- 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...
- Joe Fonda Quartet: Eyes on the Horizon7 June 2025, 11:39 am
That four musicians who’d never played together as a quartet […] The post Joe Fonda Quartet: Eyes on the Horizon appeared first on The Absolute Sound.... - Accuphase C2900 preamplifier + A80 amplifier review7 June 2025, 11:33 am
Robert Taylor duel reviews the Accuphase C2900 preamplifier and the […] The post Accuphase C2900 preamplifier + A80 amplifier review appeared first on The Absolute Sound.... - 2025 AC Power Product of the Year: Nordost QBase8 MKIII7 June 2025, 11:29 am
$2299 (QB4, $1399) Available in either four-outlet or eight-outlet versions, […] The post 2025 AC Power Product of the Year: Nordost QBase8 MKIII appeared first on The Absolute Sound.... - Detailed Frequency Ranges of Instruments and Vocals5 June 2025, 7:53 pm
In our reviewing, we use words like “mid-bass” or “upper […] The post Detailed Frequency Ranges of Instruments and Vocals appeared first on The Absolute Sound.... - Harmonic Resolution Systems Introduces New Configurations of the Patented EXR Audio Stand System5 June 2025, 3:34 pm
Buffalo, NY 14214 (June 4, 2025) – Harmonic Resolution Systems […] The post Harmonic Resolution Systems Introduces New Configurations of the Patented EXR Audio Stand System appeared first on The Absolute Sound....
- High-End Audio: A Clarion Call For Audio Today9 June 2025, 11:47 am
There can be only one! It was a great tag line for a not-so-great movie (who thought casting someone with a broad Scottish accent as a Spaniard locked in a thousand year debate with a Scotsman with a broad French accent was a good idea?). However, it seems that Highlander is the clarion call for a lot of audio today. Yes, audio converges. The best in audio sound very close to one another compared to a few decades ago. We still have a long way to go, but the differences between Product X and Pro...
- Audiophiles: How To Do A Proper ABX Listening Test8 June 2025, 10:26 am
There are two ways to assess the quality of audio devices: measuring and listening. Measuring is usually the better choice because the results are absolute, and repeatable because they avoid the vagaries of human hearing perception. But when measuring isn't practical or possible, a listening test using a music source is perfectly fine. For example, listening is needed to compare CD quality at a 44.1 kHz sample rate to "high definition" audio at 96 kHz. Both will measure the same if the frequenc... - 30th Anniversary Celebration: Mark Levinson No 390S CD Processor Review8 June 2025, 10:25 am
It should be pretty obvious even to the least observant that compact disc players are on the decline. The rate of new model introductions has slowed to a trickle as buyers switch to DVD players which are well on their way to becoming the disc spinners of choice. The reason can be summed up in two inelegant words: increased versatility. Why buy a CD player when you can buy a one that also plays DVD-Video discs, and serves a dual role in a combined hi-fi-cum-home theatre system? And as I write, e... - Vacuum Tubes Part 1: Let's Build A Vacuum Tube7 June 2025, 10:42 am
Passive components are all well and fine, but for audio purposes we need something that will amplify a signal. All sensors, whether they read digital bits or analog recordings, are deficient in both voltage and current when it comes to driving speakers. High fidelity reproduction of music is impossible without amplifying devices. For that matter, electric guitars, keyboards, and microphones also require amplification; so much of current popular music is dependent on amplification, as well. Ther... - Review: Defining Audio Excellence -- Avantgarde Acoustic Colibri C2 Hornspeaker And C18 Subwoofer Review6 June 2025, 1:01 pm
Let's go back in time a few years ago. It was January 2000, so that's over 25(!) years ago. The world had survived the Y2K crisis. Having recently purchased a couple of issues of Sound Practices, then listening to an amazing DIY system, was starting to catch SET (Singe-Ended Triode) fever. I was also following an audio review website that focused quite heavily on SET gear and high-sensitivity loudspeakers to use with it. That website was, of course, EnjoyTheMusic.com. That January back in 2000 ...
- MUSIC ⸜ review: SAKURAPHON – LEO SIROTA, AUGUSTE de DADWAN ⸜ Compact Disc » JAPAN1 June 2025, 12:00 am
MUSIC ⸜ reviewtext WOJCIECH PACUŁA images “High Fidelity”No 253 June 1, 2025⌈ SAKURAPHON CD – Japanese label making reissues of vintage piano recordings with high fidelity transfer, minimal noise restoration and natural sound of mastering, founded by HISAO NATSUME. See: → www.DISCOGS.com ⌋MUSIC RECORDED ON SHELLAC DISCS has mostly never been later transferred to either vinyl or digital records. While there are collections focus... - REVIEW: AIR TIGHT ATM-1E ⸜ power amplifier • stereo » JAPAN1 June 2025, 12:00 am
Reviewtext by WOJCIECH PACUŁA translation Marek Dyba images by „High Fidelity”No 253 June 1, 2025⌈ When, in 1986, Messrs. ATSUSHI MIURA and MASAMI ISHIGURO founded A&M Limited, which owns the Air Tight brand, they never suspected that thirty-nine years later their company would still be producing worldwide award-winning top-of-the-line tube gear. And so it is. We are testing the latest version of the ATM-1 power amplifier in the 2024 Edition, or ATM-1E... - TECHNOLOGY/MUSIC ⸜ digital recorders: DENON • PCM Digital ⸜ part 1 » JAPAN1 June 2025, 12:00 am
TECHNOLOGY/MUSICtext by WOJCIECH PACUŁA translation Marek Dyba images by „High Fidelity”No 253 June 1, 2025⌈ DIGITAL SOUND RECORDING - method of preserving sound in which audio signals are transformed into a series of pulses that correspond to patterns of binary digits (i.e., 0’s and 1’s) and are recorded as such on the surface of a magnetic tape or optical disc. „ENCYCLOPÆDIA BRITANNICA”, → www.BRITANNICA.com, accessed: 0... - KRAKOW SONIC SOCIETY № 151 ⸜ TAIKO AUDIO Olympus Server XDMI + Olympus I/O XDMI » THE NETHERLANDS → POLAND1 June 2025, 12:00 am
KSSintroduction and summary by WOJCIECH PACUŁA translation Marek Dyba pictures by Tomasz L. Lechowski, “High Fidelity”No 253 June 1, 2025⌈ KRAKOW SONIC SOCIETY is an informal group of music lovers, audiophiles, and friends, meeting to learn something new about audio products, records, music, etc. The idea for KSS was born in 2005, although its roots go back several years. Below you’ll find a report from its 151st meeting. ⌋IT WAS A SPECIAL... - AUDIO SHOW ⸜ coverage: Goodbye Munich, hello Vienna - HIGH END 2025 ⸜ Munich » GERMANY1 June 2025, 12:00 am
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- 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....
