Magnavox Console Stereo Record Player Repair
October 20, 2021 Comments Off on Magnavox Console Stereo Record Player Repair
AURALiC Sirius G2.1 and Aries G2.1 $7189 Review
October 18, 2021 Comments Off on AURALiC Sirius G2.1 and Aries G2.1 $7189 Review
So what can the Sirius do? It can upsample of course, and it can change formats between PCM and DSD or vice versa. It supports up to DSD 512 and PCM sample rates up to 384kHz. It is a re-clocker, because all of its digital inputs are cached, and then re-clocked using not one but three 72fps clocks. The Sirius can also perform speaker placement compensation, and supports full parametric EQ functionality. On top of all of this, it also provides digital volume control, and while not as good as an analog volume control, in my testing I found it to be a better then using a source device (such as a streamer or a computer) to control the volume digitally.
Now some of you may wonder why you need an up-sampler. Many DACs, after all, support many different sample rates, and many argue that you cannot “create or add detail” if it is not there. We will talk about the create/add detail part a little later but let’s focus on other DACs first.


Rotel RA-1572MKII Integrated Amplifier $2,099 Review
October 18, 2021 Comments Off on Rotel RA-1572MKII Integrated Amplifier $2,099 Review
https://www.soundandvision.com/content/rotel-ra-1572mkii-integrated-amplifier-review
And that brings me to the Rotel’s streaming features, which are limited to USB-audio (excellent, but of limited flexibility) and Bluetooth (meh). An obvious advantage would be built-in wired/wireless audio streaming such as many integrated amplifiers of similar cost already include, or a standalone network music player sitting on the shelf next to the RA-1572MKII, though Rotel does not offer one. The absence of both Wi-Fi and Airplay, which Roon among many other popular music-player/integrator/distribution applications employs as a pathway of last resort along with Chromecast built-in, only exacerbates this lack. And while the snootier level of audio snobs may scoff at Apple’s AirPlay as being “only” CD-quality-capable, in my experience it works just fine for serious listening. But to be clear, the RA-1572 MKII is certified as Roon Tested, and it worked flawlessly with Roon in my system via its USB input.



Antipodes Audio K50 music server Review
October 17, 2021 Comments Off on Antipodes Audio K50 music server Review
https://www.stereophile.com/content/antipodes-audio-k50-music-server
I listened to files on my NAS (accessed via Ethernet), the same files on the slide-in SSD, and streams from Tidal and Qobuz sourced, again, through Ethernet. Outputs included AES3, USB, and (very briefly) Ethernet. Noting that single AES3 cannot reliably transmit files >24/192 PCM or DSD higher than DSD64, I stuck with files that could be played with every combination and permutation available for testing (footnote 5).
I won’t bore you with a description of the unit’s front and rear panels; anyone who is interested in buying a music server can access antipodes.audio for far more information than this review can hold. It suffices to say that the learning curve was steep and the time limited; the bugs and quirks of beta software, combined with the lack of a manual (which will probably be remedied by publication time), were a challenge. But in the end


Dynaudio Emit 20 Review
October 17, 2021 Comments Off on Dynaudio Emit 20 Review
https://www.whathifi.com/us/reviews/dynaudio-emit-20
The mid/bass driver and tweeter work together using a custom-designed crossover from the same team behind Dynaudio’s Heritage Special and Core speakers. The Emit 20 use a hybrid first- and second-order design for the tweeter and woofer respectively.
On the back of the Emit 20 you’ll find single-wired connections and a new dual-flared bass-reflex port. A rear-firing port arrangement makes speakers more sensitive to placement, so we’d try to refrain from tucking the ’20s up against a rear wall or into the corners of a room. We also found a little toe-in towards our listening position helped give the stereo image greater focus.

McIntosh, Sonus faber & Bassocontinuo
October 17, 2021 Comments Off on McIntosh, Sonus faber & Bassocontinuo
Audio Research • Reference 160S Stereo Amplifier $22,000 Review
October 16, 2021 Comments Off on Audio Research • Reference 160S Stereo Amplifier $22,000 Review
http://www.theaudiobeat.com/equipment/audio_research_reference_160s.htm
But the improvements found in the Reference 160S are not limited to the lower regions. Two further aspects stood out. First, the reorganization of the lower bits carried along the rest of the frequency ranges, no doubt because the improvements in the foundation work like a pyramid. If the bottom layer is not level and steady, what rests above it wastes precious energy trying to find its footing. Second, the Reference 160S, mated in my system with ARC’s Reference 6 SE preamplifier and Reference Phono 3 SE, really showed the advantages that come with genuine synergy of components. Each of these products has the same new capacitors and wiring changes; these are significant in isolation, but when added together they result in improvement that exceeds the sum of the parts. The preamplifier and phono stage each opened up the soundstage and better defined the space between notes. Adding the Reference 160S to the mix added pitch stability and speed, inching the sound of the combination bit by bit closer to the best that solid state has to offer, while at the same time maintaining and improving upon the bloom and grace that define ARC’s tube sound. Symphonic recordings kept getting better with the addition of each piece of ARC’s latest-generation equipment, the addition of the Reference 160S adding the powerful tone of the amp’s bottom end to the nuanced sound of the front-end components. Hearing Kleiber’s famous (and familiar) rendition of Beethoven’s Fifth [Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft 2530 516] through this amplifier convinced me that this recording, even after countless plays, still has layers of detail previously submerged and dynamics tamped down awaiting excavation.

System Audio Legend 40.2 Silverback Loudspeaker Review
October 16, 2021 Comments Off on System Audio Legend 40.2 Silverback Loudspeaker Review
https://www.hifinews.com/content/system-audio-legend-402-silverback-loudspeaker
In addition to onboard amplification, the introduction of the Silverback module (the passive Legend 40.2 can be upgraded if desired) replaces binding posts with a USB service port and IEC mains socket, plus an XLR input for wired connection to a balanced preamplifier. Around these are a series of status LED lights that signify the channel position of the speaker when used with the wireless Stereo Hub. For a two-channel set-up, it’s just a case of assigning one as right and one as left, but it also caters to multichannel installations (centre, surround back, etc), if the speaker is paired with the eight-channel Surround Hub.
System Audio’s hubs use wireless WiSA technology to stream a 96kHz/24-bit signal direct to the Silverback speaker, and both models are well endowed in terms of source connectivity. USB-B, HDMI ARC, coaxial and optical (x3) digital, plus RCA and 3.5mm analogue, and Bluetooth, Chromecast, Spotify Connect and Apple AirPlay wireless hook-ups should be enough for anyone using these speakers.
In practice you’ll utilise the hub to stream music direct from your home network or streaming service, and SA’s RAM Tweaks to massage the sound. But the flexibility doesn’t stop there. The company’s app-based EQ facility, Room Service, which aims to smooth in-room response below 300Hz is now integrated into the comprehensive SA Cockpit app. This includes a three-preset manual parametric EQ adjustment with gain and Q value control across the full spectrum. It’s a powerful tool, but with power also comes responsibility

PrimaLuna EVO 300 Tube Power Amp Review
October 16, 2021 Comments Off on PrimaLuna EVO 300 Tube Power Amp Review
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