Definitive Technology Descend DN-15 Subwoofer $1,799 Review
March 14, 2022 Comments Off on Definitive Technology Descend DN-15 Subwoofer $1,799 Review
https://www.soundandvision.com/content/definitive-technology-descend-dn-15-subwoofer-review
The DN15 is powered by a 500-watt (1,500-watt peak) class-H digital amplifier with a 56-bit DSP that includes three custom EQ modes (Flat, Loud, and Deep). It has an Intelligent Phase Control with eight different options to optimize and align the subwoofer’s phase with that of your main speakers. Along with the phase adjustment, rear-panel controls include volume, EQ, and low pass filter settings, and there’s a button to toggle the sub’s front LCD display on/off. A power switch offers three settings: Auto, On, and 12V. There are also IR and 12V trigger inputs, along with line-level stereo RCA and LFE inputs, and high-level speaker inputs. A small remote control is included that lets you control volume, phase, EQ, display, and low pass settings from the comfort of your couch as opposed to manually reaching behind the sub to make on-the-fly adjustments. Sadly, there’s no parametric EQ or smartphone/tablet control app available to modify EQ outside of the three presets mentioned above.
Ampsandsound Kenzie OG Rev 2 Headamp $2500 Review
March 13, 2022 Comments Off on Ampsandsound Kenzie OG Rev 2 Headamp $2500 Review
https://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0322/Ampsandsound_Kenzie_OG_Rev2_Headamp_Review.htm
As with the original Kenzie, the OG Rev 2 is for the audiophile who wants to wring the full potential out of their headphones and simply listen to the best-sounding music available. Listening to music on the Kenzie was so involving that it was difficult to concentrate on the job at hand and pick out the different characteristics of the sound, and even more difficult to stop and change headphones.
Lastly, being the entry-level product for ampsandsound the Kenzie is a fantastic value. If you have a budget of around $3000 this is the amplifier to buy, if you are a music lover this is the amplifier to buy, if you are a solid-state fan and don’t get what tubes are all about, this is the amplifier to listen to, it will change your mind, just be ready to cough up $2500 because you will not be satisfied with solid-state afterwards. Thanks, Justin for once again reaffirming my love of tube amps and justifying my love for ampsandsound!
FIIO M11 PLUS ESS REVIEW
March 13, 2022 Comments Off on FIIO M11 PLUS ESS REVIEW
And, like the previous M11 Plus, you get… typical FiiO sound with gorgeous lows, vibrant voices, and clear highs. That said, the more I got accustomed to this new player, the more I heard how hard-hitting those same highs could get on my usual techno tracklist. It’s not painful or ear-piercing, but it can get damn close, notably if you choose sensible IEMs as I did.
Head to head against the Shanling M6 Pro 21, those are two very different animals, even if both share an ESS core. The lows are gorgeous, with just the right amount of “oomph”. Even more with the Audeze which, thanks to the super-wide membrane, exerts an almost deafening sound pressure. It goes deep, and the dynamic range seems absolutely insane compared to the total sum of elements you hold in your hand. In that regard, I think that FiiO did the right choice keeping the THX-AA chips as they give, in my opinion, the best bass from any player in this price reach.
Kimber Kable Carbon Series 16 and Carbon 18XL Cables Review
March 12, 2022 Comments Off on Kimber Kable Carbon Series 16 and Carbon 18XL Cables Review
Kimber Kable Carbon Series 16 and Carbon 18XL Cables
Naturally, I couldn’t resist a “way-back machine” moment, so I hooked up my trusty 4VS (now part of Kimber’s Base Series) and listened in on one of my acoustic favorites, the Rutter Requiem. There’s a reason why these cables were and are so popular. Their rich smooth midrange and general tonal honesty are hard to beat. Nonetheless, in comparison to Carbon, the 4VS’s had a mildly subtractive sound, with a narrower soundstage, a bit less top-end air, and lighter and less well-defined bass. Transients were also not as quick.
That said, what struck me most was the consistency of the Kimber’s voicing. There was nothing embarrassing about the performance of these 20-year old cables, which show a closer kinship to Carbon 8 than you might expect.
WELLS AUDIO DRAGON LEVEL III HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER REVIEW
March 12, 2022 Comments Off on WELLS AUDIO DRAGON LEVEL III HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER REVIEW
Headphone Amplifier coupled with the Wells Audio Cipher Level I DAC is the second most expensive Headphone Amplifier / DAC combination I have had on my desk, the legendary Questyle “Gold Stack” still reigning at $12,500, and things have progressed a lot since then and on almost every front the Wells Audio system offered superior and more musical performance. That is to say, though this is a high budget reference-quality proposition, if you have the resources it is well worth the expense. Music lovers, especially those with hard to drive headphones like the HE6se or the Abyss AB-1266, or as it turns out if you are an especial fan of Focal headphones, are going to want to give the Dragon a listen, and if you want to get the most out of your Dragon you’ll want a Cipher to go with it.
Bluesound NODE and POWERNODE Review
March 12, 2022 Comments Off on Bluesound NODE and POWERNODE Review
KEF new Blade loudspeakers $28,000 Review
March 11, 2022 Comments Off on KEF new Blade loudspeakers $28,000 Review
The Blade Two is not a trickle-down product that does a rough approximation of the Blade One to hit a lower price point. Priced at $28,000 per pair, the Blade Two does exactly what the Blade One does in large rooms, but the Blade Two low frequency system is designed to work better in smaller environments. Essentially, room gain will differ between large- and medium-sized listening rooms, and the Blade Two is meant for the latter so that bass overload doesn’t become a difficult issue.
Consider the Blade One Meta and Blade Two Meta to be KEF’s latest work on bringing this all together, remembering that work on the first Blade was begun in 2006 and continued for 5 years before it’s 2011 introduction. KEF has had 10 addition years to work on the Blade and get it even closer to the ideal. The improved linearity (same electrical or acoustic characteristics at all frequencies) in the Blade One Meta and Blade Two Meta are impressive achievements: nearly every parameter got better on an already outstanding speaker.
ASTELL&KERN A&ULTIMA SP2000T MUSIC PLAYER REVIEW$2499 Review
March 11, 2022 Comments Off on ASTELL&KERN A&ULTIMA SP2000T MUSIC PLAYER REVIEW$2499 Review
While this DAP supports Bluetooth, I was very happy to see it work as a Roon endpoint over Wi-Fi. I think the audio quality is better than Bluetooth and I love having all my music available on this DAP anywhere in the house.
For many audiophiles, the SP2000T is going to be priced out of their budget. Still, it’s rare to review something that is so feature-complete and not disappointing in some way. Astell&Kern have put a lot of thought into this product. In many ways, I think it is a better and more portable solution to home music listening than being tied to a high-quality headphone amp. For travel, it can’t be topped.
Audiophilepure 
You must be logged in to post a comment.