- ModWright20 November 2023, 12:00 am
Dan Wright of ModWright Instruments Inc., partnered with Cardas Audio, Acora Acoustics, and Woodsong Audio to bring his new compact, affordable 9-series products, which are "based on our Reference Designs," Wright told me in a preshow email.The ModWright room featured a SOTA Cosmos Eclipse turntable ($10,500) with an SME V tonearm ($5500) and an Ortofon Winfeld Ti MC cartridge ($5999) as well as a prototype ModWright step-up transformer ($2000), ModWright Analog Bridge ($3900), ModWright PH... - TAD + PAD20 November 2023, 12:00 am
Japan’s Technical Audio Devices Laboratories, Inc. (TAD) brought several products to CAF, including the US debut of the TAD Grand Evolution One (GE1) floor-standing speakers ($65,000/pair) and new TAD C1000 preamplifier ($24,950). Also in Room 651—hosted by Professional Audio Design (PAD)—were the TAD TAD-D1000MK2 disc player ($21,000), TAD-DA1000TX DAC ($15,900), and, driving the GE-1s, a pair of TAD TAD-M700 monoblocks. Synergistic Research supplied cables, including SR30 Sp... - VK Music20 November 2023, 12:00 am
It was hard to find focus in Victor Kong's room. Between the nearly invisible AER BD3B/650mm full-range open-baffle speakers ($9800/pair) and the various amps on static display—Sun Valley SV-1616D 300B integrated amp ($2450), or the Elekit TU-8900 ($3050) or Elekit TU-8850 ($1850) power amps—my palms felt sweaty, my head, dizzy. Is this SET-amp lover’s heaven?Victor’s active setup included a VPI 40th Anniversary HW-40 Direct turntable ($22,000) with the fantastic Hana ... - Voxativ20 November 2023, 12:00 am
Voxativ's Ines Adler and Christopher Cunningham brought the full Voxativ experience from Berlin to Rockville, including the new and revised Voxativ Ampeggio back-loaded horn with AC-1.9 full-range driver loudspeaker ($12,900/pair).Back in 2011 Art Dudley named the original Ampeggio a Stereophile Product of the Year, so this room held special meaning for industry folk and civilians who cherished Art's unique writing, big ears, and generous humanity of spirit.The original Ampeggio awarded by A... - Nexxus Audio Technologies17 November 2023, 12:00 am
Nexus Audio Technologies' Walter Schofield presented a rig consisting of the VPI Avenger Direct turntable with Fatboy tonearm ($36,000), VPI Shyla cartridge ($2500), and Primare R35 MM/MC phono preamp ($2000); the 432 EVO Master Music Server with Roon core endpoint ($18,000); the Primare PRE35 Prisma DM36 streaming preamplifier featuring the new DM36 advanced DAC module with MQA processing ($5250); and two Primare A35.2 stereo amplifiers ($3900 each) bridged to mono. Walter also presented the S...
- Wilson Audio Sasha V Loudspeaker7 May 2024, 3:38 pm
The Wilson Sasha V is an exceptional loudspeaker. Its looks […] The post Wilson Audio Sasha V Loudspeaker appeared first on The Absolute Sound.... - Future TAS: Lyra Erodion EVO, Record Doctor X, Audiovector QR SE Series7 May 2024, 3:17 pm
Lyra Erodion EVO Lyra’s Erodion EVO is an mc step-up transformer […] The post Future TAS: Lyra Erodion EVO, Record Doctor X, Audiovector QR SE Series appeared first on The Absolute Sound.... - Berning Hi-Fi One SET Reference Amplifier | Robert Harley Previews…7 May 2024, 3:06 pm
Robert Harley sits down with Hi-Fi One founder Rick Brown […] The post Berning Hi-Fi One SET Reference Amplifier | Robert Harley Previews… appeared first on The Absolute Sound.... - Voxativ sets the new tempo in field coil loudspeakers with Andagio at HIGH-END Munich 2024.6 May 2024, 5:17 pm
May 2024 – This week in Munich, Voxativ, the renowned […] The post Voxativ sets the new tempo in field coil loudspeakers with Andagio at HIGH-END Munich 2024. appeared first on The Absolute Sound.... - The NEW Raidho X2.66 May 2024, 5:13 pm
May 2024 – Raidho Acoustics, renowned for pushing the boundaries […] The post The NEW Raidho X2.6 appeared first on The Absolute Sound....
- New Hi-Fi Gear Is Pushing The Boundaries7 May 2024, 12:18 pm
Each and every year, new features and technologies arrive to push the boundaries of consumer electronics further than the year previous. Very few, however, tend to enrich our daily lives immediately, whether that's because they aren't instantly adopted by the masses or simply aren't useful on such a frequent basis. Thinking about how my listening habits have changed in recent years, I've realized that one fledgling feature has played more of a role in it than any other: Tidal Connect. For the u... - T.H.E. Show SoCal 2024 Exhibitor List Released6 May 2024, 12:06 pm
North America's longest running hi-fi audio trade show, T.H.E. Show, is set to take place from June 7th through 9th at the Hilton Orange County Costa Mesa. T.H.E. Hotel Room Block is available for our attendees at a very special discounted rate so make sure to book your rooms now.. T.H.E. Club Lounge will be open for members of all audio societies and music clubs! Please bring proof of membership and you will be welcomed in for complimentary beverages, snacks, networking, and relaxation.... - Music & Audio / Hi-Fi: No Truth. Just Joy.5 May 2024, 11:25 am
My experience of over three decades in the audio sector reinforced a conviction that no matter how hard we try, there is no way to achieve truth in audio, just joy. And that the latter is completely independent of the former. This is a fundamental principle on my standing about audio technologies. I care about good audio experiences and I believe that our efforts should be focused on eliminating bad sound, not so much about achieving exceptionally great fidelity — that illusive quest. Do ... - What Kind Of Music Do You Like?4 May 2024, 11:38 am
Many a long year ago a friend of mine asked me what kind of speakers he ought to buy. Complimented by his confidence in my judgment and wanting to be helpful, I asked him some questions to help me figure out what might be best for him. One of the first was "How much do you want to spend?" To which I got "It doesn't matter; whatever it costs." I should have known better – he was the local Maserati dealer, quite well off, and really could afford just about anything I might suggest. Next, I ... - Hi-Fi+ May 2024 High-End Audio Magazine3 May 2024, 11:32 am
Editorial: Physical Media Music Formats Audiovector Trapeze Floorstanding Speaker Reed Audio Muse 1C And 3P Turntable / Tonearm Acoustic Energy Corinium Floorstanding Speaker Chord Electronics Ultima Int. Amplifier Audiobyte SuperHUB Network Streamer Michi X3 Series 2 Integrated Amplifier Sonus faber Duetto Active Streaming Speakers Ayre Acoustics EX-8 2.0 Integrated Amplifier Pro-Ject Evo 9 CA Premium Turntable / Tonearm And Much More!...
- REVIEW: Cyrus CDi-XR ⸜ Compact Disc player » GREAT BRITAIN1 May 2024, 12:00 am
Reviewtext WOJCIECH PACUŁA images Cyrus, „High Fidelity”No 240 May 1, 2024⌈ CYRUS is an English company that began its operations in 1983 as a separate brand of MISSION, and its first products were called MISSION CYRUS. Since 1984 it has been operating independently as CYRUS, and it was in 1984 that it launched the ONE and TWO amplifiers, which set the form of its devices for the following years. The special feature of its products is their shape - they ar... - INTERVIEW: ENRICO ROSSI ⸜ Norma Audio Electronics • designer » ITALY1 May 2024, 12:00 am
INTERVIEWText by WOJCIECH PACUŁA Images by „High Fidelity”, Marek MichalczykNo 240 May 1, 2024⌈ Norma Audio Electronics is an Italian company founded in 1987. Initially specializing in amplifiers, with its first product being the NS 123 integrated amplifier, it was bought by Opal Electronics in 1991. It took nearly seven years of research and development to come up with an entirely new series of devices, many of which are still offered today. We speak with M... - REVIEW: S.M.S.L PL200 ⸜ Compact Disc player (MQA-CD) » CHINA1 May 2024, 12:00 am
ReviewText by WOJCIECH PACUŁA images by „High Fidelity”No 240 May 1, 2024⌈ Founded in 2009, Foshan ShuangMuSanLin Electronics (S.M.S.L) is a manufacturer based in the industrial part of China's Schenzen province. It offers nicely made products for audiophile market, such as D/A converters, headphone amplifiers and power amplifiers. We are testing its PL200 Compact Disc player. ⌋TWO, MAYBE THREE YEARS AGO, when writing about a Compact Disc player... - REVIEW: Ayre EX-8 2/0 ⸜ integrated amplifier » USA1 May 2024, 12:00 am
Reviewtext by WOJCIECH PACUŁA Photos by „High Fidelity”No 240 May 1, 2024⌈ AYRE ACOUSTICS was founded in 1993 by: CHARLES HANSEN, KATIE LEHR and PETER BOHACEK. Leading it in the ensuing years, Hansen was previously a speaker designer and founder of a major American brand, Avalon Acoustics. Its first product was the V-3 power amplifier. Charles passed away in 2017, and Ariel Brown became his successor. AYRE’s products are made in Boulder, Colorado, and... - REVIEW: Audio Reveal HERCULES ⸜ digital-to-analog converter » POLAND1 May 2024, 12:00 am
ReviewText by MAREK DYBA Images by Marek Dyba, Audio RevealNo 240 May 1, 2024˻ WORLD PREMIERE ˼⌈ AUDIO REVEAL is a Polish brand specializing in the design and manufacture of single-ended tube amplifiers. However, the latest product of this company, that premieres herewith, belongs to a different category, although familiar elements are still there. It is the latest product in the lineup, the Hercules DAC, which belongs to the rare genre of tube DACs. What's mor...
