ZMF Atrium Headphone flagship Review

August 24, 2022 Comments Off on ZMF Atrium Headphone flagship Review

The perfect ZMF sound may lie somewhere in between the imaginary combination of the Atrium and the Verite, but the two share far more similarities than they do differences. For those looking for their first $2k+ headphone, make sure you check out Atrium if you have the opportunity. For those looking to add to their collection of high end headphones, the Atrium is a must have. It brings something different to the fold. Maybe a little something more than a dynamic driver is willing to give, and definitely something different than a planar can. In the end, it’s not attempting to be either, and why should it? The bespoke nature of the exterior echoes the subtlety of the sound quality. Natural, well constructed and reliable. An outstanding fit for a wide variety of listening rigs. Well done.

GOLDENEAR BRX SPEAKERS $1,598 REVIEW

August 23, 2022 Comments Off on GOLDENEAR BRX SPEAKERS $1,598 REVIEW

For the AudioQuest wiring, the value question is more vexing. If you already have high-quality interconnects, power cords, and speaker wires, the cost of replacement may be prohibitive. On the other hand, if you’re wiring a new system or in the market for an upgrade, I strongly recommend that you at least audition the AudioQuest products. The good news is that AudioQuest is one of the most broadly distributed lines of audio wiring, and you may be able to audition it at a Magnolia kiosk of the Best Buy chain. If not, there are many companies that will allow a home evaluation, and even if you decide to return the wiring, shipping is quite inexpensive. I wouldn’t spend an equivalent amount on any other brand without at least auditioning the AudioQuest products.

Schiit Audio Freya Noval Pre Amp

August 23, 2022 Comments Off on Schiit Audio Freya Noval Pre Amp

Schiit Audio Reacts To Tube Supply, Intros The Freya Noval Pre Amp

It has been discussed on many occasions, but like traffic in Los Angeles – the world’s supply of tube has the capability to ebb and flow… (and/or stop completely). Even though there has been a few market freakouts, the supply and resulting cost per tube has realistically only gone up a small margin, for now. West coast and Texas amp maker Schiit Audio isn’t waiting to see what happens next. Based on the success of their popular tube pre amp Freya +, the budget audiophile favorite is making moves to ensure that their future supplies of Freyas don’t run out.

From designer Jason Stoddard’s morning email:

The scarcity (and prices) of tubes has a lot of people worried about the future. So, we thought we’d take a couple of steps to help with this uncertainty:
We’re re-introducing LISST, our Linear, Integrated Solid-State Tube, a MOSFET-based replacement for the 6SN7s used in our popular Freya+ preamp. This gives Freya+ purchasers a tube-like (tube-esque) option that won’t wear out like tubes

Perlisten S7t tower speakers and D212s subwoofers $8,995 Review

August 22, 2022 Comments Off on Perlisten S7t tower speakers and D212s subwoofers $8,995 Review

That brings us to the intent of Perlisten to couple the S7t with Perlisten subwoofers. The S7t is an immensely gratifying speaker on its own, and those with space limitations especially would find it an exceptional performer. As it will not excite the room boundaries or create the bass reinforcement associated typically with speakers having higher output in the lower frequencies, it will sound exceptionally clean in a smaller space but with more output and presence than the bulk of bookshelf speakers. It is capable of being played quite loud without a sense of strain, but the real solution to a grander experience is to mate it with Perlisten subs. If you can, you need to get the subs. The S7t is gratifying, but the truly glorious experience with Perlisten is the combination of DPC-Array and the subwoofer(s). As I describe in relation to other speakers, the D212s transformed the S7t into a truly formidable speaker system.

When I was young, I spent time flying Estes model rockets. A smallish rocket with an A engine was impressive — that is until I discovered what a rocket with a B engine could do. If I recall correctly, the sizes of engines reached the E designation, which powered the largest of the standard kit rockets. Consider adding a pair of the D212s to be like moving the speaker system from a C engine to an E engine. It will blast off and previous performance of the S7t sans subs will seem only remotely powerful both in extension and output. If you want the ultimate Perlisten performance, you do not neglect the subwoofer.

NOBLE AUDIO KADENCE REVIEW

August 21, 2022 Comments Off on NOBLE AUDIO KADENCE REVIEW

It has been a while since I listened to this kind of refinement, balance and reference tuning. Nowadays most of the IEM world is focused on hybrids with tremendous bass impact, sparkling highs and lush mids. Even the budget models are playing on that field. And yes, that is also the case with Noble itself, with the Kublai Khan.

Noble Audio Kadence is having none of it. It’s all about the colourless, neutral and reference sound here. No frequency is in front or dominating the sound in any way. Everything is in place and under control at all times. It’s a neutral and uncoloured monitor as a direct result of that, and it’s technically very strong. From that reference perspective, this is one of the best monitors I’ve ever listened to. Let’s dive into the details about it.

