Deep Core 1800 Power Conditioner
December 5, 2019 Comments Off on Deep Core 1800 Power Conditioner
https://www.tonepublications.com/review/the-deep-core-1800-power-conditioner/
I’ve always experienced power line conditioning products to have a more noticeable effect on vacuum tube gear than solid-state, and the Deep Core offers the same result. Interestingly enough, regardless of circuit topology in the source component, the Deep Core had a more profound effect on lower priced gear, no doubt because these components do not have as sophisticated power supplies as those further up the range.
Proof for the snubbing effect took no more than powering up my vintage Dynaco Stereo 70, which always makes a nasty click through the speakers. Via the Deep Core, tweeter destroying clicks are a thing of the past. My mid 80s vintage Linn LP-12 is guilty of the same offense. Again, its crimes pardoned with the Deep Core in place. If you happen to be riddled with noise in your environment from an older furnace or appliance somewhere, the Deep Core may be the only thing that cleanses the artifacts these things produce from your listening environment.
Power products are basic – you either hear the difference they make in your audio system or you don’t. Some change the sound without necessarily improving the presentation or revealing more musical detail.”
Warwick Acoustics Sonoma Model One review
December 3, 2019 Comments Off on Warwick Acoustics Sonoma Model One review
https://www.whathifi.com/us/reviews/warwick-acoustics-sonoma-model-one
You’ll need to be a little careful if you’re using the analogue inputs. Both have specified upper signal limits – the RCA will take 2.1v while the 3.5mm jack is limited to 0.85v – and if you go beyond these it’s possible to overload the circuit, though the only consequence is likely to be distorted sound rather than any real damage. If you need to use analogue it’s probably best to use a source that has a volume control built-in so you can turn down the signal level if the energizer has any issues.
All input signals are handled in the digital domain, so any analogue input is converted before any other processing is done. This conversion is done by a 32-bit/384kHz AKM Premium ADC, which is claimed to have a signal to noise ratio in excess of 120dB. There’s a good deal of signal processing done in the box with the aim of accounting for the headphones electrical characteristics and so getting the optimum sound possible”
ASTELL&KERN AK T9IE REVIEW
December 3, 2019 Comments Off on ASTELL&KERN AK T9IE REVIEW
https://www.headfonia.com/astell-kern-ak-t9ie-review/
“From a build quality perspective these are very nice. They consist of three separate parts. The bottom shell, the top shell and the face plate. Top and bottom shell are in the same gunmetal colour, but the face plate is slightly lighter. The entire body is pretty shiny and if you are worried about getting your smudgy fingerprints on there, you should be. Because the AK T9iE shows you every little bit of dirt and leaving prints on it is very easy. If you’re like me and you hate that, you’ll clean them every day.
The T9iE comes with an MMCX connection, so you can cable roll if you have a suitable cable on hand. The original AK T8iE had massive problems with its MMCX sockets. Back in 2016 I owned a pair of them as well. After two months they died on me because of a failing socket. Of course the warranty covered that, but still a bummer. With the T9iE it seems A&K/Beyerdynamic is now using a more robust socket. I haven’t had any issues in the months that I used them.”
Nagra Classic Integrated amplifier Review
December 2, 2019 Comments Off on Nagra Classic Integrated amplifier Review
https://audiofi.net/2019/11/nagra-classic-integrated-amplifier-precise-and-engaging/
“The Classic was not overtly powerful or explicit in presentation but one does get a level of panoramic soundstage with believable depth and presence when they were in the recordings – the Damien Rice O and live Chick Corea Akoustik Band albums were just exquisite.
Treble purity was excellent, sounding free of grain and any artefacts like hiss or sibilance, again save where one perceived them to be part of the recording (or generated by the other components used!). The midrange sounded unadulterated, the Classic just seeming to be less in the way in recreating the sounds of individual instruments which, in a string quartet recording, could be picked out of the precisely defined soundstage as though it was physicality present with the music.”
HEADAMP GS-X MINI BALANCED HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER REVIEW
December 1, 2019 Comments Off on HEADAMP GS-X MINI BALANCED HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER REVIEW
.” The stringed instruments sounded incredibly detailed and particularly quick, but with a richness that I wasn’t familiar with from these headphones. The ability to approach the speed and transparency of the flagship GS-X Mk2 amplifier, but offer a warmer and slightly more musical presentation was quite the experience. While the GS-X Mk2 offered slightly better clarity and sound staging, I think I might prefer the GS-X mini’s overall presentation with these headphones. There certainly is no wrong answer here, but I was certainly surprised just how well the GS-X mini excelled with these rather picky headphones.”
