Audio Research GSi75 Integrated Amplifier $16,000 Review
July 27, 2017 Comments Off on Audio Research GSi75 Integrated Amplifier $16,000 Review
“The $16,000 price tag may stun a few at first, but when you realize what the team at ARC has packed inside the GSi75, and the fact that you don’t have to buy three sets of interconnects and power cords, it’s an amazing bargain – for the right customer. Because everything is inside and there is no preamp out, this is either a piece you will live with forever, or the upgrade bug will sour you. A cursory survey of a few friends with mega ARC systems reveals more than one have bought a GSi75 as the core of their second system, or vacation home system and are thrilled.”
Ampsandsound Agartha Vacuum Tube Stereo Amplifier And Headamp $3600 Review
July 24, 2017 Comments Off on Ampsandsound Agartha Vacuum Tube Stereo Amplifier And Headamp $3600 Review
“The only real knock on the headphone output is the relatively high amount of background noise. There was a distinct transformer buzz that was quite audible when music wasn’t playing. It was easily drowned out by music, but still faintly noticeable if you were really, really zoned-in on it. If you don’t need the world’s blackest background this should be just fine, and I think the amplifier’s many positive traits definitely outweigh this negative, but some people demand absolute silence from their amplifier, and those folks would likely be a bit annoyed by this hum,”
Linear Tube Audio ZOTL40 Mk. II Power Amplifier $5800 Review
July 22, 2017 Comments Off on Linear Tube Audio ZOTL40 Mk. II Power Amplifier $5800 Review
“I’ve left the best for last. My gut-level reaction to a particular audio component is driven by its dynamics, its ability to coax the full spectrum of emotional nuance from a given recording. It starts with microdynamic nuances, and these the ZOTL40 was able to convincingly bring back to life. It didn’t shy away from giving full scope of expression to macrodynamics, either. When the occasion demanded, each orchestral climax was reproduced with plenty of startle factor. But keep in mind that the ZOTL40 is nominally a 40Wpc amplifier and should therefore ideally be matched with speakers of at least 88dB sensitivity, unless you’re happy to listen in a small room at low-volume levels.”
Schiit Launches A New Power Amplifier $700 – The Vidar
July 19, 2017 Comments Off on Schiit Launches A New Power Amplifier $700 – The Vidar
“The class AB amplifier is an interesting proposition given a market where class D topology tends to be the leaning option at this price point. Given Schitt’s large impact in the personal audio space, it will worth keeping an eye out for how everything comes together for this new 2 channel wallet-friendly option. You can check out all the extra details on the site, and as of today the rare-for-Schiit black finish is still available to order.”
LAMM M1.2 REFERENCE HYBRID POWER AMPLIFIERS $27,590/pair REVIEW
July 18, 2017 Comments Off on LAMM M1.2 REFERENCE HYBRID POWER AMPLIFIERS $27,590/pair REVIEW
“The utmost challenge for any high end audio product is to convey transparency and act as via medium of the purest and unaltered music delivery. This might sounds simple, but in reality such a pursuit is a highly complex one. Especially when it comes to power amplifiers where one cannot avoid some of the structural modules and electronic parts.”
Fluxion AV-7 Single-Ended 6C33C Amplifier Review
July 13, 2017 Comments Off on Fluxion AV-7 Single-Ended 6C33C Amplifier Review
” Mr. Ahn also thoroughly stress tests each of his amps when he completes them. And with respect to testing, it should be noted: Mr. Ahn is a firm believer in measurements. His lab is full of test equipment, and he places a higher emphasis on getting solid measurable results, and prefers to leave the listening comments to the end user. This is part and parcel of his EE background”
conrad-johnson Classic 120SE Vacuum Tube Stereo Amplifier Review
July 12, 2017 Comments Off on conrad-johnson Classic 120SE Vacuum Tube Stereo Amplifier Review
” After extended listening sessions, I have found that a buzz came up in one of the channels sporadically, the first time this ended up being the early signs of a drive tube failure. This gave me an opportunity to utilize the fantastic built in biasing mechanism, not automatic, but not far from it. It is easy enough that anyone could perfectly bias the tube, while giving you the confidence they are all set perfectly. I preferred this technology to any auto biasing tube amp, I just never quite trust those things The second time was right before I finished the review, but I am just making note of this for transparency, I am sure CJ would take care of you just as well as they took care of me.”
Wyred 4 Sound SX-1000R Power Amplifier $1799 each Review
July 11, 2017 Comments Off on Wyred 4 Sound SX-1000R Power Amplifier $1799 each Review
Imaging through the SX-1000R was laterally precise to the point that on some cuts I could not only pinpoint each primary instrument accurately, but the secondary and tertiary players also occupied distinct locations across the soundfield. On the 192/24 MQA version of the Cars’ “Just What I Needed,” I could not only hear Elliot Easton’s muted rhythm guitar on the left, but also the secondary rhythm guitar that was nestled just to the right and behind Ric Ocasek’s lead vocals, in front of the drum kit in the center of the soundstage. Unlike most versions I’ve heard in which that center rhythm guitar track gets buried by the drums halfway through the cut, on this MQA version that guitar remained distinct throughout.
Coincident Dynamo SE 34Mk. II $1,495 Review
July 10, 2017 Comments Off on Coincident Dynamo SE 34Mk. II $1,495 Review
“Considering that a decent, stand-alone headphone amplifier alone will set you back $1,500 these days, getting a power amplifier too makes the Mk. II a stone-cold bargain. Running through the gamut of headphones at our disposal, (Audeze, Grado, Koss, Pryma and OPPO) reveals the Mk. II has no difficulty driving any of them. Blume reveals that instead of an inexpensive op amp, the output of the amplifier drives the headphones directly, so that the output available is huge. This also gives the benefit of your favorite phones having the same sonic signature delivered to your speakers.”
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