Audiophile Home Visit in Taipei: Avantgarde ZERO

September 26, 2023 Comments Off on Audiophile Home Visit in Taipei: Avantgarde ZERO

CAMPFIRE AUDIO SOLARIS STELLAR HORIZON IN-EAR MONITORS $2,670 REVIEW

September 25, 2023 Comments Off on CAMPFIRE AUDIO SOLARIS STELLAR HORIZON IN-EAR MONITORS $2,670 REVIEW

If the Campfire Audio Solaris Stellar Horizon In-Ear Monitors seem like your cup of tea, just make sure you spend some time picking the right ear tip for your ear, this can make or break a set of IEMs. And make sure your electronics are up to the task. These IEMs have me looking for a new headphone amp with more punch and clarity than the Schiit I currently have, so be aware of the system you will pair them with. While most headphones and speakers hint at the gear that is driving them, the Solaris Stellar Horizons drag the gear into perfect view and tear it apart. It was an honor and a thrill to get to review them, and if you’re wondering, YES, they are worth it.

Elipson Chroma 400 RIAA BT Review

September 25, 2023 Comments Off on Elipson Chroma 400 RIAA BT Review

https://www.hifichoice.com/content/elipson-chroma-400-riaa-bt

The Chroma 400 RIAA BT is a useful step forward over its predecessor without losing the aesthetics and design flair that made the original so appealing. The changes add up to a more capable and user-friendly turntable that still looks and feels more special than most of its rivals. Thanks to its decent on-board phono stage and fundamentally benign characteristics, the Elipson is a fine option for anyone looking for a capable plug-and-play turntable that doesn’t compromise when it comes to the business of vinyl replay. The Bluetooth section doesn’t feel like a ‘must have’ extra, but judged in comparison with similar fitments there is no arguing with the performance it offers. Elipson is sticking around in the turntable market and, based on this, that decision looks like a very good one.

Aurender A200 Caching Music Server Review

September 25, 2023 Comments Off on Aurender A200 Caching Music Server Review

Kallyste Amethyste Headphone Amplifier Review

September 25, 2023 Comments Off on Kallyste Amethyste Headphone Amplifier Review

Chord Electronics Ultima Pre 3 Preamplifier Review

September 24, 2023 Comments Off on Chord Electronics Ultima Pre 3 Preamplifier Review

https://www.soundstageultra.com/index.php/equipment-menu/1201-chord-electronics-ultima-pre-3-preamplifier

The aluminum casework and machining is of superb quality and looks deeply impressive in any system without being overtly ostentatious. This looks like serious kit that means business—because it is. The Ultima Pre 3 is highly resolving, possesses excellent timing, and conveys the dynamics and timbre of instruments superbly. These are the first Chord amplifiers I have heard that touch my soul when listening to music, in the way that my resident Naim amplifiers do. Would I defect after 35 years as a Naim user? Well, let’s just say I’m very curious to hear the new Naim 200/300 series, samples of which I’m expecting to receive for review shortly. My only reservation is that the Ultima Pre 3 does seem to have rather low output. With my relatively inefficient speakers in my 33′ long listening room, there wasn’t very much in reserve when I wanted to achieve party levels. For people with similarly power-hungry speakers in large rooms, the more powerful Ultima 5 power amplifier is another option 

T+A HA 200 Review

September 24, 2023 Comments Off on T+A HA 200 Review

https://www.hifichoice.com/content/ta-ha-200

Regardless of whether it’s driving the P9 Signature or Focal Clear, the HA 200 effortlessly creates an entirely coherent, ‘out-of-the-head’ listening experience. And all without having to experiment with the crossfeed control, which can make things a bit confused if not employed carefully. Listening to the Vasily Petrenko and Oslo Philharmonic’s recording of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, it’s impossible not to be impressed by the sheer force of the large orchestra, persuasively recorded to emit a free-breathing, uncompressed and hugely dynamic sound.

Over the years, the Oppo PM-1 has been a favourite go-to option for testing headphone amps, but it’s difficult to think of anything that’s driven it with such authority that it takes on even greater weight or percussion with effortless ease. All of which is ideal for material like Snarky Puppy’s Live At The Royal Albert Hall with its large musical forces, tumbling rhythms and palpable audience presence.

NEW D’Agostino Momentum 800 Amplifiers

September 24, 2023 Comments Off on NEW D’Agostino Momentum 800 Amplifiers

Technics SL-1200GR2 and SL-1210GR2 Debuts | $2,199 Announcements

September 23, 2023 Comments Off on Technics SL-1200GR2 and SL-1210GR2 Debuts | $2,199 Announcements

Technics SL-1200GR2 and SL-1210GR2 Debuts | Announcements

  • A new Delta-Sigma-Drive and a highly reliable, coreless direct-drive motor for higher accuracy and improved electromagnetic conversion accuracy, ensuring every listening experience is seamless
  • A Multi-Stage Silent Power Supply, which combines a low-noise, high-speed switching circuit for improved audio performance
  • The carefully refined, but classic Technics design, which offers color coordination and matching components on all elements, for a sleek exterior
  • The newly added, 3 mm die-cast aluminum cartridge spacers to ensure greater cartridge compatibility

Aurender A20 reference analog output network player Review $15,000 Review

September 23, 2023 Comments Off on Aurender A20 reference analog output network player Review $15,000 Review

At AXPONA 2023 I was able to finalize my plan for this review. Ari Margolis, Aurender America’s Director of Sales and Business Development, assisted me in selecting the A20. The A20 is an integrated streamer, server, DAC, and preamplifier in one chassis. Its design is based on the ideal of a high quality, complete digital source solution and is nearly the entire system sans amplifier and speakers. I struggled to decide whether I wished to have a CD ripping function as well and contacted Ari to switch the review to the A30, which is the same as the A20 but with a CD player/ripper. My logic was that I had a great deal of older and esoteric music that I thought would not be found on streaming services. At least it was not found when I first started streaming several years ago using Tidal’s upper tier service.