January - February 2019 Archives - Positive Feedback

Paradox Pulse Audio Phono 70 Signature Phono Stage

Gary Lea — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 01:46:25 +0000

I came upon Paradox Pulse quite by accident while pursuing eBay looking at some used amplifiers. What first caught my attention, and the reason for my contacting them, was the rebodied and retipped Denon 103 R cartridges they were offering. Officially known as a the Paradox Pulse Guard3 R SMR. That will be the subject... Read More »

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Sumiko Olympia Moving Magnet Cartridge

Gary Lea — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 16:36:59 +0000

This is the second of the new Sumiko Oyster series of cartridges. A few months ago I reviewed the Moonstone, the unit directly up the line form the Olympia (HERE). I found the Moonstone to be an exceptional bargain at the $299 price point. My expectations of the Olympia were to follow suit. So what... Read More »

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Constellation Inspiration 1.0 Linestage and 1.0 Stereo Amplifier: The Definition of Value

Greg Weaver — Sun, 17 Feb 2019 17:18:46 +0000

The Constellation Audio Inspiration 1.0 Linestage and pair of 1.0 Stereo amplifiers, driving the GamuT Flagship Zodiac Loudspeakers. From the Beginning For a company that just recently celebrated only its 8th birthday, Constellation Audio has proven itself virtually unparalleled in both accomplishment and acceptance. My first take was at their 2010 CES introduction, where I... Read More »

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Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ and Brooklyn Amplifier

Gary Lea — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 01:06:42 +0000

I was recently introduced to Mytek, a company out of Brooklyn, NY that specializes in digital electronics. Not being known for being the go-to guy for digital I thought the opportunity to try something completely different was something I could not pass up. Suffice it to say right up front that I am glad that... Read More »

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Timeline SE Turntable Speed Strobe

Michael Corsentino — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 00:46:19 +0000

"I feel the need—the need for speed!" (Peter "Maverick" Mitchell, Top Gun). Speed control that is! Whether it's jets or a turntable's speed... it all matters. We've all heard the chipmunk like squeals of a 33 1/3 rpm LP mistakenly played at 45 rpm, or the unholy dirge of a 45 played at 33 1/3.... Read More »

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Cardas Audio Clear Beyond Power XL: 30 Years in the Making!

Robert H. Levi — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 21:54:34 +0000

I know George Cardas through his charming daughter, Mary Cardas. Angela, his other daughter, skillfully grows the company while George continues to do what he loves best: explore, invent, and improve the ways we audiophiles may more fully enjoy our grand hobby. Though I have never owned any products made by Cardas Audio, I have been... Read More »

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Fedor Rudin: Paganini Caprice in A minor, Op. 1, No. 5

John Marks — Sun, 10 Feb 2019 20:34:39 +0000

Congratulations to Fedor Rudin! The Vienna State Opera has appointed him to fill one of their vacant co-concertmaster positions. I am tempted to say "Even better" that in parallel with that, he will be on probation for two years as an (I assume co-) concertmaster of the Vienna Philharmonic. (So, yes, I have a slight bias... Read More »

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JIB Boaacoustic Digital Cables

Editors at Positive Feedback — Sun, 10 Feb 2019 16:19:51 +0000

Wolfgang Kemper, guest contributor from HiFi Statement The Boaacoustic cables' colorful unique design quickly catches your eye. This is an advantage when you want to stand out in the wide selection of cables on the market. Just what qualities are hidden beneath the colorful exteriors? Oh no! No more cables! That was my first reaction as... Read More »

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Marita Sølberg: Opera Arias

John Marks — Sat, 09 Feb 2019 21:41:19 +0000

Courtesy www.maritasolberg.com; photo credit Felix Broede. Marita Sølberg: Opera Arias. Opera arias by Catalani, Mozart, Gounod, Bizet, Leoncavallo, Puccini, Bellini, Rachmaninoff, Dvořák, Verdi, and R. Strauss. Norwegian National Opera Orchestra. John Fiore, conductor. CD Simax Classics PSC1336 Say "Hello" to Marita Sølberg! Marita Sølberg's name was unknown to me when I stumbled upon her upcoming new release (which came out in 2016, which... Read More »

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PS Audio P20 and P15 AC Regenerators - Keeping the System Clean

Gregory Petan — Sat, 09 Feb 2019 18:19:21 +0000

PS Audio has been steadily developing as a high-end manufacturer since 1974, despite the trading of leadership on various occasions. Paul McGowan, the "P," and Stan Warren, the "S," were the founding partners. Stan left in the early 80s to found Superfon. Paul would leave in the 90s to join Arnie Nudel, having a hand... Read More »

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The Boulder 508 Phono Stage - Like a Rolling Stone-Dig It

Gregory Petan — Sat, 09 Feb 2019 18:03:48 +0000

Boulder electronics, out of Louisville, Colorado, has been diligently creating some of the finest audio components in the world since 1983. Founded by Jeff Nelson, Boulder's vision has largely been aimed at the state of the art, and those with deep pockets. For instance, the 3050 monoblock amplifiers will rip $245,000 from your accountants bare... Read More »

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The Ortofon Windfeld Ti Cartridge - 100 Years in the Making, Well Worth the Wait

Gregory Petan — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 19:58:02 +0000

