Gold Note Mediterraneo Turntable $5,973 Review
February 4, 2018 Comments Off on Gold Note Mediterraneo Turntable $5,973 Review
“It’s worth noting that Gold Note offers an excellent instruction manual, something not all turntables offer. And the table comes well packed. Once removed, the Mediterraneo should take you about 10 minutes to assemble; install the platter on the spindle assembly, string the belt and then fine tune the tonearm for your cartridge. Tracking force is straightforward, and anti-skate is adjusted with a small weight on a string. This table is easy to work with, falling into place quickly. Even analog newcomers should have no problem setting it up quickly and easily.”
Bluesound Node Review
February 3, 2018 Comments Off on Bluesound Node Review
“A streaming DAC with a variety of inputs, outputs and features, all wrapped in a low profile package. No giant black boxes here! And even though the hardware has been on the hump for some years, Bluesound’s ongoing series of software updates slows the ageing process. And who doesn’t want that? It wasn’t so much the Node 2’s sound quality that led me to its purchase. Parent company Lenbrook’s pedigree with NAD and PSB means that was almost a given. It was Node 2’s broad feature set that tipped me over the line. Because function matters.”
Magnepan • MMGi Loudspeakers $650 Review
February 2, 2018 Comments Off on Magnepan • MMGi Loudspeakers $650 Review
“A final test of the MMGi’s came when I sought to re-create an event recently experienced in New York City. A month before this review was submitted, my significant other and I were treated to the Joe Lovano Nonet performing just a few feet from our ears in the claustrophobic cellar of Max Gordon’s iconic Village Vanguard. With ten musicians — five saxes (including the leader), trumpet, trombone and rhythm cutting loose on tunes inspired by the late, great Tadd Dameron, the sound came close to overpowering the room. It was hair-raising, but in a good way. Nothing went unheard, including the occasional subway train.”
Astell&Kern Michelle Limited Headphones $399 Review
February 2, 2018 Comments Off on Astell&Kern Michelle Limited Headphones $399 Review
“The Michelle Limited is more transparent, with more precise imaging, but the ample bass will either be welcomed or sound like too much of a good thing. Personal tastes vary, but I will say that when I’m listening away from home, a little extra low end helps mask some of the rumble of a train, plane, or bus. At home in a quiet room, the bass could be intrusive.
ZMF EIKON $1399 REVIEW
February 1, 2018 Comments Off on ZMF EIKON $1399 REVIEW
“At the end of the day, the Eikon sounds great, looks great and feels great. It performs very well and is set up for a flat EQ line, most of the time. If you like a natural tonality that isn’t overly clinical or cold at all, but also one that isn’t very warm, something with a very good coherency factor that makes vocals and the center image instrument in the track seem lifelike and very well formed, then I suggest you pick this up asap. Zach does great work”
Manger Audio p1 Loudspeaker Review
February 1, 2018 Comments Off on Manger Audio p1 Loudspeaker Review
“The charms of the Manger crept up on me almost subconsciously. I found myself giving the p1 priority over other speakers I had in the listening queue. Like the Fleetwood Mac hit that urges you to “Go Your Own Way,” so, too, does the Manger p1. Rather than seeking to become the center of attention like so many high-fliers in this industry, the p1 defies high-end orthodoxy by standing back and putting the emphasis squarely where it should be—on the music. It opened a window onto the live event like few other floorstanders in its segment. In sum, I would urge every upstanding music lover to make a date to have a serious listen to the marvelously involving Manger. There’s really nothing else quite like it.”
NAIM AUDIO UNITI NOVA INTEGRATED STREAMING AMPLIFIER MUSIC SERVER REVIEW
January 31, 2018 Comments Off on NAIM AUDIO UNITI NOVA INTEGRATED STREAMING AMPLIFIER MUSIC SERVER REVIEW
“As we went to press on this, Naim served up a beta version of its Roon ready software for testing. This adds an order of magnitude more ‘awesome’ to an already bursting bag of superlatives. Part of the reason Naim’s servers are so robust is the file system is a rigid hierarchy, which you don’t futz around with because it works so well. However, for those who don’t think in quite the same linear way, it can be frustrating (I’ve been told – the truth is once you have used Naim’s hierarchy for as long as I have, other systems seem convoluted and disorganised). Roon allows you to remove such file structures to the ‘forget about it’ part of your brain, and integrate your music into Roon’s music-led jaunt through the catalogue, seamlessly blending TIDAL with your own collection in almost any way you can think of, should you so desire.”
TAD Micro Evolution One loudspeaker $12,495 Review
January 30, 2018 Comments Off on TAD Micro Evolution One loudspeaker $12,495 Review
“If you think film sound is slumming, it isn’t. I’m a huge fan of film scores, and the best experiences I had with the TADs with large-scale music, such as symphony orchestras or elaborate electronic compositions, were when I played soundtracks from a film’s original Blu-ray, not the separate release of the score on CD. For more on this subject I highly recommend Score, a superb documentary on BD about film scores, their composers, and how they’re recorded. The final orchestral flourish on that release, appropriately titled “Finale,” sounded spectacular through the TADs when supported by the Revel center and sub. My only frustration is that this selection isn’t credited in more detail—I can’t tell you what film it comes from.
ProAc Tablette 10 loudspeaker Review
January 29, 2018 Comments Off on ProAc Tablette 10 loudspeaker Review
“Bigger though – it ain’t always better. For those of us working with more limited square footage – or where our loudspeakers need more wall clearance than living circumstances will allow – are advised that the ProAc Tablette 10, in a simple twist of irony, turn up the heat on musical insight and the second hand LS3/5a market. How hot? Ninety degrees.
CLEAR TUNE MONITORS / CTM VS3 REVIEW
January 29, 2018 Comments Off on CLEAR TUNE MONITORS / CTM VS3 REVIEW
“But if you don’t need as much bass power down low, then the midbass control and resolution will make you a very happy listener. The VS3’s separation on this part is nice, and for me this is something critical with IEMs. As we see so often, the genre you’re listening to and the source you’re using will impact the sound in the end. It all depends on the kind of signature you like to hear.”
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