Pass Laboratories XP-32 line preamplifier Review
March 4, 2021 Comments Off on Pass Laboratories XP-32 line preamplifier Review
https://www.stereophile.com/content/pass-laboratories-xp-32-line-preamplifier
I had two high-performance preamplifiers on hand with which to compare the Pass XP-32: the MBL N11 ($14,600) and the Benchmark LA4 ($2599) that had so impressed Kal Rubinson when he reviewed it in January 2020.
First up was the MBL, with sound pressure levels matched within 0.5dB at the listening position. (The N11 was set to its unity gain condition, which limits the maximum gain and which reviewer Jason Victor Serinus had preferred.) With the MBL N31 DAC in front of the preamplifier and the Parasound monoblocks behind it, the back-to-front soundstage on my Mozart Piano Quartet recording was as apparent as it had been on the XP-32, with as much image depth. The tonal balance, however, was a tad warmer and the presentation of acoustic objects within the soundstage was a little more—and how I hate using this word—palpable. For example, toward the end of the Joni Mitchell track, a high tenor voice appears in the center of the stage, floating slightly behind and slightly above Joni The MBL pushed this voice a little farther back than it had been with the Pass Labs, as well as a touch higher. A close-run thing, but like I said, more palpable.
KEF KC62 Subwoofer Review
March 3, 2021 Comments Off on KEF KC62 Subwoofer Review
https://www.soundandvision.com/content/kef-kc62-subwoofer
The fact that a literally breadbox-size subwoofer can produce actual 25 Hz-and-lower content at any musically useful level is newsworthy. And so is the KC62 as a whole: if you insist on breaking Hoffman’s Iron Law, or at least bending it to its limits, KEF’s inaugural Uni-Core design does so as dramatically, and as classily, as any sub I’ve seen. Within the “iron” caveats of a small room and/or relatively modest level demands, it will match the performance of a well-engineered 12-inch sub in every important parameter except peak dynamics and level. There may be other mini subs on the market, but none I know of go quite as low in quite as small and elegant a package as what KEF has managed with the KC62.
BENCHMARK MEDIA HPA4 PREAMPLIFIER-AHB2 POWER AMPLIFIER-DAC3 B DAC REVIEW
March 3, 2021 Comments Off on BENCHMARK MEDIA HPA4 PREAMPLIFIER-AHB2 POWER AMPLIFIER-DAC3 B DAC REVIEW
This is a time-domain plot of a -90 dBFS signal applied to the Oppo BDP-105D on the left channel. It is included here as a reference. The self-noise of the QA401 spectrum analyzer in time-domain mode is shown on the right channel which is grounded. The QA401 can be seen to have a suitably low noise level for something that isn’t an Audio Precision analyzer. Again the trick is here is in the range extension the Benchmark is providing me. The QA401 has a signal limit of 2VRMS but the Benchmark DAC3B is at 12.3VRMS. All the signals that will be presented in the following figures are far smaller than 2VRMS so the QA401 is safe with the Benchmark but the fact the output level is so much higher than 2VRMS range extends the QA401 by 15.8dB. With this trick the QA401 has the SNR of an AP but only because the Benchmark has such a high, ultra-low noise, output.
CUBE AUDIO NENUPHAR 16.900 Euro / pair Review
March 1, 2021 Comments Off on CUBE AUDIO NENUPHAR 16.900 Euro / pair Review
https://www.monoandstereo.com/2021/01/cube-audio-nenuphar-speakers-review.html
It was great to review and reignite my appreciation and passion for this particular type of speaker. All the positive qualities that have always attracted me to the full range speaker concept were easily verified. In addition, the Nenuphar has an impressive set of qualities I’ve touched upon and reflected in the previous section throughout the music references.
