Mark Pearson, Author at Positive Feedback

Parasound HALO JC 5 Amplifier

Mark Pearson — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 19:03:59 +0000

The Parasound JC 5 stereo amplifier has been in continuous production since 2018 and has been reviewed many times over the years including reviews in Positive Feedback. I want to be upfront that I purchased the JC 5 prior to writing this review. I made the leap of faith based on the reputation of the... Read More »

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Audio-Technica AT-ART20 Moving Coil Cartridge

Mark Pearson — Sat, 14 Jan 2023 18:31:38 +0000

The AT-ART20 lists for $2900 and resides as the second most expensive cartridge in the ART series cartridge line. The AT-ART20 is only topped by the $4999 AT-ART1000. The AT-ART20 magnetic circuit was based on the AT-ART9XI, but the AT-ART20 has a thicker front yoke, which improves the flux density and increases the output by... Read More »

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Dynamic Design AV Cables

Mark Pearson — Mon, 10 Oct 2022 18:58:46 +0000

Dynamic Design AV is a Chicago based cable company that was established in 2000. Frankly, I was surprised that I had never heard of Dynamic Design prior to this review. Since Dynamic Design AV has been in business for 22 years, they must be doing something right. I was given the opportunity to review a... Read More »

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KECES Sphono Preamplifier and Sphono Power

Mark Pearson — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 00:24:44 +0000

What if I told you there is a two box phono preamp with one box being the outboard power supply and the other box contains the dual mono balanced phono circuit, and that it has inputs for four separate cartridges (two moving magnet and two moving coil), complete loading adjustments for all four phono inputs... Read More »

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Audio Research Reference Phono 3 - One Smart Phono Stage

Mark Pearson — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 19:17:24 +0000

Phono preamplifiers come in all shapes and sizes and with varying amounts of user adjustability and convenience. The ARC Ref 3 phono preamplifier is hands down the smartest phono section I have ever had the pleasure of using and listening to. At the bottom of the intelligence pecking order are phono preamplifiers that only have... Read More »

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Mojo Audio Déjà vu Music Server

Mark Pearson — Mon, 30 Apr 2018 18:30:33 +0000

I'm going to start off by saying that I feel like I have been on a digital journey during the process of reviewing the Mojo Audio Déjà vu Music Server. I encourage all who are interested in the specs and tweaks for the Déjà vu Music Server to visit the Mojo Audio website and read... Read More »

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Suncoast Audio Premier of the LampizatOr Pacific DAC

Mark Pearson — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 17:00:40 +0000

Mike Bovaird, the owner of Suncoast Audio in Sarasota Florida, held an event at his store on October 14, 2017 to provide a premier demo of the new Pacific flagship DAC from LampizatOr for his Sarasota customers. I flew in on 'lucky' Friday the 13th to Sarasota in order to cover the event. Suncoast Audio... Read More »

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The VPI Avenger and a Tale of Three Tables - Part 1

Mark Pearson — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 16:38:11 +0000

Strap yourself in your seat, because we are going to go on a VIP ride with the VPI Avenger turntable. And yes, you dear readers are the VIPs in this adventure. This is part 1 of a 3 part series. The reason for the three parts is that I am going to review all three... Read More »

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Audio Research Ref 6 Preamplifier - A Follow-up

Mark Pearson — Thu, 02 Mar 2017 00:34:44 +0000

I'm overdue to finish what I started with my preliminary review of the Audio Research Ref 6 preamplifier (HERE). I have now spent many pleasurable hours listening to and using the Ref 6 as part of my reference system. Prior to purchasing the Ref 6, I owned the Ref 5SE and enjoyed the almost two... Read More »

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Raven Audio Silhouette MK2 Reference Preamplifer and Shaman MK2 Mono Power Amplifiers

Mark Pearson — Wed, 04 Jan 2017 03:55:45 +0000

I'm no stranger to reviewing Raven Audio gear having previously reviewed a pair of the Raven Audio Silhouette Reference amplifiers and Silhouette Reference preamplifier, and the Shadow Reference stereo amplifier for PF. All Raven gear shares something in common, and that is the ability to reproduce music in such a way that it never fails to... Read More »

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PS Audio DirectStream Junior DAC

Mark Pearson — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 16:31:52 +0000

The PS Audio DirectStream Junior DAC is another member of the class of audio components that exudes pride of ownership from the time it lands on your doorstep. No flimsy cardboard boxes here folks. The DSJ comes double boxed with the outer box in plain cardboard to fool nosy audiophile neighbors with a predilection for... Read More »

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Music Hall MMF-9.3 Turntable

