SVS’ SB-5000 R|Evolution Review
February 6, 2026 § Leave a comment
The recording quality is outstanding, and the vinyl release boasts incredible dynamics, which really push a sub like the SVS SB-5000 R|Evolution, but somehow still nowhere near its limits. The double bass, in particular, sounds enormous in the mix when played through the SVS SB-5000 R|Evolution active subwoofer. Even though I’ve listened to this album dozens of times on a wide variety of loudspeakers and headphones, I still discover new details, such as the buzz of a vibrating open string or a high fret on the bass, which is one of the hardest sounds to reproduce musically! My system, with the SVS sub integrated, makes it effortless. Their 15-inch dual voice-coil subwoofer driver handles the bottom octaves like a champ! I feel like Hans Zimmer better watch out!
Hornsolutions Masterpiece Series
February 6, 2026 § Leave a comment
The Hornsolutions Masterpiece Series is the undisputed pinnacle of horn loudspeaker engineering – the culmination of more than 20 years of obsessive refinement, relentless innovation, and an absolute refusal to make even the smallest compromise.
D’Agostino Momentum C2 Preamplifier | REVIEW
February 5, 2026 § Leave a comment
I am not a heavy believer in tweaks for their own sake. What matters most is system synergy, and I’ve carefully assembled a combination of D’Agostino, dCS, CH Precision, and Wilson components that work exceptionally well together in my room.
After running the C2 in stock configuration for several months, I made three changes that resulted in clearly audible, non-subtle improvements. These are optimizations I apply to every component in my system, including the Momentum HD it replaced.
Arendal Sound 1528 Monitor 8 Loudspeaker Review
February 5, 2026 § Leave a comment
The ability of the Monitor 8s to reveal details was illustrated by several recordings that Philip auditioned during the review period. For instance, with The Cannonball Adderley Quintet in San Francisco, Philip describes how he “could hear everything through the Arendals” and that the pair “sounded as clean as any speakers” he’s ever reviewed. “Adderley’s band was spread wide across the front of my room, and the position of each musician was a cinch to visualize.”
Listening to Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers’ Moanin’, Philip writes how “the wide stage conveyed by the Arendals was bookended by the rich tones of the trumpet on the left and the tenor saxophone on the right. The drum kit emerged with commendable clarity almost directly behind the right speaker, which seemed to disappear entirely.” He sums up his listening impressions of this song by explaining that the speakers “called little attention to themselves and simply communicated what was in the grooves of the vinyl.”
Philip compared the 1528 Monitor 8s with his reference speakers: a pair of Monitor Audio Gold 300 5Gs. The Gold 300 5G is a three-way design that is now discontinued. It sold for US$9500 per pair when Philip made his purchase. Like the Monitor 8, the Gold has two 8″ woofers, but it has a 2.5″ midrange and a 1″ AMT-type driver for high frequencies, and it’s a floorstander. Philip describes an extensive back and forth that demonstrated to him that both pairs of speakers have “a fair amount in common,” but in the end, he leaned more to the 1528 Monitor 8s, declaring: “At higher volumes, the Arendals were more effortless, betraying no sense of exertion whatsoever. That being said, the 300s could also play louder than I’m able to tolerate, but the Arendals were just more at ease doing so. . . . For this reason, I found they encouraged higher playback. If you have a large room and/or listen at high volumes, you’ll almost certainly favor the Arendals.”
EgglestonWorks Andra 5 loudspeaker $39,998 Review
February 4, 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.
SME Model 8/309 turntable/tonearm Review
February 4, 2026 § Leave a comment
https://www.hifinews.com/content/sme-model-8309-turntabletonearm
The SME Model 8 takes an already impressive entry level design in the Model 6 and significantly uplifts its performance. The plinth developments, the new AC motor drive system developed from the Model 60, and the change of tonearm to the 309 have really given SME’s baby a boost. Easy to set up, this stylish performer offers more than a tantalising taste of the brand’s higher end turntables. SME is on a roll.
EarMen CH-Amp Signature $949 Review
February 3, 2026 § Leave a comment
While I could reach levels that satiated my desired listening level, I came close to max (26 out of 30 on the volume) to attain that, even on full volume LO. At full volume, I could listen, but it was beyond my comfort level. Some may be able to reach that full-volume level, but I could not.
All of the other listening headphones were able to be powered through the 4.4mm balanced jack with ease.
I never had to move past 22/30 to attain an adequate listening volume. Combined with a source input that has plenty of juice, though, the CH-Amp Signature could readily drive anything I sent its way.
Audiophilepure 
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