Wednesday, November 19, 2008
What Hi-Fi?, the most confoundedly named of the British hi-fi mags, has published a review of the DALI Lektor 6 floorstanding speakers (GBP 750). These are essentially a “stretched version of the smaller Lektor 1,” which What Hi-Fi? previously awarded five stars.
The uncredited reviewer got to the point early (which is always nice), then concluded:
The Lektor 6s are well worth taking time to listen to. The richness of the sound is compelling and smooth. It’s only the vagueness of the bass the draws the line between good and great, and it’s a pretty thin line at that.
Read the entire review, then check out What Hi-Fi?’s previous review of the DALI Lektor 1 (GBP 250).
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
6moons, Srajan Ebaen’s audio review extravaganza, has published four more reviews of high-end componentry. These include:
Check out the reviews, and leave a comment if you are able to get through all six pages on the Elekit. I love David Kan’s reviews, but I wish they were shorter! I think he and Srajan are having a contest or something.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Stereophile has posted a review of the Luxman M-800A solid state stereo power amplifier ($16,000). This is a 107 lb beast (photo), with 60Wpc into 8 ohms (120Wpc into 4 ohms) of class-A goodness.
Reviewer Michael Fremer compared the unit to a pair of Musical Fidelity kW monoblocks. He liked its warm, smooth sound, and concluded:
…unless your system is warm and soggy and you’re looking for relief, the M-800A’s sound leaves little to be desired. If your system’s sound is anywhere from analytical to lean, and you want a touch of sonic cushioning without falling into soft springs, the M-800A may be what you need.
Read the entire review, then check out more photos of this handsome unit, as well as its sister: the C-800f preamp.
Monday, November 17, 2008
StereoMojo has reviewed the Revolver Cygnis floorstanding speaker ($10,999). This is a tube-friendly (91dB sensitivity) “three-way design with two separate enclosures (photo), similar to what you’d find in a Wilson Watt/Puppy.”
Reviewer James L. Darby liked the speaker’s lush midrange and tight bass. He also liked the width of the soundstage, but noted others may think it is “slightly exaggerated.” He also mentioned:
…if you have older tube gear that is substantially rolled off on top (or you haven’t retubed in too long a time), the Cyggies might sound a little soft on top since there is no excess brightness to give your amp a boost up there.
James even compared the Cygnis to the nearly-$200K Acapella Triolon Excaliber (photo). He didn’t think it could kill that giant, but he did think it had a chance against the Wilson WATT/Puppy. He advised potential buyers on that level as follows:
Do yourself a favor and listen to the Cygnis first. Listen to the Proclaim DMT-100’s, too. There are many speakers in the ten to thirty-thousand-dollar category that might not be as satisfying as the Revolver Cygnis or the Cygnis might be equally as satisfying as those with higher prices. In other words, you could spend more and not do better or even as well.
Got that? Me neither. Let’s just say he liked them enough to give them two awards: a StereoMojo Specific Recommendation, and a Maximum Mojo Award.
Read the entire review, and check out the part about how speakers can be “reprogrammed” by simply connecting them to different systems. OK…
Monday, November 17, 2008
The SoundStage! Network, a group of sites devoted to reviewing and discussing home audio/video equipment, has posted an update. The following hi-fi component reviews are included:
Check out the reviews, then check out the review of the PSB Imagine B speakers ($1,000/pair) and the article on Paul Barton on GoodSound!.
Note: If the PSB Imagine B speakers review is no longer on the page linked to above, you can find it in the GoodSound! archives. I know this is a pain, but I don’t want to make you wait until the review has a permanent URL before I post a link to it…
Friday, November 14, 2008
Hi-Fi Choice has published its December issue. Included in it are the following glowing audio component reviews, most of which appear as part of the magazine’s online identity, TechRadar:
Many of these components were given perfect five star ratings. Not sure why the magazine even uses a rating system if the average rating is 4.5 stars, as it appears to be for this set. Think it’s time to recalibrate?
Thursday, November 13, 2008
The Audio Critic, perhaps the most objectivist audio magazine ever published, has posted a review of the Linkwitz Lab Pluto-2 floorstanding speakers ($2,995/pair with built-in power amps). The design of these speakers is unique (photo), to say the least, making use of PVC pipe instead of conventional cabinets.
Reviewer Peter Aczel is a longtime fan of Linkwitz designs, and his views on this model are quite complimentary. He liked its performance-to-cost ratio, although he points out that it:
… is capable of reference-quality sound as long as you watch your SPLs, especially at high and low frequencies.
He also mentions that:
Overall, the choice of drivers, the physical implementation of baffling them, the design of the integrated electronics, the whole Gestalt of the Pluto-2 are unique and unprecedented. Siegfried Linkwitz is a seminal thinker on the subject of loudspeaker design. That’s why I tend to pay a lot more attention to him than to designers of expensive monkey coffins.
Monkey coffins? Welcome to Peter’s world. His views are as entertaining as they are polarizing. Read the entire review, then check out back issues for more fun. Enjoy!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
HomeTheaterReview.com, a newly-launched site from former AVRev.com publisher Jerry Del Colliano, has posted a wide variety of high-end audio component reviews. Among them:
Check out the new site for all the reviews, then take a look at their Home Theater Wikis and list of Top AV Dealers. Looks like user contributions are encouraged, so don’t hold back.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Computer Audiophile, by far the best place to find information about using PCs as sources, has reviewed the Trends Audio UD-10.1 USB audio converter ($169). This small device (photo) can take “a USB input signal from a PC or Mac and output bit perfect coax, optical, or AES digital audio.”
Reviewer Chris Connaker compared it to his much more expensive Lynx AES16e digital I/O card ($700) and concluded:
The Trends Audio UD10.1 is not in the same class as the Lynx Studio cards, but it’s performance is worth quite a bit more than its very inexpensive price.The UD-10.1 provides the capability for many people to finally connect their computer to their stereo without major sonic degradation. In my opinion that is worth the price of admission and then some.
Read the entire review, then check out a review of this converter’s little brother, the Trends Audio UD-10.1 Lite, on TNT-Audio.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Positive Feedback Online has reviewed the Dakota Collection of audio component racks from Audio Elegance (photo). These are custom made from solid hardwood. They feature mass loading compartments and solid brass cone footers.
Reviewer Peter Davey was impressed with the build quality and aesthetics. After going on at some length, he concludes:
I can tell you that this is some of the sturdiest, most aesthetically pleasing audio equipment furniture that I’ve ever come across. I can’t recommend it enough. If you are on the fence and need that last finishing touch of elegance, look no further. Highly recommended.
Read the entire review, then tell me if you can figure out how much they cost. Over 2,200 words about an audio rack and no mention of the price…
