Audiophilepure

https://www.hifinews.com/content/aavik-i-188-integrated-amplifier

Using a plain ol’ ‘Red Book’ CD, and satisfying my need to hear mono as well as stereo, the title track from The Door Is Still Open by ’50s R&B group The Cardinals [Collectibles COL-CD-9977] provides the listener with not one but two peerless performances. The first is the exceptional voice of Ernie Warren – a god among doo-wop singers – while the second is the absolutely remarkable saxophone solo from jazz legend Johnny Griffin. You know the drill: the sax seemed to leap from the speakers, while the detail was borderline clinical.

For a 70-year-old recording, the sound quality is almost embarrassing. Hearing it through a no-holds-barred amplifier of such pellucidity, even if from the CD rather than the rare, original 45rpm single, should be mandatory for those who deem anything non-digital (in origin) as prehistoric. Through the I-188, the playback was as vivid as I have heard it, and this song is played to death in my listening diet.

Cashing in

Still, I needed a dose of another mono gem and it was the ‘redneck’ bass on Johnny Cash’s Hot And Blue Guitar [Intervention IT-039] that captured my attention with its solid central image, and no ‘mono’ button to push. As for his voice, the textures were enough to make even a stereo-only enthusiast nod in admiration.