- Vera-Fi Line Noise BlackHole Power Conditioner6 June 2025, 2:26 am
Why the SET amp in the background? Let’s cut to the chase – If you have an SET amplifier you need one of these. If you have a vintage amplifier, you need one. You need one anyway. Because in todays modern world, there’s noise on the power line everywhere and it affects your systems performance […]... - Welcome to Distilled!4 June 2025, 5:12 am
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 […]... - Vera-Fi Audio Snub Station Zero29 May 2025, 2:05 am
Regardless of what the internet pundits say, your AC outlets are full of noise from various sources. Your gear picks this up, and whatever its power supply doesn’t filter out, gets amplified by your amplification chain. You might not hear it specifically, but it manifests itself in a loss of dynamics and a lack of […]... - Zu Audio DWX Supreme Loudspeakers24 May 2025, 12:11 am
The DWX Supreme is a high-sensitivity, high-fun-factor speaker – in every way. If you’ve ever been to a Zu Audio room at a hifi show, you know they always have one of the most engaging rooms in the house. Sean Casey, Zu’s founder, and his crew serve up great music and put together systems that […]... - Rega P2 turntable with ND2 MM cartridge20 May 2025, 11:27 pm
Whether you stay in the family forever or not, a Rega turntable truly has to be part of your audiophile journey if you enjoy analog. For over 40 years now, they’ve been quietly going about the business of making turntables that deliver class-leading performance at a price that music lovers can afford. They have offered […]...
- Hegel Music Systems D50 Digital-to-Analog Converter1 June 2025, 4:00 am
Note: for the full suite of measurements from the SoundStage! Audio-Electronics Lab, click here. With its midnight-black plumage, the raven is a bird that evokes a sense of seriousness. It’s been associated with prophecy and mysticism, and the intelligence of real-world ravens is well documented. In Norse mythology, two ravens, Huginn and Muninn, served Odin by traveling the earth and bringing back knowledge and insight. Tying into this mythology, Norway-based Hegel Music Systems has nick... - Has JBL Reached the Summit? The Ama and Makalu Loudspeakers at High End 20251 June 2025, 4:00 am
During High End 2025 in Munich, Germany, held from May 15 to 18, the renowned American loudspeaker brand JBL unveiled three new additions to its flagship Summit series: Ama, Pumori, and Makalu. The Summit Ama is a two-way standmount speaker, while the other two are three-way floorstanding speakers. The new Summit speakers represent the pinnacle of JBL’s engineering and design, and their names reflect that: Ama Dablam, Pumori, and Makalu are among the most impressive peaks in the Himalayas.... - Recommended Reference Component: Bryston Bi-200 Integrated Amplifier15 May 2025, 4:00 am
The Bryston Bi-200 integrated amplifier is yet another example of the Canadian company’s enduring commitment to high-end, no-nonsense audio engineering. It builds on the extensive development efforts Bryston invested in its BP-19 preamplifier and 3B3 power amplifier by joining these two components into a single chassis. The design goal of the Bi-200 was ambitious: to provide a convenient integrated solution with the sonic strength of separate components. Philip Beaudette’s review of ... - Bryston Bi-200 Integrated Amplifier1 May 2025, 4:00 am
Note: for the full suite of measurements from the SoundStage! Audio-Electronics Lab, click here. If you’ve followed my work on SoundStage! Network, you probably know that I’ve been using Bryston amplifiers for many years—18 to be exact. My hi-fi journey began in 2002 with a Yamaha home-theater receiver. When I realized I would never use four of its six channels, I replaced it with an NAD integrated amplifier. In 2007 I upgraded to a Bryston B100 SST integrated, and in 201... - Ditching the US Dollar as Our Default Review Currency—It’s Going to be Beautiful!1 May 2025, 4:00 am
For nearly 80 years, the US dollar (currency code USD) has been the cornerstone of global finance. After World War II, the USD became the world’s reserve currency and has since served as the standard currency for international trade. It has become the dominant currency for monetary transactions in global capital and commodity markets. Backed by both the size and strength of the US economy, the US dollar has established itself as stable and reliable and has gained near-universal recognition...
- 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.... - Colibri Acoustic C2 horn hybrid compact loudspeaker Review12 May 2025, 7:27 pm
The Colibri’s chirp Few people have more interest in the name of this speaker than me. I am a Christian, a Creationist and Intelligent Design proponent, and have written extensively on novel features in nature that are extremely improbable for a material process to make. The Colibri, a type of hummingbird, is a marvelous [...] The post Colibri Acoustic C2 horn hybrid compact loudspeaker Review appeared first on Dagogo.... - Altec Lansing exhibit at 2025 AXPONA, April 11-13, 20251 May 2025, 5:47 pm
This will be a short show report, as it consists of one room and one image. I have not written show reports for a few years now. I found that they did not appreciably affect my success in procurement of equipment for review. Further, after several years, they tend to blend – I’m only being [...] The post Altec Lansing exhibit at 2025 AXPONA, April 11-13, 2025 appeared first on Dagogo.... - Beethoven Violin Concerto, Orchester Wiener Akademie, Martin Haselbock, conductor, Benjamin Schmid, soloist, recorded on August 8, 202020 April 2025, 9:14 pm
A unique recording of the Beethoven Violin Concerto was made on August 8, 2020, during a live performance at the Musikverein in Vienna. Recorded in 24-bit 96K Hz resolution, the concerto was played by the period instrument ensemble Orchester Wiener Akademie, founded in 1985 by conductor Martin Haselbock. Soloist Benjamain Schmid, in an unconventional move, [...] The post Beethoven Violin Concerto, Orchester Wiener Akademie, Martin Haselbock, conductor, Benjamin Schmid, soloist, recorded on Augus... - One Man’s Dream Redux10 April 2025, 4:53 pm
In 2022, Fred Crowder and I travelled to California to hear a cost-no-object system, from which came Fred’s article, “One Man’s Dream”. It was a celebration of one man’s journey through audiophilia toward an incandescent experience of recorded music. Fred’s own journey was similar, even if not involving quite the same cash outlay, and the [...] The post One Man’s Dream Redux appeared first on Dagogo....
