SOFTEARS CERBERUS REVIEW

September 29, 2021 Comments Off on SOFTEARS CERBERUS REVIEW

Softears Cerberus Review

I actually liked the compactness, but it’s not quite something you’d expect when you pay a premium price for a flagship monitor. Especially after seeing the packaging of the RSV. As for accessories, it’s pretty good. You get a card with the serial number, user manual, warranty paper, carrying case with a cleaning tool, and two small pouches for storing the earpieces individually, to protect them against scratches. You also get a cleaning cloth and two cable straps

Arcam ST60 Review

September 29, 2021 Comments Off on Arcam ST60 Review

https://www.whathifi.com/us/reviews/arcam-st60

Arcam has carried its decades of sonic expertise seamlessly into the streaming segment, both with and without amplification, in one box. Its proprietary software may not be exemplary, and its chassis design may not win a best-dressed award, but if you can get over that you will be rewarded with the best-sounding performer available for this money. 

If you’re happy with your hi-fi system but simply want to smarten it up by slotting a streamer next to your separates, the Arcam ST60 is a strong choice.

VPI Industries Prime 21 Turntable Review

September 27, 2021 Comments Off on VPI Industries Prime 21 Turntable Review

https://www.audiophilia.com/reviews/2021/7/30/vpi-prime-21-turntable


I’ve been on a New Order kick lately, and I spent a lot of my time with the Prime 21 revisiting classic albums from their discography. 1988’s Technique is one of their most electrifying outings, and the 21 showed just how much meat there was on the bones of this dance rock classic. Analog synthesizers are always one of my tests for gauging how much flesh a component is capable of reproducing, and the Prime 21 did not disappoint here. Speaking of flesh, the kick drum had it in spades. Bass control and body is a serious merit of the VPI metal platter designs, it was always impressive on my Scout, and it was even more impressive here. But what my Scout never possessed was this degree of articulation below the midrange, making everything far more clear and separated. If you are a basshead, this is the turntable for you. That doesn’t mean other areas feel neglected though, as Bernard Summer’s airy, boyish vocals cut through with clarity and pure tone.

FIIO K3S REVIEW

September 27, 2021 Comments Off on FIIO K3S REVIEW

The bass with the K3s is very very impressive. It’s very tidy, controlled, and rumbling with good body and slam. The resolution of the bass is very good as well as the attack. Its decay is also quite impressive as it doesn’t spread the bass around. Of course, that’s only the case when you don’t open the bass switch.

I’m not quite a sound effects guy so I really don’t like these types of additions. Sure, some people would benefit from the lifted bass response but I think in this device that only makes the bass worse. Much worse, if I have to be precise. All of those qualities I mentioned above disappear, and you’re left with a boomy, dispersed, and disjointed bass response. Would I use that just for the sake of more bass quantity? I would definitely say, no. The switch is a bit better when you use the device with full-size headphones, but still, I would prefer not to use the switch.

Cambridge Audio CXA81 Review

September 26, 2021 Comments Off on Cambridge Audio CXA81 Review

https://www.whathifi.com/us/reviews/cambridge-audio-cxa81

The CXA81 perhaps sounds a little forward, but its level of expression is such that it is sympathetic to more minimal, sombre recordings as well. Feed it a solo piano work or chamber quartet and it is only too pleased to show you its more caring, gentle side.

What really shines through though is a level of clarity that not only pips its rivals, such as the Rega Elex-R, but also makes them appear a touch cloudy. It is one thing beating this talented Rega amp for timing and dynamics, but to offer a more polished, insightful, even more mature presentation is a real turn up for the books.

Furutech DPS-4.1 Power Cords $1680/2m Review

September 26, 2021 Comments Off on Furutech DPS-4.1 Power Cords $1680/2m Review

When I introduced the REL subs and the DPS-4.1, I felt the power cords tightened the low-end spine of the system—not by an order of magnitude, mind you, but in a musically noteworthy way. There was a newly exposed, seat-of-the-pants energy from the Hans Zimmer soundtrack to The Thin Red Line, specifically on the brain-rattling Kodo drumming of “Air,” which added greater harmonic complexity and texture than before. 

I acknowledge that the home-assembly approach of the DPS-4.1 is not for everyone, but for those who possess some DIY chops, Furutech just might have the power cord for you. All it takes is a little elbow grease, and you’ll be rewarded with a cord that performs on a par with some of the top contenders, at a considerable cost savings. Unreservedly recommended. 

VAC Sigma 170i Integrated Amplifier Review

September 25, 2021 Comments Off on VAC Sigma 170i Integrated Amplifier Review

https://www.hifinews.com/content/vac-sigma-170i-integrated-amplifier

This prowess, however, wasn’t dependent on the superior pressing at higher speed. With the 2014 reissue of Etta James’ sublime Tell Mama on Bear Family [BAF108026], certainly not known as a label of the audiophile tendency, the otherwise average recording did not hold back one iota of James’ peerless, powerful vocals on this milestone LP.

You want emotion? Here Etta James rips out your heart, and the Sigma 170i ensured that every dynamic moment was treated with respect. Damn, this is a fine amp.

MONITOR AUDIO BRONZE 200 FLOORSTANDING LOUDSPEAKERS £570 REVIEW

September 24, 2021 Comments Off on MONITOR AUDIO BRONZE 200 FLOORSTANDING LOUDSPEAKERS £570 REVIEW

Monitor Audio Bronze 200 Floorstanding Loudspeakers

They make up for it in other areas, though. Those alternative designs have to acknowledge Monitor Audio supremacy where control is concerned, and no rival describes a more coherent or better organised soundstage. But if the devil (or, more accurately in this instance, the last soupçon of sonic enjoyment) is in the details, it’s possible to be left a little frustrated by the Bronze 200 delivery. 

But – at the risk of labouring the point – context is everything. Given that a floorstander at this sort of money is, by definition, compromised, Monitor Audio has minimised and disguised the compromises it’s made to an almost laughable degree. If your system justifies this sort of outlay, you need to hear the Bronze 200.

JDS LABS ATOM+ STACK REVIEW

September 24, 2021 Comments Off on JDS LABS ATOM+ STACK REVIEW

 is small and light. For the form and factor, this may be the most powerful amplifier in sub 200, maybe 300 USD bracket. The amp can dish out 1w into a 32Ω load. This means that the amp is quite powerful and it can feed 90% of the headphones on the market. It also has two gain options, 1x and 4.5x. It also has preamp outputs. You can seamlessly plug your active speakers into the Atom+ and control their volume.

It is also as silent as it gets and has a very low output impedance of just 0.7 ohms. It matches with my multi-driver IEMs without any issues. The noise floor is ridiculously low and I can’t hear any hiss, even with highly sensitive IEMs in my possession. The custom-made potentiometer with hand-matched gangs offers a much better channel balance compared to the previous Atom Amp generation. The Atom line is focused on sheer performance and performance only. JDS aimed for a no-BS amplifier that is easy to operate, hella powerful, and compact. Under hundred dollars, it was crazy at the end of 2018, it is still crazy in 2021. 

Dynaudio Confidence 20 $11,999 Review

September 21, 2021 Comments Off on Dynaudio Confidence 20 $11,999 Review

https://www.whathifi.com/us/reviews/dynaudio-confidence-20

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The downward-firing port makes the Confidence less fussy about placement relative to walls than a rear-firing port design would be, but these Dynaudios still sound more balanced when placed well away from all walls in our test room. We angle them slightly towards the listening position to firm up the stereo image but don’t feel the need to play around more than that, given the impressive focus of the nicely layered, expansive soundstage.

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