Buena Vista Social Club Offers Membership to 180g 45rpm 4LP Edition From Analogue Productions on February 14, Plus First-Ever Reel-to-Reel Release
February 18, 2025 Comments Off on Buena Vista Social Club Offers Membership to 180g 45rpm 4LP Edition From Analogue Productions on February 14, Plus First-Ever Reel-to-Reel Release
Thanks to the widespread embrace of Buena Vista Social Club, the classic, traditional sounds of Cuban son, bolero, and danzón became a cultural phenomenon. The self-titled 1997 Buena Vista Social Club Nonesuch release has sold over 12 million copies worldwide to date, and it earned a 1998 Grammy Award for Best Tropical Latin Album (when the category was then known as Best Tropical Latin Performance).
Signature Buena Vista tracks, such as the Afro-Cuban grooves of “Chan Chan” and the tender, soulful melodies of “Dos Gardenias,” are said to “radiate the passion, joy, and authenticity of Cuban musical traditions” — and I can certainly confirm those sentiments from my own personal experiences spinning various editions of the LP on my turntable throughout the years. (The 2001 edition is simply breathtaking.) Given the album’s pedigree and presentation, we expect to hear great things from this new 45rpm 4LP edition of Buena Vista Social Club — and we’ll let you know exactly what we think of it in our forthcoming review
PS Audio Stellar Strata Mk2 integrated amplifiers Review
February 17, 2025 Comments Off on PS Audio Stellar Strata Mk2 integrated amplifiers Review
The unorthodox system configuration is to use stereo integrated amplifiers in what I like referring to as a faux mono configuration. Unlike the Pathi’s class A/B output which could be summed to mono, both the Billie Amp Mk2 and the PS Audio Stellar Strata Mk2 have class D amplifiers, meaning the two channels cannot be summed. Initially, I thought that precluded use with single wired speakers, but perhaps I could employ only one channel to drive single wired speakers. I have not tried it, but certainly will eventually. But before I do, I will ask about any potential strain/stress to the integrated amp if using only one channel. Better to ask than find out the hard way!
That brings up a point about alternative configurations. Most manufacturers don’t support such configurations, and the assumption is that the audiophile is on their own, meaning no warranty support. It is possible that PS Audio will not support the system configurations I discuss here and warn the user that it would void the warranty. I believe that what I have done in system configurations presents no harm to PS Audio equipment and would hope that the company supports the alternative configuration rather than condemn it. But I will say up front, the results are so good that I will continue to use it regardless of the company’s decision.
HiBy R6 Pro Max Review
February 17, 2025 Comments Off on HiBy R6 Pro Max Review
HiBy aimed to create a DAP with dynamic, detailed, and well-separated sound, and the R6 Pro Max delivers on these promises. It offers a dynamic and complete sound profile with controlled, impactful bass, crisp mids, capable tonality, and well-extended treble, making it a versatile choice for various music genres.
This model represents a meaningful upgrade over the R6 Pro II, with a bolder and more powerful presentation. HiBy has significantly refined its sound performance since launching its first DAP in 2017, now offering a mature and well-rounded audio experience across its range. The R6 Pro Max stands as a testament to this evolution.
Soundproof an Entire Room for Just $100
February 17, 2025 Comments Off on Soundproof an Entire Room for Just $100
Perlisten R18s THX Dominus 18″ Sealed Subwoofer Review
February 16, 2025 Comments Off on Perlisten R18s THX Dominus 18″ Sealed Subwoofer Review
https://www.soundandvision.com/content/perlisten-r18s-thx-dominus-18-sealed-subwoofer-review
This magical subwoofer transformed any and all the high-quality speakers I auditioned with it connected into true full-range powerhouses. The sub is so clean, it always sounds like an extension of the speakers, and never like a box on the floor huffing and puffing to dig deep, like so many other subs. Its poise and power create a sense of awe. No other audio component I have reviewed so instantly transformed the rest of the system, elevating the fidelity to levels you’d rightly associate with the very best sounding stereo systems in the world. And nowhere was this clearer than when I was using my TV as the streaming source, the Kantos as my speakers, and the mighty Perlisten to take care of all the bass the speakers could not handle.
