HIFIMAN Mini Shangri-La Electrostatic Headphone System Review
January 23, 2025 Comments Off on HIFIMAN Mini Shangri-La Electrostatic Headphone System Review
All headphones are analytical as they put you where the microphones are, not out in the auditorium or at a distance from the studio musicians. As a result, you will hear things that get buried on regular speakers, like people juggling with music stands or traffic outside. Even the low rumble of air conditioning and air rushing by the microphones was audible to a degree I don’t hear them on other headphones, and certainly not speakers.
I auditioned these headphones through a variety of sources, most often a FiiO M15 portable DAP which has excellent sound and can play any file format of music. I also listened while hooked up to my Eversolo DMP-A6, an excellent pre-amp streaming source, which offered me my Roon based collection of high-resolution files and CD rips. I used the analog outs to directly connect to the HIFIMAN amp. I also hooked up my trusty reel-to-reel machine for some pure analog (and a lot of well reproduced tape hiss).
AGD Productions SOLO Limited Edition GaN-Power Monoblock Amplifiers $12,999 Review
January 23, 2025 Comments Off on AGD Productions SOLO Limited Edition GaN-Power Monoblock Amplifiers $12,999 Review
We subsequently chose to pursue a double rectification stage with a smart-rectifier topology that effectively eliminates all unwanted noise generated by standard silicon-based rectifiers, and with much lower power losses. A power supply design based on a transformer with very stringent magnetic and electrical characteristics necessitates sourcing from a highly capable manufacturer. – A challenge we have struggled with for an extended period. We found a world-class specialized manufacturer in Macerata, Marche, Italy, who also serves many well-known brands in the High-End market.
Göbel High End Divin Majestic Installation
January 23, 2025 Comments Off on Göbel High End Divin Majestic Installation
the new owner of this system – was a real gentleman with great music and high-end audio knowledge. Audio Exotics – our distributor for Hong Kong and China – was as always a very experienced partner with extraordinary, profound knowledge.
Magico M7 Loudspeaker $375,000 Review
January 22, 2025 Comments Off on Magico M7 Loudspeaker $375,000 Review
Pass Labs X150.8 Stereo Amplifier Rerview
January 22, 2025 Comments Off on Pass Labs X150.8 Stereo Amplifier Rerview
There’s a reason that so many have such high regard for Pass Labs products, and despite the X150.8 having the status as the entry-level class A/B stereo power .8 amplifier, it’s a stellar performer and continues to power my two-channel listening and reviewing experience to new levels of elation and satisfaction. For its timeless design and ability to consistently drive loudspeakers like the ATC SCM40s (which, ironically, is the largest loudspeaker in ATC’s Entry Series), as well as others like my Usher ML-802 loudspeakers, to reference levels, I’m both flabbergasted and elated. To have such a balanced and powerful reference tool at my fingertips is extremely gratifying. Like a prime Scottie Pippen, teamed up with other world-class players, it can drive your game to championship status! And as such, I not only heartily recommend it, but I have purchased my review sample.
Vivid Audio Kaya S12 standmount speaker Review
January 22, 2025 Comments Off on Vivid Audio Kaya S12 standmount speaker Review
https://www.hifinews.com/content/vivid-audio-kaya-s12-standmount-speaker
Finally, at the end of long listening sessions, I found myself winding down with Brad Mehldau’s recent Après Fauré album [Nonesuch Records; 96kHz/24-bit download], featuring arrangements of works by the French composer. Here, the jazz pianist gives delicate, detailed readings that the Vivid Audio speakers translated into one of those ‘piano in the room’ experiences so, er, vivid was their sound. This wonderful, dreamy music proved these unusual and remarkable speakers can do everything from the massive to the minute with equal excellence.
PureAudioProject Duet 15 Loudspeaker $8,490 Review
January 21, 2025 Comments Off on PureAudioProject Duet 15 Loudspeaker $8,490 Review
For designers who have a developed musical point of view, the choice among speaker categories is thoughtful and intentional. That makes reviewing their products particularly enjoyable and educational for me. For it is their musical point of view as well as the extent to which they can realize their vision that drives them and interests me. Every familiar speaker type has desirable characteristics – from a particular musical point of view – as well as those that present challenges to realizing their vision in practice. Unsurprisingly a conventional ‘wisdom’ appears to have developed regarding both the virtues and vices associated with each speaker type.
For example, conventional wisdom has it that because planars, electrostatics, and open baffle designs lack enclosures they cannot fully pressurize the drivers and thus lack ultimate dynamics and are limited in their capacity to play at significant volumes that some music calls for. On the other hand, horns and enclosed boxes are commonly criticized for their ‘honking’ and box colorations, respectively.
Constellation Audio Statement Amplifier
January 21, 2025 Comments Off on Constellation Audio Statement Amplifier
Constellation Audio writes: “The captivating glow of Statement’s illuminated power meters and sculpted titanium top grid only hint at the power and performance inside.Immerse yourself in an audio experience where exquisite design and unbridled power deliver unparalleled sound quality. Take your listening to the limit with amplifiers that redefine what “Ultimate” really sounds like.”
Tour of PS Audio’s new Listening Lab
January 21, 2025 Comments Off on Tour of PS Audio’s new Listening Lab
Topping Centaurus Review
January 19, 2025 Comments Off on Topping Centaurus Review
Let’s get the obvious out of the way, the Centaurus doesn’t sound like old triple-crown Philips TDA1544 implementations old guys keep around to listen to female vocals exclusively. Both Holo and Topping have created a very versatile DAC that excels with physical instruments but never falters if you throw it some Moderat or even Haus Arafna. The Centaurus will gallop along wherever your musical tastes will lead. I felt that my amp choices made a larger impact on the genre versatility of the overall system.
When it comes to timbre the Centaurus is more organic than most chip-based DACs I’ve heard but less coloured than other usual-suspect R2Rs. The highlight here is the mids which are rendered in a way that translates supreme realism. Of course, it has to be there in the recording in the first place. The bass is deep and insightful but to be honest I can’t remember the last time I’ve heard bad bass from a DAC. Treble is okay but I’ve heard more finesse from some AKM-based implementations.
Audiophilepure 
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