Audiolab M-DAC+ REVIEW
February 10, 2017 Comments Off on Audiolab M-DAC+ REVIEW
” Do you see what’s going on here? Although there are still audible differences between DACs, and there will always be a cost-no-object segment to provide even wider perspectives, the subjective differences in quality are becoming quite small. It seems evident that over the years, DAC quality has really improved a lot, especially in the more affordable end. Especially in the field of refinement and resolution, one needs not spend zillions anymore”
Audio Note Meishu Silver Signature integrated amplifier Review
February 10, 2017 Comments Off on Audio Note Meishu Silver Signature integrated amplifier Review
“There’s a simultaneous infectious weight, and gravitas mixed with Aero-Bar lightness to the 300B sound of the Meishu that kept me playing album after album in some weird quest to see if i could trip it up, and I just couldn’t. This mix of heft, and airiness is something I’ve heard before, but at a much higher price point, and always in separates. This is an integrated amplifier for music lovers first, and foremost, and well… why the hell wouldn’t you want an amp that wasn’t all about the music? While the form factor may be intimidating for some who might be space-challenged, (or unsure of embracing tubes) if you’ve got room to house it, ”
FOSTEX TH610 STEREO HEADPHONES $599 REVIEW
February 10, 2017 Comments Off on FOSTEX TH610 STEREO HEADPHONES $599 REVIEW
“The TH610 has a real straight from the mixer feel to its soundstage, real up close and personal. Listening to Hoagy Carmichael’s rendition of “Lazy River” (Hoagy Sings Carmichael 16/44.1kHz) I could imagine myself in the mixing booth listening to the live performance. The horns were marginally recessed with the upright bass set slightly apart and the singer front and center inches away.”
Shinola Runwell Turntable $2,500 Review
February 8, 2017 Comments Off on Shinola Runwell Turntable $2,500 Review
“The machined top plate of the turntable plinth reminds me of a vintage Thorens TD-124, both in color and feel. A massive aluminum platter, tonearm and light wood base (it’s also available in black) rounds out the package, complimented by the medium toned leather mat on top of the platter. I’ve seen plenty of ten thousand dollar turntables lacking this level of fit and finish.
CHORD ELECTRONICS DAVE DAC/HEADPHONE AMP REVIEW
February 7, 2017 Comments Off on CHORD ELECTRONICS DAVE DAC/HEADPHONE AMP REVIEW
“As I’ve said, there are rival products, some of which turn in a different sound, and some of those sounds you might prefer over the DAVE. And there are some digital converters that come so close to the DAVE’s performance that you’d struggle to hear the difference in some settings. But the DAVE will likely show its hand sooner or later. It may be in dealing with a format, or outputting to a super insightful system or headphone, but the DAVE is a tough act to better all round.”
PS Audio DirectStream Memory Player Review
February 7, 2017 Comments Off on PS Audio DirectStream Memory Player Review
“Even though this review was really a review of the DirectStream Memory Player and the DirectStream DAC, I felt that I was able to get a good feel for the operation and sound of the Memory Player. PS Audio has done their homework with the release of the DirectStream Memory Player that I found to be a solid multi format performer. I experienced impressive sonic performance in combination with the PS Audio DirectStream DAC utilizing the I2S through HDMI outputs.”
Mission LX-2 Speaker Review
February 7, 2017 Comments Off on Mission LX-2 Speaker Review
“Is it perfect? This is a slightly awkward one to answer. Listening to the LX-2, I have the slightest sense that it is a bit grown up, a bit mature and well balanced to truly be in the mould of affordable Mission speakers of old. There was always the sense that the older models really wanted to play The Prodigy as the sort of volume levels that were a few dB shy of them coming apart at the seams. The LX- 2 can do this but it never loses that sense of control and composure. Critiquing a speaker because it sounds too well sorted though is perverse, so I have to phrase it in such a manner as to say that the LX-2 could perhaps benefit, every now and again, from just a touch more fun”
Boulder Amplifiers 2150 monoblock power amplifier $99,000/pair Review
February 6, 2017 Comments Off on Boulder Amplifiers 2150 monoblock power amplifier $99,000/pair Review
“The Boulder 2150 is a state-of-the-art powerhouse of an amplifier designed to impart little or none of its own character on the sound of the incoming signal. Boulder has accomplished this by engineering noise to an absolute measurable minimum. The 2150 did likewise with distortion and every other sonic parameter. Its 0 ohm, nonreactive output impedance ensures that its behavior won’t vary, regardless of the electrical characteristics of the loudspeaker in use.”
BRYSTON BHA-1 BALANCED HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER REVIEW
February 6, 2017 Comments Off on BRYSTON BHA-1 BALANCED HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER REVIEW
” The Bryston BHA-1 is an impeccably designed and solidly built amplification device for speakers that you just happen to wear on your head. It has a fastidiously clean and neutral sound quality with an abundance of power and connectivity options that will allow almost any headphone to shine on its own merits, or lack thereof. In a time of increasing function and multipurpose usability in more and more products, it is nice to see something like the BHA-1 that is designed strictly to perform a single dedicated function with utmost precision and reliability.”
Vivaldi 2.0 Digital Playback System Review
February 6, 2017 Comments Off on Vivaldi 2.0 Digital Playback System Review
“Often when I’m writing a review I try to think about the person who might audition and then buy the product at hand. How would his or her wants and needs inform the buying decision? For much of my time with the Vivaldi 2.0, I was too preoccupied with my own wants and needs, greedily shuffling through my CDs and SACDs and raiding John Quick’s USB and NAS drives, to consider anything beyond the simple pleasure of listening to music. While it’s staggering how many ways you can integrate a Vivaldi 2.0 system into your audio system and home network, I personally would keep it simple (so to speak) and use it primarily for playing discs, relegating file replay to what could be copied to thumb drives”
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