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TNT-Audio has published a review of the Cadence Anina electrostatic/dynamic hybrid speakers ($5,495). Reviewer Alister Staniland described these unique, Indian-made speakers as follows: The Aninas are a floor-standing speaker with an eight-inch reflex-loaded dynamic bass/mid driver in the bottom bit, which crosses over at 1.35khz (about the middle of the mid-range) to an electrostatic panel taking you seamlessly through the upper mid-range all the way up to ultrasonic treble (30khz). After experimenting with placement, Alister

Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity has reviewed Stereo Dave’s Creation 650 Reference Speakers ($3,800/pair) and Genesis Subwoofer ($1,395). The speakers are single-driver designs with a sensitivity rating of 90dB. Reviewer Rick Schmidt put the combination through its paces with a variety of music, from electronic pop to indie rock. His conclusion? In my opinion, these speakers bring musical involvement and what they don’t bring is fatigue. What you might get at higher price

This year’s Rocky Mountain Audio Fest took place during the past three days in Denver, Colorado. The show included over 300 exhibitors and 160 rooms of high-end gear. The following are reports from the publications that actually posted updates during the event: Computer Audiophile Enjoy the Music.com SoundStage! Stereophile Several other publications are promising reports of the show, so stay tuned for a second post with another set of links. Also check out some additional

SonicFlare, self-described as “the web’s hippest hi-fi site,” has reviewed the diminutive Mark & Daniel Maximus-Mini bookshelf speakers ($1,260). These are American-made two-ways with a rather low sensitivity rating of 82.5dB. Reviewer Sean Fowler contrasted them to the Mark & Daniel Maximus-Topaz model he reviewed last year. His conclusion? Despite the Mini’s lack of deep bass and abundance of upper treble, he said: If you are the type of listener in search for an affordable

Stereophile published two new reviews yesterday (both by Wes Phillips): Avalon Acoustics Indra floorstanding speakers ($19,995/pair) Wadia Digital 170 iTransport digital iPod dock ($379) The Wadia is special because it gets the bits before they are touched by the iPod’s DAC. If you’re interested in it, you may want to pay attention to the review’s second footnote. Specifically, this part: The files were bit-for-bit identical, meaning that the 170 iTransport is indeed transparent via its

6moons has posted a quasi-review of the Clearaudio Nano phono preamp ($350). This is an entry-level phono preamp with MM/MC, cartridge loading, variable gain, and defeatable rumble filter. Owner/reviewer Frederic Beudot compared it to the phono stages in two integrated amps: The Nano confirmed that it performs on par or even slightly ahead of the phono boards inside my McIntosh MA2275 and Musical Fidelity A5 integrateds. On balance, Beudot concludes: The Nano is warm and

Stereo Times has reviewed the XLH M-2000 600 watt monoblock power amps ($25,000/pair) and SL-11XS single-input preamp ($5,000). Reviewer Mike Wright compared the Chinese-made XLH pieces to units from Klyne, Conrad-Johnson, and GamuT. On the ergonomics of the SL-11XS preamp, Mike notes: The front panel of the preamp holds only a power on/off switch and two volume controls. … The problem I had with the controls was that there was no way of telling if

6moons has reviewed Vinnie Rossi’s newest creation; the Red Wine Audio Isabella battery-powered tube preamp ($4,000) with optional new-old-stock non-oversampling 16-bit DAC ($1,500) and headphone buffer ($500). Reviewer Srajan Ebaen compared the unit to the ModWright LS/PS 36.5 preamp. On the sound, he notes: The Isabella is about relaxation and an organic as opposed to high-strung showy feeling. It’s not about deep voluptuousness. Nor is it about extreme micro dynamics. In conclusion, Srajan sums it

Affordable$$Audio published a new issue today with a variety of new equipment reviews, including: GR Research NEO-1X bookshelf speakers ($329-572/pair) Xindak MT-3 tube integrated amp ($830) Placette Audio RVC passive preamp ($1,000) Emerald Physic CS2 floorstanding speakers ($3,495/pair) Manley Shrimp tube preamp ($1,880) Download the entire issue (22 MB PDF), and check out part two of the power line noise series, as well as Brad Mitchell’s article on audiophile psychosis. It’s funny because it’s true.

Audioholics, an online A/V magazine, has reviewed the Salk SongTower QWT floorstanding speakers ($1,695). Reviewer Tom Andry compared them to his reference RBH TK-5CTs speakers. He concludes: The imaging is very good, the bass very deep and linear, and the detail is amazing. Female vocals sometimes come off as too forward, the soundstage is not as wide as I’d have hoped, and the speakers themselves are pretty large. Overall, though, the Salks are a very,