FiiO M17 Portable Desktop-Class Music Player Review
April 16, 2024 Comments Off on FiiO M17 Portable Desktop-Class Music Player Review
If I were reviewing the M17 as a full-sized component in my main audio system, I’d describe its sound quality using the cliché “an iron fist in a velvet glove.” With size comes power, and this idiom was especially true when using the M17 when plugged into the wall outlet using its AC to DC power supply. When using its battery, its output power lowered, but sonically, there was such a slight difference in sound quality it wasn’t audible unless I squinted my ears.
Regardless of genre, source, or a file’s resolution, what I heard from my headphones was the epitome of “audiophile sound quality.” Yes, that description has become a bit of a cliché ever since “audiophile sound quality” has been appropriated by the mass-market audio industry. But I’d be wasting the reader’s time going through each recording and attempting to elaborate on what I heard, such as its slamming, deep bass, transparent midrange, and sparkling treble. This is because the recording determined the M17’s sound quality and which headphones I was using much more than the sound quality provided by the M17. In other words, the M17 sounds exceptionally transparent. I can think of no greater praise for an audio component.
UNIQUE MELODY MEST MKIII $1,535 REVIEW
April 15, 2024 Comments Off on UNIQUE MELODY MEST MKIII $1,535 REVIEW
The MEST MKII is a 4-way quadbrid inear monitor and it features a combo of Dynamic drivers, Balanced Armatures, Electrostat (EST) and UM’s Silver-Palladium Alloy Piezoelectric (Dual) Bone Conduction drivers. In total we have 10 drivers in the following combination: 1 Dynamic Bass Driver for lows + 4 BA Drivers for mids and highs + 4 EST Drivers for ultra-highs + 1 Bone Conduction Driver. These hybrids are getting sophisticated!
Quad Revela 1 Loudspeaker £1799 Review
April 15, 2024 Comments Off on Quad Revela 1 Loudspeaker £1799 Review
https://www.hifinews.com/content/quad-revela-1-loudspeaker
Quad has configured the Revela 1 for single-wiring only, instead of the bi-wiring/bi-amping afforded by the S1. Even if bi-wiring is falling out of favour, much to the chagrin of cable vendors, the chunky multi-way binding posts fitted to the back of the Revela 1 are exceptional, being substantially made to afford plenty of grip when tightening, and able to accept bare wire, spade connectors or banana plugs.
These are simply indicative of how everything about Quad’s loudspeaker defies its price category – even the magnetic grille has a luxury feel to it. Most people of an audiophile bent will play the Revela 1 without its grilles, but they will find that if the grilles are needed because of the presence of small children or sharp-clawed pets, the sonic penalty is far from disastrous.
Best $150,000+ HiFi Stereo Systems Axpona 2024
April 15, 2024 Comments Off on Best $150,000+ HiFi Stereo Systems Axpona 2024
Audio Research Reference 80S Review
April 14, 2024 Comments Off on Audio Research Reference 80S Review
https://www.hifichoice.com/content/audio-research-reference-80s
Impressive though Audio Research’s Reference 80S undoubtedly is, there’s a sizeable elephant in the room that should perhaps be put to one side before we go any further. With a £15k price tag, this absolutely isn’t typical HFC fare, which almost immediately puts it out reach of most wallets. Which is a real shame as this is a quite stunning power amplifier that does the easy bit of delivering the power, while handling the more challenging side of subtlety and fine detail with absolute aplomb. In the highly unlikely event that you inadvertently stumble across that lost winning lottery ticket or a rich relative that you never knew about leaves you stacks of cash only on the understanding that you spend them on hi-fi exotica, this is an absolute must-have. For the rest of us it’ll have to remain a dream to aim towards. Regardless, there’s no disputing that the way the Reference 80S delivers the sort of precision that’s more commonly the realm of solid-state rivals from glass tubes is nothing short of miraculous.
Sun Audio Purified 4 Modular Loudspeakers $4,729 Review
April 14, 2024 Comments Off on Sun Audio Purified 4 Modular Loudspeakers $4,729 Review
Sun Audio feels the main advantage of keeping the electronics and software (e.g. power supply, amplifiers, DSP, DRC (Dynamic Range Compression), DAC/ADC, streamer) outside the speaker is that listeners can use the hardware and software they prefer and upgrade as they please. Another advantage is that the more ventilated and less resonant environment of the dedicated external enclosures reduces the mechanical wear of the electronics. As long as the speaker drivers remain undamaged, the loudspeakers are essentially future proof.
Schiit Audio’s Newest Tube Amp Costs $150
April 13, 2024 Comments Off on Schiit Audio’s Newest Tube Amp Costs $150
100V on the tube plate, rather than 60V, for increased linearity and gain
Topological improvements that lower overall feedback and maintain performance
A new optimized layout with better signal flow and ergonomics
All-new attractive advanced-form USA-stamped custom chassis
Massively improved ventilation and lower operating temperatures
Like all Schiit products, Vali 3 is made in the USA. The vast majority of components, including chassis and PC boards, are made by US companies in the USA. Wall-wart transformers are made in China. All assembly, QA, and testing, including 100% instrumented test and 100% listening test, are done at Schiit’s Corpus Christi, Texas facility.
GRADO SR325X $295 Review
April 13, 2024 Comments Off on GRADO SR325X $295 Review
To begin with, the comfort of the Grado SR325x is exemplary for a headphone in this price range, light with just enough clamping force to keep it secure, and though they are on-ear headphones the foam earpads are high enough density as to not be irritating. The build quality is top notch with the majority of the construction being metal with only the gimbal parts being plastic. The headband itself is metal with a leather jacket making the SR325x the ideal headphone for on-the-go use, though the cable is a little heftier than most portable headphones (one must after all make some sacrifices in the name of sound quality).
When it comes to sound the Grado SR325x provides performance you would expect from a headphone at two to three times the price, dynamic and musical, with a linear neutral tonal balance, and deep bass without boom or bloom and extreme clarity without being bright or abrasive
Audiophilepure 
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