Hi-Fi+ has published issue 64. It contains reviews of the following high-end audio gear:

  • Focal Grande Utopia EM Loudspeaker
  • Audio Research Reference CD8 CD player
  • Renaissance RAP-03 Preamplifier and RA-03 Monoblock Power Amplifiers
  • Benchmark DAC 1 Pre Digital Converter/Preamplifier
  • KEF iQ50 Loudspeaker
  • HRT Streamer and Streamer+ USB-based Digital Converters
  • Cairn Diabolo Integrated Amplifier
  • Guru Pro Audio QM10 Loudspeaker
  • Pure Sound A30 Integrated Valve Amplifier with Border Patrol Power Supply
  • Q Acoustics 1050i Loudspeaker
  • Ensemble Fonobrio Phono Stage
  • AudioSmile Kensai Loudspeaker
  • Neodio NR One CD Player
  • Siltech Classic Anniversary Cables
  • Finite Elemente Modul LS Loudspeaker

Check out the full table of contents, read a couple of free columns from the issue online, then think about downloading the entire thing

Home Entertainment Magazine has reviewed a handful of high-end audiophile products recently. Among them:

Gotta love reviewer Steve Guttenberg. Check out his blog if you haven’t already done so.

Stereo Times has reviewed the Revolver Music 3 Series bookshelf speakers ($1,300/pair). These are cute, English two-ways (photo) with 89 dB sensitivity and a frequency response of 45 Hz – 38 kHz.

Reviewer Carlos Sanchez liked their affordability and, more importantly, their sound:

I’m really surprised at how these reasonably small, and insanely priced loudspeakers reproduce bass fundamentals. Yes, dear readers, this remarkable 2-way, English transducer allows the music to breath in a way that might keep you up late into the night.

Check out the entire review. Thank God for affordable references!

What Hi-Fi? posted several new reviews recently:

Not the greatest reviews, but hey…

TNT-Audio has reviewed the Creek Audio Destiny power amp (GBP 1,000). This is a slim, solid state design (photo) with 100Wpc into 8 ohms (160Wpc into 4 ohms). It is actually a remote-controlled power amplifier, with two sets of switchable speaker terminals.

Reviewer Maarten van Casteren liked the build quality and user-friendliness. In conclusion he states:

The sound is precise and highly resolved, albeit slightly on the bright side. Bass is tight, deep and powerful and of absolute reference quality in this price range and well above.

Check out the entire review.

Audiophile Audition has reviewed the Musical Surroundings Phonomena II phono preamp ($600). This is a handsome design (photo) with a variety of gain and input loading settings. Reviewer John Sunier compared it to his Grado PH-1:

The sonics of the Grado had more spatiality but they also had a somewhat “honky” EQ to them, definitely not as flat or transparent as the Phenomena II.

Ultimately, John preferred the Phenomena II, concluding:

In my particular case I found the Phenomena II to be a perfect solution to my phono preamp requirements without having to get into the luxury super-high-end phono preamp area.

Read the entire review, then check out Brian Bloom’s new article, Vinyl Accessories and Useful Tools for LP Playback – Part I. Go vinyl!

SoundStage! Network has published its mid-month update. It includes the following new component reviews:

Enjoy!

6moons has published a handful of new reviews, among them:

Additional articles abound. Check out the latest reviews for more.

Audio Ideas Guide has reviewed the Axiom M80 v2 floorstanding speakers with VaSSallo Series custom finish ($1,790/pair). This is a tall, multi-driver design (photo) that may appeal to orchestral and rock listeners.

Reviewer Andrew Marshall gushed over the fit and finish:

Quite luxurious, all this, with an attention to detail that surprised me at the price.

He had this to say on their sound:

The M80 v2  is a very easy speaker to listen to for long periods of time. It is detailed without being overly analytical, clear and open without being too bright, and presents a soundstage that is both wide and deep.

Check out the entire review.

Stereomojo has published a shoot-out of low cost, low powered digital switching amps. These include the Virtue Audio One integrated amp ($250), NuForce Icon integrated amp ($250), and Trends TA 10.1 integrated amp ($190).

Shoot-out conductor John Richards, assisted by Mike Peshkin and John Fritz, tried each amp in a system which includes a Mac-based music server, a Benchmark DAC1 USB, and a pair of Von Schweikert VR-1 monitors.

The winner?

Obviously, my first choice was the Virtue One. It’s a really well built and good-looking product that has the power to drive real speakers in real rooms. It could easily serve as the centerpiece in a really good budget stereo system (as it presently does in my home).

Publisher James Darby added an important comment at the end:

Mr. Richardson said the VR-1’s are an easy load, but I’m not sure I agree. The Von Schweikert VR-1’s the guys used for this shootout is a fine small speaker but it not a very efficient one… I did see where the minimum solid state recommendation is 50 wpc.

Check out the entire review. I think the power issue was certainly in play here, since one of the reviewers specifically commented on a lack of attack from the Trends unit. After many months of listening, I would say attack is one of its strong suits.