Musical Fidelity M8xTT Turntable $10,499 Review
May 12, 2024 § Leave a comment
https://www.soundstageultra.com/index.php/equipment-menu/1229-musical-fidelity-m8xtt-turntable
The M8xTT is not a forward-sounding turntable, but it is a bit larger than life in all directions. Just to let all the haters know that I’m not stuck in the music of the last 40 years, I threw on Vladimir Ashkenazy’s 1973 recording of Franz Schubert’s Piano Sonata in G Major (London Records CS6820). I chose this record because it’s so huge, so massive—a piano piece that slows time down in a relativistic manner. I was spinning in orbit around the planet that is Ashkenazy’s piano, and the clocks run slower up there. The entire first movement, “Fantasie,” is an exercise in slow-motion capture—huge piano notes that swallow galaxies, with Ashkenazy carefully considering each key before he depresses it.
Esoteric K-05XD $12,000 Review
May 12, 2024 § Leave a comment
https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/esoteric-k-05xd
The honest approach is thrown into even sharper relief when we play an SACD of Stravinsky’s The Rite Of Spring. This is a lovely clean Decca recording with the music conducted by Valery Gergiev and played by the Kirov Orchestra. Here we’re impressed by the clarity on offer and the sheer amount of information the Esoteric reveals. Just as impressive is the way this player manages to arrange all that information to deliver a stirring musical experience. This symphony is known for its drama, complex instrumentation and wild dynamic swings, and the K-05XD delivers the full experience with enthusiasm.
This player has a large-scale and authoritative presentation and images with pleasing precision. Instruments are layered with care and locked into position even when the music becomes demanding. We love the spacious nature of the soundstage and the general lack of clutter. The Esoteric’s impressive ability to dig up low-level details shines through in the convincing way it places the orchestra within the recording venue. There is nothing showy here, no attempt to make the recording sound more impressive than it is. Just a pleasingly accurate rendition of the original recording.
FIIO K19 REVIEW
May 11, 2024 § Leave a comment
The K19’s aluminum chassis uses a thermally conductive material that directly contacts the internal components, efficiently transferring heat to the vast aluminum frame. The chassis also features a honeycomb mesh design on the top and bottom, enhancing heat dissipation through convection. I noticed that the K19 gets warm to the touch after half an hour. To compare, the surface temp is about the same as K9 Pro ESS. It appears that the aluminum chassis does a great job of heat dissipation. I also noticed that it gets slightly hotter when placed horizontally. Vertical positioning naturally promotes better passive airflow and heat dissipation. If you prefer using the K19 horizontally and want to maximize its cooling potential, consider alternative feet or stands that offer higher clearance underneath the device.
Waterfall Audio Debuts Niagara XT Series Speakers $22K
May 9, 2024 § Leave a comment
BASN MTPro Review
May 9, 2024 § Leave a comment
The MT Pros boast a clean, understated aesthetic, especially in the base silver and black colors. If you want something a little flashier, you can get a gold, blue, or even purple pair. Their CNC-machined aluminum shells feel solid and luxurious, while the MMCX connectors offer flexibility and future-proofing via a wealth of replacement cables.
The included 3.5mm 4-core crystal copper cable is braided and tangle-resistant, adding to the premium feel. However, some may find the cable a little stiff, but the addition of memory ear hooks is a plus in terms of fit. Speaking of fit, I found the BASN IEMs very comfortable, and the earpiece ergonomics were excellent in my case. The shape of the metal housings fit my ears like a glove. YMMV. Additionally, I like that they include a wide variety of silicone and foam ear tips since getting a good seal in the ear canal is crucial for the best IEM performance.
Sonus faber Lumina V Amator Loudspeaker Review
May 8, 2024 § Leave a comment
https://www.hifinews.com/content/sonus-faber-lumina-v-amator-loudspeaker
While Sonus faber’s floorstander looks imposing in the pictures, the speaker is neither huge nor massively weighty, standing just under 105cm tall and, at 22.5kg, about light enough for one-person set-up, adding convenience to the room-friendliness. Positioning is no trickier, in no small part due to that downward-firing port. I spent some time moving the Lumina V Amators backwards and forwards in the room, finding very little difference wherever I placed them, and concentrated instead on experimenting with toe-in for the most coherent stereo image. Again, I was unable to effect any huge changes in this department, so stuck to my usual positioning with the cabinets aimed just slightly in front of the listening position.
With their rated 89dB sensitivity, 4ohm nominal impedance and a 50W minimum power requirement, these are not especially demanding speakers, and worked well with the various amplifiers I tried, ranging from Audiolab’s 9000A [HFN Aug ’23] up to my vintage Naim NAC 52/NAP 250 set-up. I should mention that magnetic grilles are provided, but it would be a shame to cover up the understated dark wenge or more exotic gloss red and walnut wood finishes on offer!
Telos 800 $85,000 REVIEW
May 8, 2024 § Leave a comment
With an output of 300 Wrms (x 2) at 8 ohms and 390 Wrms (x 2) at 4 ohms, the Telos 800 is a leap forward in Goldmund’s offerings, presenting a formidable stereo amplifier capable of satisfying even the most discerning audiophile consumers.
To support its power output and audio quality, the Telos 800 incorporates a 3200 VA toroidal power transformer and an impressive capacitor bank of 93,600 µF. Compliant with IEC 62368-1 standards on rated power consumption, this amplifier delivers remarkable efficiency and power, rivaling the performance of two mono-power amplifiers.
Audiophilepure 
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