McIntosh MAC7200 stereo receiver $7500 Review
January 30, 2021 Comments Off on McIntosh MAC7200 stereo receiver $7500 Review
https://www.stereophile.com/content/mcintosh-mac7200-stereo-receiver
I was shocked by the sudden crashing transients that open “2049” from Hans Zimmer and Benjamin Wallfisch’s score for Blade Runner 2049 (CD, Epic 19075800852), followed by eerie reverberant echoes and sustained new-age synth chords. The MAC7200 delivered the same explosive dynamics, beginning with a faint, staticky whine followed by crashing heavy-metal chords on another Hans Zimmer soundtrack, The Dark Knight (CD, Warner Sunset 511103-2)—specifically the track “Why So Serious?”
I enjoyed the line stage and amplifier’s tubelike warmth and highly detailed imaging in the title track “Going Home” from a CD reissue of The L.A. Four: Going Home (CD, East Wind 32-JD-10043), which placed Laurindo Almeida’s guitar to the left, Ray Brown’s standing bass just left of center, Shelly Manne’s drums slightly to the right of center, and Bud Shank’s alto flute and saxophone far right.
TAD Micro Evolution One Stand Mount Loudspeaker Review
January 29, 2021 Comments Off on TAD Micro Evolution One Stand Mount Loudspeaker Review
https://www.stereo.net.au/reviews/tad-micro-evolution-one-stand-mount-loudspeaker-review
TAD’s new ME1 should be a destination for those wanting a small high-end loudspeaker with big sound capabilities. It is ultra-refined, accurate and articulate with near-full frequency range coverage. The way that it images and soundstages is uncanny. It can play softy or loudly, whilst remaining clean as the volume increases – a testimony to the inherent engineering talent at TAD. As befits a product of this price, it’s made to incredibly high standards; its fit and finish are perfection in the way that only Japanese craftsmen know how to do. Hear this definitive new small speaker if you possibly can.
Audio Research Corporation Reference 160S Stereo Power Amplifier $22,000 Review
January 29, 2021 Comments Off on Audio Research Corporation Reference 160S Stereo Power Amplifier $22,000 Review
The Ref160 gives off a lot of heat, but that comes with powerful tube-amp territory. ARC uses cooling fans to keep operating temperatures within optimal range and extend tube life. Since I placed the Ref160S in front of my equipment rack to make connecting it to and from my system easier, I did hear the fan during very quiet music passages, even with the fan speed set to low. I believe most users would place the amp in a more room-friendly position, and that would, no doubt, be farther away from the listening position. Let me add, the Ref160M/S aesthetics are a welcome change for ARC whose typical look has tended to be more industrial and functional. I liked the see-through faceplate, but I turned off the lighted VU meters, as I found them to be a little distracting. A friend thought they looked really cool and wanted to see them with their light level all the way up.
Fyne Audio F500 £600 Review
January 27, 2021 Comments Off on Fyne Audio F500 £600 Review
https://www.hifichoice.com/content/fyne-audio-f500
“Much more so than the Revel, the F500 is remarkably sensitive to setup and I play around with toe-in for some time before things begin to gel. This done, the F500 images like a dream, floating solid, three-dimensional images in front, behind and well to the sides of the enclosures, and those in the plane between them are just as well formed and precisely positioned. In this respect it’s better than the more expensive Revel.
I find it lifts the intended impact of all sorts of recordings, from early dense and murky Emerson, Lake & Palmer to Caravan Palace’s studio supercharged Chronologic, not least Leena, the track’s expansion and phase effects bouncing off the walls before the production rolls out a succession of depth-charge synth sweeps to die for.”
GRADO GT220 REVIEW
January 27, 2021 Comments Off on GRADO GT220 REVIEW
As for the form & factor, the charging case is not too big and easy to carry. That can also be said for the earphones. They’re definitely not small but not huge either. The housing is surprisingly resistant to scratches. Many smooth feeling surfaces are not. It is also rounded with no sharp edges or protrusion of any kind. The GT220 features touch controls and the touch-sensitive panel is located on each faceplate. It features a wide nozzle and is compatible with many third party wide tips such as the JVC Spiral Dots.
There is a microphone located on the outer side of each earphone. We will check the microphone quality in the features section. The Grado logo on the faceplate has 2-color status LEDs, blue & red. I would prefer something less cliché and more elegant, like a single white LED illuminating the Grado logo but it’s all subjective. The charging case also has 4 status LEDs to let you know about battery levels and charging status. Overall, the design is really good and looks very chic. The smooth to hand feeling of polycarbonate complement the sleek look of the Grado GT220 very well. Polycarbonate is a durable material and the GT220 will serve you for a long time without any problems.
NOBLE FALCON PRO TRUE WIRELESS REVIEW
January 26, 2021 Comments Off on NOBLE FALCON PRO TRUE WIRELESS REVIEW
“The Noble Falcon Pro True Wireless IEMs are a wonder. That they can fit three drivers, transceiver, amplifier, and battery in such a small package that offers over 10 hours of dynamic musical sound is mind-boggling. The sonic profile is what I would call fun, with excellent clarity, strong bass without boominess, and a warm lush detailed midrange, equally at home with pop music and classical.
Noble has definitely made me rethink my attitudes towards Bluetooth, and wireless IEMs in general, producing in the Falcon Pro an IEM that I could happily use for everyday music listening while out and about without having to resort to a heavy DAP and a limiting cord, ideal for streaming music, watching videos, or playing games via a smartphone or tablet.”
Audiophilepure 
You must be logged in to post a comment.