Klipsch Reference X6i in-ear headphones review
June 1, 2016 Comments Off on Klipsch Reference X6i in-ear headphones review
” While the Klipsch X6i are meant to be played directly from your mobile device, I tried plugging them through a dedicated digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and amp to see if they would sound even better. Having a powerful amp did help bring some sparkle to the highs and slightly more impact to the bass, but most people will be perfectly happy listening directly from their phones.”
Quad Artera Play & Artera Stereo review
May 31, 2016 Comments Off on Quad Artera Play & Artera Stereo review
“We listen to all four and settle on Wide as our favourite balance, even for CD quality files. ‘Fast’ comes a close second, with a touch more drive and bite to its presentation, but it can feel a bit unrelenting, particularly with more considered music”
Rega Planar 3 Turntable Review
May 31, 2016 Comments Off on Rega Planar 3 Turntable Review
” The beauty of turntables is that more than most sources, you can tweak their supporting ancillaries to better work with the traits of the deck. Logically, a Rega phono stage would be a good place to start looking in terms of a good partnership but changes to platter mats, isolation and other tweaks will all alter the presentation of the Planar 3 without significantly affecting the immense talent that the Rega possesses in so many areas.
ALIEN DAP GOLD EDITION
May 30, 2016 Comments Off on ALIEN DAP GOLD EDITION
” Perhaps I am old school in that respect, perhaps a lack of GUI does not bother me given I still work with cassette decks and turntables as well as digital audio. The iGadget crowd will take some convincing but once you listen to it you might actually agree with me. That lovely natural organic sound, excellent staging qualities and finally some bass oomph in the new better built Alien Gold edition is a keeper in my books. For the price, it is a bargain.”
Marantz HD-AMP1 Integrated Amplifier & DSD DAC Review
May 30, 2016 Comments Off on Marantz HD-AMP1 Integrated Amplifier & DSD DAC Review
” . The HD-AMP1 made it easy to hear all the classic Santana percussion, background chants, and keyboard lines. The release of Santana IV prompted me to go back and listen to a bunch of classic Santana releases including the 24/96 remasters of Borboletta and Welcome, as well as SACD rips of Caravanserai and Love Devotion Surrender. I don’t think I have ever heard these albums sound better. The HD-AMP1’s DAC section was performing some sort of magic, as these albums sounded fresh and vibrant, even though I have heard them hundreds of times.”
SCHIIT AUDIO HEADPHONE/INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER REVIEW
May 29, 2016 Comments Off on SCHIIT AUDIO HEADPHONE/INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER REVIEW
” The Abyss headphone is capable of delivering all of these things, but only—in my experience—when pushed by true top-tier components (merely good gear simply isn’t good enough to elicit optimal performance from the AB-1266 headphones). But the Schiit components more than rose to the occasion; in fact, they helped my AB-1266s sound better than I have ever heard them sound in my home. Their power and control on the low percussion section was almost frightening, while their burnished, golden treatment of the brass fanfare was similarly intense, yet beautifully balanced and realistically weighted. But the piece de resistance was their handling of the violin solo, which I noted caught the “light, sunlight-sparkling-on-open-water, dance-like quality of the violin.” The Abyss is capable of great performance, but only when the DAC and amp are up to the task, as the Yggdrasil and Ragnarok plainly are.”
Magnepan 3.7i full-range ribbon panel speakers Review
May 29, 2016 Comments Off on Magnepan 3.7i full-range ribbon panel speakers Review
” I even put the 3.7i through test tracks of the landing of passenger jets, thunderstorms, fireworks and so forth, with the volume at ear splitting level. The Maggie was unharmed, the Pass Labs and MIT Cables provided clean and potent power to the 3.7i and I had a blast. The best part was, whether the Maggie was playing orchestral music or sound effects, they were the only speaker I’ve come across whose spectral coherency remained intact at a stand-up listening height. After sitting for hours on, I could now stand up and still enjoy the same level of performance of the Magnepans.”
1More Triple Driver In-Ear Headphones Review
May 28, 2016 Comments Off on 1More Triple Driver In-Ear Headphones Review
” The sound was punchy and highlighted the macro rather than micro. To get high end subtlety, light and shade, you have to go custom and a lot more money. ”
GamuT RS3i Speakers $19,900 Review
May 28, 2016 Comments Off on GamuT RS3i Speakers $19,900 Review
“I remain adamant there is no such thing as a universally “best speaker” since listener preferences, upstream equipment, and room acoustics all weigh into the equation. Taking those variables into account in my own case, I have not yet encountered another speaker that achieves such a Goldilocks-like “just right” balance for my own sonic preferences. RS3is offer a perfect combination of detail, soundstaging, speed, realism, and overall musicality. It’s a fantastic achievement. ”
BURSON / SUPREME SOUND LYCAN + OPAMPS REVIEW
May 28, 2016 Comments Off on BURSON / SUPREME SOUND LYCAN + OPAMPS REVIEW
” Op-amp rolling is very popular among audiophiles and the Lycan encourages that tradition. The sonic characteristic of the Lycan changes when different op-amps are used. Its open frame design and gold plated DIP socket make op-amp rolling with the Lycan fun and easy. The SS4 op-amp was sent to Nathan and me when it was first launched but up to now I never had the possibility to try it out. The SS5 compared to the Gen 4 SS op-amp requires less voltage and current. That means peak performance can be reached using less power. There is no sonic difference between adopting one unit of dual SS op-amp and 2 units of single SS op-amps. Gen 5’s cascade output stage is the result of over 10 years of research and five generations of designs. According to Burson, its sonic signature is the most refined we ever created. Burson also just launched the V5i just last week but it hasn’t reached us yet.”
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