a more affordable media server from CLONES Audio
August 1, 2016 Comments Off on a more affordable media server from CLONES Audio
“First came the excellent 25i – CLONES Audio’s commercial take on the Gaincard circuit – then a pair of 55pm monoblocks for those who wanted more control and transparency. After that, two DACs: Asher replaced Sheva. Then the POWER STATION – a linear PSU for the Mac Mini.”
LEAR FSM-02 V2 REVIEW
July 31, 2016 Comments Off on LEAR FSM-02 V2 REVIEW
” The situation changes somewhat when you introduce less efficient earphones or headphones. Earphones such as the 32 ohms Astrotec Lyra 6 or Noble 4C and the power hungry planar oBravo ERIB-5a via line-out. All three have double the play that the Jupiter and Se846 offered allowing up to 10-11 steps on most of the DAPs and a good bit more on the Sony ZX2. Whilst it is not a huge jump the level of control over gain and volume is significantly easier to manage.”
Wireworld Signal and Power Cable Review
July 31, 2016 Comments Off on Wireworld Signal and Power Cable Review
“An interesting note about Wireworld power cords — the company refers to them as “conditioning” cords because they were designed to absorb noise and block any interference from reaching your components. Wireworld says their cords are made with dual low impedance shields and are meant to be flexible. They also say that one can achieve better performance with longer lengths. ”
ELAC Uni-Fi UF5 Floorstanding Speakers Reviewed
July 30, 2016 Comments Off on ELAC Uni-Fi UF5 Floorstanding Speakers Reviewed
” I especially loved the way the UF5s transitioned smoothly from Reid’s bowed solo to the pizzicato walking bass line he played behind Lightsey’s solo; the speakers caught all the high-frequency detail in the bowed sound without emphasizing the couple of squeaks that Reid’s bow made during the solo, yet they also captured Reid’s rich, woody, hard-grooving pizzicato sound ”
Wadia 521 DAC Review
July 30, 2016 Comments Off on Wadia 521 DAC Review
“Although several of the DACs mentioned above do one or more things better than the 521, the latter remains a very well-balanced DAC that just so happens to fit my system and taste very well. It provides almost all of the classic Wadia-typical qualities while minimising the brand’s traditional weaker areas.”
FINAL AUDIO DESIGN PIANO FORTE VIII $1000 – REVIEW
July 29, 2016 Comments Off on FINAL AUDIO DESIGN PIANO FORTE VIII $1000 – REVIEW
“Lows – I thought the low end might lack somewhat given that this is an open earphone. I was wrong. Again textures and detail are front and centre is the name of the game. As mentioned above there was no discernable bleed into the midrange. The dynamic drivers push out a more than sufficient level of rich bass. Sub bass is there but not in large quantities and I don’t feel I am lacking anything for the type of music I would choose to listen to on these IEM’s.”
MARTINLOGAN NEOLITH ELECTROSTATIC-HYBRID LOUDSPEAKER $80,000 – REVIEW
July 28, 2016 Comments Off on MARTINLOGAN NEOLITH ELECTROSTATIC-HYBRID LOUDSPEAKER $80,000 – REVIEW
“As impressive as all the characteristics I’ve described are, and as important as they are to musical communication, what really sets the Neolith apart is its resolution. By resolution I mean the Neolith’s ability to convey everything that’s going on in a recording, from instrumental timbre, to the separation of individual instrumental lines, to micro-dynamic shadings, to the puff of air around image outlines, to transient information, to the space in which the recording was made. All is laid out in ravishing detail. The Neolith was particularly adept at clearly resolving every instrumental line, even within the most complex passages. I was continually amazed to hear previously buried instrumental parts in familiar music with such vivid clarity. The intricate horn arrangements of Gordon Goodwin in his modern interpretation of big band music, for example, were suddenly much more intelligible. The Neolith “de-homogenizes” the music and, in doing so, allows much more of the musicians’ intentions to be revealed.”
Opus #1 High Res audio Player $599 Review
July 28, 2016 Comments Off on Opus #1 High Res audio Player $599 Review
“Construction is excellent with the frame being constructed of very high quality textured plastics whilst the front and back are swathed in glass. This combination helps to reduce scratches and at the same time make it resistant to slips”
Clearwave Loudspeaker Design Resolution BE Bookshelf Speaker Reviewed
July 27, 2016 Comments Off on Clearwave Loudspeaker Design Resolution BE Bookshelf Speaker Reviewed
” My final selection was the late, great Bob Marley’s album Legend (Island), which contains all of his and the Wailers’ most important music from 1972 to 1981. This music demonstrated two more aspects of the Resolution BE’s sonic qualities. The first one was how quick and accurate this speaker is at following the ebb and flow of the dynamics of music. Secondly, the overall tonality is silky and smooth, including the high-end frequencies; therefore, the Resolution BE never gets “in your face” no matter what the volume level is. Additionally, it will effortlessly play very loudly without sounding mechanical or analytical.”
Moon by Simaudio Neo 330A Stereo/Mono Amplifier Review
July 27, 2016 Comments Off on Moon by Simaudio Neo 330A Stereo/Mono Amplifier Review
“A second performance of “O Fortuna,” from a 1969 recording of Carmina burana by the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Seiji Ozawa, demonstrated different sorts of details (16/44.1 AIFF, RCA). With the Neo 330A I had a new experience: I could make out the voices of individual choristers. In this recording, the chorus is more forward; the orchestra is in more of a supporting role. Throughout this entire “profane cantata,” as Orff called it, I could easily discern individual choral voices and orchestral instruments. With equal clarity, the Neo 330A presented highly detailed reproductions of the vocal soloists in the quieter arias, and deep, powerful, full choral passages. Loud or soft, there was never a hint of sounds smearing together.”
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