Emotiva BasX A-300 Stereo Amplifier $399 Review
October 20, 2016 Comments Off on Emotiva BasX A-300 Stereo Amplifier $399 Review
“Interestingly a lot of companies will tell you to let a component break in for some hours before you listen to it. That’s not the case with the Emotiva BASX A300 power amplifier. So is it good to go right out of the box? The answer is no, not really. About an hour after turn on I could detect a very slight, and I do mean subtle, graininess pervading and overlaying the audio presentation. ”
Bel Canto e.One Ref600M power amplifier Review
October 16, 2016 Comments Off on Bel Canto e.One Ref600M power amplifier Review
“hat the REF600M didn’t sound identical to some other amps was neither surprising nor a criticism of any of them. Of three recent amps of my experience, the REF600M was the warmest, the NAD Masters Series M22 the most detailed, and the Theta Dreadnaught D somewhere in between. Why should various amps based on circuit boards of the same technology (NCore) and made by the same company (Hypex) sound different? I don’t know, but the amplifier boards aside, I could see physical differences inside these three amps
Pass Labs XA60.8 60-Watt Class A monoblocks Review
October 15, 2016 Comments Off on Pass Labs XA60.8 60-Watt Class A monoblocks Review
” There were some areas where I expected the monos to be superior. The most obvious was in soundstaging, and they were. They produced a slightly wider and deeper soundstage. The soundstage was also portrayed from a slightly quieter and slightly darker background. Overall the monos are slightly quieter. This also produces slightly more sparkle in the top-end and overall a little more detailed and transparent sound.”
THE 40 GREATEST BARGAINS IN HIGH-END AUDIO
October 8, 2016 Comments Off on THE 40 GREATEST BARGAINS IN HIGH-END AUDIO
SAE 2HP-D power amplifier $19,995 – Review
October 6, 2016 Comments Off on SAE 2HP-D power amplifier $19,995 – Review
“Superclean, ultrafast, and artifact-free, with exciting transient clarity? Yes. The rich midrange, expansive midbass, and generous sustain that warmly linger when listening to the LP? No. The SAE 2HP-D’s sound was more like that of the exotic sports cars Morris Kessler was selling when DAK bought SAE from Giorgio Moroder in 1989, and less like that era’s softly sprung Cadillac sedans.”
DAVID BERNING COMPANY 211/845 POWER AMPLIFIER $75,000 REVIEW
October 5, 2016 Comments Off on DAVID BERNING COMPANY 211/845 POWER AMPLIFIER $75,000 REVIEW
“Finally, I’d like to note that these impressions of the 211/845 were made with the Constellation Altair 2 linestage feeding the Berning, which, given my description of the system here, speaks volumes about that linestage’s transparency. I drove the 211/845 directly from the Berkeley Alpha Reference DAC Series 2 as well, but preferred the sound with the Altair 2 in the chain.”
AAVIK ACOUSTICS U-300 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER $30,000 – REVIEW
October 4, 2016 Comments Off on AAVIK ACOUSTICS U-300 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER $30,000 – REVIEW
” I have taken pains, so far, to avoid a detailed comparison of the U-300 with my reference tube gear. I can’t say that the Aavik sounds like tubes, but neither can I say that it sounds solid-state. It sounds like music. Perhaps it is not quite as full-bodied or three-dimensional as competitive tube gear, but it is close enough to be totally satisfying on the broadest range of music. And it is so fast, and so black of background, that it leaves much tube gear in its wake. Moreover, finding tube preamps and power amps that will drive the 20.7s with the ease and alacrity of the Aavik is not an easy or inexpensive undertaking. The U-300 is the first solid-state preamp and amp combination I have auditioned, in my own system, that offers a fully satisfying alternative to high-powered tubes.”
Jeff Rowland Continuum S2 Integrated Amplifier Review
October 2, 2016 Comments Off on Jeff Rowland Continuum S2 Integrated Amplifier Review
” What I love about the sound is the balance and timbral accuracy. Look, there’s no way an aesthete like Jeff Rowland is going to allow anything in his kit that isn’t first class. At the price and logistics, I’m sure he made some compromises. But you’ll be hard pressed to find them under day to day listening conditions.”
Questyle Dual Mono Reference System Price: $12,495 Review
October 1, 2016 Comments Off on Questyle Dual Mono Reference System Price: $12,495 Review
“No less impressive is the performance of bassist Tommy Shannon. The Questyle Golden stack captures the intent behind his performance masterfully, in terms of both resolution and dynamics – laying back a bit on the bass, always ensuring Stevie remains the center of attention, pushing where it is needed, but taking care never to step out of turn. Gaining so much insight into such a nuanced background performance says quite a bit about the excellent resolution and powerful dynamics the system has to offer. It is truly something special.”
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