Rotel RA-1572MKII Integrated Amplifier-DAC Review
June 13, 2021 Comments Off on Rotel RA-1572MKII Integrated Amplifier-DAC Review
Lyngdorf Audio’s similarly priced TDAI-1120 integrated ($2199, review coming soon) has many more features, including streaming, bass management, and room correction—but it couldn’t drive my MartinLogan electrostats to the room-filling levels I could get with the Rotel RA-1572MKII. However, for driving smaller, more efficient speakers—e.g., the PSB Alpha T20s—in a smaller room, and/or for integrating a subwoofer(s) and using room correction, the Lyngdorf is an excellent choice at this price. But when used as a straight stereo integrated driving nearly full-range speakers, the Lyngdorf couldn’t compete with the Rotel.
In terms of general design and sound, a much closer match for the Rotel RA-1572MKII was Hegel Music Systems’ H120 ($3000). Both are class-AB designs, though the H120 features Hegel’s feed-forward technology. And while the H120, too, has a very good built-in DAC, its resolution maxes out at 24/96 for its USB input, while accepting signals of up to 24/192 for its S/PDIF inputs and supporting UPnP and Apple AirPlay.
Bowers & Wilkins PI7 $399 review
June 13, 2021 Comments Off on Bowers & Wilkins PI7 $399 review
https://www.whathifi.com/us/reviews/bowers-and-wilkins-pi7
We select one of B&W’s suggested tracks, Billie Eilish’s Everything I Wanted on Qobuz, and Eilish’s vocal is as nuanced and breathy as the artist intended within the PI7’s neutral presentation. The PI7 betters the competition when it comes to the layering of instruments and extra vocals, which join the mix with a modicum of extra space around them to shine. However, the intense rise and fall of this unique beat treatment is marginally more zealous and emotive through the Sennheisers.
B&W has served up a decisively transparent and detailed listen in the PI7, and one that will appeal to many listeners. It’s just that in aiming squarely at precision and clarity, the sound occasionally lacks an extra injection of dynamic excitement. The Sennheisers’ presentation is slightly richer and more full-bodied, making rhythmic musical passages and vocals through the low mids more impactful, without negatively affecting detail.
Ampex AG350 via Altec VOT A7, 416-8A and 802-8D, 511B horn
June 13, 2021 Comments Off on Ampex AG350 via Altec VOT A7, 416-8A and 802-8D, 511B horn
GOLDPLANAR GL2000 REVIEW
June 12, 2021 Comments Off on GOLDPLANAR GL2000 REVIEW
Coming from a Chinese manufacturer, the build quality is actually very good. The headphone has all-metal yokes and the headband is fitted nicely with a good feel of sturdiness. The earcups are from plastic material, but they also feel very good and there’s absolutely no crackling noise whatsoever. Considering the fact that this makes the headphone lighter, I think it’s a good design choice and the plastic quality is excellent.
Design-wise the headphone obviously resembles the Hifiman headphones. Yet, it looks quite cool and a bit futuristic and the silver color gives it a nice sleeky look. The GL2000 indeed looks very fresh and clean-cut. I quite liked the design overall, very good job.
Sonus faber Maxima Amator Loudspeaker Review
June 12, 2021 Comments Off on Sonus faber Maxima Amator Loudspeaker Review
https://www.hifinews.com/content/sonus-faber-maxima-amator-loudspeaker-page-2
And that seems to be the story with these speakers: playing the McGarrigles’ Dancer With Bruised Knees [Warner 7599-25958-2] the harmonies on, for example, ‘Perrine Était Servante’ are wonderfully delicate and breathy, with great body to the accompanying instruments. The same goes for folk group The Unthanks’ ‘Hawthorn’ from their Mount The Air album [Rabble Rouser Music RRM013] where the Maxima Amators ensure these voices just hang in space in an entirely captivating manner.
Then, turning to a real demo warhorse, Antonio Forcione and Sabina Sciubba’s Meet Me In London [Naim CD021], sees the duo’s take on ‘Why Can’t We Live Together?’ revealed here as notable not only for the power and scope of the voice as for Forcione’s guitar stylings and whipcrack fretboard taps. You’d almost think it was an Italian thing!
KEF KC62 subwoofer Review
June 11, 2021 Comments Off on KEF KC62 subwoofer Review
https://www.stereophile.com/content/gramophone-dreams-49-kef-kc62-subwoofer
I will spare you the details of my experiments. Suffice it to say I preferred the LS50s running through the KC62’s high-pass filter set to 40Hz. Relative to baseline, response was now +2dB at 40Hz, –5dB at 31Hz, and down just 20dB at 20Hz! Midrange clarity improved even more. But what impressed me most was how now, with the LS50s running through the high-pass filter, subtle changes in rhythm and tempo became more obvious. After getting nice measurements, I put on a variety of piano recordings and used them to tweak the woofer’s level. I turned it down until the keyboard’s upper, mid, and lower registers connected seamlessly. With the KC62 sub, the LS50s sounded more relaxed, tonally even, and natural.
LA SOUND “CORIUM” LOUDSPEAKER AND INTERCONNECT CABLES REVIEW
June 11, 2021 Comments Off on LA SOUND “CORIUM” LOUDSPEAKER AND INTERCONNECT CABLES REVIEW
LA SOUND “Corium” loudspeaker and interconnect cables
Silver has a reputation for sounding bright, and I’ve certainly encountered that, but even with solid-state electronics the Corium cables never became forward or aggressive. I read that LA SOUND considers the pure silver models to be better suited to valve electronics and they would certainly work a treat with them, but if your transistor system is well sorted they only make the sound more real and enthralling. I had a particularly entertaining evening with these cables and some German Physiks HRS-130 speakers which are also extremely revealing; even the raw power of the Smashing Pumpkins’ Siamese Dream (Hut Recordings) didn’t push them over the edge. I have to say that the LA SOUND Corium cables have restored my faith in silver as a conductor, it’s theoretically the best material there is but this theory has not often been proved so conclusively.
Audiophilepure 
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