiles as a cheap, slightly better than a boombox, creation that helped speed u... - Review: NAD C588 Turntable (Upgraded)29 August 2024, 11:25 pm
NAD C588 Turntable with a Nagaoka MP-110 Cartridge – Smooth and Robust ‘In the House’ review by David Neice MSRP with stock Ortofon 2M Red Cartridge – $1199 Canadian. Nagaoka MP-110 high-output cartridge – $219 Canadian. Verdict: While the NAD turntable comes standa... - Review: Q Acoustics Concept 20 Bookshelf Speakers3 July 2024, 6:26 pm
Retro Review: Q Acoustics Concept 20 – A Small Monitor With A Big Sound MSRP: $900 (Canadian) Direct marketed and also retailed. Verdict: The main strength of the Q Acoustics Concept 20 is neutrality. This results from the unique cabinet design (discussed below) which reduces cabinet resonances to a vanishing level. Rarely have I heard a more neutral transducer. The sound is big and bold for such a small monitor and the Concept 20 can be firmly recommended as exceptional ... - Reviewing The New MITMAT Family Of Resonance Control Products17 June 2024, 5:42 pm
MITMAT: Turntable Mat, MITMAT Foundation: stabilization and isolation platform, MITFIT: footers for devices Review by Jamie Gillies Turntables are such fascinating devices. Here we are in the mid-2020s and this technology, a very simple process of needle to groove, has dramatically grown in popularity despite a world that has shifted to digital streaming, making music more accessible and cheaper. But music is not something that is just zeroes and ones through a wifi connection. ... - Review: Unity Audio CancerFighter RCA Interconnects15 June 2024, 3:20 pm
Review by Noam Bronstein I thought I’d get clever and talk about how cables are the vascular systems of our hifi’s. But I’ll just go ahead and say it: I hate cable reviews. I don’t read them, and I try my best to avoid writing them. Of course, I know there are many worthwhile cables to try out (and I do). Writing about them could be a worthy endeavour, but not for me. I don’t push cables, and avoid giving cable advice, as much as possible. The reasons are man...
- Vision Ears EXT MKII Review18 November 2024, 9:18 am
Today, Marcus reviews the Vision Ears EXT MKII, a second-generation high-end dual dynamic and quad EST multi-driver universal IEM priced at $3400. Disclaimer: This was sent as a sample in return for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or services. I thank the team at Vision Ears for their support. Click here to read more about Vision Ears products I have reviewed on Headfonics Note that this article follows our latest scoring guidelines, which [... - ABYSS Diana DZ Review16 November 2024, 10:04 am
Today, Marcus reviews the ABYSS Diana DZ, the company’s latest flagship offering in their compact planar driver open-back headphone series priced at $3995. Disclaimer: This sample was sent to us in exchange for our honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or status. We thank ABYSS Headphones for their support. Click here to read more about ABYSS Headphones products we have previously assessed on Headfonics. This article follows our current sco... - FlipEars ARTHA Review15 November 2024, 9:40 am
Today Marcus reviews the FlipEars ARTHA, a high-end universal in-ear monitor configured with 8 BA drivers and a dual switch tuning system. It is priced at $1699. Disclaimer: This sample was sent to me in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or services. I thank FlipEars for their support. You can click here to learn more about the IEMs we have previously reviewed on Headfonics. This post follows our current scoring... - TempoTec Sonata BHD Pro Review13 November 2024, 9:40 am
Today, Meldrick reviews the TempoTec Sonata BHD Pro, a dual CS43131 dongle DAC capable of up to DSD256 and 280mW of balanced output power. It is currently priced at $69.90. Disclaimer: This sample was sent to me in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links. I thank TempoTec for their support. Click here to learn more about TempoTec products previously reviewed on Headfonics. Note that this article follows our latest scoring guidelines... - MOONDROP Kadenz Review11 November 2024, 10:58 am
In this feature, Kurt reviews the MOONDROP Kadenz, a new ULT-Gen2 10mm single dynamic driver in-ear monitor and the successor to the KATO. It is priced at $189.99. Disclaimer: This sample was sent to me in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or status. I thank MOONDROP and Shenzhen Audio for their support. Click here to read more about MOONDROP products we have previously reviewed on Headfonics. This article follo...
