Decware SE84UFO2 Zen Triode Amplifier $1499 Review

February 23, 2024 Comments Off on Decware SE84UFO2 Zen Triode Amplifier $1499 Review

https://www.audiophilia.com/reviews/2023/6/11/49fkfmqfnubr67p4v3hwqf1mmlipym

Decware comments “This is a pure Class/A single-ended triode amplifier with 2 high-current watts per channel and the ability to drive speakers between 2 and 16 ohms (my unit had a switch for both 4 and 8 ohm speakers). It features a potentiometer volume control (which I used during the listening period) and two pairs of input jacks making preamps completely optional. Also, it can be bridged into mono for around 6 watts. “Because of our floating output stage design, a pair of these amps can even be run as fully differential balanced monoblocks”

Arendal Sound 1723 Tower S Loudspeaker $3599 Review

February 23, 2024 Comments Off on Arendal Sound 1723 Tower S Loudspeaker $3599 Review

https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1848-arendal-sound-1723-tower-s-loudspeaker

First on the CD tray was Jerry Garcia and David Grisman’s Shady Grove (Acoustic Disc ACD-21), one of my go-to discs. Whenever I set up a new pair of speakers, I start by positioning them exactly where my reference speakers normally stand. This has often been a useful starting point, but it doesn’t always work. With the Arendals, it didn’t: in that position, their imaging was more diffuse than I would have liked. I moved the two speakers several inches closer to each other and toed them in so that their tweeters’ axes passed just outside my ears. After some tweaking of the speakers’ positions and toe-in, while playing “Off to Sea Once More,” I was able to bring images into focus. Instrumental outlines were sharper and their positions on the soundstage were more precise. The greater coherence of the presentation solidified the image of the bluegrass ensemble at the front of the room. The more I listened, the more I agreed with Arendal’s characterization of their tweeter as sweet-sounding. It was incredibly smooth, making listening easy and inducing me to turn up the volume.

Aune S17 Pro Review

February 23, 2024 Comments Off on Aune S17 Pro Review

Grado Labs Prestige Red3 Cartridge

February 22, 2024 Comments Off on Grado Labs Prestige Red3 Cartridge

https://www.analogplanet.com/content/grado-labs-prestige-red3-cartridge

Red3 cartridges are hand-assembled by Grado in Brooklyn, and they add that some of their builders have well over 25 years of experience. Their coil-winding techniques use ultra-high-purity copper wire, something that was honed during the development of the company’s Lineage series. This is said to enable the electrical circuits to “achieve unison” between the four coils in each cartridge, allowing for a “precise balance between channels and accurate stereo imaging.”

The Red3 cartridge is powered by a twin magnet system that “optimizes” the balance between stereo channels. Grado points out that their patented Flux-Bridger design “allows the Red2 to have one of the lowest effective moving mass generating systems while creating an excellent balance throughout the full frequency range.

Phillips Design OH-16 Omnidirectional Loudspeaker $8,800 Review

February 22, 2024 Comments Off on Phillips Design OH-16 Omnidirectional Loudspeaker $8,800 Review

https://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0224/Phillips_Design_OH16_Omnidirectional_Loudspeaker_Review.htm


The intimacy of a musical performance is what we all strive to reproduce. The feeling of “being there” without putting up with the sky-high ticket prices, parking, and crowds. We all want to have Pink, singing in our Audio Room (but that’s probably not going to happen). The best we can do is to take the time (and what’s left of our savings) and assemble a sound system; that reproduces our music of choice, to the best of its capabilities.

With just hours to spare, the Phillips Design OH-16 omnidirectional three-way loudspeakers could do just that. They reproduce music with such a wide dynamic range that you would assume they stood six feet tall. They reproduce vocals with such detail and clarity, and in fact, you’d assume they cost twice as much. With the Bryston amplifier, the bass was present and properly forward and strong. Nice, tight, fast responsive bass.

Cambridge Audio CXN100 Network Streamer

February 22, 2024 Comments Off on Cambridge Audio CXN100 Network Streamer

JBL C60

February 22, 2024 Comments Off on JBL C60

Matrix Audio Element X2 Pure Network-Attached DAC Review

February 21, 2024 Comments Off on Matrix Audio Element X2 Pure Network-Attached DAC Review

https://www.hifinews.com/content/matrix-audio-element-x2-pure-network-attached-dac

As a networked DAC/preamp, there are various ways to use the Element X2 Pure, but for much of my listening I ran it straight into the aforementioned Primare A35.2 power amp, streaming via Roon. This made for a fuss-free, clutter-free system and long, jukebox-style listening sessions where the DAC’s defined, open sound appeared suited to every flavour of music.

The genre-hopping exuberance of Amadou & Mariam’s Dimanche À Bamako album [Because Music; 44.1kHz/16-bit], where African, Middle Eastern and Western instruments bubble away in a blues/reggae-tinged melting pot, spotlighted the Element X2 Pure’s ability to capture timbral differences and microdynamics. The grooving gait and vocal presence of ‘Senegal Fast Food’ was so enjoyable I tried to sing along – despite not understanding the French lyrics

Trafomatic Rhapsody Integrated Amplifier Review

February 21, 2024 Comments Off on Trafomatic Rhapsody Integrated Amplifier Review

https://www.hifinews.com/content/trafomatic-rhapsody-integrated-amplifier

Trafomatic’s Rhapsody ensured that I wallowed in the room-filling, full-blown orchestral readings of ‘White Christmas’, ‘Sleigh Ride’ and ‘Santa Claus Is Coming To Town’, some wholly (or holy) instrumental, others with multiple voices to the fore. What was not compromised, despite the Rhapsody amplifier eschewing lushness for the sake of it, was that silky sheen which endears SET designs to the faithful. The best way to describe it is an inherent antidote to listener fatigue.

If there is any limit to this amplifier’s sheer command, it might prove to be the wattage, but that only affects your choice of loudspeaker. When paired with high-sensitivity models, the Trafomatic Rhapsody earns the most glowing testimony I can bestow on a product by simply stating one fact: my first listening session ran for seven uninterrupted hours. Yes, seven. The only downside? Looking at the smart meter in my listening room.

AvantGarde

February 21, 2024 Comments Off on AvantGarde