VALVET A4e Monoblock amplifier $9,890 Review
July 10, 2019 Comments Off on VALVET A4e Monoblock amplifier $9,890 Review
“The Valvet A4e Mono-Blocks mated with my highly efficient (98dB!) Tekton Double Impacts wonderfully. Even with a solid state preamp in the mix, the music felt very relaxed, rich and sounded, in a word, lush. Each note was delivered with panache over the brute force of other power amplifiers and in a way that subtly coaxes and charms the listener to continue their musical journey rather than submit to over-arched and brutally dynamic intensity. These Valvet a4e’s are the real deal… get where I’m coming from?”
FiiO M7 Digital Audio Player $199 Review
July 9, 2019 Comments Off on FiiO M7 Digital Audio Player $199 Review
“A discriminating DAP buyer, given the means, could easily spend two, three, or more times the Fiio M7’s price, yet only modestly outpace its sonic performance. I found the M7 to be an outstanding value that had a quick and intuitive user-friendly interface and sonically valued detail and transparency. In A/B comparisons to DAPs three times its price, the M7’s presentation was perhaps a bit too forward and bright, but compared to DAPs of equal or slightly higher price, Fiio’s M7 proved a sonic heavyweight to be reckoned with. For an example of the open transparency I came to associate with the M7, listen to the Gary Bartz’s opening saxophone on “Love Ballad” from the 1977 jazz-fusion classic Music Is My Sanctuary [Capitol]. The effortless detail and space around Gary’s saxophone immediately let you know the M7 is worth every penny. For $199 you are going to have a tough time finding better bang for your buck.”
Primare Prisma I15 Integrated Amplifier/Dac $1,999 Review
July 9, 2019 Comments Off on Primare Prisma I15 Integrated Amplifier/Dac $1,999 Review
“Leaving to one side the late French maître’s insistent and occasionally heavy-handed Catholic mysticism and bird- song obsessions, Messiaen’s cornucopia of colorful sonic delights is nearly boundless. Listening to a performance of Eclairs sur l’Au Delà (Lightning over the Hereafter) , a late orchestral work, I was stunned by its ninth section, an astonishing, rhythmically free representation of forest birdsong that may well be the best musical representation of a naturalistic soundscape ever composed. The tumbling, teetering jumble of high woodwinds—flutes, piccolos, clarinets—demanded clarity, treble finesse, and top-octave air in great quantities, and the Prisma I15’s digital-to-analog and amplifying processes delivered these unrestricted for one of those literally hair-raising listening moments.
Bel Canto Designs e.One Stream Review
July 8, 2019 Comments Off on Bel Canto Designs e.One Stream Review
“For this review I used a dedicated Apple MacBook Air 11-inch running the latest version of Roon sewn up via Thunderbolt-to-Ethernet to a four-port 10/100/1000 router. The e.One was connected off the router then fed into the line stage of a McIntosh Labs C2600 tubed preamplifier via its unbalanced 2V output, or into the C2600’s internal 32-bit/384kHz DAC through its SPDIF/Coaxial output bypassing the internal e.One DAC completely. The C2600 in turn was driving a pair of McIntosh MC611 mono blocs hooked into a pair of Harbeth M40.1 loudspeakers. All analog, digital and speaker cabling was a mix of TelluriumQ Black, Ultra Black and Diamond. AC cabling was TelluriumQ Black (for the e.One) and PS Audio for everything else. Clean power was supplied by a Power Plant 20.
Paradigm Premier Series Speaker System Review
July 7, 2019 Comments Off on Paradigm Premier Series Speaker System Review
“The Surround 1 speakers come with a wall-mount bracket, safety strap, and a stencil guide to properly attach the speakers to a wall if you aren’t placing the speakers on a flat surface. The wall-mounting process was relatively straightforward; however, I found having an extra set of hands available made the mounting process easier.
A personal litmus test that I have for speakers is that they have to look good without grills. The Premier Series speakers pass this test with flying colors. I doubt many will complain with how these speakers look, which should help ease the frustrations of weary significant others less keen on having large speakers in the house. The 700F, in particular, looks stunning without its grill on. These speakers would make a statement in just about any room. The speaker grills are magnetic, too, which I prefer allowing the cabinet to have a cleaner, more seamless look when the grills aren’t attached.”
