Audiophilepure

https://www.hifichoice.com/content/chord-electronics-bringss-alto-headphonenearfield-monitor-amplifier-masses

The Alto’s ULTIMA topology introduces the company’s dual-feed-forward error correction technology, which monitors then corrects signals before the output stage. The twin-input design benefits from both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs, as well as balanced XLR outs for bypass/throughput to other devices. The balanced XLR output can also be used in conjunction with headphones or loudspeakers in joint output mode.

The casework is precision-machined from aircraft-grade aluminium, with high-quality anodising undertaken locally. The front fascia includes volume control, power on/off and input selection controls, with colour-changing LEDs indicating power status and in/output choice. Alto measures 200 x 44.45 x 215mm (WxHxD) and a remote control comes supplied.

The Hifiman HE1000 Unveiled sports asymmetric and gently beveled ear pads like on the Susvara Unveiled, and they deliver excellent comfort as well. The inner side of the pads never touch your ears and the side grip/pressure sits just right in order to deliver the best comforts and performance.

With the Unveiled principle, the driver basically is very open an vulnerable. I however don’t see how you could damage the driver if you use the headphone like it is supposed to be used. That said, we have seen images of someone’s Unveiled driver being punctured. I have no idea how that happened there, but as not everyone is as careful, the Unveiled headphone come with magnetic covers. These nicely fit the outside of the ear cup, and this time round the magnetic force is perfect (unlike with the Susvara Unveiled). Anyway, this allows you to safely store the HE1000 Unveiled, without any risk of objects being absorbed by the magnetic driver.

https://www.stereophile.com/content/wilson-audio-specialties-wattpuppy-loudspeaker

Wilson’s inventory of synthetic materials used for the enclosure’s panels, modified and filled structural polymers and resins, has long moved on from Corian, the marble dust-loaded acrylic chosen for the original WATT. The panels mostly comprise synthetic structural material of differing densities, stiffness, and mechanical loss, or self-damping.

These “materials” include “S,” an epoxy-bonded composite optimal for the mid and treble driver baffles, and “X,” a filled, cured phenolic resin with high damping. The latest “V” formulation is a further development with still better vibration control. Accordingly, the “V” option has been chosen for the heavy-duty Puppy bass system’s top panel, which optimally mounts the machined alloy plate supporting the WATT assembly.

As a group, the Wilson-specified materials are consistently isotropic when required and although very hard, remain machineable, have essentially no grain or directional properties, and readily accept durable enamel lacquers for a very wide range of finishes. For the WATT/Puppy, in addition to five standard high-gloss colors which include GT Silver and Galaxy Grey, there are a further seven Upgrade finishes and 11 Pearl finishes in combination with seven grille colors. Finally, there is the modestly discounted “no grille option.”

Headshells, of course, are another matter. While the Stealth’s included headshell is perfectly fine, it’s rather lightweight—ideal for the included 2M Blue—but lower compliance cartridges still may prefer something like an Ortofon LH-2000. That will necessitate using the Stealth’s included auxiliary counterweight to balance the tonearm. (Side note: the Stealth’s arm, clearly patterned after Technics right down to its basic dimensions, even accepts Technics 1200 series auxiliary screw-in counterweights, so if you ever lose the one that came with the table and your Music Hall dealer is unable to locate a replacement part, you could always go that way.)

Generally, headshell swapping wasn’t revelatory in my listening, with mostly slight differences between generic headshells and premium models from the likes of Audio-Technica, Ortofon, Yamamoto and some vintage goodies from Orsonic. Still, I don’t think that carefully-judged experimentation in this area is unwarranted, and while the performance differences may be minor relative to the package as a whole, it never hurts to have different headshells of varying weights and characteristics available for practical reasons like compliance matching or the ability to adjust azimuth, with the Stealth’s tonearm lacks. Is it rational to keep a couple thousand dollars worth of headshells around, like I do? Judge not lest ye be judged.