- YG Unveils the XV 3 Signature: Redefining Audio Perfection6 May 2024, 5:57 pm
Denver, CO - May 3, 2024 - YG Acoustics is proud to introduce the XV 3 Signature, a new pinnacle of sound reproduction technology. Born from the relentless pursuit of perfection, the XV 3 Signature is an extreme version of the acclaimed XV 3 flagship, delivering an unparalleled musical experience. The four tower XV 3 already... Read More » The post YG Unveils the XV 3 Signature: Redefining Audio Perfection appeared first on Positive Feedback.... - Stenheim launches the Alumine Five SX and Alumine Five LE at High End Munich6 May 2024, 5:53 pm
Vétroz, Switzerland, May 6th, 2024 -- Stenheim, the Switzerland-based speaker company that utilizes aluminium cabinets and high-efficiency drivers to bring out every nuance of the finest recordings, will show its new Alumine Five LE, a luxury variant of the also brand new Alumine Five SX at High End Munich. These two new additions to the Alumine Five range both incorporate an elegant aluminium plinth machined... Read More » The post ... - Just Listen5 May 2024, 4:39 pm
Just Listen (Columbia Special Products CSS 1337) is an LP that I discovered in 1986. It was released by Columbia Special Products in 1970, as a promotional item for Magnavox. Like most of the CBS Special Products LPs, it's a stereophonic various-artists compilation. The musical selections are by Percy Faith, Ray Conniff, Dave Brubeck, Andre... Read More » The post Just Listen appeared first on Positive Feedback.... - Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section - new Pure DSD256 Transfer from HDTT5 May 2024, 4:34 pm
Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section, with Red Garland, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones, HDTT 1957 2024 (Pure DSD256) HERE This is such a great album, it is wonderful to now have it in my digital music library in the best quality sound. My standard for this album has always been the excellent 45rpm vinyl... Read More » The post Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section - new Pure DSD256 Transfer from HDTT appeared first on Positive Feedback.... - Impressions: AXPONA 2024, Part the First…Show Overview & Photo-Essay4 May 2024, 6:31 pm
Ye Olde Editor, AXPONA 2024 (photograph by Bill Parish; image processing by David W. Robinson) Another year, another trip around the Sun, another AXPONA. Apart from the COVID years, I have been attending AXPONA since Mark Freed first invited me personally to do so in late 2014. 2015 was my first show. So, I've been... Read More » The post Impressions: AXPONA 2024, Part the First…Show Overview & Photo-Essay appeared first on Positive Feedback....
- We Visit The Music Room18 April 2024, 5:31 am
We spent some time with The Music Room and saw how much they’ve grown since our last visit! The best place to buy and sell used gear with total confidence. And a super helpful crew too! Please click here to watch the video.... - REL Tzero MKIII Subwoofer17 April 2024, 12:42 am
All REL! We’ve put a lot of emphasis on REL’s larger sub bass systems, but their smallest offering is affordable, approachable, and easy to use. The new TZero MKIII is the current iteration of their 6.5″ sub, featuring a 100 watt class-D amplifier, in a cabinet that is only 8.5 x 9.5 x 10.5 inches. […]... - The Wireworld Stratus™ and Electra™Shielded Mini Power Conditioning cords10 April 2024, 6:41 am
You Can’t Unhear em! Wireworld founder David Salz makes some of the world’s finest cables, used by audiophiles and endorsed by recording engineers the world over. He’s a big thinker, and this time he’s solved a problem that a lot of us didn’t know we had – mini power cords. Applying their Fluxfield™ technology, he’s […]... - Our YouTube Channel is Live!10 April 2024, 5:23 am
Better late than never, eh? We’re finally broadcasting on YouTube, so if you’d like to stop by, just CLICK HERE:... - The Formula xHD DAC (rev.2) and La Diva Transport8 April 2024, 7:16 pm
It seems appropriate to begin listening to the Aqua combination with Emerson, Lake, and Palmer’s “Still, You Turn Me On..” Even though the compact disc format was less than immersive when introduced backin the early 80s, it has been transformed over the years. Personally, I abandoned the “digital sucks”posture around 1990, and things have only […]...
- GoldenEar T66 Loudspeaker1 May 2024, 4:00 am
Some brands are so distinctive they become synonymous with a specific product or feature in the minds of consumers. Subaru designs all-wheel-drive vehicles, Nike makes Air Jordans, and Nintendo has Mario and Luigi. Audio is no different. McIntosh Laboratory brings blue VU meters and glowing green tubes to mind. Vivid Audio conjures thoughts of graceful, highly sculpted speaker cabinets, and Linn is known for suspended turntables. In the case of GoldenEar, the association I make is tower speakers... - Subwoofers, Speakers, and the Sonus Faber Suprema1 May 2024, 4:00 am
Show me the cattle “All hat and no cattle,” they say in Texas, I’m told, of those who are all talk but no action or those who have the appearance but not the substance. That saying came to mind during the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas early in January when Sonus Faber introduced its new Suprema loudspeaker system to the press. I didn’t attend that show—it’s been a decade since CES has mattered at all for hi-fi—but, like many, I watched f... - Recommended Reference Component: Hegel Music Systems H30A Stereo/Mono Amplifier15 April 2024, 4:00 am
Hegel Music Systems is best known for its highly regarded integrated amplifiers. The company’s flagship model in this category, the H600, was the subject of a review on this site by Philip Beaudette in September, 2023, which earned it a Reviewers’ Choice award and Recommended Reference Component honors. Five months before the H600 review—in fact, exactly one year ago today—Jason Thorpe reviewed Hegel’s H30A stereo/mono power amplifier, also on this site, declaring i... - Estelon Aura Loudspeaker1 April 2024, 4:00 am
Note: measurements taken in the anechoic chamber at Canada's National Research Council can be found through this link. When I received a pair of Estelon Aura loudspeakers for review in the middle of last year, I proceeded to cover them in my “System One” column confident it would be sufficient for all I’d need to say. That writeup, which was published last November, earned the Aura a 2023 Product of the Year award for Aesthetics and Sound. After the article was published and t... - From Aura to Extreme—Experiencing Estonia’s Estelon1 April 2024, 4:00 am
My travel dynamics—frequency and range After 25 years of almost monthly travel to interview audio designers and to shoot images and videos, I am almost certain I’ve visited more hi-fi companies than anyone else on the planet. To me, frequent travel is a key part of the job that, time-consuming as it is, feels quite natural; but it seems to baffle some of my peers. ...
