Audiophilepure

Read Here

‘It’s worth mentioning how well the 200.8s work with any source. I’ve used these monoblocks with about two dozen different sources, balanced and single ended with no problem. Using the Pass XS Pre and the Audio Research REF 6 (the only preamplifiers I have that sound equally good through the RCA and XLR outputs) with 20-foot runs of Cardas Clear cable, I could not notice any difference in sound quality. So rest assured, whatever your source it will partner up with these amps perfectly.

And it’s the same for the output. Whether using the most power hungry Magnepans, treacherous ESLs, etc., there was no speaker that the 200.8s had the least bit of difficulty with. I’ve never used an amplifier more benign in that sense than any of the Pass products. They are impervious to speaker and cable differences, making it all that much easier to hear said nuances. This is why I love using their amplifiers as a reference – they let everything else through.”

Read Here

“As others have reported there are a couple of killer features in the Uniti streamer. Chromecast support is one of them, but maybe turn off Google analytics; you do not need to give them stuff! I think it is terrific to get music from other sources like SoundCloud significantly expanding your horizons for music discovery. The Bluetooth support is a fun extension to allow others to play their music while in your home. The Atom is a Goldilocks device; the porridge is at the right temperature, and the bed is comfortable.”

Read Here

“I soon discovered how much the bias changed, depending on the time of day. Between 5 and 10:15pm, tubes biased for 190mV would drop to as low as 183mV. Conversely, tubes rebiased to 190mV at dinnertime would later rise to 196 or 197mV. Because each tube seemed to respond differently to voltage fluctuations, vigilance was essential to determine the correspondence of bias to sound. Ultimately, I contacted our locally owned utility company, which is considering installing a more powerful transformer that will provide more stable voltage during times of peak demand.
I wanted to discover a setting at which the tube-like warmth and sweetness I’d heard during Nick Doshi’s visit and at audio shows could be toned down a bit. With the bias centered at around 180mV, I was blown away by the air around Jamie Barton’s mezzo-soprano in the Sibelius song “Var det en dröm?” (Was It a Dream?), from All Who Wander (24-bit/96kHz WAV, Delos DE 3494). The way Brian Zeger’s piano hung in space on a three-dimensional soundstage was very special. Captivated, I continued. With Mahler’s Rückert-Lieder, the Doshis communicated Barton’s willingness to venture into the depths of emotional emptiness. I sat mesmerized by her instrument and artistry, hanging on every note.

R

Read Here

“I know a number of seasoned audiophiles who have or are about to give up the search for the sonic Holy Grail and are looking to downsize their systems. For them, the AVM Ovation CS 8.2 would be a good solution. In addition to the advantage of saving space, there would also be a corresponding savings as a result of the elimination of several sets of interconnects and power cords.

For audiophiles who are starting out but do not want to make the investments in multiple boxes and software again, the CS 8.2 is a solution. There are those who would argue that anyone owning a unit such as this simply isn’t an audiophile. Well, that’s an opinion. I’m saying that the convenience of the CS8.2 is desirable, but what counts is the sound quality. As I said earlier, this is a unit that I would be quite happy to own. Given the build and sonic qualities, plus the convenience.”