EgglestonWorks Andra 5 loudspeaker $39,998 Review
March 17, 2026 § Leave a comment
https://www.stereophile.com/content/egglestonworks-andra-5-loudspeaker
The Andra 5 sound tends toward detailed and revealing. Recordings that can stand up to sharp focus and honest reproduction of their tonality will shine. Poor recordings may sound worse than they do through more forgiving speakers. EgglestonWorks’ stated goal is “to re-create a musical experience so vividly and accurately that it evokes the same emotion as a live performance.” The Andra 5s succeed at that if that emotion was captured in the recording.The look of the Andra 5 is unique and may be polarizing. The limitless choice of paint color gives buyers the choice of either blending them into the room decor or having them be more visually conspicuous. Fit and finish is superb.My brief relationship with the Andra 5s involved some adjustment and accommodation. In the terminology of modern human relationships, I had to put in the work. Then they delivered the promised sound qualities, and the work was quickly forgotten. It was a fun ride.
PLUSSOUND VOLTA SE $2799 Review
March 17, 2026 § Leave a comment
VOLTA SE’s bass comes in with real authority. It is the kind of low end you notice instantly, not because it is sloppy or overblown, but because it carries actual weight and pressure behind every note.
There is a deep, rumbling foundation that makes the presentation feel grounded, and it gives the low end a satisfying “floor-under-you” effect.
What makes it work is how balanced the bass feels despite the sheer quantity. You get that big, deep rumble, but the punch and body are not missing either. It is punchier and a little warmer than the SONORA SE’s bass, while still retaining a similar character.
Even with that heavy load of bass, it doesn’t smear into the mix or hide detail. Notes are easy to tell apart, even when the track gets busy.
AVM Evolution AS 5.3 Integrated Streaming Amplifier $12,000 Review
March 16, 2026 § Leave a comment
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I enjoyed my time having the AVM AS 5.3 Integrated Streaming Amplifier in my media room. Besides its good looks, it was easy to use and sounded musically lush and detailed. It is not inexpensive, but it is a high-resolution streamer, a powerful amplifier, a tube pre-amp, and can breathe new life into your CD and LP collections. Purchasing separate components would also cost you some coin, but the AS 5.3 does it all in a small, compact powerhouse. It is well designed and flexible enough to control all your musical needs. The App is more than an afterthought and was intuitive and functional. The Cellini Chrome finish was just icing on the sonic cake. I still like my all-analog Musical Fidelity, but if I had vinyl or digital devices, I’d consider the AVM AS 5.3 as a lifetime component.
Burmester 232 Classic Line integrated amplifier Review
March 14, 2026 § Leave a comment
https://www.stereophile.com/content/burmester-232-classic-line-integrated-amplifier
Examining the bottom of the unit, I discovered thin felt pads rather than dedicated footers. Since I hadn’t yet received a link to an online manual or conducted technical interviews, I checked with Norm Steinke, Burmester’s US sales manager, to see if he objected to me trying aftermarket supports. Once he gave the okay, it took all of 15 minutes to learn how much better the unit sounded when supported by Wilson Pedestals. “Dramatically quieter backgrounds,” I scribbled in my characteristically hideous handwriting. “A HUGE improvement. Everything seems louder because it stands out more against a blacker background.” Bass was strong and excellent from the get-go, but now it sounded even more controlled. I urge prospective owners to explore different support options and to use whatever works best for their sound and wallet.
HiBy W4 $99 Review
March 14, 2026 § Leave a comment
The first time I listened after the burn-in, the W4 greeted me with neutral tonality. There is no boost or excessive energy anywhere in the frequency range; bass, midrange, and treble are equally represented, yet the overall presentation is lively and energetic.
Although the bass is flat, neutral, and extended, it is not the tightest, the most detailed, or the most textured I’ve heard. There is good punchiness in the mid-bass and good rumble in the sub-bass, but the grip or control of the W4 over the IEMs and the headphones is loose.
Audiophilepure 
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