NuPrime Audio IDA-8 Integrated Amplifier-DAC Review
November 12, 2015 Comments Off on NuPrime Audio IDA-8 Integrated Amplifier-DAC Review
” The orchestral strings of the Trondheim Soloists, in Marianne Thorsen’s recordings of Mozart’s Violin Concertos Nos 4-5 (24/352.8 FLAC, 2L), were smooth without sounding dull, with a wonderful sense of envelopment of Thorsen’s violin by the orchestra, even as soloist and ensemble remained clearly distinct from each other. At very high volume levels, the IDA-8 could make the violins sound a bit hard. But at levels that to me are adequate — but that some might consider quite loud — the NuPrime remained wholly composed. The same was true of pop recordings such as Carly Rae Jepsen’s surprisingly well-produced E·mo·tion (24/44.1 FLAC, Universal), which the IDA-8 had no problem reproducing at high levels. Jepsen’s voice is quite closely miked and exhibits moderate sibilance, but the IDA-8 reproduced it with neutral, easygoing sound, while having enough power to drive both the GoldenEar Triton Fives and KEF R900s to volumes high enough that I could immensely enjoy the high-energy pop sensibility of her performance.”
PSB Speakers M4U 4 In-ear Monitors review
November 12, 2015 Comments Off on PSB Speakers M4U 4 In-ear Monitors review
” Bass heads might want to look elsewhere, but if you’re looking for lower frequencies that are (like the treble range) in almost perfect proportion to the mid frequencies, the M4U 4s are about as good as it gets for any IEM I’ve heard in the sub $600 price range. To hear kd Lang’s version of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” was as awe inspiring as I’ve heard this piece. I remember kd’s performance during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, I was hooked and I picked up Recollection they day it was released. The PSB M4U 4s do this song perfect justice. Again with this song, the M4U 4s just got out of the way and let the music flow effortlessly. – See more at: http://headphone.guru/the-psb-speakers-m4u-4-in-ear-monitors-big-sound-small-package/#sthash.hn6bVFR3.dpuf”
Questyle QP1R REVIEW
November 12, 2015 Comments Off on Questyle QP1R REVIEW
“When you’re Questyle, you really have none of it. Damn funk. Or so you’d think. That’s exactly why turning to Foxconn was such a strategically brilliant move. It leverages Apple’s own infrastructure to gild the QP1R’s physical execution. On optics and fit’n’finish, it competes eye to eye against Big Corporate chic. iWantz! That sonics would (have to) squash a Classic iPod goes without saying. That part actually isn’t so hard to do given how many years the Classic hung out in unchanged suspension. The real question is, can Questyle’s GUI keep pace and peace with iTunes; or does it feel clunky by contrast? If the latter, it squashes desire regardless of great sound, current-mode circuitry that’s exotic even by audiophile standards, premium F95 Nichicon tantalum caps, NDK clocks with -150dB phase noise, German Würth power inductors, Japanese Alps encoders and the clearly slick form factor. One audio task the Questyle isn’t down with yet? Docking. Astell&Kern have already caught on to the fact that some users bounce between the tube, exercise bike, park bench, car, desk top and living-room rig all in one day. Their type wants a dock with hifi socketry and charge function. It remains connected to their stationary system; and parks the player upright to read its display. They so don’t want an RCA cable dangling with its 3.5mm end on the floor when not connected.”
FOCAL SPHEAR EARPHONES REVIEW
November 10, 2015 Comments Off on FOCAL SPHEAR EARPHONES REVIEW
” Away from the bass, Sphear has an extremely enjoyable tonal balance, with a distinct absence of anything hard, or harsh in the top end. Once more, the running-in process fills in a slight thinness in the midrange over the course of a day or so, and after that the overall sound becomes chocolatey rich and approachable. It’s extended, although not too extended in the top-end; this is probably a good thing, as earphones at this level can be divided into those that are too rolled off, or those that seem to have a ‘let me scream your treble detail at you’ balance at the price. ”
SimAudio MOON Neo 430HA Review
November 9, 2015 Comments Off on SimAudio MOON Neo 430HA Review
:”Great components and stellar build quality always count for a lot and it’s tough, if not impossible, to get an amazing performance if these boxes aren’t checked. But after months of extensive listening and comparison, the 430HA is indeed special, musical and effortlessly real. This component lives in a zone, price-wise, that isn’t mega high end, but is still a substantial investment. However, it offers mega performance – it offers refinement rarely available at this price. As much fun as the 430HA is with first class headphones, you don’t really notice what a phenomenal performer it is until you drop it in a room with great speakers and experience the bass control and upper register separation and cleanliness it delivers.”
