Yamaha YH-5000SE Headphones Review
August 31, 2023 Comments Off on Yamaha YH-5000SE Headphones Review
In his summation, Geoffrey described the YH-5000SE headphones as “beautifully built and engineered” and “remarkably comfortable.” They sounded “well balanced” without being “analytically boring,” and “open and airy while retaining precision in the soundstage.” He went on to say that they were “hugely open, with perfectly fast transients.” Geoffrey also found that the bass extended “remarkably deep while remaining in balance with the midrange and treble.” While the treble was “excellent” he thought it was just “not quite as perfect.”
AURIS AUDIO HA2-SE+ REVIEW
August 31, 2023 Comments Off on AURIS AUDIO HA2-SE+ REVIEW
After going back and forward with the different tube combinations, I in the end settled for the stock PL95 tubes in combination with a Zaerix branded, GDR made 12AT7/ECC81 tube. In the Headonia I tend to use a set of Mullard CV4024, but I found the HA2-SE+ to match better with this Zaerix. That said, the original JJ ECC81 also performs nicely, and the difference in sound in this amplifier design, is rather limited. If you do want to invest in a “better” ECC81 tube like the Mullard CV4024, it will set you back around €/$ 50 USD/Euro per tube.
GoldenEar T66 Floorstanding Loudspeaker Review
August 31, 2023 Comments Off on GoldenEar T66 Floorstanding Loudspeaker Review
Degritter Record Cleaner Review
August 29, 2023 Comments Off on Degritter Record Cleaner Review
Every fluid and vacuum RCM we’ve tried always leaves a tiny bit of residue, even after a second distilled water wash only. It’s not the end of the world as we know it, but if you have a highly resolving system, you might hear a slight bit of swishing noise, almost like a faint hiss from a tape deck with a lot of wow and flutter. The ultrasonic method has none of this.
Even with a brand new record, (which we always suggest you clean anyway) the level of surface noise eliminated by the Degritter is almost like putting a better grade of tubes in your phono preamplifier. That kind of thing.
If you add a Degritter to your vinyl setup, you will never have to reminisce about those “clicks and pops” again. And that’s a wonderful thing. PS: The Degritter was one of our two Product of the Year winners in the accessories category. Highly recommended.
LSA Diamond Headphones $1999 Review
August 29, 2023 Comments Off on LSA Diamond Headphones $1999 Review
https://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0721/LSA_Diamond_Headphones_Review.htm
Listening since 1979 to high-end gear and thousands of headphones the Diamond is one of the best designs for comfort and inner detail I have experienced.
Sound reproduction was explosive and dynamic. The Diamond had nailed the midrange and the treble and bass were outstanding. The transducer’s ability to extract detail was exceptional.
The Diamond’s strengths far outweigh any deficiency. Is it perfect? I have heard better layering in soundstage but usually with much higher priced headphones. Priced at $1999 this is a sure bet for any enthusiast looking for exceptional top-tier performance.
Michell Gyro SE – Where Design Meets Sound
August 29, 2023 Comments Off on Michell Gyro SE – Where Design Meets Sound
VIVA AUDIO EGOISTA STX ELECTROSTATIC HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER REVIEW
August 27, 2023 Comments Off on VIVA AUDIO EGOISTA STX ELECTROSTATIC HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER REVIEW
The Egoista STX is a visual work of art, and nothing else looks quite like it. Especially with the right body color and with all those tubes lit up. Sonically, it brought out more of what my ear speakers were capable of reproducing than what I thought was even possible. It made me love my L700s all the more. I have no doubt it will do the same with pricier and more resolving cans. Its sound was smooth, detailed, appealing, and very much bordering on addictive. It is simply one hell of a thing.
Yes, there are less expensive options out there to drive your electrostatic headphones. STAX, among others, makes some lovely upmarket solid-state and tube-based energizers. But as our Editor Emeritus John Johnson discovered in his Feliks Audio headphone amplifier review there is something unique and special about the sound of 300B tubes with headphones. And here, wrapped in their fine Italian bodywork, I am hard-pressed to think of anything else that makes as much of a statement or leaves as much of an impression as the Viva Audio Egoista STX. If you have the means, I most enthusiastically recommend an audition, post haste. You won’t regret it!
Verdant Audio Blackthorn 1 Monitor Speakers $9999 Review World Premiere
August 27, 2023 Comments Off on Verdant Audio Blackthorn 1 Monitor Speakers $9999 Review World Premiere
The above suggest an ongoing commitment to growth and innovation in high-end audio, whose objective remains focused on developing speakers that deliver extraordinary listening experiences. One can of course argue the perspective and attainability of a $6000 to $10,000 speaker budget relative to the average audiophile consumer. Perhaps more relevant however is to note the impressive and over-achieving musical presentation offered within the context of this price range.
As the flagship model, the Blackthorn 1 is truly an over-achieving monitor design, offering a massive and articulated stage to musical performance well beyond its modest size.
With the integration of a fine subwoofer, they offer an amazingly full-range presentation with fantastic imaging, rivaling my Daedalus Athena v.2 full-range reference speakers. Anyone seriously considering monitors that will serve a variety of high fidelity applications (and even those who thought a monitor would not be enough) should make every effort to audition these fine speakers. Highly recommended!
AUDIOPHILE 9.5.4 Dolby Atmos Theater Tour!
August 27, 2023 Comments Off on AUDIOPHILE 9.5.4 Dolby Atmos Theater Tour!
AudioQuest XLR Chronicles REVIEW
August 26, 2023 Comments Off on AudioQuest XLR Chronicles REVIEW
Before the AudioQuest Thunderbird and Firebird XLR interconnect cables arrived, the Wind was my go-to for AQ XLR connection. Aside from the Mythical Creatures cables, the Wind was the only AQ interconnect I had with the DBS technology. I’ve been using them a lot over the last few years.
The Wind, along with the other AQ XLR interconnect cables I have on hand, all belong to the Rivers & Elements series. It uses AQ’s Solid Perfect-Surface Silver (PSS) conductors.
While the Thunderbird and Firebird were downright triumphant when it came to disappearing within my system, the Wind wasn’t far behind. (In fact, I’ll venture to say that the Wind and the Thunderbird were fairly close in this respect, but still distant from the Firebird.) I also found that the Wind could approach the quiet, revealing nature of the Mythical Creatures cables when used with other grounding and noise-reduction products–such as those GroundGoody grounding wires. The Firebird and the Thunderbird, however, easily accomplished those goals with little or no assistance.
Audiophilepure 
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