Vera-Fi A40 Power Amplifier – World’s 1st $2,000 Review!
September 25, 2024 Comments Off on Vera-Fi A40 Power Amplifier – World’s 1st $2,000 Review!
In conclusion, the A40 is an excellent anchor for a sub-$20k hifi system without having to go used or DIY. While you can’t bridge them (again, there goes the magic), using a pair of these in a vertical biamp type system could be incredibly good for those craving more dynamic headroom.
The A40 delivers so much performance for the money the only reasonable comparison I could come up with was the PrimaLuna EVO 100. At about $2,600, this 38 wpc tube amp is equally robust but very different. Of course, the tube amp has even more tonal saturation, especially the midrange – but the tubes don’t control the bottom end as succinctly as the A40 does. Highs are different in presentation, with the A40 being more resolving and the EVO 100 being more silky smooth.
These two power amplifiers represent the best values going in a low powered tube or solid-state amplifier period, end of story. Some of you will have to have tubes, while others will insist on solid-state. If you’re on the fence, I suggest the A40 because you’ll never have to replace tubes.
Dynaudio Contour 30i loudspeaker $9500 Review
September 22, 2024 Comments Off on Dynaudio Contour 30i loudspeaker $9500 Review
https://www.stereophile.com/content/dynaudio-contour-30i-loudspeaker
The Contours sounded impeccably well-designed, built to exacting standards. You can hear this in a few ways: its symmetrical, single-voice cohesion; its colorful transparency; its authentic-seeming tonality; its dynamic ambience; its orderly and clean disposition. It was, in many ways, reminiscent of my time in Denmark.
After that first five-second high had leveled off into a sustained phase of euphoric well-being, I thought, This is why better sound is worth it. Because it proved again that the farther we can hear into the performance, the more it has the power to touch us. That’s the fundamental premise on which our hobby is built. It would also seem to have been the fundamental premise on which the 30i was built.
Spotify Review
September 22, 2024 Comments Off on Spotify Review
https://www.whathifi.com/spotify/review
As you’d reasonably expect, Spotify’s free tier isn’t nearly as robust as Premium, but there is still a lot on offer. Of course, the adverts must be tolerated – and they pop up every few songs. Sound quality is capped at 128kbps on its web player and approximately 160kbps on its desktop and mobile apps. Free users can’t ‘download’ songs to listen to offline, nor can they get full control of playback; save for some ‘Pick and Play’ playlists, albums and playlists can only be shuffled. The free service does offer access to most of Spotify’s premium library, though, including the ‘Discover Weekly’ playlist, one of the real jewels of Spotify’s music discovery algorithms.
Unsurprisingly, more folks take advantage of the free tier than the paid-for one – roughly 380 million compared to 246 million – but Spotify’s paying subscribers have grown by around 30 per cent in the past two years and are significantly higher in number than the competition.
There’s plenty to persuade people to go Premium: improved audio quality (approximately 320kbps), offline listening, the freedom to search and skip tracks on all platforms and, of course, no adverts. Spotify Connect, which allows Premium subscribers to cast the catalogue directly to the vast number of compatible speakers, TVs and audio systems on the market today, remains one of the biggest draws.
First Listen: dCS Varèse DAC system
September 22, 2024 Comments Off on First Listen: dCS Varèse DAC system
DanaCables Lazuli Vocalise for Abyss AB1266 Review
September 21, 2024 Comments Off on DanaCables Lazuli Vocalise for Abyss AB1266 Review
I’ve heard less variation in these headphones changing amplifiers actually, so the Lazuli Vocalise really were doing something that I’ve never heard on an aftermarket cable upgrade. This cable helped Norah’s voice shine through like I’ve never experienced with the AB1266 Phi TC headphones. Bass was also very clear, taught, and punchy, and all without bleeding into the midrange. This cable seemed to offer a concrete fence between the bass and mid-range like no other. With cheaper cables, this area could be smeared a smidge, that the Lazuli Vocalise controlled the speaker-like bass of these headphones with such precision had me truly impressed. Finally, the sense of air and space with this cable was also a cut above both the stock cable and other after-market cables I have tried (all costing significantly less). The sound staging was literally the best I’ve ever experienced. So while not cheap, if you are looking for the “final piece to your Phi TC puzzle”, this cable might be exactly what you’re looking for!
Clearaudio Concept Signature £3116 Review
September 21, 2024 Comments Off on Clearaudio Concept Signature £3116 Review
https://www.hifinews.com/content/clearaudio-concept-signature
I couldn’t resist swapping the Concept V2 MM pick-up for my regular Clearaudio MC Essence and was surprised by the uplift in performance. The Concept V2 MM is no slouch, despite being a ‘budget’ pick-up, but the MC Essence opened the door to a wider soundstage and a generally punchier sound, all the while illustrating what the Concept Signature turntable and Profiler arm have lurking in the tank.
It also added a welcome crispness to the high treble that is otherwise slightly muted by the softer balance of the Concept V2 MM. The good news, clearly, is that while the package reviewed here makes for a potent combination, there’s still untapped potential to be realised.
Audiophilepure 
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