Rega Planar 10 Turntable Review
December 13, 2019 Comments Off on Rega Planar 10 Turntable Review
https://www.stereo.net.au/reviews/rega-planar-10-turntable-review
“Last but not least is the new RB3000 tonearm. This may look very similar – polished finish notwithstanding – to the old RB300 of 1983, but Roy says the bearing housing and spindle are better than ever. This is thanks to a new manufacturing process claimed to give a micron-perfect fit, resulting in a friction-free tonearm. Like its radical forebear, it too has a one-piece headshell, armtube and bearing housing – one of few such designs to boast this on sale even now. It is made of aluminium rather than magnesium –à la SME – because Roy says the former is far easier to work with. Apparently, it can be shaved down to far lower thicknesses than magnesium and still be strong and stable. This, in turn, means that weight can be taken off where possible, making for a more sensible effective mass – so it can track a wide range of cartridges.”
AURALIC VEGA G1 STREAMING DAC $3999 REVIEW
December 12, 2019 Comments Off on AURALIC VEGA G1 STREAMING DAC $3999 REVIEW
https://hometheaterhifi.com/reviews/dac/auralic-vega-g1-streaming-dac-review/
“I like the sound quality of the UMC-200’s DAC, but subtle details are often lost in the music. I did not notice this so much over the years until I heard the DAC (DA1) in the McIntosh C49 that I reviewed earlier this summer. The PS Audio DirectStream DAC has a warmer, more analog sound. Any digital harshness seemed to melt away from the music. The sound stage was open and very 3D, both in width and depth. Its sound is no doubt flavored a bit by its conversion of all digital inputs to DSD. “
LIME EARS AETHER R REVIEW
December 12, 2019 Comments Off on LIME EARS AETHER R REVIEW
https://www.headfonia.com/lime-ears-aether-r-review/
“The general tuning is to the neutral side but with a high musicality factor and a smooth-ish delivery. With the switch “off” you get a more neutral, balanced an linear tuned sound. Flick the switch “on” and the sub bass comes in to play without changing anything else from bass to mids. Flicking the switch doesn’t dramatically change the sound signature it just makes the low end leaner, bigger, deeper and more impactful. I have to say I keep the subs switched on almost 100% of the time, it’s just more fun. But if you want the sound signature for some songs or sources to be less bass deep, then just use the Aether R with the neutral setting.”
SVS Pinnacle 3.5-Way Floorstanding Speakers Review
December 12, 2019 Comments Off on SVS Pinnacle 3.5-Way Floorstanding Speakers Review
“While manufacturers like ELAC and Magnepan offer a sense of refinement and harmonic complexity the Pinnacle lacks, the Prime Pinnacle counters with scale, rhythm, dynamics, and real low end extension. If you are looking for a speaker that does music and HT equally well, the Pinnacle is an absolute no brainer. If you’re building an audio only system and can’t fit a sub, yet want near full range performance at an affordable price, the Pinnacle may be your only choice. If you’re looking for an audio only speaker to convey the subtle nuances of a saxophone, the complex textures of a cello, or the harmonic richness of a French Horn, and can either utilize a sub or just don’t value what’s available under 40Hz, your options widen significantly. Considering the risk free trial opportunity SVS offers, it’s tough to pass up the chance to give them a try and see if they work for you.”
FIIO FH7 REVIEW
December 11, 2019 Comments Off on FIIO FH7 REVIEW
https://www.headphone.guru/fiio-fh7-iem-stepping-up/
“I began my listening tests with the Balanced filters, the Medium Balanced tips, and the stock single-ended cable with the FiiO M11. Pulling up “Can-Utility and the Coastliners” (Genesis – 16/44.1kHz) on Qobuz it became instantly obvious that tip selection would have to come first. For the Balanced tips, I found the large to be the most comfortable and provide the best seal, but the sound was not what I was looking for in my neutral setting. The midrange was a bit pronounced and the bass was more in the background than I expected.”
Master & Dynamic MH40 Over-Ear Headphones: 5th Anniversary New Wireless
December 11, 2019 Comments Off on Master & Dynamic MH40 Over-Ear Headphones: 5th Anniversary New Wireless
http://www.audiophilia.com/reviews/2019/11/12/yrul5rb1xjb5p272les5vydxnp974g
“If you have the original MH40 you will probably want to upgrade to these new ones; otherwise if you are looking around for an exceptional pair of wireless headphones at only $299 you should check these out. I loved the original MH40s. Now wireless, even better. Very highly recommended.