Mark Pearson — Thu, 27 Oct 2016 03:47:09 +0000

How many times have we all heard the left-handed compliment about an audio component when someone says it sounds "really good for the money?" The inference is that even though it sounds really good, it doesn't sound all that good because it just doesn't cost as much as the high-priced spread. I'm going to get right... Read More »

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Audio Research Ref 6 Line Stage - Preliminary Thoughts

Mark Pearson — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 01:27:09 +0000

Transformative Evolution I first heard about the Ref 6 line stage coming to market in late October 2015. Without any hesitation, I contacted ARC and placed my order. Why? Because ARC has rarely taken missteps in the evolution of their products since the inception of the company and I was confident that the Ref 6... Read More »

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Audio Vault USA Rack

Mark Pearson — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 08:34:48 +0000

Audio Vault USA is a relative newcomer to the world of audio equipment racks designed for use in high end systems. Audio Vault USA was founded a year ago by Dave Vincent. Dave is the President of Audio Vault USA and Dave is a mechanical engineer. Dave and James Wall who works for Audio Vault... Read More »

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Mojo Audio – A Glimpse of the PCM Promised Land

Mark Pearson — Fri, 04 Dec 2015 23:41:06 +0000

So there I was checking my email, and I saw that I had a message from Dave Clark asking if I was interested in reviewing some Mojo Audio gear. As I read down the email, I could see that Benjamin Zwickel has personally asked for me to review his digital gear. The first thought that... Read More »

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RMAF 2015 Part 2

Mark Pearson — Sun, 25 Oct 2015 19:32:26 +0000

I have some more pictures to share from RMAF and a few more thoughts about the show. Below is a picture of the Einstein/AF-2 room. I think the AF-2 is a great looking table, but nothing much was happening when I visited the room so I really don’t have much to share beyond the pictures.... Read More »

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RMAF 2015

Mark Pearson — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 22:17:12 +0000

Another year and another RMAF show is in the books. I'm going to tell you about some of the rooms that I considered to sound very, very good, and I will leave out the rooms which didn't sound so great. As we all know by now, pulling off setting up a system in a hotel... Read More »

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Zesto Audio Andros 1.2 Phonostage - The Quiet Wonder

Mark Pearson — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 06:07:08 +0000

The Zesto Audio Andros 1.2 phonostage has been one of my tougher reviews to finish. I know it sounds cliché, but the Andros 1.2 is one of those pieces of gear that makes you want to quit writing and just listen to the music. Even though I consider this a follow-up to the review of... Read More »

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Raven Audio Shadow Reference Stereo Amplifier

Mark Pearson — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 21:50:55 +0000

As I was contemplating where to start this review of the Raven Audio Shadow Reference Stereo amp, the words 'natural ease' popped into my head. Why? Because there is a natural ease about this amplifier that is simply captivating. I want to frame this review by outlining my reference system that I dropped the Shadow... Read More »

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Hagerman Audio Labs Trumpet Reference Phono Stage Preamplifier

Mark Pearson — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 04:00:30 +0000

The Hagerman Audio Labs Trumpet Reference phono stage sits at the top of the mountain of the phono stages offered by Hagerman Audio Labs. I first laid eyes on the Trumpet Reference phono stage at RMAF 2014 where Jim Hagerman was displaying it in the same room where all of the LPs were being sold.... Read More »

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Interview with Jim Hagerman

Mark Pearson — Sun, 19 Apr 2015 16:53:37 +0000

Q. What is your background in electronics and how long have you been designing audio circuits? A. I have been designing electronics for a solid 33 years, ever since getting my Electrical Engineering degree. I'm not a lawyer or hobbyist turned designer; I've been designing from day one. My focus has not just been with... Read More »

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Viero Equilibrio Level 3 Speaker Cables

Mark Pearson — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 04:58:26 +0000

So the call came out from PF: Who wants to review a pair of expensive speaker cables made in Italy? I raised my hand, er, I mean I responded to the email and said "I do." The most expensive speaker cables I have ever personally owned was a 10' bi-wire pair of MIT cables that... Read More »

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Manley Chinook Phono Preamplifier

Mark Pearson — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 03:47:23 +0000

After reviewing several pieces of high-end audio gear lately that arrived at my house in plain cardboard boxes, marginally adequate packing materials that weren't designed or manufactured by professionals, wrapped in layers of cellophane wrap instead of being inserted into a custom made plastic bag, and arriving sans power cord and instruction manual, it was... Read More »

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Lampizator Level 4 DAC - Smooth Operator

Mark Pearson — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 19:14:54 +0000

LampizatOr audio products are handmade in Poland and are the brain child of Lukasz Fikus. The LampizatOr website is interesting to say the least and it gives you an insight into the mind, philosophy, and sense of humor of Lukasz Fikus. I highly recommend cruising over to the LampizatOr website and reading up on Lukasz's philosophy of... Read More »

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