Anthem’s STR Integrated Amplifier $4,499 Review
October 12, 2018 Comments Off on Anthem’s STR Integrated Amplifier $4,499 Review
“Even if you never head down the analog path, the STR is incredibly versatile. If I were nitpicking, it would be really handy if they did include a streamer component – that’s the only thing keeping it from being 100% perfect. Our Naim Atom is a Roon Ready component and in a house and studio environment that gets all its music served thusly, it’s nice to have all components exist within one music data infrastructure. In all fairness, this wouldn’t stop me from purchasing an STR.
If you want an integrated amplifier that delivers major audiophile performance, sounds great, and offers major flexibility, this is the one you want. Designed and built in Canada, Anthem components have a long reputation for being rock solid, so if you do all the firmware updates, you just might be handing this one down to your kids.”
Constellation Performance Centaur II 500 power amplifier $55,000 Review
October 11, 2018 Comments Off on Constellation Performance Centaur II 500 power amplifier $55,000 Review
“Constellation Audio’s Performance Centaur II 500 is one of the best-sounding amplifiers I have auditioned in my system. It offers high power, excellent low-frequency control, and clean, clear high frequencies. The accuracy and stability of its stereo imaging are to die for, coupled with a superbly transparent view into the soundstage.And it is very expensive. I fear I must leave it to you, dear reader, to decide if it is too expensive.”
FIIO M7 $200 REVIEW
October 11, 2018 Comments Off on FIIO M7 $200 REVIEW
“Both have excellent black backgrounds with efficient IEMs and next to no noise. On this, they are on equal footing. Both use Sabre DACs so they do veer more to the neutral than overly warm. However, the R3 is simply the more detailed and refined of the two with better dynamic range and micro detail retrieval. Its MSB DSP can also change the timbre at a swipe also going from warm to cold with a slide of a button. It is quite fantastic listening to the changes MSEB can bring to the R3.
To its credit, the M7 is a bit more aggressive sounding than the R3 and a little fuller sounding. Vocals are a little further forward also. On sheer immediacy, the M7 is the more attention seeking with a bit more mid-bass impact and a slightly fuller sound. However, it is a sound that is not quite as detailed as the R3’s slightly more neutral sound. In particular, the R3 timbre sounds the more accurate and life-like of the two and its treble also has a bit more extension and articulation.”
CONTINUUM AUDIO LABS OBSIDIAN TURNTABLE AND VIPER TONEARM
October 11, 2018 Comments Off on CONTINUUM AUDIO LABS OBSIDIAN TURNTABLE AND VIPER TONEARM
“A parting shot here was the use of a good cleaning machine, like the Klaudio. Granted this can make changes that can be heard on almost any table, but the impact it had on the Obsidian and Viper made such a thing almost mandatory. A small change on a normal turntable became a transformation of epic proportions through the Continuum.
This is a truly wonderful deck to experience, or rather not experience. It’s complete absence of sound and total neutrality is not stark, bright, or forward. It’s neutral, but not in a ‘Switzerland’ kind of way. It’s actively neutral, making a sound that is beguiling and exciting because the impact of the Continnums is so minimal on the music. It makes music come to life in a way few other turntables at any price can. ”
Legacy Audio Studio HD loudspeaker $1795 Review
October 10, 2018 Comments Off on Legacy Audio Studio HD loudspeaker $1795 Review
“Legacy Audio’s Studio HD loudspeakers generated a conspicuous sense of spirited liveliness: something very often missing in audiophile-sanctioned loudspeakers. In my room, to my ears, the Studio HD emphasized the presence region and deemphasized the meaty part of the lower midrange. Its folded-ribbon tweeter conspired with its woofer’s bass alignment to emphasize tempo and timing in ways I found 100% agreeable. Therefore, if you’re a foot-tapping fanatic of pace, rhythm, and timing, this might be the loudspeaker of your dreams. And if you’re a rock aficionado, just assume that the “HD” in the name stands for Heavy Duty boogie.”
