KECES Audio S300+ Power Amplifier Review

August 27, 2024 Comments Off on KECES Audio S300+ Power Amplifier Review

Moving on, you may be wondering that, aside from virtues of the previously extolled Ebravo Streamer Transport, what did I hear from the S300+ and the S4 combination? For one thing, it’s remarkable how well the preamp and amp articulated the nature of the various speakers paired with these products. The speakers on hand are a ragtag bag of brands and models that I’ve accumulated over the years. The main speakers that I use are a pair of Triangle Audio Antal Anniversary floor standing loudspeakers and a pair of Nola Contender speakers. From time to time, I will use stand mount speakers from Energy, Totem, Tannoy, and Paradigm. In all instances, the KECES Audio amplification illustrated the positive and negative aspects of each of my speaker choices. The claim of “nothing added” abounds in reviews about almost every product. When was the last time you read, “I found this product to deliver a highly colored and unnatural sound”? Neutrality is in the ears of the beholder. I don’t know how many times a supposedly “neutral” audio system sounds like a whole lot of rouge and mascara to me. Rather than go that route, I’ll just say that the KECES Audio preamplifier and amplifier combination neither masked nor distorted the characteristics of the speakers that I know so well. All was brought to the fore, and nothing sounded amiss. Works for me.

AMPSANDSOUND REVIEW

August 27, 2024 Comments Off on AMPSANDSOUND REVIEW

Diptyque DP 115 Speakers $12,000 Review

August 26, 2024 Comments Off on Diptyque DP 115 Speakers $12,000 Review

https://www.soundandvision.com/content/diptyque-dp-115-speakers-planar-magnetic-attraction

First, the caveats. Unsurprisingly, high-performance sound comes at a cost. That cost is literal; the MSRP of $12K is the highest of any speakers I have reviewed for this magazine. You also need to have a beefy amp to drive these speakers properly, a bargain AVR will not do the trick. So, you have to invest in speakers and power. Plus, the 40 Hz extension is pretty much determined by the laws of physics, so if you want to play deeper you need a sub that can keep up with speakers of this quality, representing another sizable investment.

But if you do take that path, the reward is tremendous. In previous issues, I have discussed how I have begun to weigh the benefits of fewer but better channels versus adding ever more speakers to a system. These days, a 13.4.6 system is doable with a high-end AVR. But the bottom line is maxing out an AVR like that costs even more than buying a nice stereo, and yet these days even high-end 2-channel gear accommodates eARC and streaming, so it really is OK to put a pair of awesome speakers in your living room, use them for everything, and call it a day.

THIEAUDIO ORACLE MKIII REVIEW

August 24, 2024 Comments Off on THIEAUDIO ORACLE MKIII REVIEW

The Oracle series represents ThieAudio’s interpretation of budget tribrid studio monitors, designed to deliver a signature suitable for studio or artist environments with solid technical capabilities at a reasonable price. Since the launch of the MkI and MkII, ThieAudio has introduced several technological innovations with the Hype series that they are excited to implement in the Oracle series. By listening to feedback from both audiophiles and professionals, they seem to have found a middle-ground signature that will keep both parties happy. ThieAudio claims the MkIII retains the original Oracle DNA as a capable studio monitor, with bass elevation restricted to the sub-bass shelf to provide instrument body for drummers and bass guitarists while keeping the mids flat and neutral thie-style. Also, the treble has been modified to be smoother than its Oracle MkII predecessor. They also state that upgrading the 3-way crossover to a more complex 4-way crossover system allowed them to utilize the drivers to reach their maximum potential.

Audioquest PowerQuest 303 Power Conditioner Review

August 24, 2024 Comments Off on Audioquest PowerQuest 303 Power Conditioner Review

https://www.audiophilia.com/reviews/2023/11/4/audioquest-powerquest-303-power-conditioner

Everyone needs an amplifier and speakers to make music but not everyone needs a power conditioner. In that sense, power products like the AudioQuest 303 will not be necessary for everyone. On the other hand, everyone does need power and if that power is not feeding a high-end system cleanly, there is a problem in need of a solution. In this case, the AudioQuest PowerQuest 303 ($459) is a perfect place to start. It’s practically designed, accessibly priced and widely available. I found it had a positive effect on a basic power issue without negatively impacting the sound of my system which is exactly what I would hope for from a power conditioner. Anyone looking to add power conditioning to their system would do well to maintain their healthy skepticism for the all exotic and expensive power products on the market and just give the Powerquest 303 a try. It may well be the perfect real-world power solution. 

