64 Audio Aspire Series $649 Review
January 20, 2026 Comments Off on 64 Audio Aspire Series $649 Review
https://www.headfonia.com/64-audio-aspire-series-review/
I am also happy, that 64 Audio included a small lip on the nozzle of the Aspire series IEMs. This is another step forward from their previous universal IEMs, which did not feature it. The lip makes sure, that ear-tips stay on the nozzle when you take the IEMs out of your ears. There have been multiple accounts of that happening to me in the past. And a stuck ear-tip in the canal is no fun.
Overall, the Aspire’s build quality leaves me little to nothing to complain about. The ABS shells might not be the most premium choice, but they still look and feel good. Plus, they are a way to cut down costs, which eventually also land at the consumer’s end. And I think all of us agree that paying less is always nice.
dCS Bartók APEX with Headphone Amplifier Review
January 19, 2026 Comments Off on dCS Bartók APEX with Headphone Amplifier Review
On the other hand, the Bartók APEX works wonderfully as a Music Streamer; not only does it support Qobuz, Tidal, Deezer, and Spotify, there is a host of Podcasts and Internet Radio Stations at your fingertips. Given that at this point in time, though I do have a 4TB database of DSD, the bulk of my listening is done via Streaming, this seems like an optimal compromise. While I do prefer the Qobuz interface, I like the Mosaic Control interface over Tidal, Roon, or most of the proprietary Music Server interfaces I have worked with. For one, I am able to access my Qobuz Playlists, which I have not been able to do at shows using any other interface, including Roon. So, as such, I will be using the Streamer for most of this review, except to test DSD and MQA.
World Premiere Review Esoteric K-01XD SE SACD / CD Player & DAC
January 19, 2026 Comments Off on World Premiere Review Esoteric K-01XD SE SACD / CD Player & DAC
The Esoteric K-01XD SE SACD / CD player and Hi-Res Audio DAC is their latest integrated design offering audio playback accessibility at the highest levels. A synthesis of exemplary versatility, build, and functionality, all elevating the musical presentation to a transformative experience. Beyond the stereotypical artifacts associated with many examples of digital playback, Esoteric K-01XD SE brings forward a presentation at once like butter and crystal – a sheer analog-like fluidity laid forth with visceral realism on a canvas of authentic scale.
In my opinion, and many here at Enjoy the Music.com would agree, the Esoteric K-01XD SE serves as a destination digital front end, particularly for those seeking the finest in SACD / DAC presentation within a compact, single-chassis design. Yes, there are certainly other fine examples of single-box sources at far higher price points (and to acknowledge, $28,500 is not exactly small change!). Few, however, match the integrity and pedigree of Esoteric and their longstanding respect within the audiophile community. We’ve all learned to never say never in this passionate art, yet investing in the Esoteric K-01XD SE would most certainly prove money well-appropriated, providing a lifetime of the most rewarding digital playback experience available within a home hi-fi audio reference system.
PrimaLuna EVO 300 hybrid power amplifier Review
January 18, 2026 Comments Off on PrimaLuna EVO 300 hybrid power amplifier Review
https://www.hifinews.com/content/primaluna-evo-300-hybrid-power-amplifier
For all the satisfaction the EVO 300 Hybrid provided for this pro-valve listener, I could imagine those diametrically-opposed purist audiophile species – tubes vs trannies – finding grounds for criticism because the two have been weighed equally, exactly as the mission statement required. But perhaps this is an academic debate, for purists of either discipline might not contemplate a hybrid design. For those undecided or who like both, the EVO 300 Hybrid ‘poweramplifier’ is one of the best examples of cross pollination I’ve heard.
If choosing an amp is a matter of tubes-only-vs-solid-state-only-vs-I’m-not-bothered, then your own predisposition will influence your reaction to this remarkable amplifier. Via the RCA input it sounds just like the EVO 300 Hybrid Integrated, but via the XLR – even if you resort to an RCA-to-XLR adapter – the EVO 300 Hybrid ‘poweramplifier’ embraces the hybrid concept, perfectly blending tube colour with solid-state grip. For the undecided, this may well be the best of both worlds.