Ortofon is a Danish company celebrating 100 years of commitment to excellence in the manufacture of audio related products, best known for its Analog Cartridges. Included in the extensive cartridge line up are tone arms, step up transformers, DJ related gear, and a host of micro manufacturing capabilities spanning many different industries. In the beginning... Read More »

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Rega Rebounds in Musical Surroundings: The Nova III Phono Stage

Wayne Goins — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 23:41:57 +0000

Hey Positive People! The last time we spoke, I was in the midst of bouncing between two rigs set up in my basement—one using several on-loan items: the Modwright PH150 with the surrounding components that completed it (PS150 power supply; VPI Prime Scout; LTA Ultralinear amplifier and Microzotl amp; Daedalus Audio Athena v.2 loudspeakers; and... Read More »

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CES High End Audio 2019 R.I.P

Gary Lea — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 16:45:50 +0000

"Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building!" Perhaps an odd opening title bar anywhere but here in Las Vegas. For the last 20 years I have attended CES almost every year save for a couple of misses along the way. In all those years it was a struggle to get out of work to... Read More »

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Technique - A Guide to Fine Tuning

Wojciech Pacuła — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 18:58:16 +0000

Or how to set up speakers Did you ever experience a situation where the loudspeakers that sounded so great in distributor's showroom after you bought them and placed them in your room sounded as if they were broken? If you did, almost certainly the reason for that was the acoustics of your listening room, and... Read More »

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Box Sets - The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Michael Corsentino — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 23:32:40 +0000

My relationship with box sets? Well, you might say its complicated. I recently reached the 100 mark with box sets in my collection, a bit of a milestone for me. This seemed like a great time to share some of my observations about collecting them, potential issues, the hurdles I've encountered and the solutions I've... Read More »

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JBL L100 Classic Loudspeakers

Wojciech Pacuła — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 20:16:18 +0000

The JBL L100 Classic are new JBL loudspeakers that allude to the iconic JBL L100 speakers from years ago. The original JBL L100 were introduced in 1970 and it was a consumer version of the popular JBL 4310 Pro Studio monitor. Over time, this model has become the best-selling JBL loudspeaker of all time (source:... Read More »

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Ultimate Ears Live In-Ear Monitor: King of the Hill

Robert H. Levi — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 16:14:54 +0000

I am hearing through the grapevine from high-end in-ear monitor users that finally, a manufacturer has produced a model so extremely detailed and comfortable, you are not still hungry for more after using them. That it has totally achieved the important criteria of true continuity of frequency response from 20-20,000Hz, definition at all frequencies equivalent to state... Read More »

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SVS SB-4000 Subwoofer

Adam Goldfine — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 16:07:31 +0000

Time was (and largely still is) when the use of subwoofers in a two channel, high end audio system was considered at the very least controversial, and heresy to the more vehement opponents of the idea. Having subscribed to this purist view myself, I didn't bother much with them over the years and as a... Read More »

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Singing Lightfoot in Lincolnshire

John Marks — Sun, 27 Jan 2019 22:42:51 +0000

After a holiday season of good cheer, John Marks returns to the pages of PF with a new reflection on the music of Gordon Lightfoot, one of blessed memory for him, as well as for me. John maintains a worthy blog site at The Tannhauser Gate, always worth regular visits for those who value fine reflections and... Read More »

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Parasound A21+ Amplifier

Michael Zisserson — Sat, 26 Jan 2019 19:00:17 +0000

Spoiler Alert Parasound has chosen to take a staple core product that has remained an exceptional value for over fifteen years, the Halo A21 amplifier, and re-spin it into the Halo A21+. Doing so has proved that extremely high performance-per-dollar is still possible today when a company leverages decades of experience, and is spearheaded by... Read More »

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Robinson's Positive Feedback Brutus Awards for 2018: Part the Fifth, and Final

David W. Robinson — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 15:41:44 +0000

Ye Olde Editor (photograph by John Robinson) By way of explanation… The final batch of my Brutus Award announcements for 2018 was significantly delayed by a major project that had to be attended to by the entire PF Web team: the transfer of the entire PF site and content to an entirely different Web host,... Read More »

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Ryan Speakers S840 Loudspeakers

Pete Davey — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 23:15:55 +0000

So it goes like this…. A few years ago I was at a high end audio trade show, where you do the usual rounds asking your acquaintances "what do you like so far?" and time after time I kept hearing "The Ryan Speakers room." Sometimes this happens where I hear about a room this way and... Read More »

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PS Audio Sprout100

Steve Lefkowicz — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 16:11:21 +0000

A little over three years ago, I reviewed the original PS Audio Sprout integrated amplifier (HERE). That unit received widespread acclaim throughout the audio press for its feature set, performance and price. However, those who paid attention to my review would recognize that though I respected it for its effort and its potential significance in... Read More »

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Tru-Sweep Anti-Static Dust Cleaner/Sweeper

Michael Corsentino — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 17:20:02 +0000

We audiophiles love to argue! There's no shortage of passionate "experts" espousing opinions regarding all things playback. These spirited debates definitely keep our hobby fun and interesting. Digital vs analog, cable believers vs non-believers, gear heads vs music heads, brand loyalists, etc. Just post about your favorite cables on social media and stand back! In... Read More »

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