Audiophilepure

Ultimately, the PA1s don’t sound entirely as liquid and free-flowing, or quite as authoritative, as the Halcro Eclipse, but it’s absolutely astonishing that they come this close at less than half the cost. The PA1s are a little less powerful and euphonic, but they excel in the area I find most important: letting the music speak for itself.

The PA1s sound relaxed and unhurried, but definitely not slow or thick. They are highly lyrical and engaging, very articulate, nimble, and dynamically expressive. They can be incredibly fast, but only if the music requires it. They don’t always sound fast, which can translate to a dry or staccato rendition or shortened decay. Impressively, despite their communicative nature, they never shout or try to impress. Instead, these amplifiers disappear altogether, and you simply forget about them. And that is the highest praise I can give an amplifier.

To a degree, the intentional overlapping of frequencies of the drivers in The Stony moves the speaker partway into the category of a hybrid line source speaker. Such a design is not more linear than a conventional design that moderates overlap of frequencies. However, it contributes to a degree of fullness that more conventional designs may not achieve. The PureAudioProject Trio15 10” Coaxial, which I compared directly using the same system discussed below, was more linear sounding, one might say more precise. However, The Stony had a particular fullness from the overlapping drivers not found in the Trio15. The speakers are built with different design parameters and as such display distinct performance parameters.

I mention this not to suggest The Stony is not an accurate speaker, but to make potential owners aware that it is not designed as an all-out attempt to measure perfectly. Stephen is not beholden to measurements but enjoys tuning his designs by ear. If you are the type of audiophile who is maniacal about measurements or cannot tolerate the idea that drivers overlap beyond the bare minimum, you are likely not a MADO customer. If such discussion seems trivial and you would make your decision about The Stony based on other considerations, chiefly how well it connects with you emotionally, then this review is on the right track for you.

https://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0926/Lindemann_Woodnote_BRIDGE_Network_Audio_Music_Streamer_Review.htm

It can benefit every system, but it reveals its full capability with loudspeakers that preserve time-domain integrity. With conventional box speakers, the Woodnote brings clear benefits in refinement: clean transients, a calm noise floor, openness, a sense of expression coupled with natural detail and ambience. These gains are easy to hear and will be appreciated by many looking to elevate their digital front-end. However, the Woodnote takes this up a notch or two with a scarcely credible performance when matched with a suitable system.  The way expression is delivered – micro-dynamic shading, breath pressure, phrasing intent and the entire envelope of notes (transient – sustain – decay) – makes performances feel alive rather than reproduced. These qualities become fully audible on systems that maintain low stored energy and coherent timing: often this means speakers that are electrostatics, planar, single-drivers, open-baffles, horns or cardioid speakers. Some box speakers can also work to these levels of performance. Simple crossovers also help.

https://www.hifinews.com/content/jl-audio-gets-smart

Topping the Primacy series, priced £86,000, is the three-way T6 floorstander [pictured], while a two-way standmount, the S3, sells for £34,000 plus £1599 for optional stands. The speakers integrate individual amplifiers for each driver ‘section’ – ie, a 600W-rated module powers the T6’s four 140mm aluminium bass drivers – allied to 192kHz/32-bit DSP governing crossover, delay, phase, etc.

Analogue inputs on both RCA and XLR are joined by RJ45 ports supporting the high-resolution Dante audio networking protocol. The latter is also found on JL Audio’s £14,500 Primacy CS control/streaming DAC unit, which includes automated ‘room optimisation’, a built-in MM/MC phono stage, and app interface.

A stunning full-range electrostatic speaker from Hungary that surprises with a healthy dose of bass. Secrets Sponsor Highlights Prodigio Audio WR2 Arrabona Electrostatic Loudspeaker Solid low-end impact from an electrostatic panel speaker. Clean, clear reproduction with a slightly forward midrange presentation. Mildly accentuates vocals and midrange instruments in an appealing manner. Treble is smooth 

https://www.analogplanet.com/content/humminguru-nova-advanced-ultrasonic-record-cleaning-machine

The HumminGuru advanced ultrasonic NOVA record cleaning machine is, in my opinion, a great value when you consider the quality of the cleaning-process implementation and the ability to run a wash-then-rinse protocol — and the only other current RCM that can do thisis the above-noted Degritter Mark II.

If you’re on a tighter budget, you can certainly consider the OG HumminGuru, which is indeed still available, and that model goes for $394. But the truth is, the new HumminGuru NOVA record cleaning machine delivers results that are unmatched by other RCMs in its $700 price range. Without question, the HumminGuru NOVA RCM is highly recommended.