- What Is It Like Attending Capital Audiofest 2024?15 November 2024, 6:01 pm
Last weekend in DC was a huge show of HiFi releases at the Rockport Hilton. Attendees were greeted with a The post What Is It Like Attending Capital Audiofest 2024? appeared first on AudioHead.... - Schiit Audio’s New Power Amp, Pre, DAC And Remote Hit Presale4 November 2024, 9:09 pm
It isn’t out quite yet, but Schiit Audio has released a pre sale for a trio of new products that The post Schiit Audio’s New Power Amp, Pre, DAC And Remote Hit Presale appeared first on AudioHead.... - Grado Pays Homage To Its Past With The New Signature HP100 SE29 October 2024, 5:28 pm
The holiday season always brings out some of the best new products in HiFi. This week a new direction from The post Grado Pays Homage To Its Past With The New Signature HP100 SE appeared first on AudioHead.... - The Best Vintage Stereo Amplifiers – If You See These Models At A Garage Sale, Buy Them!15 October 2024, 6:07 pm
Have you ever passed by a garage sale, or been in the “audio” section of Goodwill and noticed an amplifier The post The Best Vintage Stereo Amplifiers – If You See These Models At A Garage Sale, Buy Them! appeared first on AudioHead.... - All The Holiday Headphone News In 10 Videos7 October 2024, 9:50 pm
If you closely follow high fidelity personal audio, there is a chance you keep an eye out for all the The post All The Holiday Headphone News In 10 Videos appeared first on AudioHead....
- CanJam Dallas 2024 – Coverage Sponsored by Noble Audio Conclusion15 November 2024, 6:00 am
Welcome back to my coverage of CamJam Dallas 2024, I would like to extend special thanks to Noble Audio for The post CanJam Dallas 2024 – Coverage Sponsored by Noble Audio Conclusion appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - CanJam Dallas 2024 – Coverage Sponsored by Noble Audio11 November 2024, 6:00 am
CanJam Dallas 2024 was a huge success and larger than ever with seven smaller ballrooms added to the main ballroom, The post CanJam Dallas 2024 – Coverage Sponsored by Noble Audio appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - Grado’s new Signature HP100 SE headphones are a contemporary homage to the trailblazing high-end HP1 model heralding a new design direction29 October 2024, 5:37 pm
October 29, 2024, Grado Labs, world-renowned designer and manufacturer of award-winning headphones, announces the release of its newest and flagship The post Grado’s new Signature HP100 SE headphones are a contemporary homage to the trailblazing high-end HP1 model heralding a new design direction appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - beyerdynamic Adds New TESLA.45 Driver to Second Generation of Premium DT 1770 and DT 1990 PRO MKII Studio Headphones29 October 2024, 3:00 pm
The company’s second generation of its studio reference headphones offer improved sound quality, elevated comfort, and versatile playback for today’s The post beyerdynamic Adds New TESLA.45 Driver to Second Generation of Premium DT 1770 and DT 1990 PRO MKII Studio Headphones appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - Grado Signature HP100 SE Open Air Headphone – Horizons Expanded29 October 2024, 2:00 pm
In recognition of Joseph Grado’s 100th birthday, Grado Labs is releasing its newest flagship model, the Signature HP100 SE Open The post Grado Signature HP100 SE Open Air Headphone – Horizons Expanded appeared first on Headphone Guru....