Stoner Acoustic Ruby headphone Amplifier Review
November 8, 2015 Comments Off on Stoner Acoustic Ruby headphone Amplifier Review
“Soundstage is okay, good for the price, I listened to live album by Peng Jia Hui, soundstage isn’t small, it is not closed in either, just don’t expecting miracle. Separation between each instrument and vocal is good but the distance between them isn’t great, so you will get a feeling everything playing quite near each together. However, nothing getting bad regarding the performance of Ruby, to my experience, it is definitely better sounding than 99USD devices, but it not earth breaking. One issue that I found with Ruby is that it sibilant with some of my recordings, such as the Audiophile Voices,”
Luxman • D-08u CD/SACD Player Review
November 8, 2015 Comments Off on Luxman • D-08u CD/SACD Player Review
The first thing you will notice about the D-08u is just what a handsome package it presents. Set in the rack next to the traditionally styled Audio Research gear, it looked like Battlestar Galactica had joined forces with a fleet of Civil War ironclads. But this is not science fiction — there is nothing speculative about the forward-thinking design of this Luxman player. Touch the open button on the remote and listen to the disc drawer open — it’s whisper quiet and smooth. Slip in a disc and watch the tray disappear just as quietly and smoothly. This is certainly one of the slickest components of any kind I’ve ever encountered.”
RMAF 2015: Cypher Lightning cable for Audeze EL-8
November 7, 2015 Comments Off on RMAF 2015: Cypher Lightning cable for Audeze EL-8
“Existing EL-8 owners will need to exercise some patience though. Audeze will sell the Cypher cable only as part of a special edition ‘Titanium’-finished EL-8 bundle for US$799. Think of the EL-8 + Cypher Cable combination as an active headphone that behaves similarly to active loudspeakers like KEF’s X300A”
Naim NAP 250 DR REVIEW
November 7, 2015 Comments Off on Naim NAP 250 DR REVIEW
” got to hear a public demonstration of the previous generation of NAP 250 compared with the DR version at an Audio T event in Brighton. It was a large room with a lot of people in it and I had a pretty poor seat but even so the increase in transparency and reduction in hash/noise was very clear. Most of the Naim amplifiers I have reviewed had a slightly earthy sound with limited perceived bandwidth, which is not unappealing but less revealing than the best of the alternatives. This did not stop their timing skills from being apparent and the success of the company has been built on that sound, so clearly it works. With DR Naim seems to have retained the pace, rhythm and timing and added power and transparency, so the NAP 250 DR now has low end grunt that makes for extremely muscular bass with the right speaker.’
Klipsch RP-280FA Tower Speaker Reviewed
November 6, 2015 Comments Off on Klipsch RP-280FA Tower Speaker Reviewed
“Just to get an idea of the RP-280FA’s accuracy, I compared it with my Revel Performa3 F206 tower speakers, using the Van Alstine ABX box to match the levels and provide quick, remote-controlled switching. There’s no doubt that the F206 sounded more neutral, especially with voices; dialogue and singing always sounded smooth and natural. However, the F206’s treble sounded a little soft, especially after hearing the Klipsch system. I expect that, if I (and most other listeners) did a blind test with no idea what speakers I was hearing, I would prefer the Klipsch’s bigger, more lively sound. Which one you would like I can’t say for sure, but I can say they’re both in the same ballpark when it comes to performance. And of course, the RP-280FA’s dual eight-inch woofers easily outpunch the F206’s dual 6.5-inch woofers.”
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