SVS SB-1000 Pro and PB-1000 Pro Subwoofers $599 Review
July 1, 2021 Comments Off on SVS SB-1000 Pro and PB-1000 Pro Subwoofers $599 Review
https://www.soundandvision.com/content/svs-sb-1000-pro-and-pb-1000-pro-subwoofers-review
I enjoyed my time listening with the SVS SB-1000 and PB-1000 Pro subwoofers and would easily recommend either model to anyone looking to get good bass on a budget. The harder choice will come down to which one to go with. If you’re a movie fan and don’t have space constraints, go for the PB-1000 Pro and get that extra bit of extension. If space constraints or SAF is an issue, check out the SB-1000 Pro. The build quality of both is impeccable and getting to control them wirelessly using the best-in-class SVS app is a very impressive extra feature in an affordable, entry-level subwoofer.
Rotel RA-1572MKII Integrated Amplifier-DAC $2099 Review
June 30, 2021 Comments Off on Rotel RA-1572MKII Integrated Amplifier-DAC $2099 Review
When I was a budding audiophile, Rotel was one of the first brands I became aware of. The fun I had using their RA-1572MKII integrated-DAC reminded me of why I got into audio all those years ago. It provides a huge amount of sound quality at a price within reach of the serious but budget-conscious enthusiast. It lacks the streaming and/or DSP and/or room correction of some of the costlier integrateds I’ve recently reviewed, but at this price you have to make some choices. What it offers is excellent sound, a high-resolution DAC that supports MQA, a good MM phono input, and a good headphone amp—all features that many audiophiles will appreciate. For only $2099, the high-powered Rotel RA-1572MKII offers one of today’s best combinations of price and performance in an integrated amplifier-DAC.
MAGNEPAN LRS PLANAR QUASI-RIBBON-TYPE DIPOLE LOUDSPEAKER REVIEW
June 28, 2021 Comments Off on MAGNEPAN LRS PLANAR QUASI-RIBBON-TYPE DIPOLE LOUDSPEAKER REVIEW
Magnepan LRS planar quasi-ribbon-type dipole loudspeaker
The LRS’s articulacy and dynamic agility are outstanding, too. To appreciate what I mean by this, try Rodrigo y Gabriela’s rendition of ‘Stairway to Heaven’ from their album of the same name [Universal Imports, 16/44.1]. Folklore has it that this song has been so over-played that it has been banned in most every music store in the known world, but Rodrigo y Gabriela’s flamenco guitar interpretation is so energetic, expressive, and finely crafted that one can’t help but stop and listen. Happily, the LRS’s do their part to bring the music alive. First, they capture the sharp transient attacks and the fiery but also warmly rounded timbres of the guitars in a highly realistic way. Next, the speakers effortlessly keep pace with the performers’ often fleet-fingered runs of notes while also making it easy to appreciate differences between the guitarists’ playing styles. Most importantly, though, the LRS’s show this guitar duet is truly a conversation between two world-class musicians who both have a lot to say.
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO Turntable Review
June 28, 2021 Comments Off on Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO Turntable Review
I’m particularly fussy, though, which shouldn’t be a surprise. So, in the spirit of that fuss, here are two small quibbles. First, Pro-Ject included a felt platter mat. I know, groans and eyerolls, lots of folks like felt, but I find it particularly abhorrent. I’ve just never liked felt, and this was no exception. Very minor thing, and easily remedied. Second, the power cord is strangely short. It barely reached my power receptacle, which was maybe four feet away. Again, this can be remedied with an aftermarket cord, but be aware of this, and reach out to your dealer or Pro-Ject to ensure that whatever cord you choose works fine.
Those gripes out of the way, in almost every other department the EVO really ticked my boxes and then some. The addition of electronic speed-switching, in particular, is a huge bonus, saving folks from having to lift off the platter and touch the belt every time they want to change from 33 to 45rpm. And, let’s be honest, I can’t imagine many people are actually using a belt-switching tool, so they’re grabbing the belt with their dirty, greasy fingers, and getting the whole drive mechanism filthy. With the EVO, you can eat as much fried food as you want and still jump between your favorite formats.
