Blog draft
Hi-Fi Choice has posted a handful of new reviews. Among them: Unison Research Unico Primo hybrid integrated amp (GBP 1,450) Sony SCD-XA5400ES CD/SACD player (GBP 1,199) Naim NAIT XS integrated amplifier (GBP 1,250) Also check out Hi-Fi Choice’s review of the Keith Monks Classic Mk IIc record cleaning machine (GBP 2,695). I want mine in blue (photo). WTF?
Stereo Times has reviewed the Classé CDP-502 CD/DVD Player ($8,500). This unit retains the Classé house design (photo) and boasts “a 24-bit/192 kHz sample rate conversion signal. The 502 plays red book CDs, DVDs, high-res DVD-Audio recordings, and numerous other formats including DualDisc, MP3, WMA and AAC audio-encoded discs, as well as Video-CD, S-VCD and JPEG discs.” Reviewer Dave Thomas, in addition to being enamored with the appearance, liked the sound. He concluded: In the
TNT-Audio has posted a review of the AudioDigit TubePRE single ended tube preamp (EUR 180). This is a tiny assembled and tested module (photo) without case or power transformer. Reviewer Nick Whetstone had this to say of the semi-DIY project preamp: As they go, the TubePre is as fine a pre amp/buffer as you will find for that sort of money. The build quality is good, and I like the little touches such as the
StereoMojo has posted two new reviews of affordable high end components: Virtue Audio One class-T (Tripath) integrated amp ($249) Benchmark DAC 1 Pre ($1,595) Check out the reviews and note: “The Virtue One, because of it’s extreme value, is a Stereomojo rare multi-award winner. One of our 2008 Products of the Year, a Best of Show CES 2009 as well as our Maximum Mojo Award. We might point out the Virtue is NOT an advertiser
6moons has posted a handful of new reviews: Sutra 1.3 class-T (Tripath) integrated amp (EUR 600) PHIO Audio Signature floorstanding speakers (EUR 9,600/pair) Synergistic Research Tesla PowerCell power conditioner ($4,000) Crystal Cable Bridge (EUR 450) Just in case you missed it, the Crystal Cable Bridges aren’t interconnect cables, they are “add-on” cables. Apparently, you plug your existing interconnect cables into the Bridges, and the Bridges make your interconnect cables sound better. Talk amongst yourselves…
Inner World Audio, an ecclectic and erudite magazine from Finland, has published a new issue. In it are reviews or articles (in English or Finnish) focusing on components from the following manufacturers: Amphion Bow Technologies EMT Lyngdorf Marten Design Red Wine Audio Schick SME TRIode Wharfedale Download the entire issue (22 MB PDF), check out some back issues, then tell me what you think of an audio magazine that mixes in so many other forms
Stereophile has posted a handful of new reviews: NuForce Icon USB-input integrated amplifier ($249) Sonics by Joachim Gerhard Allegra speakers ($7,800/pair) Aperion Audio Intimus 6T floorstanding speakers ($1,390/pair) Burmester B25 floorstanding loudspeakers ($12,000/pair) Dynaudio Sapphire floorstanding speakers ($16,500/pair) If you want to purchase a pair of the Dynaudio Sapphires, you may want to get to a dealer soon. According to the review: “Production is limited to 1000 pairs worldwide, of which 700 pairs had been
HIGH Fidelity has published its February issue. Included are reviews of the following high-end components: Aaron Model No.1.a integrated amp (EUR 3,490) Cambridge Audio Azur 840E preamp (PLN 3,999) Acrolink power cables (PLN 7,900-15,000) Check out the entire issue. Don’t miss Wojciech’s review of the 50th Anniversary Collector’s Edition of Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue. How many editions of that recording are there now? Must be over 20…
Audiophilia, a uniquely good (and familiar-looking) web site, has posted reviews of the following audiophile components: Audio Note Kits L3 line stage preamp ($1,699) PS Audio Power Plant Premier power conditioner ($2,195) Adept Response aR1p power conditioner ($495) Read the reviews, then check out the archived review of the ASC Tube Trap room treatments. My experience with bass traps involved only the DIY variety, but the results were surprisingly positive. Email me for a killer
Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity has reviewed the Thiel CS3.7 floorstanding speakers ($12,900/pair). These are three-way, passive radiator designs with a love-it-or-hate-it kind of appearance (photo). Reviewer Chris Groppi was impressed by the coaxial midrange and tweeter driver, calling it “a no-holds-barred assault on the state of the art for dynamic drivers.” He also described the overall fit and finish as “impeccable.” On the sound, Chris concluded: They do absolutely everything well, and