Zellaton Stage Loudspeaker $89,975 Review
October 10, 2019 Comments Off on Zellaton Stage Loudspeaker $89,975 Review
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Towards the end of the review period, I received some Schnerzinger interconnects and speaker cables. These, too, yielded an increase in clarity, transparency, and fine detail retrieval, but also improved dynamic range and soundstage width and depth. Schnerzinger uses a proprietary cable technology it calls Atomic Bonding to minimize audio signal transmission losses and sound-damaging dropouts, while increasing audio signal density. As I understand it, the cable conductors are specially formatted for several months to create an extremely stable structure for true and accurate signal transmission. In short, more of the subtle audio information gets through. ”
Wells Audio Commander Preamplifier Review
October 10, 2019 Comments Off on Wells Audio Commander Preamplifier Review
‘Having previously reviewed the Wells Akasha and Innamorata amplifiers, and now the Commander Tube Preamplifier, I agree with Jeff Wells’ declaration that his components eschew fancy packaging in favor of fancy designs and parts selection. Wells Audio is a company that is trying to give the enthusiast a component that performs at a high level without the sky-high price tag. Looking inside the unit one sees upper grade parts and a clean, smart layout. I have always been one who could accept a component that is well designed and sounds great, even if the case is economical. I have learned over the years to prioritize power supply and signal path over nearly every other parameter, and that principle has served me well; it also serves Wells Audio customers well.”
VISION EARS ELYSIUM REVIEW
October 9, 2019 Comments Off on VISION EARS ELYSIUM REVIEW
The Vision Ears Elysium is a great hybrid monitor and an absolute joy to listen to. No, “great” doesn’t really do it enough justice, it’s more than that. It’s an exceptionally good monitor with all the qualities and the top-level performance to be named a candidate for the Best CIEM of the year award. Competition for this award is tough however and there are a few other really good contenders who are also competing for the award. It’ll be a close call for sure.
For those who like nit-picking, the hybrid Elysium with its limited amount of drivers is not 100% perfect, but it at the same time doesn’t really matter as the overall performance is impressive, the sound quality is very high and enjoyment factor goes through the roof.”
Bowers & Wilkins Formation Bass Wireless Subwoofer $999 Review
October 9, 2019 Comments Off on Bowers & Wilkins Formation Bass Wireless Subwoofer $999 Review
“Bass-heads can find more boom for fewer dollars if they want, but the Bowers & Wilkins Formation Bass isn’t designed for that audience. This subwoofer is designed for applications where more traditional subwoofers might just not fit in. It’s designed for the new school, wireless set who demand great sound as well as good looks. And yes, it’s an expensive subwoofer for what it is, but you get what you pay for in a top performing, gorgeous sub.”
KEF LSX ACTIVE LOUDSPEAKER REVIEW
October 8, 2019 Comments Off on KEF LSX ACTIVE LOUDSPEAKER REVIEW
“The joy of the KEF LSX is that it’s an Everyman loudspeaker, and it isn’t just designed to be some kind of audiophile-creation machine. People who listen to music through these loudspeakers like what they hear enough to both buy a pair and gain appreciation for those of us who go deeper into sound quality. If I was dumped on a desert island with only a pair of KEF LSX to keep me company, I’d be fine with that… that’s how good they are.”
Channel Islands Audio C-100S Power Amplifier $1500 Review
October 8, 2019 Comments Off on Channel Islands Audio C-100S Power Amplifier $1500 Review
“For some audiophiles the highest praise that can be heaped upon a discrete solid-state or Class D amplifier is that is sounds “tube-like.” My position is different. I prefer a power amplifier that attempts to sound as invisible as possible—a straight wire with gain, to repeat that old audio cliché. The C-100S stereo amp provided more than enough power to drive all the loudspeakers I threw at it and did so in a way that allowed each loudspeaker’s unique personality to come to the fore. I suppose if you want an amplifier that has “personality” you should look elsewhere. But if you need a harmonically neutral power amplifier that you can attach to a wide variety of loudspeakers, the C-100S would be an excellent choice. And priced at $1500, the C-100S stereo power amplifier ranks as a “best buy” in my world.”
Paradigm Premier 800F LoudspeakersParadigm’s Premier 800F $1998 Review
October 7, 2019 Comments Off on Paradigm Premier 800F LoudspeakersParadigm’s Premier 800F $1998 Review
“Paradigm’s Premier 800F offers incredible sound quality, with a superclear midrange that made voices sound stunning, and enough well-integrated low frequencies to satisfy bass lovers — nor does driving it require a ton of power. For the price, it’s about as perfect as a speaker can be. It benefited from being driven by a high-quality amplifier, but as I found out, it also sounds superb with more modest amplification. It combines excellent dynamics and transparency, while its natural, pleasing sound quality throughout the audioband will suit all types of music without a misstep. Best of all, it’s a slim, relatively compact speaker that plays surprisingly loudly when required — and again, it does all this for only $1998/pair. The Premier 800F is the loudspeaker I’d buy today if I had $2000 to spend — and I’d even consider it at twice that price.”
Legacy Audio Powerbloc2 Stereo Power Amplifier $1800 Review
October 6, 2019 Comments Off on Legacy Audio Powerbloc2 Stereo Power Amplifier $1800 Review
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Inviting the Legacy Powerbloc2 into my home was an educational and rewarding experience for this lover of tube gear. It is light weight, solid, well-built and very powerful. Frequency response is flat and tight across the entire audible spectrum. It is also very revealing of interconnects and power cords coming into it as well as speaker cables going out. It responded favorably to aftermarket footers and fuses. Its reasonable price will attract many who are looking for something above entry level to the high end and it will grow with you as you invest in better cables and a few tweaks.”
HIFIMAN ANANDA BLUETOOTH REVIEW
October 6, 2019 Comments Off on HIFIMAN ANANDA BLUETOOTH REVIEW
“To be honest with you, I was never a fan of Bluetooth earphones/headphones. This Hifiman Ananda BT however, changed my perception about wireless sound. This easily is the best wireless headphone I’ve ever listened to and it’s not even close. Together with the sound, the general user experience is very pleasing and simple.”
MCINTOSH C49 STEREO PREAMPLIFIER $5,000 REVIEW
October 5, 2019 Comments Off on MCINTOSH C49 STEREO PREAMPLIFIER $5,000 REVIEW
“I would have been happy to purchase the McIntosh C49. Even my wife commented that she loved the way it sounded, and we spent many an evening exploring music together on the couch. I had time to contemplate what made my music sound this much better. Was it the DA1 DAC module? How much better was the DA2? Was it just the quality of the parts inside and the incredible attention to design and detail? Likely, it was all of the above. The McIntosh C49 is built to last a lifetime and is now more future-proof with its new modular design. Like Harley-Davidson, there is a mystique to owning McIntosh. They may not be for the beginner audiophile, but they are worth climbing the mountain for. Me? I’m back to my climbing, thanks in no small part to my time with the McIntosh C49 Stereo Preamplifier. Thank you for that, gentlemen.”
Audiophilepure 
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