Merrill Audio Element 118 Mono Amplifiers $36,000 Review
August 7, 2019 Comments Off on Merrill Audio Element 118 Mono Amplifiers $36,000 Review
“My reference Simaudio Moon Evolution W-7M monoblocks nicely split the difference between the Merrills and Macs, though overall their sound is more akin to the Element 118s’. With most music, the Sims consistently sounded a tad darker than the Merrills. Bibb’s voice appeared somewhat farther back on a slightly less expansive soundstage, and the W-7Ms lacked just a hint of the Element 118s’ inner detail and airiness. Through the Element 118s, the kick drum in “I’m on Fire” was slightly more prominent, and microlevel details were a wisp easier to hear. This, combined with the Merrills’ greater neutrality, made them the more enjoyable amps to listen through — until I pushed them past that 7/10s mark. At higher volumes, the playing field leveled dramatically. The thump of the kick drum in “I’m on Fire” was now virtually identical through the two pairs of amps, as were the decay of the wood blocks, the body and dimension of Springsteen’s voice, and the size and spaciousness of the soundstage. The primary difference now was in tonality: the Element 118s were more neutral. At ridiculous volume levels I appreciated the Merrills’ unwavering bass control, but always found the Simaudio Moon Evolution W-7Ms easier to listen through, though not quite as inviting as the McIntosh MC1.25KWs.”
PBN Audio M2!5 Loudspeakers $30,000 Review
August 6, 2019 Comments Off on PBN Audio M2!5 Loudspeakers $30,000 Review
“So $30K for a box and a few old school drivers. Hmmmmm, the uninitiated would perhaps scoff. I did for a moment or two myself. But the closer you look, the quality of construction, not to mention that robust brilliantly executed crossover exposed around back, you begin to feel a little better. Then a good listen across all genres of music erases any thoughts of doubt. To take the more cynical view is likened to valuing a painting based on the cost of the paint, brushes, and canvas. More importantly, if you want a speaker that brings music to life in a coherent tangible way, here you go. Smooth yet crisply detailed when called upon, rounded with depth, but never recessed, and a sense of life, power, and scale, the M2!5 is going to be tough to beat no matter what kind of technology you throw at it. With the excitement afforded by the 2-15″ drivers per side, and delivering tonal honesty top to bottom, the M2!5 delivers on the promises so many speakers make, yet fall short of keeping. Despite the traditional components that comprise the M2!5, it is a masterpiece that stands proudly on its own merits. Perhaps one of Peter’s other speakers betters it, but as far as I’m concerned, I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Audio Research 160M Amplifiers $30,000 Review
August 6, 2019 Comments Off on Audio Research 160M Amplifiers $30,000 Review
“The longer I indulge in investigating audio components, the broader my perspective grows. My tastes have evolved, and my biases have diminished. This goes for all aspects of a system, be it speakers, sources, and in this case, amplifiers. My final frontier is low powered SET amps, but that is another issue. That aside, I have largely become a fan of it all. And now, having finally lived with such an exalted tubed amplifier in the Audio Research 160Ms, I really, deep down in the monkey brain, get why folks love tube amps. Timbre, resolution, space, macro dynamics, and liveliness all come together with the Audio Research 160M. Also, Audio Research has been around for 50 years and are only growing, which is no small point. They must be doing as well as any one in the business based on their longevity alone. With that comes customer service and a dealer network that ensures a far more secure relationship with the amplifier and the company.”
Bose 700 Headphones VS Sony 1000xm3 ANC
August 6, 2019 Comments Off on Bose 700 Headphones VS Sony 1000xm3 ANC
Aurender A30 Full Review
August 5, 2019 Comments Off on Aurender A30 Full Review
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The A30 is a component the likes of which we haven’t seen from Aurender. Sure it’s a server, streamer, ripper, with a DAC, but the company has never released a digital/analog product at this level. This is Aurender’s flagship product with a built-in digital to analog converter as well as all the other goodies that make an Aurender and Aurender. This company cut its teeth on digital music servers and has now made a complete product with analog output at a very high level. Even old school curmudgeon, set in their ways audiophiles, who don’t believe a manufacturer can build more than one type of product, should give the A30 a solid listen. Sure the digital side is fully Aurender like everyone expects, but the DAC and analog output stage are in a class higher than all previous Aurender products.”
Cayin iHA-6 Headphone Amp, iDAC-6 DAC, and iDAP-6 Digital Audio Player Review
August 5, 2019 Comments Off on Cayin iHA-6 Headphone Amp, iDAC-6 DAC, and iDAP-6 Digital Audio Player Review
“I was delighted, too, to find the iHA-6/iDAC-6 pair had sufficient transparency and power to take full advantage of my reference Abyss, Final, and HiFiMan headphones, which is saying a mouthful (especially in the case of the very difficult to drive HiFiMan Susvara). At the same time, with its gain setting backed down to “Low,” the iHA-6 proved quiet enough for use with my extremely sensitive Campfire Audio Atlas earphones.”
AudioQuest’s DragonFly Cobalt Review
August 5, 2019 Comments Off on AudioQuest’s DragonFly Cobalt Review
Sony DMP-Z1 digital music player $8500 Review
August 3, 2019 Comments Off on Sony DMP-Z1 digital music player $8500 Review
“Until I began working exclusively from home, my constant companion on my daily commute was the PonoPlayer I’d bought after reviewing it in April 2015. It may seem absurd to compare the $8500 Sony with the Pono, which cost $399 when last available, but I’ve racked up more hours listening through headphones with the Pono than with any other product. With the Audeze LCD-Xes, which are more revealing than the AudioQuest NightHawks, the high frequencies in “The Mooche” had more top-octave air with the DMPZ1, letting me better hear the subtle acoustic of Blue Heaven Studios, in Salina, Kansas. At the other end of the spectrum, the double bass in James Brown’s “Please, Please, Please” had a weightier body tone through the Sony, though this recording’s rather rough mid-treble sounded a touch smoother through the Pono. A case of Authority (Sony) vs Acceptable (Pono).”
EARSONICS – EM64 REVIEW
August 3, 2019 Comments Off on EARSONICS – EM64 REVIEW
“The EM64 comes with a very basic cable just like with all the other Earsonics monitors. The stock 2-pin cable is quite alright, it feels sturdy and sounds perfectly fine. For stage use it will do a perfect job. Audiophiles will probably switch it out for a nice aftermarket cable, and I would suggest the Leonidas by Effect Audio for this specific monitor. The Leonidas refines the EM64’s characteristics while not wanting to change the stage/pro tuning. It gives the EM64 the feeling of delivering more detail with a more musical presentation, where the stock cable is more in your face, as you’d expect from a stage monitor.”
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