Victor Chavira, Author at Positive Feedback

Record Doctor Clamp

Victor Chavira — Tue, 06 Apr 2021 16:31:38 +0000

Might this be the easiest review I have ever written? I'll cut to the chase and claim that the Record Doctor record clamp is a "no brainer" essential accessory for vinyl enthusiasts. Numerous similar products have been available for years, but I have never felt motivated to experiment with admirable performance of my Pioneer PLX1000... Read More »

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Alta Audio Alyssa Loudspeakers

Victor Chavira — Tue, 17 Nov 2020 20:31:35 +0000

My appreciation for ribbons goes back to my earliest days with high end audio. As a university student, I rode public transportation across the city with my CD wallet in hand to visit fine audio shops on the west side in order to listen to Magnepans and Apogees. Their incredibly spacious and transparent sound left... Read More »

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iFi Audio's Zen Can Headphone Amplifier

Victor Chavira — Sun, 01 Nov 2020 17:05:46 +0000

Six months ago, I was an infrequent headphone user. At best I listened to an old set of ear buds with balance armatures while riding the elliptical during one my very infrequent visits to the gym. Did I possess a decent pair of closed-back circumaural headphones? Check. Had I attended headphone shows and been exposed... Read More »

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USBe Perfect

Victor Chavira — Sun, 04 Oct 2020 20:12:29 +0000

My power conditioner is an EQUI=CORE 300 by Core Power Technologies. Some time ago, the company's assets were acquired and renamed Core Power Technologies A/V by web-based audio retailer Underwood HiFi of Hawaii. Underwood HiFi also designs and performs upgrades to components. The device under evaluation is a USB jitter reducer / power conditioner called... Read More »

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Latin Jazz Listening Party

Victor Chavira — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 21:05:55 +0000

If you have the good fortune to have a smart TV connected to your stereo and are a fan of the genre, then I encourage you to participate in this Latin Jazz listening party. These are not cell phone audience recordings, but professional productions with good sound. Grab a favorite beverage, a dance partner hopefully,... Read More »

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Afro Cuban Quarantine

Victor Chavira — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 17:11:53 +0000

One of the few benefits of quarantine has been an abundance of time for listening to music. As resident Latin music specialist, I offer the following recommendations for your enjoyment. Buenos Hermanos was Ibrahim Ferrer's 2003 follow up to Buena Vista Social Club Presents Ibrahim Ferrer released in 1999. Both recordings are from World Circuit.... Read More »

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A Visit to Stereo Brewing

Victor Chavira — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 21:41:31 +0000

Now celebrating its 3rd year of operation, Stereo Brewing is an independent craft brewery located in Placentia, California. Master brewer-owner Rick Smets created Stereo Brewing as his crowning achievement for the things he is passionate about, great music and great beer. Given that his values dovetail perfectly with many at Positive Feedback and never lacking... Read More »

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Luxman LX-380 Integrated

Victor Chavira — Sat, 24 Nov 2018 23:00:06 +0000

The image above is presented as proof of my credentials for reviewing vacuum tube integrated amplifiers. The photo of my younger son was taken two decades ago sitting next to the Air Tight Acoustic Masterpiece M-101 integrated amplifier (audioMusings Issue 6, 1998 HERE). The infant is now a grown man and moved on to pursue his... Read More »

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Tekton Design Impact Monitors

Victor Chavira — Mon, 02 Jul 2018 00:52:16 +0000

Click over to Tekton Design's website and one could infer that I have quit my job, given away all possessions, and joined the church of Tekton in Utah. Of course, I did none of the aforementioned but, with its 99dB of sensitivity, Tekton Design's towering Double Impacts revealed an alternate path to aural enlightenment for... Read More »

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Tekton Double Impact - Adventures with High Sensitivity

Victor Chavira — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 17:15:38 +0000

This article will be a departure from my normal format for reviewing audio components. The Tekton Design Double Impact speakers came to me by way of Steve Lefkowicz's personal pair. Steve and Rosina put the word out that they needed space in their living room to accommodate the holidays. Since we are only separated by... Read More »

