Audio Research Reference 80S Review
April 20, 2024 Comments Off on Audio Research Reference 80S Review
https://www.hifichoice.com/content/audio-research-reference-80s
Impressive though Audio Research’s Reference 80S undoubtedly is, there’s a sizeable elephant in the room that should perhaps be put to one side before we go any further. With a £15k price tag, this absolutely isn’t typical HFC fare, which almost immediately puts it out reach of most wallets. Which is a real shame as this is a quite stunning power amplifier that does the easy bit of delivering the power, while handling the more challenging side of subtlety and fine detail with absolute aplomb. In the highly unlikely event that you inadvertently stumble across that lost winning lottery ticket or a rich relative that you never knew about leaves you stacks of cash only on the understanding that you spend them on hi-fi exotica, this is an absolute must-have. For the rest of us it’ll have to remain a dream to aim towards. Regardless, there’s no disputing that the way the Reference 80S delivers the sort of precision that’s more commonly the realm of solid-state rivals from glass tubes is nothing short of miraculous.
Aurender AP20 Integrated $22,000 Review
April 19, 2024 Comments Off on Aurender AP20 Integrated $22,000 Review
https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/reviews/aurender-ap20-integrated-review-r1256
he design of the AP20 is really something to behold. It’s the right horse for not just a single course, but many courses. Its flexibility enables it to be used as an all-in-one or as a single component of a larger system, or as something that falls in between those two. I used it in two different systems, and mainly as the only component connected to my Wilson Audio Alexia V loudspeakers. I still have a smile on my face when thinking about playing Mahler’s Third through this system, with little volume attenuation. Enough transients to scare any listener and plenty of delicacy to please even the most discerning audiophile. The team at Aurender has seriously outdone itself.
FIIO K9 AKM $529 REVIEW
April 19, 2024 Comments Off on FIIO K9 AKM $529 REVIEW
The aluminum enclosure is similar to FiiO’s range of digital audio players but with more refined and elegant design elements. The case is precision machined and finished with a sandblasted matte black coating for a sleek yet robust look that will appeal to any audio enthusiast. The build quality is exemplary. It is sturdy, durable, and meticulously assembled. Details such as the RGB LED under the volume knob, radiant design buttons, and a radiant design black volume pot add to the premium aesthetic.
The design of the unit is simple and functional, combining elegance with a professional feel. The front panel includes essential controls, multiple headphone outputs (3.5mm, 4.4mm, and XLR 4-pin), volume pot, and status LEDs. Although there is no remote control, the FiiO Control app, available for both Android and iOS, provides remote volume control for added convenience in select modes.
CRAFT EARS OMNIUM €2,499 REVIEW
April 18, 2024 Comments Off on CRAFT EARS OMNIUM €2,499 REVIEW
Mids overall have a darker sound, where the focus lies on enjoyment rather than technically analysing it. Vocals come across as a little heavier on the bones, with good flesh, but with the darker tonality it sometimes is also missing air and emotional connection. There are tracks where I could relate to the singer’s emotional state, but with the Craft Ears it was a more difficult task.
Treble is calm and won’t be the problem of any conflicts. Treble heads definitely will be craving more, but anyone who has a lower tolerance to sharpness will find pleasing in the way the Omnium portrays highs
ADCOM GFP-915 PREAMPLIFIER AND GFA-565SE POWER AMPLIFIER REVIEW
April 18, 2024 Comments Off on ADCOM GFP-915 PREAMPLIFIER AND GFA-565SE POWER AMPLIFIER REVIEW
The GFP-915 is a pretty decent preamplifier and does a solid job. The GFA-565se is a stellar product and does far more than one would expect in its price range. It is time for a bit of speculation. This reviewer does not think Boris picked up the distribution of ADCOM just to be a reseller. His Amped products are so well designed that one wonders what Boris has in mind for ADCOM. Personally, I would love to discover what he could do with the basic GFP-915 preamp if he added some of his expertise.
NO MORE Pops Clicks & Static on VINYL RECORDS?
April 18, 2024 Comments Off on NO MORE Pops Clicks & Static on VINYL RECORDS?
