Børresen Acoustics Z1 and 01 Review
February 13, 2023 Comments Off on Børresen Acoustics Z1 and 01 Review
The cryogenic treatment of the metal parts is done by Børresen Acoustics in-house and in their own specific manner. The cryogenic treatment of the metal parts is a process that takes a total of 3 days. In the first 24 hours, the metal parts are cooled to cryogenic temperatures. During the next 24 hours, the temperature is kept constant at around -196° Celsius. During the following 24 hours, the temperature of the metal parts is gradually raised to room temperature. Gradual cooling and heating of the metal parts are critical to avoid thermal stress in the metal. The cryogenic treatment of the metal parts compresses and strengthens the structure of the metal and reduces the residual stress in the metal which normally occurs when metal changes from its liquid phase to a solid phase. The result of the cryogenic treatment of the metal parts is that the conductivity increases by about 6-8%, which in turn ensures faster and more transparent sound reproduction.
EMM Labs DS-EQ1 Optical Phono Preamplifier Review
February 13, 2023 Comments Off on EMM Labs DS-EQ1 Optical Phono Preamplifier Review
However, Jason offered sage advice about the price near the end of his review: “Within audio, more money doesn’t necessarily mean more better. More money can result in better sound quality, but there’s no guarantee.” He went on to say that “the nine large above the cost of the DS 003 phono stage is more than just justified,” citing its build quality, which in his view “surpasses the DS 003,” as well as “the improvement to the bass, the refinements up in the top end, and the holy-shit imaging.” Those accolades, among many others within Jason’s review, earned the DS-EQ1 a Reviewers’ Choice award when the review was published—and have also earned the DS-EQ1 a Recommended Reference Component award this month.
PS Audio BHK M600 Power Amplifier Review
February 12, 2023 Comments Off on PS Audio BHK M600 Power Amplifier Review
https://www.hifinews.com/content/ps-audio-bhk-m600-power-amplifier
More controlled aggression was also in evidence with The Stone Roses’ cheekily titled sophomore album The Second Coming [Geffen 424 503-2], which might be blighted by vocalist Ian Brown’s slap-dash approach to singing in tune but has a thrilling ‘in-the-live-room’ production. The standout track ‘Daybreak’ benefited from the BHK M600’s out-of-the-blocks slam, giving the loose-limbed rhythm section an epic scale to match the spotlight shone on John Squire’s outro guitar solo.
From the same album, ‘Good Times’ ends in a glorious upbeat jam, drummer John ‘Reni’ Wren flitting between ride and crash cymbals, bassist Mani running up and down the fretboard and Squire again squealing away on his Les Paul. It was a performance of extravagant energy, detail and panache. These amps let the good times roll.
BOWERS & WILKINS PX8 Review
February 12, 2023 Comments Off on BOWERS & WILKINS PX8 Review
The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones are everything you would expect from a company like B&W, they have what I think of as that classic B&W sound, smooth mellow highs, and solid bass, very reminiscent of the classic 801 loudspeaker that made them famous. Yet they also reflect that elegance that is the modern B&W speaker like the Nautilus. Comfortable and versatile they are the perfect on-the-go headphone, as well as great for doing chores around the house.
Aries Cerat Aurora Dark Knight Black Copper
February 12, 2023 Comments Off on Aries Cerat Aurora Dark Knight Black Copper
Topping DM7 8-channel D/A processor Review
February 11, 2023 Comments Off on Topping DM7 8-channel D/A processor Review
https://www.stereophile.com/content/topping-dm7-8-channel-da-processor
After I selected the DM7 as the output device in Roon and JRiver, I wanted to hear something new. The timing was just right. For many years, I have really enjoyed Holst’s St. Paul’s Suite whenever I have come upon it, especially, the third movement Intermezzo. Written to mark the opening of a soundproof music studio in St. Paul’s School for Girls in Hammersmith, it is filled delightfully with variants and interlacings of traditional melodies familiar from Holst’s other works, such as the Second Suite for Band. The quasi-Oriental section that opens the Intermezzo, with its solo-violin melisma, is perfectly placed and startling. I already had two recordings of the suite, but neither was especially satisfying, so I looked for a better version, in multichannel if possible. HRAudio. net listed three. In my auditions on Qobuz, one stood out, the one by Ensemble Esperanza. I ordered the SACD (Ars Produktion ARS 38 227, SACD), which arrived in time to be ripped and played back for the DM7’s debut in my system.
The clarity and spaciousness of the recording was wonderful, the dynamic range impressive, in stereo or multichannel. Both versions approached, but did not equal, similar achievements (in different music) of the much immersive 2L recordings by the Trondheimsolistene; still, the DM7 rendered a traditional and believable soundstage from the Ensemble Esperanza’s recording. I heard striking purity in Chouchane Siranossian’s solo violin, especially in that wonderful Intermezzo—and also in the suites by Grieg, Bridge, and Nielsen that fill out the disc.
