Dynaco ST-70 Series 3 Tube Power Amplifier $3000 Review
February 25, 2019 Comments Off on Dynaco ST-70 Series 3 Tube Power Amplifier $3000 Review
” Its ability to resolve individual threads within a complex musical passage was highly evolved over that of most vintage tube designs. And it was able to latch onto transient decay down to what is an impressively low noise floor for a tube amplifier. Its spatial presentation and microdynamic conviction equaled or exceeded that of any comparably powered push-pull tube amp I’ve auditioned over the years, even when driving a 96dB-sensitive loudspeaker. That’s quite a testimonial for the purity of its first watt. In fact, I had just spent some quality time with a new 300B amp acquisition, and it hit me that the Dynaco approached the sound of a fine single-ended triode amp, actually sounding better at the frequency extremes, and nearly as refined in the midrange. I can say with confidence that the bass demons that afflicted the original ST-70 have been exorcised. Upright jazz bass was nicely defined with good pitch definition. However, deep bass performance was typical for a low-power tube amp, lacking current delivery into low-impedance loads.”
BLUESOUND WIRELESS MUSIC SYSTEM REVIEW
February 24, 2019 Comments Off on BLUESOUND WIRELESS MUSIC SYSTEM REVIEW
“Did I find the Bluesound player better than my reliable and beloved Sonos system? The answer is a resounding yes. High resolution files sounded great, something the Sonos can’t play. Ripped CDs often sounded better than when they were playing back through the Sonos. Trying to describe the differences between the Sonos and the Bluesound system on the same equipment is a matter of subtleties. Instrument locations, especially acoustic instruments are more precise. Percussion instruments have more bite, and ‘liveness’. Switching between ripped CDs, it was almost always obvious which equipment was playing. That was true even when another person made the switches so I had no idea if I was listening to the Sonos or the Bluesound as a source. It could be a difference in DACs, the ripping into FLAC format, or something in the way the networking is architected. Whatever the reason, it sounded like a thin veil had been lifted when listening to the Bluesound.”
SONY WH-1000XM3 REVIEW
February 24, 2019 Comments Off on SONY WH-1000XM3 REVIEW
“Vocals are certainly a good showing here. Both male and female vocals are given plenty of space and clarity to shine and the added warmth across the presentation tends to aid this. I found that male vocals in particular had a good tones and weigh behind them and that female vocals were complemented by the smooth presentation of the highs.
Mids are smooth and warm with stringed instruments just about carrying enough weight. Again the warmth of the tuning really helps out here and if you listen to a lot of rock, pop or hip hop these headphones should serve your well.
Low end is enhanced and has a certain dominance over the presentation as a whole. It can has both a good rumble and speed of attack and only minimal bleed into the lower midrange was observed.”
MOON 390 NETWORK PLAYER/PREAMPLIFIER
February 23, 2019 Comments Off on MOON 390 NETWORK PLAYER/PREAMPLIFIER
“Finally, I tried Leif Ove Andsnes playing Chopin Ballades and Nocturnes on Sony, as heard through Qobuz, a 96k/24 bit recording. The piano is a funny one for me. It’s tough to capture a keyboard well so that it sounds like a single instrument and not a series of drive units- so it’s more a speaker thing, but the amp and DAC also play a starring role in the success of good pianistic reproduction.
Chord’s DAVE is the master of the piano, but somehow what I’m hearing on this hi-res Qobuz recording makes me want to listen further and further. It’s a beautiful sound with no harsh edges, and the incredible subtlety of Andsnes’ phrasing spins the musical line in an arresting way. Not only is the timbre of the piano just right, but the micro-phrasing that you hear when you stand next to a great musical artist is all there. It is so often lost.”
LIME EARS MODEL X UNIVERSAL REVIEW
February 23, 2019 Comments Off on LIME EARS MODEL X UNIVERSAL REVIEW
“The boosted low-end on the Model X bass-on mode does mean you will hear a bit more body to instrumental timbre. Lower pitched instrumental work, particularly guitar work with sound richer and more authoritative on this switch setting much like the custom Model X.
Vocals for me do not actually change their position or presence with either switch but due to the more elevated nature of the low end with the bass-on mode they will struggle for a bit more air and fall a bit further back in the mix. When there is less bass energy, however, vocal timbre does sound a little fuller and warmer than when the bass mode is off which I prefer at times, especially for female vocals.
Staging does change on the Bass-On mode compared to Bass-Off. I find the depth to improve on the Bass-On mode with relatively the same level of height and air compared to the Bass-Off mode. With the bass turned off the Model X sounds more linear, not quite as deep or forward sounding but the mids are a bit more open and spacious sounding as a result.”
ESD Acoustic, Huge Horn Loudspeakers
February 23, 2019 Comments Off on ESD Acoustic, Huge Horn Loudspeakers
Audio-Technica’s CKR7 true wireless earphones
February 23, 2019 Comments Off on Audio-Technica’s CKR7 true wireless earphones
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