MCINTOSH MC312 2-CHANNEL SOLID STATE AMPLIFIER $7,000 REVIEW
September 18, 2019 Comments Off on MCINTOSH MC312 2-CHANNEL SOLID STATE AMPLIFIER $7,000 REVIEW
“During the evaluation period of a couple of months, I tried to find fault in the MC312, but I simply couldn’t. McIntosh has succeeded in engineering one of the finest stereo amplifiers for under $10k that you can purchase today. It is literally as much or more of an amplifier that one could ever want or need, and it may even be the last one that you’ll ever wish to buy!”
Basis Audio A.J. Conti Transcendence Turntable and SuperArm 12.5 Tonearm $127,000 Review
September 18, 2019 Comments Off on Basis Audio A.J. Conti Transcendence Turntable and SuperArm 12.5 Tonearm $127,000 Review
“If I had to sum up the sound of the Transcendence in a single word, that word would be “solidity.” Solidity of imaging, solidity of pitch and timbre, solidity of bass. Starting with imaging, the Transcendence’s portrayal of instrumental images, the space in which those instruments are playing, and the relationship between the sound source and the surrounding acoustic is absolutely stunning. It’s very different from any other turntable I’ve heard. Images have a tangibility, spatially and texturally, that is startling in its realism. Moreover, the Transcendence reveals, with exquisite precision and beauty, the sense of air around the image outlines and the way that the instrument’s dynamic envelope expands into space in three dimensions, lighting up the surrounding acoustic. Amplifying this impression, the Transcendence resolves the decays of notes, along with reverberation, with tremendous precision and finely detailed texture. Cymbals, for example, seem to hang in space for a very long time, and the decays are infused with rich detail. These sonic qualities go a long way toward creating the illusion of hearing real instruments in a real space, and consequently, allowing the system to disappear. ”
ROSSON AUDIO DESIGN RAD-0 $2600 REVIEW
September 18, 2019 Comments Off on ROSSON AUDIO DESIGN RAD-0 $2600 REVIEW
“I could listen to this for hours in much the same way as I class the D8000. It is one of those headphones that is just a pure blast of fun and technical competence to make anything that rocks, well rock that bit harder. If you are a fan of the Black Crowes or that analog Les Paul tube amp infused guitar work out session then the Rad-0 is perfect. Southern-infused rock and old school modern sleazy rock like Vains Of Jenna sound tailor-made for the Rad-0 vibe.
I wish I could tell you that it is a lightweight experience like the Empyrean or the MrSpeaker’s Ether 2 for listening to all that for many hours. It’s balanced and design does a wonderful balancing job for its 650g weight on your head but it’s going to makes its presence felt more than those two competing headphones. It is secure, however, much more so than larger headphones like the awkward D8000 and I did find the RAD-0 much easier on the head than Final’s flagship.”
Focal Spectral 40th Loudspeakers $9999 Review
September 17, 2019 Comments Off on Focal Spectral 40th Loudspeakers $9999 Review
“I loved the Focal Spectral 40th. It exhibited the finest midrange I’ve heard in my room, and a near-perfect top end. Men’s and women’s voices were reproduced with a spooky vibrancy and presence and, more important, with no hint of glare or edge. I found its seemingly impossible marriage of a very upfront, detailed, and forward-sounding midrange to a buttery-smooth ease of sound absolutely intoxicating to listen to. The top end had superb “out-of-cabinet” extension, and delicate decay. On a few tracks that leaned toward sibilance, I did wish for 1-2dB less energy in the highest octaves, but this also reflects my personal preference for a downward-sloping response between 2 and 16kHz, a range in which the Focals measured essentially flat. But in this regard, my reference Bowers & Wilkins 705 S2 speakers, playing unequalized, are far worse. The Focals’ bass was tight, fast, ample, and completely satisfying, without ever booming in my relatively small room. The Spectral 40th’s transparency was also topnotch — I could hear every detail of the music, but never did I “hear” the cabinets.”
LEGACY POWERBLOC2 STEREO AMPLIFIER $1800 Review
September 17, 2019 Comments Off on LEGACY POWERBLOC2 STEREO AMPLIFIER $1800 Review
“I enjoyed listening to my music with the Legacy Powerbloc2. It had finesse and muscle, imaging was excellent, and it had complete control of my speakers, allowing me to hear what they can do without the need for EQ or a subwoofer. Because ICEpower runs cool, thermal shock and heat are eliminated which should add years of life to this well-built dynamo. And there are no fans to pull in dust. If you need power in a tight space, the Powerbloc2 can easily fill a cozy spot in an equipment rack with less ventilation space than a Class A/B amp would need.”
