HomeTheaterReview has published mini-reviews of the following:
Check out the full(?) reviews, then take a look at the system of reviewer Jim Swantko to get a sense of his preferences.
10 Audio has reviewed the Pass Labs X250.5 stereo power amplifier ($8,250). This is a 250 Watt per channel amp that is Class A for the first 15 Watts (photo). Reviewer Jerry S. loved the soundstage:
The X250.5 presented the deepest soundstage I have yet heard in my room. Even though the rear wall – behind the speakers – didn’t quite melt away, it was definitely losing its solidity and becoming hazy. Musicians seemed to be on their own stage, in a slightly different acoustic environment than the listening room’s own acoustic space.
He gave the amp 8.5 LPs (out of 10) and concluded (in part):
Within its Class A power limits, this amplifier offers great focus and warmth when the recording includes those attributes. Think of the X250.5 as a delightful 15 Watt per channel amp with huge headroom and not as a 250 Watt freight train that sounds better running light.
Read the entire review, then check out Jerry’s system posted on Audio Asylum for an idea of where he’s coming from.
6moons has published a new batch of reviews. Among them are:
Read the entire reviews, and check out the 300B Redux.
HIGH Fidelity, an audio magazine based in Poland, posted its December/January Issue with a series of in-depth reviews focusing on a super high-end Reimyo CD-based system including Harmonix cables and Bravo! speakers. The components and system are discussed here:
Check out the reviews. Is it just me, or are the photos accompanying these reviews some of the best anywhere? Oh, and the writing is pretty good too!
Positive Feedback Online has reviewed the E.A.R. 534 stereo tube power amplifier ($6,400). According to reviewer Robert H. Levi:
This EL 34 loaded stereo amp runs in pure Class A 100% of the time, operates in push pull tetrode, has auto bias, and has dual volume controls. It features single ended or balanced inputs and may be switched to monoblock operation. It has 4/8 ohm taps as well. It is 100% tubes. It produces 50+ watts on demand…probably more.
Regarding the sound, Mr. Levi states:
I have auditioned EL34 tube amps for 45 years and the 534 is more musically convincing, more detailed, more harmonious, more linear, more transparent than any other design of similar ilk at any price. This is the most perfect 50 watt-er yet achieved and I’ve heard pretty close to all of them.
As is his tendency, Mr. Levi comments on the effect of accessories:
Thick or lean sounding cables will make the 534 sound thick or lean. It needs top quality isolation and support, too. By putting it on an ordinary stand with just some soft-shoes under it, it sounded rather thick and slightly tubey. With aluminum cones, it was faster and rather thin. With the Marigo feet, it was just right.
Read the entire review. Note the reviewer purchased the review sample, which is pretty rare (although reviewers talk about doing it all the time).
AV Guide, the online parent of The Absolute Sound and Hi-Fi+, has redesigned its web site and posted many, many reviews from recent issues of its subsidiary magazines. The reviews are now in easy-to-read-and-share web page format. The old site focused on PDF versions of reviews and was riddled with broken links, so this is a welcome change indeed.
Among the recently-printed and newly-webified reviews are:
See the entire archive of newly-posted reviews, then send a note of thanks to the web team at AV Guide for making this change. The new site is far from perfect, but it’s much better than the old one. Here’s to progress!
Hi-Fi+ magazine has published its November issue (#62), which includes reviews of the following high-end equipment:
The new issue also includes an interesting column entitled “Playing the System†by Editor Roy Gregory. In it, Roy expresses his frustration with nefarious online forum members, as well as print reviewers who focus on their opinions instead of the facts. He goes on to say:
But more to the point, reviewers actually aren’t best placed to advise you anyway. They spend quite a lot of time listening to a very small cross section of equipment in a relatively limited system context. That equipment they’ve heard they can tell you about. What they can’t tell you is whether or not it is the right piece for you or your system and situation. There are just too many variables involved, making direct purchasing advice no more reliable than the scattergun opinions to be found on the net.
In other words, reviews are about empowering the reader, providing them with the information and tools to make decisions for themselves, rather than relying on guesswork from others. Still need some help – and who doesn’t? That’s what your dealer is for.
In my experience, dealers often have less experience with a broad range of products than reviewers do. And although dealers have the ability to actually ask you about your tastes, room, etc., it is rare that they do so. I think Roy is forgetting how interactive reviewers can be, given the desire and tools.
Chris Connaker at Computer Audiophile reviews equipment, then answers questions and gives advice to anyone who leaves a comment–right there, in the context of the review. Reviewers on most forum sites do this too. The only interaction between reviewer and reader that print media allows is a “letters to the editor” section, which is a far cry from what Chris does.
Review publications can be interactive and offer high value to readers if they want to. All it takes is letting go of the outdated print model and making use of the relatively inexpensive web tools that are available.
ANYWAY, be sure to pick up a copy of the new issue now at news stands in the UK and Europe, or download it for $7.95.
What Hi-Fi? has published a trio of new component reviews. These include:
Disappointingly, all three of these received five stars. I say “disappointingly” because all three components had flaws the reviewers didn’t factor into their final ratings. Hi-Fi Choice does the same thing. Five stars for everything!
Audioholics, an online A/V magazine, has reviewed the Elemental Designs A6-6T6 floorstanding speakers ($500). These are a front ported design (photo) with “a 1.3″ tweeter and three 6.25″ woofers.” Reviewer Tom Andry liked the imaging but felt the bass was quite lacking. He concludes:
I definitely don’t want anyone walking away from this review thinking that I didn’t like the Elemental Designs A6-6T6 speakers – I certainly did. At this price point, there is only so much you can do and eD has moved that bar quite high. Sure, I can point out flaws (and I did) but that’s just so you know where their limitations are.
Read the full review, then check out the GoodSound! review of the Elemental Designs A2-300 subwoofer ($350).
Highendnews, a site from Finland with reviews in English, has reviewed the Marten Bird floorstanding speakers (EUR 22,900). These are nicely finished (photo) designs with “a 1 inch diamond tweeter, 7 inch ceramic midrange and 2 x 9 inch bass drivers.”
Reviewer Keijo Tanskanen liked the relaxed sound and micro details, but commented:
Although the coherency from bass to midrange and the quality of the bass still had a bit more problems than I expected, I could easily enjoy the music. So, the Birds are not among the most accurate speakers but more likely they are accurate enough!
He concluded:
So it clearly is so that the Birds deserve their place at the 20 kilo euros price class, but they will never replace my Watt/Puppies. I suppose that was not a purpose of the test offer either! If someone refuses to try the Birds because of my slight critics, he may do a big mistake. Marten Birds are excellent speakers; there is no question about it!
Read the entire review, then check out Highendnews’s shootout of four high end speaker cables (EUR 5,000-17,000). No clear winner? Amazing…