- Baseus releases Bowie 30 Max noise cancelling headphones18 November 2024, 12:00 am
American company Baseus has introduced its Bowie 30 Max noise cancelling headphones, which it claims are: “a testament to advanced audio innovation, combining top-tier noise cancellation with revolutionary head-tracking spatial audio technology”.The new headphones offer a -45dB Active Noise Cancelling system claimed to be capable of blocking out 96 percent of external interference. This technology is supported by dual active noise-cancelling microphones and digital noise cancellati... - Marantz unleashes MODEL 60n network streaming amplifier15 November 2024, 12:00 am
American hi-fi specialist Marantz has released its MODEL 60n network streaming amplifier. Boasting a claimed 60W per channel of Class A/B power, the MODEL 60n features the latest iteration of Marantz’s HDAM (Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Module) technology, which seeks to ensure a combination of: “exceptionally low distortion, effortless power and all the accuracy, transparency and musicality that mark Marantz amplifiers out as the some of the most highly regarded designs in the category.&... - T+A adds MP 2000 R G3 and MP 2500 R G3 to R Series5 November 2024, 12:00 am
German company T+A has added two new multi-source players to its R Series: the MP 2000 R G3 and MP 2500 R G3. In addition, a futureproof upgrade to the streaming clients of the predecessor MP 2000 R MK II and MP 2500 R are now available with the Audiophile Streaming Architecture (ASA) G3, providing access to a wide range of new high-quality and highly convenient Connect services. These enable direct music streaming from mobile devices to the T+A unit through Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect or App... - Ruark unveils R610 Music Console and Sabre-R bookshelf speakers4 November 2024, 12:00 am
British company Ruark Audio has announced the return of one of its original loudspeakers plus its first ever music console. The company says the R610 Music Console and Sabre-R bookshelf speakers: “revive the stereo concept as a complete music system for the modern era… evoking the stereo music centres of the Seventies and echoing the rest of Ruark’s 100 Series lineup, the R610 Music Console and Sabre-R Bookshelf Speakers bring timeless style to any interior space.”With... - Sun Audio introduces Purified 4 desktop speaker system, Atohm 9 passive subwoofer and Nord DSP-DAC NCAS500MP amp1 November 2024, 12:00 am
Sun Audio has unveiled three new products: the Purified 4 Desktop speaker system, Atohm 9 passive subwoofer and Nord DSP-DAC NCAS500MP amplifier.The Purified 4 Desktop is available in several variants with PURIFI 102mm mid/bass driver and BlieSMa 25mm tweeter. Every variant includes a crossover profile tuned for optimal tonal balance and the company claims the spherical-shaped mid/bass driver enclosure enables an exceptional linear on and off-axis response.The Purified 4 Desktop is a modular...
- 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... - Zeitgeist Germany Launches with Extraordinary IEMs11 July 2024, 9:01 pm
THE ART OF NOISE: INTRODUCING ZEITGEIST GERMANY AND ITS MISSION TO HANDCRAFT UNIQUE EARPHONES FROM EXTRAORDINARY MATERIALS Featuring freshly emptied whisky barrels, Fabergé-Egg-worthy Karelian birch, and rare timber – you haven’t seen, heard or felt earphones like this before. Zeitgeist Germany is on a mission to bring art and soul to the mundane world of […] The post Zeitgeist Germany Launches with Extraordinary IEMs appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - JCAT Unveils USB Card XE EVO: The Next Generation of USB Audio Performance 11 July 2024, 2:27 am
JCAT, a leader in high-performance streaming-specific products, is proud to announce the release of the USB Card XE EVO, an enhanced version of the highly acclaimed USB Card XE. This new model brings significant improvements and innovations, setting a new standard for USB audio performance. Building on Excellence The USB Card XE EVO is designed […] The post JCAT Unveils USB Card XE EVO: The Next Generation of USB Audio Performance appeared first o... - Bowers & Wilkins and David Beckham: Bringing Together Two British Symbols of Style and Performance30 May 2024, 6:25 pm
Worthing, UK, 30th May 2024: British audio brand Bowers & Wilkins and global icon David Beckham have partnered to create a unique alliance of style and sound, where David’s refined taste meets Bowers & Wilkins’ unwavering pursuit of perfection. The announcement marks the start of a long-term partnership that will explore David Beckham’s relationship with […] The post Bowers & Wilkins and David Beckham: Bringing Together Two British Symbols of Styl...
- 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....
- Cambridge Audio Azur 350A Amplifier Repair And Review21 October 2024, 8:40 am
A 2010s amplifier that is normally very reliable, providing a dealer’s incompetent technician doesn’t carry out unnecessary ‘service’ work. Fortunately an easy fix had this one making music again. Fantastic amplifiers from an era where they were simple, analogue and well built.... - Acoustic Research Drawings Archive18 October 2024, 8:49 pm
These drawings were released by Acoustic Research into the public domain in 1990. An index of the archive was made available on the Classic speaker Pages website in an Adobe flash format. The demise of flash meant the archive was impossible to access and though some work was done to index the drawings in a… Continue reading Acoustic Research Drawings Archive... - Aiyima A08 PRO Bluetooth Amplifier Reviewed3 June 2024, 6:22 pm
a cracking little desktop amp with high-res bluetooth for about £120. It has plenty of power to drive sensible loudspeakers and appears to be well built. Some of its internal components are running close to their ratings, especially with a 48V power supply.... - Aiyima A07 MAX Amplifier Reviewed3 June 2024, 6:13 pm
Aiyima’s A07 Max is a fantastic budget (around £100) amp if you want to assemble a tiny system with plenty of power. The flexibility to use it as a stereo amplifier or to pair them up as monoblocks in stereo, bi-amped or even tri-amped configurations is a tremendous advantage for the money.... - Magnat Signature Edelstein Loudspeakers Reviewed20 May 2024, 10:40 am
wonderful loudspeakers that deserve to be front and centre of a two-channel system. These are mini speakers with a massive sound and which represent something unusual in audio - genuine value for money....