- ZMF Atrium Closed Review9 June 2025, 1:48 am
Audio: Listen to this article. It’s hard to believe that it’s been over two years since I reviewed the open-back ZMF Atrium headphones. At the time, the Atrium’s stablemate — the open-back ZMF Vérité — consumed approximately two-thirds of my headphone listening hours, with the Vérité Closed, Rosson RAD-0, Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000, ... - CanJam Singapore 2025 Impressions3 June 2025, 2:43 pm
Audio: Listen to this article. Hi Friends. So, Canjam this year was even better than before. And to think I was considering not attending, because I had a feeling nothing would wow me! But so many things did! First and foremost, I was wow-ed by Singapore. This never fails. No matter how many times I visit. I connect with the city, far more than other major ... - The Final High End Munich - 202523 May 2025, 2:30 pm
Audio: Listen to this article. The final High End show in Munich is now complete, my photos have been developed (only joking), and my brain has made sense of everything I saw and heard (only joking, even more). As usual, there was a ton of stuff and a ton of people at the show this year. I spent most of my time talking to old and new friends. I warm shout out to my new friends from Slovakia, Taiwan, T... - Audio Show Demos - Two Schools of Thought20 May 2025, 7:02 pm
Audio: Listen to this article. As I gather all my photos and notes from High End Munich 2025, and collect my thoughts, I’m thinking about a dichotomy that exists between how exhibitors demonstrate their products. One group of exhibitors controls the demonstrations very tightly, using a predefined list of tracks. No specific requests are taken, but once in a while a request for a s... - Innuos Nazaré Launched in Portugal13 May 2025, 1:47 pm
Audio: Listen to this article. I don’t remember the last time I traveled 4,300 miles with absolutely no idea what I would see when I arrived. I made the decision to go based solely on the reputation of the company and the people involved. That’s what this and every industry is all about. Good people do good things and surprise you in the best ways. WOW, was I surprised in Portugal.&nb...
- Short Cuts, Vol. 28, New Wave Edition: Catching Up on Cool New LPs From ’80s Icons The Vapors and Peter Holsapple of The dB’s, Plus a Key Of-Era LP Reissue From Violent Femmes6 June 2025, 12:00 am
Several iconic, pop-rockin’, punk-adjacent artists from the late 1970s and early 1980s new-wave era have new albums out now — and there are also a number of encouraging audiophile-oriented reissues as well. For this somewhat thematic Short Cuts installment, we’re going to zero in on a mixture of both by exploring a pair of fun new releases from The Vapors and Peter Holsapple, plus an AAA reissue of a Violent Femmes album I suspect many of us overlooked at the time of its origi... - Pro-Ject X Series Turntables, Cartridges, Tonearms, Travel Sets, and Special Edition Turntables6 June 2025, 12:00 am
As in recent years at the High End Munich 2025 show, Austrian maker Pro-Ject showcased a wide array of their products in Halle 3 — a dizzying number of (mostly passive) displays.As usual, Pro-Ject incorporated some creative elements, including a row of airplane seats in front of Pro-Ject’s Travel Set compact system, colored paint “spill” display graphics for newly upgraded versions of their Colorful Audio Systems, and more. Pro-Ject showed a focus on complete hi-fi ... - Turntables, Turntables, and More Turntables at Munich 2025, Plus Some Tonearms & Cartridges Too5 June 2025, 12:00 am
The assignment for High End Munich 2025 was simple, and direct: “Show me turntables. Lots and lots of turntables.” And who better to carry out such a focused task than my go-to table-loving colleague and main product reviewer for AP, the always estimable Ken Micallef.In the video that’s posted below, and also available on our official YouTube channel, you’ll see Ken’s 11½-minute Munich 2025 video diary, which features a wide swath of turntables, plus a ... - Talking Heads Build a Better Box Set With the More Songs About Buildings and Food 4LP Super Deluxe Edition That’s Slated for Consumption on July 254 June 2025, 12:00 am
Take me to the box set, and drop me in the vinyl. And what I mean by that is to announce Talking Heads’ second studio album on Sire, July 1978’s More Songs About Buildings and Food, will be getting the Super Deluxe Edition 4LP treatment from Sire/Rhino on July 25, 2025. Released in conjunction with the Heads officially celebrating their own 50th anniversary this year, the MSABAF collection expands upon a pivotal moment in the band’s evolution that also marks the first of three... - Spartan 15 Mk 2 Phono Preamp by Michael Fidler and Classic Audio3 June 2025, 12:00 am
Michael Fidler is a bonafide classic audio maestro, and he knows how to build phono preamps about as good as anybody can. To that end, the latest phono preamp offering from Michael Fidler and Classic Audio, the Spartan 15 Mk 2, is said to have evolved the standards set with company’s prior Spartan 15 and Spartan 10 double-stage preamps.The Mk 2 (a.k.a. the MKII) retains the measured performance and sound goals of its forebears while adding refinements in circuitry, features, and enclos...
