Klipsch La Scala AL5 Loudspeakers $13,198 Review
March 4, 2022 Comments Off on Klipsch La Scala AL5 Loudspeakers $13,198 Review
https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1657-klipsch-la-scala-al5-loudspeakers
So what was there to do at that point other than nip downstairs and listen to The Wall from start to finish. It’s a glorious album, huge in scope and huge in its ability to reach through time, always managing to sound fresh through the years I’ve been listening to it. My pressing of choice is the Japanese Sony (LP, Sony 4OAP 1750-1); it just slightly betters the 2017 reissue. About halfway through “One of My Turns,” when Pink loses his shit and starts throwing stuff around, the quick transition slammed me back in my seat and for the first time, made me focus on how the keyboards help drive this track. I also took note of the way the La Scala’s fairly sharp bass cut-off made me miss some of the power of Mason’s kick drum and Waters’s bass. With this track in particular, and with bass-forward music in general, I realized that when I get my own huge industrial loft and end up purchasing my own pair of La Scalas, I’ll definitely want a couple of equally large, equally powerful subwoofers to flesh out the range below 50Hz.
Goldmund Telos 590 Nextgen II $29,750 Review
March 4, 2022 Comments Off on Goldmund Telos 590 Nextgen II $29,750 Review
https://www.whathifi.com/us/reviews/goldmund-telos-590-nextgen-ii
All this talk of detail and precision could set alarm bells ringing for those that are wary of sterile but highly detailed presentation. To those people, we say there’s no need to worry. Older Goldmund amplifiers may have erred towards the clinical, but not this one. The 590 Nextgen II sounds natural and fluid, and certainly delivers this Arvo Pärt piece with all the verve and emotional impact it deserves.
While this Goldmund’s stereo imaging isn’t the most spacious we’ve heard, there’s no denying the focus and stability in its presentation. Instruments and sounds are locked into position making it easy to place the orchestra within the recording venue. It’s a sound packed with confidence and authority.
iFi hip-dac 2 $189 Review
March 3, 2022 Comments Off on iFi hip-dac 2 $189 Review
https://www.whathifi.com/us/reviews/ifi-hip-dac-2
Now, 44.1kHz and 48kHz files are represented by a yellow light, but 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8 and 384kHz files will be denoted by a white glow. DSD64 and 128 files are signified in cyan, while DSD256 (aka quad-rate DSD) files will now make the LEDs glow red. Thanks to the DAC’s ‘three unfold’ decoding process, now performed internally (as opposed to just the final unfold in the manner of an MQA ‘renderer’ – the method undertaken by the original hip-dac), MQA files glow green but MQA Studio tracks are now recognised too, glowing blue. Magenta means the file is playing in its original sample rate (MQB). The keen-eyed will note that iFi has added two new colours to the swatch here (red and white) to accommodate this functionality – and very helpful they are too.
Rotel RA-1592MKII Integrated Amplifier Review
March 3, 2022 Comments Off on Rotel RA-1592MKII Integrated Amplifier Review
https://www.hifinews.com/content/rotel-ra-1592mkii-integrated-amplifier
In fact, Rotel’s RA-1592MKII proved a very capable all-rounder even if its digital section lacked just a little of the sparkle I recalled from the costlier Michi X3. The latter edged home on ultimate sound quality even if it’s still bettered on format compatibility by a few relatively affordable external DACs. As is the RA-1592MKII, although it remains more than good enough for most needs and will serve well anyone wanting to explore just what their computer can do when connected to a high quality amp.
Meanwhile, used as a purely analogue amplifier, this beefy new Rotel integrated is good enough to justify its price even if you’re never going to use its digital section, and should definitely be considered if you fancy a Michi X3 but want to save yourself some cash
NOBLE FOKUS PRO TRUE WIRELESS IEM REVIEW
March 2, 2022 Comments Off on NOBLE FOKUS PRO TRUE WIRELESS IEM REVIEW
The Noble FoKus Pro True Wireless IEMs stand as not only the best sounding True Wireless IEMs I have listened to, but the best Bluetooth headphones I have heard. Paring is a snap, and their extremely compact size makes them light and comfortable and not likely to fall out due to excessive weight. On top of that, the packaging is conveniently sized making them easy to slip into a pocket for travel.
My only complaints are minor ones, the tips are a bit of a challenge to swap, and due to the magnetic anchoring and their slippery body removing them from the charge case can take a little practice.
