Get a subwoofer BEFORE you upgrade your DAC
March 2, 2022 Comments Off on Get a subwoofer BEFORE you upgrade your DAC
Taiko SGM Extreme Hi-Res Music Streamer $32,000 Review
March 1, 2022 Comments Off on Taiko SGM Extreme Hi-Res Music Streamer $32,000 Review
I can only report what I have heard, and what I have experienced in my room. And as of today, The Taiko Extreme gets me closer to the music, closer to what the musicians are conveying to me, and closer to the room/venue that the recording was recorded in than I have previously experienced. And it accomplished this while looking and behaving the part of an ultra-reference component, with the tech support to properly back it.
But… the best?!? Well, I have conveyed to you that I have never heard a better digital source in my room, and I have heard many. I have not heard the Wadax Reference DAC and server (over $100,000 each). But personally, I’d rather buy the Taiko Extreme and have money left over for that F8 Tributo…. If you are looking for a digital source and can afford it, I can not recommend the Extreme more highly; it’s that good!
Focal Aria K2 936 Loudspeaker $6598 Review
March 1, 2022 Comments Off on Focal Aria K2 936 Loudspeaker $6598 Review
https://www.audiophilia.com/reviews/2021/10/26/vb3y90of0oqqvmqk0v9ptmop9rv3yb
The Focal Aria K2 936 takes a maximalist approach to music reproduction. That doesn’t mean extreme, as no aspect of its performance is out of balance. Rather, for the price they offer a lot of everything. Extreme resolution and musicality. Macro and microdynamics. Serious air moving capability and enjoyable low volume music making. They can rock out while maintaining their composure. The only thing they don’t do is make apologies for mediocre source material. That, combined with their large stature, makes squeezing the best performance from them a bit of a commitment. For those able to afford the $6598/pair Focal Aria K2 936 Loudspeaker, they will provide an immersive musical experience. An essential audition.
iFi Audio Pro iDSD Signature USB DAC/Headphone Amp Review
February 28, 2022 Comments Off on iFi Audio Pro iDSD Signature USB DAC/Headphone Amp Review
https://www.hifinews.com/content/ifi-audio-pro-idsd-signature-usb-dacheadphone-amp
This Signature version of iFi Audio’s flagship DAC/headphone amp may look a bit much for some tastes – I think I prefer the more understated styling of the ‘standard’ model – but there’s no denying the appeal of its rich, weighty, controlled and highly informative sound. Just don’t get caught up in all those filters and adjustments because this is a headphone amplifier that’s made for sitting back and enjoying.
OSD Black Trevoce 12 EQ DSP Subwoofer $600 Review
February 28, 2022 Comments Off on OSD Black Trevoce 12 EQ DSP Subwoofer $600 Review
https://www.soundandvision.com/content/osd-black-trevoce-12-eq-dsp-subwoofer-review
Starting out in the music room, I first streamed Steven Wilson’s “King Ghost” from his album The Future Bites (24-bit/96kHz FLAC, Qobuz). The swells of bass in this song were rendered in a clean and very dynamic manner. There was also a distinct fullness to the low end that added warmth to the overall sound and provided a solid foundation for the electronic drums, synths, and ethereal vocals to float upon. Comparing the sub’s performance with EQ switched off, the bass came across notably muddier, and dynamics were muted as well.
The same qualities I noted in the Wilson track carried over when I next spun “Valley” from The Orb’s 1995 album Orbus Terrarum on CD. This electronic track features truly deep, subsonic bass, and I was impressed with how much of it I was hearing with the Trevoce 12 in my setup. The cascading rise and fall of the synthesized bass line had a clean quality, while the occasional low slam of percussive elements was conveyed with impressive power and tactile impact. I was also able to push the volume to near-uncomfortable levels and not experience loss of clarity—the sub tracked the loudness increase in an easy, agile manner.
Nordost QSOURCE Linear Power Supply $2749 Review
February 27, 2022 Comments Off on Nordost QSOURCE Linear Power Supply $2749 Review
Multitasking in audio—as in life—often proves a poor choice. Many LPS models can be adapted to drive multiple devices, but this very often results in a watered-down version of the single device performance. When I ordered the fittings to attach a second device to my CH Precision X1 External Power Supply, it was not as good as when only one CH device was attached. When I listened to the Fidelizer Nikola powering two devices, then turned one off, the sound improved. With these two power supplies, a single connected device was the way to go.
The QSOURCE has six outputs, four of which are dedicated to the Nordost QPOINT product (sold separately). The remaining two can be adjusted to variable output voltages and are suitable to replace the wall-warts used by many music servers, NAS drives, etc. I powered up the QSOURCE with two devices attached, then switched one off, with the expectation that it would follow the pattern and show an improvement—but it didn’t. The QSOURCE is the exception to the multitasking rule.
Prima Luna EVO 300/Floyd Design Integrated Review
February 27, 2022 Comments Off on Prima Luna EVO 300/Floyd Design Integrated Review
The PrimaLuna EVO 300/Floyd Design Integrated
PrimaLuna’s vacuum tube amplifiers are all built with point-to-point wiring (except for the small auto-bias board that eliminates the need to bias the output tubes) and feature a fanatic level of attention to detail. Those arguing point to point wiring can’t compete with the consistency offered by printed circuit boards have never looked inside a PrimaLuna! The EVO 300/Floyd still uses point-to-point wiring, but there are three PCBs now. These boards are 2.4mm thick with 105um gold-plated copper traces, for maximum longevity and highest signal integrity.
Fit and finish elsewhere is equally fantastic. PrimaLuna has always set the standard for execution, using their signature dark blue metallic for the chassis, mated to a thick aluminum front panel with silver or black anodizing. The only thing feeling out of place on recent PrimaLuna products is the control and selector knobs. The rough, pebbly finish does not look as “finished” as the smooth ones used in earlier PL products. This is truly my only complaint with the EVO300/Floyd, but it is something that other PL owners have talked about online. Perhaps offer an upgraded, machined pair of knobs as an add-on?
Destination Audio GM70 Introduction
February 27, 2022 Comments Off on Destination Audio GM70 Introduction
Audiophilepure 
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