- Star Wars – The Empire Strikes Back – In Concert, May 2, 20243 May 2024, 5:40 pm
“Today will be a day long remembered. It has seen the death of Kenobi, and will soon see the end of the Rebellion.” – Darth Vader, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, 1977. It was on this pretext that the story of the second movie in the original Star Wars trilogy, Star [...] The post Star Wars – The Empire Strikes Back – In Concert, May 2, 2024 appeared first on Dagogo.... - PureAudioProject Quintet15 with Voxativ AC-X field-coil open-baffle loudspeaker system Review27 April 2024, 3:30 pm
The hierarchy of large loudspeakers in my experience begins at the top with the Sound Lab Prostat 922 at the Kimber Kable Exhibit at 2008 RMAF, Acapella Audio Arts Excalibur Triolon with its plasma tweeter, colossal midrange horn and a complete woofers column, followed by the Destination Audio Vista horn, the Dynaudio Evidence Master, the [...] The post PureAudioProject Quintet15 with Voxativ AC-X field-coil open-baffle loudspeaker system Review appeared first on Dagogo.... - Technics SU-R1000 reference stereo integrated amplifier Review5 April 2024, 5:43 pm
A few short years back, some large Japanese global conglomerate poured its vast engineering resources into creating three components; the first, a D/A converter that would be the envy of all, one that decodes all known codecs, and performs at equivalent level as others’ flagship designs. Then it turned its attention to the creation of [...] The post Technics SU-R1000 reference stereo integrated amplifier Review appeared first on Dagogo.... - Computer Audio Design GC 1.1 & GC3.1 Ground Control external grounding systems Review26 March 2024, 4:06 pm
Several months ago a local dealer, Timbre Audio, hosted an open house featuring the principals of the company Computer Audio Design: Isabel Whitley and Scott Berry. CAD designs and manufactures passive external grounding boxes, among other products. Although I had heard of the company and had even read one or two reviews, I was [...] The post Computer Audio Design GC 1.1 & GC3.1 Ground Control external grounding systems Review appeared first on Dagogo.... - Andy Grove of Audio Note UK on IO LTD13 March 2024, 3:54 pm
Read: Audio Note UK IO Ltd field-coil cartridge system Review I group audio engineering kung-fu into 3 main categories: Concepts which have a solid theoretical basis. Concepts which have a plausible, but tenuous or inadequately researched theoretical basis. Pure Magic, based on intuition and experimentation! What we are talking about here, the sound of [...] The post Andy Grove of Audio Note UK on IO LTD appeared first on Dagogo....
- I Bet You’ve Never Heard This … #32 May 2024, 3:33 pm
Audio: Listen to this article. Welcome to the third installment of I Bet You’ve Never Heard This, where I recommend albums you actually may have heard, but you get the gist of what I’m saying. These “Never Heard” albums should be in all of our libraries, but for one reason or another we missed them upon original or rerelease. The first two articles in ... - Improve Your Audio System - Tonight!30 April 2024, 3:09 pm
Audio: Listen to this article. I was inspired to use the title of this article, Improve Your Audio System - Tonight!, by a grocery store tabloid I saw many years ago. It was so preposterous that I never forgot it. The big headline on the tabloid was, “Lose Ten Pounds - Tonight!” However, the title to my article is 100% true. The vast majority of audiophiles can improve their aud... - Axpona 2024 Best of Show and Wrap Up25 April 2024, 3:40 pm
Audio: Listen to this article. Audio Expo North America 2024 is in the books, and I look forward to 2025. The best part of this year’s show was seeing and talking with Audiophile Style contributors Rajiv Arora @austinpop , Bob Fairbairn @bobfa , and Joe Whip @JoeWhip ! When we get together to chat, you’d think we all attended different audio shows because our tastes are dif... - Pearl Jam’s Dark Matter In TrueHD Dolby Atmos22 April 2024, 7:03 pm
Audio: Listen to this article. This month the Sun, Moon, and Earth aligned, record store day fell on 4/20, and Pearl Jam released a new album. One of the aforementioned items made my eyes well up, delivering an emotion experience about which I’ll be talking for a long time. Eclipses are neat and 4/20 meant more to me back in the day, but the new Pearl Jam record, Dark Matter, is somet... - Great Music In A Difficult Environment17 April 2024, 3:40 pm
Audio: Listen to this article. Release week is finally here for Pearl Jam’s new album Dark Matter! It should come as no surprise to members of the Audiophile Style community that I’ve been a diehard Pearl Jam fan since August of 1991 when I purchase the band’s debut album Ten. In fact, I’m sure many people are asking themselves if they really need to h...
- Is the Rekkord M600 Turntable a Modern Marvel of German Craftsmanship?6 May 2024, 12:00 am
Drawing inspiration from the legendary MPS Records, a 1970s German powerhouse that produced memorable records by Oscar Peterson, Joe Pass, and countless others, Rekkord Audio carries the torch of meticulous German craftsmanship. Nestled in the heart of the Black Forest, each Rekkord turntable, we’re told, is “meticulously” assembled by local artisans, ensuring a level of quality and heritage worthy of the music it plays.Rekkord is owned by Heinz Lichtenegger, the affable CEO... - Review Explosion, Short Cuts Edition, Vol. 15, RSD 2024 Roundup, Part 2: Parliament’s 2LP Expanded Inaugural 1970 Album Osmium and Gandalf’s All-Analog Self-Titled 1969 Debut are Holy Grail Finds4 May 2024, 12:00 am
This year on Record Store Day 2024, the first installment of which was held on April 20, two very rare “Holy Grail”-type albums were officially reissued in special editions. Both of these albums are loosely connected in that they were released within a year of one another in 1969 and 1970, respectively. Both records were also either on — or distributed by — Capitol back in the day. They both approach the psychedelic universe from different angles, and they are fascinatin... - AXPONA 2024 Show Report, Part 3: Turntables and Tonearms From VPI, SUPATRAC, Tri-Art Audio, TW-Acustic, J.Sikora, Clearaudio, and More3 May 2024, 12:00 am
Above, say hello to the TW-Acustic Raven LS-3 Copper turntable. All photos in this story by Julie Mullins.Welcome to Part 3 of my analog-focused report from AXPONA, which (as I also noted back in both Parts 1 and 2) took place April 12-14, 2024, at the Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center in Schaumberg, Illinois, in the greater Chicago metro area. There are plenty more turntables and tonearms I saw at the show to tell you about—and a few record cleaning machines too, for good measu... - AXPONA 2024 Show Report, Part 2: Turntables and Reel-to-Reel Tape Players From Michell, Metaxas & Sins, United Home Audio, Analog Audio Design, and EMT2 May 2024, 12:00 am
Above, meet the Metaxas & Sins Perambulator turntable. All photos in this story by Julie Mullins.Welcome to Part 2 of my analog-centric highlights report from AXPONA, which (as I also noted back in Part 1) took place April 12-14, 2024, at the Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center in Schaumberg, Illinois, in the greater Chicago metro area.One challenge of show reporting is that we just aren’t able to attend as many of the talks and panels as we would otherwise — and I&rsq... - Phil Mogg Shines His Misty Green and Blue Light on the Newly Expanded 180g 3LP Deluxe Edition of UFO’s 1977 Hard Rock Classic, Lights Out1 May 2024, 12:00 am
Staying power. That’s UFO in a nutshell — the pioneering British hard rock band that’s been flying high on an international scale ever since their formation in London in 1968. Best known for FM favorites like “Too Hot to Handle,” “Lights Out,” “Only You Can Rock Me,” and “Doctor Doctor,” the band soldiered on throughout occasional lineup changes over the decades, with the one constant on all UFO releases being lead singer Phil Mo...
- PURE AUDIO PROJECT Trio10 Heil AMT, WOWSA!6 May 2024, 6:30 pm
... - The BEST CLASS D Amplifier I've Heard!30 April 2024, 4:15 pm
... - Remembering my friend Andy Singer23 April 2024, 5:45 pm
... - AUDIOPHILIAC and HERB REICHERT, the SECRET LIVES of AUDIOPHILES21 April 2024, 5:15 pm
... - AUDIOPHILIAC's BEST-OF AXPONA 2024!18 April 2024, 6:30 pm
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- Focal Hadenys and Azurys Headphones Debut | Announcements7 May 2024, 11:00 am
May 7, 2024 – Focal/Naim introduces Focal Hadenys (ah den ees) and Focal Azurys (ah zur ees), open- and closed-back headphones, making the purity of high-fidelity sound accessible to as many people as possible. Born [...]... - 2024 High End Preview | Munich 20246 May 2024, 5:47 pm
This is my fourth trip to High End in Munich, but I know better than to act like I’m an old hand at this. I learned last fall when I traipsed all over Europe that [...]... - Electrocompaniet ECI6DX-MKII Integrated Amplifier | REVIEW5 May 2024, 8:00 am
What is it about these so-called “all-in-one” components, such as the Electrocompaniet ECI6DX-MKII, that I like so much? When I was a journeyman audiophile I was always taught that it’s better to separate the features [...]... - AXPONA 2024 Best of Show | AXPONA 20243 May 2024, 8:00 am
Behind the scenes at PTA we’ve been discussing the enormous (i.e. record-breaking) popularity of AXPONA 2024 and the show’s transformation into an audio juggernaut in recent years, and we’ve asked ourselves a question: can a [...]... - Holm Audio and the Antal Audio Group | AXPONA 20242 May 2024, 6:00 pm
Supported by local brick and mortar dealer Holm Audio, Antal Audio Group (Triangle, Electrocompaniet and Soullines) featured the Triangle Magellan 40th Anniversary Duettos ($7,000/pr) that our Editor-in-Chief Marc Phillips just recently reviewed–and loved. The Duettos [...]...