Audio Art SC-5 ePlus Cryo Treated Speaker Cable
November 30, 2019 Comments Off on Audio Art SC-5 ePlus Cryo Treated Speaker Cable
https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/audio-art-sc-5-eplus-speaker-cable/
“The Audio Art SC-5 ePlus Cryo Treated speaker cables deliver a very transparent, neutral, uncolored and non-fatiguing presentation of whatever is served up. Employed with good electronics, speakers, and source material, it provides a rich and detailed experience for the listener. Teamed up with reference level equipment and media, at once, it paints a vivid, robust and sensitive aural masterpiece.
And although traditionally, I have used a bi-wiring configuration with my speakers, I found that with the SC-5 ePlus Jumpers in play, I didn’t miss the double runs of cabling which can be costly; one run is perfect.
Summed up, the Audio Art SC-5 ePlus Speaker Cables and jumpers enhance the audio experience, delighting and warming one’s senses as the music plays on. And on a cold, wintry days like today, that’s a good thing; it just might mirror the sensory pleasures of that sunny, open aired drive down the coast on Pacific Coast Highway.”
PrimaLuna Evo 100 DAC Review
November 30, 2019 Comments Off on PrimaLuna Evo 100 DAC Review
http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/primaluna-evo-100-dac/
“My PS Audio DirectStream DAC cost twice as much as the Tube DAC, and thanks to a built-in volume control, could directly drive a power amplifier (but not two). Unlike most DACs, it uses neither tubes nor solid-state devices in its output section; in fact, it has no output section, directly driving the output cables with the output of the digital output filter. Balanced as well as unbalanced outputs are available. PS Audio has updated the operating system several times, each time making non-subtle improvements to the DAC’s sound. The cost of the upgrades? Nada. As in free. Just download them, copy them onto an SD card, insert the card into a slot on the back of the DAC, and turn the DAC on. It upgrades the operating system, and voilà, you’ve got a new, improved DAC. Snowmass, the latest version of the operating system (the systems are named after 14,000-foot Colorado mountains), was installed on my DAC.
On “Folia Rodrigo Martinez,” the initial cascabel whacks were similar to the tube DAC, while the percussion came through with even more detail. Bass extended quite low, with excellent pitch definition. The overall sound was a bit brighter, but not even slightly etched. The music glowed with powerful energy.”
MOON BY SIMAUDIO 700I V2 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER AND 780D V2 STREAMING DAC £13,000 REVIEW
November 29, 2019 Comments Off on MOON BY SIMAUDIO 700I V2 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER AND 780D V2 STREAMING DAC £13,000 REVIEW
Mytek Liberty DAC $1000 Review
November 29, 2019 Comments Off on Mytek Liberty DAC $1000 Review
https://www.tonepublications.com/review/the-mytek-liberty-dac/
“As the Liberty will be used by many as a high‑quality headphone amplifier, Mytek have included a “reference high‑current, high‑transient headphone amp” capable of supplying up to 3W (and 300mA) of power into headphones of any impedance, including very low‑impedance designs. I tested the Liberty’s headphone amp with a wide variety of headphones, including Sony MDR7509s, AKG K701s and K812s, Sennheiser HD650 and HD25s, and in‑ear IE800s. The performance was flawless with them all: there was more than enough volume for all of the headphones I used, and the sound quality was excellent, with powerful bass, airy open high end, precise mid‑range details and inky‑black backgrounds.
The Liberty’s ability to handle a wide range of different PCM and DSD signals and files, as well as being amongst the few converters able to handle the new MQA format, certainly gives it an advantage amongst the competition. However, given its intended role in the hi‑fi market I’m surprised that Mytek haven’t either equipped it with a remote control as standard, or offered one as an optional extra. That would not only enhance the user experience, but would also help it compete against the likes of RME’s ADI‑2 DAC. Overall, though, despite some unexpected bench test results, the Liberty is an excellent converter, and its compact size and connection versatility make it an attractive option for anyone who needs a high‑quality and easily portable reference‑grade converter and headphone amp. “
Audiophilepure 
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