dCS Bartók APEX with Headphone Amplifier $24,100 Review
January 6, 2026 § Leave a comment
Hands down, the Bartók APEX is the finest sounding DAC I have ever listened to; in fact, it’s the finest sounding DAC/Headphone Amplifier I have heard. Are there better stand-alone amplifiers? Yes, the dCS Lina comes to mind for solid-state, and of course, if you want the tube sound, you would have to shop elsewhere anyway. Is it worth $24,100? Absolutely, if you want the state-of-the-art and have the pocketbook to afford it. You will get many more hours of pleasure out of it than you would spending the same amount on an upgrade to a higher-end luxury car.
In the long run, whatever shortcomings the Bartók APEX has are in the Mosaic Control software, which will, in all likelihood, improve as time passes.
Just a quick note on the Moon Audio Bronze Dragon Cables, they were definitely a welcome upgrade to Black Dragon Cables I was running previously, and the Bronze Dragon Headphone Cable was certainly a cut above the already high-end cable that the SUSVARA UNVEILED comes with, I should be doing a complete review of them in the near future.
World Premiere Review! MC Audiotech TL-8 Floorstanding Loudspeaker $15,000 Review
January 6, 2026 § Leave a comment
The MC Audiotech TL-8 floorstander is a fascinating loudspeaker for serious listeners who want much of the company’s flagship sound in a more approachable package at $15,000 to $17,000 per pair, depending on the finish selected. The unique WBLS (Wide-Band Line-Source) driver technology creates a seamless, natural presentation, coupled with the transmission-line woofer. It offers a compact footprint relative to the recreated performances’ volume and projection. Their high efficiency makes them compatible with a wide range of amplifiers.
For Enjoy the Music.com‘s luxury-minded enthusiasts, I found their distinctive design doubles as a conversation piece and an aesthetically pleasing object. Placement and room acoustics are always crucial for unlocking the full potential of a speaker of this caliber. With its combination of innovative driver design, transmission-line bass, and sculptural aesthetics, it offers both sonic refinement and visual drama. For those seeking something beyond the conventional high-end box speaker, the TL-8 is a compelling choice and works well in a dedicated home music room or as a lovely part of the living room’s décor.
Pass Labs Lowers HPA-1c Headphone Amplifier Review
January 5, 2026 § Leave a comment
I reached out to Wayne Colburn, advising him of my findings, and inquiring if the new changes implemented in the HPA-1C are to target the measured distortion and “noise” that Amir Majidimehr, an electrical engineer and former executive in digital media whose popular site, Audio Science Review (ASR) critiques audio equipment solely based on measurements—an approach which Schiit Audio partner and designer, Mike Moffat, said, “boil down to mosquito farts in the context of jet engines” in my 2021 interview with him (HERE).
“I know that for some audio aficionados, measurements are king,” I write. “As I recall, (Schiit Audio partner) Jason Stoddard mentioned a DAC in a YouTube video that measured better in an apparent nod to their demands. Is that the case with the HPA-1c? If I could have some clarification from Wayne Colburn on the noise the HPA-1c targets, as well as what methods he employs to ameliorate it, that would be helpful.”
Effect Audio DIONYSUS $429 Review
January 5, 2026 § Leave a comment
Sub-bass reaches lower, rumbles a touch longer, and stays tighter, so you feel the depth without the bloat. The mid-bass sheds a layer of grain and keeps the impact level intact. It stays controlled and a touch more refined, so you can use it with mid-bass-heavy IEMs without any bother.
In the midrange, I hear more musicality, with note trails carrying a hint of sweetness, so with this cable, the midrange springs to life. Even with a bit of warmth under the hood, the details are not eclipsed, and the energy stays intact.
Vocals gain some weight and nuance. Male vocals are a tad thicker and denser, while female vocals pick up a touch of syrup. The vocals sit a bit more forward, feel more nuanced, and step into the spotlight. Upper midrange energy does not change much; at most, it gets a little smoother.
In the treble, air and sparkle are not hit, which was my initial fear. The treble becomes more even in its presentation, so exaggerated peaks settle into a steadier line. Notes are a touch more resolving. It does not overhaul treble delivery, but it adds body to the notes, so detail comes through better.
Nothing jumps out of place, and the overall coherence stays intact even when the track gets dense. Timbre keeps a natural color, so instruments sound believable and vocals stay lifelike
English Acoustics Downton Review
January 3, 2026 § Leave a comment
https://www.hifichoice.com/content/english-acoustics-downton
It’s difficult to fault, even at this price. Arguably its only downside is that it lacks balanced operation. Some purists won’t like this, but others won’t be in the least bit bothered. In absolute sonic terms it lacks just a touch of transparency and there’s a subtle softening of dynamic peaks. Yet its delicate, atmospheric treble more than makes up for this. Indeed its sheer breadth of ability shines through with a London Philharmonic Orchestra reading of Ralph Vaughan Williams’ A London Symphony. It’s an exhilarating listen that’s tremendously musically articulate.
Last but not least is the moving-magnet phono stage. Some people will not buy the Downton for this, but it’s great to know you’ve got it. A Technics SL-1200G/Ortofon Concorde Music Bronze spinning The Stone Roses’ Fools Gold shows its intrinsic quality; there’s a lovely, lilting groove from the percussion and rhythm guitar that transports you right to the heart of the music. It’s infectiously fluid – dreamy, even – and a reminder of just how special well-designed valve phono stages can sound.
Matrix Audio MP1 and MA1 Review
January 3, 2026 § Leave a comment
I have spent a considerable amount of time with the Matrix Audio MP-1/MA-1 pre and power amplifiers. Arthur at Power Holdings Inc and Mr. Cao at Matrix Audio should be commended for their patience with me while I asked questions regarding the manufacturing process of these components. These two pieces stayed in my system for a number of months and I became intimately familiar with them. What I have experienced reflects the vision and goals that Mr. Yang Jing has for Matrix Audio, and provides insights into what the future may hold for high performance audio in East Asia. The circuit design of these components are based on solid engineering principles, and have been implemented with precision manufacturing processes. The innovative H frame that is the heart of these two components provides a robust foundation for the power supply, audio boards, and output devices to be anchored to. Parts are either machined in company owned facilities, or sourced from the finest suppliers such as WBT, Mundorf, or ONSEMI. The machined aluminum panels are works of art with impeccable fit and finish. The controls and operation of the MP-1 preamplifier are as smooth and refined as a courtier to the royal family. The MA-1 amplifier is reminiscent of a finely tuned sports car where power and control are the calling cards of the day. I suspect the power output rating of 250 WPC is a conservative one, as this amplifier has no difficulty controlling the woofers in my JBL 4367 monitor speakers, and the volume levels I achieved were spectacular.
PMC twenty5.23i Active Review
January 2, 2026 § Leave a comment
https://www.hifichoice.com/content/pmc-twenty523i-active
Interestingly, something I’ve long regarded as a slight shortcoming of the 23i might also have been dealt with too. Pushing the speaker at high levels with bass-heavy music can result in the bass taking on a quality that isn’t so much the port becoming audible, but there being a sense of air moving to help achieve it. I had felt that this was a baked-in element of the performance and something that’s an acceptable trade-off for the sheer heft that the 23i delivers. The presence of the Bluesound NODE ICON on test at the same time – able to function as a preamp with Dirac room optimisation – demonstrates that this need not be the case. It tightens up the low-end of the PMC considerably, keeping the impact but tightening up everything to be even cleaner and more potent. I suspect that the same can also be achieved with a little room treatment if you’re invested in extracting the most from the PMC.
Audiophilepure 
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