- HiFi Rose RA280 review6 May 2024, 4:44 pm
In 1955 Alex Reeves invented the first so-called class D amplifier. Sinclair Radionics released their related X-10 kit in 1964. Its 2.5wpc rating implied ‘f’ for flea power though today would probably read ‘flee’. John Ulrick of Spectron showed Infinity’s first full-range switching amplifier at the 1974 CES. Sony had […] The post HiFi Rose RA280 review first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or ... - Dynaudio teases four new loudspeaker models but there’s a gotcha…4 May 2024, 8:52 am
Dynaudio will be showing off four new products next week at Munich High-End. First out of the gate is a new member of the Heritage Series that effectively turns the Heritage Special standmount loudspeaker into a floorstander. The new Contour Legacy is a 2.5-way design featuring a 2.8cm Esotar soft-dome […] The post Dynaudio teases four new loudspeaker models but there’s a gotcha… first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, r... - NAD announces C379 HybridDigital DAC amplifier2 May 2024, 3:03 pm
NAD has announced the latest member of its Classic series. The C379 is a more traditional-looking integrated amplifier where a volume control, source selector, menu navigation rocker and visual display front a full-width chassis housing a customised UcD output stage. That’s Class D in case you were wondering. According to […] The post NAD announces C379 HybridDigital DAC amplifier first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycle... - Mo-Fi Sourcepoint 8 loudspeaker review2 May 2024, 8:59 am
Tongues wagged when renowned speaker-designer Andrew Jones left Elac without saying where he was headed. I don’t think Mo-Fi Electronics, the hardware offshoot of Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs, was on many people’s lists. The company didn’t even make speakers. That didn’t deter Jones; perhaps the clean sheet was a motivating […] The post Mo-Fi Sourcepoint 8 loudspeaker review first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduce... - Volumio’s Motivo joins the touchscreen streaming DAC race2 May 2024, 6:58 am
Five years. That’s how long Volumio’s Motivo has been in the oven. We first met its iPad-meets-DAC ambitions at Munich High-End 2019 but only recently has its design been finalised for the unit to formally debut as a finished product at Munich High-End 2024. The Motivo is a streaming source, […] The post Volumio’s Motivo joins the touchscreen streaming DAC race first appeared on Darko.Audio.---------------------- No part of this RSS feed to be reproduced, recycled or re-...
- Beethoven: Sinfonie Nr. 6 "Pastorale“–Karl Böhm & Wiener Philharmoniker/DG The Original Source vinyl reissue6 May 2024, 3:14 pm
Karl Böhm and the Vienna Philharmonic give a beautiful performance of Beethoven’s most genial symphony on this DG The Original Source LP released this week. The Symphony Nr. 6 "Pastorale“ has fared particularly well on record with marvellous performances of great variety from Reiner, Dorati, Barenboim, Klemperer, Ashkenazy and others. Although many famous performances have good sonics to match, if an audiophile or vinylphile wanted a 6th with a great performance in great sonics,... - Emil Gilels—Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Nos. 25, 26 (« Les Adieux ») & 27/DG The Original Source vinyl reissue3 May 2024, 4:32 pm
Emil Gilels (1916 – 1985) was a titan of the piano, directly in line with the three Russian piano gods, so sayeth the great Rachmaninoff, from Anton Rubinstein (1829–1894) to Rachmaninoff (1873–1943) to Gilels. Gilels was born in Odessa, Russia (now Ukraine) and blossomed as a piano virtuoso at a young age. His tutelage was monitored carefully—Gilels’ teacher said early on, with care, he possesses the abilities of one who is born solely for the purpose of becom... - E.A.R. MC4 Step-Up Transformer1 May 2024, 11:31 am
I’m new to SUTs, better known as Step-Up Transformers, small passive boxes that enable your moving coil (MC) cartridge and phono stage to work to their fullest potential. Many MC cartridges have very low output, much lower than a moving magnet cartridge; as such, they need more gain from a phono stage to be played at normal listening levels. While many fine phono stages have a section specific for moving coils, the technology used, FETs or tubes, often adds noise to the system. A well-desi... - Muarah Audio MT-3 Turntable1 May 2024, 11:31 am
Disclosure: Muarah components are distributed by Octopus Tree Audio which began operations last year and is run by our long-time writer Max Geiger. Rarely has this conflicting situation occurred, but I found the look and reasonable price of the MT-3 intriguing and I wanted to bring it to the attention of our readers. Here is my honest assessment. I have not discussed the review or shown Max a copy of the text before publication. Muarah Audio is a company based in Warsaw, Poland (founded in 2015... - PSB Speakers M4U 8 MKII Wireless ANC Headphones1 May 2024, 11:31 am
In this rapidly changing audio world, in the blink of an eye, you can miss out on new components that are sometimes original, sometimes aesthetically pleasing, or an upgraded version from a previous model. This last point serves as a good measure of how the new component can handle itself, a “born-again audio component” let's call it. And we have just this resurrection with the PBS brand and their new headphones. Widely known for their high quality and beautifully...
- The Lilac Time: Dance Till All The Stars Come Down7 May 2024, 1:09 pm
Stephen Duffy of The Lilac Time thinks that Dance Till All The Stars Come Down is the best album they've ever made. Sean Hannam believes he might just be right! The post The Lilac Time: Dance Till All The Stars Come Down appeared first on hi-fi+.... - REL Classic 987 May 2024, 12:43 pm
The REL Classic 98 subwoofer harks back to the legendary 1990s subwoofers of REL founder Richard E Lord but is brought bang up to date where needed. Alan Sircom investigates. The post REL Classic 98 appeared first on hi-fi+.... - Balanced Audio Technology VK80i7 May 2024, 12:18 pm
According to Chris Frankland, Balanced Audio Technology’s excellent VK80i ‘all the tubes, but no feedback’ integrated amplifier offers balanced and single-ended inputs, intelligent auto-biasing, and a deceptively powerful 55W output. The post Balanced Audio Technology VK80i appeared first on hi-fi+.... - Audiovector Trapeze Reimagined7 May 2024, 11:49 am
In 1979, Audiovector’s first big hit was the Trapez. Forty-five years later, the Trapeze Reimagined is just as much a game-changer as the original loudspeaker. Alan Sircom takes a listen. The post Audiovector Trapeze Reimagined appeared first on hi-fi+.... - MOON TO DEMONSTRATE NEW PRODUCTS AT HIGH END MUNICH SHOW2 May 2024, 2:49 pm
May 2, 2024 (Montreal, Canada) – MOON will be demonstrating […] The post MOON TO DEMONSTRATE NEW PRODUCTS AT HIGH END MUNICH SHOW appeared first on hi-fi+....
