AGD DUET GaN-Power Monoblock Amplifier $11,500 Review
April 2, 2024 Comments Off on AGD DUET GaN-Power Monoblock Amplifier $11,500 Review
There was no over-emphasis on upper frequencies, stridency, or stretch. Transient string and metallic percussion articulations were strikingly beautiful, consistent across the frequency and dynamic spectra, devoid of any sense of artificial exploitations. There was a tangible, organic presence about the lower frequencies – Firm, well-fleshed, and true to character. Definition, speed, and tautness were equally accurate and impressive. For such an unassuming amplifier, the DUETS made their presence known with real weight and punch – plenty of heft behind them.
CleanerVinyl Ultrasonic Record Cleaner $1698 Review
April 2, 2024 Comments Off on CleanerVinyl Ultrasonic Record Cleaner $1698 Review
Before I bring this evaluation to a close, I would be remiss not to mention how effectively the in-tank filter system performs. The pump efficiently cycles the tank, and throughout all the record cleaning sessions I never saw an accumulation of detritus in the tank. In contrast, with my 40kHz tank I needed to use a flocculant additive so contaminants could settle to the bottom of the tank. I then had to filter the fluid or change it for a new batch. The CleanerVinyl system effectively keeps the tank clean and eliminates any materials from redepositing on the records. Secondly, the 132kHz tank is noticeably quieter than my 40kHz unit. When I mentioned this point to Rudy, his response was that the harmonics of a fundamental 132kHz waveform are higher than the 40kHz tank, and either out of our hearing range or the subsequent fundamentals that do approach our auditory bandwidth have lost significant amounts of energy and have a lower dB level. When we finally get down to the harmonics within our hearing spectrum, there is significantly less intensity being radiated, so the process presents as “quieter.” The benefit of this is I can keep this cleaning system in a room adjacent to my listening room and have it running while I play music or take care of other activities. Alternatively, I keep the 40kHz tank in my garage, as it is distractingly loud. Finally, this tank is compact and does not take up a substantial portion of real estate. On the flip side, this also means that you need to pay attention to positioning the gantry and the in-tank filter system, to maintain sufficient clearances for the records. This is not a complicated task and after you work through it once or twice it will become second nature. This entire system is neatly laid out with a “form follows function” blueprint, and users have a purpose-built tool for cleaning their records that does not have an extravagant price tag
T+A Caruso R Review
April 1, 2024 Comments Off on T+A Caruso R Review
https://www.hifichoice.com/content/ta-caruso-r
The matching speakers haven’t been supplied for this review, but the unit has enough power to drive a wide range of third-party choices: the onboard amplification delivers 50W into 8ohm, doubling into a 4ohm load, with peak output at 50 percent more. That proves to be more than sufficient for the speakers with which I try the T+A, including the Scansonic M20 reviewed in the last issue and my own Neat Iota Xplorer (HFC 435), both of which are driven and controlled with authority, whether from network or online sources, or the excellent onboard CD player.
The balance here is more refined and mature than red in tooth and claw, meaning that the Caruso R puts up a fine showing with First Aid Kit’s live Who By Fire set of Leonard Cohen covers. A small tweak of the contour controls brings out more of the presence of the set, but that apart the immediate impression is of weight and richness allied to fine levels of detail, instantly involving the listener in the performances. There’s not quite the speed and drive you’d get from the similarly priced models in the Naim Uniti range, for example, or from NAD’s M-series all-in-one streaming amplifiers, but the generosity of the T+A sound combined with the ease of listening it offers is hard to overlook.
Vanguard Scout Loudspeakers Review
April 1, 2024 Comments Off on Vanguard Scout Loudspeakers Review
Even with the improvements from plugging the ports, the treble was still harsh right out of the box, and I correctly sussed that they’d need some break-in to really sing. Mark had told me in advance that it would probably take a minimum of fifty hours for a baseline break-in, and they’d only get better beyond that mark. Despite the treble harshness, they seem to be responding to the PrimaLuna tube amplification well, and no clipping occurred even during demanding passages. The Scout is fairly inefficient at 84.5 dB/watt, but the EL 34-based PrimaLuna (42-wpc in Ultralinear mode) still seems to be a good match with the Scout attached to the 8 ohm taps. The Scout produces a scale of sound and stereo image that’s quite large considering their diminutive size. After getting them into position, I also connected my Yamaha BD-A1060 universal player to assist with the burn-in process. I then loaded the compact disc of Jim Anderson’s recording of Cyrus Chestnut’s Revelations and set it to repeat play. It’s a great jazz album that’s very naturally recorded, and is one of my references for well-recorded acoustic bass. The Scout loudspeakers had arrived very late in the day; I came back four hours later around midnight to take another listen, and to my surprise, they sounded absolutely horrible! The treble was just grating—I shut the PrimaLuna amp down; it was late, and I crashed out disappointed that the Scout might not live up to my expectations after all.
HIFI ROSE RS520 STREAMING AMPLIFIER $3,695 REVIEW
March 31, 2024 Comments Off on HIFI ROSE RS520 STREAMING AMPLIFIER $3,695 REVIEW
It has been a while since I reviewed a fun product. The RS520 is not only a solidly built audio component, but a versatile music player that is designed to be easy to use, customizable, and full of fun-to-explore features. If I were looking for a single component to showcase my full range speakers, the RS520 checked off almost all the boxes I have… and some boxes I didn’t know I had! All other amplifier streamers I review in the future will be measured against the benchmark of the HiFi Rose RS520.
What Price Perfection?
March 31, 2024 Comments Off on What Price Perfection?
https://www.stereophile.com/content/what-price-perfection
Years later, after the ALS diagnosis, Kurt and Ken had a horrible falling out, the Post article said. It focused on a couple of relatively modest family possessions Kurt wanted, including an old Rek-O-Kut turntable. The son also took offense at his dad’s reluctance to share the fruits of their collective labor with him when he visited the magnificent room and stereo. Kurt thought Ken was being selfish and miserly. Ken felt Kurt acted arrogant and entitled. After a few drinks, Kurt said something from which neither man could recover. According to the Post, he told his father, “I need you to die slow, motherfucker. Die slow.”
Ken called his lawyer and disinherited his son. Four years later, his daughter Betsy pleaded with her dying father to take a phone call from Kurt that might have eased the men’s mutual guilt. Stubborn till the end, Ken refused.
In the 3500+ comments appended to the Post story, many went beyond pointing out that Fritz’s passion came at the expense of his family. Some commenters went so far as to claim that Fritz wasted his life. That’s a judgment he probably didn’t deserve, as we’ll see.
Is a 3-Way DIY Speaker Kit on Amazon for $300
March 31, 2024 Comments Off on Is a 3-Way DIY Speaker Kit on Amazon for $300
Auralic Vega G2.1 Review
March 29, 2024 Comments Off on Auralic Vega G2.1 Review
https://www.hifichoice.com/content/auralic-vega-g21
Less of a lowly DAC preamp and more of musical Swiss army knife, Auralic’s Vega G2.1 is seriously classy product. It does an awful lot very well indeed and offers a painless upgrade route out from the £2,500 DACs that many folk run – all the way up to the high-end where five-figure sums tend to change hands. It does so much so very well that it offers up seriously stiff competition for those, mostly British companies who have made this section of the market their own. As such, an audition is strongly recommended if you’re in the market for updating your system.
Audiophilepure 
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