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Auris Audio Euterpe Headphone Amp/DAC Review
December 10, 2019 Comments Off on Auris Audio Euterpe Headphone Amp/DAC Review
“While on the subject of the DAC, and being in the mood for distaff vocals, I was delighted to locate Carly Simon’s 2009 performance of ‘You’re So Vain’ [via wolfgangs.com], an unplugged studio performance with her son Ben and loads of acoustic guitars. Even with the closed-back cans, the sound extended beyond my ears, being delightfully open and particularly enjoyable because of their harmonising. OK, the years were showing on Carly Simon’s voice but it gave the performance a veracity of the warts ‘n’ all type.”
Devialet Expert 140 Pro integrated amplifier $6490 Review
December 10, 2019 Comments Off on Devialet Expert 140 Pro integrated amplifier $6490 Review
https://www.stereophile.com/content/devialet-expert-140-pro-integrated-amplifier
The Expert 140 Pro is a 140W (specified into 6 ohms) stereo integrated amplifier with a streaming DAC built in. It also has phono preamplification capability; phono equalization and preamplification is done in the digital domain. Because of its onboard computer—Devialet calls it Core Infinity, with the ubiquitous trademark symbol—the 140 Pro is set up to stream music from a variety of sources utilizing a variety of protocols and can be updated as new technologies emerge. It arrived at my house with “RoonReady,” “Spotify,” and “Airplay” among the preset input choices. Streaming services such as Qobuz and Tidal can be played via UPnP (as with the Mytek Brooklyn Bridge and the dCS Bartók) or Airplay.
Read more at https://www.stereophile.com/content/devialet-expert-140-pro-integrated-amplifier#hMptIKlIfHpI5awh.99
Bowers & Wilkins Formation Duo Wireless Integrated Loudspeaker Review
December 9, 2019 Comments Off on Bowers & Wilkins Formation Duo Wireless Integrated Loudspeaker Review
“But beyond sound quality and appeal to the committed audiophile, the Duo expands the market for high-quality audio by reaching music lovers who might be intimidated by component audio, or who lack the space for separates. The Duo unobtrusively blends into a home, is easy to use, and can be part of a whole-house wireless audio system. The obvious downside, which may not be a consideration for many listeners, is that the Duo is a closed ecosystem that works only with other Formation products, and can’t be upgraded as technology marches forward.
It’s unlikely that the advanced new wireless technology that motivated a Silicon Valley entrepreneur to buy a 53-year-old British loudspeaker company will be confined to the Formation products. The Duo is just the beginning. Don’t be surprised to see Formation-like technology and integration in versions of Bowers & Wilkins’ upper-end loudspeakers. Those products will help answer the question of whether the undeniable advantages of integrated wireless systems are limited to relatively affordable products like the Duo and to consumers for whom convenience is a priority, or if integrated loudspeakers represent a transformation that will eventually pervade even the upper echelons of high-end audio. “
EMM Labs DV2 Integrated Digital-To-Analog Converter $30,000 Review
December 9, 2019 Comments Off on EMM Labs DV2 Integrated Digital-To-Analog Converter $30,000 Review
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/superioraudio/equipment/1219/EMM_Labs_DV2_Integrated_DAC_Review.htm
“If you are also running analog, you will need a preamp or integrated amp so this digital volume control may not have the appeal it has to me, since you will already have a volume control. You may be better off saving $5000 by buying the DA2. So, this is for digital-only guys like me. Is the volume control here as good as a top rate analog volume control? Not in terms of range – you can go both louder and softer on some preamps which incorporate a gain stage and the steps may also be finer. But in terms of quality, if the range and granularity on offer here suits you, this one is pretty much perfect. In practice, I could not differentiate between the sound coming through the EMM Labs PRE Reference Preamplifier into the Soulution 511 Power Amp and the sound of the DV2 going directly into that power amp.
There are competitors to the DV2. dCS, Chord, Esoteric, MSB, Berkeley, and others all have or are working on statement DACs, and most now offer a variable output implemented digitally. I’ve been very impressed with the new implementations I’ve heard. Some are much more expensive than the DV2, and may have optional external clocks that can raise the price significantly. But I’ve heard nothing that sounds more like the music I hear in the best performance spaces. More impressive, yes, but more realistic, no.”
Audiophilepure 
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