Robert H. Levi, Author at Positive Feedback

World Premier Review: Audeze CRBN2 Electrostatic Headphones

Robert H. Levi — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 00:05:39 +0000

Audeze strikes again with its new CRBN 2 reference electrostatic headphones! Weighing in at 480 grams versus 300 grams for the original CRBN, with increased depth of the leather ear cups and housing, significantly improved and perfected 2nd generation nano-tube technology drivers, and a patent pending passive technology to enhance deep bass, the Audeze CRBN2... Read More »

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Unique Innovation Technology (UIT) Presents the Perfect Music Booster Power Cable: A Review by Bob Levi

Robert H. Levi — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 21:56:05 +0000

Bob Levi: a moment at the LAOC AS Board Banquet. Los Angeles, CA, 2023. (Photograph and image processing by David W. Robinson) I have been listening to and testing cables and other connectivity from UIT for about a decade, and have marveled at their progress. Their Perfect Music Purifier technology has improved and propelled their... Read More »

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Zesto Audio Andros Spirit Phonostage World Premier

Robert H. Levi — Fri, 22 Mar 2024 23:01:30 +0000

The Zesto Audio Andros Spirit Phonostage (image courtesy of Zesto Audio) The new Zesto Audio Andros Spirit Phonostage is an inexpensive wonder. It is so precisely cut from the same cloth as the Andros II and Deluxe II, all tubes all the time, that the audiophile will forget the small differences and accept the Spirit... Read More »

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Trumpet MC Phono Stage from Hagerman Audio Labs

Robert H. Levi — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 16:59:22 +0000

This third incarnation of the Trumpet MC Phono Stage is a musical blockbuster. With an amazing purity combined with near reference definition, the listener will be transported to the event as close as the vinyl allows. Very flexible and versatile, the Trumpet heralds a breakthrough performance similar to my reference stages at a quarter of the cost... Read More »

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Zesto Audio Leto Ultra II Preamplifier

Robert H. Levi — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 01:55:45 +0000

The Zesto Audio Leto Ultra II Preamplifier Now celebrating its 13th anniversary of producing award-winning all-tube designs for audiophiles, California's Zesto Audio has introduced its most advanced preamplifier to date. The Leto Ultra II Preamplifier is the amazing George Counnas's assault on the state of the art in all tube topology, and the third incarnation of the... Read More »

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SAE Mk One Preamplifier World Premier Review: A New Solid-State Benchmark!

Robert H. Levi — Sat, 02 Sep 2023 00:03:09 +0000

With its strikingly intense blue-lit lettering and elegantly smooth finished black metal case, this uniquely featured and performing preamplifier is designed and assembled right here in Southern California. This is not your father's SAE, and it surprised this seasoned audiophile and reviewer from the moment I activated the on button. I placed this solid-state preamp... Read More »

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Hana Umami Blue Moving-Coil Cartridge

Robert H. Levi — Sun, 11 Jun 2023 22:32:46 +0000

In my search for the Sweetheart of the most popular phono cartridge lines, offering the highest value and top performance for the price, the Hana series of cartridges brings a powerful entry. New to the market is the Hana Umami Blue Moving-Coil Cartridge also created by the brilliant Maseo Okada of Excel Sounds in Japan,... Read More »

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Sweetheart of the Line: The Grado Timbre Series Reference3 Low Output MI Phono Cartridge

Robert H. Levi — Sun, 21 May 2023 15:58:46 +0000

I particularly appreciate high-value products, so I set out to identify over-performers that are underpriced in the phono cartridge world. Simply asking the cartridge manufacturers or distributors for their recommendations yielded fascinating results for my new series of reviews. First up to bat is Grado Labs, with an upper mid-line model designated the Timbre Reference3 suggested by... Read More »

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Stein Music Bobby S Ultimate Loudspeaker

