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Dean Waters:  a portrait at home  (Photograph and image processing by David W. Robinson) Not long ago, I penned an article reviewing the Dejitter It Switch X product (HERE) and how it can substantially enhance the audio experience when using networking for streaming as well as command and control functions. Now we'll spend a few... Read More »

Craft Recordings' mid-year selection of releases in the Original Jazz Classics (OJC) reboot series features six new titles, including a pair on the Vee Jay Records label that have never appeared as OJC's prior to now. Those include two albums from pianist Bill Evans, both coming from 1962, including the trio setting Moon Beams and... Read More »

This article of Recent Finds contains a truly disparate array of albums, but all of which I've enjoyed immensely. They are all beautifully recorded, supremely well performed, with interesting music that should be heard. I hope you will find something here that tickles your fancy. Mine has been tickled nearly to death listening to these.... Read More »

In an earlier article, I posted my list of Pure DSD256: My Top of the Pile albums for sound quality. In this article, I'd like to expand on this and share some Pure DSD256* albums transferred from analog tape that I consider my top of the pile for sound quality in this category. I decided... Read More »

Schumann, Symphonies 1-4. "Giuseppe Verdi" Theatre Orchestra, Trieste/Julian Kovatchev. Erresse RS 6367-72/73 (2 CDs). Timings: 75.54, 69.45 Dvorak, Symphonies 4-6. "Giuseppe Verdi" Theatre Orchestra, Trieste/Julian Kovatchev. RS 053-0134 (3 CDs). Timings: 40.59. 38.17, 46.33 The success of Naxos, circa 1990, showed that there was a market for newly recorded low-priced classical CDs. The result, as CD manufacturing ramped up... Read More »

Today's Recent Finds include several "not so recent" but long cherished releases from HDTT that I'd just not yet included in an article. Why, I don't know. It's a function of the astonishing wealth of excellent recordings available in the HDTT catalog. But they are popping up now as I work on a list I... Read More »

The other day, I posted a list of Pure DSD256 albums that I consider my "top of the pile" for sound quality. HERE This article will be a further discussion of Pure DSD* recordings and why they are such an important development. So, tune out now if this is not your thing. Otherwise, join me... Read More »

I listen to a lot of high resolution DXD and DSD256 file downloads. And, as you can imagine, I have my favorites—my "top of the pile" recordings for sound quality (to borrow a description from my vinyl years). I thought I'd assemble some of these personal favorites into a list for anyone interested. To keep... Read More »

Peter Bjørnild and Frans de Rond at Sound Liaison have just released a stunning new Pure DSD256 album. This is their first album in Pure DSD256 and the results are simply incredible, with all the transparency, timbral accuracy, and resolution for which we love Pure DSD256. Frans says of DSD, "Its incredible clarity and precision... Read More »

Every so often, a music release occurs that is of such historical and musical significance that time must be made to mark its arrival. So it is with this amazing restoration of the BBC's 2-microphone live recording of Jascha Horenstein's Mahler Symphony No. 8 "Symphony of a Thousand," recorded live in 1959 in Royal Albert... Read More »

Impex Records, in a joint effort with Iconic Artist Group and Epic Records, has just released Souvenirs, 50th Anniversary Edition, a limited LP reissue of Dan Fogelberg's classic second studio album. Fogelberg's debut album failed to chart, and in the aftermath his manager, Irving Azoff, suggested a change of scenery might be in order. He'd... Read More »

Chrysalis Records continues their celebration of the legacy of legendary guitarist Robin Trower with the latest installment in the series, For Earth Below, 50th Anniversary Edition. Originally released in 1975, For Earth Below was his third studio album, and followed on the heels of his commercial and critical breakthrough Bridge of Sighs by only ten... Read More »

A new album from Rachel Podger and Brecon Baroque, recorded by Jared Sacks, is always reason to celebrate! Add to that some delightful discoveries from Alpha Classics, Yarlung Records (in Pure DSD256), two albums from IBS, and an intriguing peak at what may come from the "new" Channel Classics under Outhere Music's direction, and we... Read More »

ONO Tone Labs is a new loudspeaker manufacturer based in Kahului, Maui, in Hawaii, and is the brainchild of Dustin (or if you prefer, "Dusty") Vawter. Dustin has been involved in audio design and production for over 35 years, and was most recently the owner and principal designer of Channel Islands Audio (CIA). For a... Read More »

Hard to believe, but the first time I reviewed an Ortofon cartridge for PF was way back in the fall of 2008 (read it HERE). The company had just introduced their then-new 2M series of affordable moving magnets that were notably different looking and sounding than other price-competitive cartridges, the basic architectures and styling of... Read More »

The formula is simple. If you voice the component in a way that resonates with enthusiasts, odds are it's going to take off. What's left is securing media coverage to sustain consumer enthusiasm. I was not surprised to see the S1 Music Server from XACT take that route. Once you've heard its big tone—ample body,... Read More »

You will likely have noticed a large number of recordings in my articles from Hunnia Records. The owner of the label, Robert Zoltán Hunka, loves all kinds of music and is fanatically committed to making recordings with the highest sound quality he is able to achieve. Their albums keep showing up for three good reasons:... Read More »

Mark Schifter and the geniuses at Vera-Fi Audio have done it again, and their new group of AC power optimization products may be the company's most important product launch to date. A little over a week ago, and following a series of somewhat cryptic direct messages, Mark confirmed he was sending a trio of new... Read More »

In my recent review of the Advance Paris A12 Classic integrated amplifier, I was smitten with its great looks and retro-cool vibe, but it also proved to be a superb all-around performer. And its impressive range of features ought to make it a top choice for anyone looking to build a system around a high-end... Read More »