EMM Labs MTRS power amplifier $65,000 Review
April 17, 2024 Comments Off on EMM Labs MTRS power amplifier $65,000 Review
https://www.stereophile.com/content/emm-labs-mtrs-power-amplifier
The EMM Labs MTRS is the finest, most musically complete stereo amp I’ve reviewed to date. As much as the word “neutrality” come to mind, it falls short as a descriptor of sound as honest, true, thrilling, heart-warming, and emotionally rewarding as the MTRS’s.
The MTRS is a must-audition for any music lover with the space and budget to give it a home. Hey, even if you don’t have the bucks to buy one, give it a listen. If you don’t, you’ll miss out on experiencing the significance of Ed Meitner’s accomplishment and the greatness of his team’s achievement.
SINEAPTIC SE-1 REVIEW
April 17, 2024 Comments Off on SINEAPTIC SE-1 REVIEW
I decided to stream Qobuz and quickly settled on “Rumours” by Fleetwood Mac (2001 Remaster). Setup via Bluetooth was a breeze and pairing it to my iPhone took seconds and as soon as “Second Hand News” started playing, I knew that I was going to be in for a treat! The overall presentation was incredibly balanced and surprisingly neutral. Usually, headphones under the $300 price tag tend to be bassy, a bit bloated with a distinct lack of treble extension and a sense of air. But what I heard with these headphones was a very natural and balanced signature with a very good amount of detail retrieval and openness. If you’re looking for a bass-heavy presentation for hip-hop, then maybe I’d suggest you look elsewhere, but if what you’re after is a very taught and detailed bass with a satisfying punch akin to the HD800S in terms of presence, then the SE-1’s are right up your ally. Conversely, the vocals by Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham were almost in perfect proportion to the bass and treble. Each frequency range was very well balanced and layered on top of each other such that I never once felt that there was too much of a predominance of one over the other. Finally, throughout the 40 minutes of this excellent experience, the comfort of these headphones was very good. They may not be towards the very top of on-the-go headphones that I’ve tried (like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra), but they were still very easy to use without a sign of fatigue or excessive wear
Wilson Audio • Sasha V Loudspeakers $51,000 Review
April 16, 2024 Comments Off on Wilson Audio • Sasha V Loudspeakers $51,000 Review
https://www.theaudiobeat.com/equipment/wilson_audio_sasha_v.htm
Regarding the price of such an experience, I’m always bemused when someone asks me whether speakers that cost as much as a luxury motorcycle, for instance, are worth the price. Given that I don’t hold a degree in macro or microeconomics, nor do I have any experience running a manufacturing business, my opinion about what constitutes a fair price should be taken with a huge grain of salt. But I do wonder why some people would be so outraged that a cutting-edge speaker that requires a team of experts to design and takes weeks to manufacture would be expensive. Rarely are these people outraged when they’re told that a high-performance motorcycle can cost $50,000. I suspect that most people who purchase Sasha Vs will be devoting significantly more time listening than they would touring the country on a Ducati. It all comes down to priorities.
FiiO M17 Portable Desktop-Class Music Player Review
April 16, 2024 Comments Off on FiiO M17 Portable Desktop-Class Music Player Review
If I were reviewing the M17 as a full-sized component in my main audio system, I’d describe its sound quality using the cliché “an iron fist in a velvet glove.” With size comes power, and this idiom was especially true when using the M17 when plugged into the wall outlet using its AC to DC power supply. When using its battery, its output power lowered, but sonically, there was such a slight difference in sound quality it wasn’t audible unless I squinted my ears.
Regardless of genre, source, or a file’s resolution, what I heard from my headphones was the epitome of “audiophile sound quality.” Yes, that description has become a bit of a cliché ever since “audiophile sound quality” has been appropriated by the mass-market audio industry. But I’d be wasting the reader’s time going through each recording and attempting to elaborate on what I heard, such as its slamming, deep bass, transparent midrange, and sparkling treble. This is because the recording determined the M17’s sound quality and which headphones I was using much more than the sound quality provided by the M17. In other words, the M17 sounds exceptionally transparent. I can think of no greater praise for an audio component.
Audiophilepure 
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