LKV Veros PWR+ power amplifier$10,000 Review
September 5, 2020 § 1 Comment
“The next day, between music tracks, in the midst of pandemic-shutdown silence, I noticed a faint Lutron-dimmer– type buzz that seemed to be emanating from the LKV’s chassis. Checking first for hum, I put my ears to the speaker panels and heard only silence. When I examined the chassis with my stethoscope, I realized the sound was originating from behind the front panel, where the 1kVA transformer is bolted. I presumed the buzz was caused by the natural magnetostriction of the transformer coils being amplified by the amp’s chassis and the diaphragm of my 1920s wood floor.
Seeking a quick cure, I placed the Veros PWR+ on a Harmonic Resolution Systems M3X-1719-AMG GR LF isolation platform, whereupon the buzz was reduced to a point of serene inaudibility. With the LKV amp on the HRS platform, the sound of music recordings became noticeably purer, with sharper focus. A few days later, on a whim, I switched from the LKV-supplied generic power cord to an AudioQuest Tornado cord, which added bass punch, presence, sharper focus, and more silent silence.”
TOP 20 ROCK GUITAR SOLOS OF ALL TIME
September 5, 2020 Comments Off on TOP 20 ROCK GUITAR SOLOS OF ALL TIME
VTL TL6.5 Series II Signature Preamplifier $18,000 Review
September 4, 2020 Comments Off on VTL TL6.5 Series II Signature Preamplifier $18,000 Review
“As I continue on my journey with VTL’s designs, and better understand the company’s philosophy and goals, I’m struck by what I see as a focused effort to craft gear that’s both musically natural and measurably superior, maximizing all that tubes do well, while minimizing their shortcomings and also making them as hassle-free and unintimidating as possible to listeners who may steer clear of the higher levels of uncertainty, unreliability, and hands-on involvement much tube-driven gear demands. ”
Final E500 Review
September 4, 2020 Comments Off on Final E500 Review
“The Final E500 in-ears are almost certainly a step up in terms of timing, spaciousness, clarity and comfort from the headphones that come bundled free with your smartphone.
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If you’ve read any of our sub-£50 in-ear reviews, you’ll know that inexpensive doesn’t always mean good value. To earn those five stars, a product should not get in the way of our listening experience, however trivial the cost.
But for a budget upgrade to your smartphone freebie headphones, the Final E500s are a good buy. But they’re only a ‘good’ buy because, even at this price, the minor but noticeable lack of grip and dynamics through the bass is enough to render them a little off great.”
SHOZY ROUG $179 REVIEW
September 3, 2020 Comments Off on SHOZY ROUG $179 REVIEW
“Treble is surprisingly sharp and on the spot. In the past, a good treble reproduction was a hard thing to achieve even for pricier equipment. Nowadays I’m amazed by the success of these types of brands regarding a crisp and clean, articulated treble performance. The Shozy Rouge sounds delightful in high frequencies and it does that effortlessly without any fatiguing presentation.
I couldn’t find a particular weakness with the Rouge when it comes to its highs at this price level. The treble is airy, articulated, and transparent. So the definition of the treble is good as well as its resolution.”
Tidal Prisma Preamplifier and Ferios Monoblock Power Amplifiers $40,000 Review
September 3, 2020 Comments Off on Tidal Prisma Preamplifier and Ferios Monoblock Power Amplifiers $40,000 Review
“The Prisma preamplifier and Ferios power amplifiers are among the best electronics I’ve heard. They combine a startling immediacy and transparency with a tonal beauty that simultaneously engages the head and the heart. Their resolution of individual instruments within complex arrangements was sensational. I was particularly impressed by the Prisma preamplifier with its sophisticated volume control and unique integration of the phonostage that greatly shortens the signal path. If you thought that the phonostage inside a full-function preamp was compromised compared with outboard units, you haven’t heard the Prisma.
These two products from Tidal aren’t inexpensive, but they represent a good value when compared with other top-flight electronics. Although just about every electronics company claims to “reproduce the artist’s intent,” the Tidal Prisma and Ferios actually deliver on that promise. ”
Empire Ears Odin First Impressions
September 3, 2020 Comments Off on Empire Ears Odin First Impressions
Manger s1 active loudspeaker $24,995 Review
September 1, 2020 Comments Off on Manger s1 active loudspeaker $24,995 Review
“I’d sum up the Manger sound like this: fast, pure, more articulate than smooth. The bass is present—all there—but don’t expect to bathe in it. The s1 leans more toward exciting than toward comfortable, but not excessively so. I loved the percussive sound of Ellington’s piano, with more leading edge than I’m used to, but natural—and how all the various ‘phones (xylophone, vibraphone, etceteraphone) rang out in space. I expected percussion instruments to sound good on these speakers, and they did. If there was a surprise, it was the corporeal images and fleshy textures.
Not all recordings sounded good because the s1’s are not, at least as I set them up, particularly forgiving. On “The Man’s Too Strong,” from Dire Straits’ Brothers in Arms (FLAC rip from Warner 9 25264-2), I heard a metallic sheen I wasn’t expecting—but should have been. That track should be all wood and leather—no metal.
Indeed, it should be—too bad it wasn’t recorded that way. I still recall the thrill of hearing that pristine, ultraquiet recording for the first time. I was in my early 20s, and I already owned the LP. I had just bought a CD player, and this was the first CD I ever bought. I thought I’d never heard anything so fine—like crystal. Precisely what I was hearing from the Mangers. The Mangers were telling the truth.
Marantz HD-DAC1 Review
September 1, 2020 Comments Off on Marantz HD-DAC1 Review
“In the opening of Kozmic Blues the cymbals sounded like they were out there in the room in front of us, rather than being pumped into our ears by the headphones.
The Beyerdynamic headphones are fairly bright, but not as bright as the Final B3 in-ears. Yet they were somehow an easier listen than usual. We doubt that the amplifier could have done that. Perhaps they are wearing in. Anyway, they have a similar sensitivity – 102dB/mW – to the Beyerdynamic headphones, but they are nominally 19 ohms rather than 250 ohms. No problems. Superb control from the Marantz and, of course, even more power on tap I’m certain, were we prepared to chance it.
We spent most of the time with the Focal Elear headphones. These have a tonal balance closer to what you experience with high-quality loudspeakers. They are also middling in impedance – 80 ohms. Throughout all manner of music from piano to vocals to hard, hard rock, the Marantz delivered perfect control, providing a clear window into the recording.
It’s only those few audiophiles that are experimenting with super-high resolution formats (352.8/384kHz and DSD512 and beyond), or those who use balanced headphones, who may be disappointed that they can’t use these formats or devices.”
Audiophilepure 
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