ZMF BOKEH $1,098 REVIEW

August 22, 2024 Comments Off on ZMF BOKEH $1,098 REVIEW

We already know that ZMF like using different ear pads as they can easily that to alter the headphone’s tuning. The Bokeh pads are an evolution of ZMF’s Caldera pads design, and there are different versions available: Hybrid, Suede and Protein (see pics). All of the pads incorporate a distinctive fluted design, asymmetrical ear-side hole orientation, and a skewed Z-Axis angle for an optimal seal on the submental space of your neck, ensuring unparalleled comfort and sound. The driver side’s inner diameter can adapt seamlessly to airflow requirements, without messing up your sensory experience via the outer diameter that touches the skin thanks to the fluted design. Tweak the circular axis on the baffle to make these pads your own, so the thickest part matches perfectly with your unique contours

DYNAUDIO EMIT 10 BOOKSHELF (STAND-MOUNTED) SPEAKERS$799 REVIEW

August 22, 2024 Comments Off on DYNAUDIO EMIT 10 BOOKSHELF (STAND-MOUNTED) SPEAKERS$799 REVIEW

I listened to the Dynaudio Emit 10 speakers using Qobuz high res streaming through a laboratory-grade soundcard balanced output into Parasound JC 1+ monoblock power amplifiers. The speakers were placed on stands 10 feet apart, toed in.

Below are the standard albums that I use for reviews. I don’t use all of them for every review, but I include some for each of the factors that I want to listen for, such as violin smoothness, sibilance, male and female voices, bass punch, etc. I also listen to new music releases for some variety, but the main opinions are based on the standard albums because I know what they are supposed to sound like

SHANLING M5 ULTRA REVIEW

August 19, 2024 Comments Off on SHANLING M5 ULTRA REVIEW

The outputs are positioned on top, with playback buttons and a volume wheel on the right side—a classic DAP layout. The volume wheel adds a touch of Shanling’s authenticity. However, despite the overall excellent build quality, the volume knob still wobbles when used, which doesn’t inspire confidence regarding long-term use.

Alberto Guerra Designs (AGD) Solo Monoblock Amps Review $23,500

August 19, 2024 Comments Off on Alberto Guerra Designs (AGD) Solo Monoblock Amps Review $23,500

After multiple dedicated listening sessions over many weeks, with dozens and dozens of albums, the amplifiers never rose more than a few degrees ambient room temperature. These will happily drive whatever speakers you might choose to use. These could very well be the last amplifiers you’d ever need to buy. I’d be hard pressed to find a need for more power than these can offer and the ability to upgrade the sound stage in years ahead makes this a no-brainer.

Final Thoughts

STAX SRS-X1000 EARSPEAKER SYSTEM $980 REVIEW

August 18, 2024 Comments Off on STAX SRS-X1000 EARSPEAKER SYSTEM $980 REVIEW

For many audiophiles, electrostatic systems represent the pinnacle of headphones. However, the price of entry is steep for most of the systems, leaving out a large group of potential listeners. The STAX engineers have created a system that costs less than a decent pair of headphones, thus placing ownership within reach of most of us. When I unpacked the SR-X1 earspeakers and the SRM-270S amplifier, my first impression was just how tiny and almost toy-like this system was. When I previously reviewed the STAX SR-L500 MK2, I had to clear my desk and re-arrange my gear to make space for the energizer. This time, nothing got moved. The SRM-270S amplifier sat on top of my Topping, with room left over for the Topping remote, and the SR-X1 earspeakers took up almost no airspace hanging from a headphone stand. It makes it possible to add an electrostatic system to an existing system. It gives someone not familiar with electrostatic headphones, a way to explore their unique sound with hardly any additional impact to valuable desk real estate.

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