Esoteric K-05XD $12,000 Review
May 12, 2024 Comments Off on Esoteric K-05XD $12,000 Review
https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/esoteric-k-05xd
The honest approach is thrown into even sharper relief when we play an SACD of Stravinsky’s The Rite Of Spring. This is a lovely clean Decca recording with the music conducted by Valery Gergiev and played by the Kirov Orchestra. Here we’re impressed by the clarity on offer and the sheer amount of information the Esoteric reveals. Just as impressive is the way this player manages to arrange all that information to deliver a stirring musical experience. This symphony is known for its drama, complex instrumentation and wild dynamic swings, and the K-05XD delivers the full experience with enthusiasm.
This player has a large-scale and authoritative presentation and images with pleasing precision. Instruments are layered with care and locked into position even when the music becomes demanding. We love the spacious nature of the soundstage and the general lack of clutter. The Esoteric’s impressive ability to dig up low-level details shines through in the convincing way it places the orchestra within the recording venue. There is nothing showy here, no attempt to make the recording sound more impressive than it is. Just a pleasingly accurate rendition of the original recording.
FIIO K19 REVIEW
May 11, 2024 Comments Off on FIIO K19 REVIEW
The K19’s aluminum chassis uses a thermally conductive material that directly contacts the internal components, efficiently transferring heat to the vast aluminum frame. The chassis also features a honeycomb mesh design on the top and bottom, enhancing heat dissipation through convection. I noticed that the K19 gets warm to the touch after half an hour. To compare, the surface temp is about the same as K9 Pro ESS. It appears that the aluminum chassis does a great job of heat dissipation. I also noticed that it gets slightly hotter when placed horizontally. Vertical positioning naturally promotes better passive airflow and heat dissipation. If you prefer using the K19 horizontally and want to maximize its cooling potential, consider alternative feet or stands that offer higher clearance underneath the device.
BASN MTPro Review
May 9, 2024 Comments Off on BASN MTPro Review
The MT Pros boast a clean, understated aesthetic, especially in the base silver and black colors. If you want something a little flashier, you can get a gold, blue, or even purple pair. Their CNC-machined aluminum shells feel solid and luxurious, while the MMCX connectors offer flexibility and future-proofing via a wealth of replacement cables.
The included 3.5mm 4-core crystal copper cable is braided and tangle-resistant, adding to the premium feel. However, some may find the cable a little stiff, but the addition of memory ear hooks is a plus in terms of fit. Speaking of fit, I found the BASN IEMs very comfortable, and the earpiece ergonomics were excellent in my case. The shape of the metal housings fit my ears like a glove. YMMV. Additionally, I like that they include a wide variety of silicone and foam ear tips since getting a good seal in the ear canal is crucial for the best IEM performance.
New Focal headphones for 2024! Azurys & Hadenys Review
May 9, 2024 Comments Off on New Focal headphones for 2024! Azurys & Hadenys Review
Sonus faber Lumina V Amator Loudspeaker Review
May 8, 2024 Comments Off on Sonus faber Lumina V Amator Loudspeaker Review
https://www.hifinews.com/content/sonus-faber-lumina-v-amator-loudspeaker
While Sonus faber’s floorstander looks imposing in the pictures, the speaker is neither huge nor massively weighty, standing just under 105cm tall and, at 22.5kg, about light enough for one-person set-up, adding convenience to the room-friendliness. Positioning is no trickier, in no small part due to that downward-firing port. I spent some time moving the Lumina V Amators backwards and forwards in the room, finding very little difference wherever I placed them, and concentrated instead on experimenting with toe-in for the most coherent stereo image. Again, I was unable to effect any huge changes in this department, so stuck to my usual positioning with the cabinets aimed just slightly in front of the listening position.
With their rated 89dB sensitivity, 4ohm nominal impedance and a 50W minimum power requirement, these are not especially demanding speakers, and worked well with the various amplifiers I tried, ranging from Audiolab’s 9000A [HFN Aug ’23] up to my vintage Naim NAC 52/NAP 250 set-up. I should mention that magnetic grilles are provided, but it would be a shame to cover up the understated dark wenge or more exotic gloss red and walnut wood finishes on offer!
Telos 800 $85,000 REVIEW
May 8, 2024 Comments Off on Telos 800 $85,000 REVIEW
With an output of 300 Wrms (x 2) at 8 ohms and 390 Wrms (x 2) at 4 ohms, the Telos 800 is a leap forward in Goldmund’s offerings, presenting a formidable stereo amplifier capable of satisfying even the most discerning audiophile consumers.
