Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 Review
March 24, 2020 Comments Off on Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 Review
https://www.whathifi.com/us/reviews/elac-debut-20-b62
“This is an open and well-balanced frequency range, free to reach high into the treble and deliver ample bass without forcing any more than is comfortable. If you want more low-end, you’ll need a bigger cabinet; these Elacs aren’t going to pretend they’re bigger than they actually are, at the expense of transparency.
It’s a similar story with pretty much every aspect of their presentation. This is a punchy and rhythmic performance, for example, but with nothing thrown forward in the mix to suggest false enthusiasm. The Debut 2.0 B6.2s will track everything your amplifier throws at them with quick and agile feet, and won’t attempt to play safe by tempering any edges, but equally they aren’t going to be the source of any kind of boost.”
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Abbey Road Mastering Engineer Miles Showell Comments on Apollo/Transco Disaster
March 24, 2020 Comments Off on Abbey Road Mastering Engineer Miles Showell Comments on Apollo/Transco Disaster
“On Thursday morning (February 6), the Banning, CA building housing Apollo/Transco Masters’ factory and storage space burned. By far the biggest of the world’s two lacquer master disc manufacturers, most of the world’s vinyl mastering facilities (especially smaller ones) relied upon Apollo/Transco blanks, as well as their cutting styli for Westrex cutting heads. Ruled a total loss, 82 firefighters battled the blaze’s toxic fumes; thankfully, there were no injuries (Banning is located in the Southern California desert, approximately 2.5 hours away from Los Angeles).”
TECHNICS SL-1000R TURNTABLE £13,999 REVIEW
March 23, 2020 Comments Off on TECHNICS SL-1000R TURNTABLE £13,999 REVIEW
http://www.hifiplus.com/articles/technics-sl-1000r-turntable/
” Perhaps more importantly though, it’s an enjoyable experience as much as it’s a physical and a cerebral one. You understand the intent of the musicians and composer fairly quickly, and the combination of first-rate detail, an articulate and expressive vocal, wide and deep soundstage when needed, good dynamics, fine coherence, and lots and lots of bass depth coming out of a background noise that falls to almost nothing, helps bring that intent to life, but not in a po-faced or dry manner. The odd part in this is surface noise; the Technics combo doesn’t shy away from noise or mask it in any way. It’s just that surface noise comes and goes so fast, it barely registers. Leading edges do the same and the sound of percussion is, as a result, almost eerily ‘right’, but it’s that handling of surface noise that really highlights just how good this turntable system really is.
Focal Arche $2,500 Review
March 22, 2020 Comments Off on Focal Arche $2,500 Review
https://www.audiophilia.com/reviews/2020/2/2/3xfichq6a178lp8sbb20pdg17wevgn
“HeadFi is a growing market in audio, especially among young people, as my generation is far less likely to own a home, or have the space for a big HiFi system compared with previous generations. If one wants to forgo the space and expense of a 2 channel system, the Arche could itself make a complete, satisfying system with the addition of a laptop and a nice pair of headphones. So, does that make it worth the $2,500 cost? I think that depends. If you already own the Utopia, Stellia, or Clear, this box can complete the sound these cans strive for, and there is a certain piece of mind knowing that one was designed to compliment the other in a world where headphone compatibility is a hotly debated topic. However, as a standalone unit, one can’t help wonder if there aren’t more competitively priced options that have most of these features, the $1,999 Naim DAC V1 comes to mind, as well as offerings from Schiit Audio that fall under 1k. There is also the issue of the amplifier mainly being for lower impedance cans, which while best for the vast majority of headphones, still means this isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ solution.”
