Bluesound Node Nano Review

December 20, 2024 Comments Off on Bluesound Node Nano Review

https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/bluesound-node-nano

That said, the Nano struggles more when it comes to providing a piece with sufficient dynamic perceptiveness to turn a pretty painting into an incomparable masterwork. Easygoing and robust as You And Whose Army? sounds through the Bluesound, it’s hard to escape the lack of drama that ensues as the track builds toward its supposed climax, with the titchy streamer tending to smooth over dramatic crescendos and decrescendos, to the detriment of a song’s emotional impact.

It’s easily beatable for rhythmic capabilities, too. That smooth nature could be less charitably described as a little leaden, and it’s certainly true that much of the sonic momentum of Hans Zimmer’s Up Is Down from Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End is cast overboard and lost in Davy Jones’ proverbial locker. Core rhythmic patterns are often poorly conveyed, a deficit that shows up particularly starkly when listening out for the distinctive drum pattern on Born To Die. Squint your ears and you’ll detect it, but it requires noticeable effort on the part of the listener. If you want more rhythmic snap and insight, the cheaper WiiM Pro Plus would be the logical alternative.

Eversolo Audio DMP-A8 Streaming Preamplifier Review

December 20, 2024 Comments Off on Eversolo Audio DMP-A8 Streaming Preamplifier Review

https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/reference-components/1923-recommended-reference-component-simaudio-moon-891-streaming-preamplifier-2

In summary, Roger writes that the DMP-A8 was “an absolute pleasure to review thanks to its solid construction, stable operation, and excellent sound quality.” This combination of qualities, and its reasonable price, earned the DMP-A8 a Reviewers’ Choice award when the review was published. But it is for its sound quality, as assessed by Roger and as corroborated by our test-bench measurements, that the DMP-A8 earned a Recommended Reference Component award this month.

Tape is back! Reel-to-reel tape!

December 20, 2024 Comments Off on Tape is back! Reel-to-reel tape!

Quad Revela 1 loudspeaker $2995 Review

December 19, 2024 Comments Off on Quad Revela 1 loudspeaker $2995 Review

https://www.stereophile.com/content/quad-revela-1-loudspeaker

No matter what I threw at it, recordings or ancillary gear, the Revela 1s made me forget my cares and get happy. Sparkling, pure highs meet rich, warm bass for a very satisfying sound. Forget harsh treble; the Revela 1’s treble is smooth, see-through, and revealing, and allied to rich, flowing, surprisingly impactful bass.

Serious fun and a solid value, this speaker comes with stands and, though modern in appearance and features, boasts the vintage pedigree of one of audio’s most respected brands. Recommended without reservation.

EMM Labs DA2i D/A converter Review

December 19, 2024 Comments Off on EMM Labs DA2i D/A converter Review

Regular readers of my reviews will be aware that my listening reference is, first of all, live music, and that my experience is that analog reproduction using a first-class turntable, cartridge and phono stage generally does the best job of recreating the illusion of live music in one’s listening room.  My experience with Redbook CD is that the format from the last fifteen years or so can give satisfaction, particularly with pop music and jazz, but that they lack the air and micro-detail in orchestral and other classical music contexts.  Even with pop and jazz, analog can sound warmer and more natural and relaxed.  The amount of difference we hear between Redbook and analog can be very system dependent and certainly less noticeable on a less resolving system.  The DSD/SACD formats changed the digital game to a fair degree, but I generally still prefer analog.  Looking ahead, I will say that the EMM Labs DA2i has advanced the state of the format noticeably.

Volumio Motivo

December 19, 2024 Comments Off on Volumio Motivo

Moon 861 stereo/mono power amplifier Review

December 18, 2024 Comments Off on Moon 861 stereo/mono power amplifier Review

https://www.stereophile.com/content/moon-861-stereomono-power-amplifier

That’s the “revolutionary” bit. In addition, the size of the 861’s power supply and chassis have increased, as have output power and weight. Its dual-mono design, balanced circuitry, low-impedance proprietary Moon output transistors, and parts quality are similar to its predecessor’s. To meet European safety standards and allow a more secure fit, the company has replaced WBT binding posts with Furutech binding posts that accept bigger spades. Currently, however, the narrow opening for spade lugs is only on the bottom. That works well for people who don’t want their speaker wires to show but less well for owners with low racks who want to prevent cabling from touching the floor.

Buchardt S400II Loudspeaker Review

December 18, 2024 Comments Off on Buchardt S400II Loudspeaker Review

Musically, the Buchardt S400II stand-mount loudspeakers have neutral yet natural tonality, refined and accurate reproduction of vocal and instrumental timbre, a controlled and defined bottom-end, natural yet but exceedingly engaging musical presentation that conveys a lifelike and very engaging presentation. I’ve enjoyed the experience of listening to these wonderful recordings on the S400II speakers. Some of their most notable attributes are their tonal accuracy and timbral sophistication, presenting the music with sophistication, nuance, and finesse. In addition to delivering excellent detail, the S400II speakers refrain from overemphasizing this to the detriment of the overall musical presentation. Instead, they seamlessly integrate all these musical attributes into a greater whole, creating a listening experience that is dynamic and lively, lifelike and natural-sounding, and most importantly, musically engaging. These musical attributes are capabilities that are not showcased simply as standalone virtues but are seamlessly integrated into “a whole” that is greater than the sum of the parts in their reproduction of the overall musical experience.

HiFi Rose Powerhouse RA280 Integrated Amp Review

December 18, 2024 Comments Off on HiFi Rose Powerhouse RA280 Integrated Amp Review

Vision Ears EXT MK II $3,400 Review

December 17, 2024 Comments Off on Vision Ears EXT MK II $3,400 Review

Flea’s excellent bass line on the Red Hot Chili Pepper’s Heavy Metal cover of Stevie Wonder’s Higher Ground comes in with dynamics and a natural image. This is one of my personal favorites and you can almost feel Flea snapping those bass strings.

Moving to some electronic pieces, like Aphex Twin’s CheetahT7b. The EXT MK II delivers a snappy and dynamic bass with excellent sub-bass reach and rumble. This track also shows the beauty of the EST drivers in my opinion. In Underworld’s Two Months Off the bass shows wonderful grip and authority, while providing superb precision. LFO’s hectic Freak has a full-bodied and excellently executed bass response with high dynamics and superb weight.