MoFi Electronics SourcePoint 8 loudspeaker $2999 Review

September 8, 2023 Comments Off on MoFi Electronics SourcePoint 8 loudspeaker $2999 Review

https://www.stereophile.com/content/mofi-electronics-sourcepoint-8-loudspeaker

To say that I am pleased with the Mobile Fidelity SourcePoint 8 speakers is an understatement. But before I sum up, let me get the few caveats out of the way. First, these speakers do not delve into deep bass, though except on a few specific tracks (including those with prominent low-Fs and F#s on piano or bass) and in direct comparison to much larger speakers, you’re unlikely to notice that anything is missing. Second, although I have enjoyed larger loudspeakers at higher levels than the SourcePoint 8s are capable of, this would not be a practical constraint for most serious listeners. Third, the SourcePoint 8s should be evaluated at ear level. Truly, these are less caveats than application notes.

Perlisten Audio S5t Loudspeaker $13,990 Review

September 6, 2023 Comments Off on Perlisten Audio S5t Loudspeaker $13,990 Review

https://www.soundstageultra.com/index.php/equipment-menu/1198-perlisten-audio-s5t-loudspeaker

Perlisten Audio’s S5t loudspeaker manifests the no-nonsense, performance-first approach you’d expect from a decades-old company that is continuing to refine a winning formula. This process of refinement is still fueled by the desire to build something unique, which spurs technical innovation. Marked by its sterling neutrality across the frequency band, the S5t’s most distinctive feature is its DPC array, which produced one of the most convincing and holographic stereo images I’ve heard. While not quite full range in my listening space, the S5t, thanks to its well-controlled, linear bottom end, should be nearly full range in listening rooms of more typical dimensions. The S5t is built to a high standard, and the high-gloss finish of my review samples looked beautiful. It would complement any modern decor. All aboard the hype train: Perlisten’s S5t is the real deal.

Audio Note UK M2 Linestage / Preamplifier And Conqueror Power Amplifier Review

September 6, 2023 Comments Off on Audio Note UK M2 Linestage / Preamplifier And Conqueror Power Amplifier Review

https://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0823/Audio_Note_UK_M2_Linestage_Preamplifier_Conqueror_Power_Amplifier_Review.htm

As I continued to listen to music with the Audio Note UK M2 linestage and Conqueror stereo amplifier pairing, this intimate experience prevailed, no matter the recording or the medium. Before I knew it, there were stacks of records and CDs in my living room because I was too eager to grab a new album before putting the old one away. My listening sessions had become tranquil meditative experiences. Now I was sitting in a Sukhasana pose on the forest floor. The woodland creatures moved past me, unconcerned with my presence. Shure, I had to continue along the path at some point, but at that moment, I was happy where I was.

I don’t know how much of a Music lover Robert Frost was. Heck, I’m not sure I truly understand “The Road Not Taken”. I do know that my exploration of high-end audio has been a very interesting journey. I’ve been really lucky to meet people, in person and online, who have been kind with their time and helped me find what I was looking for. Is my journey over? Not by a long shot. Right now, I just want to thank all of the good people of Audio Note UK who have been kind enough to fulfill a long-time dream and allow me to listen to their equipment in my home. My time in the woods will come to an end soon. I just need to enjoy it before I have to move on.

Avalon Eidolon Speaker Review

September 3, 2023 Comments Off on Avalon Eidolon Speaker Review

https://www.hifinews.com/content/avalon-eidolon-speaker

This loudspeaker challenged what I knew about sound reproduction on multiple fronts. Designer Neil Patel has demonstrated an uncompromising attitude to the very essence of recorded performance and musical expression. His Eidolon could have been bigger, louder, and possessed greater slam, but it couldn’t have simultaneously demonstrated the most serious approach to perfection I’ve heard.

Summarising the technical performance, as costly speakers go, this floorstander has a moderate footprint, superb finish, average sensitivity and amplifier loading, but very good power handling. It delivered a very smooth, very extended frequency range with superb off-axis consistency and low distortion. Its build and technologies are essentially of the highest quality while self-noise and stored energy are at an all-time low.

 RSX Technologies Power8™ AC Power Box $429 Review

September 3, 2023 Comments Off on  RSX Technologies Power8™ AC Power Box $429 Review

The first graph shows the resulting noise level coming from the amp and speakers using a standard generic power cable that was supplied with the KECES amp. No content is being provided to the amp. This is simply the noise floor of the amplifier, measured just in front of the speaker. The second graph is the exact same setup, except the power cables have been replaced with RSX Beyond Power Cables running through the RSX Power8/Beyond™ AC Cables.

