Thursday, October 23, 2008
Audio Asylum inmate davehg has written a nice review of the now-discontinued Air Tight ATM 3 tube monoblock power amps. According to the reviewer, these are EL34 monoblocks with 55wpc in triode mode and 110wpc in ultralinear that retailed for $15,000/pair when new. Here’s an excerpt:
With my VAC Avatar SE, ultralinear mode meant more power but at the expense of that “you are there” sense you get with with triode. With the Air Tight, the difference between UltraLinear and triode much less apparent. Just a greater sense of solidity, and a slight but noticeable loss of presence.
Read the entire review, then check out a different opinion of these amps from Audiogon member Jadem6.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Polish online magazine HIGH Fidelity has posted extensive reviews for several new components as part of their November/December issue:
Also included in the new issue is a cable comparison from the Krakow Sonic Society, as well as an editorial entitled, “Death to the Dome Tweeters!”
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
6moons, arguably the most prolific review site on the web, has reviewed another batch of eclectic and interesting components:
Check out the full reviews, then take a look at the list of previews and upcoming reviews.
Stereophile has published new reviews for the following high-end components:
Read the entire reviews, then cast your vote in the latest Stereophile poll: “Typically, how loud do you listen to your music?”
Hi-Fi+ magazine has published its October Issue (#61), which includes their 2008 Product of the Year Awards as well as a ton of new high-end reviews. Here’s the list:
- MartinLogan CLX Full-Range Electrostatic Loudspeaker
- Wilson Audio Duette Loudspeaker
- Wadia 581 CD/SACD Player
- PS Audio Power Plant Premier
- David Berning Quadrature Z Mono-Blocs
- Cairn Tornado 192 CD Player
- Thorens TD160 HD Record Player
- Copland CTA 405 Integrated Amplifier
- Spendor SA1 Loudspeaker
- Grand Prix Audio Monaco Turntable
- Wadia 170i Transport
- Abingdon Music Research AMR CD 77 CD Player
- Acoustic Energy AE22 Loudspeaker
The new issue also includes a slightly interesting but longwinded column entitled “Reviewing Reviewers” by Harry Pearson of The Absolute Sound. Pick up a copy of the new issue now at news stands in the UK and Europe, or download it for $7.95.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Ultra Audio has reviewed the Reference 3A Episode speakers ($5,500/pair). These are Canadian-made three-way floorstanders with a claimed sensitivity of 91dB and an impedence of 8 ohms. Reviewer Jason Thorpe liked the midrange and treble, but was (initially) conflicted about the bass. He said the following of the midrange sound:
I hate to harp on this midrange business, but this was where the Episode’s magic lay. Perhaps it had to do with Reference 3A’s penchant for running their midrange drivers without the intrusion of a crossover. Making a single driver responsible for delivering essentially the entire midrange brings that elusive goal of midrange coherence that much closer. Whatever the reason, the Episode was one mighty engaging speaker.
Read the entire review, then check out Albert Bellg’s recent review of the Reference 3A Grand Veena speakers ($7,995/pair).
Thursday, October 16, 2008
SoundStage! has reviewed the ultra-expensive Wilson Audio Specialties Alexandria X-2 Series 2 speakers ($158,000/pair). At 6 ft tall and 700 lbs each, these are not your typical floorstanders. Of course, reviewer Marc Mickelson loved them. After comparing them to his own Wilson MAXX Series 2 speakers ($48,900/pair), he said the following:
The X-2 Series 2s simply pulled off the illusion of real instruments in real space more readily and thoroughly than any other speakers I’ve heard.
Marc’s review includes many of the same accolades that appear in Robert Harley’s review in this month’s issue of The Absolute Sound. Curiously, the price quoted in that review was only $148,000 (not that it matters). If you are considering purchasing these, $10,000 means much less to you than it does to most people…
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
The Absolute Sound (TAS) is out with their November issue. “The Speaker Issue” includes no less than nine speaker reviews, plus a few component reviews as well. Here’s an partial list of contents:
- Wilson Audio Alexandria X-2 speakers ($148,000/pair)
- Triangle Titus EX mini-monitor speakers ($995/pair)
- Chario Premium 1000 Tower speakers ($2,100/pair)
- Gershman Acoustics Sonogram speakers ($3,695/pair)
- ProAc Response D Two bookshelf speakers ($3,500/pair)
- Quad ESL-2905 electrostatic speakers ($12,000/pair)
- Hyperion Sound Design HPS-968 speakers ($7,000/pair)
- Thiel CS3.7 floorstanding speakers ($12,900/pair)
- Venture Audio Excellence III Signature speakers ($58,500/pair)
- Wadia 170 iTransport iPod dock ($379)
- Cambridge Azur 840E preamp ($1,699) and 840W power amp ($2,499)
TAS usually sells a PDF version of its current issue for $10 via its web site (the printed version costs $7 at the newstand or $2 by subscription). As of this writing, however, the November issue is not yet available online. This is unfortunate but typical. TAS is just one of many print-focused hi-fi publications that has no idea how to deal with publishing on the Internet(s)…
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
6moons has published another handful of extensive audiophile reviews. The following three have been posted in recent days:
Read all the reviews, then check out Srajan’s preview of the Yamamoto Sound Craft YDA-01 DAC (JPY 228,000).