VITUS RI-101 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER REVIEW
March 8, 2019 Comments Off on VITUS RI-101 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER REVIEW
“Many factors make just about any significant purchase a tricky decision and a serious audio amplifier is no different. Price is a prominant place to start. The reputation of the manufacturer is indeed another. The appearance and general presence of the product, its future compatibility with the rest of the system, perhaps the potential for an upgrade and the reality of how it compares with rivals. All these things are likely to play a part. But, maybe the most important thing for me is just whether I enjoy listening to it. A strange comment perhaps. I can’t remember the last time I heard an amplifier that was “bad”. By that, I mean an amplifier that left me emotionally cold and disinterested. ”
Bowers & Wilkins 705 S2 Loudspeakers Review
March 7, 2019 Comments Off on Bowers & Wilkins 705 S2 Loudspeakers Review
“Differences in the midrange, as I focused on voices, were less obvious. The lead vocal in Blue Rodeo’s “Bad Timing” had slightly more presence through the M106es, but wasn’t as smooth as through the 705 S2s. In this track, there are a couple of moments when Jim Cuddy, perhaps leaning in too close to the mike, belts out a lyric that gives the sound an edge or glare that makes me wince, no matter what speakers I hear it through. I’m not sure why this occurs (it may be exacerbated by the size of my room), but what I am sure about is that the Revels made me wince quite a bit more than the B&Ws did. The Revels did, however, manage to score a point against the B&Ws. This and other recordings I played sounded a bit sibilant through the B&Ws, but the Revels had this aspect of the sound completely under control, with no sibilance to speak of.”
PARADIGM PW AMP $499 REVIEW
March 7, 2019 Comments Off on PARADIGM PW AMP $499 REVIEW
“Day-to-Day life with the PW Amp was all I could hope for. There is a connection for a sub and you can even make use of a nice Turntable with a good Phono Stage via the single set of Analog Inputs. What could be better? I love the ease and versatility and I admire the “Tech” contained within our little gem here. This can be the cornerstone of your audio world for a long time to come. Just add speakers – and maybe even a sub should you chose to “woof-woof”. I hope to be able to try some of the powered and wireless speakers Paradigm offers in this Premium Wireless Series. They’ve thought it out for you – and it would be awfully hard to make a mistake within this eco-system. Paradigm is after all… a World Class Company.
I’m not really ready to conclude – but I guess I had better. This is amazing product that offers a very complete solution for modern-day music lovers, including some remarkable DSP Tech. Paradigm serves this all wrapped up in a package that’s approachable and positively yummy in every way. Looks great, sounds incredible… and offers all you could possibly hope for in a package that’s HALF of the kilo-buck you could be paying for this. At $499 this is simply a cannot miss – no mistake product for newly minted audiophiles or seasoned audio veterans.”
PS Audio DirectStream Memory Player and DirectStream DAC Review
March 6, 2019 Comments Off on PS Audio DirectStream Memory Player and DirectStream DAC Review
“The Digital Lens imposes a small penalty on user experience. The interface to the Memory Player is the same symbols and functions we are accustomed to for CD and DVD playback – and for tape before that – except you engage with it via the touchscreen in place of physical buttons. But because the Digital Lens needs to accumulate the data before sending it along, the Memory Player is overall less responsive than CD and DVD players. Not agonizingly so, and certainly not a deal breaker for me, but having lived with CD players for decades, it’s something you notice and may find frustrating. We’re used to ever-increasing speed with our technology (among other things); it’s hard to go back.”
VTL S-200 Signature Stereo Amplifier $12,500 Review
March 5, 2019 Comments Off on VTL S-200 Signature Stereo Amplifier $12,500 Review
“Even though my general recommendation would be triode for chamber music and small jazz ensembles (or hard/bright recordings), for a better depth of soundstage; and tetrode for large-scale, wider-dynamic, and wider-range discs that are well recorded—we often won’t know until we sample both.
