Audio Research 75SE Power Amplifier $10,000 Review
June 9, 2018 Comments Off on Audio Research 75SE Power Amplifier $10,000 Review
“Audio Research has built a compact version of their top line REF series amplifiers that sacrifices nothing sonically to their biggest amplifiers and has put it in reach of a broader audience. For music lovers that crave the best, yet have to keep somewhat of an eye on the bottom line, this is a dream come true.”
Anthem STR Integrated Amplifier-DAC Review
June 5, 2018 Comments Off on Anthem STR Integrated Amplifier-DAC Review
“Considering all its features and configuration options, the STR Integrated has more in common with a pre-pro or AVR than with most integrateds. Thankfully, Anthem has provided an extensive menu system, visible on a large, dimmable color display that’s easy to read and to use. Up to 30 virtual inputs can be separately named, specified, and assigned to any physical input, and the display will then show the selected input, data type, and sampling frequency, and whether ARC is engaged. One cool feature: When you cycle through the inputs, the display momentarily shows not only the selected input’s name, but a large image of the type of connector used for that input — it makes identification easier. The Thin Film Transistor (TFT) display can be set to show only the volume level, displayed in large characters that can be easily read from across the room.”
AUDIO RESEARCH VSI75 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER$8500 REVIEW
June 1, 2018 Comments Off on AUDIO RESEARCH VSI75 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER$8500 REVIEW
“The built-in features keep track of the tube life, assist in biasing, and the power-up process ensures you don’t accidentally damage anything with an unintentional volume power surge. The solid remote should last as long as the unit. Though it’s not backlit, I usually only find that a minus in home theaters. The Audio Research VSi75 is an investment piece; whether you are moving up to your first tube amp or are thinking about setting up a primo stereo system from the ground up. The Audio Research VSi75 integrated amplifier is a sound choice that will pay musical dividends for many years to come.”
PS Audio Sprout100 Integrated Amplifier Review
May 29, 2018 Comments Off on PS Audio Sprout100 Integrated Amplifier Review
“I was concerned that my cartridge might not work well with the Sprout100 because the Grado is a moving iron, not a moving magnet. But the fixed 47K Ohms, 100pF was just fine, and the fact that the Sprout100 has a built in preamplifier allowed the volume to be adjusted just fine too–no gain issues. Remarkably, buzz distortion (e.g., when a record is not playing but the volume is up) was almost non-existent. In short: very satisfying for what it does. (Of course one can’t expect it to compete with my reference set up–and it did not; but it certainly did well; better than I would have thought.)”
AVM Ovation CS 8.2 All-in-One System $12,995 Review
May 28, 2018 Comments Off on AVM Ovation CS 8.2 All-in-One System $12,995 Review
“Obviously, I have the room and cables to handle an extensive multi-box audio system. Replacing all those boxes and wires with one AVM CS 8.2 was a refreshingly musical alternative experience. I found that when pitted against a separates system with approximately the same overall price tag the CS 8.2 can deliver equally impressive sound.
For me the one elephant in the room that kept staring me in the face and sideswiping me with its trunk was: “How does the AVM CS 6.2 compare with the AVM CS 8.2?” I have never heard the 6.2, so I am not qualified to answer that question. Since these two components are identical except for the tube linestage in the 8.2, the final decision between them is something that can only be made at an AVM dealer who has both units in stock.”
MERIDIAN REFERENCE TWO CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER 857 $12,000 REVIEW
May 28, 2018 Comments Off on MERIDIAN REFERENCE TWO CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER 857 $12,000 REVIEW
“The Meridian 857 is certainly one of the nicest looking amplifiers I have seen, but its power reserves make it both Beauty and the Beast. Kudos to the Meridian team for designing an amplifier that makes us want to reacquaint ourselves with our music. Meridian has created an amplifier that demonstrates their finest ideals for an audio product. It is certainly one of the nicest looking amplifiers I have auditioned, as most other amps look like plain metal boxes compared to the rest of our components. The real trick was to add clean, unadulterated muscle that can turn the 857 into an astonishingly powerful mono-block. If this is their statement, I heard it loud and clear!”
Cambridge Audio NEW Edge High End Munich 2018 HiFi Show
May 28, 2018 Comments Off on Cambridge Audio NEW Edge High End Munich 2018 HiFi Show
Gold Note IS-1000 Amplifier $5,000
May 25, 2018 Comments Off on Gold Note IS-1000 Amplifier $5,000
“Initial listening with both the phono and digital sections appear excellent. For our full review, we’ll compare the onboard phono to the PH100, try some different speakers, and move more digital files through the IS-1000. Best of all, it’s Roon Ready, so all you need to enjoy the world’s premier streaming software, is merely connect an Ethernet cable into the supplied port and fire up your phone or pad. Rounding out the picture is a wireless antenna, so you and your friends can share your favorite music via phone at your next party.”
Balanced Audio Technology VK-255SE Stereo Amplifier Review
May 23, 2018 Comments Off on Balanced Audio Technology VK-255SE Stereo Amplifier Review
“My impressions of its sound were mixed. The smooth-talking VK-255SE proved masterful at reproducing dynamic inflections, was fully capable of producing mesmeric levels of bottom-end fortitude and control, and its midrange was purer than that of almost any other solid-state power amplifier I’ve heard. However, the VK-255SE’s ability to produce a realistic sense of ambience or air, or to squeeze out that last iota of inner detail, notably trailed those of Constellation Audio’s Inspiration Stereo 1.0, Simaudio’s Moon Evolution 760A, and my considerably more expensive Simaudio Moon Evolution W-7Ms. The sound of BAT’s VK-255SE is therefore not quite my cup of tea — but if tube-like warmth, buttery textures, and arresting dynamics are what you find most inviting, then this amplifier deserves to be on your audition list.
Engström • Monica Preamplifier and Lars Mono Amplifiers Review
May 20, 2018 Comments Off on Engström • Monica Preamplifier and Lars Mono Amplifiers Review
“If the benefits of the analog original are really that apparent, how about resorting to LP? Comparing the Previn performance on LP to the CD version shows the same yawning chasm in quality that I’ve come to expect. The LP offers a deeper, broader and far more dimensional soundstage, richer colors, greater presence and a far greater dynamic range. It’s not so much that the LP goes louder, but it delivers more concentrated energy to greater musical effect. Comparing it to the Berglund recording again highlights just how clearly these amps differentiate between performers and performances. Berglund is hardly a shrinking violet, as witnessed by his EMI/BSO Sibelius cycle, but in this repertoire the Bournemouth simply can’t match the discipline and the resulting concentrated power and expressive contrast generated by the LSO, power that is essential to this piece.”
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