Rega Elicit-R [Integrated] Amplifier Review
November 7, 2016 Comments Off on Rega Elicit-R [Integrated] Amplifier Review
“The Elicit-R is a punchy, hard driving chassis that does not turn its back on most source material. Smack Up, the seminal jazz album by alto saxophonist, Art Pepper, sounded very good. Each of the five players held their own space, with the drums and the bass in the background and the solo instruments up front. Even though the balance was typical”
Wadia a315 Stereo Amplifier Review
November 5, 2016 Comments Off on Wadia a315 Stereo Amplifier Review
” In 1985, Men at Work released their third album, the largely ignored Two Hearts. I think it’s well recorded, and through the Wadia a315 it sounded mostly devoid of the early-digital harshness of so many CDs of that era. In “Maria,” Colin Hay’s voice jumped confidently onto the soundstage after a brief intro of maracas and effects-laden guitar, then lingered clearly in its own space with just a bit of reverb. Hay’s voice is not bass heavy, but his slightly raspy sound as he strains for the higher pitches was presented clearly in a nice contrast to Renée Geyer’s silky-smooth voice blooming atop the sounds from the rest of the band. ”
NAGRA, Classic System, Kronos, Kubala Sosna, Avalon – Video
November 4, 2016 Comments Off on NAGRA, Classic System, Kronos, Kubala Sosna, Avalon – Video
6L6-type vacuum tube shootout Review
November 1, 2016 Comments Off on 6L6-type vacuum tube shootout Review
” The Tung-Sol 7581-A (USD $29.95 each) is surely one of the finest current production power tubes available in 2016. It’s flawless. It is always in complete command of the music. That may be because this tube has a plate dissipation rating of 35W as opposed to the typical 30W for a 6L6-GC. The Tung-Sol took my Musical Paradise MP-301 mk3 Deluxe version to a new level. It has almost zero noise through speakers and headphones alike”
Peachtree nova150 $1,500 Review
October 31, 2016 Comments Off on Peachtree nova150 $1,500 Review
” The Vinnie Rossi, with balanced XLR output, is possibly the pick of the bunch in a contest more closely fought than one would expect with a US$1500 integrated thrown into the mix. A timely reminder that the chromed-up Devialet slabs don’t do headphones at all. As compensation, they instead specify a built in network streamer.”
BEYOND FRONTIERS AUDIO TULIP SRPP INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER
October 29, 2016 Comments Off on BEYOND FRONTIERS AUDIO TULIP SRPP INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER
“. The Tulip SRPP sounds like that ideal combination of a valve preamplifier combined with a transistor power amplifier, and in this case a subtle, highly refined transistor amp. It doesn’t have the fist-clenched grip that you usually get with such high power ratings, but neither is it a lightweight. Rather it manages to deliver an evenly balanced sound with a deft, light touch; there is an open transparency to the mid and top that is all valve, but the midrange isn’t pushed to the fore leaving bass and treble lagging. I did most of the listening with Bowers & Wilkins 803 Diamonds and the Vivid B1 Decade”
Parasound Halo Integrated Review
October 27, 2016 Comments Off on Parasound Halo Integrated Review
” So far the Halo is doing everything right. It’s packed full of useful features and is easy to match. If you’re expecting performance to be the downside you’ll be disappointed
TECHNICS R1 REFERENCE SYSTEM REVIEW
October 26, 2016 Comments Off on TECHNICS R1 REFERENCE SYSTEM REVIEW
“The fact that the SU-R1 eliminates—or at least postpones—the need for those who don’t have one to buy a separate analog linestage is indicative of Technics’ continuing dedication to delivering high-value products. In the past, the company’s pricing has always been more than fair, and that’s true for the R1 system as well”
Wadia a315 Stereo Amplifier REVIEW
October 26, 2016 Comments Off on Wadia a315 Stereo Amplifier REVIEW
“While not as frenetic as some of today’s electronica, “Ceremony,” from Belleville’s Sunsets & Nightfalls (16/44.1 FLAC, Belleville Beats/Tidal), balances the newish habit of marrying 1980s-style electronics and processed vocals with today’s familiar, heavy bass rhythms. It begins with a gracefully flowing melody in the midrange underlaid with snappy, deeper beats that channel a bass guitar. Nearly everything in this track is subjected to lengthy reverb, which creates a limited sense of depth. The female voice is sudden, immediate, and less processed-sounding among the long-decay electronics, while the sound of the male voice is somewhat more distant and lingers longer. ”
Pass Labs XA30.8 Stereo Amplifier Reviewed
October 24, 2016 Comments Off on Pass Labs XA30.8 Stereo Amplifier Reviewed
” After spending over six months with the Pass Labs XA30.8 Class A stereo amplifier, I wonder, “Will I ever again purchase another two-channel amplifier?” There is no doubt the XA30.8 comes with several notable drawbacks, but few are performance related–and to me, that is the most important criteria. The performance of the XA30.8 is so special that HTR publisher Jerry Del Colliano and I have joked at times that Nelson Pass should consider renaming this amplifier the XM30.8, with the “M” standing for “magical.” The Pass Labs XA30.8 is the best amplifier”
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