- Harmonic Resolution Systems E1X Isolation Base Review5 November 2024, 11:17 pm
Mark Gusew auditions an attractive, premium-priced hi-fi system support shelf…... - JBL MA510 AV Receiver Review5 November 2024, 11:03 pm
Steve May comes away more impressed by this friendly, no-nonsense, affordable AVR than he expected…... - Technics SC-CX700 Streaming Speaker System Review29 October 2024, 11:56 pm
Simon Lucas auditions this clever wireless music system from a famous hi-fi brand…... - Arcane (Season 1) 4K Blu-ray Steelbook Review28 October 2024, 8:57 pm
Michael Darroch asks if Riot Games and Netflix can pull a rabbit out of a hat, with this iconic new game-adaptation movie…... - Monitor Audio Cinergy Home Cinema System Review4 October 2024, 1:48 am
Tony O'Brien auditions a serious-sounding new dedicated home cinema speaker and electronics package from Monitor Audio …...
- Andover Audio Spins into the Future with the New SpinBase 2 Turntable Speaker System13 November 2024, 2:00 pm
Andover Audio, known for its innovative audio solutions we have covered extensively on this site, has announced the SpinBase 2, the second generation of its award-winning turntable speaker system. Building upon the success of its predecessor, the SpinBase 2 offers enhanced sound quality, expanded connectivity, and a refined design, making vinyl enjoyment even more accessible […] The post Andover Audio Spins into the Future with the New SpinBase 2 Turntable Speaker System appeared first on... - Cleer Audio Unveils New ARC3 Earbuds with Enhanced Features and Open-Ear Design26 October 2024, 9:56 pm
Cleer Audio, a recognized name in the personal audio industry, has recently launched its latest offering: the ARC3 True Wireless Open-Ear Earbuds. Building on the success of its predecessor, the ARCII, the ARC3 introduces a range of upgrades and new features aimed at improving user experience and audio quality. The ARC3 boasts several new technological […] The post Cleer Audio Unveils New ARC3 Earbuds with Enhanced Features and Open-Ear Design appeared first on HIFI Trends.... - Amazon Prime Big Deal Days: A Feast for the Ears – Top Audiophile Deals! (Updated 10/9)9 October 2024, 1:42 am
Amazon Prime Big Deal Days is a special shopping event exclusively for Amazon Prime members. It offers deep discounts on a wide range of products, including those coveted by audiophiles. Think of it as a second Prime Day, with a focus on deals as we head into the holiday season. This year, Prime Big Deal […] The post Amazon Prime Big Deal Days: A Feast for the Ears – Top Audiophile Deals! (Updated 10/9) appeared first on HIFI Trends.... - iFi Audio Unveils Exclusive Hip-dac 3 Stealth Edition- Now At Gramophone4 October 2024, 10:29 pm
iFi audio has partnered with Gramophone to release a limited edition of its popular hip-dac 3 portable DAC/headphone amplifier (check out our review here), aptly named the hip-dac 3 Stealth Edition. This special edition, cloaked in a sleek matte black finish, is said to offer a range of enhancements over its predecessor, making it an […] The post iFi Audio Unveils Exclusive Hip-dac 3 Stealth Edition- Now At Gramophone appeared first on HIFI Trends.... - Edifier S1000W Review: This Beautiful Speaker has Crisp Sound and Big Bass, But Is It Right For You?29 September 2024, 6:58 pm
Edifier S1000W Review-Summary: The Edifier S1000W active bookshelf speakers occupy a sweet spot in the market, catering to audiophiles on a budget and casual listeners who desire a powerful and versatile audio solution without the complexity of a traditional stereo setup. These powered speakers excel in delivering robust sound with a wide soundstage and a […] The post Edifier S1000W Review: This Beautiful Speaker has Crisp Sound and Big Bass, But Is It Right For You? appeared first on HIF...