KECES S300+ Stereo Amplifier $3499 Review

September 2, 2023 Comments Off on KECES S300+ Stereo Amplifier $3499 Review

After we had listened to the SVSs, we then drug out his pair of JBL ES80s and swapped out the SVSs for these for comparison. We were instantly disappointed. Not in the S300+ mind you, but in the ES80s! Just as the S300+ revealed what the SVSs could do, it also revealed what these ES80s couldn’t do. Again, I go back to the word “revealing.” With the S300+, you’ll either fall in love with your speakers, or you’ll want to throw them off a cliff. (Hopefully the former!)

All told, I have only about 20 hours of use so far. I think it’s just starting to break-in, so some of my comments should be considered to be provisional. As is sometimes the case with higher end gear like this, it gets better with continued use. At least that’s what my ears are telling me. (Think “bloom”!) In addition to all the aforementioned titles above, I’ve also been enjoying the remasters of Andre Prévin’s recordings of Shanker, Gershwin, Prokofiev, and Tchaikovsky. It’s a real joy to listen (and re-listen) to these on a better version of my own speakers thanks to the KECES S300+.

Some final thoughts on the KECES S300+

Remember to place this amp in a very well-ventilated area. I have mine sitting on a credenza about a foot away from the DAC. Nothing else nearby. I would advise against putting this into any type of fully or semi enclosed cabinet. If you do plan on putting it somewhere other than out in the open, a small quiet low RPM fan wouldn’t be a bad idea. I’m thinking about placing a spare 140mm PC fan on top of the unit just to assist in the convective airflow for cooling.

If you’re facing a choice to either upgrade your speakers or upgrade your amplifier, choose the latter. Upgrade the amplifier first. As the KECES S300+ shows, you likely have no idea what your current (or new) speakers can do if your amplifier is sub-par compared to the true capabilities of the speakers.

Paradigm Founder 40B Loudspeaker $2400 Review

September 2, 2023 Comments Off on Paradigm Founder 40B Loudspeaker $2400 Review

https://www.audiophilia.com/reviews/2023/4/1/paradigm-founder-40b-bookshelf-loudspeaker

So, Paradigm is two for two around here, and at both ends of the price spectrum. Bravo, for that. $2400/pair is not inexpensive, but for high-end, it’s a relative bargain. And when you take into account the quality sound, driver implementation, style and workmanship, the Founder 40Bs should be heard by all researching a sub $3000 speaker purchase. Recommended.

Döhmann Helix Two Mk3 Turntable Review

September 1, 2023 Comments Off on Döhmann Helix Two Mk3 Turntable Review

https://www.hifinews.com/content/d%C3%B6hmann-helix-two-mk3-turntable

Having accepted that the Helix Two Mk3 delivers bass as deep and powerful as any I have heard in my room, I dug out a 12in single from one of the most fragile-sounding (and underappreciated) ensembles in rock history: Wilson Phillips. This trio of sublime vocalists’ ‘Release Me’ [SBK Records 12SBK11] oozed harmony to rival that of their parents, which hovered over the soundstage with an airiness that can only be described as ‘gossamer-like’.

‘Pseuds Corner’ might be in my future for that, but I cannot deny the recording its staggering impact. After an a cappella intro, massive percussion kicks in, displaying precisely the opposite sonic qualities, not least transient attack that takes one’s breath away. The Döhmann Helix Two Mk3 wasn’t reining in the audible gifts it bestowed upon me, beyond its own inherent brilliance and the way it forced a reassessment of the aforementioned speakers and cartridges. It made me realise that Wilson Phillips should be mentioned in the same breath as The Everly Brothers and The Hollies.

JBL 4329P STUDIO MONITOR $4500 REVIEW

September 1, 2023 Comments Off on JBL 4329P STUDIO MONITOR $4500 REVIEW

I didn’t have much in the way of preconceived notions about how the JBL system would sound. I haven’t heard horn speakers in many years and thought the mid to high frequencies would be inferior to my other speakers in the house from Ohm, KEF, and Focal. That wasn’t the case. JBL drivers have come a long way over the years, and they sounded smooth and extended. I moved some of my highly regarded ‘East Coast’ speakers into my living room and switched back and forth and did not find the JBLs wanting in any way. The JBLs lacked any form of equalization, something I missed because my other speakers had the virtue of Dirac or ARC but that wasn’t an option here. I’d like to see JBL offer some tuning options for room matching. There is a switch to adjust the low end for corner placement of the speakers.

Yamaha YH-5000SE Headphones Review

August 31, 2023 Comments Off on Yamaha YH-5000SE Headphones Review

https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/reference-components/1786-recommended-reference-component-yamaha-yh-5000se-headphones

In his summation, Geoffrey described the YH-5000SE headphones as “beautifully built and engineered” and “remarkably comfortable.” They sounded “well balanced” without being “analytically boring,” and “open and airy while retaining precision in the soundstage.” He went on to say that they were “hugely open, with perfectly fast transients.” Geoffrey also found that the bass extended “remarkably deep while remaining in balance with the midrange and treble.” While the treble was “excellent” he thought it was just “not quite as perfect.”

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