Bottom line: The sub makes the system. Yes it’s great to have a five-figure AVR-based Atmos rig singing and dancing, but goddam it is mind blowing what a killer sub can do for a modest-sized and priced pair of active speakers. Only a serious expletive can do it justice: The Perlisten R18s is the shit!
FiiO S15 Review
February 15, 2025 Comments Off on FiiO S15 Review
Listening on the HD 800s feels natural and dynamic; a slight adjustment in the midrange using the built-in equalizer can enhance vocal harmonies and nuances, adding to a euphonic experience.
Switching to the K9 Pro ESS using the RCA connection sees a slight drop in resolution, but dynamics remain strong, with added warmth in the midrange.
The RCA output, while generally neutral and enjoyable, falls slightly behind the XLR connection in staging separation and texture, which remains audibly superior.
When using the coaxial output from the S15 with the K9 Pro ESS decoder, the mid-bass gains prominence, with vocals sounding richer and more naturally rounded.
Although Bluetooth decoding exhibits decent dynamics, it falls short of the quality provided by local playback or USB decoding. Notably so in its treble extension which lacks a sense of effortlessness and displays a more noticeable roll-off.
Keith Monks’ ReduxTwo £4,930
February 15, 2025 Comments Off on Keith Monks’ ReduxTwo £4,930
https://www.hifichoice.com/content/clean-your-vinyl-keith-monks-reduxtwo
The company explains that using the ReduxTwo means no recontamination of cleaning fluid, vacuuming system and disc surface: “cleaning the 1,000th record as well as the first”. It operates with a fast, deep clean wash followed by a Precision Point Suction Dry. It uses a SmoothFlowPro Brushless Pump, operates quietly, switches itself off and comes with a brush block holder and Pyr/\mat StayClean for 12in LP records.
It’s supplied with discOvery cleaning fluids for vinyl, shellac 78s, optical discs (CD, DVD, Blu-ray, etc.) and concentrate for extra dirty records and system cleaning. The vacuum system dries all sizes from 12in vinyl to 5in optical discs. Hand-built in the UK, brush block holders for 10in and 7in records come included as standard alongside a three-year warranty.
Chord Electronics brings Alto £3,000
February 14, 2025 Comments Off on Chord Electronics brings Alto £3,000
The Alto’s ULTIMA topology introduces the company’s dual-feed-forward error correction technology, which monitors then corrects signals before the output stage. The twin-input design benefits from both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs, as well as balanced XLR outs for bypass/throughput to other devices. The balanced XLR output can also be used in conjunction with headphones or loudspeakers in joint output mode.
The casework is precision-machined from aircraft-grade aluminium, with high-quality anodising undertaken locally. The front fascia includes volume control, power on/off and input selection controls, with colour-changing LEDs indicating power status and in/output choice. Alto measures 200 x 44.45 x 215mm (WxHxD) and a remote control comes supplied.
Hifiman HE1000 Unveiled $2,699 Review
February 14, 2025 Comments Off on Hifiman HE1000 Unveiled $2,699 Review
The Hifiman HE1000 Unveiled sports asymmetric and gently beveled ear pads like on the Susvara Unveiled, and they deliver excellent comfort as well. The inner side of the pads never touch your ears and the side grip/pressure sits just right in order to deliver the best comforts and performance.
With the Unveiled principle, the driver basically is very open an vulnerable. I however don’t see how you could damage the driver if you use the headphone like it is supposed to be used. That said, we have seen images of someone’s Unveiled driver being punctured. I have no idea how that happened there, but as not everyone is as careful, the Unveiled headphone come with magnetic covers. These nicely fit the outside of the ear cup, and this time round the magnetic force is perfect (unlike with the Susvara Unveiled). Anyway, this allows you to safely store the HE1000 Unveiled, without any risk of objects being absorbed by the magnetic driver.
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