- HiFi Rose RA280 Integrated Amplifier6 May 2024, 12:00 am
More sober than the 'steampunk' styled RA180, and more powerful too, the new RA280 takes HiFi Rose's GaN FET-based Class D architecture into the audiophile zoneHiFi Rose delighted, and in some cases flabbergasted, hi-fi enthusiasts with its RA180 [HFN Jul '22], an amplifier that looked like it had just escaped from the pages of Gibson-Sterling's steampunk classic The Difference Engine. Boasting lots of knobs and dials on the outside, and novel GaN FETs in its Class D power amp on the inside, i... - Bruckner Symphony No 73 May 2024, 12:00 am
The ideal gateway symphony to Bruckner – or an elusive work of secrets and memories? Peter Quantrill slaughters a herd of sacred cows in his survey of the Seventh on recordLet's brush aside the old (but stubborn) complaint that Bruckner composed the same symphony nine times over. For one thing, he wrote 11 symphonies, only the first of which was intended purely as an exercise, and brought the last (numbered as the Ninth) tantalisingly close to completion. For another, each has its own pe... - Magnat Signature Edelstein Loudspeaker2 May 2024, 12:00 am
These super-compact loudspeakers are simply the tip of the iceberg for Germany's expansive Magnat brand whose ranges encompass the gamut of 'lifestyle' to 'purist'Bigger is better' seems to be one of those unwritten rules of hi-fi that ensures every audio show is packed with speakers towering high above the audience. Unfortunately, out there in the real world most people don't have the space to wheel in a pair of Wilson Audio Alexx Vs [HFN Jan '22] or Focal Grande Utopias [HFN Dec '18]. So, in... - Audiophile: Digital, April 202430 April 2024, 12:00 am
Otis TaylorOtis Taylor's Banjo…Octave Records OCT-0032Blending touches of blues, funk, alt-country, whatever you call Tom Waits' oeuvre and The Band's view of the USA, Taylor's material excels in storytelling, each song a little vignette worthy of John Prine. Vocally, you'd be forgiven for thinking it's some Taj Mahal that might have slipped past you. Blessedly for some, the name of the album is misleading, as there's not an overabundance of the titular instrument – but I find... - Audiophile: Vinyl, April 202430 April 2024, 12:00 am
Ben Harper With Charlie MusselwhiteGet Up!Craft Recordings/Stax 00888072523227 (180g vinyl)This first of two duets recalls the era of harmonica deity Musselwhite's 1967 debut, when young blues revivalists often paired with their heroes. Now it's Musselwhite – he turned 80 in January – who's the éminence grise to Harper, whose first blues/soul/rock album hit in 1994. Celebrating the 10th anniversary of this 2013 Grammy winner, it's delicious solace if you're still mourni...
- Focal Unveils Hadenys and Azurys Over-Ear Headphones: High End Munich 20247 May 2024, 9:00 am
Focal extends its wired headphone range with two affordable models based on the Bathys architecture in open and closed-back configurations.... - Big Audio Deal: $1500 Off Rotel’s S14 Network Streaming Amplifier (Now $999)6 May 2024, 10:56 pm
Rotel's high-end powered network streamer amplifier just got a huge price drop that screams "BUY ME!"... - Dynaudio Offers a Taste of What is Coming This Year: High End Munich 20246 May 2024, 10:04 pm
Coming in 2024, Dynaudio will debut Contour Legacy, Confidence 20A Active, Contour 20 Black Edition, The Bookshelf, and Core 5 Loudspeakers along with the Evidence car audio system in the Yangwang U8.... - PSB Alpha iQ Wireless Loudspeakers: Review6 May 2024, 11:29 am
Powered by BluOS, PSB's Alpha iQ is one of the most complete wireless loudspeaker systems available below $1,300.... - Tannoy Relaunches Super Gold Monitor Series Speakers5 May 2024, 6:04 pm
Experience the accurate sounds of Tannoy's Super Gold Monitor (SGM) loudspeakers series originally used by mastering engineers in the 80s....
- Rotel RB-1582 MkII Stereo Amplifier6 May 2024, 12:00 pm
Originally introduced in 2008, the Rotel RB-1582 is a 200-watt per channel class A/B stereo amplifier with Rotel’s understated industrial... The post Rotel RB-1582 MkII Stereo Amplifier appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - The DALI OPTICON 8 MK2 Loudspeaker Review1 May 2024, 12:00 pm
I was interested in the considerable chatter about DALI speakers and was pleased when this speaker was offered to me for review. The... The post The DALI OPTICON 8 MK2 Loudspeaker Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Musical Fidelity MX-VYNL Phono Stage29 April 2024, 12:00 pm
The UK has always had an affinity for consuming and producing outstanding HiFi products, and London-based Musical Fidelity has been... The post Musical Fidelity MX-VYNL Phono Stage appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Quad Revela 2 Floor-standing Speaker Review.22 April 2024, 12:00 pm
An elegant and buttoned-down loudspeaker that can still “kick it,” old school! Because of this whole “reviewing” thing, I've been given... The post Quad Revela 2 Floor-standing Speaker Review. appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com.... - Sonus faber Lumina II Amator Bookshelf Speaker Review17 April 2024, 12:00 pm
Sonus faber delivers high style and high performance from its Lumina II Amator Bookshelf Speakers. At $1,499, they represent a great path... The post Sonus faber Lumina II Amator Bookshelf Speaker Review appeared first on HomeTheaterHifi.com....
- My Sonic Lab Signature Platinum Moving Coil Phono Cartridge – MINI REVIEW21 April 2024, 3:55 pm
This is a Mini Review: short term audition, impressions below, no rating. A broken-in My Sonic Labs Signature Platinum moving coil phono cartridge recently visited my listening room for a couple of weeks. In that time, there were opportunities to audition the cartridge on both an Acoustic Signature TA-7000 Neo tonearm and an Origin Live […]... - Audience frontRow USB Cable22 February 2024, 7:16 pm
There has been a lot of discussion about digital cables, centering on the fact that digital data simply contains 1 and 0. The 1 is 5 Volts, and the 0 is zero Volts. Either “on” or “off”. What could go wrong? This is the heart of the controversy, since some folks seem to be convinced […]... - Hana Umami Red Phono Cartridge and Musical Surroundings Phonomena III Phono Preamplifier9 December 2023, 11:10 pm
A proper Japanese translation of the word umami is the “essence of deliciousness”. Still another suggests the literal translation to be a “pleasant, savory taste”. These definitions apply to the Hana Umami Red moving coil phono cartridge, which is not only a real treat to hear, but is also a treat for your wallet at […]... - KEF LS50 Meta Loudspeakers31 October 2023, 9:17 pm
There have been many reviews of this modern high-tech loudspeaker, so the purpose today is to add another data point of opinion about this popular speaker. The observations below focus on reference level comparisons, not considering the speaker’s price against similarly priced competition. The $1,599 LS50 Meta is available in four colors: Carbon Black, Titanium […]... - Clearaudio Ovation Turntable and Universal Tonearm11 September 2023, 3:22 pm
Clearaudio is a well-respected manufacturer of turntables, tonearms, phono cartridges, phono preamplifiers, and accessories. Their home base is in Germany. The Clearaudio Ovation turntable has been in production for several years. The Ovation turntable features a rectangular footprint, belt drive, electronic speed control and Clearaudio’s patented CMB – Ceramic Magnetic Bearing. The CMB obliterates the […]...
- Book Review: Deep Inside the Blues by Margo Cooper17 April 2024, 7:18 pm
Deep Inside the Blues by Margo Cooper Book Review by Andrew Matthews When Noam asked me if I was interested in reviewing this book, I was both excited and nervous. Excited, because I love music, books, writing and photography; nervous, because I do not consider myself to be much more than a novice when it comes to this essentially limitless genre of American music. Further, the blues is so inextricably linked to the culture from which it emanates that I had serious doubts as to wheth... - Review: Schiit Audio Aegir Stereo Power Amplifier4 April 2024, 7:30 pm
The Schiit Audio Aegir Stereo Power Amplifier: Soon to be a CHE? By Steve Graham I’m ba-ack. Sort of. After one of history’s shortest retirements, I’ve discovered there is still a lot to share with you lovely audiophiles. Recently, I revealed that my hearing had deteriorated. When it comes to parsing the fine details of an audio component’s performance, I don’t, for the most part, feel confident passing judgement. However, ... - Wall Of Sound Is 10 Years Old1 March 2024, 7:59 pm
Sometime in February 2014, I decided to start this website, for fun and perhaps a bit of income. Predictably the income part didn’t work out, but it has been fun – I’ve met some great people, some have become close friends, and I’ve had a chance to lead and be part of a very capable team, that’s reviewed a pretty nice spread of interesting and desirable gear, and music. I think we’ve succeeded in focusing, to a large extent, on our local {Canadian} audio scene... - Spendor Classic 3/1 Vs Graham/Chartwell LS6: A British Battle Royale25 January 2024, 12:14 am
Big Battle of the Brit Two-Ways: Spendor Audio Classic 3/1 Vs Graham Audio/Chartwell LS6 by David Neice Spendor Audio Classic 3/1: MSRP $5600 (Canadian). This speaker’s dedicated stand (not reviewed) retails for $1625 Canadian per pair Graham Audio/Chartwell LS6: MSRP $5600 (approximate) Canadian, Factory Stands: $1500 (USD), Artesania Decoupling Footers: $750 (USD) Verdict: There is a sweet spot in two-way stand mounts, my favourite speaker design. That sweet spot embraces ne... - Why The Vinyl Renaissance Is (Mostly) Not For Me6 January 2024, 11:06 pm
Why the Vinyl Renaissance is (Mostly) Not for Me By Steve Graham Spoiler alert: If you love vinyl, what comes next might not be to your taste. The intention of this report is not to dis vinyl lovers or change anybody’s mind. My take on the vinyl resurgence, and why it leaves me (mostly) flat, is just an opinion. If that opinion does not coincide with yours, I think we can be adult enough to agree to disagree. If you favour music as reproduced by the vinyl medium, I’m happy for...
