TEAC AI-503 Integrated Amplifier/DAC Review
March 28, 2018 Comments Off on TEAC AI-503 Integrated Amplifier/DAC Review
“I placed the AI-503 in my hi-fi rack and connected it to an Elac Discovery music server with built-in DAC (see review in our February/March 2018 issue) running Roon Essentials music library software. The speakers I used for the test were GoldenEar Technology Triton Five towers; to evaluate the headphone amp, I tapped Sennheiser’s HD 598. For computer input, I used a MacBook Pro running JRiver Media Center 21. The AI-503’s manual states that a Windows driver is available on TEAC’s website, but it hadn’t been posted yet for download in the site’s support section during my evaluation, so I wasn’t able to test Windows compatibility.”
Ypsilon Electronics Hyperion monoblock power amplifier $93,000/pair Review
March 27, 2018 Comments Off on Ypsilon Electronics Hyperion monoblock power amplifier $93,000/pair Review
“When I first heard, and then bought, the Ypsilon VPS-100 phono preamplifier, I concluded that its designer, Demetris Baklavas, was some kind of genius. His PST-100 preamp didn’t shake that conclusion, but I was somewhat disappointed with the original Aelius. With the Hyperion, I must again characterize Baklavas as an electronics design genius whose name deserves mention alongside the more familiar names you probably know. He’s seriously underrated, and deserving of greater acclamation.
MOON BY SIMAUDIO 240I INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER REVIEW
March 25, 2018 Comments Off on MOON BY SIMAUDIO 240I INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER REVIEW
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“Listening mostly to whatever was on television before starting any serious listening I still was able to note right away a powerful, articulate sound. Voices have a clarity with the 240i. If there was a characteristic to the sound it would be what I call ‘chunky’ – distinct and pleasing edges. It goes especially well with rock and piano music. Anyway, there was a lot more listening to do.”
Sim Audio’s Costa Koulisakis Gives Us a “Tour” of the Moon 888 Monoblock Amplifier – video
March 22, 2018 Comments Off on Sim Audio’s Costa Koulisakis Gives Us a “Tour” of the Moon 888 Monoblock Amplifier – video
Recommended Components: 2018 Edition
March 20, 2018 Comments Off on Recommended Components: 2018 Edition
“Components listed here have been formally reviewed in Stereophile and have been found to be among the best available in each of four or five quality classes. Whether a component is listed in Class A or Class E, we highly recommend its purchase.”
Ayon Titan Evo Monoblock Amplifiers $57,000 Review
March 20, 2018 Comments Off on Ayon Titan Evo Monoblock Amplifiers $57,000 Review
“I have come to appreciate just how good Ayon products are; the line has something for everyone and I have yet to be in the presence of any of their gear and not been pleased and impressed because I have always been presented with quality and sonic delivery that made for a very good value at all levels for the asking price. The Titans are no exception to the Ayon rule. Definitely the pinnacle of their line the amps and they hold that distinction with well deserved pride and honor. If you are looking for a high end, top of the line set of monoblock amplifiers to live out the rest of your life with you might be able to find some others that will please you but I seriously doubt you would find any better at any price. If that sounds like where you are in your audio journey I suggest you run to audition a pair!”
ELAC EA Series Integrated Amplifier Review
March 17, 2018 Comments Off on ELAC EA Series Integrated Amplifier Review
McIntosh Labs MA5300 Integrated Amplifier $5000 Review
March 10, 2018 Comments Off on McIntosh Labs MA5300 Integrated Amplifier $5000 Review
“Nothing is lost and nothing is added passing through this MA5300 amplifier. In actuality it functions like a central switch board becoming a faithful conduit of the music from the source. If I were to begin building (once again) a highly accurate laboratory reference audio system. I would base everything on the corner stone that is the McIntosh 5300 Integrated amplifier. It is the McIntosh Labs reputation carried forward, the build quality and performance is exemplary! Considering the range of prices of modern high-end audio amplifiers, it is not expensive at $5000. Almost a bargain, actually, all things are considered. I know the phrase highly recommended has been totally worn out to death, but it still is true, go and listen to the McIntosh MA5300 integrated amplifier with phono stage, and you’ll probably find yourself extremely happy.”
Audionet WATT Integrated Amplifier Equipment Review – video
March 10, 2018 Comments Off on Audionet WATT Integrated Amplifier Equipment Review – video
Aurender N100H Caching Network Streamer Plus X725 USB DAC / Amplifier Review
March 9, 2018 Comments Off on Aurender N100H Caching Network Streamer Plus X725 USB DAC / Amplifier Review
“I’m a sucker for the French Impressionists. No, not the painters, the composers – Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel. Sometimes Eric Satie is lumped into this category, but he doesn’t have enough recorded works to really be part of this group. If I would have to pick only one piece of music to represent this subgenre, though, it would be Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloe. I have many recordings of this work in my collection, my favorite digital version, which also happens to be my favorite analog version, is the Living Stereo issue conducted by Charles Munch. His Boston Symphony Orchestra recorded this for RCA that was originally released in 1960. I have a Red Book CD versions ripped from the two-layer SACD and an older CD, and a DSD file of this on my hard-drives, and all of them sound incredible. I’ve read that some aren’t as enamored as I am of this recording, mostly because of the tape hiss that’s been faithfully reproduced. I suppose I’m used to it. It doesn’t bother me at all. I played both the 16-bit and DSD version through the N100H, sometimes connected to the X725 and sometimes not, and I had the same impression of their sound quality as I did when listening to the Peter Gabriel, but on this album it was amazing to hear how well the N100H was able to handle these real instruments recorded in a real space.”
Audiophilepure 
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