The PS Audio DirectStream P15 Power Plant Review $7,495
April 7, 2019 Comments Off on The PS Audio DirectStream P15 Power Plant Review $7,495
”
Because the Power Plant is providing you with fresh AC, that six feet of power cord now makes an even bigger difference. The P15 and P20 make it much easier to discern the improvement that a premium power cable provides. You need look no further than the touch panel scope on the front panel of the P15 to see it in action. In my office/studio which features recent cabling and more attention to the Earth ground, the AC power only had an input distortion of 2%, coming from a 20 amp dedicated line and new breaker panel. In my house, with older wiring and a breaker box from the early 70s, that distortion rises to 3.5%. Interesting. Both Power Plants reduced output distortion to around .1%, a major increase in clarity.”
NAD M10 BLUOS STREAMING AMPLIFIER $2,500 REVIEW
April 7, 2019 Comments Off on NAD M10 BLUOS STREAMING AMPLIFIER $2,500 REVIEW
“Interestingly, there is no physical headphone connector, as the provision for Bluetooth wireless headphones is there. There is also wireless internet connectivity to the M10, but without an ugly external antenna, although I strongly prefer a wired LAN connection for speed, reliability and sound quality. At least you have choice and flexibility.
Internally the M10 is operated by a powerful NXP 1GHz ARM® Cortex A9 Processor, and the digital to analog is handled by a high-end 32-BIT/384kHz ESS Sabre ES9028 DAC.
A feature that you don’t see every day on a product like the M10 is Dirac Live integration. Dirac Live is a patented room correction technology that is capable of correcting the frequency response and the impulse response of your loudspeakers within the listening room and is a very welcome addition at this price point. Unfortunately, our review unit has not had this function activated yet and is expected to be enabled within weeks.”
CUSTOM ART FIBAE 4 REVIEW
April 6, 2019 Comments Off on CUSTOM ART FIBAE 4 REVIEW
“Not that is a slouch with vocals. With acoustical sparser tracks and artists like Allman Brown’s ‘honey’ed’ vocal pitching the FIBAE 4 does a fine job of creating a very euphonic and soothing delivery. Rather the FIBAE 4’s calling card is that superb low-end response. That is the star of the show and you will find yourself gravitating to that power it delivers on it is called upon.
Interestingly, Custom Art have refrained from throwing in lots of upper treble energy with the FIBAE 4. It is more on the relaxed and slightly darker side of things. I often find budget V-Shaped tuning to produce heavy treble responses in an attempt to deliver heavy levels of contrast to the elevated bass. This can often leave it too sharp sounding. FiiO’s F9 is a classic example.”
Hands On: Roon Music Playback, Management System
April 6, 2019 Comments Off on Hands On: Roon Music Playback, Management System
“What is Roon, you ask? Roon is a music playback and library management system for usage with digital devices not unlike, say, iTunes, but — spoiler alert — the depth of Roon’s all-encompassing library-based reach and top-shelf sound quality preferences are what makes it the most superior interface currently on the market. Here’s why.
Roon supports output to a myriad of gear and gadgets either individually or through your home network, including Roon-certified network players and DACs, computers and tablets, as well as to any Sonos, Chromecast, or AirPlay device. You can earmark playback in multiple listening zones, enable family/multi-listener access, and choose to default to hi-res audio output. Roon accesses information about your locally stored digital music library, as well as your personal library and playlists on services like Tidal and iTunes, in addition to harvesting as much related metadata that’s available.
Pangea Vulcan Turntable Stand Review
April 6, 2019 Comments Off on Pangea Vulcan Turntable Stand Review
“When it comes to a turntable rack, function is as important as form, and the Vulcan has both of them going for it. It feels and sits rock solid, its aesthetics easily pass the spouse acceptance factor and it’s bargain priced to boot. In less than half an hour my living room was transformed, and the storage shelves give me plenty of space for future LP purchases.
Turntables are back. So are spin-cleaners, stylus gauges and carbon fiber brushes, among other doodads and tweaks. Consider the turntable stand as one of the most important among these. And consider the Vulcan TT as an easy, attractive, effective and economical option that delivers everything you’d hope for from it. Enthusiastically recommended and HRAC-approved.”
Modwright SWL9.0, PH 9.0 and KWA SE100 Review
April 5, 2019 Comments Off on Modwright SWL9.0, PH 9.0 and KWA SE100 Review
Revel Concerta 2 F35 Review
April 5, 2019 Comments Off on Revel Concerta 2 F35 Review
“Once we’re happy with their positioning, we shake off any dust particles with a quick blast of Faithless’s dance classic Insomnia. And the Revels transport you back to the dancefloors of the 1990s in no time.
The track’s blipping bassline can be lost with poorer-sounding speakers. With the Revels, you’re left in no doubt of its presence. The F35s give those bass notes a satisfying texture and match the pace of the track beat for beat.”
Living Voice • Vox Palladian/Palladian Basso Loudspeaker System Review
April 4, 2019 Comments Off on Living Voice • Vox Palladian/Palladian Basso Loudspeaker System Review
“Despite the price, despite the sheer quality of the finish and the scale of the finished system, don’t confuse these speakers with some luxury exercise in cost-no-object consumption. These speakers are all — and only — about performance. In a market where an increasing number of products appear more concerned with their role as male jewelry than they do with their achievements in musical communication (the audio equivalents of tote bags with logos from the likes of Chanel or Dolce & Gabbana that are so big that they overlap the available surface), the Living Voice Vox-series speakers are a singular — and singularly successful — exception to that trend. If the general public struggles with brand recognition much beyond Bang & Olufsen or its spiritual descendent Devialet, if the likes of Wilson Audio are flying well below the popular radar, then where does that place the Vox Palladians? The simple fact is that nobody will buy them to impress their non-audio friends. You don’t buy them to impress your fashion-conscious audio buddies either. You don’t buy them to convince yourself that you are younger than you feel, and you certainly don’t buy them to impress your interior designer/decorator, who really isn’t going to understand the positional demands they dictate. You buy the Vox Palladians (assuming you can afford to) for one reason and one reason only — to be transported by music. Arguably more than any other speaker system I’ve tested, they stand or fall by that measure alone — and stand they most definitely do.”
EarSonics EM64 Review
April 4, 2019 Comments Off on EarSonics EM64 Review
“Visual customisation is limited because of 3D-printing. Clear is the only shell colour available. But, you do get to choose between 17 faceplate colours and all sorts of graphical engravings. I opted for Translucent Black with the S-EM9’s ES logo engraved on the left, and Trans Military Green with EM64 engraved on the right. I think those designs were realised very well. Unfortunately, like most 3D-printed monitors, the shells are riddled by patches of cloudiness and print lines. It is a consequence of the tech, but there is definitely room for improvement. Regardless, fit is outstanding with an even seal throughout, long-lasting comfort and excellent isolation. Lacquerwork is brilliant too, as the IEMs feel flawlessly smooth.”
Audiophilepure 
You must be logged in to post a comment.