Polk Audio Reserve Series R200 Review
September 11, 2021 Comments Off on Polk Audio Reserve Series R200 Review
The R200 has very good inter-driver coherence—genuine, of-a-piece comradery between the tweeter and mid/bass transducers. This is confirmed by the focused, rock-stable images the speaker conveys. This image focus benefits backup harmonies and larger vocal groupings, which are reproduced with great articulation. The backing synth drums during Linda Ronstadt’s “Poor Poor Pitiful Me” were revealed with all their tuneful electronic timbre intact. Even the insistent clang of the cowbell during the song’s intro registered with naturalism. Orchestral layering, inner detail, and low-level cues were reasonably well resolved, as well. Overall, these fine-tuned aspects of the performance weren’t quite on a par with the transparency or sense of dimension of a Magnepan or an MBL, but this elite company didn’t embarrass the R200, either.
FIIO M11 PLUS LTD $799 REVIEW
September 10, 2021 Comments Off on FIIO M11 PLUS LTD $799 REVIEW
. THX have achieved their goal with the THX AAA-78*2 amplifier architecture of providing a powerful dynamic low distortion and linear solution for portable devices, and FiiO’s implementation takes full advantage of its characteristics. Plus the AKM AK4497EQ is simply one of the most musical DAC chips available, and again FiiO’s utilization and support of this chip is completely admirable, wringing the best possible sound from it.
With its musicality, versatility, and power, it would not be a stretch to say that the M11 Plus LTD is the best portable solution in its price range, able to fulfill almost any use requirement whether as a DAP, a portable USB, or Bluetooth DAC/Amp or a music server for a Bluetooth speaker system. I would say that it would be of benefit to grab up the limited edition bit of magic while they are still available, a full wholehearted recommendation.
Naim ND555DAC and PS555 Power Supply Review
September 10, 2021 Comments Off on Naim ND555DAC and PS555 Power Supply Review
REVIEW: Naim ND555DAC and PS555 Power Supply
Yes, build quality at this level is superb, and of course, thousands of hours of research, testing, and prototyping went in the front door. But in the end, when you compare the finest DACs at this price point as a whole, they still outperform the DACs a click or two down. Finally, when you graduate to a player at this level, there is no more regret. You won’t find yourself sitting in the listening chair pondering, “if it only did a little more of this, or a little less of that.” Build quality, execution, ergonomics, and most of all, sound quality are all top. Another thought to ponder: because Naim can build a product at this level makes their entry-level digital products equally compelling. There’s a deep pool of knowledge to swim in, so even if you can’t play at the top of the mountain, it’s still a good day wherever you can be. Naim makes a fantastic $3k player because they have the engineering chops to make a $40k player.
Naim digital players are at the top of the mountain when capturing music’s pace and timing. There is a correctness here that is achieved by precious few digital players, and when listening to acoustic instruments, everything in the mix feels as if it’s the proper size and has correct spatial relationships. Some players can feel overblown, yet with the ND555, you can hear the difference between an upright Steinway and a Grand. This level of musicality will have you looking at your turntable, wondering if you really need to fuss with vinyl anymore. It’s that good.
Aavik Acoustics I-180 Integrated Amplifier, D-180 DAC, and S-180 Streamer / Network Player Review
September 8, 2021 Comments Off on Aavik Acoustics I-180 Integrated Amplifier, D-180 DAC, and S-180 Streamer / Network Player Review
I often said to myself that I was impressed by this integrated amplifier, that for a Class D amplifier, it sounded excellent. However, as I got further into the review period, I stopped thinking that it was an outstanding Class D integrated amplifier, but simply an outstanding integrated amplifier, especially at its price. I thought this true even after reinstalling it into my system after listening to my reference. Of course, I have heard better, but these amps had much less power and far fewer features than this very good-looking integrated amplifier.
The I-180’s front-panel covering red LED display was easy to read even from across the room, and the intangibles of this amplifier, as many settings can be changed by the user. I would have liked a subwoofer output, but other than that, there wasn’t much more than I would have liked.
Audio Psychoacoustics – Real or Imagined?
September 8, 2021 Comments Off on Audio Psychoacoustics – Real or Imagined?
How we sense what we hear is also a listening experience based on a different set of parameters than mechanical. Our perception of what we hear may be influenced by our mood and how our brain tells us we are feeling at any one point in time. Hearing perception is likely the reason my system sounded so spectacular after a three-week absence when logic and common sense tells me it should have sounded exactly the same as before.
Bowers & Wilkins 800 D4 Diamond Series Review
September 8, 2021 Comments Off on Bowers & Wilkins 800 D4 Diamond Series Review
Stenheim Alumine 2 Speakers $11,800 Review
September 7, 2021 Comments Off on Stenheim Alumine 2 Speakers $11,800 Review
The Stenheim Alumine 2 Speakers
The all-aluminum enclosure is beautiful to behold, and the level of execution is terrific. If you are a qualityphile and an audiophile, you will completely geek out on the absence of fasteners and the perfectly seamless assembly of the enclosure. The textures and finsh on both the front baffle and the rest of the case is equally flawless. Stenheim’s Jean-Pascal Panchard tells me that even though it looks like anodizing, they use a fine-structure powder coating process. This is an incredibly durable way to coat aluminum, assuring that these speakers will look like new 30 years from now.
Helius Designs Viridia Turntable and Phaedra Tonearm $7195 Review
September 7, 2021 Comments Off on Helius Designs Viridia Turntable and Phaedra Tonearm $7195 Review
Yet, the Phaedra and Viridia could play with superb finesse when called for—possessing a feathery touch with the most delicate of sounds. When I played “Clair de Lune,” the famed solo piano piece by composer Claude Debussy, its achingly slow tempo, as performed by Ivan Moravec on Debussy (Connoisseur Society 1866), was exquisite. The beautiful chiming of the right-hand melody came like chiffon clouds over a plein-air landscape in progress. Moravec’s notes rose in the soundstage as though from an actual piano, the image of his big, concert grand high as the ceiling and wide as the walls of my listening room. Isolated, individual notes came ghostily, sending teasing chills like soft snowflakes landing on still pond water.
Audiophilepure 
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