- FiiO KA11 Review6 May 2024, 9:03 am
In this feature, Kurt reviews the FiiO KA11, which is an affordable entry-level DSD256-capable dongle DAC with up to 245mW of output power. It is priced at $29.99. Disclaimer: This was sent to me as a sample in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or services. I thank FiiO for its support. You can click here to learn more about the FiiO audio products we have previously assessed on Headfonics. Note, that […] FiiO KA11 Review... - HIFIMAN EF500 Review4 May 2024, 9:02 am
In this feature, James reviews the HIFIMAN EF500, which is an integrated HYMALAYA LE R-2R-based DAC and 4.5W-capable balanced headphone amplifier. It is priced at $459. Disclaimer: This sample was sent to us in exchange for our honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or status. We thank the team at HIFIMAN for their support. To read more about the HIFIMAN products we have previously covered on Headfonics click here. Note, that this post follows our curr... - Satin Audio Hera Review3 May 2024, 8:59 am
In this feature, Marcus reviews the Satin Audio Hera, which is a new high-end palladium-plated silver-gold aftermarket cable for in-ear monitor users. It is priced at $850. Disclaimer: This sample was sent to me in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links. I thank Satin Audio for this opportunity. To read more about the Satin Audio products we have previously covered on Headfonics, click here. Note, that this article follows our latest scoring... - SIMGOT EA500LM Review1 May 2024, 9:08 am
In this feature, Meldrick reviews the new SIMGOT EA500LM universal in-ear monitor, which uses a second-generation 10mm lithium-magnesium dynamic driver. It is priced at $89.99. Disclaimer: This sample was sent to me in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or services. I thank the team at Linsoul and SIMGOT for giving me this opportunity. To read more about SIMGOT products we have previously featured on Headfonics c... - Alpha Omega Ra Review29 April 2024, 9:06 am
In this feature, Nihal reviews the Alpha Omega Ra, which is a new universal tribrid multi-driver IEM featuring a mix of dynamic, BA, and electrostatic drivers. It is priced at $590. Disclaimer: This sample was sent to me in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or status. I thank the team at Alpha Omega for their support. Click here to read more about the Alpha Omega gear we have previously assessed on Headfonics. […] Alpha Omeg...
- An Interview With Andrew Jones – Measurements, The Harman Curve and the new 8882 May 2024, 7:38 pm
Andrew Jones is at it again, this time at the big Chicago show AXPONA he brought along a new flagship The post An Interview With Andrew Jones – Measurements, The Harman Curve and the new 888 appeared first on AudioHead.... - Event Highlights And Best Of Show – AXPONA 202425 April 2024, 3:58 pm
Another AXPONA show is behind us and this year’s was definitely one of the biggest ever on US soil. The The post Event Highlights And Best Of Show – AXPONA 2024 appeared first on AudioHead.... - Auralic Introduces A New S1 Steamer, V10 Software23 April 2024, 6:22 pm
On the eve of the big European Munich Audio show, Auralic has announced a new entry-level audio streamer called the The post Auralic Introduces A New S1 Steamer, V10 Software appeared first on AudioHead.... - AXPONA In 25 Videos – AXPONA 202423 April 2024, 1:11 am
The big HiFi show in Chicago gets bigger every year. Attendees topped 10k this year and listening rooms were up The post AXPONA In 25 Videos – AXPONA 2024 appeared first on AudioHead.... - Class D and GaN – The Latest Updates & More From Mytek Audio5 April 2024, 7:22 pm
Class D is fighting to join the ranks of acceptable audiophile technologies. The last five years has seen even more The post Class D and GaN – The Latest Updates & More From Mytek Audio appeared first on AudioHead....
- Focal Unveils Two New Sets of Open- and Closed-back Headphones Hadenys and Azurys7 May 2024, 10:00 am
May 7, 2024 – Focal introduces Hadenys (ah den ees) and Azurys (ah zur ees), open- and closed-back headphones, making the purity of high-fidelity The post Focal Unveils Two New Sets of Open- and Closed-back Headphones Hadenys and Azurys appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - AXPONA 2024 coverage sponsored by Vera-Fi Audio Part 67 May 2024, 6:00 am
Welcome back to our coverage of AXPONA 2024, I would like to especially thank Vera-Fi Audio, manufacturer of fine loudspeakers The post AXPONA 2024 coverage sponsored by Vera-Fi Audio Part 6 appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - AXPONA 2024 coverage sponsored by Vera-Fi Audio Part 53 May 2024, 6:00 am
Welcome back to our coverage of AXPONA 2024, I would like to especially thank Vera-Fi Audio, manufacturer of fine loudspeakers The post AXPONA 2024 coverage sponsored by Vera-Fi Audio Part 5 appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - NAD Electronics Introduces the C 379 HybridDigital DAC Amplifier2 May 2024, 4:18 pm
The new addition to the Classic Series combines innovation and value to deliver refined performance and sound quality. MAY 2, The post NAD Electronics Introduces the C 379 HybridDigital DAC Amplifier appeared first on Headphone Guru.... - AXPONA 2024 coverage sponsored by Vera-Fi Audio Part 429 April 2024, 6:00 am
Welcome back to our coverage of AXPONA 2024, I would like to especially thank Vera-Fi Audio, manufacturer of fine loudspeakers The post AXPONA 2024 coverage sponsored by Vera-Fi Audio Part 4 appeared first on Headphone Guru....
- Lenco introduces LBT-345WA turntable7 May 2024, 12:00 am
Lenco has unveiled its new plug-and-play belt-drive turntable, the LBT-345WA which offers both 33 and 45rpm, and comes with an Ortofon 2M Red (HFC 345) moving-magnet cartridge and custom carbon fibre tonearm. The built-in switchable phono stage allows teaming with any active speaker and its Bluetooth connection offers wireless hook-up with suitably equipped speakers or headphones.The LBT-345WA comes supplied with a chrome-plated record stabiliser, which is be placed on the centre of the turnta... - Kanto introduces REN Active Speakers2 May 2024, 12:00 am
Canadian speaker manufacturer Kanto is expanding its existing lineup of products with the new 100W REN Active Speakers. The REN features Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, USB-C and optical inputs supporting audio up to 24-bit/96kHz. The USB-C port allows users to connect a host of audio sources to REN Active Speakers including iPhone 15, Android devices, Digital Audio Players, PC, Mac and more. Plus there’s an HDMI ARC connection – the first time this has been used on a Kanto speaker &ndas... - Goldmund debuts Asteria, Rhea and Theia wireless speaker systems1 May 2024, 12:00 am
Courtesy of Swiss company Goldmund, this month’s you-can-only-dream-about-owning-it-if-you-win-the lottery kit comes in the shape of three new active wireless speaker systems: the Asteria, Rhea and Theia.Descended from Goldmund’s flagship Gaïa, the company draws its inspiration from Greek mythology: “the names Asteria, Rhea and Theia reflect Goldmund’s ambition to elevate the listening journey beyond the conventional, offering a vast, deeply immersive experience ac... - Did you get a demo before buying your system?1 May 2024, 12:00 am
... - PMC unleashes Activetwenty5i series30 April 2024, 12:00 am
PMC has introduced its Activetwenty5i series, four two-way models, which function without the need for a separate power or integrated amplifier. The company says all the user needs to do is add a preamp or a streaming device to create a complete hi-res system.Each drive unit in the Active twenty5.21i, 22i, 23i and 24i models is directly coupled to a dedicated 100W power amplifier. In circuit before the power amplifiers is a custom-designed analogue crossover, which splits the frequency bands o...
