SONY DMP-Z1 SIGNATURE SERIES DIGITAL MUSIC PLAYER WITH HEADPHONE AMP AND DAC $8,499 REVIEW
October 21, 2019 Comments Off on SONY DMP-Z1 SIGNATURE SERIES DIGITAL MUSIC PLAYER WITH HEADPHONE AMP AND DAC $8,499 REVIEW
“The good news is that these few quirks in no way diminish the DMP-Z1’s essential riches, which are its sonics. The sound reminds me of the Sony NW-WMZ1 portable player—it is lush without being sluggish and detailed without sounding mechanical. The bass through the Abyss Diana headphones connected via its balanced output extended down to the depths. And while with some amps the Sony MDR-Z1R headphones can sound bass-heavy, the DMP-Z1 tightly and successfully controlled the MDR-Z1’s low bass. Spatial characteristics through both headphones mentioned were superb—tight, well defined, with effortless three-dimensional imaging.
If you are searching for a great all-around, flexible, and ergonomically elegant DAC/headphone amp for your desktop look at Sony’s superb TA-Z1ES. But if you want to experience the bleeding edge of high-resolution DAC/headphone amplifier design and execution (with some limited flexibility) I encourage you to investigate the Sony DMP- Z1 further. It has the most beautiful sound (and volume knob) I have experienced from a desktop-based DAC/headphone amplifier so far.”
AudioQuest Dragonfly Cobalt Headphone Amplifier/DAC $299 Review
October 21, 2019 Comments Off on AudioQuest Dragonfly Cobalt Headphone Amplifier/DAC $299 Review
“The Cobalt perhaps lacks the last iota of dynamic ceiling as compared to some megabuck, big-component outboard headphone amp/DACs, but then again, maybe not. Either way, I was very impressed with just how “high-end” the best hi-res music sounded via AudioQuest’s pocket wonder. Price no object, can you buy better DAC-based headphone sound? Probably. Can you do so for less than two or three times the Cobalt’s $299 price? Doubtful. Very doubtful.
Wilson Audio Specialties Alexx Loudspeaker $109,000 Review
October 20, 2019 Comments Off on Wilson Audio Specialties Alexx Loudspeaker $109,000 Review
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The Alexx is a milestone loudspeaker for Wilson Audio in many ways. Absent any context, it is simply a superb transducer. But when viewed as a reflection of Daryl Wilson’s design talents and musical aesthetic, the Alexx also makes a bold statement about the direction and future of this iconic brand.
It would have been safer and easier to simply make minor changes to existing products, and to pursue the sonic qualities that have endeared so many to Wilson Audio’s products over the past 45 years. But the Alexx doesn’t take the safe route, and in the process breaks new ground for Wilson Audio in midrange smoothness, liquidity, low coloration, transparency, and the feeling of musical communication and intimacy those qualities engender. Moreover, the Alexx is the best Wilson yet in the bass, combining greater speed and transient fidelity with tremendous power, weight, and extension. ”
Linn Selekt DSM Katalyst with Integrated Power Amplifier Review
October 20, 2019 Comments Off on Linn Selekt DSM Katalyst with Integrated Power Amplifier Review
“My unit came loaded in its Selekt DSM Katalyst with Integrated Power Amplifier guise ($8,625 USD as configured) with all the options available in the two-channel model (if you want Surround Sound, there are differing processing and input/output options). This included the base network music player, an upgraded Katalyst spec’d DAC, built-in digital preamplifier section driving an bespoke Linn-designed, 100-watt/channel bridged Class-D power amplifier – an option not seen in either the Klimax or Akurate models. This integrated design is shared only with the Majik configuration (90-watt Chakra amplification for Majik) in the DSM lineup. Connected support (no wi-fi or Bluetooth here, Linn believes in the sanctity of the wired connection for the highest quality sound possible) is native for FLAC, Apple Lossless, WAV, AIFF, WMA (not lossless), MP3, AAC and OGG all up to 24-bit/192kHz along with DSD 64 and DSD128. THD+N is a rated 0.0002 per cent for line-out and 0.001 per cent for the power amp section with a listed dynamic range of 117dB/110dB respectively.”
