Streaming digital media is the future of music playback; I've been playing about with it now for roughly five years, often with USB sources directly connected to my stereo. But it's become apparent to me over the last few years that Ethernet streaming with my Sonore UltraRendu is vastly superior to a direct USB connection.... Read More »
Having released a multitude of digital audio players for entry, mid, and now hi-fi consumers, Fiio are a company dedicated in maximizing value for money propositions, and strive for continual improvement. Their latest breed of players include the Fiio M11 Pro digital audio player which improves upon the M11 Pro with an all new carefully... Read More »
We've all seen the comeback that vinyl has been making over the last few years. Back when vinyl was dead, I built up my record collection to its present twenty five hundred LPs and one thousand 78s size by asking people if they had any records they no longer wanted. Everyone I asked handed over... Read More »
These speakers can rock, plus produce excellent macro and micro dynamics too! Review By Dr. Matthew Clott With this article, Positive Feedback continues its content-sharing relationship with Enjoy the Music. Dr. Matthew Clott shares his thoughts about SVS's Pinnacle 3.5-Way Floorstanding Speakers. Dr. David W. Robinson, Editor-in-Chief SVS came on the scene several years ago and impressed everyone... Read More »
Readers of Positive Feedback may already be familiar with Justin Weber's creations. At least two reviews of his products can be found in these pages. Known for elegant and physically small pieces that punch way above their weight class, this amplifier is no different, and this is actually the second review of this particular unit,... Read More »
It's winter time. Want to know the best tweak for the season? Humidity. Get a humidifier and maintain about 35% RH at the equipment rack. Not only does it make you feel better, it will make the equipment perform better. Sound travels through air: consider it the final wire in your system. Ralph Pays... Read More »
Guest review by Mattias Jung of HiFi Statement. In the past few years I had lost track of the Lindemann company and their audio products. This was despite the fact that I had only the finest memories of the products from Bavaria since the early days, and whenever I passed by a Lindemann demonstration at... Read More »
Plugging a pair of Audio Art SC-5 ePlus Cryo Treated Speaker Cables into your system is like renting a Sebring convertible for a spin down Pacific Coast Highway, top down, taking in the sun splashed vistas and ocean air; they won't break the bank as they open up new sensory pleasures in your listening experience.... Read More »
I've had a really good relationship with Norman Varney from AV RoomService for a couple of years now; his company manufactures a variety of products that are aimed at reducing airborne and other vibrational noises in your listening room. He also is heavily involved in custom listening and audiovisual room design and construction; his level... Read More »
Being an audio enthusiast these days can be cost prohibitive and, as skyrocketing prices outpace inflation, it's refreshing to get terrific value for a reasonable sum. One example is the VPI Prime Scout turntable I use in my reference system, and another is the Audio Art Statement e2Plus power cable that, like the Scout, competes... Read More »
The Magneplanar LRS with stock stands attached 1973: William Michael Albert Broad sat at his desk at the Worthing High School for Boys with a particularly nasty scowl on his face. He'd just been handed his report card for the term, on which his chemistry teacher had scrawled the word "idle" across the unusually low... Read More »
"Is it live or is it Memorex?" If you're old enough to remember that ad for audio cassettes (hell, if you're old enough to remember audio cassettes) you also remember that nobody had trouble answering the question. I don't care how astounding your Nakamichi Dragon cassette player happened to be, nobody ever walked into your... Read More »
Review By Tom Lyle With this article, Positive Feedback continues its content-sharing relationship with Enjoy the Music. Tom Lyle shares his thoughts about Kimber Kable's Carbon 8 Interconnects, Carbon 18 XL Speaker Cables, Ascent Power Cables, and Select Copper USB Cable. Dr. David W. Robinson, Editor-in-Chief I've often said that the best way to test audio cable is... Read More »
Known for its industrial designs and commitment to sound tuning, Campfire Audio represent a bold and daring personal audio company in the midst of an already populated marketplace. Headed by Ken Ball, who oversees both Campfire and its parent company ALO audio, the boutique brands have earned a solid reputation amongst both audiophiles and the... Read More »
It's like sliding into the cockpit of a Formula One car. Everything about The Air screams first class—from its Furutech F150 M Nano Crystal Formula Rhodium plated connectors (HERE), laser cutout stainless steel tag affixed in Ferrari red leather, the thick, dual cord body in sky blue mesh, to its wooden cigar box like case.... Read More »
I was quite excited when I received notice from Positive Feedback Editor Doc David that there was a Pass Labs XA25 Class A stereo amplifier available for me to write about for Positive Feedback (photo below). I had been mightily impressed with the 18 watt per channel (into 8 Ohms) First Watt SIT-3 single-ended amplifier... Read More »
Strange Relationships Cables are a source of much contention in our epic. So much so that some publications seem afraid to discuss them anymore. YouTubers will show you a coat hanger that somehow out-performs, or at least equals, Monster Cable. Devout subscribers to the esoteric could chew an ear for hours, pontificating that cables are... Read More »
For those who have been around audio for a while, Manley Labs has been an industry stalwart for a long time. Headed by EveAnna Manley they produce products for both the home and professional markets. I stumbled upon the company once again when I heard of a new headphone amplifier that they had recently developed... Read More »
"If you want the finest amplifiers money can buy here is your chance. The Paradox Pulse mono amplifier uses only the finest of parts throughout including MUNDORF MLytic power supply capacitors, 12 gauge copper foil chokes (DC PI filtering), paralleled transformers, quad stacked Schottky diode bridge, finest transistors available 4302 and 4281, A/C PI filtering,... Read More »