Aric Audio Alpha 300B Push Pull Amplifier World Premiere Review
July 7, 2019 Comments Off on Aric Audio Alpha 300B Push Pull Amplifier World Premiere Review
“Since I had warming tubes in front of me, and a room full of vinyl, my choice was obvious. A quick cleaning cycle on the OkkiNokki Record Cleaning Machine and Beth Hart’s “37 Days” album was ready for a spin. It was time for my favorite choice, and of the three turntables the Pro-Ject RPM 5 Carbon gets the nod. Have spent the past several weeks with a turntable / preamp / amplifier setup I enjoyed via the Pro-Ject turntables, Parasound pre-amp and Bryston amp. Swapping the Bryston amplifier for the Aric Audio amplifier was the most logical way to begin the review session.
Connections from the Pro-Ject RPM 5 Carbon turntable to the Parasound JC 3 Jr. Phono Preamp were completed with the Audioquest Big Sir RCA cables. The Audioquest Mackenzie (XLR) balanced cables fed the signal to the balancing inputs on the Audio Research LS27 preamplifier (coming from the Parasound JC3 jr outputs). Normally, I would connect to the Bryston amplifier with Audioquest Mackenzie (XLR) balanced cables. As mentioned earlier, the XLR’s were swapped for the Audioquest Big Sir RCA cables.”
Campfire Audio Solaris IEMs $1499 Review
July 6, 2019 Comments Off on Campfire Audio Solaris IEMs $1499 Review
“Overall then, Campfire Audio have outdone themselves with the craftsmanship, solid aesthetics, and fantastic sound quality of the Solaris. The hybrid IEM produces a cohesive sound, which draws on the brand’s many years of audio experience. In addition, the flagship IEM offers an open sound with high levels of resolution and detail without ever sounding clinical. It is also nice to see the premium level of accessories included with the Solaris, which fits in with its flagship status. Unlike many other brands, Campfire Audio have always pushed the envelope, and constantly are redefining the standards in the world of portable audio. With an IEM to match, the $1499 Solaris represents a significant, but recommended investment for those wishing for top quality sound in a top quality form factor.”
Accustic Arts Amp II Mk 3 Stereo Power Amplifier $20,900 Review
July 6, 2019 Comments Off on Accustic Arts Amp II Mk 3 Stereo Power Amplifier $20,900 Review
“I’d be engaging in a stretcher, as Huck Finn likes to put, if I didn’t confess to indulging in playing some CDs and LPs by the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd at what might be safely termed robust levels. Pushed to these volumes when driving the Wilson Audio WAMMs, the amp didn’t falter but I did pick up on a hint of fatigue. Driven to reasonable SPLs, I never experienced any sense of the Amp II faltering. Rather, it offered a wealth of tonal colors and detail that made it a delight to listen to for hours on end.
When time came to part with the amp, I did so not with a heavy heart—my far more expensive Ypsilon Hyperion monoblock amplifiers are superior, which is what you would expect—but with respect and admiration for a musical amplifier that is punching beyond its weight class. This Amp II is a classic example of what Germany has become the envy of the world for—its Mittelstand, or medium-sized industry, that produces reliable and high-quality products. For anyone seeking a reasonably priced, as the high-end goes, amplifier, the Accustic Arts offers an extremely enticing design.”
GoldenEar Triton Reference Speakers Review
July 6, 2019 Comments Off on GoldenEar Triton Reference Speakers Review
KLH Ultimate One Headphone $379 Review
July 5, 2019 Comments Off on KLH Ultimate One Headphone $379 Review
“Apparently the headphones were picked to be handed out at the 2019 MTV Movie awards as well, for whatever that’s worth. In all honestly I’m more interested that a brand with such pedigree was revived by an executive from Klipsh, who has recently put out a very competent headphone. Furthermore, the fact that they’re open-backed and that premium materials have been used in the cable and drivers is another positive sign. KLH claims they’re neutral enough to use for music, movies and even in the recording studio. Tall orders from a first-effort headphone, so we shall see if they deliver.”
Audiophilepure 
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