Tape Decks Editor Choice’s from $8,000 to $90,000

August 21, 2022 Comments Off on Tape Decks Editor Choice’s from $8,000 to $90,000

This completely refurbished, three-box, 15ips, Tascam reel-to-reel tape deck, with bespoke enclosures, boards, parts, damping, and wiring, is the best effort yet from tape maven Greg Beron—and one of the two most lifelike source components JV has yet heard in his home. Though the speed, color, resolution, and, above all else, vanishingly low noise of the DS Audio Grand Master optical cartridge and EQ units have pushed vinyl playback considerably closer to the sound of tape, LPs still aren’t as naturally full in tone, continuous in duration and intensity, or audibly complete in their presentation as R2R tapes through the UHA SuperDeck. Of course, two-track open-reel tapes have built-in sonic advantages—not the least of which is the sheer amount of information laid down in their wider tracks and the higher resolution with which those tracks are scanned—all of which you can hear, par excellence, with Beron’s great new machine. Given the price of pre-recorded R2R tapes, the SuperDeck may be a wealthy man’s game, but if you have the dough and a hankering for the sound of the real thing, it will be tough to find a better full-sized tape player. 

ELAC Solano BS 283 $1,449 Review

August 20, 2022 Comments Off on ELAC Solano BS 283 $1,449 Review

No one is ever going to ‘plunge’ into ELAC Solano BS 238 ownership because these loudspeakers are not made for such people who act on impulse. Instead, they appeal to your less base instincts. This is the perfect choice for the studied listener. The ELACs simply do what they do with utmost precision and accuracy and the BS 238 make their attitude obvious right from the off. If you share this ‘detail and accuracy are paramount’ approach, the cerebral ELAC Solano BS 238 is the logical loudspeaker choice.

Cambridge Audio CXA61 Integrated Amp Review $1,099

August 20, 2022 Comments Off on Cambridge Audio CXA61 Integrated Amp Review $1,099

I was expecting (and hoping for) a lot of power, and the Cambridge amplifier did not disappoint. The Cambridge Audio CXA61 delivers 60 watts/channel into 8 ohms and was designed to play with very low levels of distortion at any volume. 

I found this to be overwhelmingly true as I experimented with all types of music at many volume levels. The amp is incredibly responsive, sounding equally fantastic at low and high volumes. Some high-end equipment sounds rather “mid-fi” at lower volume levels but I found the CXA61 to be quite engaging in this manner. 

Mytek Brooklyn Bridge Review

August 19, 2022 Comments Off on Mytek Brooklyn Bridge Review

https://www.hifichoice.com/content/mytek-brooklyn-bridge

While it’s unlikely that the main reason people will be buying the Bridge is for it’s prowess with vinyl, it seems rude not to at least put the phono stage to the test. Consequently, the Michell Gyro SE turntable is cued up with both Ortofon Rondo Red MC and 2M Black MM cartridges ready to mount in turn and a pristine copy of Chris Rea’s One Fine Day is given a spin. Despite expecting the unit to struggle with a low-output MC, the sound emanating from the speaker is sumptuous. Even better, switching to MM is a revelation, the album being delivered with all of its top-end sweetness intact. What’s more, bass lines are again punchy and taut.

Finally, it’s the turn of the headphone section. Putting it through its paces with a selection of different models, including the HiFiMan Sundara and Focal’s ultra-revealing Spirit Pro, proves no less impressive than what’s come before with the Bridge comfortably driving both the Spirit Pro and Sundara without any obvious issue. Differences between the in-phase and anti-phase sockets are subtle and more down to preference than outright superiority, but the overall sound is rich, detailed and difficult to fault.

JBL L75ms $1500 Review

August 19, 2022 Comments Off on JBL L75ms $1500 Review

https://www.whathifi.com/us/reviews/jbl-l75ms

JBL has a habit of making fun, party-starting speakers, and this one is no different. Listening to Beyonce’s Break My Soul, we’re treated to an upbeat, energetic rendition. There is, of course, plenty of bottom end, so kick drums can’t be missed (sometimes to a fault), and are given a real live stadium feel. Basslines have weight and texture and are almost inevitably on the warm and smooth side. 

For a change of pace we give R.E.M.’s Man On The Moon a spin (a Tidal Masters played over AirPlay 2) and the JBL just about joins us, albeit preferring to keep the pace higher than it really should be – not quite managing to convey the relaxed, almost lazy feel of the track. We still enjoy what we hear; guitars jangle along jauntily and there’s plenty of scale and breadth to the sound, but the Naim Mu-so 2, for example, offers a more natural, realistic presentation.

Where Am I?

You are currently browsing the Reviews category at Audiophilepure.