- PS AUDIO's Heavyweight Champion!9 June 2025, 4:15 pm
... - Reference Preamp Gets A Makeover!2 June 2025, 4:15 pm
... - KLIPSCH LaScala AL6! Changed for the Better!27 May 2025, 4:30 pm
... - Are HORN SPEAKERS Right For You?19 May 2025, 4:15 pm
... - For Live Sound At Home, You Can't Beat Horns!18 May 2025, 4:15 pm
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- Atma-Sphere Gem Integrated/Headphone Amplifier | REVIEW8 June 2025, 7:00 am
Atma-Sphere Gem Integrated/Headphone Amplifier by John Richardson, photos by Ellie Bigler I’m a big fan of that old adage that says that “big things come in small packages.” This saying has rung especially true in some of the audio products I have come to love most over my many years in the hobby: the super-elegant [...]... - Rockport LYNX and Absolare | Munich 20257 June 2025, 7:00 am
After two years of development, Rockport Technologies unveiled the LYNX Loudspeaker in Munich. As a trickle-down speaker from the flagship LYRA model, the Rockport LYNX, combined with Absolare electronics, resulted in one of the best-sounding rooms at the Munich show. The Rockport LYNX is priced at $78,000 and utilizes much of the technology from its [...]... - High End 2025: the Best of the Rest | Munich 20256 June 2025, 1:00 pm
With so much to see and report on at High End 2025 in Munich, it is just impossible for one person to do it all. [I know. --Ed.] I apologize in advance for not seeing every room. I even heard there was an off-site venue that I didn’t even get to. But with that in [...]... - TLA and Vinnie Rossi | Munich 20256 June 2025, 10:00 am
My industry friends and I have been having a debate about the best integrated amplifiers on the market and TLA (True Life Audio) and Vinnie Rossi have gravitated to the top of the lists. I like ice cream and I like gelato. My favorite ice cream is Mint Chocolate Chip. My favorite gelato is raspberry. [...]... - Munich: a City of Big Shoulders? | Munich 20256 June 2025, 7:00 am
Besides High End Munich 2025, there’s a lot to do and see in Munich. And in two visits I feel like I’ve only just scratched the surface to what Munich has to offer. First, I identify Chicago as my home town. I’ve lived in the Chicagoland area since high school, I’ve worked in the downtown [...]...
- 12 examples of wishful thinking in the hi-fi community9 June 2025, 11:08 am
1. Nobody can hear a difference between lossy and lossless Why do we wish it to be true? Because we are someone who listens to lossy audio via Spotify or YouTube Music and we don’t want to switch to a (possibly) more expensive streaming service with a different user interface. […] The post 12 examples of wishful thinking in the hi-fi community first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without permission. F... - Technics SU-R1000 video review8 June 2025, 4:02 pm
🎥 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 Technics SU-R1000 video review first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled ... - Add aptX Lossless to any smartphone for €505 June 2025, 12:19 pm
Add aptX lossless streaming, Auracast broadcasting and low-latency audio gaming to your Bluetooth audio experience — that’s Sennheiser’s proposition for its all-new BTD 700 USB-C dongle. The BTD 700 is equipped with Bluetooth 5.4 and connects as a class-compliant audio device to its host to transmit audio to a nearby […] The post Add aptX Lossless to any smartphone for €50 first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced... - The Sabres of Paradise: Sabresonic, Haunted Dancehall REMASTERED!2 June 2025, 12:12 pm
Not on my bingo card for 2025: the reformation of the Sabres of Paradise, who played their first live shows for almost 30 years in London and Sydney over the weekend. Original members Jagz Kooner and Gary Burns still have something to say, albeit without the bookending DJ sets from […] The post The Sabres of Paradise: Sabresonic, Haunted Dancehall REMASTERED! first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-purposed without per... - Are you an idiot for spending $15,000 on Bluetooth headphones?2 June 2025, 9:10 am
€11,800 (or US$15,000). No, that’s not a typo. That’s how much we’ll be asked to pay for Hermès’ first pair of Bluetooth ANC headphones when they go on sale this summer. The luxury fashion brand has tapped its Ateliers Horizons workshop in Paris for the industrial design who, in turn, […] The post Are you an idiot for spending $15,000 on Bluetooth headphones? first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced,...
- Perpetuum Ebner PE 6060 Turntable1 June 2025, 9:39 am
Perptuum Ebner is not a name familiar to many audiophiles. Indeed, I was not aware of the brand until the offer to review this turntable came from the publisher of Audiophilia, Anthony Kershaw. Yet as I started my research, I realized the name has a rich legacy and played an important role in the history of turntable design, a role that goes back over a century.Perpetuum was started by Joseph Steidinger in 1911, in the small town of St Georgen, in the Black Forest area of Germany. After World Wa... - TEAC VRDS-701 CD Player1 June 2025, 9:39 am
I grew up on CDs. As a kid in the ‘90s, I was certainly aware of vinyl records and their mystique, but music meant CDs to me. I loved building a collection and flipping through the tiny booklets with liner notes in minuscule font. As my musical horizons expanded, I made countless mixes, copied library albums and burned live concert recordings from The Internet Archive to disc, so CD-Rs became as big a part of my collection as commercial releases. In college, I finally took the plunge into ... - Galion TS Voyager TL Speaker1 June 2025, 9:39 am
Speakers are the most salient component of your audio chain. The reason wasn’t clear to me when I started the audiophile path. Speakers mostly define your setup. My editor, the always humble and turntable-cart whisperer (as I call him), Anthony Kershaw, made this observation over six years ago when we met. I was nervous to ask him why; it seemed obvious that you need speakers to have sound. I remember he was very nice and interested in helping me with my setup. He tried seve... - Billie Holiday—All Or Nothing At All/Acoustic Sounds Verve Series Vinyl (2025)28 May 2025, 3:12 pm
It’s no secret to viewers of my YouTube channel “The Pressing Matters” that I am a big Billie Holiday fan. In particular, the Verve years. The group of albums released during this period moved me in a way that earlier ones did not quite match. Records like Body And Soul and Songs For Distingué Lovers are among my top picks, and All Or Nothing At All fits right into this group.Recorded in separate sessions between 1956 and 1957, the album was released in 1958. The m... - Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 1 "Winter Dreams“–Michael Tilson Thomas & Boston Symphony/DG The Original Source vinyl reissue [2025]6 May 2025, 3:23 pm
This classic DG Boston recording was one of the first classical LPs I purchased with my “pocket money” from the famous “The Coop” in Harvard Square during one of my many visits to family in Boston. It was released in 1971, and I listened to it incessantly concurrent with my love affair with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, especially its fabulous flute section—I had begun playing the flute a year earlier. I was already set on becoming a professional player, god willin...