To support its power output and audio quality, the Telos 800 incorporates a 3200 VA toroidal power transformer and an impressive capacitor bank of 93,600 µF. Compliant with IEC 62368-1 standards on rated power consumption, this amplifier delivers remarkable efficiency and power, rivaling the performance of two mono-power amplifiers.
Hegel Music Systems H30A Stereo/Mono Amplifier $19,000 Review
May 7, 2024 Comments Off on Hegel Music Systems H30A Stereo/Mono Amplifier $19,000 Review
In conclusion, Jason confesses that looking back over his review and seeing how effusive he’d been about the H30A made him a little uncomfortable. Granted, it is pricy and difficult to move to dust underneath, he concedes, but it also hit all of his “musts, wants, and needs.” With such high praise and the kind of measurements from our lab, the H30A earned a Reviewers’ Choice award when the review was published, a SoundStage! Network Product of the Year award in the Outstanding Performance category at the end of 2023, and a Recommended Reference Component award this month. Most complimentary and telling of all: Jason Thorpe still uses the H30A for his reviews to this day.
Aric Audio Super 300B SET Stereo Power Amplifier $6475 Review
May 7, 2024 Comments Off on Aric Audio Super 300B SET Stereo Power Amplifier $6475 Review
The Aric Audio Super 300B SET amp can get up and go! I did a lot of late-night listening with the system at low volume levels. Then it was time to let the amp cut loose. I played some classical recordings from Reference Recordings engineered and recorded by the world-famous Keith Johnson. Do you want dynamics baby? How about a full orchestra at close to realistic volume levels? Bing, check the box. The other thing about the dynamic range was what you didn’t hear. The amp is dead quiet! I believe the benefit of having a separate power supply allows for silent operation which increases the dynamic range. Every dB makes a difference.
I was surprised by how well-defined, and the fullness of the bass was presented by the Aric Audio Super 300B SET. This is not your father’s tube amp. It is quick, lively, transparent, and dynamic. Tonal contrasts and frequency responses were smooth in transitions. The high frequencies were articulate fully extended and natural sounding. I don’t think I’ve had an amp in my system that accomplished these feats! Do all 300B amps sound this way? Remember this is my first journey with a 300B amp. Is this the Super 300B SET a benchmark design? I’m inclined to say yes.
XACT S1 Music Server $13,900 Review
May 6, 2024 Comments Off on XACT S1 Music Server $13,900 Review
He succeeds more than you’d expect. This solid-state digital music server inspired thoughts of the Golden Age of Stereo, that high-water period in tube analog recordings dating from sixty years ago. It has the kind of frequency response and comfortable ear-feel that tends to make people smile. There’s even a bit of the golden glow.
The way the S1 reproduces space will make you do a double take. Digital has well-known issues regarding image depth, in particular roundness in space. The S1 overcomes that by fleshing out the missing dimension. Then it goes a step beyond and projects the images into the room, creating the kind of spatial holography we associate with tubes. To say the S1 is unlike other digital components is an understatement.
Naim Audio NAC 332 Preamplifier and NPX 300 Power Supply Review
May 4, 2024 Comments Off on Naim Audio NAC 332 Preamplifier and NPX 300 Power Supply Review
The substitution of Naim’s new NAP 350 monoblock pair ($8499 each) for my resident NAP 250 power amplifier brought more bass slam, improved dynamism, and a sense of greater ease. Drums and percussion hit harder, and the tom-tom drums and bass guitar had greater solidity. Bass was frequently more tangible, and at times seismic. After gunning the Naim combo on “Need You Tonight,” from the INXS album Kick (16/44.1 FLAC, Rhino Atlantic / Tidal), the drums and bass were really moving air in the room through my ATC SCM40s. This is an infectiously danceable track, and it had absolutely superb rhythm, timing, and groove via the all-Naim system. It was hard to resist the urge to slip into full Michael Hutchence mode and start pouting and gyrating across the room. I’ve had the experience of doing just that during a review, only to turn around and see three of my daughter’s friends, faces pressed to the glass, watching me through the window with a look of amusement. That was no big deal when they were kids, but now that they’re uber-cool young women, I fear all dignity would be lost.
Audiophilepure 
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