FOSTEX TH909 REVIEW
September 9, 2020 Comments Off on FOSTEX TH909 REVIEW
“Here’s my take on the overall design: I think it’s a love it/hate it kinda vibe. Whereas the TH900 gloriously celebrates itself with those big red cups, the TH909 looks somewhat confused, and compromised. While it did grow on me during the time that I spent with it, I think the grilles don’t really reconcile with the Urushi outer cups. And with the big hole cut in the middle of the cups, you wonder if it was worth going to the trouble of getting that fancy laquer at all on the TH909. Still, when you hold them you do recognise that you’re holding something special. Quibbles with the headband aside, they very much fit the bill of ‘flagship’ not only in terms of the materials used but also the emotions they invoke – while I didn’t buy this pair (and I don’t get to keep them either), I reckon I’d feel pretty proud to have them taking pride of place on my desktop.”
Legacy Audio i·V 7 Seven-Channel Amplifier $7,950 Review
September 9, 2020 Comments Off on Legacy Audio i·V 7 Seven-Channel Amplifier $7,950 Review
When I later moved the i·V 7 into my music-listening room and connected it to the JBL tower speakers, the amp proved whisper-quiet once I powered everything up for playback. Listening to “Alexandra,” (16/44.1 FLAC, Tidal) a track by British singer-songwriter Laura Marling with an early 1970s-era Joni Mitchell vibe, I was struck by the intimate, warm, and completely unstressed quality of the sound. Vocals were full and rich, and the acoustic guitar, electric bass, and drums all came through distinctly in the mix.
Playing something more challenging such as the track “Hudson” by jazz supergroup Hudson from its self-titled album (24/44.1 FLAC, Qobuz), the interplay between Larry Grenadier’s standup bass and Jack DeJohnette’s drums was thoroughly dynamic, with the slapped strings of the close-miked bass cleanly delineated from the hi-hat cymbal and snare hits. In listening comparisons with the 2 x 150-watt Hegel integrated amp, the i·V 7 delivered firmer control over the low end, fleshing out the individual bass notes while maintaining a strong foundation. Meanwhile, John Scofield’s electric guitar floated above everything, coming across as clean without being overly crisp.”
JDS LABS ATOM DAC REVIEW
September 8, 2020 Comments Off on JDS LABS ATOM DAC REVIEW
“Once again, John and his team (Hey Jude!) did it. Both the DAC and the AMP are amazing for the asking price. Whether you need the stack or a standalone dac/amp, Atom is the answer.
As you can see, I can’t find anything bad about them. Missing optical out perhaps? Anyway, you get a solid bang for your buck. The accurate and neutral presentation of the stack is impressive. It doesn’t color the sound at all. Technical aspects such as PRaT, resolution, imaging punch way above its price tag. Clarity is very, very good.”
Boulder 866 Integrated Amplifier DAC/Streamer $14,450 Review
September 6, 2020 Comments Off on Boulder 866 Integrated Amplifier DAC/Streamer $14,450 Review
“Compared to the 75K worth of separates I use, the only thing I can say the 866 may not quite equal the duo in is density of image, sheer presence, and overall richness. To put that into perspective, richness and body have always been very important to me. What I’m getting from the Boulder’s strengths, its take on the music is so compelling on its own terms, I’m just not missing what’s not there. The 866 succeeds wildly on its own merits.
The Boulder 866 makes an incredibly compelling overall case. I had a feeling it would be good, but not this good. Like the surprise delivered by Boulder’s diminutive 508 phono stage, I was not prepared for how good the 866 would be, and to an even greater degree than the surprise delivered by the 508. No matter how you cut it this integrated amplifier DAC/streamer is a triumph of audio design and engineering. Do not skip over this piece if you are shopping any where near the price. And please, do not let the relatively compact stature fool you—this thing is a beast. It is truly cutting edge in sonics, capabilities, and construction. In 25 years of sampling audio gear, the Boulder 866 is one of the best audio components I’ve ever reviewed.”
