Audiophilepure

Listening on the HD 800s feels natural and dynamic; a slight adjustment in the midrange using the built-in equalizer can enhance vocal harmonies and nuances, adding to a euphonic experience.

Switching to the K9 Pro ESS using the RCA connection sees a slight drop in resolution, but dynamics remain strong, with added warmth in the midrange.

The RCA output, while generally neutral and enjoyable, falls slightly behind the XLR connection in staging separation and texture, which remains audibly superior.

When using the coaxial output from the S15 with the K9 Pro ESS decoder, the mid-bass gains prominence, with vocals sounding richer and more naturally rounded.

Although Bluetooth decoding exhibits decent dynamics, it falls short of the quality provided by local playback or USB decoding. Notably so in its treble extension which lacks a sense of effortlessness and displays a more noticeable roll-off.

https://www.hifichoice.com/content/clean-your-vinyl-keith-monks-reduxtwo

The company explains that using the ReduxTwo means no recontamination of cleaning fluid, vacuuming system and disc surface: “cleaning the 1,000th record as well as the first”. It operates with a fast, deep clean wash followed by a Precision Point Suction Dry. It uses a SmoothFlowPro Brushless Pump, operates quietly, switches itself off and comes with a brush block holder and Pyr/\mat StayClean for 12in LP records.

It’s supplied with discOvery cleaning fluids for vinyl, shellac 78s, optical discs (CD, DVD, Blu-ray, etc.) and concentrate for extra dirty records and system cleaning. The vacuum system dries all sizes from 12in vinyl to 5in optical discs. Hand-built in the UK, brush block holders for 10in and 7in records come included as standard alongside a three-year warranty.

https://www.hifichoice.com/content/chord-electronics-bringss-alto-headphonenearfield-monitor-amplifier-masses

The Alto’s ULTIMA topology introduces the company’s dual-feed-forward error correction technology, which monitors then corrects signals before the output stage. The twin-input design benefits from both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs, as well as balanced XLR outs for bypass/throughput to other devices. The balanced XLR output can also be used in conjunction with headphones or loudspeakers in joint output mode.

The casework is precision-machined from aircraft-grade aluminium, with high-quality anodising undertaken locally. The front fascia includes volume control, power on/off and input selection controls, with colour-changing LEDs indicating power status and in/output choice. Alto measures 200 x 44.45 x 215mm (WxHxD) and a remote control comes supplied.

The Hifiman HE1000 Unveiled sports asymmetric and gently beveled ear pads like on the Susvara Unveiled, and they deliver excellent comfort as well. The inner side of the pads never touch your ears and the side grip/pressure sits just right in order to deliver the best comforts and performance.

With the Unveiled principle, the driver basically is very open an vulnerable. I however don’t see how you could damage the driver if you use the headphone like it is supposed to be used. That said, we have seen images of someone’s Unveiled driver being punctured. I have no idea how that happened there, but as not everyone is as careful, the Unveiled headphone come with magnetic covers. These nicely fit the outside of the ear cup, and this time round the magnetic force is perfect (unlike with the Susvara Unveiled). Anyway, this allows you to safely store the HE1000 Unveiled, without any risk of objects being absorbed by the magnetic driver.

https://www.stereophile.com/content/wilson-audio-specialties-wattpuppy-loudspeaker

Wilson’s inventory of synthetic materials used for the enclosure’s panels, modified and filled structural polymers and resins, has long moved on from Corian, the marble dust-loaded acrylic chosen for the original WATT. The panels mostly comprise synthetic structural material of differing densities, stiffness, and mechanical loss, or self-damping.

These “materials” include “S,” an epoxy-bonded composite optimal for the mid and treble driver baffles, and “X,” a filled, cured phenolic resin with high damping. The latest “V” formulation is a further development with still better vibration control. Accordingly, the “V” option has been chosen for the heavy-duty Puppy bass system’s top panel, which optimally mounts the machined alloy plate supporting the WATT assembly.

As a group, the Wilson-specified materials are consistently isotropic when required and although very hard, remain machineable, have essentially no grain or directional properties, and readily accept durable enamel lacquers for a very wide range of finishes. For the WATT/Puppy, in addition to five standard high-gloss colors which include GT Silver and Galaxy Grey, there are a further seven Upgrade finishes and 11 Pearl finishes in combination with seven grille colors. Finally, there is the modestly discounted “no grille option.”