- Roy Gandy gifts all his shares to Rega employees12 November 2024, 11:16 pm
... - New bookshelf speaker from PS Audio3 July 2024, 9:51 pm
... - Sad news from Mosaic21 April 2024, 7:05 pm
... - A new (to me) local company -- Introducing Austin AudioWorks26 March 2024, 8:11 pm
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- WiiM Ultra Streamer/DAC/Preamplifier- YouTube & Written Review11 November 2024, 5:20 pm
Link to YouTube ReviewSpecificationsThe WiiM Ultra review unit was purchased outright by me from Crutchfield, like any other customer. I am not paid or compensated in any way for this review.The WiiM Ultra is a digital preamplifier streamer, that takes the features of its older siblings the Pro & Pro Plus, and adds in phono, subwoofer out, bass management, a 4in touchscreen, which, in reality should be considered as a backup in case your phone or tablet is being charged. The Ultra is c... - KEF R3 Meta Stand Mount Speaker- YouTube Review10 September 2024, 5:40 pm
Watch the YouTube review of this terrific speaker here. Thanks for watching!dailyaudiophile.com... - Vanguard Scout Mini-Monitor Speakers- Written & YouTube Review26 May 2024, 3:55 pm
Watch The YouTube ReviewLast fall, I was enthralled by Veri-Fi Audio's Vera-Link Bluetooth Wireless Amplifiers. At that time marketing guru Mark Schifter, hinted to me that a matching set of small speakers were coming. While it took several months for me acquire a pair due to their demand, I've spent the past 6 weeks listening to them. Now I understand the Scouts popularity.Even with their relatively low sensitivity, the Scouts had no problems delivering a very enjoyable presentation once given ... - Peachtree Audio Carina GaN Integrated Amplifier: Full Review and YouTube video3 April 2024, 3:55 pm
Watch the YouTube videoA little over a year ago, Peachtree Audio cleared their deck, and introduced the Carina Integrated Amplifier. From the front panel to the internals, much of the design was new. I was fortunate to have one of the first review models and it was both intriguing and sonically stunning. Led by the inclusion of a pair of ESS 9068 DAC chips, with menu controls that allowed for personal preference in how the output sounded. This onboard DAC design was a showstopper.For 2024,... - HiFi Rose RS520 Integrated Streaming Amplifier15 March 2024, 2:02 am
Click to watch the YouTube VideoStunning and loaded with features, the HiFi Rose RS520 is one of the few standard-bearers of streaming integrated amplifiers on the market. From the tablet approach to controls, to the GaNFET amplification, and the built-in software for multiple streaming services, the RS520 is a true one-piece hub home audio system.www.dailyaudiophile.com...
- JCAT unveils the NET Card XE EVO10 November 2024, 3:53 pm
JCAT, a leader in high-performance streaming-specific products, is thrilled to announce the release of the NET Card XE EVO, a next-generation network card that sets a new benchmark for audiophile-grade network audio.... - Melco E100A H80 8TB audiophile USB Drive23 October 2024, 5:45 pm
The Melco E100A audiophile hard disk drive offers an extra 8 TB of audio-grade storage for all audio systems relying on HDD storage. Naturally, this includes Melco Digital Music Libraries, as well as systems running Windows 11, MacOS, exFAT-compatible Linux-based equipment, and the Raspberry Pi.... - Stack Audio AUVA Speaker Isolators14 October 2024, 9:59 am
With the AUVAs, British manufacturer Stack Audio developed an alternative to spikes and compliant couplers. Enclosed within the AUVA’s machined aluminum cases are cells containing a mixture of particles which, when excitied by vibrations, dissipate the energy virtually instantaneously, removing remove masking vibrations.... - Velikinac Audio Lab Sirius1 October 2024, 9:32 am
The Sirius is a four-way speaker using a mix of compression drivers for treble and midrange and conventional drivers for the lower midrange and bass, designed to convey the soul of the music in the purest manner.... - Laiv Harmony DAC22 September 2024, 6:57 pm
Building on an extensive background in industrial automation, Singapore company Laiv is passionate about revolutionizing the world of audio through innovative and user-centric design in which technology adapts to us, not the other way around. In this review, I will listen to the gorgeous looking Harmony DAC....
