SPL Phonitor X $3,299 Review
June 2, 2018 Comments Off on SPL Phonitor X $3,299 Review
“Phonitor X also features Voltair 120 volt rail technology, which SPL claims is “…four times as high as in standard audio designs. 120V Rail Technology is our reference technology developed and manufactured to run on an operating voltage of 120 volts, which corresponds to twice that of discrete operational amplifiers and four times that of semiconductor operational amplifiers.” Whether the high voltage is chiefly responsible for the X’s sound I can’t say, but it does sound awfully nice.”
MartinLogan Classic ESL 9 $6,495 – Review
June 2, 2018 Comments Off on MartinLogan Classic ESL 9 $6,495 – Review
“Their legacy products are still excellent, even by today’s standards, underlining the strength of their initial design brief. The Sequel and Summit still sound great, and you can still get them repaired – another attribute of a real high-end company. But going through the ranks with familiar tracks quickly reveals the sonic gains that have been achieved. Much as I love my Quads, they are considerably more limited in terms of what they can play and what they can play loud.”
AUDIO RESEARCH VSI75 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER$8500 REVIEW
June 1, 2018 Comments Off on AUDIO RESEARCH VSI75 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER$8500 REVIEW
“The built-in features keep track of the tube life, assist in biasing, and the power-up process ensures you don’t accidentally damage anything with an unintentional volume power surge. The solid remote should last as long as the unit. Though it’s not backlit, I usually only find that a minus in home theaters. The Audio Research VSi75 is an investment piece; whether you are moving up to your first tube amp or are thinking about setting up a primo stereo system from the ground up. The Audio Research VSi75 integrated amplifier is a sound choice that will pay musical dividends for many years to come.”
Paradigm Prestige 15B Loudspeakers $1598 Review
May 31, 2018 Comments Off on Paradigm Prestige 15B Loudspeakers $1598 Review
“If you choose the Prestige 15Bs to be the cornerstones of a two-channel system, you’ll be getting a pair of speakers that will minimize their footprints while maximizing their sonic presence in all but the largest rooms. Your choice could also serve as the heart of a home-theater system that would be the state of the art in its category. The Prestige 15B is the complete package: aesthetically sophisticated, materially advanced, technologically progressive, and sonically and musically superior.’
Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II Wireless Over-the-Ear Headphones Review
May 31, 2018 Comments Off on Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II Wireless Over-the-Ear Headphones Review
“The QuietComfort 35 is not the sexiest headphone. If you are going for a fashion statement, there are better-looking headphones in the category. Some may consider the QC 35’s sound to be a bit overly polite. Nothing is missing–it’s just that they aren’t going to come out and grab you musically. Think: more Lexus and less Aston Martin”
Paradigm Prestige 15B Loudspeakers $1598 Review
May 30, 2018 Comments Off on Paradigm Prestige 15B Loudspeakers $1598 Review
“The 3D soundstaging I’d heard from the 15Bs in my friend’s system enriched and expanded under the influence of his NAD amplification. When his NAD C 325BEE went to the whip, the Prestiges responded, filling the room with crackling energy. These speakers sounded great at low levels, and I never suffered when listening at reasonable volumes — but as the volume knob turned rightward, the Paradigms produced a jump factor that would mitigate the tradeoffs audiophiles make when we move away from floorstanders.”
MOBILE FIDELITY STUDIODECK TURNTABLE WITH STUDIOTRACKER CARTRIDGE REVIEW
May 30, 2018 Comments Off on MOBILE FIDELITY STUDIODECK TURNTABLE WITH STUDIOTRACKER CARTRIDGE REVIEW
“The build quality of the Studiodeck and Studiotracker cartridge are on point with their competition, and it was clear after a short stint with the table that this is a high-quality design, high calibre performing table that has quite a bit to offer those of us who need to remain price conscious. At an extremely reasonable entry level price, the Studiodeck’s sonic strength seemed to be a well illuminated and well rounded mid-range that was able to faithfully deliver an analogue experience that exceeded my expectations given its modest price. If you are looking for a laid back easy listening presentation look elsewhere. But if your music preferences tend towards faster-paced, higher-energy music of any variety I would think the Studiodeck is right up your alley.”
PS Audio Sprout100 Integrated Amplifier Review
May 29, 2018 Comments Off on PS Audio Sprout100 Integrated Amplifier Review
“I was concerned that my cartridge might not work well with the Sprout100 because the Grado is a moving iron, not a moving magnet. But the fixed 47K Ohms, 100pF was just fine, and the fact that the Sprout100 has a built in preamplifier allowed the volume to be adjusted just fine too–no gain issues. Remarkably, buzz distortion (e.g., when a record is not playing but the volume is up) was almost non-existent. In short: very satisfying for what it does. (Of course one can’t expect it to compete with my reference set up–and it did not; but it certainly did well; better than I would have thought.)”
AUDIOQUEST INTRODUCES THE NIAGARA 1000 POWER CONDITIONER AND THUNDER POWER CHORD
May 29, 2018 Comments Off on AUDIOQUEST INTRODUCES THE NIAGARA 1000 POWER CONDITIONER AND THUNDER POWER CHORD
“The AudioQuest power conditioning and cables made a major improvement to my system by delivering quiet and noise free music. The hum from the VPI Prime Scout turntable disappeared, as did the rumble. Hobbyists and music lovers invest thousands on components and without addressing the conditioning issues caused by dirty electricity and noise, never experience what the system is truly capable of producing”
AVM Ovation CS 8.2 All-in-One System $12,995 Review
May 28, 2018 Comments Off on AVM Ovation CS 8.2 All-in-One System $12,995 Review
“Obviously, I have the room and cables to handle an extensive multi-box audio system. Replacing all those boxes and wires with one AVM CS 8.2 was a refreshingly musical alternative experience. I found that when pitted against a separates system with approximately the same overall price tag the CS 8.2 can deliver equally impressive sound.
For me the one elephant in the room that kept staring me in the face and sideswiping me with its trunk was: “How does the AVM CS 6.2 compare with the AVM CS 8.2?” I have never heard the 6.2, so I am not qualified to answer that question. Since these two components are identical except for the tube linestage in the 8.2, the final decision between them is something that can only be made at an AVM dealer who has both units in stock.”
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