iFi Audio NEO Stream streaming D/A processor $1299 Review
September 11, 2023 Comments Off on iFi Audio NEO Stream streaming D/A processor $1299 Review
https://www.stereophile.com/content/ifi-audio-neo-stream-streaming-da-processor
This new thing from AMR/iFi Audio, the NEO Stream, offers very strong inducements for discerning audiophiles. It’s particularly well-suited to those who are happy with their traditional hi-fi rigs and are looking to add state-of-the-art streaming to the mix. Its sturdy, all-aluminum construction belies its modest price. The sound quality is beyond reproach, its versatility is impressive, and it’s presented in a compact physical package-small enough for placement on a desktop if so desired, for use with a headphone amplifier or a pair of powered speakers. The iFi NEO Stream punches way above its retail price, bringing complex high-end audio down to earth.
Audio by Van Alstine DVA M750 Monoblock Power Amplifier $5598 Review
September 11, 2023 Comments Off on Audio by Van Alstine DVA M750 Monoblock Power Amplifier $5598 Review
https://www.audiophilia.com/reviews/2023/4/3/kb8llwi7wcd825zi32ii2lybjshajl
Van Alstine’s vision for a better, more powerful monoblock amp has come to life with the DVA M750 Monoblock. I know of no other monoblock amp on the market, at a price of only $5598/pair that can perform like this, with such power, and finesse, and endowed with such a large quiet soundstage presented with exceptional clarity. Very highly recommended.
New McIntosh PS2K Subwoofer $50,000
September 10, 2023 Comments Off on New McIntosh PS2K Subwoofer $50,000
McIntosh writes: “McIntosh, the premier designer and manufacturer of high-fidelity audio equipment, is excited to announce the launch of its new $50,000 USD PS2K Powered Subwoofer. Meticulously crafted with precision and passion, the PS2K Powered Subwoofer is designed to create new depths of low frequency that delivers an unprecedented listening experience.
Yamaha R-N2000A Stereo Network A/V Receiver Review
September 10, 2023 Comments Off on Yamaha R-N2000A Stereo Network A/V Receiver Review
Tannoy Westminster Royal GR, MCINTOSH C2700, MC611, HIFIROES
September 10, 2023 Comments Off on Tannoy Westminster Royal GR, MCINTOSH C2700, MC611, HIFIROES
Audio Research I/50 integrated amplifier $5500 Review
September 9, 2023 Comments Off on Audio Research I/50 integrated amplifier $5500 Review
https://www.stereophile.com/content/audio-research-i50-integrated-amplifier
I experienced one bug with the amplifier’s control software. Occasionally, the amplifier spontaneously went into standby mode, at least as indicated by the Lexitubes’ single dots, while the tubes all remained powered up. This could be some sort of tube-protection feature except that it didn’t seem related to playback level; the average voltage the last time it happened was <3V RMS, and it never occurred during high-power measuring on the test bench. Pressing the Power button on the amplifier’s top panel, after waiting the requisite 3 minutes, always brought the I/50 back into action.
SWISS DIGITAL FUSE BOX REVIEW
September 9, 2023 Comments Off on SWISS DIGITAL FUSE BOX REVIEW
I’ll admit to a bit of skepticism when I was approached with this product, but the Swiss Digital FUSE BOX delivered on its promises and then some. I’ve always said that in an amplifier, power supply is everything, this was clear going all the way back to early Hi-Fi when we would build huge outboard power supplies as performance mods. With modern audio products trying to run more efficiently it only makes sense that the limiting factor is the amount of power going into the power supply, and as noted above the weakest link in the power chain is the fuse. While your amplifier has the highest current demands, I suspect any product that has an amplifier circuit such as DACs, Streamers, Tuners, Phono Stages, and Preamps will see similar improvements.
dCS Lina DAC $13,650 Review
September 8, 2023 Comments Off on dCS Lina DAC $13,650 Review
https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/dcs-lina-dac
Large-scale dynamic shifts are rendered with skill while more delicate changes in intensity are reproduced with the finesse they deserve. We could break down the performance by input but there isn’t any need here. While there has never been any question about the quality of dCS’s DAC designs we haven’t always been totally convinced that the streaming module performs to quite the same standards. That isn’t an issue here, as we’re as happy using the Lina as music streamer, across any of its sources, as we are using the digital inputs.
We give the various headphone processing modes a listen and find that the standard Crossfeed setting works well, as does the first Expanse option. Both of these manage to shift our reference Yamaha YH-5000SE’s soundstaging more to that which we hear from speakers, and we notice little in the way of distracting phase effects. Of the two, we end up listening to the dCS Expanse the most. The second Expanse mode doesn’t work so well for us, sounding a little disjointed.
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.
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