iFi Audio Valkyrie Review
April 20, 2025 Comments Off on iFi Audio Valkyrie Review
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iFi is the sister-brand of Abbingdon Music Research (AMR) and is headquartered in Southport, UK. In 2012, AMR decided to create an offshoot company that would cater to the needs of portable and personal audio enthusiasts.
In the personal audio space, iFi used to be most known for their elongated micro iDSD Signature combo units, which offer DAC and headphone amplifier functions and a rechargeable battery for fully independent operation. Likely due to their less-than-pocketable size they were well-loved by desktop listeners as well. The culmination of the micro iDSD Signature range is the current iDSD Diablo 2, which I absolutely loved sound-wise.
Constellation Revelation 2 pre/power amplifier Review
March 23, 2025 Comments Off on Constellation Revelation 2 pre/power amplifier Review
https://www.hifinews.com/content/constellation-revelation-2-prepower-amplifier
The minor cosmetic refresh to Constellation’s Revelation amplifiers does not reflect the transformation under the hood, where new, precision-engineered power supplies seemingly boost every facet of performance. Play any genre and this system excels, muscular and attacking one moment, insightful and fluid the next. It’s a premium sound worthy of the price, and a fine way to kick off the brand’s new era.
MoFi MasterPhono – Phono Preamp Review
March 16, 2025 Comments Off on MoFi MasterPhono – Phono Preamp Review
Moon 891 streaming preamplifier $25,000 Review
March 14, 2025 Comments Off on Moon 891 streaming preamplifier $25,000 Review
https://www.stereophile.com/content/moon-891-streaming-preamplifier
Finally, I began to do something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. After switching to a pair of bridged Moon 861 stereo amplifiers—the 891’s intended complement—I grabbed the November 2024 issue of this illustrious publication and began auditioning music tracks cited by other reviewers. Because vinyl figured prominently in their choices, I couldn’t find all the digital equivalents in Qobuz or Tidal (footnote 5). When I did find them, they were often early CD-quality transfers replete with the deficiencies and limitations that current hi-rez digital has overcome. But at least I could begin to appreciate the superb musical choices of my colleagues.
Moon 891 streaming preamplifier $25,000 Review
February 22, 2025 Comments Off on Moon 891 streaming preamplifier $25,000 Review
https://www.stereophile.com/content/moon-891-streaming-preamplifier
After switching cables and apps, I revisited some of the same tracks using the considerably more expensive Innuos Statement Next-Gen/PhoenixNet combo with the Innuos Sense app and InnuOS. The sound wasn’t incrementally better; it was way better. Leaps and bounds better. Bass that had lacked firmness was now absolutely firm and clear. Fuller as well, and in correct proportion to instruments and voices higher in the range. Transparency and air notably increased, the soundstage grew dramatically in sound and depth, etc., etc. Amen. You know the story. Veteran review readers have heard it a thousand times. But that doesn’t make it any less true.
This was anything but a case of “diminishing returns.” It was a major improvement, albeit one costing well over double the price. (Hey, if you use cables as costly as mine, you’re approaching triple the price.) An unfair comparison, to be sure. But it confirmed something friend Scott had said over 850 words ago: Given a better streaming source, the excellence of the 891’s DAC and preamplifier stood out. Together, they reach into music’s heart and soul, lay it out for all to hear, and do so with a transparency and truth that deserve copious praise.
McIntosh C2800 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier Review
February 12, 2025 Comments Off on McIntosh C2800 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier Review
Eversolo DMP-A8 Streamer-DAC-DAP-Preamplifier $1,980 Review
January 26, 2025 Comments Off on Eversolo DMP-A8 Streamer-DAC-DAP-Preamplifier $1,980 Review
Used in conjunction with its internal streamer, the DMP-A8 became a potent streaming DAC device. I spent a good chunk of time evaluating the DMP-A8 in its streaming DAC function in this review (connected to Classe CP-700 preamplifier and Krell KAV-2250 amplifier) and came away impressed. In such a function, it was hard to think of other components out there that bested the DMP-A8 in features and performance in the sub-$2,000 price range. The streaming control using the Eversolo app was a delight to use, and the device responded swiftly to the selected playback track through the app. Besides displaying the album cover figure and the track information on the device’s front screen, this information was also displayed in the app, hence eliminating the need for reading the small text on the front display.
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