- 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...
- In Barn for Review: Canton Reference 2 Floorstanding Speakers17 November 2024, 11:00 am
Free of straight edges. The Canton Reference 2 have curved cabinets no matter how you look at ’em—free of straight edges. What’s more, the 4 drivers fit flush on the rounded front thanks to the use of “new three-dimensional ASW (Asymetric Waveguide) cover rings made [...]... - TM News: Introducing the TM Value Bird | Pecking Out Value One Favorite at a Time16 November 2024, 12:00 pm
Lists. I love ’em but the longer they get the less useful they become. After all, a list of 10 has much more mojo than a list of 100. Or 1,000 which raises the question—when does a list become an inventory? These questions, along with [...]... - #NewMusicFriday: November 15, 202415 November 2024, 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. St. Vincent: Todos Nacen Gritando (Total Pleasure Records) Oscar Peterson: City Lights: The Oscar [...]... - Album of the Week: Haley Heynderickx | Seed of a Seed15 November 2024, 11:00 am
Haley Heynderickx kicks off her latest, Seed of a Seed, with “Gemini” where her opening guitar lines give more than a tip of the hat to Dylan’s “It’s Alright Ma (I’m Only Bleeding).” Dylan was born on May 24. A bold move that initially put [...]... - Fezz Audio Releases their Equinox Vacuum Tube DAC “Empowered by Lampizator”15 November 2024, 10:00 am
How about some of that Lampizator DAC magic for under $3k! With tubes! Some hifi brands have mystique and to my mind Łukasz Fikus’ Lampizator has got that workin’. The new Fezz Audio Equinox Vacuum Tube DAC’s DAC was designed by Łukasz Fikus and relies [...]...
- Shanling HW600 Review17 November 2024, 9:00 am
Today we review the Shanling HW600, the latest open-back headphone from the brand. A new planar-magnetic model priced at $1,099 USD. Disclaimer: the... The post Shanling HW600 Review appeared first on https://www.headfonia.com/... - Blog: New Writer Announcement!15 November 2024, 10:30 pm
This blog is all about a new writer announcement. We couldn’t say no when Rudolfs applied! New Writer Announcement – Intro We’re really... The post Blog: New Writer Announcement! appeared first on https://www.headfonia.com/... - Sivga Que Review14 November 2024, 7:29 am
Today we review, the Sivga Que single dynamic driver IEM, going for $69 USD. Disclaimer: Sivga Audio sent me the Sivga Que. Thanks... The post Sivga Que Review appeared first on https://www.headfonia.com/... - FiiO BTR17 Review12 November 2024, 12:00 pm
In this article, we review FiiO’s new flagship wireless DAC/AMP, the BTR17, retailing for $199 USD. Disclaimer: FiiO provided the FiiO BTR17 for... The post FiiO BTR17 Review appeared first on https://www.headfonia.com/... - Muse HiFi M5 Ultra Review9 November 2024, 10:25 pm
Today, we review the Muse HiFi M5 Ultra DAC/AMP with Bluetooth. The retail price is $299 USD. Disclaimer: HiFiGo sent us the M5... The post Muse HiFi M5 Ultra Review appeared first on https://www.headfonia.com/...
- The Ramones Paved a “Road to Ruin”18 November 2024, 5:00 pm
A sonically rich pressing from punk’s godfathers... - At Capital Audio Fest 2024 YG Acoustics Swings For the Audio Fence18 November 2024, 12:00 am
has new American distribution, makes a big push in many rooms... - Andover Audio Updates and Upgrades Spinbase with Spinbase 215 November 2024, 12:55 pm
greater connectivity options, more inputs among the enhanced user friendliness... - The Who, Kinks Producer Shel Talmy Passes Away (August 11, 1937— November 14, 2024)15 November 2024, 12:00 pm
Harvey Kubernik explains why Shel mattered so much... - Capital Audio Fest 2024 "Turntable Centric" Video Coverage Starts Here15 November 2024, 9:49 am
Cap Audio Fest seemed well attended and there was plenty to see and much that was new...