Michael Laurance, Author at Positive Feedback https://positive-feedback.com/author/michael-laurance/ A Creative Forum for the Audio Arts Sat, 21 Sep 2024 16:39:56 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 Play All the Records! - The Criton 3TD-X Loudspeakers https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/criton-3td-x-loudspeakers/ https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/criton-3td-x-loudspeakers/#respond Sat, 21 Sep 2024 16:39:56 +0000 https://positive-feedback.com/?p=89992 Perhaps the principal joy in attending audio shows is sitting and auditioning insanely expensive speakers, many with six-figure price tags. As long as I live, I will never tire of it. If nothing else, it puts everything in the audio world into some sort of perspective. At the most recent AXPONA, I heard plenty of... Read More »

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Lightning In a Bottle - Cambridge Audio MXN10 Digital Audio Streamer https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/cambridge-audio-mxn10/ https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/cambridge-audio-mxn10/#respond Tue, 27 Aug 2024 16:39:24 +0000 https://positive-feedback.com/?p=89302 Quite possibly, if you were to ask my non-audiophile friends, their perception of me would be one of a guy who is on the cutting edge of technology. They walk into my home and are usually overwhelmed by all the whiz-bang gadgets adorning my listening spaces. However, the truth is I was slow coming into... Read More »

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Affordable Magic - the SOTA Pyxi Phono Stage https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/sota-pyxi-phono-preamplifier/ https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/sota-pyxi-phono-preamplifier/#respond Thu, 07 Dec 2023 17:06:07 +0000 http://positive-feedback.com/?p=80483 Recently, I was reading about a leading industry engineer who strived for components that were "one-noters." What they meant by that phrase was simple: a piece of audio gear should create an impact in your listening environment from the first note you hear through it. Tall order. It certainly gave me pause for thought. How... Read More »

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Running the Gamut- PS Audio Stellar Phono Preamplifier https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/ps-audio-stellar-phono-preamplifier-2/ https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/ps-audio-stellar-phono-preamplifier-2/#respond Wed, 01 Nov 2023 21:05:02 +0000 http://positive-feedback.com/?p=79496 The Stellar Phono Preamplifier is now the third piece from PS Audio's Stellar line that has graced my listening room. Somehow, while it was exceptionally difficult, I mustered the gumption to return those first two amazing pieces back to PS Audio after the earlier reviews. However, this may be the phono stage that I cannot... Read More »

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Rock and Roll All Night… I Just Might! - Wharfedale Diamond 12.3 Loudspeakers https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/wharfedale-diamond-12-3-loudspeakers/ https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/wharfedale-diamond-12-3-loudspeakers/#respond Sat, 01 Apr 2023 23:09:27 +0000 http://positive-feedback.com/?p=73141 A common topic among audiophiles or collectors of HiFi gear is the piece of gear you regret selling the most. Often, this results in a list of equipment we lament relinquishing to the wild. You have yours and I have mine. What's my regret? A gorgeous set of Wharfedale Pacific Evo tower speakers that I... Read More »

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Locally Sourced - SOTA Quasar Turntable with Zephyr Tonearm https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/sota-quasar-turntable/ https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/sota-quasar-turntable/#respond Mon, 27 Feb 2023 20:13:51 +0000 http://positive-feedback.com/?p=72011 Over the past several years, increasing emphasis has been placed on products made in the U.S.A., and moreover, those hand-crafted by artisans. Entire fairs have sprung up showcasing wares by craftsman and more attention is being paid to the sources of materials of each product. Whether it is the farm-to-table movement, or your daily deliveries,... Read More »

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Wide Open Spaces - Canor Audio DAC 2.10 https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/canor-audio-dac-2-10/ https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/canor-audio-dac-2-10/#respond Mon, 02 Jan 2023 20:51:21 +0000 http://positive-feedback.com/?p=70311 It used to be that when traveling out of state, I would tell people I was from Chicago. But in reality, it couldn't be further from the truth. I live in a suburb more than an hour north of Chicago and largely avoid going into the city. Lately, I have begun to be more truthful,... Read More »

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The Great Painters - MayFly MF-201A Loudspeakers with MF-201A Stands https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/mayfly-201a-loudspeakers/ https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/mayfly-201a-loudspeakers/#respond Sat, 26 Nov 2022 21:45:49 +0000 http://positive-feedback.com/?p=69128 Most times, equipment reviews begin smoothly, and progress from there. Occasionally, though, they start with a bit of thud. In this case, my review of the MayFly 201A loudspeakers began with a disheartening rattle. The shipper had apparently not been kind in their transit of the four boxes. Upon connecting the speakers, it was readily... Read More »

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Escapism with the Sendy Apollo Headphones https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/sendy-apollo-headphones/ https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/sendy-apollo-headphones/#respond Mon, 10 Oct 2022 18:36:42 +0000 http://positive-feedback.com/?p=67641 I have very little need for escapism. I live in a very peaceful area, surrounded by lakes, trees, and very little traffic. My listening room is in my basement, further isolated still. My marriage is a happy one, and we have no kids at home. Only the occasional visit from the parents, siblings, nieces, nephews,... Read More »

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Sonic Occupation - Atlantic Technology AT3 Loudspeakers https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/atlantic-technology-at3-loudspeakers/ https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/atlantic-technology-at3-loudspeakers/#respond Fri, 15 Apr 2022 17:10:18 +0000 http://positive-feedback.com/?p=62517 After considerable thought, I decided that I would begin this review in a somewhat unconventional manner. Normally, my articles launch with a clever anecdote, short tale, or muse to pull you, the reader, in closer. However, in this case, I'm going to begin right away talking about the challenges and ultimate rewards that came with... Read More »

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Command Performance - Parasound JC 5 Stereo Power Amplifier https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/parasound-jc-5-stereo-power-amplifier/ https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/parasound-jc-5-stereo-power-amplifier/#respond Sat, 01 Jan 2022 17:32:40 +0000 http://positive-feedback.com/?p=59479 Every once in a while, a piece of gear comes into the listening room that immediately makes its presence known as something special, something just a bit elevated from the other shiny boxes that make our hearts beat faster. Such was the case with arrival of the Parasound JC 5. However, in all fairness, I... Read More »

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Dual Duty - Questyle CMA Twelve DAC / Headphone Amplifier https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/questyle-cma-twelve-dac-headphone-amplifier/ https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/questyle-cma-twelve-dac-headphone-amplifier/#respond Wed, 12 May 2021 23:21:23 +0000 http://positive-feedback.com/?p=55423 It's funny. As we move up through the echelons of the audio world, the pieces that produce our sonic magic become more and more singular in function. The jobs which devices perform move into larger and more separate boxes as if no component can do two things well at once. Stay in your lane. In... Read More »

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Taking it With You - Clarus CODA DAC https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/clarus-coda-dac/ https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/clarus-coda-dac/#respond Mon, 01 Mar 2021 17:01:51 +0000 http://positive-feedback.com/?p=53751 In December of 2020, Clarus Cable released the Coda DAC/headphone amplifier ($300), giving the audiophile on-the-go a new and elevated option for taking music everywhere. Utilizing the ESS Professional Series SABRE DAC, the CODA plugs directly into your laptop via USB-A, and features a 3.5mm headphone jack on the other end. Inside the solidly-constructed device... Read More »

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