The Pass XS Preamplifier Review
May 5, 2026 Comments Off on The Pass XS Preamplifier Review
The Pass XS Pre does its job so effortlessly and so well if it doesn’t hit you on the head with the first track you play, just take it out of your system for about 90 sec. It’s like someone put the valet key in your Dodge Challenger Hellcat and the horsepower is gone. This is one of the purest hifi experiences I’ve had in over 15 years of reviewing components. Long term, I have even more enthusiasm for the XS Pre – every day it convinces me how special it is.
Sennheiser HD 800S Headphones Review
May 4, 2026 Comments Off on Sennheiser HD 800S Headphones Review
The designers at Sennheiser have also gone to great lengths to ensure that the HD 800S is comfortable to wear. They have employed ultra-soft microfibre padding and very light composite materials to reduce weight. They have also taken into consideration that no two end-user heads are exactly the same and so they have designed earcups with dual-axis articulation which adjust to the unique structure of every end user head and result in a very comfortable fit that reduces the fatigue of having the headphones on for very long periods of time.
The HD 800S also comes with a choice of ultra-low capacitance 9.8 feet/3-meter-long cables which are impedance-matched. You get a ¼-inch/6.3mm stereo connector for use with headphone amps, DACs and A/V receivers and a balanced, 4.4mm connector for use with the newer generation, balanced output devices.
The ear cups of the HD 800S are not perfectly round. Rather the rear of the ear cup is flatter than the front side. I found this to be a distinct advantage when listening to these headphones while resting my head on the headrest of my Eames chair. The flatness of the ear cup’s back mean that they did not touch the headrest of the chair, making it a lot more comfortable, listening to these headphones in this seated, leaning back position.
For the audition, I plugged the HD 800S into my Bryston BP19 preamp connected to my Calyx Femto DAC, fed by the ROON Nucleus Plus server which manages my library of over quarter of a million digital tracks, most of them in high resolution formats. The ROON software is very intuitive and allows me to store, organize and access my library in a more convenient manner than another other audio playback software I have tried. Also, the up-sampling engine on the Nucleus Plus is the best that I have encountered to date.
Wattson Audio • Madison Stereo Amplifier $6500 Review
May 4, 2026 Comments Off on Wattson Audio • Madison Stereo Amplifier $6500 Review
https://www.theaudiobeat.com/equipment/wattson_audio_madison.htm
Although the Madison streamer and amplifier were primarily auditioned as a pair, I also evaluated each component independently. Compared with my BorderPatrol DAC, the Madison Streamer offered greater resolution and more precise image placement. Bass was tighter, though not necessarily deeper, while the BorderPatrol produced a warmer, fuller low end. The BorderPatrol’s prominent second-harmonic character imparted a lush presentation, whereas the Madison streamer sounded cleaner and more neutral. While I generally preferred the Madison’s accuracy, I continued to enjoy the BorderPatrol’s overtly musical voicing.
American Sound and Avantgarde Acoustic at AXPONA 2026
May 4, 2026 Comments Off on American Sound and Avantgarde Acoustic at AXPONA 2026
Meze Audio Poet Rinaro Isodynamic® Hybrid Array Headphone $2,000 Review
May 2, 2026 Comments Off on Meze Audio Poet Rinaro Isodynamic® Hybrid Array Headphone $2,000 Review
If you are looking for a luxury headphone in this range that offers fine design, solid build, exceptional comfort, and sustainability, the Poet should be on the list for audition. Texture and tone are fantastic, across the spectrum. In comparison to similar designs, its center of gravity is lower, and somewhat contained by its smaller driver, earcup, and pad design. Resolution is on a par with others in this category, and dynamic expression is agile, refined, and consistently delivers the feel of our favorite performances, regardless of the fare. Meze has a sophisticated voice in the Poet.
Marantz MODEL 10 Reference Integrated Amplifier Review
May 2, 2026 Comments Off on Marantz MODEL 10 Reference Integrated Amplifier Review
I know the Marantz MODEL 10 is based on modern technology with some nods to history. This fact alone may make some of my audiophile friends a little skeptical about this integrated amplifier. To that, I say, “Do not fear this Class D amplifier.” I say this because Marantz’s team has been working overtime to make this amp sing with the best that are out there. And the team at Marantz has a little bit of experience getting the most out of these things.
The Marantz MODEL 10 is packed with innovative and thoughtful technologies, such as PURIFI-designed amp modules that have been tuned and manufactured by Marantz, and takes no prisoners when it comes to the engineering and execution behind the amplifier’s industrial design. This is the highest expression of Marantz’s modern amplifier design, technology, and manufacturing skills.
The Marantz MODEL 10 isn’t inexpensive, and it will be up to each individual to assess its value in their system. For me, it would be well worth the investment to get a product that is above reproach on almost all counts.
Audiophilepure 
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