Sony WF-1000XM4 Noise-Canceling $280 Review
November 15, 2021 Comments Off on Sony WF-1000XM4 Noise-Canceling $280 Review
https://www.soundandvision.com/content/sony-wf-1000xm4-noise-canceling-true-wireless-earbuds-review
Sony continues to raise the bar for filtering out ambient sound, with the 1000XM4 eliminating more external noise than nearly every other noise-canceling bud I’ve auditioned. But the 1000XM4 has the same flaw I’ve encountered in all noise-canceling buds save the Bose QC: wind noise. You’ll hear some whooshing through the external mics if you’re walking through 10MPH or higher gusts, or especially when bike riding or running outside. Sony’s Ambient Sound Control lets you turn noise canceling on and off and switch between plain noise canceling and automatic wind noise reaction, but I couldn’t detect a difference between the two.
Fyne Audio F1-8 Review
November 14, 2021 Comments Off on Fyne Audio F1-8 Review
The in-room measured frequency response at 1-meter was extended in the treble to at least 20kHz and fairly uniform to a bit below 300Hz, where room modes began to dominate the response. The lower midrange was slightly recessed, mainly through the power range of the orchestra, covering the octave from 200 to 400Hz, which is pretty typical for stand-mount speakers. In-room bass extension was reasonably flat to about 45Hz. The measured impedance minimum was about 6 ohms, which translates into a tube-friendly, easy-to-drive 8-ohm nominal load. The rated sensitivity is 91dB, which means that even a 30–50Wpc power amp should do fine. Setup was quick and simple: For best imaging be sure to allow a few feet of breathing space behind the speakers, and toe them in so that the driver axes intersect in front of the listening seat.
As the audio gods would have it, I happened to be listening to the Tannoy System 1000 studio monitors when the Fyne F1-8 arrived on my doorstep. This late 90s Tannoy design features a 10-inch coaxial driver and conventional bass-reflex loading. In my estimation, that entire series represents the last great set of passive studio monitors marketed by Tannoy. I was quite interested to find out if Dr. Mills was involved in the System 1000’s design, so I asked him about it. His response: “Yes, indeed, I was involved with those monitors. Those things can rock.” And we certainly agree on that score.
DANATONE Headphone Amplifier Review
November 13, 2021 Comments Off on DANATONE Headphone Amplifier Review
The Head-Space is not for everybody as it is made to order in small quantities, it is designed for the listener who is looking for the best. Dana can custom design one for you specifically for your needs and give you a one-of-a-kind experience. If you are looking for the best in amplification for headphones and speaker amps the Head-Space will not disappoint.
Congratulations to Dana for creating one of the world’s best designs. After five years of research and countless hours, Dana has completed his Head-Space amplifier and it’s a rock star. An awesome amplifier that always delivers exceptional musicality. Highly recommended.
Triangle Antal 40th Anniversary Loudspeaker Review
November 13, 2021 Comments Off on Triangle Antal 40th Anniversary Loudspeaker Review
https://www.hifinews.com/content/triangle-antal-40th-anniversary-loudspeaker
There’s a lot going on here (violin, double-bass, and mandolin too), but the celebratory Antal admirably coped with the chop-and-change of timbres and left my foot tapping. Meanwhile, Lee Haslam’s ‘The Future’ [Slinky Concepts; Tidal] made brilliant use of the loudspeaker’s wide, full-range soundstage, its electronic soundscapes leaving me feeling almost pinned to my chair.
Finally, with ‘Georgia’ [The Seven EP; n/a cat no.], a sparse production by singer/songwriter Emily King that seems designed to mainly highlight her vocal talents, the loudspeaker put her right in front of me, all breathy and close-mic’d. Admittedly, this is the sort of song we’ve all heard countless times at hi-fi shows, but I was surprised by how this floorstander made it sound so intimate and articulate. And it wasn’t just King’s presence. Other details – acoustic guitar, gospel-style backing vocals, a gentle kick-drum – stood back a little, creating an image with an easy-to-visualise depth.
Dan D’Agostino Master Audio Systems Progression M550 monoblock power amplifier $44,950/pair Review
November 12, 2021 Comments Off on Dan D’Agostino Master Audio Systems Progression M550 monoblock power amplifier $44,950/pair Review
Following late-night phone consultations with Editor Jim Austin, I awoke to speak with Bill and Dan about the possibility of delaying the review and sending the amps back to Arizona for repair. Dan, though, was certain that the amps were fundamentally sound. He thought the discrepancy was caused by a shift in biasing, which presumably happened during shipment.
