PS Audio BHK 600 Mono Amplifiers$29,999 Review

December 13, 2023 Comments Off on PS Audio BHK 600 Mono Amplifiers$29,999 Review

At the heart of Bascom King’s design philosophy was a relentless pursuit of audio perfection. His amplifiers were a testament to his commitment to fidelity, clarity, and purity of sound. Each component was meticulously chosen and refined, reflecting his uncompromising dedication to sonic excellence. King’s amplifiers weren’t just about amplifying sound; they were about elevating the entire auditory experience to an unparalleled level. His vision extended beyond the technical aspects; it embraced the emotional connection between music and the listener. King understood that an amplifier was not merely a conduit for electrical signals, but a bridge between the artist’s creation and the listener’s soul. This holistic approach to amplifier design set him apart as a visionary in the audio industry, leaving an enduring impact that continues to resonate among audiophiles and enthusiasts alike. Through the PS Audio Model 600, Bascom King’s legacy lives on, a testament to his innovative spirit and unwavering dedication to creating audio equipment that transcends the ordinary, delivering an experience that remains unparalleled in the world of high-end audio.

Meze Audio Updates The Flagship Empyrean To V2

December 13, 2023 Comments Off on Meze Audio Updates The Flagship Empyrean To V2

Our most advanced earpads in the Empyrean series to date, the all-new Duo Earpads are bespoke to Empyrean II. Crafted from a precise blend of premium leather and Alcantara, they introduce a contemporary look and tone. With leather forming the base half and Alcantara covering the rest, these earpads deliver a harmonious tonal balance that resonates across all music genres.
For a classic audiophile experience, the Angled Alcantara Earpads excel at rendering intricate details and nuances in your recordings. The angled shape creates more space inside the earpad, which translates to an airier sound signature, with cleaner bass and improved midrange presence.

Building My Dream Listening Room: The Sound Shed is Complete!

December 13, 2023 Comments Off on Building My Dream Listening Room: The Sound Shed is Complete!

LampizatOr Pacific 2 DAC Review

December 12, 2023 Comments Off on LampizatOr Pacific 2 DAC Review

https://www.enjoythemusic.com/superioraudio/equipment/1223/LampizatOr_Pacific_2_DAC_Review.htm

The tube complement of the LampizatOr Pacific 2 extracted a more robust presentation of saturation and color. The Elektra is an exceptional tool for reviewing but demands equally statement level everything else to get all it can give. For $20,000 less, the Pacific 2 was an exceptional tool for listening, no matter what I moved into or out of the system. As I remember with the Golden Gate 2, the Pacific 2 is more forgiving of the imperfections in the remainder of the system, cabling, recording, file format, room, everything. I could (and did) make it more accurate and detailed with tube swapping, but it just didn’t feel right with Pacific 2. My final preference for tubes was the Tungsram 200/600 4V rectifier with adapter, EML PX4 driver tubes in a balanced quad configuration. The LampizatOr wants to give you a big hug, not just a simple handshake.

T+A DAC200 Review

December 12, 2023 Comments Off on T+A DAC200 Review

Wharfedale Elysian 3 REVIEW

December 12, 2023 Comments Off on Wharfedale Elysian 3 REVIEW

The Pass Labs HPA-1 – A Superb Headphone Amp

December 11, 2023 Comments Off on The Pass Labs HPA-1 – A Superb Headphone Amp

I employ the Dan Clark Audio Stealth headphones for the focused portion of this review, and to provide a more worthy comparison, I forego using my $650 SGA-1 Soncoz Headphone Amplifier that, while an excellent value for the money, is a lighter-bodied pinot noir to the bolder HPA-1’s cabernet sauvignon. Hence, I enlist the services of the powerful, but discontinued Cypher Labs Prautes tube headphone amplifier with a rebuilt power supply.

I had been very impressed by the Prautes when I reviewed it in 2019, and Joe Jerzec, who was a reseller and lent me the review sample when he ran JAM’n Audio (he’s currently a partner at Purity Audio Design), lent it to me again. A veritable tank, only 50 units were made, retailing for $3900 (that would be $4714 in 2023 dollars, according to Amortization.org). One of its standout features is an impedance selector switch to accommodate various headphone and speaker impedances, as follows: 300 Ω, 100 Ω: Standard for many Studio headphones, 32 Ω: Standard consumer headphones, 8 Ω: Speakers or very low impedance headphones, and IEM: In-Ear-Headphones.

Now, the Stealth headphones have a 23 Ohm impedance and a sensitivity of roughly 86 – 87 dB/mW, so they’re not the most efficient headphones, meaning you have to crank up the volume on a headphone amp to hear them properly. 

Make Your Room Sound AMAZING! Audio Treatment Step-by-Step Guide

December 11, 2023 Comments Off on Make Your Room Sound AMAZING! Audio Treatment Step-by-Step Guide

Pro-Ject Award-Winning X2B True Balanced Turntable Review

December 11, 2023 Comments Off on Pro-Ject Award-Winning X2B True Balanced Turntable Review

Krell Illusion II/KSA-i400 Pre/Power Amplifiers Review

December 10, 2023 Comments Off on Krell Illusion II/KSA-i400 Pre/Power Amplifiers Review

https://www.hifinews.com/content/krell-illusion-iiksa-i400-prepower-amplifiers

An Ethernet port is provided on the power amp for software updates, but the only means of control from the preamp is via 12V triggers for on/standby. The Illusion II itself has two sets of balanced analogue inputs and three on RCAs, plus two coaxial, optical and one AES/EBU digital input. Outputs are also on XLRs and RCAs, alongside 12V trigger in/outs, and a socket for an external IR receiver should you want to hide the preamp away.

Front panel controls are via traditional ‘pin-head’ pushbuttons, duplicated on the chunky metal remote handset. There’s no volume knob, but the balanced resistor-ladder adjustment has a rather a large number of very fine steps controlled by up/down buttons. This makes for precise if rather slow adjustment, but at least the blue light-bar on the preamp, which initially glows red in standby, flashes to show you that commands are being received and acted upon. There’s a mute button on the remote should you wish for a swifter pause or restoration of output level.