Constellation Revelation Series Monoblock Power Amplifier Review
July 14, 2019 Comments Off on Constellation Revelation Series Monoblock Power Amplifier Review
“It may seem like an obvious observation, but the Taurus paired with either the Pictor or Virgo III was particularly felicitous. Of course preamps and power amps made by the same manufacturer should sound good together, but this is especially true with Constellation pairings. Constellation’s preamps have a bit higher gain (26dB) than a lot of preamps and have such precision between the two phases of the balanced output signal that the preamp output can drive the amplifier’s Constellation Direct input that bypasses the power amp’s input stage. The typical buffering and assuring of perfect symmetry between the two phases of the balanced signal are simply not necessary when the amp is used with a Constellation preamp (in balanced mode). The sonic improvements yielded by using the Constellation Direct input are worthwhile. The soundscape opens up more, dynamic immediacy improves, and resolution becomes even finer. You have to turn up the volume to compensate for the bypassed initial gain stage, but I heard only sonic improvements in this configuration—no downsides or compromises.”
Schiit Freya + Preamplifier $899 Review
July 11, 2019 Comments Off on Schiit Freya + Preamplifier $899 Review
“Schiit have taken their already well-received Freya preamp and have incorporated modifications that fans of the company have eagerly asked for. With a remote control set to the potentiometer and near distortion-free tuning, the Freya plus represents a newly improved preamplifier that would work well in any audiophile’s set-up. The chassis feels and looks incredibly sleek and with the new fasterlessness design fits well with Schiit’s ‘Made in America’ product range. Nestled at the top of their price-performance curves, Schiit does not disappoint with this new amplifier which adds a delightful tuning yet flexible approach when dealing between existing source components. It will be interesting to see if there is enough demand for this product to survive Schiit’s ‘Thunderdome’ concept. For this reason, I would strongly urge readers to try this product for those seeking a smart preamplifier solution to their audiophile needs.”
Audio Research Reference 6 Preamplifier $15,000 Review
July 3, 2019 Comments Off on Audio Research Reference 6 Preamplifier $15,000 Review
“In my time with it, I quickly learned that Audio Research’s Reference 6 preamplifier is one of those rare products capable of producing a quality of sound greater than might be suggested by the sum of its parts. The Ref 6 also offers outstanding build quality, instinctual ergonomics, and sexy appearance, all for only $2005 more than the cost of its predecessor — a 15% premium. Moreover, it’s the first tubed preamplifier I’ve heard that can match and in some ways exceed the performance of my reference, the solid-state Simaudio Moon Evolution P-8. This tells me three things: 1) some seriously astute engineering is going on under the Ref 6’s hood; 2) even at $15,000, the Ref 6 is a heck of a value; and 3) I’d be an idiot to return the review sample. Audio Research’s Reference 6 has just become my new reference preamplifier. Wholeheartedly recommended.”
Audio Research Reference 6 Preamplifier $15,000 Review
June 20, 2019 Comments Off on Audio Research Reference 6 Preamplifier $15,000 Review
“In my time with it, I quickly learned that Audio Research’s Reference 6 preamplifier is one of those rare products capable of producing a quality of sound greater than might be suggested by the sum of its parts. The Ref 6 also offers outstanding build quality, instinctual ergonomics, and sexy appearance, all for only $2005 more than the cost of its predecessor — a 15% premium. Moreover, it’s the first tubed preamplifier I’ve heard that can match and in some ways exceed the performance of my reference, the solid-state Simaudio Moon Evolution P-8. This tells me three things: 1) some seriously astute engineering is going on under the Ref 6’s hood; 2) even at $15,000, the Ref 6 is a heck of a value; and 3) I’d be an idiot to return the review sample. Audio Research’s Reference 6 has just become my new reference preamplifier. Wholeheartedly recommended.”
Vinnie Rossi L2 Signature Preamplifier Review
June 12, 2019 Comments Off on Vinnie Rossi L2 Signature Preamplifier Review
“The L2 enhanced my very fine digital setup, and considering the preamplifier section of the Continuum S2 (basically, a Jeff Rowland Capri II preamplifier) is outstanding and an obvious match for its connected amplifier section, it couldn’t better the gorgeous sounds the 300Bs were portraying. For sure, a completely different topology, but the way Rossi has his tubes singing is very persuasive.
