Wednesday, March 11, 2009
What Hi-Fi? has reviewed the Yamaha A-S700 integrated amp (GBP 500) and CD-S700 CD player (GBP 400).
On the A-S700 integrated:
And there’s plenty to like if you enjoy an easy listen with decent detail, plenty of space and an even tonal balance – a little more punch and pace, and greater attention to detail, is all we’d feel we were missing.
On the CD-S700 CD player:
Yamaha has obviously gone to great lengths to make the CD-S700 look the part, but we’d be willing to sacrifice some of the aesthetic niceties for greater sound quality.
Check out the full reviews.
AudioFile, a section within The Star, Malaysia newspaper site, has posted a review of the Thorens MM-005 phono preamp (RM 960). It is a handsome unit (photo) and is described as a “Standalone phono stage (for both MM and MC cartridges).”
Reviewer Lim Juan compared it to a Rotel Michi RHQ-10. He thought the Thorens was decent for the price, but had some shortcomings:
It conveyed a good sense of rhythm and transient snap, though on certain bass lines, the notes felt slightly more congealed together than the more obviously separated and delineated plucks heard on my more expensive reference units.
Check out the entire review.
Stereomojo has reviewed the Coincident Speaker Technology Frankenstein 300B monoblocks ($5,499/pair).
These are single ended triode designs (photo) with self-biasing circuits and 8 watts of power. Each one is “hand built and hard wired in Canada.”
Reviewer James L. Darby thought the “Franks” were extra sensitive to tube choice, and used his KR300B for most of the review. As for the sound, he writes:
…the combination of the Coincident Super Victory speakers and the Coincident Frankenstein 300B monoblock amplifiers is not the best I have ever heard. However, among the many systems I have had the pleasure of evaluating in my home, there has never been a system that more accurately portrayed not only the musical detail in a recording, but also the feeling, soul, emotion and spirit of the performance.
Check out the full review, and try to ignore the typos and necrophilia references (I’m not joking).
TNT-Audio has published a pair of new reviews:
Also check out the addendum at the end of the Trends Audio PA-10 tube preamp review. Sounds like some of them have scratchy volume pots and/or hiss/hum…
6moons has reviewed the Crayon Audio CFA-1 integrated amplifier (EUR 3,240). This is a sleek looking solid state unit (photo) with phono stage and 28Wpc (into 8 ohms) of power.
Reviewer Srajan Ebaen liked its high resolution and bandwidth. In classic form, Srajan breaks out the big words for this one:
The unusual element is simply the completely thermionic gestalt whereby it handles space, interrelatedness and flow, the intangible organic aspects writers default into poetry for to capture.
In his conclusion, he notes:
Once we add the phono stage, full-function remote, adjustable features and stare at the €3,240 sticker, the only proper response is an award.
Read the full review, then check out the latest bit of audio review controversy. It seems 6moons took delivery of a pair of EUR 15,000 speakers for review. After Srajan noted some cosmetic and functional issues in his preview, the maker asked for the speakers back in order to make modifications and resubmit them, which is obviously a no-no. I like Srajan’s approach here–standing his ground and simply posting the facts. As he says, “Shit happens.”
The Absolute Sound, publishing online via the ever-perplexing AV Guide web site, has posted three new reviews:
It’s been four months since The Absolute Sound posted any reviews, and now all we get are these three. I guess you can’t rush perfection!
DAGOGO has posted a new issue. It includes reviews of the following:
Check out the reviews, then see Phillip Holmes’ review of a REALLY high-end full-range driver: the Feastrex D5e Field Coil All Permendur ($11,150-45,000). Wow!
Affordable Audio has published a new issue. It includes reviews of the following:
- Audio Horizon TB5.0n tube buffer ($725)
- Eficion Ficion F20 bookshelf speakers ($650/pair)
- Budget monitor speaker comparison: Aperion Audio 6B ($690/pair), Swan 2.1SE ($599/pair), and Polk Audio 5jr (used)
- Wyatt Woodworking cabinet kit for Audio Nirvana drivers ($285-330)
- Acoustic Revive accessories ($175-450)
- Acoustic Revive cables ($725-1,950)
Download the entire issue (18 MB PDF) by going to the Affordable Audio web site and clicking the March 2009 issue link in the left column. Be sure to check out the latest power line article, “Studies On Residential Power Line Noise – Part 4: PS Audio Soloist Special Edition.”
TNT-Audio has reviewed the Trends Audio PA-10 tube preamp ($225, $265 for SE version). This is a tiny unit (photo) with headphone output. It is a “hybrid pre amp using TWO MOSFETs (per channel) as the output drivers and all this works in class-A.”
Reviewer Nick Whetstone thought the PA-10 was a positive addition to some class-T amps, but not others. Bottom line:
If you are looking to put together a micro-system of separates, it should certainly be something to consider, particularly along side a class-T amp. And going by the TNT review of the TA-10 amplifier, you could do worse than look at an all-Trends **-10 system run from a computer.
Read the entire review, then check out the review of some Scott Nixon DacKit mods. With the tanking economy, it might be a good time to get into DIY. See TNT-Audio’s DIY & Tweaking section for even more do-it-yourself goodness.
Enjoy the Music.com has published a new issue. It includes the following new audiophile equipment reviews:
Read the reviews, then check out the new issue of the DIY Audio Magazine. Don’t be afraid to geek out!
