Bryston Bi-200 Integrated Amplifier Review
June 9, 2025 Comments Off on Bryston Bi-200 Integrated Amplifier Review
https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1945-bryston-bi-200-integrated-amplifier
I noticed that the Bi‑200 was the quieter of the two amps. Not so much that I could hear details I couldn’t hear with the B135, but enough to draw my attention to details I don’t normally notice. For example, while listening to “Your Rocky Spine” with the Bi‑200, my ears were piqued by what sounded like a shaker inside the left speaker, something I had never paid much attention to before. Going back to the B135, I could still hear the shaker, but it was not quite as clear, not enough to catch my attention.
I also noticed that the performers were better separated with the Bi‑200—more sharply outlined, with more space between them. But to be fair, the B135’s presentation was far from congested.
Bowers & Wilkins 702 S3 Signature Review
June 9, 2025 Comments Off on Bowers & Wilkins 702 S3 Signature Review
Rockport Technologies Orion Loudspeaker Review
June 8, 2025 Comments Off on Rockport Technologies Orion Loudspeaker Review
https://www.hifinews.com/content/rockport-technologies-orion-loudspeaker
This track builds towards a crescendo, the mix becoming more complex, the musical picture bigger. Through the Orions, not one element of this huge wall of sound sounded out of place. These are speakers that don’t exaggerate anything unduly, although the potency of their bass will be sure to remind some listeners what they’ve been missing out on.
And you can, without worry, give the Orions the kind of intimate, sparse music favoured by the hi-fi cognoscenti. The recent Bob Ludwig remaster of Regina Spektor’s ‘Samson’ [Songs; Sire 093624842484], which features the vocalist accompanying herself on piano, was a masterclass in tonal nuance and clear, smooth mid-tones, plus the detail needed to evoke her finger playing and pedal technique. John Mayer’s ‘Slow Dancing In A Burning Room’ [Continuum; Columbia 96kHz/24-bit] is similar, combining acoustic guitars and solo vocal, and again the Orion loudspeakers delivered a sound of immediacy and insight, with small details populating a big stage.
Volumio Rivo Plus Streamer $1,399 Review
June 8, 2025 Comments Off on Volumio Rivo Plus Streamer $1,399 Review
Yes, if you really wanted to put in the work, you could build your own streamer for a fraction of the price of the Rivo Plus. But your time is also worth something, even if you have the skills to do it. And that homemade streamer would not have the high-performance digital output stage with all the format options the Rivo Plus has. I was very impressed with the Volumio Rivo Plus. It does just what it says it will do, with admirable build quality, looks, and software polish. There are only a few small bugs to continue to work out with the software, but it’s already very good.
Focal Hadenys & Azurys Headphones Review
June 7, 2025 Comments Off on Focal Hadenys & Azurys Headphones Review
Focal’s Hadenys and Azurys are essentially one headphone delivered in two acoustic flavors. If you spend all your time in shared or noisy spaces, the Azurys’ isolation tips the scale. If you mix, master, or simply prefer the free-breathing sound of open-backs, the Hadenys feel like a bargain slice of Focal’s higher-end lineage.
Technics SC-CX700 Wireless Speaker System $2,999 Review
June 7, 2025 Comments Off on Technics SC-CX700 Wireless Speaker System $2,999 Review
I really can go on and on about the Technics SC-CX700 speaker system, but you get the gist of my enjoyment overall. At first, I thought this to be more of a lifestyle piece of gear, it is designed to integrate into your main audio listening environment, whether from a television or from streaming. Hell, there are soundbars that can do some of that, too. I was wrong in my assumption; this is a serious piece of audio gear that should maintain its technical integrity and ability into the future. I would have no problem living with this system as my main audio source, period.
Share On
World Premiere Review!Class D Audio Premium GaN 6.0 Balanced Amplifier ReviewTerry Audio EI 30A Balanced Power Review
June 6, 2025 Comments Off on World Premiere Review!Class D Audio Premium GaN 6.0 Balanced Amplifier ReviewTerry Audio EI 30A Balanced Power Review
When it comes to chill, nothing may top K.D. Lang’s Ingénue [Sire – 9 26840-2]. This is a giant album that made K.D. a household name and does a tremendous job of showcasing her effortless singing style. While Ms. Lang had been considered a country artist, Ingénue was a genre-warping effort that refused to be categorized. That’s why it sounds just fresh now in 2025 as it did when it came out in 1992. As soon as I hit the play button, I knew I was in for a special treat. I remembered it being a good-sounding album, but I was immediately blown away by Ingénue’s spectacular sound. One track that stands out is “Wash Me Clean”. Listening to it with the Premium GaN 6.0, K.D.’s vocals were beautifully rendered with effortless dynamics. The acoustic guitar also sounded incredibly natural and the bass was deep and tuneful.
Why Hi-Fi Prices Have Risen
June 6, 2025 Comments Off on Why Hi-Fi Prices Have Risen
https://www.stereophile.com/content/why-hi-fi-prices-have-risen
High prices for hi-fi are nothing new. Prices have risen incessantly for at least a couple of decades, especially at the highest-priced end of the hi-fi market—and that’s got nothing to do with tariffs. What we’ve seen isn’t inflation exactly, or not mainly that. Companies have discovered that there’s a market for ever more expensive stuff, so they started making it. There’s a story about Swiss watches that may be apocryphal: A poorly edited ad for a very expensive watch added an extra zero to the price, and the watch sold out in days. I get the feeling that even companies themselves are surprised sometimes at how much people are willing to pay for this stuff.
Why is it happening? I’m no economist, but one answer seems obvious: There are more rich people than ever, and they’re riche
Audiophilepure 
You must be logged in to post a comment.