Blog draft

Enjoy the Music.com has published Part 2 of its “Cables Galore” article, this time focusing on interconnects. The following balanced and unbalanced models were put up against a reference of the Nordost Valhalla ($4,300/pair): Atlas Cable Mavros Balanced Interconnect ($1,760/pair) The Music Cable Truly Balanced Interconnect ($320/pair) Dynamic Design Lotus Balanced Interconnect ($800/pair) Crystal Cable Dreamline Balanced Interconnect ($7,300/pair) EMM Cables Isopath Unbalanced Interconnect ($895/pair) Dynamic Design Heritage Unbalanced Interconnect ($2,000/pair) MIT Oracle V3.2 Unbalanced

6moons has reviewed another component from Japanese maker Yamamoto Sound Craft. This time it’s the YDA-01 DAC ($2,450). Reviewer Srajan Ebaen gave this DAC a Blue Moon Award for “Liquidity, Speed, Tension and No Tubes” in the D/A Converter category. He summed up his impression by way of an analogy: “First Watt goes digital.” If Nelson Pass did a D/A converter for First Watt, this is what you’d expect. Those familiar with his F3 –

Stereo Times has published a review of the NSR Sonic Research Concerto D3 Sonata floorstanding speakers ($5,995/pair). These are striking in appearance (photo) and specs, with 20Hz–40kHz frequency response, 93.7dB sensitivity, and 5 ohms nominal impedance. After considerable break-in time, reviewer Frank Alles commented on their resolution, natural reproduction of voices, excellent imaging, and wide sweet spot. He had some trouble with a somewhat forward lower treble, but ultimately concluded: From the piano to the

The SoundStage! Network, a collection of sites under publisher Doug Schneider and editor-in-chief Marc Mickelson, has posted an update. The following hi-fi equipment reviews are included: Bryston BP 6 C-Series preamplifier ($1,995) Infinity Primus P162 bookshelf speakers ($298/pair) Amphion Argon2 Anniversary bookshelf speakers ($2,990/pair) Parasound Halo JC 2 preamplifier ($4,000) Read the reviews, then check out the new GoodSound! review of the Elemental Designs A2-300, a $350 subwoofer that earned a “Great Buy” designation. Note:

AVRev.com, aka Audio Video Revolution, has reviewed the Escalante Design Fremont full-range monitor speakers ($18,900/pair). These are big (photo), efficient designs that apparently go down to 18 Hz. Reviewer Ken Taraszka, MD (?) liked the environmentally-friendly materials and techniques used to make them, but was struck by their huge physical dimensions: They are actually the biggest monitors I have ever seen, and are quite frankly larger than many floor-standing speakers I have seen and/or reviewed.

TNT-Audio, an ad-free web magazine based in Italy, has published an update with two new reviews: Shanling CD-T 80 tube CD player (GBP 650 when new) Anti-Cables speaker cables ($80/pair) and interconnects ($150/pair) If you’re wondering why a CD player from 2005 is being reviewed in late 2008, you may find your answer in Editor-in-Chief Lucio Cadeddu’s response to a recent question in the Reader’s Corner section: Being a completely independent magazine allows us to

10 Audio has reviewed the Miyajima Shilabe MC phono cartridge ($2,800) and given it a perfect “10 LPs” rating. This is a moving coil cartridge that “weighs 10.4 grams, has an output of 0.23mV with a coil resistance of ‘about 16 Ohms,’ and a recommended tracking force of 2.5 – 3.2 grams.” Reviewer Jerry S. compared its sound to two other highly regarded units, calling it: … a cross between the speed, dynamics and micro-resolution

DAGOGO, the strangely named but consistently well-written web site from publisher/editor Constantine Soo, has reviewed the Audio by Van Alstine (AVA) Ultra DAC ($1,599). This is a 16-bit, 4x oversampling design that employs two 6N1P tubes in a “transimpedence circuit.” Reviewer Doug Schroeder questioned its “intentionally devised limitations,” such as the forced 16-bit mode operation and non-removable power cable. Compared to the tube-based Monarchy M24 DAC, Doug thought the sound was immediate and warm but

Positive Feedback Online has published its November issue. In addition to a variety of stories and articles, the new issue contains two new component reviews: Pass Labs INT-150 integrated amp ($7,150) MBL Reference Line 6010D preamplifier ($23,800) Also included are reviews of the Cable Research Labs Copper Series interconnects ($895/pair) and Marigo Audio VX Mystery Feet $699 (set of three), both by the always enthusiastic Robert H. Levi. Of the mystery feet, Mr. Levi exclaimed:

Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity has reviewed the Electric Bamboo AC Line Purifier ($2,995). This device “has eight Hubble star grounded receptacles, four of which are designed for digital, the other four for analog.” Reviewer Jason Victor Serinus writes what can only be described as a painfully honest review. He compares the unit to his reference, the Nordost Thor: But with the Electric Bamboo, I felt the highs somewhat damped compared to the