ASTELL&KERN ACTIVO CT10 PORTABLE DIGITAL AUDIO PLAYER $299 REVIEW
January 18, 2020 Comments Off on ASTELL&KERN ACTIVO CT10 PORTABLE DIGITAL AUDIO PLAYER $299 REVIEW
“The only glitch I experienced during playback was on DSD DFF 5.6 files played from a 128GB card. Every 30 seconds (or so) there occurred an extremely short drop out. IRIVER could not duplicate the bug when I sent them the file, but it occurred on two different CT10 players, so I suspect it was something to do with the card since these same tracks played correctly when the card was loaded into a A&K A&futura SE100. Overall the operational efficacy of the CT10 was on par with Astell&Kern’s other players. Its touchscreen responded with alacrity, and its menu options were well laid out.”
Pro-Ject Audio Systems X2 Turntable Review
January 17, 2020 Comments Off on Pro-Ject Audio Systems X2 Turntable Review
https://www.hifinews.com/content/pro-ject-audio-systems-x2-turntable
I”t’s an able information retriever too. Great song though it may be, Crosby, Stills and Nash’s ‘Wooden Ships’ [Crosby, Stills And Nash; Atlantic SD 8229] is not up there in the pantheon of superlative audiophile recordings. Despite this, the X2 was able to fish deep into the mix to communicate a surprisingly large amount of what was going on. It focused on the lead vocals and that sublime solo electric guitar playing, showing off the beautiful harmonies of the former and gravelly texture of the latter. Yet there was plenty more to hear, including the surprisingly crisp rhythm guitar work set towards the back of the mix, and the electric organ alongside it. And although the listener could hear right into the proceedings to enjoy quite remarkable levels of insight, the deck never sounded overly analytical, as some rivals can.
The deck’s fine speed stability and overall control make for a stimulating listen. Yes, there can be the feeling on some recordings that things could do with a little more punch, but the X2 is entering the territory of turntables all able to turn in quite a captivating performance and all are strong in some areas rather than others. In short, the Pro-Ject X2 has much to offer considering its keen pricing. Indeed it’s proof that you can get a lot of sound per pound from turntables these days, even from almost ‘plug and play’ designs such as this.”
XDUOO TA-10 REVIEW
January 17, 2020 Comments Off on XDUOO TA-10 REVIEW
https://headfonics.com/2020/01/xduoo-ta-10-review/
“The entire low end of this TA-10 is firm, dense and plentiful. The stock tube is not known for excellent low-end depth, but this amp has it anyway, which is a testament to internal circuitry pairing. It isn’t always about just the tube, or just the DAC by itself, especially not in a hybrid design.
If you enjoy meaty bass, this is a great option and I would recommend you kick the stock tube out and hunt for a very warm replacement. You won’t regret it. Fun and musical headphones really sing with this model, bassy headphones and high levels of warmth are accentuated by the natural low-end experience the TA-10 offers.”
Adcom GFA-555se Stereo Power Amplifier Review
January 16, 2020 § 1 Comment
“The Adcom amplifier’s bass quality is more of the “rolling thunder” variety, making it difficult to hear individual bass strings vibrating. The $4495 Cary SA-200.2 ES and $2999 Benchmark AHB2 amplifiers far outperform the Adcom in the bass, being much more resolved and linear into the deepest bass. The 12 Watt single-ended Valvet amplifier also has greater resolution down low, although it does not offer a challenge to the macro dynamic prowess of the Adcom’s 300 Watts. The Magicos are 4 Ohm speakers.
The GFA-555se offers excellent dynamic performance. One can clearly appreciate the pop or attack when a drum stick hits the snare or hear a rim shot. Low level dynamics, the quiet shifting of intensity of a voice, or the way Brad Paisley changes the force with which he plucks almost every guitar string, is apparent and enjoyable.”
Campfire Audio Solaris SE T Review
January 16, 2020 Comments Off on Campfire Audio Solaris SE T Review
https://headfonics.com/2020/01/campfire-audio-solaris-se-first-contact/
“On the Solaris, this vocal passage sounds a little ‘steelier’ in tone but with more separation on the layers. The Solaris SE blends the layers a bit more and produces a bit more warmth and liquidity on the vocal timbre. You could say it generates a slightly softer hit on the percussion but without diminishing its presence. I get a feeling the Solaris SE is going to be a little more matchable as a result of that timbral tweak.
The Solaris SE mids driver generally sounds a little more even in positioning and presence than the original Solaris driver. I would define it as a more natural sound than the more excitable clean timbre of the Solaris original.”
BURSON AUDIO CONDUCTOR 3 REVIEW
January 15, 2020 Comments Off on BURSON AUDIO CONDUCTOR 3 REVIEW
https://www.headfonia.com/burson-conductor-3-review/
“The stand-out feature of the Conductor 3 is without a doubt the ‘finned’ Aluminium body that Burson Audio has dubbed ‘The Cool Case’. Besides looking awesome, this design has a functional purpose as well – being a Class-A design the Conductor 3 does dissipate quite a bit of heat. So instead of using unsightly heat-sinks, the entire chassis has been designed to keep the unit as cool as possible – 300% more than the previous Conductor, in fact (according to Burson).
