HEGEL AUDIO SYSTEMS H390 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER
December 19, 2019 Comments Off on HEGEL AUDIO SYSTEMS H390 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER
http://www.hifiplus.com/articles/hegel-audio-systems-h390-integrated-amplifier/
“It had that effortless dynamic range and grip over the loudspeakers we have come to expect from Hegel, with a comprehensively good performance in all other aspects, and as I said that mild upper-frequency zing of its predecessor has been replaced with ear-opening neutrality and honesty. But most of all, it’s a fun thing; listening is a journey of musical discovery that is never dry or fusty. It’s got passion and energy in its output, and it expresses that on every loudspeaker I paired it with, even ones that normally wouldn’t get out of bed for a £4,900 amp. In fact, that little jaunt through any loudspeakers I had to hand was telling; the amp’s character was like musical smoke in all the right ways – aside from a universal grip over the bass units from its high damping factor and an innate sense of musical space and rhythm, descriptions of performance were loudspeaker-related, not amp-related. I would say that I can’t recall the last time an integrated amplifier did that, but I can… it was the Hegel H590. The H390 doesn’t quite get out of the way as much as the ‘straight wire with gain’ H590, but it gets damn close. “
McIntosh MA5300 Integrated Amp Review
December 19, 2019 Comments Off on McIntosh MA5300 Integrated Amp Review
Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB Review
December 18, 2019 Comments Off on Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB Review
https://www.tonepublications.com/review/the-pro-ject-t1-phono-sb/
“Tracking through the crate full of classic rock LPs that are in the “party bin” in my living room, the T1 continues to impress. While digital audio converters (especially the ones in the $350-$1,000 range) have improved tremendously, there’s still a level of warmth and continuity to the sound that you won’t get with something like an AudioQuest Dragonfly. Granted, streaming 24/192 via Qobuz might offer a little more ultimate resolution, but the Pro-Ject wins hands down in the organic way it assembles the sound molecules from a vinyl LP. And Vinyl is all about the tactile experience.
An impromptu gathering of a few neighbors, has everyone joining in, playing a few records and marveling at how easy the T1 is to use. While the T1 makes a great start to your vinyl journey, I highly suggest that even seasoned audiophiles have one, for casual listening. And starting out your friends with one of these means that their records won’t get damaged either. Nearly everyone buying those cheapie tables is not doing their records a favor.”
Focal Has The Perfect $15k Gift For The Headphone Enthusiast In Your Life
December 18, 2019 Comments Off on Focal Has The Perfect $15k Gift For The Headphone Enthusiast In Your Life
https://audio-head.com/focal-has-the-perfect-15k-gift-for-the-headphone-enthusiast-in-your-life/
It’s France-based Focal’s 40th anniversary this year and to help get into the spirit of things, they are making some serious moves to help your audiophile-inclined friends and family have a jolly holiday season.
Focal has produced quite a bit in the personal audio space in the past few years. The open back flagship Utopia headphone along with the more recent closed Stellia are a benchmark for many other headphones now entering the market. So for the guy/gal who wants it all, you can now have it in a nifty display case… for $15k USD.
Inventory is limited for this collections of audio goodies, only 40 cases will be made available worldwide. The Focal Symphonie 40th isn’t just headphones however, but rather a end-to-end menagerie of fidelity delights:
ampsandsound Stereo ST15 Special Edition Amplifier $2800 Review
December 17, 2019 Comments Off on ampsandsound Stereo ST15 Special Edition Amplifier $2800 Review
“The fit and finish are top notch, even if the cabinet and overall look is a bit retro. I love retro. I got some serious compliments on both the overall look and the size. Not everyone wants ginormous amplifiers and thundering towers of speakers, and I suspect those audiophiles would do well to check out the entire line of ampsandsound products. As for the Stereo ST15 Special Edition, I can wholeheartedly recommend it if you are careful about speaker pairing and using a high efficiency speaker to get the most out of this amplifier, I doubt you would be sorry. You might even think about pairing it with a self powered speaker that powers the lower end, but can still be run on the top end by the ST15 SE. VonSchweikert Active speakers come to mind. Ether way, this is a amplifier that defies its relatively inexpensive price tag, and delivers way above that price with the right speaker pairing. I may well consider this or a set of the monos when I eventually downsize my system and go with a set of Avantgarde Unos! Now that would be a heavenly pairing.”
Audeze LCD-1 & Rosson Audio Designs RAD-0 Headphones
December 17, 2019 Comments Off on Audeze LCD-1 & Rosson Audio Designs RAD-0 Headphones
“While the Audeze LCD-1 attempts to tackle the lucrative, but competitive $500 mark for personal audio enthusiasts, the RAD-0 has a more bespoke approach to design and cost. For those familiar with both company’s RAD founder Alex Rosson started working at Audeze and was among the founding cast of the LA-OC based company. His first dip into the market appears at the higher end of the hobby, with most headphones costing around $2,600. A look at his product page gives you a better idea of the custom leanings he has” chosen, no two headphones appear at first glance to be colored the same.
ABYSS DIANA V2 $4000 REVIEW
December 16, 2019 Comments Off on ABYSS DIANA V2 $4000 REVIEW
https://www.headfonia.com/abyss-diana-v2/
“Diana V2 has an organic sound, with excellent body throughout the entire signature. It sounds life-like with really good imaging and resolution. The Diana Phi in comparison sounds more open, faster and more precise. But the Diana V2 has this meaty sound, that makes listening to it a big pleasure.
Both headphones give the listener a respectively different approach to music. While Diana Phi uncovers just about every little detail there is, Diana V2 invites you to sit back and just enjoy your music in the highest form.”
Astell & Kern SR15 A&norma Review
December 16, 2019 Comments Off on Astell & Kern SR15 A&norma Review
https://www.innerfidelity.com/content/astell-kern-sr15-anorma-review
“If you’re looking for something pocket-friendly that can take advantage of digital audio in both a wireless and wired world and replace your mobile phone as your main music experience that does streaming services like TIDAL, Qobuz, Deezer or Spotify via wi-fi, has gobs of internal storage, can handle every file type imaginable, and won’t break the bank, then the Astell&Kern SR15 at $699 USD is a no-brainer. The increase in SQ over the iPhone/Lightning/Buetooth pairing is obvious, and the fact you don’t get interrupted by a call or text while listening is a huge bonus for me personally. When I’m listening to music, I’d rather not be distracted with social media, the Internet, etc. That said, the fact that the A&norma is a separate unit, it allows unhindered listening while you work on your laptop or scroll Instagram on your phone, so it’s a bit of a win-win from either angle. For the level of SQ, wired and wireless feature set, and future-fi that the SR15 has built-in at its price point, I can only highly recommend it.
Audiophilepure 
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