ampsandsound Leeloo Mono Tube Amplifiers $5500/pair Review
October 15, 2019 Comments Off on ampsandsound Leeloo Mono Tube Amplifiers $5500/pair Review
“When my US-made, 250-wpc Acurus amplifier fell victim to a lightning strike seven years ago, I took a serious chance and went over to the dark side with a Chinese-made, 250-wpc Emotiva XPA-2. Essentially because it was the best amp I could afford, and my Maggies needed lotsa watts. My happiness with that amp led me to take an even bigger chance on the pair of 35-watt XPA-1L’s, which I hoped would pair well with the new Zu Omens (they did!). For me, even thinking about dropping down to 3 watts per channel with the Leeloos required a tremendous leap of faith! Totally no worries; the ampsandsound Leeloos are perfectionist-built amplifiers with ample power to drive highly efficient speakers to at-or-near reference levels—with the Zu loudspeakers, they’re a match made in heaven. And they employ time-honored construction practices from the golden age of tube glory; if you have the financial means, you won’t be disappointed in any aspect of their performance. And for high-end headphone users seeking the grail, these amps could very well satisfy your thirst for that very elusive cup. Very highly recommended!”
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Focal Spectral 40th Loudspeakers Review
October 15, 2019 Comments Off on Focal Spectral 40th Loudspeakers Review
“I loved the Focal Spectral 40th. It exhibited the finest midrange I’ve heard in my room, and a near-perfect top end. Men’s and women’s voices were reproduced with a spooky vibrancy and presence and, more important, with no hint of glare or edge. I found its seemingly impossible marriage of a very upfront, detailed, and forward-sounding midrange to a buttery-smooth ease of sound absolutely intoxicating to listen to. The top end had superb “out-of-cabinet” extension, and delicate decay. On a few tracks that leaned toward sibilance, I did wish for 1-2dB less energy in the highest octaves, but this also reflects my personal preference for a downward-sloping response between 2 and 16kHz, a range in which the Focals measured essentially flat. But in this regard, my reference Bowers & Wilkins 705 S2 speakers, playing unequalized, are far worse. The Focals’ bass was tight, fast, ample, and completely satisfying, without ever booming in my relatively small room”
Sony WF-1000XM3 vs. Master & Dynamic MW07
October 15, 2019 Comments Off on Sony WF-1000XM3 vs. Master & Dynamic MW07
Clearaudio Performance DC Wood Turntable with Tracer Tonearm Review
October 14, 2019 Comments Off on Clearaudio Performance DC Wood Turntable with Tracer Tonearm Review
“Another example of the DC Wood’s evenhandedness (of drive system and unimpeded playback ease) serving repetitive percussive beats well and heightening their impact would be the tambourine strikes and funky bass lines on “Turn the Light” and “Woman” from Danger Mouse and Karen O’s Lux Prima. The variations of her idiosyncratic vocal style, by turns sweetly soothing and primally near-screechy, were also convincingly presented with requisite raw emotion. Ditto the prominent shakers and claves on “Fake Fur” from Calexico. On other tracks the album’s atmosphere was further enriched with rich and robust textures, combined with greater expansion and dispersion (due also in part to the MBL magic) into a wide-open desert space. I also noticed significant low-end presence and enhanced imaging, particularly in the beautifully natural sound and dimensional body of a multitude of instruments: mandolin, guitar, accordion, cymbals, etc. Each emerged from the three-dimensional sonic picture then returned to the ensemble without losing its individual outline and qualities.”
AudioSolutions Figaro M $7,500 REVIEW
October 14, 2019 Comments Off on AudioSolutions Figaro M $7,500 REVIEW
“We could go on and on, with this track and that, but the bottom line with the Figaros is the level of music they reveal. While $7,500/pair can bring you a considerable glimpse into the upper strata of high-end speakers, Audio Solutions delivers a masterpiece. In the context of a $10k – $100k system, they’d probably be the last thing I’d upgrade if I did at all. The only key is that if you like this “sound” as much as I do. If you’re more of a mega detail person, these may not be the droids you want. I can’t think of a speaker in the last decade that’s delivered more sonic enjoyment than the Figaro Ms do for $7,500 a pair. Hence, I am happy to give them one of our Exceptional value awards for 2019. This is a lovely pair of speakers without fault, that could easily be the last pair of speakers you buy.”
Revel PerformaBe M126Be Loudspeakers $4,000 Review
October 13, 2019 Comments Off on Revel PerformaBe M126Be Loudspeakers $4,000 Review
“In addition to the Revel models mentioned here, Philip Beaudette has reviewed many other speakers in the more than 15 years he’s been writing for us, so what he said in the “Conclusion” of his review speaks volumes: “The Revel PerformaBe M126Be is the finest speaker I’ve heard in my listening room,” and “a benchmark speaker against which others should be evaluated.” He leaves no doubt that Revel’s PerformaBe M126Be deserves a place on our list of Recommended Reference Components — and serves notice that its price of $4000/pair isn’t too much to ask.”
Audio Valve Solaris Headphone amplifier $4,600 Review
October 13, 2019 Comments Off on Audio Valve Solaris Headphone amplifier $4,600 Review
“Going to the back of the Audio Valve Solaris you’ll find a set of speaker binding post for very efficient speakers as the Audio Valve Solaris will push an average of 8 to 12 Watt maximum. So, if you have some speaker with a sensitivity of 94dB or higher, you’ll love this unit. If not there’s are a pair of XLR and RCA outputs for your amplifier, a USB for your Computer, a pair of RCA’s for your Turntable and two pair of XLR and RCA inputs. So I heard two people call this the Swiss knife of headphone amps but I’d say it was more a kin to the kitchen sink.
For fun I started out a generic USB cord to my Apple MacBook Air and plugged in my Nordost Valhalla into my Audio Valve Baldur 70’s monoblocks. Those power a pair of Avance Century 100 loudspeakers and the sound was like nothing I have ever heard in my system. it was much more detailed which in no way meant the preamplifier section is analytical, cause it is not. Think musicality over pure analytics, but always with great clarity. If female vocals are your thing (they are for me), then you will love the Audio Valve Solaris as preamp DAC combination. In general the voices are exceptionally good, natural, sweet and romantic. The Solaris does everything so effortless, it is a pure pleasure to listen to. It’s musicality, and richness completely took me over, there was a passion, persuasiveness in ever instrument.”
Dynaudio Evoke 20 bookshelf speakers
October 13, 2019 Comments Off on Dynaudio Evoke 20 bookshelf speakers
MONOPRICE LIQUID PLATINUM BALANCED HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER REVIEW
October 12, 2019 Comments Off on MONOPRICE LIQUID PLATINUM BALANCED HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER REVIEW
“So this was a remarkable journey testing this great piece of equipment out. My notes put it as one of the best sounding amplifiers under $1,000. I found that acoustic songs are very detailed and intimate. The detail of the music is exceptional, even at higher volumes. While the soundstage may not be vast like some other mid-range amplifiers, it was more than adequate, I’d say…just right. When you listen to songs with emotion, this amp really does “amplify” those emotions and brings it home. I found that when playing high-resolution files the vocals were forward, the bass was vibrant and foot-tapping good, but the mids were on the recessed side.”
Audiophilepure 
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