JEFF ROWLAND DESIGN GROUP CAPRI S2 PREAMPLIFIER REVIEW
October 20, 2017 Comments Off on JEFF ROWLAND DESIGN GROUP CAPRI S2 PREAMPLIFIER REVIEW
“It’s worth noting that this Jeff Rowland does not sound like it has a switch mode power supply, as there’s no graininess or brightness at all. In fact, it couldn’t be smoother, it’s the most polished SMPS device I’ve encountered. And this does the Capri S2 a lot of favours when bringing out the tonal richness of everything you play. It’s not just classical sopranos who benefit; Tom Waits’ ‘In Shades’ [Heart Attack & Vine, Ayslum] also has great depth to the guitar and organ, and the burble of the dining audience is clearly separated from the music, a result in part of the impressive low level resolution on offer. This is a very quiet preamp indeed, which means that very little fails to get to its outputs. This in turn means there’s plenty of dynamic range available in the resulting sound.”
SONOMA ACOUSTICS MODEL ONE $5,000 –REVIEW
October 20, 2017 Comments Off on SONOMA ACOUSTICS MODEL ONE $5,000 –REVIEW
“I very much enjoyed my time with the Model One electrostatic system. The folks at Sonoma Acoustics really hit the nail on the head with their first offering! While I would have preferred a tad more bass presence and the ability to use these headphones on another electrostatic amplifier (like my Cavalli Audio Liquid Lightning 2), the overall performance to price ratio was still very much justified. ”
AURALIC ALTAIR WIRELESS STREAMING DAC REVIEW
October 19, 2017 Comments Off on AURALIC ALTAIR WIRELESS STREAMING DAC REVIEW
“Does your setup include excellent headphones? Probably not for you then, if you are only buying for headphones. If you want an all around, all purpose can do almost anything source, then you need not look further, the Altair scores a massive 9/10 for Value. It dishes out almost anything you need and has a good price when considering just what it can do. Hi-res files, DSD, Wifi, Ethernet-enabled, BT input, three outputs, intended as a streaming device, can pull via an HDD or a home network server as well? Hell of a product and also one of the sexiest sources I’ve had in-house in a long time. Well done, Auralic.”
SVS SB16-Ultra Subwoofer $1,999 Review
October 19, 2017 Comments Off on SVS SB16-Ultra Subwoofer $1,999 Review
“After living with the SB16-Ultra for some time now and using it in a variety of different hifi systems, I happily report excellent results in all circumstances. Whether you are working with a pair of minimonitors, your favorite panels, or massive floorstanders, the SB16-Ultra delivers stunning bass performance. With 1500 watts of power on tap, you’ll most likely bottom out your main speakers way before you push the sub too far. We certainly couldn’t no matter how loud the cannons blasted, the buildings blew up or the beats dropped.”
Audeze LCDi4 Review
October 18, 2017 Comments Off on Audeze LCDi4 Review
“These LCDi4 results were cross-checked with Audeze open-backed, on-ear Sine DX. Again, the Roon DSP brings forth a fuller, richer low-end without the cardboard boxed in vocals – the latter only heard for the first time after disengaging the Sine DX-specific DSP.”
PEAK CONSULT DRAGON LEGEND SPEAKERS REVIEW
October 18, 2017 Comments Off on PEAK CONSULT DRAGON LEGEND SPEAKERS REVIEW
“The overall tonality of the Dragon Legend is unmistakably North European, they carry the sonic characteristics of speakers such as Dynaudio, Gamut, Vienna Acoustics, but not as warm and velvety as some of the ATCs or Sonus Fabers. They definitely do not resemble the sound of Wilson or Magico which are at the further end of the opposite spectrum, nor do they resemble the more neutral Focal Grande Utopias. The strongest characteristics are the remarkably organic and human like qualities which it exhibits so well, and they also possess a mid range so rich and colorful which reminds me of the famous soft dome mid range found in ATC and older PMC speakers, but a higher definition and none of that boxiness characteristics. ”
Audio Research LS28 Stereo Preamplifier Review
October 17, 2017 Comments Off on Audio Research LS28 Stereo Preamplifier Review
“The LS28 left me wondering about the end of the road in audiophile land. Where does a hobbyist go when spending $7,500 gets you a component as luxurious and high quality as the LS28? There are some exotic preamplifiers costing two or three times as much, even from Audio Research, that are unlikely to sound two or three times better. Or do they? Before spending that kind of coin, does it not make more sense to substantially upgrade your room and then your amplification or speakers? Combined with the fact that no other company on the market can equal the service and support offered by ARC, the value proposition for the LS28 is substantial.”
TORUS POWER AVR20 TOROIDAL ISOLATION POWER TRANSFORMER REVIEW
October 17, 2017 Comments Off on TORUS POWER AVR20 TOROIDAL ISOLATION POWER TRANSFORMER REVIEW
“The Torus Power AVR 20 will take any system up a notch or two. If you have a system that is good, great or even excellent, running your equipment through the AVR 20 will take your system to the next level. As an example, the street price of my system is around $30,000. This is not modest but in my view is at the point of diminishing returns. The AVR 20 let my system rise up and be competitive with systems costing as much as $75,000 – $100,000. This was an astonishing level of improvement for what is a relatively small investment. Add that the Torus Power AVR 20 provides on-going protection of your equipment and you have a most highly recommended component!”
MRSPEAKERS ÆON $800 REVIEW
October 16, 2017 Comments Off on MRSPEAKERS ÆON $800 REVIEW
“The drop post 200Hz will deliver a cooler sound, possibly a little thinned out so it won’t deliver a classic mid-bass impact. Personally, I am just fine with that as I prefer my power to reside a lot lower in the FR to prevent upper bass bloom and an overly muddy presentation which the AEON successfully avoids. It does mean some instrumental work will lack a bit of authority and richness that you will find in other more elevated tonal presentations.”
MONITOR AUDIO BRONZE 6 LOUDSPEAKERS $1599 REVIEW
October 16, 2017 Comments Off on MONITOR AUDIO BRONZE 6 LOUDSPEAKERS $1599 REVIEW
“Brass, harp, bass drum and the powerful interjecting male choir counterpointing Mitchell’s distressed lyrics, emerged from the Bronze 6 and into my modest listening room. And here’s the thing, despite this $1599 speaker’s obvious limitations, what is delivered is so emotionally satisfying it leaves you wondering if there’s a more communicative floorstander at the price point.”
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