BOWERS & WILKINS 607 S3 BOOKSHELF LOUDSPEAKER $1200 A VIDEO REVIEW
January 9, 2024 Comments Off on BOWERS & WILKINS 607 S3 BOOKSHELF LOUDSPEAKER $1200 A VIDEO REVIEW
My favorite pair of speakers is the mighty B&W 685 S1. I bought a floor model pair from a store in Toronto. Since then, B&W has iterated the 600 series with newer models, and I have been super curious to see what they sounded like. When this most recent release of the 600 Series was released, I requested a pair. I was able to get my paws on the smaller sibling, the 607 S3. It is a beautiful small bookshelf/ stand mount and looks to be a more refined and far better-built speaker. But how does it sound?
Bryston BHA-1 Headphone Amplifier Review
January 8, 2024 Comments Off on Bryston BHA-1 Headphone Amplifier Review
The Bryston will never be confused with a tube amplifier, but texture and tone through the HD800?
Hell hath frozen over.
The Bryston BHA-1 blurs that line rather significantly offering up a cleaner sounding and more detailed presentation than any of the tube amplifiers in my collection, but with a warmer tonal balance than I would have expected.
Dan Clark Audio E3 Closed-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones $2000 Review
January 8, 2024 Comments Off on Dan Clark Audio E3 Closed-Back Planar Magnetic Headphones $2000 Review
I may have understated in this review the musicality of the Dan Clark Audio E3 Closed-Back Planar Magnetic Headphone, so let’s be clear, that is the E3’s strongest suit. I won’t say that it is exactly forgiving, that is not the type of musicality we are looking at here, believe me, if there are flaws in the recording, the E3 will not cover them up, but they make the experience so pleasurable that you won’t care about them. Like its predecessors the ETHER C Flow and the STEALTH, the E3 has an extremely neutral tonal balance, with deep well-controlled sub-bass. There might be a slight depression in the upper midrange, and a slight peak in the mid-treble, but this could just as easily be the speed of the E3 revealing information you didn’t notice before and not creating distortions you did.
It is hard to say, I can say that going from the E3 to the ETHER C Flow, the ETHER C Flow feels shouty, but going the other way, you don’t feel like you are missing anything with the E3. The bass appears to be stronger without being boomy as with open-back headphones, which may be an attribute of the increased dynamic range and bass control, in fact, increased speed, dynamic range, and bass control with lower distortion can account for pretty much everything I hear in the E3.
Questyle NHB12 In-Ear Wired Earbuds for iPhone: Review
January 7, 2024 Comments Off on Questyle NHB12 In-Ear Wired Earbuds for iPhone: Review
It is the largest of the modules visible through the window and is still small enough that four of the SIPs would fit on a dime. The whole process uses 3mA @ 2 Volts making for an extraordinarily low battery draw.
Add to that an impressively low THD+N of 0.0002% and you have a master class in miniaturization of audio components.
Needless to say, this is not a setup that is going to be usable for anything but highly efficient IEMs which may explain Questyle’s hesitancy to divulge too much information about the drivers as it might give away some proprietary trade secrets.
A single LED is illuminated for AAC or CD quality input, whilst a second LED indicates the decoding of a 24-bit/192kHz file. Testing with Qobuz confirmed this to be the case.
FiiO Q15 Desktop / Portable Hi-Res Music DAC And Headphone Amplifier $399 Review
January 7, 2024 Comments Off on FiiO Q15 Desktop / Portable Hi-Res Music DAC And Headphone Amplifier $399 Review
Using the FiiO Q15 with my Sony Walkman instead of the Sony Walkman without the Q15 wasn’t like night and day. An audiophile description I first used nearly 30 years ago was “a small but significant improvement in sound quality.” This perfectly describes the experience of using the Q15 with my Sony Walkman. Sound quality improvement was much more noticeable when listening to high-resolution files, especially DSD. There was an improvement in sound quality across the board, including the size and scale of the sound field, its apparent frequency response, micro- and macro-dynamics, and, most importantly, the perceived realism of acoustic instruments and voices.
