Cayin HA-1A MK2 tube headphone amp Review
March 8, 2017 § 1 Comment
” Tube amps live or die by the quality of their output transformers (unless we’re talking OTL designs, of course). I wouldn’t expect Cayin to cram premium Lundahl or Cinemag pieces in there while maintaining that $999 sticker. Cayin’s compromise is to source its own EI core output transformers using Z11 grade silicon steel and a proprietary layered winding configuration. The EI core power transformer is of similar construction, with Cayin describing it as a “large-capacity, low-leakage design.” The goal here is competent — if not exotic — components in a well-thought-out design, making the most of available resources while keeping that reasonable price intact.”
Aerial Acoustics 5T loudspeaker $3795 Review
March 8, 2017 Comments Off on Aerial Acoustics 5T loudspeaker $3795 Review
“The 5T lives up to Aerial Acoustics’ reputation for producing fine-sounding, well-balanced loudspeakers. Though the price increase over its predecessor is a little alarming, the new speaker’s fit and finish are superior to the original’s more utilitarian appearance. When used within their dynamic envelope—these are not speakers for parties or dancing—the Aerial 5Ts will excel at painting stable, musically convincing sonic pictures between and behind them.
FOCAL UTOPIA HEADPHONES $4,000 REVIEW
March 7, 2017 Comments Off on FOCAL UTOPIA HEADPHONES $4,000 REVIEW
“While I hesitate to call any component “the best,” the Focal Utopia certainly ranks overall as the finest dynamic headphone I’ve experienced to date. It is among the most comfortable, sonically neutral, and well-built headphones I’ve ever reviewed. Its faults are minor (the cable), and easily remedied. Yes, it is not inexpensive. However, I heard from a reliable source that initially they were going to be priced much higher, but Focal demurred, judging that market acceptance would be much better at $3999 than $6999.
T+A elektroakustik 3100 HV Integrated Amplifier and PDP 3000 HV SACD/CD-Player with DSD/PCM DAC $21,500 Review
March 7, 2017 Comments Off on T+A elektroakustik 3100 HV Integrated Amplifier and PDP 3000 HV SACD/CD-Player with DSD/PCM DAC $21,500 Review
“Highs are exemplary for all three. There is more of a golden glow with the PDP 3000 HV and slightly more extension with the K-01X, yet you would be hard pressed to really hear this without some very very intense evaluation. Several words seem to pop up again and again in my notes during individual listening sessions for each: resolution, texture, attack, immediacy. Rarely if ever did I experience edge or grain. All three demonstrate how fabulous digital can be when executed properly in the upper frequencies.”
SONUS FABER PRINCIPIA 3 BOOKSHELF SPEAKERS $699 REVIEW
March 7, 2017 Comments Off on SONUS FABER PRINCIPIA 3 BOOKSHELF SPEAKERS $699 REVIEW
“Considering their price point of $699 per pair, the Sonus faber Principia 3s do an awful lot of things right. Key attributes include excellent bass response and accuracy, musical midrange, clean treble, and very good dynamics. Top that off with the solid build quality and great aesthetics Sonus faber is known for and you have a very impressive overall package. Even the slightly-elevated presence region could be considered a benefit to listeners who value retrieval of detail over a more musical approach”
HiFiMan SuperMini Music Player Review
March 6, 2017 Comments Off on HiFiMan SuperMini Music Player Review
“Some might regard the HiFiMan SuperMini as a unicorn. The notion of a $399 music player that challenges the category’s four-figure competitors sounds too good to be true. But the company has found a way to drive moderately challenging headphones for long periods while minimizing cost and form factor, and although it may not be the last word in transparency, it’s a sonic overachiever at its price point. There’s also something soothing about its subdued looks and mostly excellent ease of use. It would be hard to imagine a more agreeable companion for a long day of on-thego listening.”
RSL Speedwoofer 10S Subwoofer Reviewed
March 6, 2017 Comments Off on RSL Speedwoofer 10S Subwoofer Reviewed
“Satisfied that the Speedwoofer 10S could handle the deepest depths of pretty much anything in my musical collection, I set my sights (well, my ears) on the upper end of its output range with the track “Roses” from OutKast’s Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (Arista), which features a pretty hard-hitting bass line with plenty of energy between roughly 60 Hz and just about 100 Hz. In other words, its bottom end tiptoes all over the crossover point between the subs and sats, making it a great track to test the upper end of a sub’s output. Here, too, the Speedwoofer 10S lacks for nothing, delivering not only the visceral slam of that undulating bass line but also the nuance that’s sometimes lost with larger subs.
EMOTIVA XPA GEN3 POWER AMPLIFIER REVIEW
March 6, 2017 Comments Off on EMOTIVA XPA GEN3 POWER AMPLIFIER REVIEW
“In closing, I would like to restate that the Emotiva Gen3 amplifier impressed in the listening sessions and then the actual bench tests further supported the objective aspect of the amplifier that made this performance possible.
Emotiva also provided us with details of the circuit designs of the Gen3 amp. They have a seasoned and accomplished design team and the design of this amplifier is a fine example of the science and the art of audio engineering.”
Fostex TH610 review
March 6, 2017 Comments Off on Fostex TH610 review
” There are a number of headphones available at this price with much better audio qualities and which will ultimately handle your music more proficiently than the Fostex TH610s, even if they perhaps don’t look as good.”
PRIMALUNA DIALOGUE PREMIUM PREAMP AND HP STEREO/MONO AMPLIFIERS TUBE AUDIO
March 5, 2017 Comments Off on PRIMALUNA DIALOGUE PREMIUM PREAMP AND HP STEREO/MONO AMPLIFIERS TUBE AUDIO
“While these PrimaLuna DiaLogue components may have been inspired by the milestones of yesteryear, gone here is any hint of that syrupy, dark, blatantly euphonious sound common in those earlier components. Even today, with lesser designs, the over-editorializing of color and texture that has put me off many of today’s more affordably priced tube gear—even some held in high regard—never reared its ugly head throughout my months of audition. PrimaLuna has set an incredibly high bar for performance, with equally incredible pricing.”
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