CanJam Dubai 2026: Our First Look at the Premiere Audio Event of the Year!
January 18, 2026 Comments Off on CanJam Dubai 2026: Our First Look at the Premiere Audio Event of the Year!
Final Model 15+ Review
January 17, 2026 Comments Off on Final Model 15+ Review
The unique trick used by Final Audio is that the roll-off frequencies for each driver section are determined by the relationship between the width of conductive coating between the driver sections and the assembly’s natural capacitance. Is that clever or what?!
The result is a multi-band speaker with separate sections for low bass, mid bass, midrange/treble, and uppermost treble. The added benefit is that the midrange- and treble sections can be made very narrow, resulting in a wide dispersion to cover a large listening area while providing excellent focus, independent of the precise listening position.
This also allows the creation of very narrow tweeter sections for improved high-frequency dispersion—traditionally a weakness of electrostatic speakers. The various printed sections also have different widths to help distribute and reduce resonances.
Pass Laboratories X600.8 Mono Amplifier $31,460 Review
January 17, 2026 Comments Off on Pass Laboratories X600.8 Mono Amplifier $31,460 Review
The large Pass Labs X600.8 amplifiers also looked very impressive sitting on their amp stands in front of my equipment rack. Their cool blue, large, illuminated meters on their aluminum front panel, and their large black heat sinks, which took up all the room on their side panels, gave the amps a high-tech, industrial-chic look.
At $31,460 for the pair, the Pass Laboratories X600.8 monoblocks aren’t bargain-priced. Nor are they the most expensive monoblocks Pass Labs offers. Simply because the X600.8 monoblocks are worth their asking price doesn’t mean much if one cannot afford them. Still, readers of Enjoy the Music.com realize that audiophiles can get quite crafty when it comes to raising funds, especially when we become enamored of a component and wish to purchase it. Highly recommended? You bet!
Revisiting This INSANE Hip Hop Holy Grail Collection
January 17, 2026 Comments Off on Revisiting This INSANE Hip Hop Holy Grail Collection
BennyAudio Odyssey Turntable Review
January 15, 2026 Comments Off on BennyAudio Odyssey Turntable Review
Suffice it to say that if I’ve dedicated half a year of my life working to afford and finally owning the BennyAudio Odyssey, it speaks volumes about its incredible capabilities. Mine is all black, with the engraving painted in a light blue metallic and pearl finish. Other colors are available, including silver and white, and Thomasz is reportedly working on more options.
If you’re seeking the ultimate turntable to elevate your system and ensure decades of satisfaction, the Odyssey should be at the top of your list. Its performance is unparalleled, and I can’t imagine anyone not being fully content for a long time.
However, if you’re looking for a competitive advantage in a spitting contest with your audio buddies, spending a lot more money won’t necessarily translate into a significant improvement in sound quality. As I mentioned earlier, there are turntables that cost much more and have more intricate features, but they often come with unobtainium and can’taffordium bits and pieces that don’t always equal a relative improvement to the sound and add more complexity.
In my opinion, it’s better to save the extra money and invest in more reference vinyl or upgrade the cartridge. That, in my view, would be a more prudent choice. You simply can’t get a better bang for the buck.
Marantz Model 10 Integrated Amplifier $15,000 Review
January 14, 2026 Comments Off on Marantz Model 10 Integrated Amplifier $15,000 Review
https://www.soundstageultra.com/index.php/equipment-menu/1282-marantz-model-10-integrated-amplifier
Where the Model 10’s phono stage is lacking is in that ethereal sense of depth and layering that only the best phono stages can deliver. A case in point is the 2018 remixed version of Pink Floyd’s Animals (Pink Floyd Records PFRLP28), which just drips with ambience and hallucinogenic fever. While the Model 10’s phono stage still projected the barking dogs midway through with a good sense of wraparound, it couldn’t keep up with the Mola Mola’s miles-deep-yet-still-behind-you presentation. Still, pulling the trigger on the volume and sitting back while “Dogs” washed over me was a luxurious pleasure via the Marantz. The very slightly laid-back character of the Model 10’s phono stage meshed extremely well with the amp’s incisive, detailed nature.
Audiophilepure 
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