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Core Power Technologies EQUI=CORE 300

Victor Chavira — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 19:35:22 +0000

Image courtesy of Tweek Geek Power conditioners are an essential part of a high fidelity audio system. The reproduction of musical sounds in our homes begins with AC power. Unfortunately, AC power is susceptible to all manner of electrical contamination that impedes audio components from sounding their best. Even dedicated sound rooms with independent wiring... Read More »

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Periodic Audio IEMs

Victor Chavira — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 01:05:23 +0000

No other audio component takes as much abuse as in ear monitor headphones. My vintage balanced armature Klipsch earbuds have been stepped on, wash and dried, lost and recovered, twisted, pulled, and shoved into the pockets of jeans and sweaty gym bags. My classic Grado SR60 had their cable sliced through because I was wearing... Read More »

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AURALiC POLARIS Wireless Streaming Amplifier

Victor Chavira — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 03:18:23 +0000

These are exciting times for users of integrated amplifiers. Never before have so many features and efficient power been squeezed into a single box. Over the course of thirty years, I have been privileged to own or listen to several exemplary models. In time, I believe that the AURALiC POLARIS will be considered by many... Read More »

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LP Gear Vessel A3SV Moving Magnet Phono Cartridge

Victor Chavira — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 00:24:08 +0000

LP Gear is an online vendor of analogue products and accessories based in Nevada. After spending few moments browsing their vast array of offerings, I began to think of LP Gear as the Amazon of vinyl. Unlike other on-line analogue vendors, however, LP Gear has researched, developed, and marketed their own brand of products beginning... Read More »

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SVS SB-2000 Subwoofer

Victor Chavira — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 00:39:38 +0000

I value ground trembling sensation of well-executed extreme low frequency as much as any audio nut. For the majority of my listening, though, extreme low frequency is not essential to musical satisfaction. However, lately I have developed a latent appreciation for electronic dance/ambient influenced music. Needless to say, my KEF LS50 speakers, overachievers that they... Read More »

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Puro BT5200 Headphones

Victor Chavira — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 18:43:47 +0000

One day while browsing at the local Fry's Electronics superstore I noticed the mindboggling variety facing headphone customers. An entire aisle display was stocked full of headphones of every size, shape, and color. How does a brand set itself apart for consumer dollars in such a populous market? Puro Sound Labs' answer is health and... Read More »

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iFi iDAC2 and iUSB3

Victor Chavira — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 23:09:53 +0000

The impact of computers as a source for high quality musical enjoyment cannot be underestimated. Computers allow listeners to store and stream massive amounts of musical data from the convenience of a laptop or other device in a manner that no other platform could before. Getting the most musical sound out of all those files... Read More »

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Furutech AC Bundle

Victor Chavira — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 00:28:51 +0000

Usually, I come to a review with foreknowledge about a product and a set of basic expectations. In this case, I had no first hand prior exposure to Furutech or experience with high-end power receptacles. A very long time ago, before cell phones and audio websites, I replaced the original duplex of my typical post-war... Read More »

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Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cable

Victor Chavira — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 00:20:19 +0000

Analysis Plus was established in 1993 with a unique perspective in the cable market. Proprietary computer modeling had shown that hollow oval shaped conductors performed better than any other form or geometry. Think of the shape of a new pair of socks in their flat packaging and you'll understand hollow ovals. Currently, Analysis Plus makes... Read More »

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Music Hall de-be Headphones

Victor Chavira — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 08:44:49 +0000

Admittedly, I am not a headphone enthusiast. I have an old pair of open backed Grado SR 60s used occasionally for casual listening around the house. For music on the go I carry a pair of Klipsch S4i earbuds. Both pairs of headphones offer pleasingly smooth response and low coloration with a wide range of... Read More »

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Funk Audio 6.1P Loudspeakers

Victor Chavira — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 19:20:52 +0000

Nathan Funk resides in Canada. Nathan lives for music. He is handy with shop tools and would love to build you a pair of speakers. That is exactly what Nathan and his team has been doing at their shop in Halfmoon Bay British Colombia for the past fifteen years. Over that time word of mouth... Read More »

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