Of course, the level of improvement the FiiO Q15 rendered depended on the recording quality and headphones used. Connecting the Q15 to the USB output of my music server was not to embarrass it when compared to my usual DAC in the main system in my dedicated listening room, the mighty EMM Labs DA2. Yet I was very impressed with this FiiO DAC, as it displayed the audiophile traits I listed above when used with my Sony portable player. A more modest desktop system would appreciate the FiiO Q15 much more than my high-end system.
Burmester 216 power amplifier $35,000 Review
January 3, 2024 Comments Off on Burmester 216 power amplifier $35,000 Review
https://www.stereophile.com/content/burmester-216-power-amplifier
The Burmester website lists basic specifications, like power output; some others appear in the owner’s manual. I’ve placed these in the Specifications sidebar. Here are some of the important ones. In stereo, the 216’s maximum output power is 100Wpc continuous into 8 ohms, 165Wpc into 4 ohms, and 245Wpc into 2 ohms. Continuous power when bridged to mono is quoted only as a maximum: a formidable 490W—no load impedance mentioned. In response to a query, Pope told me it was safe to report that when bridged, the 216 is capable of doubling the stereo output. For more on the 216’s technical performance, see the Measurements section.
Bowers & Wilkins 703 S3 Loudspeaker Review
January 3, 2024 Comments Off on Bowers & Wilkins 703 S3 Loudspeaker Review
https://www.soundandvision.com/content/bowers-wilkins-703-d3-loudspeakers-review
One of my favorite tests of a speaker’s mettle is “Disc Wars” from the Tron: Legacy soundtrack. It’s Daft Punk’s synths plus the London Philharmonic Orchestra. It’s thick, and it is easily diminished by a speaker that can’t keep up with the dual demands of a full orchestra and relentless subwoofer-crushing synth bass.
I auditioned the track at live music volume levels three separate times. First with the 703 S3s alone, 2.0, no room correction. Then as a 2.1 system, with just one DB3D pitching in below 40 Hz while the speakers run full range, again no room correction. And then I let loose the big guns and ran all four subs along with the speakers while using a 60 Hz crossover and applying room correction below 300 Hz—which is roughly where room effects start to dominate the bass response. The result? Three distinct presentations, each with its merits.
VISION EARS VE10 REVIEW
January 1, 2024 Comments Off on VISION EARS VE10 REVIEW
The design of the shells contributes significantly to this level of comfort. Despite housing a complex 10-driver hybrid setup, Vision Ears has achieved a remarkable feat in engineering by ensuring a compact and snug fit that remains comfortable. The seamless integration of the 10-driver hybrid design into such a compact shell proves Vision Ears’ expertise in ergonomics.
For those who might not find SpinFit as their ideal choice, Vision Ears offers an alternative; the AZLA SednaEarfit SE1500. Crafted from 100% medical-grade silicone, these prioritize comfort and aim to reduce skin irritation. They not only deliver a supremely comfortable experience but also enhance isolation compared to SpinFit, catering to different preferences and needs.
Métronome Technologie Launches Their World-Class Kalista Mantax DAC $64,000
January 1, 2024 Comments Off on Métronome Technologie Launches Their World-Class Kalista Mantax DAC $64,000
As I would learn in conversations after the keynote address, the Mantax had been cycled through a good number of the possible filter and playback combinations during the two hours of playback, which may in part explain why I’d had such difficulty in pinning down any specific attribute or signature sonic characteristic of its playback envelope. What I can say is that the Mantax had turned in a stunning first act!
This launch event was an overwhelming success, one that was not only a stirring achievement, but one that has deeply aroused my further interest. The Mantax, as heard with this array of extraordinary associated gear, had proven itself to be an exceptional performer, one that clearly provides a uniquely authentic and engaging voice to digital sources. I cannot express strongly enough my appreciation to Jean Marie Clauzel, and his entire team, for having been allowed to attend and to share this experience with my audience.
Audiophilepure 
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