Hi-Fi Choice has posted a handful of new reviews. Among them:
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 CDP-502 Classé has once again created a piece of equipment that is faithful to musical and visual quality while providing seemingly limitless functionality and at a price well below its competition. And did I mention it is drop dead gorgeous to look at? Highly recommended!
Read the entire review, then check out a recent review of another Classé component: the Classé CA-5200 multichannel power amp ($8,000).
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 inclusion of connectors for quickly connecting the inputs and outputs. No doubt there are a few improvements to be got from perhaps a different valve, and playing around with alternative DC blocking caps. But even as it comes, I am pleased to give the TubePre a hearty recommendation!
Check out the entire review.
StereoMojo has posted two new reviews of affordable high end components:
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 with Stereomojo. Our awards are based strictly on merit and value.”
6moons has posted a handful of new reviews:
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:
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 of art. Contributors Ken Kessler and Michael Lavorgna seem quite comfortable with the idea. Does it seem too esoteric, or just sophisticated enough?
Stereophile has posted a handful of new reviews:
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 sold by summer 2008.”
HIGH Fidelity has published its February issue. Included are reviews of the following high-end components:
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:
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 $50 Home Depot bass trap recipe.
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 have zero detectable flaws. The only possible complaint I could imagine anyone having is that they lack the bottom 12 Hz of bass. Know this. If you want to maintain the sound quality of the CS3.7s AND get that last 12 Hz of bass in a full-range speaker, you’re going to have to pay WAY more than $13,000. And have a forklift handy to move those gigantic speakers into position.
Check out the entire review, then take a look at the review of the Sunfire Cinema Ribbon 7.1 system featuring the CRM-2 bookshelf speakers ($1,700/pair).
