Nordost Qbase Reference AC Distribution Unit Review
October 3, 2025 Comments Off on Nordost Qbase Reference AC Distribution Unit Review
What may appear as a simple song structure often presents a far greater challenge for power delivery, exposing hidden complexities that lesser technical solutions blur. This is exactly where a premium power distributor distinguishes itself, and the QBASE Reference never faltered; its power delivery was pure, uncolored, and seemingly limitless, responding instantaneously to shifts in dynamics — swinging with off-beat syncopations, locking into precise rhythmic grids, and melting seamlessly into hypnotic, butter-smooth cadences when called for.
Nordost’s flagship power distributor introduced an unprecedented level of clarity and separation. Instruments and voices emerged with greater individuality and presence, each with its own distinct aura, while the overall presentation retained a fluid, organic togetherness — a high-level summing of inertia, motion, and flow.
Unlike many power distributors, whether entry-level or cost-no-object, the QBASE Reference rises above common limitations. It embodies a Zen-like balance, yet unleashes thunderous sonic energy with absolute authority when called upon — an equilibrium many aspire to, but few ever achieve.
PS Audio Stellar DAC $2199 Review
October 2, 2025 Comments Off on PS Audio Stellar DAC $2199 Review
As much as I enjoyed playing around with filters to endlessly unravel music threads in hopes of discovering something new about old chestnuts, the Stellar DAC is not really made for such interrogations. This is a beautiful sounding DAC, by design. Playing Sasha Matson’s newest album, Fillmore Street, proved to be a splendid way to put the Stellar DAC to the test. This album is full of interesting twists and turns in composition, timing, and melodic themes. Flawlessly recorded, the title track opens the album to give you a taste of what’s to come—orchestral energy with competing instruments propelling the ascending melody line to create tension that ultimately resolves in a languorous swoon reminiscent of Gershwin. The Stellar DAC does an exceptional job of capturing the breadth and dimension of the orchestra, but more importantly, the tone and texture of the instruments sings naturally and without distracting emphasis. I played many, many other artists from a variety of genres, but the overall balance and tonal fulsomeness was sustained in excellent fashion.
Pathos Inpol Remix MkII $5895 Review
October 2, 2025 Comments Off on Pathos Inpol Remix MkII $5895 Review
https://www.whathifi.com/hi-fi/stereo-amplifiers/pathos-inpol-remix-mkii
This surprising low-end heft comes to the fore when we play Bob Marley’s Exodus. Bass is relatively taut and tuneful, underpinning the rest of the performance in a seamless manner. As we work through our music collection, it turns out that the Pathos is able to tick most boxes.
Tonally, it is smooth but has enough bite in its otherwise sweet top-end to satisfy. There is delicacy at those high frequencies that makes most non-valve alternatives sound a little mechanical and tonally grey in comparison.
This is one of the few valve/transistor hybrid amplifiers we’ve heard where we do feel like we are hearing the best of both technologies, yet the result remains cohesive and balanced.
The Original Treble Clef Audio TCA-M Loudspeaker $103,900 Review
September 30, 2025 Comments Off on The Original Treble Clef Audio TCA-M Loudspeaker $103,900 Review
Coincidentally, just before finishing this review, I saw Daniel Lanois in concert and later had a chance to speak with him briefly. I would have loved to ask how the bass range on this track is really supposed to sound, which is something only the people behind the recording could know. But this wasn’t the time or place for that conversation, nor would it be fair to ask Lanois to recall the sound of something he recorded 30 years ago. For now, what the most faithful rendition of this recording is remains a mystery. At least in my room, whatever Siig is doing in the bass does result in a rather distinctive sound.
Conclusion and continuation
What’s not a mystery is that Treble Clef Audio’s first (and presently only) loudspeaker is expensive, wild-looking, well-built, and technologically advanced. All that would be for naught if the speaker didn’t sound good. No fear there—it certainly does. Its strengths include true full-range sound, meaning bass down to 20Hz and highs at least up to 20kHz; a free and open sound, which, as I mentioned above, probably has a lot to do with its unique construction; neutrality through the entire audioband, provided you have the bass dialed in correctly; clarity across the whole audioband, meaning details never get obscured; and an articulate, impactful character of the bass region that deserves further investigation by yours truly and, perhaps, you—that’s if you get a chance to hear a pair.
Clearly I’m not done with the TCA‑M yet, since there are many things left to fiddle with. If you’ve read this far, you surely realize that there’s more to come.
In-akustik Master Tape Releases
September 30, 2025 Comments Off on In-akustik Master Tape Releases
The Master Tapes are based on newly created analogue masters, prepared from carefully selected high-resolution digital sources. The mastering process is conducted by Christoph Stickel (ECM, Deutsche Grammophon, Keith Jarrett), one of Europe’s most respected mastering engineers and a Grammy nominee. The aim is to transfer the source material to analogue tape with the highest possible fidelity and dynamic quality.
Product Variants:
- Start: ¼”, 2-track, NAB, 7.5 ips (19 cm/s), RTM LPR90, reference level 250 nWb/m, 1 metal reel, eco packaging
- Standard: ¼”, 2-track, CCIR, 15 ips (38 cm/s), RTM LPR90, reference level 320 nWb/m, 1 metal reel, eco packaging
- Studio: ¼”, 2-track, CCIR, 15 ips (38 cm/s), RTM SM900, reference level 510 nWb/m, 2 metal reels, deluxe packaging
MartinLogan Dynamo 1100X Subwoofer Review
September 29, 2025 Comments Off on MartinLogan Dynamo 1100X Subwoofer Review
The subwoofer’s rear panel has a special slot designated for MartinLogan’s SWT-X wireless transmitter kit. The kit consists of a transmitter that looks like a large AppleTV with stereo RCA inputs. If you want to use the sub with a receiver’s LFE (Low Frequency Effects) output, then you use the right input, which is labeled accordingly.
The receiver looks like an L-shaped USB stick. The USB connector plugs perfectly into the designated slot on the back of the Dynamo 1100X that’s labeled, “Wireless Module Connection.” The module sits flush into the back of the sub. It takes up zero additional footprint. There’s an apse-shaped notch allowing you to pull the module out easily if you need to.
True Life Audio TSI-300 Integrated Amplifier Review
September 29, 2025 Comments Off on True Life Audio TSI-300 Integrated Amplifier Review
Violectric HPA V324 $2,799
September 28, 2025 Comments Off on Violectric HPA V324 $2,799
Violectric’s high-end amp houses three front-mounted headphone outputs: balanced 4-pin Neutrik, 4.4mm Pentaconn and conventional 6.3mm. There are also balanced XLR and RCA single-ended inputs at the rear for connecting a DAC or analogue source, as well as XLR and RCA outputs if you want to hook up to an amplifier or active speakers.
While its primary function is as a headphone amplifier, the HPA V324 can be used as a preamplifier to connect to a power amp and a set of speakers as part of a larger hi-fi setup.
The HPA V324’s enclosure is constructed from black anodised aluminium complemented by a laser-engraved front panel, and there is also a set of VU meters displaying each channel’s input signal level
Audiophilepure 
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