- Treehaus Audiolab Brings “The A/Machines” New 300B Amplifier22 March 2024, 6:49 am
Treehaus often avoids calling a product “The Best.” The world of audio is far too subjective to ever use such a term seriously. That said, the A/Machines are confidently one of the top five 300B Single-Ended Triode (SET) amplifiers ever produced. It is the culmination of over a decade of research, development, and testing of […] The post Treehaus Audiolab Brings “The A/Machines” New 300B Amplifier appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - Meze Audio Liric 2nd Generation Headphones7 March 2024, 9:53 pm
Next-generation headphone developed with community feedback to deliver an even better listen and a stunning new striped ebony finish. Meze Audio is delighted to introduce LIRIC 2nd Generation, a major evolution of its acclaimed LIRIC closed-back headphones with performance enhancements, a stunning new striped ebony wood finish and more modularity for easier upgrades and a […] The post Meze Audio Liric 2nd Generation Headphones appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - TIDAL Audio Welcomes Audio Ultra to Its Dealer Network27 February 2024, 9:13 pm
TIDAL Audio, the world renowned manufacturer of luxury high-end audio speakers and electronics, is delighted to announce the addition of a prestigious new dealer to its family. The newest member of the TIDAL Audio dealer network, Audio Ultra, located at the West Coast, now joins the esteemed ranks of Artisan Fidelity as an Authorized Partner […] The post TIDAL Audio Welcomes Audio Ultra to Its Dealer Network appeared first on Audio Bacon.... - Treehaus Audiolab introduces new “Texture Black Metallic” finish 10 February 2024, 10:38 pm
Treehaus Audiolab introduces new “Texture Black Metallic” finish at the Florida International Audio Expo 2024 with Geshelli Labs February 10, 2024 Treehaus Audiolab will make its debut appearance at FLAX, supplying speakers to Geshelli Labs for a special listening room. Audiophiles can experience Treehaus Audiolab speakers on superb solid-state equipment in Florida for the first […] The post Treehaus Audiolab introduces new “Texture Black Me... - Review: PGGB – Your Personal Music Upscaler8 February 2024, 4:14 am
As an audiophile constantly in pursuit of the pinnacle of sound quality, I’ve had the opportunity to explore various tools and technologies designed to enhance digital audio. One such tool that has caught my attention is PGGB, a sophisticated piece of software that aims to elevate the hobby through advanced up-sampling techniques. Developed with a […] The post Review: PGGB – Your Personal Music Upscaler appeared first on Audio Bacon....
- CH Precision launches first 10 Series DAC, the C106 May 2024, 2:30 am
NEWS: If a high-end DAC is on your shopping list, the CH Precision C10 could be a tempting prospect... if the price doesn't knock you flat first.... - Enter the Acutus Dark Iron turntable from AVID2 May 2024, 2:25 am
NEWS: British turntable manufacturer AVID has its first new vinyl player out in six years.... - Focal Bathys — among the best ANC headphones23 April 2024, 1:40 am
REVIEW: Focal's Bathys has much going for it, especially if you have audiophile sensibilities, but there's serious competition... - Node SS-1 – revolutionising equipment support27 March 2024, 1:40 am
NEWS: Looking for support? For your hi-fi equipment, that is... Node has some options.... - Classé Audio Delta PRE Mk II takes it to the next level22 March 2024, 6:10 am
NEWS: What's a high-end preamp without streaming, eh? Classé Audio gives you the works with its Delta PRE Mk II...
- WiiM Pro Plus Streamer Review13 February 2024, 11:07 am
the best combination of hardware and software I’ve seen in the hi-fi streaming sector to date, and represents the kind of value for money that is never given the recognition it deserves by the industry, especially the press. If you want to stream audio to a hi-fi, this is the little box you should buy.... - Spartan 30 Headphone / Line Preamplifier By Michael Fidler Reviewed7 February 2024, 12:30 pm
A small desktop headphone amp with line preamplifier, ideal for miniaturised systems with active speakers. What it lacks in modern conveniences it makes up for in linearity, power and low distortion.... - Acoustic Research AR48S Restoration Part 119 December 2023, 11:55 am
Dodgy drivers thwart my attempt to restore these classic Acoustic Research AR48S speakers, for now.... - Technics RS-B11W Cassette Deck Thoughts & Repairs14 December 2023, 11:22 am
Technics proved that doubling the decks didn’t mean halving the performance and the results speak for themselves. Probably one of the best bargains in cassette decks at the moment.... - Sony TC-WR645S Cassette Deck Repairs13 December 2023, 11:57 am
A well-featured machine even if it wasn’t Sony’s finest in terms of its construction quality. These make decent recordings, and are fine playback decks especially if you want the convenience of autoreverse. I’d probably still go for the more modern TC-WE475 or TC-WE675 for its simpler mechanics and better build quality...
- Ascendo The16 SUB Active Sealed Subwoofer Review23 April 2024, 1:13 am
Tony O'Brien shakes the foundations of his movie room with this serious sealed box sub…... - AURALiC Aries S1 Streaming Processor Review23 April 2024, 12:52 am
David Price samples this intriguing new purpose-designed network music player and comes away highly impressed…... - Tannoy Stirling III LZ Special Edition Loudspeaker Review20 April 2024, 12:57 am
Chris Frankland gets into the groove with this cleverly engineered, exciting-sounding floorstander…... - Roksan Attessa CD Transport & Integrated Amp Review18 April 2024, 1:12 am
James Michael Hughes auditions an attractive new silver disc spinner and amplifier combination…... - Pro-Ject CD Box E CD Player Review17 April 2024, 1:14 am
John Pickford is surprised by the quality of this extremely inexpensive little Compact Disc player…...
- Denon Perl Review: The Earbuds That Adapt To How YOU Hear3 May 2024, 9:13 pm
Another day, another set of True Wireless Earbuds on my desk. At this stage in the game, it’s hard to get excited about a new pair of wireless earphones, but sometimes, a pair surprises me with a nifty feature or some really extraordinary sound. Let’s see if this is the case with the buds I […] The post Denon Perl Review: The Earbuds That Adapt To How YOU Hear appeared first on HIFI Trends.... - An Audiophile’s Axpona Adventure: Day 2 Highlights22 April 2024, 9:50 pm
As an audio expert, Axpona, or Audio Expo North America, is a paradise. I spent Saturday, Day 2, basking in the sonic bliss of some of the world’s finest audio brands and stumbled upon a few hidden gems. Here’s the rundown of my favorite moments: The Open-Baffle Wonders On Day 2, I usually start on […] The post An Audiophile’s Axpona Adventure: Day 2 Highlights appeared first on HIFI Trends.... - SoundMAGIC Releases E80D Wired Earphones with USB-C Connectivity17 April 2024, 8:42 pm
SoundMAGIC, a popular manufacturer of value-priced audio equipment, has announced the release of the E80D, an update to its popular E80 wired earphones. The key difference? A USB-C connector for wider compatibility with modern devices. Built on a Solid Foundation The E80D is said to retain the qualities that made the original E80 a favorite […] The post SoundMAGIC Releases E80D Wired Earphones with USB-C Connectivity appeared first on HIFI Trends.... - AXPONA 2024: Day One Big Rooms– Gear Overload and a Sensory Awakening16 April 2024, 10:03 pm
I woke up Friday morning with the giddy excitement of a kid visiting a world-class candy store. AXPONA 2024 had officially kicked off, and as a dedicated audio enthusiast and writer, I was ready to dive headfirst into the ocean of high-end audio gear. When I stepped through the doors of the Schaumburg Convention Center, […] The post AXPONA 2024: Day One Big Rooms– Gear Overload and a Sensory Awakening appeared first on HIFI Trends.... - iFi Zen DAC 3 Released: Your Digital Audio Just Got a Serious Upgrade16 April 2024, 3:58 pm
iFi Audio, a renowned manufacturer of high-value audio equipment, today announced the launch of its iFi ZEN DAC 3. Building upon the success of its predecessors (which are always on our “best of” lists), the Zen DAC 3 brings a refreshed design and upgraded features to elevate audio experiences for gamers, casual listeners, and audiophiles. […] The post iFi Zen DAC 3 Released: Your Digital Audio Just Got a Serious Upgrade appeared first on HIFI Trends....
