Micromega M-150 Integrated Amplifier $7,499 Review
September 24, 2018 Comments Off on Micromega M-150 Integrated Amplifier $7,499 Review
“Aural detail and transparency scored just as high. A streamed stereo DSD file of Britten’s “Simple Symphony” (Nordic) features an unusually present, vibrant string sound that can seem almost overdone, but is true to an energetic string orchestra that’s really “digging in” in a vibrant hall. The M-150 delivered the full experience, with rich, woody sonorities and a full range of dynamic shading, such that Britten’s subtle counterpoint weaving bowed and pizzicato lines was vivid and easy to follow.”
PrimaLuna DiaLogue Premium HP Integrated Amplifier $4,399
September 21, 2018 Comments Off on PrimaLuna DiaLogue Premium HP Integrated Amplifier $4,399
“Awesome as the HP is as an integrated amplifier, it’s pretty amazing as a headphone amplifier too. Rather than adding the headphone amplifier as an afterthought to cash in on the current craze, PrimaLuna merely attenuates the output of the amplifier via the switch, utilizing the whole amplifier to power your phones.
A quick throwback to the 70s with some Iron Butterfly and Pink Floyd along with the Flaming Lips to keep it in this century, all via the Audeze LCD-2s proves breathtaking. Sampling about ten different phones, it’s clear that the HP succeeds as a world class headphone amp as well. Everything in our headphone arsenal was driven with ease, so true head fi’ers can be confident that the HP will drive the full range of your can collection. This is grain free, tubey goodness at it’s best, providing a number of very long, non fatiguing headphone listening sessions.”
PS Audio Stellar Gain Cell DAC and M700 monoblock review
September 19, 2018 Comments Off on PS Audio Stellar Gain Cell DAC and M700 monoblock review
“The GCD features enough inputs and outputs to keep both long-time purists and audiophile newbies happy. There is I2S, Coax, optical and USB (I used the USB input and Tidal Hi-Fi with Roon exclusively for the review). Formats handled by the inputs are PCM up to 32/384KHz via I2S and Asynchronous USB, and DSD64/128 via DoP over USB and I2S (which is compatible with the DirectStream Transport “SACD handshake for DSD playback,” according to PS Audio specifications. Analog inputs are three stereo RCA pairs and one stereo XLR pair. Outputs include both RCA and XLR in the back and a 1/4-inch headphone connector up front.”
Gryphon Audio Designs Diablo 120 Integrated Amplifier-DAC $15,450 Review
September 18, 2018 Comments Off on Gryphon Audio Designs Diablo 120 Integrated Amplifier-DAC $15,450 Review
“The Diablo 120’s DAC section was truly plug’n’play. Within minutes of connecting and powering it up, I was listening to music from my Mac Mini server, streamed via USB. Many would assume that no add-on DAC could be as good as a standalone DAC, but I would beg to differ, based on my experience with similarly equipped integrated amplifiers. Additionally, there’s been a proliferation of excellent-sounding, small-chassis DACs that give full-size DACs a run for their money. Properly executed, there’s no reason to believe that excellent results can’t be obtained.
The Diablo 120’s DAC module was proof of this. Neutral in tone, with solid imaging, no hardness or glare, and excellent momentum and flow, it was the perfect companion for the amplifier section. I don’t listen to much electronica, but Deadmau5’s recent Where’s the Drop? (16/44.1 FLAC, mou5trap/Tidal) has been in regular rotation here and proved to be the perfect demo recording. This album of soaring orchestral arrangements of Deadmau5’s previous work, with deep synthesized bass, gave the DAC a good shakedown — I could find no category of sound in which it was lacking.”
McIntosh MC611 Quad Balanced Power Amplifier Review $15,000
September 17, 2018 Comments Off on McIntosh MC611 Quad Balanced Power Amplifier Review $15,000
Read Here“I’ve had numerous amplifiers through my home for review at multiple price points, both integrated and as separates that have left deep impressions upon me but that as impressive and emotion-inspiring as some of them were, either didn’t fit into the context of my own take on a personal reference system component, or if they did, were simply too far out of reach for my bank account. I’ve heard an almost untold amount of integrated, stereo power amplifiers and mono blocks over the years at friend’s homes or hi-fi shows that I loved, but again, were either too dear financially for me to ever seriously consider or didn’t fit into my holistic vision of a personal reference system.
Parasound Halo JC 5 Stereo Amplifier Review
September 16, 2018 Comments Off on Parasound Halo JC 5 Stereo Amplifier Review
“Spatial resolution is one of the JC 5’s greatest strengths. Its ability to provide a pristinely focused center image could be easily heard in both Linda Rondstadt’s Blue Bayou and Diana Panton’s A Little Girl A Little Boy A Little Moon. There’s no guessing how the recordings were mixed and laid out. There’s plenty of refined air and aural layering that encompasses the shape and texture of the instruments. The strums and plucks of guitar and bass notes are elegantly played with tangible weight and accurate decay. It’s also capable of delineating fine lines of strings and leading edges of rapid piano notes with confidence and speed.
Simaudio Moon 888 Mono Amplifiers $118,888 Review
September 13, 2018 Comments Off on Simaudio Moon 888 Mono Amplifiers $118,888 Review
“In wrapping up, Aron called Simaudio’s big, heavy, expensive Moon 888 “a new musical masterpiece.” With that kind of endorsement, and with these amplifiers having allowed him to hear from his reference system the best sound he’s ever heard, the Moon 888 received a Reviewers’ Choice award in the review. And now we’re happy to make the Moon 888 the newest addition to our list of Recommended Reference Components.
Cyrus ONE HD Integrated amplifier review
September 11, 2018 Comments Off on Cyrus ONE HD Integrated amplifier review
“The most interesting aspect of this performance is that – even more so than is usually the case – speaker choice makes an enormous difference to how you’ll perceive the Cyrus. With the Spendor attached, you get a balanced, considered and accurate performance that might, depending on your preferences – be considered fractionally dull. Switch to the Acoustic Energy AE1 Classic and the result is far more invigorating. Some of the top end refinement is lost but the result is more propulsive, energetic and all round exciting. The Cyrus is sufficiently powerful and sufficiently transparent that it will largely reflect the behaviour of the speaker rather than imparting much of itself. This is fairly unusual in an amplifier at this price point – particularly one with decoding on board – and also a little different from how Cyrus equipment is often perceived. ”
Synthesis Soprano 12 watt class A tube amp and DAC
September 9, 2018 Comments Off on Synthesis Soprano 12 watt class A tube amp and DAC
Audiophilepure 
You must be logged in to post a comment.