McIntosh MI502 Class D Power Amp Review

May 22, 2023 Comments Off on McIntosh MI502 Class D Power Amp Review

https://www.hifinews.com/content/mcintosh-mi502-class-d-power-amp

I partnered the amp with sources including a Primare PRE35 [HFN Dec ’19] for a balanced connection and Oppo UDP-205 CD/SACD player [HFN Jul ’17]. Via both the result was a largely neutral sound, especially in the bass and lower-mid, and with the transparency to reveal the limitations of the source when given a CD rip of the title track of Prince’s Purple Rain [Warner Bros/NPG 9362-49132-0]. Pairing the McIntosh amp and Oppo disc-spinner created an easy-to-use two-box set-up that yielded a fine performance with Barb Jungr’s cover of Bob Dylan’s ‘Sara’ on SACD [Linn Super Audio Collection: Volume 5; Linn Records AKP 389], where the delicate handling of her haunting vocal was countered by the weight and body of the piano that accompanied her.

Fyne Audio F704 £13,999 Review

May 22, 2023 Comments Off on Fyne Audio F704 £13,999 Review

Practically everyone who has written about Fyne Audio’s products has used this wordplay, but the F704 is a ‘fine’ loudspeaker. It’s the antithesis of ‘boring but worthy’ loudspeakers yet can be extremely civilised and refined. Music is an upfront, vibrant and visceral experience when played through the Fyne Audio F704, and there’s nothing wrong with that at all. Sometimes we want a loudspeaker that hums along in the background, then we need a loudspeaker than can enthral and entertain, and sometimes we just need to party hard. The F704 is all those things!

Stein Music Bobby S Ultimate Loudspeaker $18,750 Review

May 21, 2023 Comments Off on Stein Music Bobby S Ultimate Loudspeaker $18,750 Review

Not inexpensive, the Bobby S Ultimate seemed high value to me with two-way speakers selling for $30,000 and more but not outperforming these beauties. Holger Stein, CEO and chief designer of these speakers, recently won the Counnas Innovation Award from the Los Angeles and Orange County Audio Society, a first for a designer from Europe. I have never tried anything he has designed that did not perform to the max for dedicated audiophiles and music lovers. The Bobby S Ultimate fit the bill for audiophiles who want the best two-way stand-mounted speakers available today and are most highly recommended. 

Lumin U2 Mini Network Player Review

May 21, 2023 Comments Off on Lumin U2 Mini Network Player Review

https://www.audiophilia.com/reviews/2022/11/15/lumin-u2-mini-streamer

The Lumin U2 Mini was a bit of a surprise. Yes, the buzz was strong about the company and the reviews have been stellar. But on first listen, I was disappointed (break in, break in break in!). As soon as the skies were blue, the U2 Mini made its presence felt very quickly. A very refined digital sound—there’s no way you’d confuse this with analog—and in the very best of the digital domain. I was also surprised at the very reasonable price of $2400. Sure, you have to buy a quality, well-matched DAC, but that’ll be fun research. Cables will be important, too. But while listening and making decisions, you’ll have great satisfaction knowing the all-important streamer brand new to your system is a little cracker. Very highly recommended.

KEF Blade One Meta Speaker Review

May 21, 2023 Comments Off on KEF Blade One Meta Speaker Review

Day 1 Analog Show Coverage | Munich 2023

May 21, 2023 Comments Off on Day 1 Analog Show Coverage | Munich 2023

Martin Logan ElectroMotion ESL X $5198 Review

May 20, 2023 Comments Off on Martin Logan ElectroMotion ESL X $5198 Review

https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/martin-logan-electromotion-esl-x

We switch to Bruce Springsteen’s High Hopes and the ESL X’s strengths continue to shine through. They communicate The Boss’s voice with all the grit and passion it demands, while maintaining a sense of composure when the production gets dense. It is a fast and emotive presentation; one that gets straight to the core of the music. The speaker’s lack of muscularity in the bass does affect the energy levels of some songs, particularly the gnarly version of The Ghost Of Tom Joad, but there is plenty of compensation in the way these hybrids put a microscope on the recording and uncover subtleties most rivals ignore.

Audio Research Corporation i50 Integrated Tube Amplifier Review

May 20, 2023 Comments Off on Audio Research Corporation i50 Integrated Tube Amplifier Review

DIY HiFi Rack: Upgrading My Audio Setup

May 20, 2023 Comments Off on DIY HiFi Rack: Upgrading My Audio Setup

Songer Audio S1 Field Coil Point-Source Loudspeaker $37,000 Review

May 19, 2023 Comments Off on Songer Audio S1 Field Coil Point-Source Loudspeaker $37,000 Review

https://www.enjoythemusic.com/superioraudio/equipment/0423/Songer_Audio_S1_Field_Coil_Point_Source_Loudspeaker_Review.htm

The Songer Audo S1 speakers are one of the fastest-paced speakers I have ever heard and are completely coherent in their delivery. The Songers easily played louder without the concerns of being pushed too hard like my Quad 57s. The Songers had more highs and lows than my reference Quad 57s. The Songers had a better sound dispersal into the room without the beaming issues of the Quad 57s.