- Sad news from Mosaic21 April 2024, 7:05 pm
... - A new (to me) local company -- Introducing Austin AudioWorks26 March 2024, 8:11 pm
... - Times must be getting tight at Blue Note!3 February 2024, 7:33 pm
... - Hey boomer....New music?26 January 2024, 2:58 pm
... - Jim Winey of Magnepan, RIP16 January 2024, 12:05 am
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- Peachtree Audio Carina GaN Integrated Amplifier: Full Review and YouTube video3 April 2024, 3:55 pm
Watch the YouTube videoA little over a year ago, Peachtree Audio cleared their deck, and introduced the Carina Integrated Amplifier. From the front panel to the internals, much of the design was new. I was fortunate to have one of the first review models and it was both intriguing and sonically stunning. Led by the inclusion of a pair of ESS 9068 DAC chips, with menu controls that allowed for personal preference in how the output sounded. This onboard DAC design was a showstopper.For 2024,... - HiFi Rose RS520 Integrated Streaming Amplifier15 March 2024, 2:02 am
Click to watch the YouTube VideoStunning and loaded with features, the HiFi Rose RS520 is one of the few standard-bearers of streaming integrated amplifiers on the market. From the tablet approach to controls, to the GaNFET amplification, and the built-in software for multiple streaming services, the RS520 is a true one-piece hub home audio system.www.dailyaudiophile.com... - The WiiM Amp: A Game Changer In Streaming Audio Amplifiers2 March 2024, 6:08 pm
Watch The YouTube Review What does it take to hit a grand slam in home audio? Start with a clean, simple exterior design. Pack in enough features to satisfy virtually everybody with a specific want. Make sure it can stream from an endless number of platforms/services. Include a robust, tested software app package. Provide enough power for all but the most demanding of speakers. Finally, put it at a price point that leaves the audio community slack-jawed. The WiiM Amp is all that!www.d... - The Groove Tickler: Stylus Replacement Expert27 February 2024, 3:47 am
Click Here For The YouTube ReviewA broken stylus is not the end of your cartridge, especially if it is out of production. JosephLong, aka The Groove Tickler can get you back to listening to your vinyl collection in a few short weeks.www.dailyaudiophile.com... - Vera-Fi Audio VBH-1 Isolation Feet: YouTube & Mini-Review4 February 2024, 2:13 am
Click here for videoMini-Review. Watch the video for the full review. Vibration is the enemy. While all of us are aware of sounds that tell us that something isn't tightly screwed, clamped, nailed, or leveled. A Braun electric toothbrush will prove that real quick. Between the type of spikes on the bottom of speaker bases or stands, to the various creative cones or feet on the bottom of higher end audio gear, isolating vibration is a known quest in audio world.After market isolation bases though...
- Chord Ultima Integrated29 April 2024, 7:33 am
Chord products have always appealed to me, and I love the bold industrial aesthetic. Yet, somehow, a review never materialized. Until now!... - Halcro Eclipse Stereo Power Amplifier4 April 2024, 8:59 am
Honestly, I did not think the moment would come that another transistor amplifier would put up serious competition for my treasured CH A1.5, but here we are. Read all about it in the review.... - Main System 12 – March 202425 March 2024, 2:46 pm
This is a quick summary of the Main System as it was in March 2024.... - Silent Angel Bonn N8 Pro and Bonn NX Ethernet Switches and Genesis GX Clock22 March 2024, 9:38 am
In this review, I will compare the Silent Angel Bonn N8 Pro Ethernet Switch with the new Bonn NX Ethernet Switch, first on its own and then augmented by the Genesis GX Word Clock.... - Diptyque DP 140 MkII4 March 2024, 8:51 am
With sleek and stylish new looks, improvements in structure and rigidity, optimized PPBM technology and higher tolerances across the board, the DP 140 MkII defines the sweet spot for Diptyque....
- Westone MACH 70 Review28 January 2024, 10:10 am
Westone Laboratories, Inc. was established in 1959 by Ron Morgan in Colorado, USA. With a background in…... - Schiit Yggdrasil + OG DAC Review26 November 2023, 4:45 pm
Schiit are a company well-versed in high-end personal audio with a focus for value and…... - Sineaptic SE-1 Review22 November 2023, 6:41 pm
Gary Liu, together with his colleague Rocky from the tech world, founded Sineaptic. With a…... - Westone AM Pro X1022 October 2023, 10:26 am
Westone Laboratories, Inc. was established in 1959. In the 1980s, they developed balanced armature drivers in custom-made…... - Fiio FF1 Review17 September 2023, 6:41 pm
Fiio was established in 2007 in Guangzhou, China. The company markets high-resolution digital audio players,…...
Resistor Mag
- Grimm Audio Celebrates 20 Years at High End Munich 2024 with 2 New Products6 May 2024, 2:51 pm
That’s a lot of 2s! Grimm Audio will be showcasing their new flagship LS1c Active Loudspeaker along with the new PW1 Phono Stage in celebration of 20 years in business at High End Munich 2024. You read that last bit right—a solid state phono stage [...]... - #NewMusicFriday: May 3, 20243 May 2024, 1:44 pm
Each Friday, Stephen Mejias, AudioQuest’s Director of Communications and former Stereophile and Audiostream columnist, will browse through the many exciting albums released that day and select 15 worth a closer listen. Fearless Movement by Kamasi Washington Kamasi Washington: Fearless Movement (Young) A Dream Is All [...]... - Album of the Week: Jessica Pratt | Here in the Pitch3 May 2024, 10:00 am
I pre-ordered Jessica Pratt’s Here in the Pitch the moment I learned I could. Out today on Mexican Summer, Here in the Pitch follows 2019’s Quiet Signs and it was well worth the wait. From the liner notes: On her fourth album, west coast artist [...]... - New for High End Munich 2024: the NAD C 379 HybridDigital DAC Amplifier2 May 2024, 12:31 pm
Fitting into NAD’s Classic Series, the new C 379 HybridDigital DAC Amplifier packs a lot of features in a nicely priced box. Classic NAD, indeed. The C 379 HybridDigital DAC Amplifier offers 80 Watts of Class D power (into 8 and 4 Ohms), an ESS [...]... - AVID Releases First New Turntable in 6 Years: Acutus Dark Iron1 May 2024, 3:30 pm
Dark Iron, baby. “Dark Iron” refers to the new finish found on the new Acutus Turntable, a darker ‘sparkling iron’ finish that reduces cost compared to the chrome-finish Acutus models. Shown here with the optional upgraded dual-operation clamp, the Acutus Dark Iron sports a new [...]...
- Dan Clark Audio – DCA E3 Review7 May 2024, 5:30 am
In this article we look at the DCA E3 closed back headphone, selling for $1,999 USD. Disclaimer: The DCA E3 was sent to... The post Dan Clark Audio – DCA E3 Review appeared first on https://www.headfonia.com/... - Blog: High End Munich 2024 Preview – Part 3 – Munich First6 May 2024, 1:55 pm
In this High End Munich 2024 Preview 3 article, we take a look at a series of new products that will be launched... The post Blog: High End Munich 2024 Preview – Part 3 – Munich First appeared first on https://www.headfonia.com/... - FiiO K19 Review4 May 2024, 10:35 pm
In this article, we review FiiO’s new flagship desktop DAC+AMP, the FiiO K19. It retails for $1,350 USD. Disclaimer: FiiO provided the FiiO K19... The post FiiO K19 Review appeared first on https://www.headfonia.com/... - Blog: High End Munich 2024 Preview – Part 23 May 2024, 9:30 pm
In this High End Munich 2024 Preview 2 article, we take a look at two new products you absolutely need to check out at... The post Blog: High End Munich 2024 Preview – Part 2 appeared first on https://www.headfonia.com/... - HIBY R4 Review1 May 2024, 8:57 pm
Today‘s review is about the HiBy R4 DAP. It is selling for $249 USD. Disclaimer: I received the HiBy R4 directly from HiBy.... The post HIBY R4 Review appeared first on https://www.headfonia.com/...
- "Walk on the Wildside" OG Played On Wilson Benesch GMT One Turntable6 May 2024, 10:00 pm
been playing this record for 50+ years!... - Westminster Lab - Monologue MM/MC/DS Audio Optical Phono Preamplifier5 May 2024, 11:00 pm
A new phono preamp from a lauded up and comer, Westminster Lab.... - War "Greatest Hits"—MORE COWBELL!5 May 2024, 10:00 pm
war breaks out on vinyl!... - ARETAI's Entry Level Loudspeaker Delivers Well-Balanced, Extended Response5 May 2024, 4:00 pm
...and effortless musicality... - Daniel Barenboim Conducts Bruckner's "Romantic" Symphony3 May 2024, 12:00 pm
A riveting performance from the orchestra and from the grooves...