- WK Audio TheRay3 June 2025, 2:06 pm
The excellent WK Audio TheRed cables wowed us, but the price and individual power cord conductors may deter some. Alan Sircom thinks the company’s new TheRay is the perfect answer. The post WK Audio TheRay appeared first on hi-fi+.... - Advance Paris A12 Classic3 June 2025, 1:53 pm
Well-known in European audio circles, Advance Paris makes high-quality, affordable audio electronics. Chris Frankland thinks that the company’s latest A12 Classic hybrid integrated amplifier looks and sounds like a winner. The post Advance Paris A12 Classic appeared first on hi-fi+.... - DALI Rubikore 83 June 2025, 1:33 pm
Taking cues from the impressive Kore and the more budget-friendly Epikore 11, the Rubikore 8 is a robust floorstanding loudspeaker designed to deliver exceptional performance, as stated by Jason Kennedy. The post DALI Rubikore 8 appeared first on hi-fi+.... - EMT 928 II Turntable and 909 HI Tonearm with EMT Tondose cartridges3 June 2025, 1:17 pm
EMT is a brand that is deservedly associated with indestructible, lab-grade turntables. But does this domestically friendly turntable, tonearm, and cartridge package live up to that reputation? Ed Selley investigates. The post EMT 928 II Turntable and 909 HI Tonearm with EMT Tondose cartridges appeared first on hi-fi+.... - William Steinberg: The complete Command Classics recordings3 June 2025, 12:56 pm
William Steinberg is often considered an almost forgotten man amongst post-war classical conductors. However, this 17-CD retrospective of his Command Classics releases shows he demands better recognition, argues Jimmy Hughes. The post William Steinberg: The complete Command Classics recordings appeared first on hi-fi+....
- Eversolo DMP-A10 Streamer/DAC/preamp6 June 2025, 12:00 am
Eversolo’s DMP-A8 [HFN May ’24] was an indication of the Chinese brand’s ambition to progress beyond affordable but very capable DACs and streamers into ‘real’ hi-fi territory. The DMP-A10, which ratchets up both features and finish, is the next step. It’s also Eversolo’s first full-sized component, alongside a new AMP-F10 power amplifier that’s clearly been designed to be a perfect visual match.While the £1890 price tag of the DMP-A8 help... - Pioneer PD-Z72T CD player6 June 2025, 12:00 am
Once CD players had become established it did not take long for hi-fi manufacturers to come up with new features and facilities to offer. Of these, the ability to play more than one disc at a time was perhaps the most intriguing and visually obvious. Toshiba was the first to produce a practical machine with the XR-V22 [HFN Jun ’24]. This could take two discs, but it was fellow Japanese brand Pioneer which led the field, coming up shortly afterwards with a six-disc cartridge player. This &... - Hegel D50 ‘The Raven’ USB DAC5 June 2025, 12:00 am
Hegel is fond of its idiosyncratic product names. In 2023 the Norwegian brand felt confident in christening its new CD player the ‘Viking’, ignoring a model number altogether [HFN Sep ’23]. In the same year it also launched the P30A preamp and H30A power amp [HFN Jun ’23] – separates also known as the Conductor and the Orchestra, respectively. 2024 saw the arrival of the H400 integrated amplifier [HFN Oct ’24], aka the Streamliner due to its networking featur... - Transrotor Massimo Nero turntable4 June 2025, 12:00 am
Transrotor might be a new name to many, but the company has a long and illustrious history [see boxout]. However, this is the first time that its range of turntables has been officially available on UK shores – and what a range it is! The £4400 Massimo Nero TMD is eight steps up the ladder of an 18-strong selection that starts with the £3000 Max and culminates in the magnificent Metropolis FMD, which will set you back a not inconsiderable £180,000.The German brand also ... - Hi-Res Downloads, May 20254 June 2025, 12:00 am
Paul Motian Conception Vessel (96kHz/24-bit, WAV)www.ecmrecords.com; ECM 1028 Percussionist Motian’s debut as a leader, released in 1973 after years with Keith Jarrett and before that Bill Evans, is what we see retrospectively as a bit of a ‘supersession’. Guests included Jarrett on piano and flute and Sam Brown on guitar on two tracks each, plus spots for Leroy Jenkins on violin and Becky Friend on flute on ‘Inspiration From A Vietnamese Lullaby’, with the legenda...
- Hsu D15-Chimera SC: The World’s First Supercharged Dual 15″ Sub Debuts at T.H.E. Show 20259 June 2025, 6:31 pm
Meet the new apex predator of home theater bass: the Hsu Research D15-Chimera SC, a modular, dual 15-inch subwoofer that just made its explosive debut at T.H.E. Show SoCal 2025 in California. This beast doesn’t just move air—it moves walls. Starting as a sealed dual 15-inch sub (a first for Hsu), the D15-Chimera transforms into a supercharged ported juggernaut […]... - Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band Brings the Heat on Honeysuckle: Vinyl Review8 June 2025, 6:09 am
Reverend Peyton's Honeysuckle serves up raw, vintage blues with a modern kick—no gimmicks, just grit, sweat, and slide guitar magic.... - HiFiMAN Susvara Unveiled Review: $8K Headphones That Might Just Be Worth the Madness7 June 2025, 7:13 pm
HiFiMAN Susvara Unveiled delivers refined planar magnetic sound with improved comfort and a natural soundstage. Discover why it needs a powerful amp and how it compares to the original.... - Ruark’s MR1 Mk3 Desktop Speaker System Proves Size Isn’t Everything (But Sound Is)7 June 2025, 7:12 am
Ruark MR1 Mk3 desktop speakers deliver high-res sound, versatile connectivity, and compact design. Add the RS1 subwoofer for deep bass without taking up space.... - HiFiMAN Isvarna Headphones Review: Our Second Listen Confirms Something for Closed-Back Planars to Brag About6 June 2025, 10:00 am
HiFiMAN’s Isvarna closed-back headphones combine dynamic bass with planar clarity in a unique dual-driver design, redefining what closed-back planar-magnetics can achieve....