Audio Note UK TT3 turntable system $10,795 Review
September 6, 2020 Comments Off on Audio Note UK TT3 turntable system $10,795 Review
As with most things Audio Note there are multiple options with the power supply. Audio Note currently has three PSUs and a PSU4 is coming. The TT3 turntable itself remains the same. I can’t speak to the difference or improvements that can be achieved with upgraded power supplies. I am told by ears I trust that these power supplies offer striking levels of improvement. If I receive an upgraded unit in the future I will circle back to this review to provide additional thoughts.
LKV Veros PWR+ power amplifier$10,000 Review
September 5, 2020 § 1 Comment
“The next day, between music tracks, in the midst of pandemic-shutdown silence, I noticed a faint Lutron-dimmer– type buzz that seemed to be emanating from the LKV’s chassis. Checking first for hum, I put my ears to the speaker panels and heard only silence. When I examined the chassis with my stethoscope, I realized the sound was originating from behind the front panel, where the 1kVA transformer is bolted. I presumed the buzz was caused by the natural magnetostriction of the transformer coils being amplified by the amp’s chassis and the diaphragm of my 1920s wood floor.
Seeking a quick cure, I placed the Veros PWR+ on a Harmonic Resolution Systems M3X-1719-AMG GR LF isolation platform, whereupon the buzz was reduced to a point of serene inaudibility. With the LKV amp on the HRS platform, the sound of music recordings became noticeably purer, with sharper focus. A few days later, on a whim, I switched from the LKV-supplied generic power cord to an AudioQuest Tornado cord, which added bass punch, presence, sharper focus, and more silent silence.”
VTL TL6.5 Series II Signature Preamplifier $18,000 Review
September 4, 2020 Comments Off on VTL TL6.5 Series II Signature Preamplifier $18,000 Review
“As I continue on my journey with VTL’s designs, and better understand the company’s philosophy and goals, I’m struck by what I see as a focused effort to craft gear that’s both musically natural and measurably superior, maximizing all that tubes do well, while minimizing their shortcomings and also making them as hassle-free and unintimidating as possible to listeners who may steer clear of the higher levels of uncertainty, unreliability, and hands-on involvement much tube-driven gear demands. ”
Final E500 Review
September 4, 2020 Comments Off on Final E500 Review
“The Final E500 in-ears are almost certainly a step up in terms of timing, spaciousness, clarity and comfort from the headphones that come bundled free with your smartphone.
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If you’ve read any of our sub-£50 in-ear reviews, you’ll know that inexpensive doesn’t always mean good value. To earn those five stars, a product should not get in the way of our listening experience, however trivial the cost.
But for a budget upgrade to your smartphone freebie headphones, the Final E500s are a good buy. But they’re only a ‘good’ buy because, even at this price, the minor but noticeable lack of grip and dynamics through the bass is enough to render them a little off great.”
SHOZY ROUG $179 REVIEW
September 3, 2020 Comments Off on SHOZY ROUG $179 REVIEW
“Treble is surprisingly sharp and on the spot. In the past, a good treble reproduction was a hard thing to achieve even for pricier equipment. Nowadays I’m amazed by the success of these types of brands regarding a crisp and clean, articulated treble performance. The Shozy Rouge sounds delightful in high frequencies and it does that effortlessly without any fatiguing presentation.
I couldn’t find a particular weakness with the Rouge when it comes to its highs at this price level. The treble is airy, articulated, and transparent. So the definition of the treble is good as well as its resolution.”
Tidal Prisma Preamplifier and Ferios Monoblock Power Amplifiers $40,000 Review
September 3, 2020 Comments Off on Tidal Prisma Preamplifier and Ferios Monoblock Power Amplifiers $40,000 Review
“The Prisma preamplifier and Ferios power amplifiers are among the best electronics I’ve heard. They combine a startling immediacy and transparency with a tonal beauty that simultaneously engages the head and the heart. Their resolution of individual instruments within complex arrangements was sensational. I was particularly impressed by the Prisma preamplifier with its sophisticated volume control and unique integration of the phonostage that greatly shortens the signal path. If you thought that the phonostage inside a full-function preamp was compromised compared with outboard units, you haven’t heard the Prisma.
These two products from Tidal aren’t inexpensive, but they represent a good value when compared with other top-flight electronics. Although just about every electronics company claims to “reproduce the artist’s intent,” the Tidal Prisma and Ferios actually deliver on that promise. ”
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