AURIS AUDIO HA-2SE REVIEW
October 10, 2018 Comments Off on AURIS AUDIO HA-2SE REVIEW
“At 1W output and including a resistance selector the Auris HA-2SE actually is quite a versatile tube amp. However, it is by no means the most powerful amp nor the most efficient desktop amp. That’s not a bad thing. This is, after all, a headphone amp and not one classed as being ideal for very sensitive monitors.
It also has no balanced setup so those looking for additional power I would advise checking out their mid-tier Nirvana which is a full-balanced design and rated at 6.5W. Solid state amps such as the Cayin iHA-6 and Xi Audio’s Formula S are more suitable for very demanding headphones such as the Hifiman HE6 and the Abyss AB-1266 which do need a bit more headroom.”
QUAD ERA-1 PLANAR MAGNETIC HEADPHONES
October 9, 2018 Comments Off on QUAD ERA-1 PLANAR MAGNETIC HEADPHONES
“The Quad ERA-1 is a headphone you could comfortably take on the go and listen to through a DAP or smart phone, so it was imperative to break out the QP2R and take in a few tracks. I selected the Alter Natives a progressive/punk band of the eighties on the SST label (24/96 kHz vinyl rip) who provide an intense cacophony of bass guitar, electric guitar, percussion, flute and saxophone requiring a great deal of speed and dynamic range to reproduce legibly. “Over The Counter – Culture” really brought out the phase coherency and detail of the ERA-1. The QP2R and the Quads proved to be a synergistic combination, though I did need to switch to “high gain” to get full dynamic range, I suspect a balanced cable would have enhanced the performance even more.”
FiiO M3K Portable Hi-Res Audio Player $70 Review
October 9, 2018 Comments Off on FiiO M3K Portable Hi-Res Audio Player $70 Review
“So how about some upgrades to your current setup? Perhaps move away from those old and overly bulky / heavy portable audio gear to the latest and greatest? Maybe you truly want to be on-the-go whilst doing extreme sports? Without a doubt either one, or dare I say both, of these FiiO devices could easily work seamlessly within your lifestyle. Am overjoyed to hear great sound for the everyday person’s budget. Gone are the days of needing hundreds of dollars and big, bulky setups to hear impressive sound quality as you move through your daily life. Of course FiiO does offer higher priced units with more features, higher amplifier power output, etc. Have no doubt the BTR3 and M3K will be big sellers. Considering the sound offered at this price point, Apple iPhone users will be wanting to get in on the BTR3 action since they desperately need a quality setup to hear music authentically as the artist intended.”
Playback Designs MPD-8 Dream DAC Review
October 9, 2018 Comments Off on Playback Designs MPD-8 Dream DAC Review
“Andreas Koch believes that DSD is a first-class file format capable of providing excellent sonics. While most of the DSD (dsf) files available for download are DSD64, superior sound can be obtained from Double DSD (DSD128) or Quad DSD (DSD256) files. The MPD-8 has the capability to play Direct or Native DSD as opposed to DoP. Playing DSD files under the DoP (DSD over PCM), results in a 30 to 50 percent increase in CPU processing overhead. This might affect the sound when the DAC is driven directly by a computer. Also, the DoP implementation for DSD256 requires support for PCM at 705.6 kHz and 768 kHz. These high sampling rates pose a significant challenge for both the computer CPU and USB audio interface. Most DACs, including the MPD-8, support DoP with a top limitation of DSD128. Playback Designs provides an ASIO driver for Windows that allows one to play DSD files directly without DoP allowing DSD256 capability. There is also support for Linux playback of DSD256 in products like the Sonore Signature Rendu SE. OSX users will be limited to DSD128 using DoP with the MPD-8. DoP sounds quite good when heard with the MPD-8, but Native playback sounds a little better to me.”
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