Benchmark Media Systems AHB2 power amplifier review
November 14, 2015 Comments Off on Benchmark Media Systems AHB2 power amplifier review
” Tonal balance is a curious audio parameter. Careful listeners often hear what sounds like an uneven or tilted frequency balance, even when measurements taken under lab conditions show it to be flat. Lots of real-world factors might account for this, including interaction of an amplifier’s output stage with the complex input impedance of a loudspeaker. At first, I thought the AHB2 sounded less bright, and less full in the bass, than the other amps I had on hand, but after only a few days of listening I began to accept that it sounded more “right” than any of them. Now the treble wasn’t so much un-bright as smoother and unaccented. The bass had all requisite extension and detail (see above), but seemed to be more naturally balanced with the rest of the audio band.”
NuPrime Audio IDA-8 Integrated Amplifier-DAC Review
November 12, 2015 Comments Off on NuPrime Audio IDA-8 Integrated Amplifier-DAC Review
” The orchestral strings of the Trondheim Soloists, in Marianne Thorsen’s recordings of Mozart’s Violin Concertos Nos 4-5 (24/352.8 FLAC, 2L), were smooth without sounding dull, with a wonderful sense of envelopment of Thorsen’s violin by the orchestra, even as soloist and ensemble remained clearly distinct from each other. At very high volume levels, the IDA-8 could make the violins sound a bit hard. But at levels that to me are adequate — but that some might consider quite loud — the NuPrime remained wholly composed. The same was true of pop recordings such as Carly Rae Jepsen’s surprisingly well-produced E·mo·tion (24/44.1 FLAC, Universal), which the IDA-8 had no problem reproducing at high levels. Jepsen’s voice is quite closely miked and exhibits moderate sibilance, but the IDA-8 reproduced it with neutral, easygoing sound, while having enough power to drive both the GoldenEar Triton Fives and KEF R900s to volumes high enough that I could immensely enjoy the high-energy pop sensibility of her performance.”
Naim NAP 250 DR REVIEW
November 7, 2015 Comments Off on Naim NAP 250 DR REVIEW
” got to hear a public demonstration of the previous generation of NAP 250 compared with the DR version at an Audio T event in Brighton. It was a large room with a lot of people in it and I had a pretty poor seat but even so the increase in transparency and reduction in hash/noise was very clear. Most of the Naim amplifiers I have reviewed had a slightly earthy sound with limited perceived bandwidth, which is not unappealing but less revealing than the best of the alternatives. This did not stop their timing skills from being apparent and the success of the company has been built on that sound, so clearly it works. With DR Naim seems to have retained the pace, rhythm and timing and added power and transparency, so the NAP 250 DR now has low end grunt that makes for extremely muscular bass with the right speaker.’
Mark Levinson No 536 monoblock amplifier
November 3, 2015 Comments Off on Mark Levinson No 536 monoblock amplifier
Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista 800 integrated amplifier Review
November 2, 2015 Comments Off on Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista 800 integrated amplifier Review
” After matching levels between my two different Nu-Vista 800 setups—with a line-level source driving its balanced inputs, and with the outputs of my darTZeel preamp driving its single-ended inputs—switching between them revealed, in the latter, a very slight diminution in bass definition (but not extension), and a barely perceptible softening of high-frequency transients (so slight as to probably not be noticeable to most listeners). While the latter would be beneficial to an overanalytical component that made transients too sharp and defined on top and overdamped on the bottom, they weren’t at all what the Nu-Vista 800 needed. Therefore, I did all of my listening to digital recordings through the Nu-Vista 800’s balanced input, with the DAC’s analog outputs directly feeding the amplifier”
World’s Greatest Exotic Audio Systems – Video
November 1, 2015 Comments Off on World’s Greatest Exotic Audio Systems – Video
Mark Levinson No.585 Integrated Amplifier Review
October 30, 2015 Comments Off on Mark Levinson No.585 Integrated Amplifier Review
” Yet, so far, I am only talking about the highs. The mids are just as smooth as the highs, with same level of cohesiveness, especially when it comes to vocal texture or the brassy harmonic overtones of a trumpet or saxophone. So detailed the mid range can be, that is a trumpet or saxophone musical piece, the essence of the performance, such as the air moving from chest to lips, to blow piece, the texture of tongue & bite vs the swosshing air quality escaping out of the exhaust, finger action followed by the resonating brass body and finally air exiting the horn mouth in an almost smoky room! All this happening at once in an imaging of realistic perfomance. The bass dives just as low and kicks just as hard as my regular bi-amped, bi-wired system. I’ve lost nothing in the bass slam department. My basslines are still as tight and as well strung as before. The PMC’s 10 inch “Volt” pistonic woofers are just as well controlled as a well trained German Sherpard guard dog. I am in total shock and awe, as the the total top to toe coherence in musical presentation of the music, regardless of genre played.”
TRIODE TRV-M88SE MONO VACUUM TUBE AMPLIFIERS REVIEW
October 29, 2015 Comments Off on TRIODE TRV-M88SE MONO VACUUM TUBE AMPLIFIERS REVIEW
” They seem to sound fine almost immediately, but after a 15-minute warmup they are even better. I was immediately impressed with the clarity, tonality and focus of the Triode’s. These are good sounding amplifiers that have a very good synergy working to drive the Harbeth’s. I used the 8 ohm tap on the amplifier and it worked perfectly. As I wrote in my review of the Harbeth’s, the combination produces breathtaking transparency, realism and a sense of naturalness. It made me want to discover more and more of my favourite music and to continue listening to it late into the night. It is very musically involving and satisfying.”
JEFF ROWLAND MODEL 525 stereo amplifier REVIEW
October 28, 2015 Comments Off on JEFF ROWLAND MODEL 525 stereo amplifier REVIEW
” My experience with bridging amps is limited to the Bryston 7BST amps, and in that case bridging resulted in a more forward, tighter, somewhat more technical sound. I don’t know if the 525 in bridge mode behaves in a similar way, but the thing is: who needs more power? At 250 watts into 8 ohms and double that into 4 ohms, the 525 drives my power hungry Apogee Divas with verve and utter control, and doesn’t break a sweat even at ear-shattering volume levels. Anyway, one can always try a second 525 later.”
Essence For Hi Res Audio DPA-440 Class-D Stereo 220-WPC Amplifier
October 27, 2015 Comments Off on Essence For Hi Res Audio DPA-440 Class-D Stereo 220-WPC Amplifier
On Pop and Rock music, as with any amp, the better the recording, the better it sounds. The Led Zeppelin 24/96 remaster HD Tracks downloads were aces through the Essence. That bit of recording room reverb on the acoustic guitar intro on Stairway to Heaven (Led Zeppelin IV) came through loud and clear, and John Bonham’s highly modulated kick drum sounded great on the Pass SR-2 towers.
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