Mark Levinson No 523 Preamplifier, Phonostage And Headphone Amplifier $15,000 Review
November 14, 2016 Comments Off on Mark Levinson No 523 Preamplifier, Phonostage And Headphone Amplifier $15,000 Review
” Mention “Mark Levinson” to many non-audiophiles, and only a few will recognize the it as the name of the man. But the majority are going to recognize it as the excellent audio company that bears his name. This is in some part due to Mark Levinson being owned by the large Harman International Industries, and their mainstream presence. Still, there is no question that Mark Levinson’s high-end components are familiar to many because of their reputation”
Mark Levinson 526_PreAmplifier_12-16-25
Tenor Phono 1 Review
October 5, 2016 Comments Off on Tenor Phono 1 Review
“The Tenor rendered the entire Capriccio Italien performance with flying colours – portraying every instrument with proper weight, scale, timber and texture. Even on the demanding passages, which can easily become trashy, garbled messes with a lesser component, the Tenor maintained proper contrast with clear identifiable distinction of every instrument in the acoustic space – nothing was garbled. The dynamic contrast, weight and solidity of the holographic image, is reminiscent of the Burmester 100 Phono Preamp, but the Tenor adds a greater transient response with a wider frequency extension. It instills more vibrancy and impact to sound making an already intense performance even more exhilarating and lifelike.”
Questyle Dual Mono Reference System Price: $12,495 Review
October 1, 2016 Comments Off on Questyle Dual Mono Reference System Price: $12,495 Review
“No less impressive is the performance of bassist Tommy Shannon. The Questyle Golden stack captures the intent behind his performance masterfully, in terms of both resolution and dynamics – laying back a bit on the bass, always ensuring Stevie remains the center of attention, pushing where it is needed, but taking care never to step out of turn. Gaining so much insight into such a nuanced background performance says quite a bit about the excellent resolution and powerful dynamics the system has to offer. It is truly something special.”
LIO Review Part 1 (Harbeth P3ESR) – Video
September 21, 2016 Comments Off on LIO Review Part 1 (Harbeth P3ESR) – Video
Pass Labs X350.8 Stereo Amplifier and XP-30 Preamplifier Review
September 6, 2016 Comments Off on Pass Labs X350.8 Stereo Amplifier and XP-30 Preamplifier Review
“Bottom line… the extension, transparency, and palpability of the XP-30 make it a must audition. The seductive mids/highs and muscular bass performance of the Reference 6 should also put it right there at the top of the list. I wish you luck on this one. Much applause to both Pass Labs and Audio Research for giving us such wonderful options.”
KORG DS-DAC-10R & AudioGate ‘Portable’ vinyl
August 10, 2016 Comments Off on KORG DS-DAC-10R & AudioGate ‘Portable’ vinyl
” Mercifully, there are no wizards to plough through. AudioGate’s clean intuitive UI makes for a pleasurable experience – one that’s generally in short supply in the vinyl-ripping world and unheard of at the DS-DAC-10R’s asking price. What a find!”
MCINTOSH C52 PREAMP AND MC301 MONO POWER AMPLIFIERS REVIEW
August 6, 2016 § 1 Comment
” These are not the fastest amplifiers around, and pacey rock like ZZ Top could have more tension, but if you want the music to wash over you the MC301 does a very appealing job, one that makes listening very easy. They are transparent to what comes before them as well; changing source proved that their dynamic capabilities are very much at the mercy of what’s coming down the line. Adding the C52 to the mix and using the same single ended interconnects brings a warming and smoothing quality to the sound that doesn’t get in the way of detail or the easy flow of the power amps; if anything it enhances this. ”
PS Audio BHK Signature Preamplifier Review
July 4, 2016 Comments Off on PS Audio BHK Signature Preamplifier Review
” No less for female voices. For example, I have never been a fan of blue grass music; but, my gosh, check out the 2000 album (CD rip) ‘Rising’ by Misty River, an all-female bluegrass quartet (including a mother and daughter) involving acoustic guitar, banjo, bass, fiddle, accordion, and more; but above all, absolutely lovely harmonizing vocals. And back to Vincent van Gogh, I suggest the track, ‘Paper Van Gogh’, from Shelby Lynne’s newest album, I Can’t Imagine (24/96). On the BHK, these voices (and all else) sounded heavenly.”
Constellation Audio Inspiration Preamp 1.0 Preamplifier Review
June 24, 2016 Comments Off on Constellation Audio Inspiration Preamp 1.0 Preamplifier Review
” Constellation Audio’s Inspiration Preamp 1.0 is an exceedingly well-engineered audio component. At $9900, its qualities of sound and build are exemplary, and complemented by a unique balance of solid-state fortitude and tube-like refinement. While it may not be the quietest preamp I’ve heard, and its operation is less than intuitive, the Inspiration Preamp 1.0 redefines what $9900 can buy in terms of transparency, refinement, sophistication, inner detail, color saturation, and overall fidelity to the original recording. In fact, considering that the Inspiration Preamp 1.0 has the same circuit topology found at the very top of the Constellation line at a fraction of the price, it may be one of the best values in the market today.”
CONSTELLATION AUDIO ALTAIR II LINESTAGE AND HERCULES II MONOBLOCK POWER AMPLIFIERS
April 19, 2016 Comments Off on CONSTELLATION AUDIO ALTAIR II LINESTAGE AND HERCULES II MONOBLOCK POWER AMPLIFIERS
” The second quality that sets the Constellation electronics apart is their reproduction of the treble. If the level of resolution I’ve just described is accompanied by the slightest bit of glare, etch, grain, hardness, emphasized transient zip, or forwardness, the sound quickly becomes annoying and fatiguing. Rather than fostering musical intimacy, such brightness precludes it. And here’s where the resolution of the Altair II and Hercules II becomes so magical; all that wonderful detail is presented in a supremely subtle, refined, suave, and sophisticated way that never calls attention to itself. There’s no need to soften the presentation of the Altair II and Hercules II to mitigate an electronic patina because there is no electronic patina. Moreover, the treble has a delicate filigreed quality that is unique in my experience. Although the top end has a full measure of energy and life, it’s also rendered with a sweetness and grace that are departures from the stereotype of a big solid-state amplifier. The combination of resolution with ease is, in my view, what distinguishes a really great hi-fi system from one that becomes transcendental. That quality is also what makes the Mk.II upgrade to the Magico Q7 such a triumph; it delivers more information and a more relaxed sound. One quality isn’t sacrificed to advance the other. In both the Q7 Mk.II and the Constellation electronics, resolution combines synergistically with ease to foster total musical involvement. The presentation is musically vivid without being sonically vivid.”
Audiophilepure 
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