Nagra Audio Classic Review
March 8, 2016 Comments Off on Nagra Audio Classic Review
” Once we take a quick history lesson from the MSA, we get at a perfectly open Nagra secret. Nonetheless, it still comes as a shock to many who associate the company exclusively with tubes, hence linear technology. This engineering team from just outside Lausanne are experts at switch-mode power supplies. As Chord and Linn have done for untold years in the UK, Nagra have amassed decades of experience with this energy-efficient power-factor-corrected technology already. As you can see, the MSA had it. Would the more powerful Classic Amp? Unlike its gigantic HD elders, it’s still reasonably compact. And some of its new height is taken up by a heat sink ceiling. By necessity of its higher dissipation which supports about double the output power over the model it replaces, that thermal exchanger must amount to twice the mass over what the MSA flaunted. Everything thus pointed at an SMPS for the Classic too. ”
Devialet 400 Integrated Amplifier Review
March 5, 2016 Comments Off on Devialet 400 Integrated Amplifier Review
” With the Devialet 400, bass performance for the Magico Q7 speakers has exceeded my expectations. I did not think it was possible but the sound is even more immediate and tangible—characteristics that the Q7s are already known for. Yes, there is more control, but there is also additional weight and texture—a very addictive combination. Not sure if I have used the term texture for bass before, but it is appropriate here. Again, I must note that SAM is not available for the original Magico Q7 speakers just yet so I cannot comment on its impact in the lower frequencies.”
D’AGOSTINO CLASSIC STEREO AMPLIFIER $12,000 REVIEW
March 3, 2016 Comments Off on D’AGOSTINO CLASSIC STEREO AMPLIFIER $12,000 REVIEW
“So much, in fact, that some listeners may initially be taken aback by how much energy the Classic Stereo delivers in the 60–200Hz region, where most of the sense of bass performance really resides. On Leonard Cohen’s Old Ideas [Sony], it offered the richest and gruffest rendition of his voice that I’ve ever heard. Some may find this a little over the top, but I think D’Agostino’s amp is fleshing out what’s already present in the recording without supplying much of an additive flavor. All of this is a way of saying that this isn’t a sterile and bleached-sounding amplifier. Rather, it lands on the warm and full side but without sacrificing detail or transparency. It’s not necessary to play it loud, for the Classic Stereo will reproduce fine detail at lower volumes, once again as a function of its power.”
Jeff Rowland Capri s2 and 125 pre- and power amp
March 1, 2016 Comments Off on Jeff Rowland Capri s2 and 125 pre- and power amp
” With the Capri/125 treble is every bit as articulate, if not better than with the Devialet, but with the Apogee Duettas at least, it’s a little bit too silent inbetween the notes for my taste. The Devialet 120 has something of a dip in the midrange which partially explains its “warmer” sound, but this also makes for the feeling of a richer sound, making the Rowlands come across as more analytical sounding. They are likely simply more precise, but in my setup at least, this makes them emotionally less appealing. Soundstaging with the Rowlands is mostly concentrated in between the speakers. The Devialet by comparison is more expansive both in the width and depth plane, and has better layering.”
Audio Note UK Ongaku Integrated Amplifier $95,000 Review
February 28, 2016 Comments Off on Audio Note UK Ongaku Integrated Amplifier $95,000 Review
” As a side note, the Audio Note AN-J./SPx speaker also use a generous amount of silver wire in the crossover, wiring and voice coils. Have always preferred silk soft domes to titanium, ceramic and other types or tweeters. There is something within the initial attack and harmonics they seem to get more right than others. Yes those supertweeters may be an exception and wish i had one here to be able to achieve frequencies above 20 kHz within my listening room. In some ways i am left wondering if the system is really producing everything the Audio Note UK Ongaku is capable of. Yes, a reviewer actually admitting his system might not be able to do a unit the full justice it deserves. The Ongaku is that good folks.”
MUSICAL FIDELITY NU-VISTA 800 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER REVIEW
February 26, 2016 Comments Off on MUSICAL FIDELITY NU-VISTA 800 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER REVIEW
” The enormous soundstage recreated here allows images to spread and individualise in all the perspectives; there’s a sense of gravitas to the music that commands the listener’s attention. This sonic weight is aided by the 800’s command of the low registers. Our speakers are a tough impedance load, in the 80Hz-100Hz range especially, but the 800 just held tight. No matter the bass content the amp reproduced it with phenomenal depth, punch, detail and rhythmic flow. And again, those scary transient attacks provided an entertaining and exciting factor to well-recorded rock.”
GRYPHON DIABLO 300 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER $25,000 REVIEW
February 26, 2016 Comments Off on GRYPHON DIABLO 300 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER $25,000 REVIEW
” The cinematic soundscapes of In a Time Lapse from Ludovico Einaudi’s CD release illustrated the Gryphon’s valve-like handling of tonal colours. This recording is rich with piano, violin and guitar, among other acoustic instruments, and the Diablo 300’s reproduction of the beautiful and moving compositions displayed natural and complex midrange timbre, with all the instruments having a sense of presence both in terms of transparent verisimilitude and that hard-to-describe sense of body… of image gravitas. That midrange kinship with the very best of valve amplification is something rather extraordinary for a solid-state amplifier – an integrated no less.”
Balanced Audio amps TAD CE-1 Speakers – Video
February 22, 2016 Comments Off on Balanced Audio amps TAD CE-1 Speakers – Video
Benchmark’s AHB2 Stereo Amplifier Review
February 22, 2016 Comments Off on Benchmark’s AHB2 Stereo Amplifier Review
“The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic’s performing Hovhaness’ Mysterious Mountains (Telarc 16/44.1) was sublime. Mount St. Helens Andante, Grazioso unfolds gracefully and with tip top double bass walking the piece along. The bass holds true and rings out even as the full strings come into glide the momentum along. The expansiveness of this orchestral recording is deep and wide with excellent localization. Acoustically, the AHB2 performs so cleanly and quietly that it resolves the hall and space between musicians distinctly- something professional engineers and audiophiles can equally appreciate.”
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