Audio Research I/50 Integrated Amplifier £5198 Review
January 1, 2023 Comments Off on Audio Research I/50 Integrated Amplifier £5198 Review
https://www.hifinews.com/content/audio-research-i50-integrated-amplifier
Nothing had prepared me for what might be just another fine, mid-priced, 6550-powered all-tube integrated. ARC’s I/50, though, is so categorically musical, competent and complete
that I’m tempted to believe it signifies the ‘second coming’ of Audio Research, following a change of owners and the passing of its first half-century. This astounding amplifier heralds a golden age. Yes, it’s that good.
Van Gogh Loudspeaker Cable from Crystal Cable $29,200/2m Review
January 1, 2023 Comments Off on Van Gogh Loudspeaker Cable from Crystal Cable $29,200/2m Review
As implemented in the Van Gogh Speaker Cable, don’t expect a seismic quake that realigns the sonic firmament. You’ll find the lay of the land largely intact from where you started out (provided you began from a fairly neutral base). The differences show up on a finer scale, including: an expansion of dynamic range at both extremes, from the near silences to the ability to reach f and keep going to fff with conviction; the excavation of fine details that smooth and refine musical flow; and an increase in instrumental body.
But what really sold me was how the Van Gogh closely mimicked the way instruments speak and move on the stage, how they change shape and reform harmonics as they move around the scale. All of this excitingly nudges the home experience closer to what I hear in the concert hall. While I’ve heard other wires do this on rare occasion, it’s only attained from premium-priced cables and it was never to this degree. The Van Gogh is one of the select few that signify the end of the quest, one that I’d be happy to take to the desert island.
Momentum S250 MxV Amplifier from Dan D’Agostino $79,950 Review
December 31, 2022 Comments Off on Momentum S250 MxV Amplifier from Dan D’Agostino $79,950 Review
The Momentum S250 MxV shares minimal with its predecessor. It is an entirely new product inspired by the magnificent Relentless Epic amplifier series.
From the first night of listening to today, I still smile from check to check. My goosebumps are more common, and tears are shed frequently as I remember special memories of the past.
Sometimes upgrades impact certain areas of a product. I can safely say that the scope of the MxV changes has certainly moved all core areas to music reproduction.
The sound stage was tremendous; the unveiling of detail and associated dynamics will ignite and bring out the best in your loudspeakers. Instead of a symphony of audiophile words, I will summarize it as everything, and I mean everything got better. It brings so much of what inspired me in the larger Relentless Epic 800 and Relentless Epic 1600 to a smaller form factor and price point that matched my needs.
Matrix Audio Element X2 Network-Attached DAC Review
December 31, 2022 Comments Off on Matrix Audio Element X2 Network-Attached DAC Review
https://www.hifinews.com/content/matrix-audio-element-x2-network-attached-dac
If all this sounds rather familiar from my Element X review back in January last year, then so be it. As I mentioned, the fundamentals of the audio design haven’t changed in this new ‘Mk2’ model, and while the internal tidying up does seem to give the newcomer just a little more clarity and bite to the sound, not to mention a punchier bass, most of the effort has gone into the user interface and the connectivity. But then there’s a real sense of ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it – just give it a dust down and bit of buffing’ about the Element X2. Nothing wrong with that, and the work done here makes an excellent-sounding product that little bit more enjoyable to use.
FIIO BTR7 PORTABLE BLUETOOTH HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER REVIEW
December 30, 2022 Comments Off on FIIO BTR7 PORTABLE BLUETOOTH HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER REVIEW
Sometimes I wonder what the 17-year-old me would think of the incredible equipment I use to listen to music now. I’m sure the FiiO FD5-BTR7 would have blown me away. To have such a sweet-sounding device for music playback in the palm of my hand, is still mind-boggling. I may not have the same ears as I did back then, but my love of music is as strong as ever. Listening to music through the BTR7, reinforced that love.
The Audiophile Dream System!
December 30, 2022 Comments Off on The Audiophile Dream System!
https://www.monoandstereo.com/2022/12/the-audiophile-dream.html
Le Kim Thach spent a year completing the project for a client. The system uses a KT Audio system with five pairs of balanced tube amplifiers and active tube crossover, and a matching high-efficiency horn system to fit the 100 m2 room in the suburban villa in Hanoi.
Grado Labs Opus3 moving-iron cartridge High Output version: $275 Review
December 29, 2022 Comments Off on Grado Labs Opus3 moving-iron cartridge High Output version: $275 Review
One drawback of the Grado Labs Timbre line is the stylus is not user replaceable, just like moving coil cartridges. Once the stylus is worn out you have to send it to one of the many phono cartridge re-tippers out there. Or, Grado Labs has a very generous trade-in program, so for about what you would pay for a new stylus for a moving magnet phono cartridge you can purchase a brand new Opus3. This would be the best alternative. It may take a couple of weeks to send your old Grado to the dealer and wait for the new one, especially if it is not in stock. For me, this is where the Audio Technica AT-3600L comes in handy as a temporary substitute.
There are reasons why Grado Labs phono cartridge have been around since 1953. The company may be better known these days for making some of the best headphones in the world at really good prices. The same can be said about their phono cartridges. I am purchasing this phono cartridge and keeping it installed in my newly acquired Music Hall mmf-1.3 turntable. The $275 price tag got me really close in performance to my Hana phono cartridge. I have to give props to the recommendations of both Music Hall and Grado Labs, because this is a great combination. I now have a third option along with my AR and Thorens turntables. The Grado Labs Opus3 phono cartridge, just like the Music Hall mmf-1.3 turntable, is highly recommended.
Meze Audio 109 PRO Review
December 29, 2022 Comments Off on Meze Audio 109 PRO Review
First of all, I have to note these headphones have a very high sensitivity rating, making them quite easy to drive. While they are pretty forgiving regarding the source, they clearly sound their best with better gear. As I went up the ladder with DAC/Amps, I was able to get greater levels of detail and separation out of them.
Janszen Valentina A8 Loudspeakers $12,750 REVIEW
December 28, 2022 Comments Off on Janszen Valentina A8 Loudspeakers $12,750 REVIEW
That is Mr. Janszen’s explanation of why these speakers sound so good. I am in no position to say if this is correct or not. However, no matter how these speakers work, you need to hear these speakers for yourself and come to your own conclusions. I think at $14,700 ($12,750 without Presets 2 and 3) that they are a bargain, particularly if you do not have enough room or money for bulky separate equipment, don’t want long cable runs, or if you would prefer to stream your music directly to the speakers.
dCS Rossini Apex DAC $32,800 Review
December 26, 2022 Comments Off on dCS Rossini Apex DAC $32,800 Review
https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/dcs-rossini-apex-dac
We switch to Massive Attack’s Mezzanine and the dCS responds just as we hope. There is lots of detail and an impressive degree of organisation, but accompanied by a surefooted rhythmic ability that allows tracks like Atlas Air to motor along full throttle. Low frequencies are painted with power and grip with a good dose of agility thrown in. Move up the frequency range and you’ll find a wonderfully open and expressive midrange that communicates the passion and nuances in vocals superbly.
Over our test sessions, we try the various digital inputs and different file types from 24-bit/88.2kHz PCM files of Michael Jackson’s Off The Wall and Stevie Wonder’s Innervisions in DSD to Beethoven’s 9th Symphony in 24-bit/192kHz, and the dCS takes it all in its stride. There are no hiccups when changing file formats and no unexpected differences in the way different formats sound. The Rossini Apex DAC delivers transparency of the highest order.
Audiophilepure 
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