For what they represent sonically and how well they present music without adding or subtracting the essentials from it, I am happy to award the Cube Audio Nenuphar Mono and Stereo 2021 Highly Recommended Product Award
ZANDEN AUDIO SYSTEMS MODEL 1200 SIGNATURE PHONO PREAMPLIFIER £28,950 REVIEW
March 1, 2021 Comments Off on ZANDEN AUDIO SYSTEMS MODEL 1200 SIGNATURE PHONO PREAMPLIFIER £28,950 REVIEW
Zanden Audio Systems Model 1200 Signature phono preamplifier
It would be so easy for a phono stage of this calibre to drift into audiophile hell; making a ‘beauteous’ sound that has all the details and no substance. The Zanden Model 1200 Signature never makes that crossover, staying true to the recording no matter what. When that means Keef Richards [Main Offender, Virgin], it means moving from subtle jazz tones to raucous early live sounding 1990s rock, it can track those changes without softening the blow of either. In truth, however, much of this is going over old ground; the performance of the Zanden Model 1200 Yamada-san liked so much 17 years ago and has been the subject of many column inches in Hi-Fi+ and beyond remains undimmed; it’s just got more dynamic-sounding and a lot more flexible.
KLIPSCH THE FIVES REVIEW
February 28, 2021 Comments Off on KLIPSCH THE FIVES REVIEW
The Klipsch Fives are a complete music system in one box. As tested by me, the Fives are fully capable of standing on their own and playing music from your mobile devices, or they can accept whatever digital or analog source you may have including a turntable. Although I think most of the environments that the Fives will be placed in will be small or compact, the Klipsch Fives did a great job filling my large family room. Never did I feel that the Fives were running out of steam. Considering the very fine sound and the low price (my moving coil cartridge alone is what the Fives sell for), I think Klipsch has provided their legendary sound in a compact package and priced it so that anyone can afford it. The Klipsch Fives are highly recommended for value and sound!
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO turntable $499 Review
February 28, 2021 Comments Off on Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO turntable $499 Review
https://www.stereophile.com/content/pro-ject-debut-carbon-evo-turntable
Ultimately, what this record player demonstrated—clearly— is the all-important distinction between sound and music. While listening to it, I was aware of how different it sounded from my much more expensive Garrard 301. What do you give up with a budget turntable compared to a no-holds-barred one? Well, a bit of everything, really—it sounds less precise, less lifelike, less dramatic. But, importantly, while I was aware of the considerable sonic differences between the two turntables, I didn’t really miss the Garrard. That’s because the Pro-Ject was equally adept at playing music.
One of the records I’ve been listening to most is Lou Reed’s New York (1-25829). For me, its exasperated, end-of-the-world mood resonates with the present moment. I started listening to it constantly in the spring, when I was home alone and sick with COVID; something about the ferocity of Reed’s singing and lyrics—some of his best—felt cathartic and freeing. The spare instrumentation—two guitars, a six-string electric upright bass, and drums—allows the lyrics to come to the fore, and the 14 songs on New York unfold like a short story collection. After I lowered the tonearm onto the first track, “Romeo Had Juliet,” I sat down and listened to the entire 58-minute song cycle with my eyes closed, getting up only to flip the record.
Mark Levinson No5105 Turntable Review
February 27, 2021 Comments Off on Mark Levinson No5105 Turntable Review
https://www.hifinews.com/content/mark-levinson-no5105-turntable
For all the wrong reasons – looks, build quality, ease-of-use – I adore the No5105. Enough for the purists among you to castigate me, perhaps, but my admiration for it would only be meaningless if the sound didn’t match the form. This is a sublime device which does everything you’d want of a deck at its price, while delivering pride of ownership usually restricted to luxury pens and watches. I’m dazzled.
BLACK ICE FUSION F11 VACUUM TUBE INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER $1,499 REVIEW
February 27, 2021 Comments Off on BLACK ICE FUSION F11 VACUUM TUBE INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER $1,499 REVIEW
Lights abound, whether you like them or not… In addition to the white-lighted “Black Ice Audio” script on the amplifier’s front panel, and the lighted Black Ice logo on the same panel (that doubles as the on/standby switch), an additional pilot light is placed atop the transformer cover box. Even in standby mode, the on/off logo, pilot light, and “Black Ice Audio” logo remains lit. I find this distracting when the amp is not even playing and wish these lights were defeatable, but many won’t care. As delivered, the only way to turn off all amplifier lighting is to use the on/off switch on the back of the amplifier that may be less than readily accessible in some equipment racks.
Hi-Fi Stereo in 2021 – New Wilson Alexandria + VTL Siegfried II & New Reel to Reel’s Tour
February 27, 2021 Comments Off on Hi-Fi Stereo in 2021 – New Wilson Alexandria + VTL Siegfried II & New Reel to Reel’s Tour
Audiophilepure 
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