Lifting-up the Conductor 3 reveals it to be reassuringly hefty, and solidly put together. The remainder of the Conductor 3’s body is an all-aluminium affair – the tastefully-brushed fascia sports the twin 6.3mm headphone outputs, the 3.5mm microphone input, a very nice knurled volume pot, and a multi-function display and control buttons.”
Manley Labs Absolute Headphone Amplifier $4500 Review
January 14, 2020 Comments Off on Manley Labs Absolute Headphone Amplifier $4500 Review
https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/manley-labs-absolute-headphone-amplifier/
“The all-important test is how this thing sounds, and for the most part this amp delivers on so many levels. I switched between multiple sets of headphones, such as Audeze LCD 3, XC, EL-8, Grado customs, and even some IEMs just to see what it would be like. I settled mainly with my trusty LCD 3s, but rest assured that this amp can handle many different headphones with aplomb (varying the impedance allows for multiple headphones to be compatible). Listening to Hi Res digital tracks for this review, I cued up the song “Chitlins and Gefiltefish” from Christain McBride featuring Gina Gershon. The playful song tests the ability of the amp to produce human voice, pace, and reproducing the bass. I enjoyed this track in push pull mode at 10dB negative feedback to give the bass a plucky deep sound coupled with a hop and bounce to induce the prerequisite toe tapping on my part. The recording session was brought to life, and the joy of creating music together was reproduced in great detail without ruining the overall improvising and pace. The second track was Amy Winehouse’s “You Know I’m No Good.” That soulful voice was never lost in this quintessential Winehouse track. Winehouse is in fully fleshed form. The back beat with the bass track and melodic instruments was well rendered in the background. Switching to single ended mode, and turning down the negative feedback, I put on an old but new track in Jennifer Hudson’s “Memory,” from the newly released Cats Motion Picture Soundtrack. Although the film itself has been getting mixed reviews to say the least, the song and Hudson’s voice is beautiful and raw with emotion. The amp in single-ended mode rendered her voice with intimacy and a hint of added warmth left out of push pull mode. “
Audio Research VT80 SE Vacuum Tube Power Amplifier Review
January 14, 2020 Comments Off on Audio Research VT80 SE Vacuum Tube Power Amplifier Review
https://novo.press/audio-research-vt80-se-vacuum-tube-power-amplifier-review/
Across the frequency spectrum, the Tung Sol KT-150 output tubes produced lightning-fast transients and startling dynamics. Soundstaging was immense in size and imaging within the sound stages was precise and clearly delineated. With high quality 2-channel stereo recordings, wandering into the walk-through 3-dimensional musical landscapes produced by the VT80 SE was a breathtaking pleasure.
Shortcomings…? The VT80 SE’s 4Ω outputs are grounded. In the owner’s manual, ARC notes: “Avoid wiring and speaker switching systems that have a common ground wiring or switching of the amplifier output.” After connecting the 4Ω taps to half dozen different pairs of speakers, I consistently heard a low-level ground hum. Although the hum didn’t overpower the music, it was still *there*; and not in a good way.”
Focal Stellia Headphones Review
January 13, 2020 Comments Off on Focal Stellia Headphones Review
https://www.audiophilia.com/reviews/2020/1/6/pfe0t36r7mdsmwndg7orfkkppcjqxs
“Moving on to a different genre, I played another CD rip, this time of Fritz Reiner’s 1957 recording of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition with the Chicago Symphony. Often large dynamic orchestral recordings can easily reveal the weaknesses of headphones and speakers. With the Stellia’ I was left mostly impressed. Once again these headphones reveal a lot of detail, but they accomplish what many fail to do, keeping the detail clear while rendering loud and climactic passages. Sometimes, when listening to big orchestral “hits”, the listener often is drowned in a “boomy” quality that blurs individual instruments and timbres. Percussion sounds very life like through the Stellia, particularly the crash cymbals. Low strings had a very open and resonant air around them. The soundstage was clear, but a bit on the close side for my taste. I often felt like I was listening from the conductor’s podium rather than from the audience. Switching things up, I disconnected from the Arche amplifier and instead ran the Stellia unbalanced from the headphone jack on my McIntosh preamp. Listening to a few tracks over again, I did notice and ever so slight loss of refinement and details in the upper register, but also a tad more warmth and body throughout the range. I will chalk this up to difference in the amplifiers individual sonic signatures rather than any serious difference in how these headphones react to different amplification.
Music Hall Classic Semi-Automatic Belt-Driven MM Turntable $599 Review
January 13, 2020 Comments Off on Music Hall Classic Semi-Automatic Belt-Driven MM Turntable $599 Review
https://hometheaterreview.com/music-hall-classic-semi-automatic-belt-driven-mm-turntable-reviewed/
“I believe $599 is the breaking point for a lot of enthusiasts. Meaning, it’s on the edge of what I think most would claim to be affordable, and reaching the next plateau in terms of performance requires two or three times the spend. So, the Music Hall Classic at $599 is a value, but maybe not the biggest one. However, compared to costlier rivals, it’s a steal. Make sense? The Classic is not the same as its costlier rivals, but gives you enough of a taste that one of two things is going to happen: you’ll question the need for more and never upgrade, or you’ll be so enthralled that you’ll upgrade quickly.”
Audiophilepure 
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