McIntosh Reference 2-channel HiFi System
October 17, 2022 Comments Off on McIntosh Reference 2-channel HiFi System
LUMIN U2 Mini Music Streamer $2,400 Review
October 16, 2022 Comments Off on LUMIN U2 Mini Music Streamer $2,400 Review
As I conclude, let me address one important topic, the DAC. Since the U2 Mini is a transport only, any observations I make about it are inextricably linked to the DAC to which it is connected. As I said, the iFi Audio iDSD Micro I used with it is a great DAC, but I wish I had the chance to listen to the U2 Mini with the previously reviewed Canor DAC 2.10. What I can say, the U2 Mini/iDSD Micro pairing sounded amazing on my system!
Every recording I listened to had its unique and distinctive flavor. Based on this, I think the LUMIN U2 Mini would be a great pairing with any DAC within the marketplace. It is that great sounding. I told my dad about the U2 Mini when I started listening to it and he was envious. With the LUMIN U2 Mini music streamer, you can have your cake and eat it too!
HIBY RS2 $500 REVIEW
October 16, 2022 Comments Off on HIBY RS2 $500 REVIEW
the release of the flagship R8, HiBy is quite serious about music playback, and the RS2 is surprisingly good sounding in that regard. The DAP technology has evolved very well, so we see budget players that can perform on a high level. You don’t need to pay a premium price for good sound anymore. Hence, the competition is very high but HiBy has some things to say here.
The RS2 is, unsurprisingly, a warm-sounding unit. Their “Darwin” RS6 is also like this with the ladder DAC design, so the RS2 carries the trend over, in a smaller package. The unit sounds organic, natural and lively. The midrange is vivid, the bass is controlled and full, and the treble is softer but well-defined.
Bluesound’s Powernode Edge REVIEW
October 16, 2022 Comments Off on Bluesound’s Powernode Edge REVIEW
NuPrime Audio Evolution STA Power Amplifier $5000 Review
October 15, 2022 Comments Off on NuPrime Audio Evolution STA Power Amplifier $5000 Review
On a challenging piece, such as the “Intolerance” track from The Mighty Wurlitzer: Music for Movie Palace Organs (New World Records 80227), the NuPrime was able to nicely capture the tonal complexity of a four-manual, 34-rank Wurlitzer Special that was built in 1928 for the Fisher Brothers (of auto-body fame). Here, but not with the Fleetwood DeVille, I was a bit disappointed with its limited macrodynamic reach. I expected more from an amp that is said to generate instantaneous power in excess of 360W into 3 ohms. It sounded like it was just stopping short of fully scaling dynamic peaks. For a better perspective, I switched over to a recent acquisition of mine, the SMc Audio DNA-1/GT-21 Ultra. This Class AB amplifier represents a complete overhaul of the venerable DNA-1 and incorporates Steve McCormack’s latest circuit refinements and tweaks. On the Omega, the GT-21 Ultra was just crushing it with stupendous bass slam and macrodynamics that reached Olympian heights. It also became clear that the GT-21 Ultra offered better image focus, and as a result, more incisive spatial resolution. However, the NuPrime did have an edge in terms of soundstage dimensionality. Both amps resolved low-level detail exceedingly well, though the edge goes to the GT-21 Ultra.
Astell and Kern SP3000 Review
October 15, 2022 Comments Off on Astell and Kern SP3000 Review
It may not be hard to find a portable source that has a great interface and allows for easy music playback. If that is your only goal then look no further than Apple’s ecosystem. It also may not be as hard to find a portable player that is capable of rendering digital files back with pristine transparency. It may also be possible to find a portable device that offers a massive amount of connectivity, both wired and wireless, in an
d out. And yet again, it may be possible (albeit much harder) to find an amplifier that expresses supreme control over headphone transducers. What you get from the Astell and Kern SP3000 is all four of these things in a single package. And that collective is what hopefully adds some value to consumers for the high end ticket price. Once you tack on a layer of luxury aesthetics you start to see the vision that AK was taking when they set forth to produce the top of the line for their top line. The SP3000 has all the tech, specs and high fidelity sound available at the moment, get it while it’s hot.
How close are they? $20k vs $4k DAC
October 15, 2022 Comments Off on How close are they? $20k vs $4k DAC
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless noise-canceling headphones Review
October 15, 2022 Comments Off on Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless noise-canceling headphones Review
Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G $900 Review
October 13, 2022 Comments Off on Monitor Audio Silver 100 7G $900 Review
https://www.the-ear.net/review-hardware/monitor-audio-silver-100-7g-standmount-loudspeaker
We have here a compact loudspeaker that’s capable of delivering a refined sound, fairly neutral in its balance, free from unwanted aberrations and audibly clean and detailed. There is good integration between the drive units and the ability to discard both the grilles and port plugs means it can be tuned for a wide variety of acoustic settings. The bass performance was way better than one might expect from an enclosure of this size, it goes deeper and plays louder than I had first imagined. Stereo imaging is to a high standard and the reproduced soundstage is far wider and deeper than is often achieved at this price point.
Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 Closed REVIEW
October 13, 2022 Comments Off on Dan Clark Audio Aeon 2 Closed REVIEW
https://www.hifichoice.com/content/dan-clark-audio-aeon-2-closed
With its 2m cable and neat folding action for easy storage, it would appear that the Aeon 2 Closed is best suited to listening to music on the move and its comfortable earpads and lightweight design will certainly make your journey a congenial one. For those that like their lower frequencies, the impressive bass extension is a real boon although the treble could do with being a touch more extended. Having said that, the soundstage is spacious and insightful, meaning that at the price this deserves to be on your audition list
Audiophilepure 
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