Marantz CINEMA 50 AV Receiver Review
February 11, 2023 Comments Off on Marantz CINEMA 50 AV Receiver Review
https://www.soundandvision.com/content/marantz-cinema-50-av-receiver-review
The one complaint I mustered is that the Cinema 50’s porthole display includes no telltale for surround mode, including Atmos or DTS:X, so when streaming content from a television’s internal app (as I do for Netflix and others), there’s no visual confirmation that you’re actually getting what you expect. And because the receiver’s on-screen “Info” page is, of course, not visible with the TV sourcing its own video, and “Info” data does not appear or scroll across the receiver’s front-panel circle, you’re left wholly in the dark.
But if this is the only remaining niggle I can come up with, you might conclude that the Marantz is a strong choice for a thoroughly modern home-theater control center. And given the Cinema 50’s fine audio and video results, broad feature list, and generally solid ergonomics, you’d be correct.
ASTELL&KERN KANN MAX REVIEW
February 10, 2023 Comments Off on ASTELL&KERN KANN MAX REVIEW
With the KANN MAX, you get the typical Astell&Kern approach to sound. That means a more neutral tuning with a normal amount of body (weight), and a high technical level with plenty of energy. Combine all that and you get a precise yet musical sounding DAP.
The MAX has excellent PRaT and the presentation is spacious and airy, especially in the mid region. Sound stage-wise the MAX also performs well, even though the highest-end DAPS still up the level a bit. What I really like with the MAX is the depth and layering you get, especially in the bass and mid sections. With the ESS DACs, you just know the KANN MAX will be a strong performer when it comes to precision, detail and revealing all the musical details. The note extension is a pleasure to the ear. I must admit, I really like listening to AK DAPs.
The Astell& Kern KANN MAX is the kind of DAP that grows on you. It doesn’t seem to be spectacular at first sight, but for some reason you keep going back to it. That’s usually an indication the DAP is doing multiple things right!
I have been mostly using KANN MAX when on the go, but it also often (together with the SP3000) is my to go to DAP at home for late night listening sessions. The MAX doesn’t only sound good (typical AK style), it also is beautiful, well built and very easy to use. It also has a nice number of features and personalization, as well as streaming possibilities.
The only thing I am missing with the KANN, is the new UI of the SP3000. I am not sure we’ll see something similar in the future with the KANN series, but I do hope it will improve and fix the screen reactivity. While it certainly is a powerful DAP, I with the majority harder to drive headphones didn’t quite find them to perform at the same level as with a desktop setup. But hook up a not so tough to drive full-sized headphone, and the KANN MAX will impress.
Rotel Diamond Series RA-6000 Integrated Amplifier-DAC $4499 Review
February 10, 2023 Comments Off on Rotel Diamond Series RA-6000 Integrated Amplifier-DAC $4499 Review
My favorite integrated amplifier-DAC in this price range is still the NAD Masters M33 ($5999), which features 200Wpc of pristine power from its Purifi Eigentakt amplifier modules, Dirac Live room correction, and BluOS streaming capability. To my ears, Eigentakt-based amplifiers provide the most satisfying sound in this price range. However, this isn’t to say that there aren’t many other excellent-sounding, similarly priced integrated amplifiers, and the Eigentakt’s ultraclean sound might not suit everyone’s taste. The RA-6000 doesn’t have as many features as the M33, but it costs $1500 less and has a similar, if not quite as dead-neutral sound.
Diamond jubilee
The Rotel RA-6000 absolutely deserves to be considered one of the best integrated amplifier-DACs around the $5k price point. It may lack a couple of features, the most notable being a room-correction system, but if you don’t want or don’t need room correction, it offers a ton of performance and flexibility for the money. This new Diamond Series RA-6000 really takes Rotel’s classic amplification products to the next level of performance; updated, but still maintaining their familiar, classic look, and coming in at a price below that of Rotel’s highly regarded Michi products.
SME Model 60 Turntable and Series VA Tonearm £59,950 Review
February 9, 2023 Comments Off on SME Model 60 Turntable and Series VA Tonearm £59,950 Review
Summing up his overall impressions of the Model 60 with Series VA tonearm, Jonathan wrote: “This deck sets a new standard—not just for SME, but for vinyl replay in general.” He also proclaimed that it’s “a landmark product from a legendary firm,” and added that he believes the Model 60 is “the best-looking turntable SME has ever made.” Jonathan made his feelings known about the Model 60 in no uncertain terms: “In terms of design, execution, and finish, it is the supreme example of its maker’s art.”
Jonathan’s rave review of the SME Model 60 turntable and VA Series tonearm earned the combination a Reviewers’ Choice award when the review was published, as well as a prestigious 2022 Product of the Year award a couple of weeks later. This month, a Recommended Reference Component award has been added to that list of accolades.
Audiophilepure 
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