Stax SR-009S Electrostatic Earspeaker $4325 Review
October 19, 2019 Comments Off on Stax SR-009S Electrostatic Earspeaker $4325 Review
Finally, the SR-009S offers bass performance superior to the SR-009, both in resolution and dynamic wallop. The “Lopsy Lu/Silly Putty” medley from S.M.V.’s Thunder [Heads Up, 16/44.1] made this abundantly clear, as master bassists Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, and Victor Wooten took turns showing off their chops and the distinctive voices of their instruments. Thunder is a serious low-frequency challenge, but the SR-009S tackled the track with an exuberant dynamic swagger and punch the SR-009 could not have matched.
Has Stax’s SR-009S reclaimed the title of performance “king of the hill?” I think that it has, although the MrSpeakers Voce comes very close and at a lower price. The SR-009S is a masterful achievement that expands upon the SR-009’s strengths, offering heightened detail and focus, more nuanced and expansive dynamics, and superior bass.”
Dr. Feickert Analogue Firebird Turntable Review
October 19, 2019 Comments Off on Dr. Feickert Analogue Firebird Turntable Review
“The Dr. Feickert Firebird has a high-mass plinth and three motors, as I’ve repeatedly mentioned. There’s more to it than that, of course. This new design was based on the knowledge gained from designing two smaller turntables in the line, the Woodpecker and the Blackbird, but the actual blueprint had to be completely re-worked to accommodate the three motors. These motors had to be arranged in a precise equilateral triangle to reduce torque. This, in turn, greatly reduces wobble and rumble. Stability is also enhanced through the brass cylinders embedded in the poly-oxy-methylene (POM) platter.
The bearing was also re-designed to reduce friction through materials that are harder and stiffer than before, resulting in a 80% reduction in surface contact. The plinth consists of two aluminum plates that sandwich a core of MDF and was carefully designed to reduce vibrations generated by the three motors.”
Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earphones Review
October 18, 2019 Comments Off on Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earphones Review
“It will take a few hours to get rid of a treble balance. Give them at least 25 hours in your ears before you make a final judgement. Once broken in, try all the ear tips. Although the tips on the earphones fit well, the bass only balanced with the energetic treble when I replaced them with the largest tips. Only then could the ear tip seal completely so my eardrum could be used as a bass trampoline.”
IFI AUDIO PRO IDSD REVIEW
October 18, 2019 Comments Off on IFI AUDIO PRO IDSD REVIEW
“So let’s just get this out of the way: the Pro iFi is a ridiculously good DAC, and likely the last D/A converter you’ll ever need, provided that’s what you ask from it. It will decode, filter, and dispatch any known file-type and play it back with believable, and emotive analogue ease. It’s also a very good headphone amplifier, and unless you believe you need to strap your vintage planars to the back of a stereo-amp to “get the best out of them”, you’ll be well-served with the Pro iDSD.
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Polk Audio Legend Series L100 Bookshelf Speaker Review
October 17, 2019 Comments Off on Polk Audio Legend Series L100 Bookshelf Speaker Review
“This is a matter of personal preference, of course, but I think listeners with my taste in speakers may find the L100’s forward treble to be a mixed blessing. Yes, it contributes to that wonderful imaging and holographic sound staging mentioned above, but it also changes the sound of some albums I know like the back of my hand. I found the beloved (but less-than-spectacularly recorded) Rumours by Fleetwood Mac all but unlistenable through these speakers, mostly because Lindsey Buckingham’s tenor vocals sounded downright wrong to my ears, especially during the verses of “Go Your Own Way.” And I say this while also fully admitting that the jingle-jangle guitars and Mick Fleetwood’s pounding drumline sounded like a gift from the heavens.”
AUDEZE LCD-GX REVIEW
October 17, 2019 Comments Off on AUDEZE LCD-GX REVIEW
“The LCD-GX is no different, it offers a great sense of equal width, air, height and separation qualities, all without one trait in the soundstaging element to appear larger, or lacking over the rest of the elements you can pick up on.
The headphone isn’t the best for pinpoint accuracy, but it is certainly one of the better I’ve had for single-player enjoyment or team-based video gaming where the location of sounds in a battlezone is not vital to your objective. Ultra-wide is bad when you play online FPS games, or really, anything tactical with a focus on pinpointing sounds around you”
Audiophilepure 
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