Naim Audio Solstice turntable system
September 5, 2022 Comments Off on Naim Audio Solstice turntable system
“Not all these advances made it to market – though they certainly got a lot of use in our personal systems! – but they all helped maximise the music source to enable the design of better pre and power amplifiers. I still often think about Julian, and how he would have regarded the products we have designed since he died. I was a Naim customer for 11 years before I joined the company, so I’m well and truly steeped in the Naim vision. I believe he would have very much approved of the engineering solutions and final performance of the Solstice Special Edition.”
Solstice has got that combination of drive, excitement, foot-tapping energy, dynamic punch. Sure, it’s more even-handed as befits the more 21st Century approach to music replay and also the way Naim sounds today… but it’s also got that ‘put a smile on your face’ love of music that permeated really well thought-through ‘chrome bumper’ Naim products of yore. Which fits the only sadness I feel about the Solstice; those who are no longer around who would have absolutely loved the deck. Listening to the Solstice makes me think about the late Malcolm Steward shoe-horning in a pair of SBL loudspeakers into a room only slightly larger than the boxes in which they were packed, and playing Gregson & Collister and Richard Thompson albums at ‘Def Con 1’ levels on his Pink Linnk’s, Aro’d up LP12.
Shaving Compact Discs to improve the sound
September 5, 2022 Comments Off on Shaving Compact Discs to improve the sound
Paradigm Persona 9H Loudspeakers $30,953 Review
September 3, 2022 Comments Off on Paradigm Persona 9H Loudspeakers $30,953 Review
https://www.audiophilia.com/reviews/2022/4/25/paradigm-persona-9h-loudspeakers
The Paradigm Persona 9H Loudspeaker is one of the finest full-range loudspeakers available, and certainly the finest Canadian loudspeaker it’s been my pleasure to review. Yes, the $30,953/pair price is very expensive, but these are your big boy/girl speakers after a lifetime of work and audiophile craziness. That they play in big Wilson and Tidal pools at twice the price is a wonderful achievement. Bravo Paradigm.
Linn Klimax DSM AV DAC-Preamplifier $39,000 Review
September 3, 2022 Comments Off on Linn Klimax DSM AV DAC-Preamplifier $39,000 Review
https://www.soundstageultra.com/index.php/equipment-menu/1124-linn-klimax-dsm-av-dac-preamplifier
Linn’s new Klimax DSM has taken me on a rollercoaster ride, and I am in desperate need of an emotional rescue. On one hand, I found the analog input lacking in terms of transparency and dynamics, and I remain skeptical of the efficacy of the Space Optimization software. I’m also leery of the idea of spending this much money on a flagship DSM knowing that, based on Linn’s history, an expensive upgrade could be in the works. On the other hand, for a product of such vast capability, the Klimax DSM is an ergonomic marvel post-setup. The front display makes excellent use of its real estate in providing valuable configurable track information to the user. The theater of how the display lights up, seamlessly transitioning between volume and track information, and the way in which the beautiful glass dial illuminates to communicate volume information is second to none. The Klimax DSM is also built like a tank, enthralling to look at, enticing to interact with, and beguiling to listen to. Put simply, this is the best sounding DAC-streamer I have ever heard.
House of Marley Stir It Up turntables
September 3, 2022 Comments Off on House of Marley Stir It Up turntables
McIntosh MP100 Phono Preamplifier $2,000 Review
September 2, 2022 Comments Off on McIntosh MP100 Phono Preamplifier $2,000 Review
McIntosh MP100 Phono Preamplifier: Review
The McIntosh MP100 Phono Preamplifier isn’t cheap at $2,000 and those looking for a warm sounding phono preamp that rolls off everything at both extremes might want to look elsewhere.
Detail, resolution, clarity, dynamics, and presence?
This little box from Binghamton brings that to the party all day and night.
The MP100 is neutral enough that I think one can get away with a wide range of cartridges if you’re looking to create a specific sound and perspective — I just wouldn’t go too neutral on the cartridge.
dCS LINA Overview: Network DAC, Headphone Amp
September 2, 2022 Comments Off on dCS LINA Overview: Network DAC, Headphone Amp
PMC fact fenestria $57,000 Review
September 1, 2022 Comments Off on PMC fact fenestria $57,000 Review
The PMC fact fenestria is a remarkable achievement for any loudspeaker company let alone a relatively small independent one. It conclusively proves that the transmission line or even the advanced transmission line (ATL) is a very serious contender for the best way to load a loudspeaker and makes one wonder why so few designers use it. This is an expensive loudspeaker for sure and it needs good quality and quantity of power for best results but it’s not extreme by high end standards, you will find several dozen more expensive designs at the High End show. But few of them can compete with the sheer transparency to the signal that the fact fenestrias offer, it will be a long time before I come to terms with real world loudspeakers when they are gone.
Usher R-1.5 Stereo Amplifier $3990 Review
September 1, 2022 Comments Off on Usher R-1.5 Stereo Amplifier $3990 Review
As mentioned earlier, it’s probably best matched with a solid-state preamplifier possessing a very neutral, detailed or sharper signature, as using a warmer tube line stage may yield a presentation that’s too buttery and a tad soft on linearity.
That said, getting a reference level, Class A design oozing so much power, presence, and finesse at this price point is a bargain (remember, it was designed to drive any consumer speaker) and worthy of serious consideration.
As a reviewer, I rely on the extra bit of detail, resolution and neutrality afforded by the X150.8 in order to properly assess gear that I am reviewing. However, if that’s not a concern, at $3990, the Usher R-1.5 amplifier is an overachiever and one that I can heartily recommend.
SCHIIT Freya+, it’s like four preamps i
September 1, 2022 Comments Off on SCHIIT Freya+, it’s like four preamps i
Audiophilepure 
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