Cyrus i7-XR integrated amplifier Review
March 2, 2022 Comments Off on Cyrus i7-XR integrated amplifier Review
https://www.whathifi.com/us/reviews/cyrus-i7-xr-integrated-amplifier
You could say the i7-XR is like a professional orator – seemingly effortlessly articulate and a natural in getting messages across as precisely and coherently as possible. And in terms of these traits, the i7-XR is, like many Cyrus components before it, up there with the very best at this level. Play Eminem’s Killshot and his biting vocal cuts through the middle of the soundstage with intensity and focus, as if he’s spitting his lyrics just centimetres from your face during a rap battle. The track is fast and lively, and the Cyrus keeps up.
Switch momentum completely, to Ludovico Einaudi’s Oltremare, and the notes are precisely drawn and dynamically varied enough for us to stay interested during the composition’s 11-minute duration. There’s plenty to like.
We’re pleased to report that the second-gen QXR DAC is of a decent calibre, too, if you did want to connect a digital source that way. Not all DACs built into such machines offer quality as close to the analogue performance, but while the digital delivery (we stick mostly with the ‘Apodising’ digital filter) isn’t so fast-footed or full as the analogue, the stark clarity, spaciousness and general communicativeness are well retained.
Focal Aria K2 936 Loudspeaker $6598 Review
March 1, 2022 Comments Off on Focal Aria K2 936 Loudspeaker $6598 Review
https://www.audiophilia.com/reviews/2021/10/26/vb3y90of0oqqvmqk0v9ptmop9rv3yb
The Focal Aria K2 936 takes a maximalist approach to music reproduction. That doesn’t mean extreme, as no aspect of its performance is out of balance. Rather, for the price they offer a lot of everything. Extreme resolution and musicality. Macro and microdynamics. Serious air moving capability and enjoyable low volume music making. They can rock out while maintaining their composure. The only thing they don’t do is make apologies for mediocre source material. That, combined with their large stature, makes squeezing the best performance from them a bit of a commitment. For those able to afford the $6598/pair Focal Aria K2 936 Loudspeaker, they will provide an immersive musical experience. An essential audition.
iFi Audio Pro iDSD Signature USB DAC/Headphone Amp Review
February 28, 2022 Comments Off on iFi Audio Pro iDSD Signature USB DAC/Headphone Amp Review
https://www.hifinews.com/content/ifi-audio-pro-idsd-signature-usb-dacheadphone-amp
This Signature version of iFi Audio’s flagship DAC/headphone amp may look a bit much for some tastes – I think I prefer the more understated styling of the ‘standard’ model – but there’s no denying the appeal of its rich, weighty, controlled and highly informative sound. Just don’t get caught up in all those filters and adjustments because this is a headphone amplifier that’s made for sitting back and enjoying.
OSD Black Trevoce 12 EQ DSP Subwoofer $600 Review
February 28, 2022 Comments Off on OSD Black Trevoce 12 EQ DSP Subwoofer $600 Review
https://www.soundandvision.com/content/osd-black-trevoce-12-eq-dsp-subwoofer-review
Starting out in the music room, I first streamed Steven Wilson’s “King Ghost” from his album The Future Bites (24-bit/96kHz FLAC, Qobuz). The swells of bass in this song were rendered in a clean and very dynamic manner. There was also a distinct fullness to the low end that added warmth to the overall sound and provided a solid foundation for the electronic drums, synths, and ethereal vocals to float upon. Comparing the sub’s performance with EQ switched off, the bass came across notably muddier, and dynamics were muted as well.
The same qualities I noted in the Wilson track carried over when I next spun “Valley” from The Orb’s 1995 album Orbus Terrarum on CD. This electronic track features truly deep, subsonic bass, and I was impressed with how much of it I was hearing with the Trevoce 12 in my setup. The cascading rise and fall of the synthesized bass line had a clean quality, while the occasional low slam of percussive elements was conveyed with impressive power and tactile impact. I was also able to push the volume to near-uncomfortable levels and not experience loss of clarity—the sub tracked the loudness increase in an easy, agile manner.
Nordost QSOURCE Linear Power Supply $2749 Review
February 27, 2022 Comments Off on Nordost QSOURCE Linear Power Supply $2749 Review
Multitasking in audio—as in life—often proves a poor choice. Many LPS models can be adapted to drive multiple devices, but this very often results in a watered-down version of the single device performance. When I ordered the fittings to attach a second device to my CH Precision X1 External Power Supply, it was not as good as when only one CH device was attached. When I listened to the Fidelizer Nikola powering two devices, then turned one off, the sound improved. With these two power supplies, a single connected device was the way to go.
The QSOURCE has six outputs, four of which are dedicated to the Nordost QPOINT product (sold separately). The remaining two can be adjusted to variable output voltages and are suitable to replace the wall-warts used by many music servers, NAS drives, etc. I powered up the QSOURCE with two devices attached, then switched one off, with the expectation that it would follow the pattern and show an improvement—but it didn’t. The QSOURCE is the exception to the multitasking rule.
Audiophilepure 
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