Robert H. Levi — Fri, 07 Apr 2023 16:19:00 +0000

The Bobby S Ultimate Loudspeaker from Stein Music of Germany is a robust stand-mounted two-way monitor that is unusual in several ways. It has a unique horn tweeter/midrange on top of a moderately large, for a monitor style speaker, dynamic woofer. The cabinet is finished in 100% knife-veneered birch and this model is the top of... Read More »

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J.S. Bach, Partita No. 2 in D Minor, Petteri Iivonen

Robert H. Levi — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 22:16:10 +0000

J.S. Bach, Partita No. 2 in D Minor, Petteri Iivonen Violin. Yarlung Records. 45 RPM LP. Executive Producer: Elliot Midwood Producer and Recording Engineer: Bob Attiyeh Mastering Engineers: Steve Hoffman, Arian Jansen & Bob Attiyeh Vinyl Mastering: Bernie Grundman Microphone Preamplification: Elliot Midwood AKG C24 microphone: Gearworks Pro Audio Graphic Layout: MikeDesign Violin: Ferdinandus Gagliano... Read More »

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Women and War and Peace from Yarlung Records

Robert H. Levi — Fri, 03 Mar 2023 00:16:41 +0000

Women and War and Peace. Yarlung Records; Katelyn Bouska, Piano; YAR54460: Gold Substrate CD pressed in Germany. Executive Producers: Evan Flaschen and Patrick Trostle. Recording Engineers: Bob Attiyeh and Arian Jansen. Mastering Engineers: Steve Hoffman, Arian Jansen and Bob Attiyeh. Microphone Preamplification: Elliot Midwood. AKG C24 microphone: Ancona Audio. Steinway Technician: Kathy Smith Cooper Bates. Photography Graphic Layout: MikeDesign "Kate flew to Southern... Read More »

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Unique Innovation Technology Co. (UIT) Perfect Music Booster (PMB) Series

Robert H. Levi — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 21:09:56 +0000

Image courtesy of UIT Unique Innovation Technology Co. (UITaudio.com) is a California company under the guidance of Mitch Ko, an extremely talented electrical engineer and designer who has always been looking to improve and advance connectivity for high-end audio. When I met him for the first time at the LA Audio Show a few years... Read More »

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World Premier - Zesto Audio Eros 500 Select Class A Monoblocks

Robert H. Levi — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 18:07:13 +0000

A Breakthrough Amplifier Design A pair of the Zesto Audio Eros 500 Select Monoblock Amps (image courtesy of Zesto Audio) The more I immerse myself in this hobby since I retired from the entertainment industry in 2008, the more certain I have become that the amplifier is the most important and telling piece of equipment in... Read More »

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Audeze MM-500 Headphone

Robert H. Levi — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 21:56:37 +0000

While I was supremely enjoying the Audeze LCD-5 Headphones on my E.A.R. HP4 Tube Headphone Amplifier and the Manley Absolute Tube Headphone Amplifier, Audeze came up with the new Audeze MM-500 Headphones to review. They have a similar ergonomic feel and look, but are smaller and purposed quite differently. The LCD-5 is an assault on... Read More »

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Grado Labs Statement Series 3000x Headphones

Robert H. Levi — Sat, 22 Oct 2022 15:34:15 +0000

GS3000x Wooden Grado Headphones I want to make it clear that the now discontinued wood body Grado Statement Series 3000e was my favorite go-to headphones for musical enjoyment and monitoring recording sessions. Their dynamic punch, beautiful definition, and excellent imaging rang every bell in the steeple. Frankly, I was surprised to receive the new 3000x. I... Read More »

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Zesto Audio Bia 200 Select Stereo Amplifier: World Premier Review

Robert H. Levi — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 23:23:42 +0000

The brilliant late audiophile, J. Gordon Holt, once wrote that if the purchaser of a fine system was torn between buying a great pair of speakers or a great amp, one should choose a great amp and a good pair of speakers that fit your basic needs. He commented that he had heard numerous systems... Read More »

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Audeze LCD-5 Flagship Planar Headphones

Robert H. Levi — Sun, 20 Mar 2022 16:04:13 +0000

Cutting right to the chase! I hypothesize that the excellent performance of the LCD-4 was criticized by many for its excess weight, and that the design required a makeover. At the same time, the CRBN Electrostat was bubbling up in R&D and would set a new musical standard for any headphones at half the weight. Most... Read More »

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Zesto Audio Andros Téssera Reference Vacuum Tube Phonostage Preamplifier: World Premiere!