It’s been my experience that some tube preamps let the side down during thunderous piano performances. No fears, here. Martha Argerich’s famous Berlin/Abbado/DG (vinyl reissue) of Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 was overwhelming at times. She’s a powerhouse; a force of nature. And all her power was unsullied and heard to astounding effect. Piano fans will love this preamplifier. Yet, at the other end of the dynamic spectrum, the Rossi retrieved even more subtlety from John Bingham’s playing of Schubert Songs arr. Liszt on Meridian vinyl than I’m used to. I use my late friend’s playing as a test for quiet pianism; pedal, bell tones, touch, ppp voicing, etc. This was pretty miraculous as a musical experience. The LP is available on Discogs. ”
AUDIO RESEARCH REFERENCE 10 LINE PREAMPLIFIER REVIEW
April 25, 2019 Comments Off on AUDIO RESEARCH REFERENCE 10 LINE PREAMPLIFIER REVIEW
“This isn’t just about hearing more from your recordings, although that is what first attracts you to the Reference 10’s performance. It’s like a reset button on your music. Tracks you know so well aren’t just replayed as if it were the first time you heard them; they are rebuilt note-by-note in front of you, opening up that music in ways you can’t anticipate until you experience them. Yes this is about detail, space, and dynamic range – Bernard Purdie’s drum pedal on ‘Memphis Soul Stew’ [KIng Curtis Live at Filmore West, ATCO] has a squeak that really high-resolution systems can resolve. Many of those are brutally analytical rendering the track hard to hear because of that ever-present squeak, but the Reference 10 forces you beyond that, to a point where it is just a part of the musical whole again. It’s just this time, there are so many more parts to that whole. Let’s put it this way; anyone who was actually at that concert almost 50 years ago might have heard that squeaky drum pedal, and I guarantee not one person walked out of the concert because of that squeak. That’s how the Reference 10 pushes ahead of the competition. That’s not to say the preamplifier is forgiving, but instead is so informative that detail alone isn’t enough; it’s like you get a new set of ears with the Reference 10 and they take everything in! Going back to more real world preamps is an exercise in disappointment.”
BOULDER AMPLIFIERS 1110 PRE-AMPLIFIER AND 1160 AMPLIFIER REVIEW
April 1, 2019 Comments Off on BOULDER AMPLIFIERS 1110 PRE-AMPLIFIER AND 1160 AMPLIFIER REVIEW
“Thirty-four years of engineering focus has given Boulder time to learn more efficient and effective ways to construct its gear, with build quality that routinely functions for a decade plus of set-it-and-forget-it life spans, better heat dissipation, plus ARM Chip inclusion for web capabilities as well as advanced power management and circuit protection. I have not found any area that has not been considered for improvement. And, the music! Absolutely musical! I could not detect any colour being inserted by the Boulder siblings. They did not offer a warm, cool, or shaded tonal signature. Everything was by the book, whatever was the disc, LP, or streaming bits. That is what I want from a solid state, state of the art system. ”
CH Precision P1 Phono Preamplifier $31.000 review
March 26, 2019 Comments Off on CH Precision P1 Phono Preamplifier $31.000 review
“I was really quickly entangled with the CH Precision P1 mind-boggling and complex core. I certainly didn’t predict to dip that deep and thoroughly into this apparatus, but once I’ve discovered P1’s current input potency I’ve literary pull out all of my cartridges that I own or have them in the review loop (Top Wing Blue Dragon, Top Wing Red Sparrow, Lyra Etna SL, Gold Note Tuscany Gold, Hana SL, Murasakino Sumile Mono, Etsuro Urushi, Miyabi Labs, Soundsmith Paua Mk Ii Cartridge etc.) and entered the non-plotted, but a most rewarding and prolonged sleepless nights analog adve”nture.
The cartridge list itself reveals my passion for the MC cartridges and with the up to 25dB user adjustable input gain, there was never even the slightest trait of the missing gain.”
Moon 390 Network Player/Preamplifier $5,300 Review
March 16, 2019 Comments Off on Moon 390 Network Player/Preamplifier $5,300 Review
“While high-res audio is a selling point of the Moon 390, it didn’t exactly need to be fed high-res audio to sound great. Listening to a 16-bit/44.1kHz FLAC stream of “Woodstock” by jazz supergroup Hudson, John Medeski’s acoustic piano solo had a solid, almost meaty, presence, while Larry Grenadier’s standup bass sounded sinewy and clean. The cymbals from drummer Jack DeJohnette’s kit also had a 3D-like quality that made them float realistically in space.
I wrapped up my assessment of the Moon 390’s digital chops by comparing the performance of its built-in DAC with the Pioneer universal disc player’s using a handful of reference CDs. In each case, the sound delivered by the 390’s DAC was more precise, layered, and clean. The performance of the Pioneer’s DAC, in comparison, was consistently more recessed and less engaging.
Audiophilepure 
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