Legacy Audio Signature SE Review
September 17, 2025 Comments Off on Legacy Audio Signature SE Review
Innuos Nazaré server/streamer $50,000 Review
September 16, 2025 Comments Off on Innuos Nazaré server/streamer $50,000 Review
https://www.stereophile.com/content/innuos-nazar%C3%A9-serverstreamer
When used as an all-in-one, the Nazaré’s internal PreciseNET serves as the RJ45 input and takes the place of either the PhoenixNET or the improved NazaréNET; the Nazaré’s PreciseUSB boards take the place of the NazaréFLOW’s reclocker stage, I2S via HDMI output, reclocked USB output, and DAC-specific outputs.What happened to the Statement Next-Gen? It has been discontinued. Innuos has simplified its product line to three series of products: STREAM series, ZEN Next-Gen, and Nazaré. Anyone who bought a new Statement NG from an authorized Innuos dealer from September 2024 on is eligible to trade in the Statement and apply a credit for its full purchase price to the price of the Nazaré. The offer is good through March 2026.
SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle Loudspeaker $5000 Review
September 16, 2025 Comments Off on SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle Loudspeaker $5000 Review
Now, with that all sorted out, how did these bad boys actually sound? Pretty darned good, all things considered. I combined the big SVS Speakers with a variety of amps, including my dual mono Benchmark AHB2 amps, my big Anthem STR power amp, bi-amplified using four channels of my AXIOM ADA-1000 5-channel amp, and a pair of XA60.8 Class A Monoblock power amps from Pass Labs. The speakers seemed to revel in the gobs of available power on tap from each combination. I’d be hard-pressed to pick an amplifier pairing from this lot that I liked best or that I thought subjectively sounded “superior.” If you put the preverbal “gun-to-my-head,” though, I would say the Pass Labs amps had a certain level of smoothness and just the right appealing level of warmth to their sound that mated especially well with these speakers. All the other amps were clean, transparent, and also sounded excellent in use, no question about it. However, using the Benchmark preamp, Pass Labs amps, and SVS speaker chain just had that little extra special something that made it “all systems GO!” Some out there might scoff at the notion of the SVS speakers being worthy of the Pass Labs amps, but I beg to differ.
EMM Labs PRE i stereo preamplifier Review
September 14, 2025 Comments Off on EMM Labs PRE i stereo preamplifier Review
I chose to play the last track on this CD of Bax’s 4th Symphony, the filler, “Tintagel”, one of Bax’s most well-known tone poems. To my happy surprise, it was an excellent listen. The top end was tamed. Everything was there that needed to be, glittering cymbals, potent brass, a decent amount of air, and space. The depth was not as good as it can be in more recent recordings, but the side-to-side imaging was excellent. While it would be fair to say the sound tilted toward the top, the effect did not interfere with the musicality of the presentation. And the bass was definitely there when it needed to be.
Audeze LCD-5 Review
September 14, 2025 Comments Off on Audeze LCD-5 Review
https://www.hifichoice.com/content/audeze-lcd-5
We use the 6.35mm adapter to connect the LCD-5 to a HD83 valve headphone amp and start off spinning an LP of Prokofiev’s Romeo And Juliet played by the LSO and conducted by André Previn. Movement No.13 Dance Of The Knights with the stately entry of knights in armour to the ball at the Capulet’s home really grabs the attention. The soundstage is very real and surprisingly wide considering we’re listening on headphones. The powerful marching rhythm and trumpet blasts that accompany the strings playing the main theme are strident and powerful, but not at all harsh. The orchestra has great air and space around the instruments, resulting in an authoritative performance.
Next up Steve Davis’ recording of To Wisdom, The Prize from live LP We See. The trumpet, trombone and saxophone are really clean and bright but not at all edgy. The backing from piano, bass and drums is in perfect proportion to the brass instruments, while the bass is tight and punchy. The piano in particular sounds very natural and beautifully reproduced.
Turning to a classic recording of Barbra Streisand singing Tomorrow to see how it fares with vocals, the LCD-5 presents Streisand’s voice in front of the sparkling and clear orchestral backing, and there is a very natural depth to the recording. The performance is very real and the music exudes refinement throughout the entire track.
AirTight ATM-1e tube amplifier Review
September 13, 2025 Comments Off on AirTight ATM-1e tube amplifier Review
https://www.hifinews.com/content/airtight-atm-1e
Ultimately, what convinced me that the AirTight ATM-1e is more than the sum of its parts was monumental bass from an all-but-forgotten demo-worthy CD, Clannad’s 1989 compilation Pastpresent [BMG PD74074]. Naturally, the gorgeous vocals showed off the ATM-1e’s super-sweet, sibilance-free top-end. But I was not prepared for the room-filling mass of the opening of ‘White Fool’, almost Kodō-like in its grandeur. Then I remembered: AirTight is Japanese. Who better to deal with the drums of giants?
Hi-Fi News Verdict
AirTight’s ATM-1e ticks every box defining a stereo tube power amplifier of true usability and practicality, with a price reflected in superb perceived value. If there truly is a category for ‘entry-level high-end’, this fits the bill. It’s an artisanal amp offering exceptional musicality, more than sufficient power and – if this matters to you as it does to me – shameless pride of ownership. Pride may be a sin, but if so, then sin on, sinners.
Audiophilepure 
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