- BenQ Home Cinema W2720i 4K Projector Review9 June 2025, 12:00 pm
BenQ adds the Home Cinema W2720i to its stable of AI-enhanced projectors. It’s a 4K DLP with wide-gamut color, HDR10+, and advanced... The post BenQ Home Cinema W2720i 4K Projector Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Denon AVR-A10H AV Receiver Review4 June 2025, 12:00 pm
With 13.4 channels of processing power and 150 watts per channel, the Denon AVR-A10H is just one step below Denon’s flagship AVR-A1H. The post Denon AVR-A10H AV Receiver Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Michi Q5 DAC / CD Transport Review2 June 2025, 12:00 pm
Michi’s Q5 DAC and CD Transport is a premium component with tank-like build quality and the ability to play just about any disc or streamed... The post Michi Q5 DAC / CD Transport Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - MartinLogan Motion XT F200 Home Theater Speaker System Review28 May 2025, 12:00 pm
MartinLogan. The name conjures visions of large, flat HiFi speakers that excite the air with effortless music reproduction. The kind of... The post MartinLogan Motion XT F200 Home Theater Speaker System Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Shunyata Research Gamma Cable Line Review28 May 2025, 12:00 pm
With accurate tonality and lifelike timbre, very low noise combined with excellent resolution and detail, spacious yet precise imaging, and... The post Shunyata Research Gamma Cable Line 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: 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. […]... - Review: Mission 778x Integrated Amplifier23 November 2024, 1:23 am
The Mission 778X Integrated Amplifier – Mid-Range Magic on a Budget. MSRP: $999 Canadian. Review by David Neice Verdict: Can an amplifier costing just […]...
- Hidizs MK12 Turris Review9 June 2025, 8:29 am
In this feature, Marcelo reviews the Hidizs MK12 Turris, a new, affordable 12mm dynamic driver IEM with a 91% Pure Magnesium diaphragm. It has an MSRP of $199, with a Kickstarter Super Early Bird offer running at $129, limited to 300 units, and an Early Bird price of $139. 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 Hidizs for their support. Click here to […] Hidizs MK1... - FiiO FT7 Review7 June 2025, 11:21 am
Today, James reviews the FiiO FT7, the company’s flagship open-back 106mm gold diaphragm planar magnetic driver headphones. They are currently priced at $699.00. 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 our current... - MOONDROP Pavane Review6 June 2025, 11:02 am
In this feature, Meldrick reviews the MOONDROP Pavane, the company’s latest flagship 13.5mm dynamic driver stainless-steel flathead earbuds. They are currently priced at $379.99. 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 follows o... - xDuoo DM-01 Review4 June 2025, 11:10 am
Today, Meldrick reviews the xDuoo DM-01, a desktop CS43131 DAC and hybrid tube/transistor-based headphone amp with a unique robot form factor. It is currently priced at $279. Disclaimer: This sample was sent in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or status. I 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, wh... - ddHiFi Surface Review2 June 2025, 10:34 am
In this feature, Kurt reviews the ddHiFi Surface, a hybrid single dynamic and 4 BA driver IEM developed in collaboration with MOONDROP. It is currently priced at $279.99. Disclaimer: This sample was sent to me in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links. I thank ddHiFi for their support. You can read about previous ddHiFi products we have previously reviewed on Headfonics here. This article follows our latest scoring guidelines, which you can ...
- Top 10 Best Integrated Amplifiers Of 202529 May 2025, 3:10 pm
Some Of The Top 10 Best Integrated Amplifiers Of 2025, Listed From Cheapest To Most Expensive We had so much The post Top 10 Best Integrated Amplifiers Of 2025 appeared first on AudioHead.... - KT88 Tube Vs 300b – Which is better?19 May 2025, 5:10 pm
KT88 vs The 800b tube in amplifiers. There are a lot of subtle intricacies that make tube amp listening so The post KT88 Tube Vs 300b – Which is better? appeared first on AudioHead.... - Dan Clark Audio Unveils The NOIRE XO Open-Back Headphones13 May 2025, 10:05 pm
The latest headphone from Dan Clark Audio is an open-back version of their NOIRE X, appropriately called the NOIRE XO. The post Dan Clark Audio Unveils The NOIRE XO Open-Back Headphones appeared first on AudioHead.... - Andrew Jones And The New MoFi Sourcepoint V107 May 2025, 3:19 pm
The MoFi Sourcepoint V10 is the latest creation from the mind of Andrew Jones, a speaker designer with a resume The post Andrew Jones And The New MoFi Sourcepoint V10 appeared first on AudioHead.... - The Long-Awaited Schiit Audio Valhalla 3 Is Finally Here2 May 2025, 6:06 pm
New updates on the Schiit Audio Valhalla 3 tube headphone amplifier for under $500. Headphone tube amplifiers under $500 aren’t The post The Long-Awaited Schiit Audio Valhalla 3 Is Finally Here appeared first on AudioHead....
