T+A Elektroakustik PA 2000 R Integrated Amplifier
August 10, 2016 Comments Off on T+A Elektroakustik PA 2000 R Integrated Amplifier
” Delving deeper, I never would have described my reference amp as sounding anything other than quiet and unobtrusive. Once again, though, the T+A honed the margins with greater acuity. Mark Knopfler’s muttered opening lines in “Brothers in Arms” weren’t spotlit against quite as “black” a background with the Hegel in play. In fact, I could hear white noise from the tweeter of one of my Monitor Audio Silver 10s from a couple inches away — something I could never do with the T+A. Is that white noise still audible from 8’ or 10’ away? Hard to say. The Hegel is a top-flight integrated, due in no small part to its highly competent built-in DAC section. The PA 2000 R was, overall, a bit better: just as transparent but offering greater dynamic contrast, a voicing more true to the source, and an overall build quality that puts to shame the folded-aluminum case of my H360. You get what you pay for — and as the PA 2000 R could push an insensitive loudspeaker like the two-way Magico S1 Mk.II to its breaking point, it’s something of a brute, too.”
QUAD VA-ONE Valve Amp Announced
August 9, 2016 Comments Off on QUAD VA-ONE Valve Amp Announced
” Now in its 81st year, Quad has been making valve amplifiers for home use since the late 1940s. The company’s latest model, the VA-One, brings the concept bang up to date; a compact integrated amplifier that fuses Quad’s traditional valve-based audio expertise with modern digital audio streaming.”
MCINTOSH C52 PREAMP AND MC301 MONO POWER AMPLIFIERS REVIEW
August 6, 2016 § 1 Comment
” These are not the fastest amplifiers around, and pacey rock like ZZ Top could have more tension, but if you want the music to wash over you the MC301 does a very appealing job, one that makes listening very easy. They are transparent to what comes before them as well; changing source proved that their dynamic capabilities are very much at the mercy of what’s coming down the line. Adding the C52 to the mix and using the same single ended interconnects brings a warming and smoothing quality to the sound that doesn’t get in the way of detail or the easy flow of the power amps; if anything it enhances this. ”
PASS LABS INT-250 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER $12,000 REVIEW
August 1, 2016 Comments Off on PASS LABS INT-250 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER $12,000 REVIEW
“A true reference integrated such as the 180Wpc MBL C51 made it a contest throughout most of the audio spectrum, but the difference in the Pass Labs’ raw power was telling in midrange dynamics and mid/upper-bass grip. In my experience only the Vitus Audio SIA-25 (Issue 218), a pure 25Wpc Class A integrated, has exhibited a more transparent top-end but its relatively low power removes it from the equation with lower-sensitivity loudspeakers.”
Moon by Simaudio Neo 330A Stereo/Mono Amplifier Review
July 27, 2016 Comments Off on Moon by Simaudio Neo 330A Stereo/Mono Amplifier Review
“A second performance of “O Fortuna,” from a 1969 recording of Carmina burana by the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Seiji Ozawa, demonstrated different sorts of details (16/44.1 AIFF, RCA). With the Neo 330A I had a new experience: I could make out the voices of individual choristers. In this recording, the chorus is more forward; the orchestra is in more of a supporting role. Throughout this entire “profane cantata,” as Orff called it, I could easily discern individual choral voices and orchestral instruments. With equal clarity, the Neo 330A presented highly detailed reproductions of the vocal soloists in the quieter arias, and deep, powerful, full choral passages. Loud or soft, there was never a hint of sounds smearing together.”
ROGUE CRONUS MAGNUM 2 REVIEW
July 26, 2016 Comments Off on ROGUE CRONUS MAGNUM 2 REVIEW
” The addition of the KT 120 New Sensor tube increased the power of the amplifier to 100 watts per channel. The KT120 added thunderous bass and added more power while maintaining the Cronus’s magical liquid midrange. The additional power increased headroom and gave the amplifier a wider soundstage with increased depth. The KT120 is a powerful tube that will handle large scale recordings easily and will satisfy any classical music lover with lighting fast transients and speed. The quickness of the Cronus also makes recording with deep bass a treat to listen too. If you a headbanger who loves the growling bass the Magnum 11 produces and not be disappointed.”
Ayre Acoustics AX-5 Twenty Integrated Amplifier Review
July 23, 2016 Comments Off on Ayre Acoustics AX-5 Twenty Integrated Amplifier Review
“As good as the AX-5 was with acoustic music, it was no slouch with recordings of rock or fusion. On Allan Holdsworth’s All Night Wrong (DSD64, Sony Music), bassist Jimmy Johnson and drummer Chad Wackerman sounded propulsive and meaty in “Lanyard Loop,” providing counterpoint to Holdsworth’s rhythm and lead-guitar licks.”
Bryston 2.5B3 stereo power amp $3,695 Review
July 22, 2016 Comments Off on Bryston 2.5B3 stereo power amp $3,695 Review
” My Bowers & Wilkins 805 D3 speakers need a lot of power to fully come alive, and that’s what the 2.5B3 delivered when I pumped up the Black Keys “Brothers” album, it felt more powerful than I expected from a 135 watt per channel amp. The more I played it, the more I liked the sound.”
LINN MAJIK DSM NETWORK MUSIC PLAYER REVIEW
July 21, 2016 Comments Off on LINN MAJIK DSM NETWORK MUSIC PLAYER REVIEW
” If you’ve had the stamina to read this far you should have good idea of how and why the Linn Majik DSM, Majik 140 loudspeakers, and Majik Exaktbox-I, along with Space Optimization room-correction system work together to form a high-resolution, yet musical system that can be placed into an environment that is less than ideal and still offer optimal results. In short, if you have a lousy-sounding room wherein sonic issues can’t be fixed easily with room treatments, the Linn Majik system offers a viable alternative to giving up all hope of decent sound. While not magic, Linn’s Majik system comes as close as possible to musical alchemy, by turning leaden-sounding rooms into sonic gold.”
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