Focal Clear Headphones $1,500 Review
July 1, 2018 Comments Off on Focal Clear Headphones $1,500 Review
“The Focal Clear is an exquisite-looking and brilliantly executed pair of headphones. Its extremely well-balanced performance would provide long-term satisfaction for an overwhelming majority of listeners. Yes, if you’re the questing type and money is no object, you can spend more and get more—but a lot of folks with four figures to spend might want to stop right here.”
PS Audio • Stellar Gain Cell Digital-to-Analog Converter and Stellar M700 Mono Amplifiers
July 1, 2018 Comments Off on PS Audio • Stellar Gain Cell Digital-to-Analog Converter and Stellar M700 Mono Amplifiers
“After reinserting the Emerald Physics EP100.2SE stereo amplifier into the chain, the most immediate thing I noticed was the need to increase the volume setting in order to get the same level as that reached with the M700s. Those 350 on-demand watts per channel do make a difference. With the Emerald Physics amp, I did notice a very slight narrowing of the soundstage and I thought I could hear a slight softening of the mids and highs, although I cannot make a definitive statement on this. In fact, I find it difficult to make any definitive comparative statements regarding the sound of the two amplifiers. They are that close. Perhaps the explanation is that they both use Danish ICEpower modules. Both provided ample power to pressurize my room when called for and both seemed equally able to plumb the lowest bass frequencies without feeling any pain. If anything, the Emerald Physics EP100.2SE summoned up more robust, if less controlled bass than the M700s, as evidenced on the Pan Sonic track cited earlier. As for the mids and highs, well, these are not tube amps and they did present, in my experience, a more analytical, less euphonic sound in this range than tubes (the Emerald Physics EP100.2SE less so). I personally prefer this sound.”
Revolution Acoustics Delivers 360° Sound from Above
July 1, 2018 Comments Off on Revolution Acoustics Delivers 360° Sound from Above
“Installation can be done without tools in as little as 2 minutes, according to Revolution Acoustics. The process involves using 3M Hi-Strength 90 spray glue to adhere the Ubiqui-T360 panel panel to the center of a 2 x 2- or 2 x 4-foot ceiling tile and screwing on a SSP6 Multiducer transducer.”
AURALIC VEGA G2 STREAMING DAC/PREAMP $5,699 REVIEW
June 30, 2018 Comments Off on AURALIC VEGA G2 STREAMING DAC/PREAMP $5,699 REVIEW
“The VEGA G2 is equally effective on tightly focused and purely acoustic material such as the track ‘Le Boulet Rieur’ from Joël Grare’s Grare: Paris – Instanbul – Shanghai[Alpha, 16/44.1]. Grare leads a remarkable percussion ensemble whose talents and multi-coloured instrumental voices are highlighted in the jaunty, syncopated ‘Le Boulet Rieur’. As the track played through the VEGA G2, three things caught my ear: the brilliant purity and richness of the tonal colours of each of the instruments in play, the dead-accurate rendering of the dynamic envelopes of the instruments (and especially of their distinctive attack and decay characteristics), and—once again—the striking three-dimensionality of the overall presentation. In short, the G2 offered up a sound that was at once invigourating, elegant, refined, and realistic.”
Sony MDR-Z7 $700 Review
June 30, 2018 Comments Off on Sony MDR-Z7 $700 Review
“First let’s discuss the bass response, which is stunning. Nothing is invented here, so if the track you’re listening to was mixed with moderate bass, the headphones won’t be boosting the lows like roughly 75 percent of the models we test do. However, if the track in question does indeed pack some powerful, deep bass, Sony delivers the ideal melding of clarity and full depth. On tracks with intense sub-bass content, like The Knife’s “Silent Shout,” the drivers deliver an accurate thump that will sound dialed-back to anyone used to the full-throttle bass experience typical of today—but there’s plenty of depth here. You’d never accuse these headphones of sounding remotely thin, and the entire frequency range is well-represented—it’s a crisp, detailed, full sound.”
Chord Electronics TToby Stereo Power Amplifier Review
June 29, 2018 Comments Off on Chord Electronics TToby Stereo Power Amplifier Review
“he TToby is a stunning achievement by John Franks and the Chord Electronics team. He obviously wasn’t willing to compromise sound quality for size or design. Most designers won’t consult with other ears when designing products, which baffles me. Mr. Franks, on the other hand, gets the team together for listening tests and takes feedback seriously. I have no doubt this is one of the reasons why the TToby is voiced so beautifully.”
Qobuz: Coming to America
June 29, 2018 Comments Off on Qobuz: Coming to America
“I continue to be thrilled with the direction of music consumption. Having millions of songs in full or high-resolution at my fingertips is a dream come true. Just a few short years ago, we were at 128Kbps, then 320Kbps, then full CD quality, and now studio-quality files, up to 24/192 resolution. Seeing this technology unfold and improve to this level makes me proud to be a part of the process.”
Cyrus One HD Review
June 28, 2018 Comments Off on Cyrus One HD Review
“Cyrus also keeps intact its reputation for an even balance. There isn’t heaps of low end shaking the floorboards, but it’s far from being lightweight. The sweetness is mirrored in a typically rich and unrestrained treble.Switching to digital via its SPDIF connection, each of those facets appears to have been improved upon.The performance is generally more confident and more assertive, with the assuredness to dig deeper into the detail while concurrently giving the record more space to breathe.”
Sennheiser HD 820 Headphones – Video
June 28, 2018 Comments Off on Sennheiser HD 820 Headphones – Video
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