Magico Q7 Mk II Loudspeakers
October 11, 2015 Comments Off on Magico Q7 Mk II Loudspeakers
The new version sounded less forced, more accessible — in short, more enjoyable to listen to. And it accomplished this feat with absolutely no loss of transparency; in fact, I heard more detail in the highs than I had with the Q7. The midrange was also more revealing than the Q7 could manage, while the transition from the midrange to the highs was less obtrusive. The treble was, surprisingly enough, even more airy and delicate.
Sharkwire Bull Shark Cable
October 11, 2015 Comments Off on Sharkwire Bull Shark Cable
Brands like MIT and Transparent have models costing upwards of $80,000. The problem is that I (and possibly you too) cannot afford anything remotely this expensive. The sonic difference they make may possibly warrant owning them…if one is filthy rich. In any case, I was so upset I told to Mr. Gunter. “Okay, send me the Great White and allow me to decide if these cables are even remotely worth their asking price.” That I am not a member of the 1% for whom spending this sort of money is a no-brainer must have been perfectly obvious to Mr. Gunter. He made no fuss over my pecuniary quibbles and instead extended an olive branch: suggesting I first audition the lower priced Sharkwire Bull Shark series. If I found them to be worthy, then write about it. If not, simply return them and forget the whole thing. Somewhat reluctantly, I agreed.
Audio Research Reference 150 SE
October 11, 2015 Comments Off on Audio Research Reference 150 SE
It’s this ability to resolve without pulling apart, to separate without dismantling, to hold stable without holding too tight that characterizes not just the Reference 150 SE but ARC’s Reference products as a whole. Does that make them perfect — and this the perfect amp? No, because they are not without character. There are certainly amplifiers that achieve even greater levels of transparency and control than the Reference 150 SE, especially at low frequencies, and let’s not forget the existence of ARC’s own Reference 250 SE and Reference 750 monoblocks. There are amps with wider dynamic range, better microdynamic definition, more emphatic temporal cues and a more purposeful sense of musical direction.
AKG K812 Dynamic Open Back
October 11, 2015 Comments Off on AKG K812 Dynamic Open Back
The K812 really excels in the bass department — in that it is very flat for a headphone — and without mid-bass emphasis that I hear in numerous other headphones. Unlike bass-heavy studio headphones, such as the Sony MDR-7520, the K812 bottom end is clean, tight and fast with the energy of a really good speaker. It is part of the reason you can hear so clearly into the midrange and treble. No diverting bass boominess to mask the subtle, upper-frequency sounds.
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THE 30 GREATEST BARGAINS IN HIGH-END AUDIO
October 10, 2015 Comments Off on THE 30 GREATEST BARGAINS IN HIGH-END AUDIO
Pioneer SP BS-22 loudspeaker, $129
Infinity Primus P363 loudspeaker, $400
NAD D3020 integrated amplifier, $499
Rega RP1 turntable, $445
AudioQuest DragonFly v2 DAC, $149
PS Audio Sprout integrated amplifier, $499
Magnepan MMG loudspeaker, $599
Jaybird X2: Popular wireless sports headphone gets upgraded
October 10, 2015 Comments Off on Jaybird X2: Popular wireless sports headphone gets upgraded
Aurender N100H music server/streamer review
October 10, 2015 Comments Off on Aurender N100H music server/streamer review
The Aurender N100H also has the edge on the AURALiC Aries on both build quality and ultimate usability. Front panel control is of genuine value, particularly to those moving over to computer-based audio from a CD player or those needing to quick access to pause before answering the phone
REFERENCE 3A TAKSIM LOUDSPEAKER
October 10, 2015 Comments Off on REFERENCE 3A TAKSIM LOUDSPEAKER
One of the most critical components in my audio system is the software for the Anthem Room Correction DSP algorithm that’s put to use whenever I introduce something new to my listening environment—speakers, cables, amplifiers, a change in the position of the sofa, anything. Measurements are taken with a calibrated microphone from eight room locations; the numbers are crunched and the eq settings uploaded from a laptop to my Anthem D2v processor. It’s quite easy to turn the room correction on and off while listening, but I can no more imagine assessing a speaker without it than I could a reviewer who has “tuned” his room by physical means removing every trap, diffuser, and absorber he painstakingly placed to optimize his acoustic milieu. With every loudspeaker I’ve measured in my room, there have been significant dips observed both in the midbass and around 15kHz, and those anomalies were present when the Taksims were calibrated. I ran room correction full-range for my critical listening all the way out to 20kHz.
Audiophilepure 
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