Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Hi-Fi Choice has published, by way of TechRadar, a review of the YBA YA201 integrated amp (GBP 1,290). This is a “100-watt stereo design using a Triple Push configuration.” It has a knob-less, minimalist fascia (photo).
On the sound, reviewer Malcolm Steward notes:
Some listeners might argue that this amplifier sounds lean but it’s more accurate to say that this controlled presentation and lack of LF bloom gives the YA201 a heightened sense of transparency and insight into timbre and dynamics.
In conclusion, Malcom states:
Overall, the performance of the YBA YA201 is nothing less than bewitching: musically persuasive and sonically as near transparent as any integrated we’ve heard…
Check out the entire review, then tell me something. When it comes to volume control, does anyone actually prefer pushing buttons to turning a knob? I’ve tried both and can honestly say that I’ll never own another non-knob design again. Down with buttons. Knobs rule!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
10 Audio, the pet project of reviewer and audiophile Jerry S., has reviewed the Dali Euphonia RS3 bookshelf speakers ($4,800/pair).
The RS3s are visually elegant (photo). They employ a ribbon “super high-frequency driver” and have a frequency response of 64 to 28 kHz. According to Reviewer Jerry S., the RS3s are “an ideal candidate for use with a subwoofer or two.”
On the sound, Jerry notes:
I find the RS3s to be perfectly neutral overall, certainly never forward nor bright. At the same time, the upper frequency harmonic content of every instrument is presented in such a natural manner, presenting an extraordinary level of micro-detail that characterizing the speaker as warm or rolled off would not be accurate.
He concludes:
The RS3s have been my primary speaker system for about a year and after the somewhat extended break in period, there has been a remarkable absence of desire to replace them.
Read the entire review.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
What Hi-Fi? has posted a handful of new high-end reviews. Among them:
Check out the reviews, then marvel at the three-stars rating bestowed upon the BSA speakers. Considering nothing in What Hi-Fi? ever gets one or two stars, these speakers must suck. Bad.
Here is the second batch of show reports from this year’s CES and THE Show, which took place January 8-11 in Las Vegas, Nevada. These links are in addition to those already published in Part 1 of this post.
- The Absolute Sound: H, I, J, K, L
- Audio Federation: A, B, C, D, E, F
- Computer Audiophile: A, B, C
- DAGOGO: A, B
- Enjoy the Music.com: J, K, L
- Positive Feedback Online: B, C, D, E, F
- StereoMojo: C, D, E
- Stereophile: H, I
I’ve been told that AudiogoN plans to release some CES 2009 videos, which will be available on their YouTube channel, but they’re not yet live.
On the heels of its recent show coverage, SoundStage! Network has published a handful of new reviews. Among them:
Read the reviews, then check out SoundStage’s newest feature, The Digital Domain, a column by Colin Smith. It’s dedicated to PC audio, and while it ignores Mac-based systems almost entirely, it does cover the Windows-based side nicely.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
6moons has published three new reviews, each of which covers a different part of the modern hi-fi domain: desktop audio, vinyl, and tubes:
Also check out year-end awards from the 6moons team, as well as 2008 favorites from their syndicated colleagues, fairaudio.de.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Australian Hi-Fi has published a new issue which includes the following high-end audio component reviews:
- Marantz CD 5003 CD player
- Klipsch Image X5 earphones
- JBL LS80 floorstanding speakers (AUD $5,999)
- Krix Harmonix floostanding speakers
- Parasound Halo JC2 preamp and JC1 power amp
Check out the table of contents for the latest issue and decide if you want to subscribe or not. I keep hoping they will publish more reviews online, but it looks like paper is still their format of choice. Darn.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Here is the first batch of show reports and previews from this year’s CES and THE Show, which took place January 8-11 in Las Vegas, Nevada:
- The Absolute Sound: A, B, C, D, E, F, G
- Audioholics: A
- AVRev.com: A
- Enjoy the Music.com: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I
- Positive Feedback Online: A
- Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity: A, B, C
- SoundStage! Network: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H
- Spintricity: A, B, C
- StereoMojo: A, B
- Stereophile: A, B, C, D, E, F, G
- Ultra High Fidelity (UHF): A, B, C, D, E, F
Full reports from some of these sites, as well as Computer Audiophile and DAGOGO, among others, will be included in part two of this post. Stay tuned!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
What Hi-Fi? has posted new reviews of the following high end audio components:
Check out the full reviews, then tell me what you think of the “Write your own review” feature at the bottom of each page. Are you inclined to write one, or would you be more likely to simply leave a comment?
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Audiophile Audition has posted a pair of new phono preamp reviews, both by Brian Bloom:
I have to say, Brian’s honest approach to both of these reviews impressed me. At one point he even says:
I can’t profess to be an expert in this category and there are a quite a few other pieces in this range.
How often do you hear such a thing from a professional reviewer? Hardly ever, although it is probably true much of the time.
I suspect many reviewers are too embarrassed to say so, but it’s essential: By telling the reader how much experience you have with a certain type of component, it helps them understand where your opinions are coming from. It also establishes trust. What a concept!
