Shunyata Research Denali D6000/S Power Distributor Review
May 7, 2018 Comments Off on Shunyata Research Denali D6000/S Power Distributor Review
“Neither the M4 nor the Figaro B can reproduce truly low bass — the M4 can go down to 40Hz only on a good day — but after switching back and forth between the Denali D6000/S and the Venom PS8 for most of one morning, I concluded that, with the Denali, the bass the M4s could reproduce was better defined. However, that difference wasn’t as easy to hear as the improvement in Baez’s voice. These differences might have been subtle, but with both sets of speakers, there was no question that the Hegel H360 sounded just a little bit better plugged into the D6000/S than into the PS8. And because of what I heard in the bass and mids, in addition to improved resolution, I’d say the Denali made a bigger improvement with the H360 than it did with the Constellation Revelation Pictor and EMM Labs DA2 Reference DAC.”
Esoteric Grandioso D1 DAC, P1 Disc Transport, C1 Linestage, and M1 Monoblock Power Amplifier Review
May 7, 2018 Comments Off on Esoteric Grandioso D1 DAC, P1 Disc Transport, C1 Linestage, and M1 Monoblock Power Amplifier Review
“Comparing the Grandioso stack to my reference gear proved instructive. My Goldmund electronics are slightly faster and airier, thanks to their megahertz bandwidth and the speed that comes with it. The Goldmund gear also more accurately follows the shapes of notes. By comparison, these rise and fall a bit too quickly on the Grandioso stack; this is my one real complaint. On the other hand, the Grandioso series is more neutral than my reference electronics. And in other areas, such as dynamics and resolution, the Grandioso stack is among the scant few components I’ve encountered that can go head-to-head with Goldmund gear.”
YG ACOUSTICS SONJA 2.2 FLOORSTANDING LOUDSPEAKER $76,800 REVIEW
May 6, 2018 Comments Off on YG ACOUSTICS SONJA 2.2 FLOORSTANDING LOUDSPEAKER $76,800 REVIEW
“Second, the 2.2 is a decidedly full-range and full-throated loudspeaker that is capable of terrific extension at both high and low frequency extremes, while also delivering premier league dynamics—subject only to the constraint that the 2.2 works best in medium-to-medium large listening spaces (whereas the larger Sonja 2.3, Sonja XV Jr., and Sonja XV models offer progressively greater dynamic clout and lower distortion when used in large-to-very-large listening rooms). But heard in its proper context, which includes rooms that would be regarded as relatively large lounge spaces in typical European or British homes, the Sonja 2.2 lacks for nothing. Bass depth and definition? Check. Explosive dynamics on demand? Check. Subtlety and nuance to die for? Check.”
Sennheiser HD 660 S Over-Ear Headphone $499 Review
May 6, 2018 Comments Off on Sennheiser HD 660 S Over-Ear Headphone $499 Review
” The treble has really nice airy extension to it, though there is just a little bit more grain to it than some higher end models like Sennheiser’s own HD 800. Running out of my Glenn OTL tube amp, I felt that my 300 ohm headphones (HD 600, HD 800, ZMF Auteur and Atticus) were all able to achieve a more grain-free, transparent sound. In other words, I don’t think the 150 ohm HD 660 S has quite the same level of scalability as the others.”
T+A Elektroakustik PA 3100 HV Integrated Amplifier $23,500 Review
May 6, 2018 Comments Off on T+A Elektroakustik PA 3100 HV Integrated Amplifier $23,500 Review
‘The T+A Elektroakustik PA 3100 HV is an integrated amplifier that entails none of the compromises usually associated with integrateds. First, the price is no compromise. At $23,500, the PA 3100 HV is one of the most expensive integrated amplifiers I’ve ever had in my system. Unless you’re coming from some really expensive separates, it’s not going to save you any cash — you could easily get a superb preamplifier and stereo power amplifier for the same money. You’re also going to need a separate DAC — unlike so many integrateds these days, the T+A doesn’t come with one. It’s also pretty big and heavy — owning one won’t save you much space.”
DENON AH-D7200 OVER-EAR HEADPHONES REVIEW
May 5, 2018 Comments Off on DENON AH-D7200 OVER-EAR HEADPHONES REVIEW
“Despite only being supplied with a 6.35mm cable, the AH-D7200 is surprisingly easy to drive, and they don’t require heavy amplification. Using an adapter, even a humble smartphone can drive the headphone to sufficient levels. It would have been nice to see an option of a 3.5mm cable included as well, for some added flexibility.
VTL • TL-6.5 Series II Signature Preamplifier $15,000 Review
May 5, 2018 Comments Off on VTL • TL-6.5 Series II Signature Preamplifier $15,000 Review
“That makes understanding just where the ‘6.5 II fits into the audio firmament a challenging prospect — not because of the product but because of the reality it forces us to confront. On the one hand it delivers a genuine glimpse of the highest end; on the other, it can be as unforgiving of partnering equipment — or more specifically, the failings of such — as those high-end credentials suggest. Are you ready to meet that challenge, or to build and work with a system that can? This product is all about musical power and communication — not about pretty pictures and a rose-tinted audio viewpoint. Its impressive dynamic range is based on a genuinely low noise floor, its rock-like stability and presence on seemingly unburstable reserves of power. It won’t mask shortcomings elsewhere in the system, or draw a discrete veil over poor recordings. Instead it has that almost priceless ability to step aside, allowing each performer and performance its own voice, focussing not on the surface detail but their inner structure and musical integrity. It’s a quality it will bring to your whole system if the partnering products are up to it.”
NAD Masters Series M32 DirectDigital D/A integrated amplifier Review
May 5, 2018 Comments Off on NAD Masters Series M32 DirectDigital D/A integrated amplifier Review
“I noted the same difference with the Linn recording of Monteverdi’s Vespers 1610. Philip Hobbs has done his usual excellent job of capturing a natural-sounding balance of performers and performing space, and the M32 presented that space with a better sense of depth than the Luxman had managed. This was not what I’d expected, given that the combination of the Luxman and the PS Audio DAC costs $15,494, not including cables, and the NAD only $3999. But to send AES/EBU data to the NAD I was using the Meridian 518, which cost $1650 when last available. So I reverted to the long plastic TosLink connection from the M50.2. The sweetness of the M32’s mid-treble was slightly diminished, but other than a slight reduction in depth, the excellent soundstaging remained intact.”
STST MOTUS II TURNTABLE REVIEW
May 4, 2018 Comments Off on STST MOTUS II TURNTABLE REVIEW
“With Bizet’s ‘Carmen’ [España, NSO, Chasing the Dragon] the Motus II produced massive depth of soundstage alongside nice transients and complete control, the mezzo soprano voice remaining assured and extended regardless of the tracking challenge. It’s one of those source components that gives the impression of having all the time in the world to resolve the recording, it’s not slow but it won’t be rushed. There are better timed turntables on the market to be sure and if you are looking for the propulsive drive of jazz and rock they might be preferable, but if you enjoy instrumental and vocal tone in the context of a stable but lively presentation, there is an awful lot to like about the STST Motus II. What the turntable does so well is make music that is so rewarding all other considerations are set aside, which is not something you can say of all turntables by any means. If you want a turntable that does both fine detail resolution and emotional communication this is definitely one for the shortlist.”
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