McIntosh Labs C53 Preamplifier $8,000 Review
March 22, 2020 Comments Off on McIntosh Labs C53 Preamplifier $8,000 Review
https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/reviews/mcintosh-labs-c53-preamplifier-review-r878/
“While my digital sources in form of AURALiC’s Vega G2 or Playback Design’s MPS-8 generally held court during the review period of the C53, I did spend quite some time with the built in, rather high quality, DA2 digital board input. Here, my MacBook Pro delivered the C53s data in both Redbook, high-res PCM and DSD variants. Did the DA2 board hold its own against the pricier DAC alternatives I have on hand? Yes, but unlike the genuinely far higher than the suggested price class performing preamplifier, the differences to my two references were a bit more pronounced. On a recent discovery, Earthtones – Bahamas, the last cut, Any Place, is a perfect example of how a modern release can in fact be recorded well and mastered in such a way as to bring out the full excitement of the track, without the need for you to hit your head against a brick wall. Streamed via Tidal within Roon, the C53’s digital input was correctly identified and all settings automatically applied, giving you the experience of genuine plug-and-play. Here, the all new DA2 model was able to flex its muscle, offering up prodigious, if a bit less articulate bass than what my two reference DACs are capable of. Clearly audible is the overall Gestalt of the preamp section, which is extended, dynamic and clear of hash. Cueing up Steely Dan’s SACD rip of Gaucho, the DSD64 file yet again performed at levels above the all-inclusive asking price of $8000 McIntosh charges for the C53. A little less definition here, a little more warmth there, the DA2 module will undoubtedly delight you. If you are coming from an older DAC or even CD/SACD player, I would venture to guess that the DA2 module will in fact outperform even a top of the line DAC from just a decade ago. “
AAW HALCYON REVIEW
March 22, 2020 Comments Off on AAW HALCYON REVIEW
https://www.headfonia.com/aaw-halcyon-review/
The Valkyrie has a more energetic and brighter top end than the Halcyon. The AAW though has a cleaner treble response with higher levels of richness. It is safer from harshness and sibilance than then Valkyrie. The EE gives more presence to the highest of highs, which makes them sound a bit thinner and sharper to me.
In terms of technical performance it’s the Valkyrie that stretches a wider and deeper stage. It has a darker background and separates instruments cleaner with a sharper cut. Both monitors have equally good resolution, but the Valkyrie gives more attention to the texture, while the Halcyon goes for a smoother touch. It smudges over some blemishes and makes for a more forgiving sound. The Valkyrie on the other hand can sound brutally punchy. If that’s not what you like, then the Valkyrie won’t be for you.
Bel Canto e.One Stream review
March 21, 2020 Comments Off on Bel Canto e.One Stream review
https://www.whathifi.com/us/reviews/bel-canto-eone-stream
“In terms of features, then, Bel Canto has included everything you’d expect from a product such as the Stream, without promising the world. But the key to any audio product, though perhaps even more so for such a focused component around this price, is how it sounds. That is where we feel more than a tad underwhelmed.
There are certain aspects of the Stream’s performance that let you know it’s operating in this kind of ballpark, without absolutely sounding like you’re getting your money’s worth. There is space and detail you’d struggle to achieve with a three-figure budget, and the tonal balance is reassuringly even.
ACOUSTIC SOLID WOOD ROUND MPX TURNTABLE £5,950 REVIEW
March 21, 2020 Comments Off on ACOUSTIC SOLID WOOD ROUND MPX TURNTABLE £5,950 REVIEW
http://www.hifiplus.com/articles/acoustic-solid-wood-round-mpx-turntable/
“With Rymden’s Reflections and Odysseys [Jazzland] spinning at 45rpm (it sounded a bit sluggish at 33.3!) the double bass took the soundstage by storm with lots of texture and some lovely vibrato playing from Dan Berglund and deep bass notes from Henrik Schwarz’s synth. There was still plenty of space for the piano to get lyrical in; this turntable gives good melody, that’s for sure. Playing the next track ‘Bergen’ where the piano is stronger in the mix, made me think that the sound had improved since the beginning of the side, possibly a setup thing or maybe a ‘stylus warm-up situation’ even though this wasn’t the first slab of vinyl to be played on the occasion. Perhaps I was just relaxing into the music itself!
The Acoustic Solid Wood Round MPX is a substantial and beautifully made German turntable at an attractive price. It is also the most straightforward to set up high-mass record player I’ve encountered, with no need to tweak and fettle, which is quite an achievement. It gives you the effortless warmth of vinyl with a good dose of bass to boot, which is hard to achieve with less substantial alternatives. It is also a statement turntable for less than bonkers money, and that I suspect will make it very popular.
Audiophilepure 
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