Focal Kanta No.3 $11999 review
June 4, 2020 Comments Off on Focal Kanta No.3 $11999 review
“The science of loudspeaker design is like any science: it obeys the law of diminishing returns. For anyone buying loudspeakers, this means that the more you pay, the better the sound will be, but there will eventually come a point at which the increased costs are not matched by similarly satisfying increases in sound quality.
The ideal is to find a speaker at the ‘sweet spot’ where the balance is just right for both your ears and your own budget. For me, the Focal Kanta No.3s represent that ‘sweet spot’. For you? You’ll obviously have to make that judgement for yourself – but I do sincerely recommend that you at least listen to a pair of Kanta No.3s… no matter what price you might originally have had in mind.”
SHANLING M6 PRO $500 REVIEW
June 4, 2020 Comments Off on SHANLING M6 PRO $500 REVIEW
“The M6 Pro runs on Bluetooth 4.2 and supports all of the popular Bluetooth codecs, allowing you to connect to all the latest Hi-Res receivers or earphones.
Connecting to TWS or Bluetooth headphones is smooth and the M6 Pro can work two-way as a remitter or receiver for LDAC and SBC codecs when you select “Bluetooth Amp mode” in the Bluetooth settings. For aptX HD and HWA, it can transmit the signal outwards only.
I am getting a stable signal out of the M6 Pro to other receivers with no glitches in connection even when placing the player in my pocket/ bag. There is an LED indicator above the volume wheel that shows the BT connection status. The color codes are green is for LDAC, SBC Blue, aptX purple and aptX HD will get you yellow. The M6 Pro is certified for Hi-Res wireless standard.”
Naim NAIT 5si Integrated Amplifier Review
June 3, 2020 Comments Off on Naim NAIT 5si Integrated Amplifier Review
“When you get right down to it, in so many different ways, the Naim NAIT 5si just isn’t the sort of integrated amp I would have gone out of my way to audition for my own two-channel listening room for so many of the reasons listed above, if not for the fact that I was tasked with reviewing it. Generally speaking, I wouldn’t put any integrated amp that lacks a USB input into my “to audition for personal purposes” pile.
But the NAIT 5si simply won me over with its price-to-performance ratio and its distinctive character. So if you’re looking for an all-analog integrated amp — whether you plan to use it with an all-analog hi-fi system or simply look elsewhere for D-to-A conversion — the NAIT 5si is absolutely a component that I think you should check out, assuming you can schedule an audition anytime soon.”
Magnepan LRS Loudspeaker $650 Review
June 2, 2020 Comments Off on Magnepan LRS Loudspeaker $650 Review
http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/magnepan-lrs-loudspeaker/
“At $650 the LRS is an easy top recommendation. It will need considerable power and careful placement to perform at its best—and frankly it will also need a decent subwoofer if you want full-spectrum fidelity. But if you’re listening in a smallish room and are a fan of folk-rock or acoustic music, it will outdo anything else at or near its price. No matter how much you spend on your stereo, getting it to sound like the real thing isn’t a given, folks. In the midrange, the LRS sounds like the real thing.”
64 AUDIO TIA FOURTÉ NOIR UNIVERSAL-FIT $3,799 REVIEW
June 1, 2020 Comments Off on 64 AUDIO TIA FOURTÉ NOIR UNIVERSAL-FIT $3,799 REVIEW
“As IEMs, the 64 Audio tia Fourté Noir are sensitive enough to be driven by almost anything, but they work best being fed quality, not quantity. That being said, they sounded outstanding running off the end of a Chord Mojo DAC; the warmth of the Mojo rather than the detail-frenzy of the Hugo II and beyond makes for a combination that is both informative enough to unlock your music and not so hyper-analytical as to lay that music bare and exposed. Of course, better is its own reward, and more digital detail does really work here too, so be prepared to spend big on the front end.
