Blog draft
Hi-Fi+ has published issue 64. It contains reviews of the following high-end audio gear: Focal Grande Utopia EM Loudspeaker Audio Research Reference CD8 CD player Renaissance RAP-03 Preamplifier and RA-03 Monoblock Power Amplifiers Benchmark DAC 1 Pre Digital Converter/Preamplifier KEF iQ50 Loudspeaker HRT Streamer and Streamer+ USB-based Digital Converters Cairn Diabolo Integrated Amplifier Guru Pro Audio QM10 Loudspeaker Pure Sound A30 Integrated Valve Amplifier with Border Patrol Power Supply Q Acoustics 1050i Loudspeaker Ensemble Fonobrio
Home Entertainment Magazine has reviewed a handful of high-end audiophile products recently. Among them: Krell Modulari Duo floorstanding speakers ($65,000/pair) Hansen Audio Prince V2 floorstanding speakers ($39,000/pair) Parasound P7 stereo preamp ($2,000) Gotta love reviewer Steve Guttenberg. Check out his blog if you haven’t already done so.
Stereo Times has reviewed the Revolver Music 3 Series bookshelf speakers ($1,300/pair). These are cute, English two-ways (photo) with 89 dB sensitivity and a frequency response of 45 Hz – 38 kHz. Reviewer Carlos Sanchez liked their affordability and, more importantly, their sound: I’m really surprised at how these reasonably small, and insanely priced loudspeakers reproduce bass fundamentals. Yes, dear readers, this remarkable 2-way, English transducer allows the music to breath in a way that
What Hi-Fi? posted several new reviews recently: B&W CM5 bookshelf speakers (GBP 780/pair) Epos ELS 8 bookshelf speakers (GBP 250/pair) Tannoy Revolution DC4 bookshelf speakers (GBP 349/pair) Acoustic Energy Radiance 1 bookshelf speakers (GBP 600/pair) NAD C326BEE integrated amp (GBP 325) Carat C57 CD player (GBP 800) Not the greatest reviews, but hey…
TNT-Audio has reviewed the Creek Audio Destiny power amp (GBP 1,000). This is a slim, solid state design (photo) with 100Wpc into 8 ohms (160Wpc into 4 ohms). It is actually a remote-controlled power amplifier, with two sets of switchable speaker terminals. Reviewer Maarten van Casteren liked the build quality and user-friendliness. In conclusion he states: The sound is precise and highly resolved, albeit slightly on the bright side. Bass is tight, deep and powerful
Audiophile Audition has reviewed the Musical Surroundings Phonomena II phono preamp ($600). This is a handsome design (photo) with a variety of gain and input loading settings. Reviewer John Sunier compared it to his Grado PH-1: The sonics of the Grado had more spatiality but they also had a somewhat “honky†EQ to them, definitely not as flat or transparent as the Phenomena II. Ultimately, John preferred the Phenomena II, concluding: In my particular case
SoundStage! Network has published its mid-month update. It includes the following new component reviews: Energy CB-20 bookshelf speakers ($350/pair) Focus Audio Prestige FP 90 floorstanding speakers ($9,495/pair) Convergent Audio Technology SL1 Legend tube preamp ($19,950) Enjoy!
6moons has published a handful of new reviews, among them: Mark & Daniel Diamond+ bookshelf speakers ($2,650/pair) HIFI Akademie CD player (EUR 1,485) Teo Audio Liquid Cable ($2,398 per meter pair) Additional articles abound. Check out the latest reviews for more.
Audio Ideas Guide has reviewed the Axiom M80 v2 floorstanding speakers with VaSSallo Series custom finish ($1,790/pair). This is a tall, multi-driver design (photo) that may appeal to orchestral and rock listeners. Reviewer Andrew Marshall gushed over the fit and finish: Quite luxurious, all this, with an attention to detail that surprised me at the price. He had this to say on their sound: The M80 v2Â is a very easy speaker to listen to
Stereomojo has published a shoot-out of low cost, low powered digital switching amps. These include the Virtue Audio One integrated amp ($250), NuForce Icon integrated amp ($250), and Trends TA 10.1 integrated amp ($190). Shoot-out conductor John Richards, assisted by Mike Peshkin and John Fritz, tried each amp in a system which includes a Mac-based music server, a Benchmark DAC1 USB, and a pair of Von Schweikert VR-1 monitors. The winner? Obviously, my first choice