Kalista DreamPlay XC, SACD/CD Player, Streamer, Digital Volume Control Review
November 2, 2025 Comments Off on Kalista DreamPlay XC, SACD/CD Player, Streamer, Digital Volume Control Review
Wynn Wong kindly shipped the Elektra Power Supply in addition to the player. It’s a large standalone, dual power supply giving the player “an unprecedented level of stability and performance”. It isolates the player from power fluctuations, interference, and allows the player a super clean slate, ensuring signal integrity and clarity. The Elektra was silent, ran at room temperature and surely did “no harm”. Large, powerful, effective, silent. Just what the digital doctor ordered. Hook up the umbilical and power cord, then switch on the rear rocker. That’s it.
Hifiman Audivina LE Review
November 2, 2025 Comments Off on Hifiman Audivina LE Review
https://www.headfonia.com/hifiman-audivina-le-review/
The biggest problem with the Audivina LE is likely its bass response. It’s tuned so flat— and I mean that is dead flat —that you don’t get any sub-bass rumble. The mid-bass area isn’t so textured and definitive either. So what you have is a very flat bass that isn’t capable of giving the music the blood that it requires, particularly in genres that need that specific trait.
The positive aspect here, of course, is the speed. The PRaT here is very good, and the decay is quick, so that there’s no mid-bass bleed possible, even remotely. Other than that, I don’t have much else to say about the bass performance, except that it’s explicitly tuned for speed and subtlety. It works well with classical and jazz.
Campfire Earphones Review
October 31, 2025 Comments Off on Campfire Earphones Review
https://www.stereophile.com/content/brilliant-corners-31-campfire-earphones-fiio-portable-player
Then there’s the dense physicality of the sound, a quality no doubt attributable to the dynamic drivers, which move more air than their balanced armature or planar magnetic counterparts. The Trifecta plays with more meat on the bone than any earphones I’ve heard, and with greater dynamics, compounding the sense of presence created by the vast staging. Its gorgeous, colorful midrange, which gives guitars and voices so much vividness, definitely contributes, too. Most importantly, the Trifecta proved matchless at generating engagement and emotion. Its unrestrained, juicy sound is difficult to approach analytically; after a few minutes I usually forgot what I was supposed to be focusing on or comparing and got lost in listening.
TEAC AP-507 class D stereo power amplifier Review
October 31, 2025 Comments Off on TEAC AP-507 class D stereo power amplifier Review
Was the noise the result of my room’s electrical supply? I have two sets of dimming lights in my room, and there have been occasions when components have been particularly sensitive to them. If the lights are on fully or off, the noise is all but eliminated, but if the lights are dimmed, then the noise can intrude. However, I found that even turning the lights off entirely did not eliminate the noise. One solution I tried was insertion of cheater plugs (3 to 2 prong adapters) for the power cords, and that reduced the noise by a perceived 50%, but it did not eliminate it altogether.
Other components such as the Heaven 11 Billie Amp Mk2, which is a tube hybrid class D integrated amplifier, or the PS Audio Stellar Strata Mk2 Integrated Amplifier have never had noise issues. Conversely, the Legacy i.V4 Ultra Amplifier at times has been a bit noisy like the AP-507, but not as loudly. All this took place while using the TEAC VRDS-701 and CG-10M-X upstream, so using a full TEAC system is not a fix for the potential of the AP-507 exhibiting noise. The simplest solution is to use these amplifiers with less efficient speakers and if necessary, insert an adapter plug.
The Gryphon Power Zone 3 and the Art of No Noise $14,000 Review
October 30, 2025 Comments Off on The Gryphon Power Zone 3 and the Art of No Noise $14,000 Review
Overall, I felt the Power Zone 3 let me hear deeper into the music. There was an unprecedented level of clarity, but it wasn’t etched or “HiFi sounding.” It was just very musical. Notes just flowed in an organic manner. The ultra-low noise floor allowed me to hear details that I had never heard before. Musicians had more presence.
The U.S price is $14,000, which is not insignificant, but competitive among reference line conditioners. I believe this product is a must-audition for audiophiles looking for an ultra-low noise floor and the many, many sonic benefits that brings.
In summary, a state-of-the-art conditioner like the Power Zone 3 was essential to getting the most out of my system. To be honest, I hated that I had to send the unit back to Anthony Chiara.
If you want an effortless and organic sound in your system, you must audition this device. A truly remarkable product.
Audeze LCD-5 Review
October 30, 2025 Comments Off on Audeze LCD-5 Review
https://www.hifichoice.com/content/audeze-lcd-5
Next up Steve Davis’ recording of To Wisdom, The Prize from live LP We See. The trumpet, trombone and saxophone are really clean and bright but not at all edgy. The backing from piano, bass and drums is in perfect proportion to the brass instruments, while the bass is tight and punchy. The piano in particular sounds very natural and beautifully reproduced.
Turning to a classic recording of Barbra Streisand singing Tomorrow to see how it fares with vocals, the LCD-5 presents Streisand’s voice in front of the sparkling and clear orchestral backing, and there is a very natural depth to the recording. The performance is very real and the music exudes refinement throughout the entire track.
Synthesis Roma 96DC+25W Pure A Class Integrated Stereo Amplifier Review
October 29, 2025 Comments Off on Synthesis Roma 96DC+25W Pure A Class Integrated Stereo Amplifier Review
nd while quiet definition, tone, and texture were outstanding from such a reasonably priced product, its Class/A power storage power handling is what truly surprised me. The bass drum whacks on side 2 of the LSO/Dorati/Classic Records The Firebird were nothing less than astonishing. I expected a tube clip of some sort; happily, tube clipping is a little more gentle than a solid-state howl. But I was ready, nonetheless. Nothing. A non-event. All I heard was the initial strike and amazing bass drum resonance in Watford Town Hall’s acoustic.
So, you’re set on tone, texture, and dynamics, but the Roma also images well and reflects the engineer’s vision for soundstage. So my old standby, Stan Ricker’s amazing 1989 MoFi cut of Tea for the Tillerman had all the depth and voice and instrument placement specificity for which the record is famous. And because of its power handling, classic rock fans may audition the Roma with an expectation of excellence.
Audiophilepure 
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