Hi-Fi Choice, through online parent TechRadar, has posted two new high-end component reviews:
If you’re considering the Unison Research player but you’re curious about the price, check out the review of it on What Hi-Fi?, which lists the price as (GBP $1,995).
Home Entertainment magazine has published a new article/review that looks at two DACs–the Weiss Minerva and the Wavelength Cosecant–aimed specifically at computer audio:
Other recent related articles include:
Of course, these articles just scratch the surface when it comes to getting high quality audio from computer sources. To get a deeper perspective, I recommend a web site devoted to the topic: Computer Audiophile.
Audio Federation, a “hi-fi luxury store” located in Boulder, Colorado, has launched a new web-based magazine. Spintricity is the brainchild of Audio Federation co-owner, Mike Davis, and is certainly a break from the usual hi-fi magazine model.
Why did Mike decide to do something different?
… because the current crop of magazines are just plain boring.
OK. And what exactly is he doing differently?
…we have no reviewers. Instead we encourage manufacturers and dealers, perhaps in conjunction with a writer or photographer, to submit articles about their equipment. Articles will be screened to maintain a high level of information content and a low level of marketing speak [we sell advertising space for those].
…there is no longer a persnickety reviewer or publisher in between gumming up the works.
At Spintricity, we do not pretend that the reviews are completely impartial and factual. There is no pretense of the all-seeing all-knowing reviewer.
Well, I have to give Mike credit for trying to do something different, but the result is sort of a mess. The articles seem sincere, and it is clear that Mike and co-owner Neli are passionate about what they sell, but who wants to read ten-page advertisements?
I’d actually be able to forgive the editorial issues mentioned above if the format of the web ‘zine wasn’t so confounding. It uses a technology called “Magazines.me,” another psuedo-print-based-metaphor-thing that, according to their web site, is:
“… all about people wanting to make wonderful glorious-looking online magazines. Magazines.me magazines are the next generation of blogs. Magazines.me magazines are the next generation of magazines.”
I don’t know why people want to make new web sites look and behave like old print magazines, but apparently they do. Take a look at Spintricity and judge for yourself.
The SoundStage! Network, a group of sites with a huge archive of past reviews, has posted its mid-month updates. New and semi-new reviews include:
Read the entire reviews, then join me in applauding sites like GoodSound! for focusing on affordable gear. Decent floorstanders for $500? Yes!
What Hi-Fi?, the unquestionably odd-named British rag, has published several new component reviews. Among them are:
Check out the full reviews, then tell me: Do British magazines focus on British equipment makers moreso than US mags focus on US equipment makers?
Stereo Times has published reviews of the following:
Acoustic Revive also makes an outlet cover made of carbon fiber (photo). They claim it sounds better than standard plastic. I’m no electrical engineer, but I’m calling bullshit. If you own one of these, please, don’t tell anyone. They will laugh at you.
Home Entertainment Magazine has reviewed the following high-end speakers, headphone amps, and headphones:
Check out the reviews, then order your pair of the Acoustic Energy AE1 MkIII SEs. They’re only making 100 of them.
Stereophile has posted a pair of new high-end component reviews:
I had a short listen to the Thiel CS3.7s a few weeks ago. I must day, I agree with Wes about their looks (photo). Even if I loved their sound (which I didn’t) or could afford them (which I can’t), their appearance would be a dealbreaker. They look like veneered trash cans. Weird.
The Absolute Sound (TAS) has published its January issue. Along with a handful of new reviews, it includes the 2008 Product of the Year Awards. The following products were winners:
I’ll post links to new individual reviews as they appear on the AVGuide web site.
Enjoy!
Positive Feedback Online has published a few new reviews and articles. Among them are:
Two product-of-the-year awards in a row from the same reviewer? Those Wireworlds must be amazing sounding cables…