One interesting example was my well-worn copy of Milstein playing Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas for violin [DG]. Here, although I thought I would prefer triode operation, Milstein’s fiddle came across as muffled and rhythmically plodding, less immediate and immersive. Whereas in tetrode there was far more upper-end air, a keener sense of bow on strings, lilt and momentum to his playing, and a conveyance of the instrument’s whiskey-warm sound.”
Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ and Brooklyn Amplifier Review
March 5, 2019 Comments Off on Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ and Brooklyn Amplifier Review
“When a system delivers the music in a way that also slams home the emotion, pain, suffering, or joy, you know you are getting the complete package. When it can do all that, the Mytek duo can for less than $5K, well that just makes it rather a serious bargain. This is what I found with the Mytek Brooklyn duo, and can highly recommend them if this is the type of system you are looking for, and it fits in your budget. Add a nice set of speakers and some front end pieces, and you have a seriously strong budget or entry level system with incredible flexibility”
ZMF Aeolus & Verite Headphones Review
March 5, 2019 Comments Off on ZMF Aeolus & Verite Headphones Review
“While some designers have unique traits that help them find their place in the niche market of enthusiast headphone buyers, Zach’s ear for listening spans not only his audio monitoring capabilities but also his receptiveness to the community. He is building a growing company on his loyal base of notoriously finicky consumers (I do include myself in this finicky-ness). The diversity of enthusiast directions he employs is evidence of a greater understanding that some bigger, more committee-based decision making might overlook. His sound reflects some of that same approach as well. There is vision and intent that runs along the product lines. Diversity within appropriately placed boundaries. The result is robust textures, well tiered quality and highly engaging listening sessions.”
Woo WA11 headphone amp
March 4, 2019 Comments Off on Woo WA11 headphone amp
“Upfront there’s a machined metal volume control and two headphone jacks, a standard 6.3mm jack and a 4.4mm Pentaconn jack (for headphones fitted with balanced cables with Pentaconn connectors; only one headphone can be plugged in at a time). The amplifier circuitry is fully balanced from input to output.
Too bad Woo didn’t also squeeze in a 3.5mm headphone jack, but space is limited. The amp’s side panel has a high/low gain switch for compatibility with easy- and hard-to-drive headphones.”
Bandwidth Audio 288 Monaural Power Amplifier Review
March 4, 2019 Comments Off on Bandwidth Audio 288 Monaural Power Amplifier Review
“Each 288 is made by hand in Austin using locally sourced hardware and US-made parts wherever possible. It features point-to-point wiring throughout, something hardcore enthusiasts love. It ships with all the requisite tubes one would need to get up and running and have the amp(s) sounding their very best, which includes a pair of Electro-Harmonix KT88s as standard. For all this high-end, American-made audiophile goodness you’re going to pay. The 288 isn’t cheap, retailing for $10,000 per pair and sold only through a few dealers. Two to be exact, AV Solutions in Pleasanton, California, and Whetstone Audio in Austin, Texas. Though if no dealer is in your area (which goes for pretty much everyone reading this), you can purchase a pair of 288 amps direct from Bandwidth simply by emailing or calling them directly.”
ZMF Aeolus & Verite Headphones
March 3, 2019 Comments Off on ZMF Aeolus & Verite Headphones
“While some designers have unique traits that help them find their place in the niche market of enthusiast headphone buyers, Zach’s ear for listening spans not only his audio monitoring capabilities but also his receptiveness to the community. He is building a growing company on his loyal base of notoriously finicky consumers (I do include myself in this finicky-ness). The diversity of enthusiast directions he employs is evidence of a greater understanding that some bigger, more committee-based decision making might overlook. His sound reflects some of that same approach as well. There is vision and intent that runs along the product lines. Diversity within appropriately placed boundaries. The result is robust textures, well tiered quality and highly engaging listening sessions.
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Audiophilepure 
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