Robert H. Levi — Fri, 05 Nov 2021 00:28:45 +0000

I had the good fortune of reviewing the excellent original Andros Téssera, which when spiced up with a few Mullard tubes, revealed extraordinary musical performance. I have since purchased a Zesto Audio Andros Deluxe II Phonostage with the introduction of the new tube combination and the massive upgrade in the power supply. Unlike the Téssera I reviewed,... Read More »

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Audeze CRBN Electrostatic Headphones

Robert H. Levi — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 20:27:54 +0000

My father once said to me that if you live long enough, you will see everything. He was right—at least in this case. After 60 years as an audiophile and music lover, the ultimate in electrostatic headphone technology has finally yielded what I believe to be the most musical and lifelike electrostatic headphones on the... Read More »

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Kirmuss Audio Advances Record Restoration and Introduces the Adrenaline Speaker Cable

Robert H. Levi — Fri, 08 Oct 2021 01:05:29 +0000

An important announcement! The energetic and brilliant Charles Kirmuss has no grass growing under his feet as he announces changes in usage of his superb KA-RC-1 Ultrasonic Record Restoration System and newly developed and very high value speaker cables for audiophile systems. I inquired about the cleaning process since there is so much buzz associated... Read More »

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RSX Beyond Phono Cable with DIN Review: Part Two

Robert H. Levi — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 20:14:42 +0000

I rarely revisit my complete reviews, but the RSX top-of-the-line Beyond phono cable with DIN connector has revealed state-of-the-art attributes that are stunning to this reviewer. In its RCA-terminated form, the cable from the legendary Roger Skoff was musically natural and neutral with a bullet. I was never able to truly discover what it did... Read More »

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Zesto Audio Andros Deluxe II Phono Stage: World Premiere Review!

Robert H. Levi — Sat, 15 May 2021 22:22:05 +0000

George Counnas of Zesto Audio with his Andros Deluxe II Phono Stage in Bob Levi's listening room Before I start: the most-asked question answered first! Yes. Those of you who own the Zesto Audio Deluxe Phono Stage may receive a factory Deluxe II upgrade through any Zesto Audio dealer for $1200, including a new faceplate... Read More »

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McIntosh MHA200 Tube Headphone Amplifier - World Premiere Review!

Robert H. Levi — Fri, 07 May 2021 01:23:30 +0000

Bob Levi with the brand new McIntosh MHA200 Tubed Headphone Amp (all photographs courtesy of Bob Levi) Once Upon A Time, in Binghamton, NY, a gathering of McIntosh engineers decided to produce an all-tube headphone amplifier without peer. They loved the sound of the Mc275 amplifier and its transformer circuit dating back to 1949, but... Read More »

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Quickies: Minimum Reviews for Maximum Audiophiles

Robert H. Levi — Sun, 20 Dec 2020 03:46:45 +0000

I have three great products to bring to your attention at the end of 2020. Listen up! Amazing Vacuum Tube Alert: GE 6189 (12AU7) JAN NOS The military/industrial NOS GE 6189 tube is a premium quality 12AU7 tube with an added internal helical wire that strengthens the grid structure and dampens vibration and noise. This... Read More »

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Grado GT220 Bluetooth Wireless IEM Universal Fit Headphones

Robert H. Levi — Sat, 24 Oct 2020 21:41:49 +0000

Finally! Bluetooth IEM monitors that present real music in real space without wires! Grado has done it and I am mightily impressed. Surpassing the performance of all other Bluetooth IEMs I have heard or auditioned, the new awesome GT220 Headphones are more authoritative, realistic, smoother, offer a more extended top and bottom end, and present... Read More »

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