- FX-AUDIO- R07PLUS Headphone Amplifier– Micro Giant3 June 2025, 6:00 am
I was sent the FX-AUDIO- R07PLUS Headphone Amplifier just before AXPONA, so it has had a good bit of time The post FX-AUDIO- R07PLUS Headphone Amplifier– Micro Giant appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - Danacable Lazuli™ Voilà II Headphone Cable – A Step Up30 May 2025, 6:00 am
A little over a year ago, I reviewed the Danacable Lazuli™ Voilà Headphone Cable, a unique cable designed to enhance The post Danacable Lazuli™ Voilà II Headphone Cable – A Step Up appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - AXPONA 2025 – Coverage Sponsored by Vera-Fi Audio – Conclusion23 May 2025, 6:00 am
Welcome back to my coverage of AXPONA 2025. I want to send out special thanks to our friends at Vera-Fi The post AXPONA 2025 – Coverage Sponsored by Vera-Fi Audio – Conclusion appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - AXPONA 2025 – Coverage Sponsored by Vera-Fi Audio – Part – 516 May 2025, 6:00 am
Welcome back to my coverage of AXPONA 2025. I want to send out special thanks to our friends at Vera-Fi The post AXPONA 2025 – Coverage Sponsored by Vera-Fi Audio – Part – 5 appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - Focal introduces three lacquered finishes for Diva Utopia wireless loudspeaker14 May 2025, 11:00 am
May 14, 2025 – Focal, the prestigious French audio brand recognized worldwide for its acoustic excellence, is proud to unveil three The post Focal introduces three lacquered finishes for Diva Utopia wireless loudspeaker appeared first on Headphone Guru....
- iFi Audio ZEN Blue 34 June 2025, 12:00 am
There are lots of DACs available that can also act as a Bluetooth receiver for a set of wired speakers or other hi-fi equipment, including iFi’s own GO Blu (HFC 483) and Zen Blue V2. However, the new ZEN Blue 3 casts its net much wider, with the company claiming it is the first DAC to act as both Bluetooth receiver (RX) and transmitter (TX) with support for lossless audio as well as a conventional wired DAC for hi-res. It’s more expensive than its predecessor – with the Blue V... - Canvas HiFi Canvas3 June 2025, 12:00 am
With the soundbar market dominated by affordable models designed primarily for TV audio, this offering from new Danish brand Canvas HiFi sticks out like the proverbial sore thumb. And not only because of its hefty price and weight.Canvas bills its soundbar as: “hi-fi reinvented” and intends it to serve as both a premium partner for a TV, for which HDMI eARC connectivity is provided, and as a music system. Connections include Apple AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Con... - System Audio Signature 52 June 2025, 12:00 am
Danish speaker manufacturer System Audio has been busy over the last few years releasing its active Silverback models (including on-wall, bookshelf and floorstanders – see HFC 502) that support the WiSA wireless transmission system. Now it’s returned to its roots with the Signature series, its first new passive range of speakers since 2018.In the System Audio hierarchy, this family slots in above the entry-level Saxo, but keeps pricing on the right side of sensible. The Signature 5... - Volumio Rivo23 May 2025, 12:00 am
For many hi-fi companies (probably far too many if we are being honest), software is a necessary evil required to make their engineering work. The varying degrees of enthusiasm companies are able to muster for their operating system has been reflected in a few devices that look superb but are an absolute pig to use. In this regard Volumio is something of an outlier. It started life as a software provider, creating a bespoke platform that could be used in a variety of different devices and only m... - Cambridge Audio EXA10022 May 2025, 12:00 am
It’s been a busy few years for Cambridge Audio. Having moved into genuine high-end territory with its Edge range, it has dabbled in vinyl, become a strong contender in wireless headphones and done a strong job in lifestyle components to boot. The EX Series is intended to plug the gap between the affordable (and very good) CX models and the decidedly less affordable (but still very good) Edge series.At first glance, you might be forgiven for thinking Cambridge has simply taken the CX am...
- 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... - 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....
- 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....
- 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.... - 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....
- Ortofon MC X40 Cartridge Review8 June 2025, 4:06 pm
David Price auditions a new affordable audiophile moving coil from the company that invented the breed…... - Richter Audio Merlin S6plus Bookshelf Loudspeakers Review26 May 2025, 4:37 am
David Price auditions a big-hearted small standmounter from this popular Australian brand...... - Devialet Astra Integrated Amplifier Review26 May 2025, 1:13 am
Craig Joyce is beguiled by this elegant, compact high end streaming integrated…... - Gold Note CD-5 CD Player Review23 May 2025, 10:09 am
Chris Frankland auditions a somewhat eccentric Italian-made CD spinner…... - EXCLUSIVE: Eversolo Play Streaming Amplifier First Look14 May 2025, 5:02 pm
Eric Teh shares his initial impressions of this value-packed mini music system…...
- 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....
- Buchardt P300 MKII5 June 2025, 3:59 pm
Watch the YouTube ReviewIf you went to college in the 1980’s to about 2000 and you lived in a dorm, you experienced the stereo wars, whereby each male dorm room that had a system would blast out music. The purely loudest usually went to the guy with Cerwin Vega’s, as they were quite efficient and designed to play LOUD. In later years, with the rise of rap and hip-hop, bass wars reigned. While today most music listening is done via ear buds or headphones, except when drivin... - Vista Audio Phono-2 MK II8 May 2025, 3:41 am
Click Here To Watch The YouTube VideoNineteen years ago I reignited my enthusiasm for home audio with the e-publication Affordable$$Audio. My goal was to find truly high value, low cost gear. So many of the worthy units were from small “boutique” manufacturers. Of all of them, one has stood ... - Denafrips IRIS DDC3 May 2025, 6:18 pm
Click Here to Watch the YouTube ReviewI can remember when people scoffed at the idea of a separate deck converter box. Audio fans would point out the fact that there was already a digital to audio converter chip inside the CD player. But what many didn’t understand is that by having a separate box for the conversion, the ability to extract more detail by peeling away some of the haze would improve the sound.Well, now the next step has been taken by several companies. The idea of... - Audio Craftsmen Laval Speakers: Written and YouTube Review4 February 2025, 4:28 am
Link to the YouTube reviewA great lament over so many audio, reviewers, and true audio fans, is that seemingly the great technology in speakers went to the development of the drivers while the crossover was somewhat ignored. Most likely because it was hidden inside the cabinet, it was seen as a great area to cut cost rather than an opportunity to deliver absolute first rate sound.While, as a teacher economics to my high school students, I fully understand cost in price point is critical in... - Buchardt S400 MKii Stand Mount Speaker: Written & YouTube Review30 December 2024, 4:58 am
Watch the YouTube Review2024 has been a great year to review Stand mount speakers,. From the surprising and engaging Verify Audio Scouts, to the airy KEF R3 Meta and now a direct competitor, the Buchardt S 400 MK2. In the past few years wave guide technology has come to the forefront of speaker design with regards to the tweeter, the S400s are the most obvious example of this technology. The .76in dome tweeter, surrounded by substantial aluminum cone (for lack of better word) is the g...