TAD Evolution One TX Loudspeakers $27,995 Review
September 16, 2019 Comments Off on TAD Evolution One TX Loudspeakers $27,995 Review
“If you’ve heard Technical Audio Devices’ Micro Evolution One and want that same basic sound with just a bit more bass, I suggest you listen to their Evolution One TX. In the E1TX, TAD has produced a loudspeaker that stands on its own, with its own unique sound signature. Like every TAD speaker I’ve heard, it sounds bigger than it looks, and a pair of them produced soundstages that enveloped me, totally immersing me in the music — when a recording contained such information in the first place. I got all the detail I wanted, but never an incisive, overtly treble-centric sound. I found this a good thing — the E1TX was very easy to listen to, regardless of what music I played, or the volume level, or how long I listened. Add to all that a cabinet small enough to fit into most rooms, and build quality that’s sure to please even the most demanding buyer, and you have a complete package. I saw and heard lots to like in the TAD E1TX, and nothing that disappointed. It’s easy to recommend, even to the most discriminating audiophile.”
Custom Art FIBAE 7 Review
September 16, 2019 Comments Off on Custom Art FIBAE 7 Review
“Implementation is key here and this could well be Custom Art’s best-performing monitor to date. I am happy to see we are not pushing the $1.5 – 2k marker for the FIBAE 7, something which Custom Art has never done with their products before. When you consider that the original Harmony 8 was launched 5 years ago, (2014), at €925, then the FIBAE 7 price in 2019 seems more than reasonable.
The excellent tuning is what makes the FIBAE 7 stand out and that is something we will go into a lot more detail in the coming weeks so stay tuned for that!”
SVS SB-3000 powered subwoofer $999 Review
September 16, 2019 Comments Off on SVS SB-3000 powered subwoofer $999 Review
“Lengthy listening sessions suggested that the SB-3000s, placed in diagonal corners, were quicker to set up and sounded better with the Quad ESL-989s than with the MartinLogans. Because I was not able to try the 800Xes in the diagonal corners, or try to blend them with the KEF LS50s, I am hesitant to draw any final conclusions about which pair of subs might be better for other rooms or other satellite speakers. Within those limitations, the SB-3000s showed better pitch definition, greater dynamic range, and did a better job of covering the audio spectrum below 80Hz evenly in my room. Be aware, however, that each SB-3000 is larger, 25lb heavier, and costs $200 more per subwoofer than the MartinLogan Dynamo 800X.”
Usher TD-10 Loudspeakers $22,000 Review
September 15, 2019 Comments Off on Usher TD-10 Loudspeakers $22,000 Review
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Overall, the Usher TD-10s deliver a full, detailed, and lush presentation that carries well as the volume goes up. You like listening at 90dB plus? Not a problem! Unlike some bodybuilders, the TD-10s aren’t poseurs—they really deliver!
If you’re looking for exceptional performance from a loudspeaker in the $20,000 plus range—one that employs a diamond midrange speaker for under $50K—and if you desire a work of fine craftsmanship that looks and plays big, the Usher TD-10 is very worthy of your consideration. ”
Chord Electronics Hugo TT 2 DAC/Preamp/Headphone Amp Review
September 15, 2019 Comments Off on Chord Electronics Hugo TT 2 DAC/Preamp/Headphone Amp Review
“The M Scaler provides two BNC digital inputs, two optical digital inputs, and one galvanically isolated USB Type-B input. Digital outputs include one optical output, one coaxial SPDIF via a single BNC connector, and one dual BNC, which is the output of choice for best performance. While the Hugo M Scaler can conceivably be used with any DAC, the manufacturer makes it clear it is really optimized for use with Chord Electronics DACs that provide high-bandwidth dual-BNC inputs able to take full advantage of the Scaler’s capabilities. Once I heard the M Scaler in action I thought that its sonic benefits were both transformative and profound.
Using a group of very high-performance reference headphones from Final, HiFiMan, Meze, and MrSpeakers, I listened to the Hugo TT 2 both with and without the M Scaler and here is what I learned. Heard in isolation, the Hugo TT 2 sounds exactly like what it is: one of the finest headphone amp/DACs available today. While it is not quite on a par with the more than twice as expensive DAVE, the Hugo TT 2 takes worthwhile steps forward relative to its predecessor in resolution, clarity, focus, and coherency, while also offering quieter backgrounds and more dynamic muscle. In short, the Hugo TT 2 can more than hold its own in comparison to like-priced competition. However, fold the M Scaler into the equation, and the picture changes dramatically for the better.
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