STAX SR-X9000 Earspeaker $6,200 Review
September 10, 2024 Comments Off on STAX SR-X9000 Earspeaker $6,200 Review
Let’s start with the basics of how an electrostatic driver (whether headphone or loudspeaker) operates. Imagine an incredibly thin and light diaphragm material (in STAX’s case, about 2 microns thick) that can accept a constant voltage charge. This wispy material is suspended between two electrodes which receive a fluctuating and alternating voltage charge from the incoming musical signal. This static charge (+) versus alternating charge (+ and -) condition causes the diaphragm to precisely vibrate, accurately recreating the music. The advantages are that in this type of system, the speed and accuracy of reproduction, along with the inherent transparency of output are just naturally very good. There are no magnets involved either, so any magnetically induced distortion (hysteresis) is nonexistent. The tradeoffs (if you factor easy portability out of the discussion) are mainly in bass capability. The driver’s surface area needs to be larger to reproduce lower frequencies and (even though they are close to your ears) they can only be so big when you wear them on your head
PATHOS LÒGOS MKII INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER $5,595 REVIEW
September 10, 2024 Comments Off on PATHOS LÒGOS MKII INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER $5,595 REVIEW
As with any traditional integrated amplifier, the Lògos MkII is ready to play after input and output connections are made. During the review, the Lògos MkII was used to drive my Revel Ultima Studio speakers. The sources used are primarily the Auralic Aries G1 streamer and PS Audio PerfectWave Transport, connected through the PS Audio DirectStream DAC. Both the balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) outputs of the DirectStream DAC were connected to the Lògos MkII. These two connection types yielded different output levels for the same volume setting, but I did not notice sonic fidelity differences between them. I would be happy to use either type of connection in my system.
After sufficient break-in, the Lògos MkII convincingly erased my concern about the possibility of getting let down by its performance starting with the first note I listened to. This beauty could sing! And I should add that it could sing pretty damn well, and in fact, better than most. I was quite amazed by the way it sang too. Yes, it sounded full and smooth with no sharp edges along the midrange and high-frequency notes as with most tube devices, but it also exhibited sheer textures in its presentation with impressive bass authority. The ability of the Lògos MkII to move the woofers made it overall sound more powerful than its amplifier specifications suggested. The sheer musicality of the Lògos MkII was nothing short of excellent.
Sony Xperia 1 VI $1700 Review
September 9, 2024 Comments Off on Sony Xperia 1 VI $1700 Review
https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/sony-xperia-1-vi
The Sony is also talented in the motion department. Watching sweeping panning shots and scenes in which Officer K’s flying car zooms towards the LAPD headquarters, we find the Xperia to deliver smooth yet natural motion that doesn’t contain any noticeable judder.
Our main criticism here is that, when placed side by side with an iPhone 15 Plus, the Sony can look as though it’s trying slightly too hard. It lacks a touch of subtlety and nuance that the iPhone captures effortlessly, which can be best spotted when it comes to how naturally skin tones are presented. The Apple handset is slightly more reserved and cinematic at times, though the Sony’s added oomph can suit some content more – and truthfully some may prefer the more extroverted Sony in this regard.
KEF KC92 Subwoofer $2,000 Review
September 9, 2024 Comments Off on KEF KC92 Subwoofer $2,000 Review
https://www.soundandvision.com/content/kef-kc92-subwoofer-review
Of all the films in my collection, however, Blade Runner 2049 offers possibly the most challenging bottom end. While the KEF can’t quite match the sheer bass weight at high levels of the two ported, spatially displaced subwoofers that usually handle the deepest bass in my room, it came remarkably close at roughly one-eighth the total size. The KEF also surprised me in how it revealed to me (for the first time) some very deep and extremely low bass in both the abandoned factory scenes (as officer K/Joe searches for clues to his past) and, later, a sequence in a similarly abandoned Las Vegas.
NEW HiFi Rose RD160 Digital To Analog Converter FULL Product Overview
September 9, 2024 Comments Off on NEW HiFi Rose RD160 Digital To Analog Converter FULL Product Overview
YG Acoustics Carmel 3 $29,800 Review
September 8, 2024 Comments Off on YG Acoustics Carmel 3 $29,800 Review
https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/yg-acoustics-carmel-3
Get past this trait and there remains so much to admire. For starters, the Carmel 3 are almost shocking punchy for their size. They thump out low notes with real venom and with a scarcely believable amount of muscle. These may be relatively small but the combination of ultra-rigid aluminium cabinet, highly developed drivers and carefully calibrated crossover results in a presentation of considerable authority. They have a sonic boldness that’s hugely appealing.
Play Jay Z’s Already Home, and these towers don’t hold back. The bass hits hard and true while the robust solidity at higher frequencies has to be admired. Rhythmic drive is surefooted, without quite sounding enthusiastic. But, it is still good enough to convey the hard-charging nature of the music well. Move away from the more muscular aspects of music replay and you will find that these speakers dig deep into the production and uncover plenty of detail. Importantly, all that information is organised with care to produce a cohesive and musical presentation.
Audioquest PowerQuest 303 Power Conditioner Review
September 8, 2024 Comments Off on Audioquest PowerQuest 303 Power Conditioner Review
https://www.audiophilia.com/reviews/2023/11/4/audioquest-powerquest-303-power-conditioner
My listening was focused on two particular aspects of performance. First, I approached the PowerQuest 303 as a potential solution to an audible problem with my system. Second I listened for any possible effect the unit had on the overall character of the system’s sound.
As a possible first for me, I must report on listening to my system without music playing. The baseline noise from my speakers was dramatically reduced once I introduced the PowerQuest 303 into the system. It’s a head-scratcher that an aging switch mode power supply with transformer issues would perform differently with a change in AC power. Even more, so that the hum from the ERCO DAC itself was slightly reduced. What is the root cause of this improvement? I do not know. But it was blatantly easy to compare without music playing. Just noise then less noise. This is a singular situation to be sure, but it illustrated to me that the PowerQuest 303 was doing something and that in my case that something was an improvement
Keces Audio Ebravo digital transport Review
September 8, 2024 Comments Off on Keces Audio Ebravo digital transport Review
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