Wharfedale Diamond 225 $449 Review
April 21, 2018 Comments Off on Wharfedale Diamond 225 $449 Review
“These speakers remind me that the “entry-level” isn’t a bad place to be. Inexpensive components are getting better and better as high-end design trickles down into supposedly budget hardware. The Diamond 225s take everything good about high-end audio, the power of beautifully reproduced music, and they make it accessible to a wider audience. I believe the 225s would satisfy just about anybody looking for fantastic-sounding speakers designed by a respected manufacturer at a reasonable price. They’re not perfect, but man, they’re still more than good. I highly recommend them.”
Cary Audio AiOS Review
April 20, 2018 Comments Off on Cary Audio AiOS Review
“MQA streaming from the handful of MQA tracks I had on hand (mostly downloaded from 2L’s excellent test track repository) showed a very subtle effect of non versus their non-MQA encoded versions. The MQA tracks showed a little more rhythmic ease and a little more light in the midrange and a more delicate high end especially on cymbal work, but I would not say that it was a super obvious difference. MQA streaming via Tidal Masters showed similar differences between 16/44 and MQA versions of the same tracks. Testing versus the MQA certified Mytek DAC showed again that there was a slight loss of tonal colour with the AiOS MQA decoding.”
Westone Wx Review
April 20, 2018 Comments Off on Westone Wx Review
“Built-in to the Bluetooth standard is a protocol for Hi-Res audio called the aptX audio codec. The aptX codec allows lossless and Hi-Res players to stream audio via Bluetooth without compromising the sound. The result is crystal clear audio because the signal sent is the same audio you’ll receive with the Westone Wx wireless earphone. This works incredibly well with my Oneplus 5T through use of Qualcomm inbuilt aptX codec software.”
AnalogMagik Turntable Cartridge Setup Tutorial 1: Basic Cartridge Alignment – Video
April 20, 2018 Comments Off on AnalogMagik Turntable Cartridge Setup Tutorial 1: Basic Cartridge Alignment – Video
Klipsch Heritage HP-3 Headphones $1,200 Review
April 19, 2018 Comments Off on Klipsch Heritage HP-3 Headphones $1,200 Review
“The Heritage HP-3s, Klipsch’s best headphones, have first-rate looks, build, and sound — and are the newest headphones to be added to our list of Recommended Reference Components.”
Constellation Inspiration Integrated 1.0 $13,500 Review
April 19, 2018 Comments Off on Constellation Inspiration Integrated 1.0 $13,500 Review
“Only towards the end of this evaluation did it occur to me that I’d listened to more vinyl than I normally do. This was for a couple of reasons, but primarily because the Integrated 1.0 invites the listener to play the best analog. Such was the tonal honesty and transparency of this integrated that I just couldn’t stop myself from grabbing one vinyl favorite after another and in a sense rediscovering sonic charms and, in some instances, catching a tiny musical revelation that I’d heretofore missed. That’s what great equipment can do to an otherwise familiar audio system. It reignites a passion for the hobby that even on the best days can wane just a bit. The secondary reason was because I had Parasound’s new JC 3 Jr. phonostage on hand for a forthcoming review. I was eager not only to hear its overall performance but to compare it with my current reference phonostage, the superb John-Curl-designed Paraound JC 3+. And yes, Junior is definitely a chip off the old block.”
Pro-Ject Debut III S Audiophile review
April 18, 2018 Comments Off on Pro-Ject Debut III S Audiophile review
“Product ranges don’t hang around for the best part of 20 years without reason. The S III Audiophile is solidly designed and smartly finished – and though there may be a new logo and tonearm design, it’s a chip off the old block.”
REDGUM Articulata Integrated Amplifier Review
April 18, 2018 Comments Off on REDGUM Articulata Integrated Amplifier Review
“A novelty with purpose is the Articulata’s sine wave heat sink. As viewed from the front fins, running the span of the chassis from front to back, of differing length form a wave, with the troughs, if considered in proper orientation to how a signal appears on measuring apparatus, acting as footers. My first thought was, “Rowdy! Cool! But, potentially tougher on shelving?” As rugged looking as the fins were, the finish on them was smooth such that the amp slid easily on the high gloss finish of the amp stand, and no scarring ensued. The finish, while slightly bumpy, seems smooth enough to not cause gouges. If you do not want the amp to move at all when making connections on such a surface, simply place an appropriate piece of foam or non-slip cloth beneath it.”
Paradigm Persona B Loudspeakers $7000 Reviews
April 17, 2018 Comments Off on Paradigm Persona B Loudspeakers $7000 Reviews
‘A dichotomy of performance with different amplifiers happens with all good speakers, but here the Persona’s preference for warmer sounding amps is extreme. Creating a balanced sounding system with the Paradigm speakers could require major changes to cables and source components, and even room treatments to make the listening room less bright and more dead. Due to the strong character of the Persona Bs, if they sound correct in a system, that system is probably not neutral. This disqualifies the Persona B from being included in the category of Reference Level. I think of this cutting-edge beryllium cone mid-woofer as a work in progress.”
AUDEZE ISINE LX REVIEW
April 17, 2018 Comments Off on AUDEZE ISINE LX REVIEW
“The 10 a very slightly less stellar recommendation but gets a more general nod of approval if this sort of product floats your boat. Fortunately, the 10 can shine a lot better with a simple analogue cable and its RRP actually includes the Cipher cable (although if you are an Android user you actually can just go analogue and save $50). I think the price still jumps over entry level and into the realms above so while if you want an open back IEM you will just be debating whether it’s this you want or the 20, at this point there will just not be any other relevant options between $300-$600.”
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