Audiophilepure

https://www.audiophilia.com/reviews/2022/8/20/icon-audio-la4-mkiii-preamplifier

The same for streaming. I have lots to say about streaming quality in upcoming reviews. But, when streaming thickly scored Brahms symphonies or the astringent scoring on Steely Dan’s Gaucho, the LA4 did the music proud. If system basics are in place in your well-balanced system and appropriately sized room, you won’t be wanting for more. There is an admirable separation of instruments, even on 1960s CD-quality classical recordings. Voices sound very beautiful—Elizabeth Schwarzkopf singing Strauss songs, for example. Because of the LA4’s clarity, the orchestral accompaniment was laid out perfectly with Schwarzkopf’s soaring soprano above the orchestra, her exquisite voice intact and more importantly, in place, even at a loud volume.

https://www.hifinews.com/content/nagra-classic-phono-phono-preamplifier

Revisiting earlier tracks revealed them to be just as exhilarating, but now with the additional smoothness and revelation possible with a good MC cartridge. The Classic Phono really does ‘step aside’ to let your chosen pick-up do its stuff, and this combination of cartridge and phono stage gelled stunningly. It made the most out of anything I chose to play, finding the best in even the most underwhelming of recordings.

That said, there’s real magic when you give it something good to work with, such as Fearon & Galaxy’s ‘Dancing Tight’ [12in single, Ensign Records 12ENY 501]. Here, the delivery of the drum beats and bassline was masterful, and I revelled in the impact, scale and sheer joie de vivre of the performance. If machines have a soul I would swear that the Classic Phono was having a whale of a time, too.

The irony that the most listening fun I’ve had in weeks was thanks to a £17,000 phono stage playing a 1980s 12in single didn’t escape me, but it bothered me not one jot – I was too busy enjoying it.

https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/chord-ultima-pre-3ultima-6

Listening to Massive Attack’s Atlas Air track shows that these Chords are good though not class-leading when it comes to communicating the music’s momentum. The combo sounds surefooted rather than overtly exciting. Instead, our attention is drawn to the effortless way this pairing steps out of the way and lets us focus on the music. Their presentation may be supremely insightful but it doesn’t try to highlight that fact in some kind of showy ‘look at me’ way. We also love the midrange clarity and focus with voices, and the way each sound element is given space to breathe even when the mix becomes complicated

https://www.soundstageultra.com/index.php/equipment-menu/1124-linn-klimax-dsm-av-dac-preamplifier

Linn’s new Klimax DSM has taken me on a rollercoaster ride, and I am in desperate need of an emotional rescue. On one hand, I found the analog input lacking in terms of transparency and dynamics, and I remain skeptical of the efficacy of the Space Optimization software. I’m also leery of the idea of spending this much money on a flagship DSM knowing that, based on Linn’s history, an expensive upgrade could be in the works. On the other hand, for a product of such vast capability, the Klimax DSM is an ergonomic marvel post-setup. The front display makes excellent use of its real estate in providing valuable configurable track information to the user. The theater of how the display lights up, seamlessly transitioning between volume and track information, and the way in which the beautiful glass dial illuminates to communicate volume information is second to none. The Klimax DSM is also built like a tank, enthralling to look at, enticing to interact with, and beguiling to listen to. Put simply, this is the best sounding DAC-streamer I have ever heard.

McIntosh MP100 Phono Preamplifier: Review

The McIntosh MP100 Phono Preamplifier isn’t cheap at $2,000 and those looking for a warm sounding phono preamp that rolls off everything at both extremes might want to look elsewhere.

Detail, resolution, clarity, dynamics, and presence?

This little box from Binghamton brings that to the party all day and night.

The MP100 is neutral enough that I think one can get away with a wide range of cartridges if you’re looking to create a specific sound and perspective — I just wouldn’t go too neutral on the cartridge.

https://www.soundstageultra.com/index.php/equipment-menu/1124-linn-klimax-dsm-av-dac-preamplifier

Linn’s new Klimax DSM has taken me on a rollercoaster ride, and I am in desperate need of an emotional rescue. On one hand, I found the analog input lacking in terms of transparency and dynamics, and I remain skeptical of the efficacy of the Space Optimization software. I’m also leery of the idea of spending this much money on a flagship DSM knowing that, based on Linn’s history, an expensive upgrade could be in the works. On the other hand, for a product of such vast capability, the Klimax DSM is an ergonomic marvel post-setup. The front display makes excellent use of its real estate in providing valuable configurable track information to the user. The theater of how the display lights up, seamlessly transitioning between volume and track information, and the way in which the beautiful glass dial illuminates to communicate volume information is second to none. The Klimax DSM is also built like a tank, enthralling to look at, enticing to interact with, and beguiling to listen to. Put simply, this is the best sounding DAC-streamer I have ever heard.

Schiit Audio Reacts To Tube Supply, Intros The Freya Noval Pre Amp

It has been discussed on many occasions, but like traffic in Los Angeles – the world’s supply of tube has the capability to ebb and flow… (and/or stop completely). Even though there has been a few market freakouts, the supply and resulting cost per tube has realistically only gone up a small margin, for now. West coast and Texas amp maker Schiit Audio isn’t waiting to see what happens next. Based on the success of their popular tube pre amp Freya +, the budget audiophile favorite is making moves to ensure that their future supplies of Freyas don’t run out.

From designer Jason Stoddard’s morning email:

The scarcity (and prices) of tubes has a lot of people worried about the future. So, we thought we’d take a couple of steps to help with this uncertainty:
We’re re-introducing LISST, our Linear, Integrated Solid-State Tube, a MOSFET-based replacement for the 6SN7s used in our popular Freya+ preamp. This gives Freya+ purchasers a tube-like (tube-esque) option that won’t wear out like tubes