There is an obvious downside for me. They are a strictly limited and expensive edition, and that means my pair of 64 Audio tia Fourté Noir are already sold to some lucky bugger and ‘my’ set have to go back sooner or later. I’ve tried everything from avoiding phone calls to secreting my own distinct and charmless musk over the product, but sooner or later they have to go back in the box…”
Ampsandaound Bigger Ben Amplifier Review
June 1, 2020 Comments Off on Ampsandaound Bigger Ben Amplifier Review
“So the question becomes, do output transformers have a sound? I believe they do, and that bigger tends to be better and more transparent. This makes logical sense, bigger means more bandwidth before saturation, and the farther you are from saturation the more linear the output should be. Justin proved this to me with the Suolo Monos, which are mono block version of his famous Kenzie amplifier. The Suolo Monos use 10-watt output transformers where the Kenzie uses 5-watt output transformers. The result was that the Suolo Monos put out noticeably better bass, both in weight, quantity, and clarity when compared to the Kenzie. It is also important to note that the 5-watt transformer for the Kenzie was already significantly oversized (the Kenzie only outputs around 250 mWatts). By comparison, the Mogwai SE’s output transformers were only over spec’d by 25%, therefore, doubling the output transformers size for the Bigger Ben was much a larger update and easily explains the performance gains.”
Elipson Prestige Facet 34F £2,500 Review
June 1, 2020 Comments Off on Elipson Prestige Facet 34F £2,500 Review
“Best of all, Elipson hasn’t thrown everything at the bass and midrange and forgotten about the treble. The top end is deliciously sweet and insightful, but without any sense of hardness that could ruin the whole delicate balance. Admittedly, it can’t quite match the ultimate purity of Bowers & Wilkin’s similarly priced 703 S2 floorstander (HFC 433), for example, but there is never a sense that I am missing anything. The guitar string plucks from Nickel Creek’s Reasons Why are beautifully defined and the subtle percussion effects backing Aaron Neville on Everybody Plays The Fool are present, correct and easy to distinguish.”
Parasound Halo A 21+ power amplifier Review
May 31, 2020 Comments Off on Parasound Halo A 21+ power amplifier Review
https://www.stereophile.com/content/parasound-halo-21-power-amplifier
“
Over a span of weeks, the A 21+ was a constant companion and a bringer of musical enjoyment; compared with other amps on hand and in spite of a few sonic differences, the new Parasound was impossible to fault. That shouldn’t be surprising at this point in time: Unless an amp designer imposes her will to suit a particular set of associated equipment or a particular acquired taste, the performance of modern amplifiers should and does converge.
The Parasound A 21+ is remarkably powerful, transparent and quiet. As such, it imposes no constraints on one’s desire to listen through it to the recorded performance or to experience the size, weight, and dynamics of the original event. It is large and heavy—probably of necessity, given its abilities—but it is also handsome and graced with useful connections and controls. Anyone in the market for a stereo power amp would be well advised to consider the Parasound A 21+, especially those who believe that they must spend more. With apologies to W.S. Gilbert, It is the very model of a modern power amplifier.”
Huawei Freebuds 3 – Wireless
May 29, 2020 Comments Off on Huawei Freebuds 3 – Wireless
“The packaging is every bit Huawei and if you are in a region that Huawei markets in you would understand what that means right away. Lots of minimalism and “Apple” styling with a strong emphasis on white. It looks good, no complaints there and everything you would expect it to be for the price point.
Inside there are very few accessories mainly because this is an open bud design so do not expect to find any tips or ear hooks. Instead, you get the case on full display with the Freebuds secured inside and a white USB-C charging cable below in a separate cardboard accessories box.”
Vincent Audio SV-200 Integrated Amplifier $799 Review
May 29, 2020 Comments Off on Vincent Audio SV-200 Integrated Amplifier $799 Review
“Smartly designed, the Vincent SV-200 fits today’s digital and analog sources seamlessly. Its sound output is much bigger than I expected – rich and detailed with a touch of warmth, I especially like its design and small footprint. This little amp exceeded expectations for its price point in every way. If you’re in the market for well-priced, authentic high-end performance gear that’s easily portab”
Audiophilepure 
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