- LAiV Harmony GaNM7 June 2025, 7:03 pm
As the name implies, the LAiV Harmony GaNM amplifiers have GaN (Gallium Nitride) Technology at their core, which, combined with a proprietary ultra-low-noise switched power supply, provide 200 Watts of pure, clean, and highly transparent power into 8 Ohms per mono block.... - Main System 17 – June 202531 May 2025, 7:41 am
A summary of the Main System and its operational components in May 2025.... - LAiV Harmony uDDC25 May 2025, 1:35 pm
The Harmony µDDC is an ultra-compact, high-performance digital-to-digital converter with jitter reduction and multiple outputs in a beautifully sculpted seamless enclosure milled-from solid aluminum.... - LAiV Harmony uDAC18 May 2025, 7:16 pm
The Harmony µDAC is an ultra-compact, high-performance DAC that fits the LAiV Harmony R-2R Ladder Network Architecture and a discrete Class A output buffer in a beautifully sculpted seamless unibody enclosure milled-from solid aluminum.... - Qobuz Connect is here!18 May 2025, 11:51 am
Qobuz Connect establishes a direct link between Qobuz and your paired audio device. Unlike headphones, Bluetooth, and AirPlay, the music no longer passes through the smartphone or other control device....
- 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...
- Percentage Improvements in HiFi Don’t Add Up9 June 2025, 3:11 pm
I imagine we’ve all read a review or comment where the writer claims a given piece of hifi kit offers an improvement over some other piece of hifi kit and that improvement is offered as a %. What’s more, price is usually part of that [...]... - #NewMusicFriday: June 6, 20256 June 2025, 12:58 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. Brian Eno & Beatie Wolfe: Lumina (Verve) Brian Eno & Beatie Wolfe: Lateral (Verve) [...]... - Album of the Week: Smerz | Big city life6 June 2025, 10:00 am
I dreamed of an album until I realized I wasn’t dreaming. “Smerz”, the band name, is a non-word derived from the German herzschmerz for heartbreak. Big city life is their latest, released last month on Escho, and was written, performed and produced by Catharina Stoltenberg and [...]... - Review: LAiV Audio Harmony µDAC5 June 2025, 9:00 am
The Harmony µDAC from LAiV Audio is a remarkable DAC when it comes to price, performance, and build quality. What’s more, you can tweak its sound to your taste using either the NOS (non-oversampling) or OS (oversampling) mode. Some listeners might like to switch back [...]... - Win a Pair of Limited Edition Powered Klipsch Jurassic World Rebirth Speakers5 June 2025, 8:01 am
Kinda cool, right? Cool in the sense that these limited-edition Jurassic World Rebirth speakers from Klipsch will make some music loving dinosaur digger very happy. Based on the Klipsch The Sevens, the limited-edition Jurassic World Rebirth speakers, named after the upcoming movie, mate a 6.5” [...]...
- DDHiFi Surface Review9 June 2025, 9:00 pm
Today, we are looking at the ddHiFi Surface Hybrid IEM. It retails for $279.99 USD. Disclaimer: DDHiFi sent us the Surface for this... The post DDHiFi Surface Review appeared first on https://www.headfonia.com/... - Fosi Audio i5 Revision 2 Review7 June 2025, 9:30 pm
This time, I’m reviewing Fosi’s revised version of their debut headphones, the Fosi Audio i5 Rev2. It sells for $549,99 USD. Disclaimer: Fosi... The post Fosi Audio i5 Revision 2 Review appeared first on https://www.headfonia.com/... - Fosi Audio K7 Review5 June 2025, 7:07 am
In this article we review the Fosi Audio K7, a geeky desktop DAC/AMP, currently selling for $229,99 USD in Europe and $199,99 USD in... The post Fosi Audio K7 Review appeared first on https://www.headfonia.com/... - Shanling UP6 Review2 June 2025, 9:30 pm
We’re taking a look at the $199 USD Shanling UP6 flagship Bluetooth DAC/AMP dongle in this two-page article. Disclaimer: Shanling provided the UP6... The post Shanling UP6 Review appeared first on https://www.headfonia.com/... - FiiO BT11 Review31 May 2025, 7:45 pm
In this article, we review FiiO’s new Bluetooth transmitter, the FiiO BT11. It retails for $49 USD. Disclaimer: FiiO provided the BT11 for... The post FiiO BT11 Review appeared first on https://www.headfonia.com/...
- Japanese Audio Alchemy—The Mactone XX7000 Line Stage Preamplifier9 June 2025, 10:00 pm
production currently paused, but hopefully soon it will again be available... - Rhino Reserve Series' "Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul" Is the One to Have9 June 2025, 3:28 pm
mono mix is definitive... - Behind-the-Scenes at the Original Source - Your Questions Answered Part 28 June 2025, 3:00 pm
Rainer Maillard and Sidney C. Meyer at Emil Berliner Studios Speak!... - Wilson Audio Specialties WATT/Puppy 50th Anniversary Edition *6 June 2025, 7:36 pm
A Sasha V in a smaller, less costly package? or something else entirely?... - Apocalypse and Transcendence at the End of Time - Messiaen’s Vision Transfigured by the Original Source5 June 2025, 3:56 pm
Emil Berliner Studios remasters a chamber music classic, and the result is one of the strongest entries in DG’s AAA vinyl reissue series...