Two tension-fraught days later, Hans Brackmann, Definitive Audio’s store manager, drove to Port Townsend to rebias the amps. All D’Agostino dealers are prepared to rebias the M550s whenever necessary.
Sure enough, rebiasing was called for—just that, nothing more. By the time Hans left, both channels sounded the same (save for minor discrepancies caused by room imbalances), and I heard even more of the beautiful, smooth, finely detailed, impeccably controlled, remarkably dynamic, slightly warm and glowing sound that had made me fall in love with the Progression M550s.
Pro-Ject Debut PRO Turntable PackageReview
November 11, 2021 Comments Off on Pro-Ject Debut PRO Turntable PackageReview
https://www.hifinews.com/content/pro-ject-debut-pro-turntable-package
Whatever bizarre sounds Brian Wilson chose to employ, the Debut PRO handled with aplomb. And that includes the Theremin, the signature sound of ‘Good Vibrations’ and a rare example of electronic sound that doesn’t immediately suggest artifice. Throughout the album, though, were the harmonies of a group that ranks in the permanent Top 10, along with The Mills Brothers, The Ink Spots, The Hollies, The Everlys and the rest. As with The Lettermen (Capitol Records must have had a thing about harmony), the sound was ethereal yet palpable. How’s that for a juggling act?
Having spun over 30 LPs on the Debut PRO, I leave it convinced that it begs to be heard by the sort of audiophile-in-waiting Lichtenegger designed it for, just as it begs the use of a puck or clamp. I would love to have one just to see how far the various upgrades can take it, the easy swaps like trick cables, outré mats, and whatever MC cartridge one cares to fit. But even in stock form, it joins the best of sub-£1000 front-end combinations. ‘Entry level’ has a new champion.
PureAudioProject Duet 15 Prelude Loudspeakers $5990 Review
November 11, 2021 Comments Off on PureAudioProject Duet 15 Prelude Loudspeakers $5990 Review
The PureAudioProject Duet 15 Prelude Loudspeakers
Toward the end of my audition time, I spent a spellbound evening glued to my seat listening to the Yes compilation, The Steven Wilson Remixes. Streaming beautifully from Qobuz via Roon Labs, every song had effortless dynamic impact and glorious 3D staging. The opus “Close to the Edge: The Solid Time of Change/Total Mass Retain/I Get Up I Get Down/Seasons of Man” was 18 minutes and 47 seconds of Prog Rock Heaven.
Yeah. Very good!
OB Wrap
Although Ze’ev Schlik says the Duet 15 Prelude could be a stepping stone, its performance in the Tune Saloon clearly demonstrated the Voxativ equipped Duet is anything but entry-level. It could certainly be an end-game for many. I’ll say this without hesitation: The Duet 15 Prelude is a first-rate loudspeaker that tickled every single personal sonic-fancy. I cannot imagine anyone with suitable equipment, and a properly sized listening space not enjoying it. As for me, I could live with this speaker, and be very happy.
Wells Audio Innamorata II Amplifier and Commander Line Stage Preamplifier $7000 Review
November 10, 2021 Comments Off on Wells Audio Innamorata II Amplifier and Commander Line Stage Preamplifier $7000 Review
My listening room was designed from the start to provide a fairly close approximation of the Cardas Golden ratio, and was wired with dedicated outlets for the audio stack. I’ve since upgraded the setup with AudioQuest Edison NRG power outlets, and with the other AudioQuest Niagara equipment that I’ve been able to add, I’ve achieved an incredible level of quietness within my room and system. So I can easily discern any electronic hum or buzz coming from any particular piece of equipment within the room. A very slight hum emanated from each piece of the Wells Audio equipment that was clearly audible when standing near them, but was much less obvious from my listening position, which is about 18 feet from the equipment stack. During operation, no noticeable noise was present in the audio spectrum with either analog or digital sources.
I run the LRS loudspeakers full range with a pair of subwoofers, a REL T1 and a Definitive Technologies Powerfield 1500, with no crossover employed between the loudspeakers and subs. Over the two years the LRS has been in my system, I’ve gotten the sub placement and levels dialed in to the point that playback is absolutely seamless with any musical genre. The LRS has the uncanny ability to produce shockingly loud SPLs with music that pushes levels that approach total realism for orchestral and even rock music. Which is completely surprising, especially for such a seemingly fragile technology that employs aluminum foil that’s glued to a mylar substrate. I’m pretty convinced that providing a great, high current amplified signal to the LRS is the key to getting perfect musical performance.
Audiophilepure 
You must be logged in to post a comment.