Modwright SWL9.0, PH 9.0 and KWA SE100 Review
April 5, 2019 Comments Off on Modwright SWL9.0, PH 9.0 and KWA SE100 Review
BOULDER AMPLIFIERS 1110 PRE-AMPLIFIER AND 1160 AMPLIFIER REVIEW
April 1, 2019 Comments Off on BOULDER AMPLIFIERS 1110 PRE-AMPLIFIER AND 1160 AMPLIFIER REVIEW
“Thirty-four years of engineering focus has given Boulder time to learn more efficient and effective ways to construct its gear, with build quality that routinely functions for a decade plus of set-it-and-forget-it life spans, better heat dissipation, plus ARM Chip inclusion for web capabilities as well as advanced power management and circuit protection. I have not found any area that has not been considered for improvement. And, the music! Absolutely musical! I could not detect any colour being inserted by the Boulder siblings. They did not offer a warm, cool, or shaded tonal signature. Everything was by the book, whatever was the disc, LP, or streaming bits. That is what I want from a solid state, state of the art system. ”
Parasound Halo P 6 2.1 Channel Preamplifier and DAC
March 31, 2019 Comments Off on Parasound Halo P 6 2.1 Channel Preamplifier and DAC
“While the overall connections are similar to that of the former P 5 preamp, the P 6 offers some upgrades comparable to the modernization of the A21 to the A21+. I think that says a lot about Parasound’s ability to pack performance where it counts. The improvements move the cash-out-of-pocket (or Bitcoin-out-of-server) needle to $1495 USD, which is $400USD more than its predecessor. But I am happy to report that the combination of functional improvement along with the audible performance of the P 6 justifies the increase. Let’s thumb through the most notable upgrades.
First is a Burr-Brown analog-resistor volume control. Most volume controls on preamps work via a device not much different than a slide-whistle, at least in principle. As you turn the volume knob up, less resistive material is in the signal path, so a stronger signal moves through to the amplifier, thereby increasing the volume. The name of the device that performs this action is called a potentiometer, and it works “fine.” However there is a mechanical component that rubs against a swath of resistive material in a potentiometer. The mechanical contact, and the existing swath of resistive material is prone to wear and can become noisy over time. The solution would be to have a separate resistor for each step in volume, and it is available in the form of a device called a stepped attenuator. The swath of resistor gunk is eliminated in a stepped attenuator, but that pesky mechanical connection still exists whether by manually moving the contacts, or electronically controlled with costly relays.”
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Mytek’s Brooklyn Bridge + AMP Review
March 29, 2019 Comments Off on Mytek’s Brooklyn Bridge + AMP Review
Parasound Halo JC 5 Stereo/Mono Amplifier $5995 Review
March 29, 2019 Comments Off on Parasound Halo JC 5 Stereo/Mono Amplifier $5995 Review
“One of my long-term reference recordings is Robbie Robertson and the Red Road Ensemble’s Music For The Native Americans (16/44.1 FLAC, Capitol), which I use for its sparkling clarity and the openness of its soundstage as Robertson explores the complex rhythms of the music of his native heritage. The Halo JC 5 handled the dual woofers and electrostatic panels of my ESL 9s in a way that re-created a huge soundstage with scary-good imaging. Through the Anthem M1s the sound was equally big and precise, but the bass lacked a bit of the slam and weight of the JC 5 in such cuts as “Akua Tuta” and “The Vanishing Breed.” This was also noticeable on Robbie Robertson (16/44.1 FLAC, Geffen) — the heartbeat-like rumblings in this album’s “Fallen Angel” had a massive weight that the M1s couldn’t quite duplicate. My head tells me I should be more impressed with the Anthems’ neutrality, but my heart belonged to the Parasound — my visceral reaction to its exciting sound was undeniable.”
TriangleArt Ultimate TA-350M Monoblock Amplifiers $59,900/Pair Review
March 22, 2019 Comments Off on TriangleArt Ultimate TA-350M Monoblock Amplifiers $59,900/Pair Review
“I always enjoy reviewing tube-based amplification as, to me, it really takes a level-headed engineer to design one that is both simple, but robust and clear of outside interference. Tube-based amplifiers can be prone to microphonics, ground hum, or just about any other noise on one’s power line. In my opinion, vacuum-tube amplifiers are more susceptible to this than any transistor-based amplifier—but if designed right, it can be quite an enjoyable experience. The only thing I got out of these amplifiers was pure music, although I did have one run-in with outside interference, I had some Christmas decorations up that would cause a tiny noise from the speakers during quiet passages.”
Analog Domain Artemis power amplifiers review
March 17, 2019 Comments Off on Analog Domain Artemis power amplifiers review
“Analog Domain amplifiers are designed to give you the freedom of choice – to enjoy your music at any level. They have the ability to play gently in a late-night listening session or to shake the house foundations on a mad party. They can be safely driven to the limit, even over-driven, retaining perfect control and resolution at any power level.
When speakers are locked and loaded optimally quite a few attributes move from their typical point of operation. A properly designed amplifier can remove quite a few primary speakers’ problems (like uncontrolled lower register). It might sound a bit controversy, but when loudspeakers drivers are handled with constant and matching power delivery, there is less sonic interaction with the room. The listening environment is simply less amplified, thus serving the more unaltered sonic projection. ”
Audionet Stern and Heisenberg Amplifiers, Full Review
March 16, 2019 Comments Off on Audionet Stern and Heisenberg Amplifiers, Full Review
EMOTIVA PA-1 BALANCED CLASS-D POWER AMPLIFIER REVIEW
March 11, 2019 Comments Off on EMOTIVA PA-1 BALANCED CLASS-D POWER AMPLIFIER REVIEW
“Do the Emotiva PA-1 amplifiers have ANY audible shortcomings? As good as their bass is, I’ve heard better, but seldomly. Now I will admit that my experience with these amplifiers could be the result of fortuitous circumstance, with speakers that particularly like the B&O factory voicing of the amplifiers.
After all, I only tried the amps with two pairs of speakers. But my audio amigo, Garbulky, also tried these amplifiers with his Axiom speakers and formed much the same impressions that I did (and before I’d given him any hint of my opinions on the amps). I guess that “only” 140 watts could be a limitation for those who want “theater-level” sound-pressure-levels for their home theaters, but for stereo listening, these amps are da schizz.”
VITUS RI-101 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER REVIEW
March 8, 2019 Comments Off on VITUS RI-101 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER REVIEW
“Many factors make just about any significant purchase a tricky decision and a serious audio amplifier is no different. Price is a prominant place to start. The reputation of the manufacturer is indeed another. The appearance and general presence of the product, its future compatibility with the rest of the system, perhaps the potential for an upgrade and the reality of how it compares with rivals. All these things are likely to play a part. But, maybe the most important thing for me is just whether I enjoy listening to it. A strange comment perhaps. I can’t remember the last time I heard an amplifier that was “bad”. By that, I mean an amplifier that left me emotionally cold and disinterested. ”
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