Naim Uniti Atom Headphone Edition $3290 review
July 25, 2021 Comments Off on Naim Uniti Atom Headphone Edition $3290 review
https://www.whathifi.com/us/reviews/naim-uniti-atom-headphone-edition-review
What’s immediately apparent is how the Atom HE’s presentation opens up over the Atom, allowing for greater separation of instruments and extra space for even more superb levels of detail to fill. More refinement takes away some of the original Atom’s comparative crudeness and directness, and that goes hand-in-hand with a greater sense of control to create a more sophisticated soundstage. The headphones we use in testing have different characters and demands, and the Naim confidently feeds each with power and poise.
We play The Tallest Man on Earth’s There’s No Leaving Now and the Atom HE offers a notably wider window into the recording. Compared with the original Atom, there is extra subtlety to get under the texture and dynamic lilts of the piano keys, while also peeling another layer or two from his nasal vocals. Its extra insight better communicates the atmosphere of the production – the distant creaks of the space he’s recording in and the slight echo around his vocal. And the piano chords that later join to ride beneath his delivery are that bit more shapely, too. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable headphone experience.
PSB Synchrony T600 Loudspeaker $7,999 Review
July 25, 2021 Comments Off on PSB Synchrony T600 Loudspeaker $7,999 Review
https://www.soundandvision.com/content/psb-synchrony-t600-loudspeaker-review
The performance of the PSBs higher up the frequency range—untouched by Audyssey EQ— left little to be desired, clearly fleshing out delicate and dynamic percussive elements, from the lightly struck ride cymbal on the Dave Brubeck Quartet’s “Take Five” (still a reference-quality recording decades after it was first produced) to the overtones of the opening bass riff on Toto’s “I Will Remember.” While my measurements showed the high frequency response tapering off above 3kHz, the sound was never dull. I did occasionally hit +1 on the Denon’s Treble control depending on the source, but both the objective and subjective effects of that tweak were at best subtle.
Audionet Humboldt Integrated Amplifier $55,000 Review
July 24, 2021 Comments Off on Audionet Humboldt Integrated Amplifier $55,000 Review
Forgive me if I exclude any others in the top-tier integrated category, but the Gryphon Diablo 300, Dartzeel CTH-8550 mk2, Constellation Argo, Ypsilon Phaethon, Vitus MP-I201 (significantly more expensive than the Humboldt) and SIA-030, Pilium Leonidas, Absolare Integrated SE, Soulution 530, CH Precision I1 are all world class. The mighty Vitus MP-I201 sits regally at around $120k and, sadly, I have never heard it, so I cannot comment on its performance or value. Price-wise, the Humboldt sits at the penultimate price position, with the others ranging from the mid-$20k’s to the high $40k’s. Sonically, the Humboldt offers pure neutrality, an insanely low noise floor, and supreme dynamic prowess, while conveying music with passion, soul, and energy. The other choices I listed are all damn good, and range in personality from warm and engulfing, to ultra-dynamic, to hyper-accurate and resolving. I’d put the $40k Leonidas and the $40k Vitus SIA-030 as the most comparable tonally. Your listening tastes, budget, and current equipment will help to define which direction you need to look in. As a reviewer, it’s not my job to tell you what’s better or worse, or what to buy. It is my job to tell you what the review subject sounds like, and what’s worth an audition, and if it’s something I would consider purchasing. Well, the Humboldt is unquestionably worth listening to and absolutely worth buying if you have the means. I was sad to see it go, and even sadder the following day when it was no longer in my room. Highly recommended.
Audeze LCD-R Ribbon Headphones Review
July 24, 2021 Comments Off on Audeze LCD-R Ribbon Headphones Review
Yamaha A-S3200 $7500 Review
July 23, 2021 Comments Off on Yamaha A-S3200 $7500 Review
https://www.whathifi.com/us/reviews/yamaha-a-s3200
While the phono stage’s 47ohm moving magnet input impedance will work well with pretty much any cartridge of that type, it’s a little odd that Yamaha has chosen to go with a 50ohm value for the moving coil option. While MCs vary in terms of their loading requirements, a 100ohm value would have suited many more cartridges. It’s not a make-or-break situation, but you’ll need to be careful with the cartridge choice if you want optimal results.
Siltech Classic Legend 680L Speaker Cables $4899 Review
July 23, 2021 Comments Off on Siltech Classic Legend 680L Speaker Cables $4899 Review
While I’m not generally into cables or tweaks, Siltech’s Classic Legend 680L speaker cables captivated me. Yes, their build quality is excellent, their materials clearly first-rate, and Siltech’s corporate narrative emphasizing measurements and iterative improvements in metallurgy is compelling.
But for an audio component to earn my highest recommendation, I must be able to hear its contributions to my system’s ability to re-create the sounds of the music I love. Siltech’s Classic Legend 680L speaker cables gave me a lot of such contributions to hear. Their ability to reduce low-level distortion and artifacts below what my lower-cost copper cables could manage was as enjoyable as it was surprising.
WESTONE ES80 CUSTOM-FIT IN-EAR MONITORS REVIEW
July 22, 2021 Comments Off on WESTONE ES80 CUSTOM-FIT IN-EAR MONITORS REVIEW
Westone ES80 custom-fit in-ear monitors
Another signature design element Westone’s ‘Deep Open Bore’, which is a deeply flared mouth that is moulded into the outer openings of the Flex Canals and into which sounds from the driver sound outlet tubes flow. Westone says the Deep Open Bore helps provide “a smoother transition between the monitor mix and the ambient sound.” My point in providing all this construction detail is to indicate that Westone assiduously works to address key earpiece design issues that most competitors have yet to address.
This same care and attention to detail has gone into the selection of accessories provided with the ES80. The CIEMs ship in a watertight, internally padded Pelican carry case whose lid sports a Westone logo plate, and a top surface etched with the owner’s name, the CIEMs’ date of manufacture, and the unit’s serial/model number. Within the case are found an owner’s manual, a padded microfibre cleaning cloth, a cleaning tool/brush, a small vial of Oto-Ease fluid (a gentle lubricant users can apply to earpiece shells to facilitate smoother insertion and removal), and a renewable desiccant-filled pod to help prevent moisture damage to the CIEMs.
Audiophilepure 
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