Sony Pulse 3D Wireless Headset Review

November 20, 2020 Comments Off on Sony Pulse 3D Wireless Headset Review

Schiit Freya+ Preamp and Bifrost 2 DAC $899 Review

November 18, 2020 Comments Off on Schiit Freya+ Preamp and Bifrost 2 DAC $899 Review

Schiit Freya+ Preamp and Bifrost 2 DAC Review

Getting set up was pretty straight forward. I connected my Cambridge Audio CXN v2 to the Bifrost 2 via coax, connected the Bifrost 2 via unbalanced RCA to the Freya+, and ran the Freya+ into my Parasound Halo Integrated 6 in home-theater bypass mode, which essentially turned it into a power amp. Later on, I swapped out the HINT 6 for a more traditional power amp, the Emotiva A-150. However, I actually preferred the sound I got from my HINT 6 over the Emotiva, so all my listening notes will be based on that setup, unless otherwise noted. I also stuck with the supplied 6SN7 JJ tubes, frankly because I don’t feel like tumbling into the tube-rolling money pit again, but rolling is a real thing and worth trying out if you have unlimited cash, patience, and a masochistic streak.

Okay, all of that out of the way, I powered everything up. And my first impressions were very positive. Schiit claims the Freya+’s tube stage is quiet, and it’s definitely right about that. I’ve had some noisy, hissy, angry tubes in my system, but I can hear absolutely nothing at a moderate volume from my listening seat through my fairly sensitive GoldenEar Triton Three+ speakers. 

Flagship Focal Utopia Phones Review

November 18, 2020 Comments Off on Flagship Focal Utopia Phones Review

Flagship Focal Utopia Phones

Listening to Frank Zappa’s Freak Out! reveals what makes the Utopias worth the price. Their ability to disentangle complex recordings is fantastic. Anyone who happens to be a student of Zappa knows how much he packs into any tune. The massive bass riff in the opening of “Who Are The Brain Police?” is kept in balance with all the tinkly percussion bits, surrounded by layer upon layer of vocals – with Zappa staying front, center, right inside your brain as you listen.

The Utopias do and equally enticing job with sparse musical selections. Moving all the way through Twin Peaks (Music From the Limited Event) I’m stopped dead in my tracks on Sharon Van Etten’s “Tarifa.” If you aren’t/weren’t a Twin Peaks fan, at the end of the new episodes (produced around 2017) there is a different band playing in the bar. David Lynch had an incredible sensitivity for the music featured in the original series, and continues this trend here. It’s worth a spin on your favorite streaming service, you might find a few good test tracks!”

The best soundbars you can buy in 2020

November 18, 2020 Comments Off on The best soundbars you can buy in 2020

UNIQUE MELODY – UM MINI MEST REVIEW

November 17, 2020 Comments Off on UNIQUE MELODY – UM MINI MEST REVIEW

Bass is really impressive. It has really good body and impact but it at the same time is tight and fast. Bass reaches down really low and has good layering and detail retrieval, there even is a nice sub bass rumble when needed.

While the bass actually sounds a lot like the typical dynamic driver bass, it’s actually fully produced by Knowles balanced armatures. Very impressive!

The lower mids perfectly separate from the bass and the are lighter in presence and body. This combined with the energetic and more present upper mids, produces the v-shaped presentation. Which many people like. The energy, detail retrieval and timbre of the upper mids and vocals is really good. The timbre is smooth but clear and very musical. The note extension and depth are very nice as well. The vocals shine.”

YAMAHA A-S3200 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER $7,499 REVIEW

November 17, 2020 Comments Off on YAMAHA A-S3200 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER $7,499 REVIEW

YAMAHA has done a tremendous job in the development of the A-S3200 integrated amplifier. The looks alone on this unit can justify the $7,499 asking price as it combines old-school styling with modern build quality and features. I typically post up pictures of the gear I am reviewing on Instagram, and this one gained more attention than pretty much any other gear I have posted. People simply dig the retro looks!

And as for performance, YAMAHA has created a single box solution that performs at the level of many high-end and expensive separates.

For those in the market for an all-inclusive integrated amplifier that ticks just about every audiophile box, and want to make a stunning visual statement as well, you should definitely take the YAMAHA A-S3200 into serious consideration!”

Spiritland: A new vinyl listening experience

November 17, 2020 Comments Off on Spiritland: A new vinyl listening experience

VISION EARS EVE REVIEW

November 16, 2020 Comments Off on VISION EARS EVE REVIEW

VISION EARS EVE – Astounding Musicality, Transparency, and Speed!

The Kronos Quartet’s “Aaj Ki Raat—Tonight is the Night” (Kronos Caravan, Nonsuch) begins, and at play across this track in addition to the violin, viola, and cello are a mix of exotic instruments from the Hindustani tabla to the Lebanese nay to the Iranian kemancheh, tar, and tombak. The EVE renders this mix of instruments with aplomb and nary a trace of shrillness or harshness or glassiness. Its highs are clear, fast, well extended, sweet, with a transparency that digs down to fingers across strings, drum skins, and cello bows.

Just one more, please. Vilda Frang’s “Allegro Molto II” (Veress String Trio/Bartók Piano Quintet, Alpha) plays, and there is quiet and air and raps, plucks, bows, and even the knuckling of a violin. The EVE’s transparency again renders crystal clarity, timbral / tonal distinction, weight, space, and positioning, sublimely. And as the trio of violin, viola, cello reach sweetly for the limits of treble extension, again, shrillness or harshness or brightness or glare are vanished, entirely.

Schiit’s latest Yggdrasil DAC $2449 Review

November 16, 2020 Comments Off on Schiit’s latest Yggdrasil DAC $2449 Review

https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/reviews/review-schiit%E2%80%99s-latest-yggdrasil-incarnation-r956/

Since the Schiit Yggdrasil was first introduced, Jason Stoddard and Mike Moffat have worked tirelessly to improve the performance of this reasonably priced high-performance DAC. With constant filter, power supply and analog-stage improvements, the Yggdrasil has kept it’s place as the go-to DAC for those who demand first rate digital to analog conversion without having to pay a king’s ransom for the opportunity.

The only Way to tell whether you have the latest Yggdrasil in by the Serial Number. The latest analog section units are so designated by a SN that starts with the letter “B”. The presence of the latest USB upgrade is indicated by the above sticker over the USB input port.

Dynaudio Contour 20i speakers Review

November 16, 2020 Comments Off on Dynaudio Contour 20i speakers Review