Clearaudio Concept Active Wood turntable Review
June 26, 2021 Comments Off on Clearaudio Concept Active Wood turntable Review
https://www.stereophile.com/content/clearaudio-concept-active-wood-turntable
Designed by Clearaudio founder Peter Suchy with his sons Robert and Patrick, the Satisfy series tonearms are constructed of aluminum (except, optionally, the armwand) including a two-part headshell, cueing lever, tonearm collar, counterweight, and rear threaded armtube. “Satisfy Black uses an aluminum arm tube,” Leerer wrote, “while the CF arm uses a woven carbon fiber arm tube providing extra stiffness and lower resonance.” Both Satisfy CF and Black tonearms use Swiss-made vertical and lateral bearings comprised of polished tungsten steel points against a ruby thrust pad
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Core Power Ground Zero $599 Review
June 26, 2021 Comments Off on Core Power Ground Zero $599 Review
Core Power Ground Zero
When operated within its operational limit, the Ground Zero brings no compromise to the musical signal. Like a good doctor, we want power products to do no harm to the audio waveform. Running through a long playlist of both dynamic rock and classical music, along with a number of delicate acoustic pieces, it’s clear that neither dynamics nor tonality are affected by inserting the Ground Zero.
The Ground Zero works as promised, solves the problems it was designed to address, and is reasonably priced. Right now, Underwood HiFi is offering an intro price of $399 – even better. There’s no point in buying exotic four and five figure power conditioning products for an $800 vintage component, or a budget tube amplifier. For that, we are happy to award the Ground Zero one of our Exceptional Value Awards for 2021. If you’re having this problem, you need one.
FIIO M11 PLUS LTD REVIEW
June 25, 2021 Comments Off on FIIO M11 PLUS LTD REVIEW
To ensure the best performances, FiiO developed a fourth-generation FPGA chip with “more advanced algorithms, more accurate clocks, and even further reduced jitter”. Add a set of two custom Japanese NDK femtosecond crystals, and here you have your full DSD512 / PCM 32bit/768kHz support.
And to top of all that, the M11 Plus LTD continue to use THX-AA78 amps, the same found in the previous M11 Pro. Glorious amp chips even if a bit less powerful than the one found in the M15. In fact, the M11 Plus LTD output the same level of power as the M11 Pro, with a 1mW variance.
Rotel Michi X3 Integrated Amplifier Review
June 25, 2021 Comments Off on Rotel Michi X3 Integrated Amplifier Review
https://www.hifinews.com/content/rotel-michi-x3-integrated-amplifier
The combination of great recordings and the kind of loving transcription that are the hallmark of the 2xHD project makes the music spring to life anew, and the Michi X3 has all the speed, warmth and control to make the most of it. And that held true whether with my big old PMC OB1 speakers or the smaller, faster Neat Iota Xplorer.
And if there was any doubt of the massive clean power here, a swift play of the big, magnificent LSO/Noseda recording of Shostakovich’s 9th Symphony [LSO Live LSO0828; DSD256] shows that soundstaging, agility and massive clout off to great effect. Despite the dynamic swings involved – and you can crank the volume level as high as you want – there’s no hardening of the sound or suggestion of the X3 raising a bead of sweat as it breezes through the huge musical event.
AUDIOVECTOR R6 ARRETÉ FLOORSTANDING LOUDSPEAKER REVIEW
June 24, 2021 Comments Off on AUDIOVECTOR R6 ARRETÉ FLOORSTANDING LOUDSPEAKER REVIEW
Audiovector R6 Arreté floorstanding loudspeaker
So, I come back to my opening gambit. The Audiovector R6 Arreté deserves to be better known. It’s part of a new shape to high-end audio; a distinctly European approach that meets the demands of smaller rooms and listeners without man-caves. It’s a younger, possibly more chic approach that recognises the importance of sonic performance and domestic styling. It’s also a distinctly Continental sound too, with a performance that doesn’t just maximise a single quality but goes for a more well-rounded approach. The fact it does that with a new ‘compound bass’ isobaric loading system making good, deep, fast bass a realistic goal moves this speaker into the ‘must hear’ stakes. As a result, it’s galling not to see this fine loudspeaker rubbing shoulders with the biggest names in high-end audio. In terms of sonic appeal, build quality and looks, it more than deserves its place at the top table. Partner this with good electronics (not simply good Danish electronics, but that aforementioned Gryphon does make a lot of sense) and you have a system that can take on all comers from around the world. And
Audio Research Reference 80S Tube Power Amplifier Review
June 24, 2021 Comments Off on Audio Research Reference 80S Tube Power Amplifier Review
https://www.hifinews.com/content/audio-research-reference-80s-tube-power-amplifier
If Audio Research’s first act of freedom was to embrace the ‘everyday’ audiophile then the forthcoming I-series looks to be just the ticket, just as this REF80S is surely the most accessible and compelling gateway to its top-tier Reference range yet offered. It’s hardly beer-budget stuff but the fiscal strain will likely prove secondary to the emotional wrench if you hear this amp in full flight but then must walk away.
Audiophilepure 
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