July - August 2019 Archives - Positive Feedback

Synergistic Research SRX Power Cord and Galileo SX Ethernet Cable

Robert S. Youman — Wed, 28 Aug 2019 16:59:43 +0000

I have reviewed almost every Synergistic Research (SR) Power Cord over the last ten years. Each generation made a significant step forward in sound performance. In my opinion, each was a competitive, if not superior option at every price point. My last review included a full loom of the flagship Synergistic Research Galileo SX cable... Read More »

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Ketil Vestrum Einarsen: An Alchemical Wedding

Sander Roscoe Wolff — Wed, 21 Aug 2019 17:57:29 +0000

Ketil Vestrum Einarsen - Photo by Dag Thrane (Used with permission) Ketil Vestrum Einarsen was born on the north-western edge of Norway. Known primarily for playing flute with a long list of bands, including White Willow, The Opium Cartel, Jaga Jazzist, Wobbler, Pixie Ninja, and more recent collaborations in Kaukasus and Galasphere 347, he stepped... Read More »

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Simaudio Moon 390 Network Player and Preamplifier

Will Wright — Wed, 21 Aug 2019 17:23:08 +0000

We're Gonna Spread Our Wings And Take To The Sky For some time now I've been attempting to implement, to my satisfaction, a home built music server/home theater PC. Being an audiophile, I set the bar higher for sound than picture. But until just recently my attempts have not produced sound quality competitive with my... Read More »

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Creating a Path to Digital Music Bliss with Roon

Sam Rosen — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 19:00:10 +0000

From left to right, Intel Nuc Roon Core, Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra, Raspberry Pi 3 B+, Raspberry Pi 3 B+ Over the past year I have spent a significant amount of time working on solving what appeared to be a simple problem. How do I distribute my digital music throughout my home in an... Read More »

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KECES Ephono and Ephono Power

Francisco Duran — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 18:38:33 +0000

One of the great benefits of reviewing the KECES Ephono is that I have been playing so many records lately. But with the recent inclusion of the Sophia Electric Baby Magik Box installed into my digital rig, digital music has been a lot more palatable and fun to listen to. This fact has reduced my... Read More »

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SVS Prime Wireless Speakers and SVS SB-1000 Subwoofer

Smit Patel — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 17:09:54 +0000

Based in Youngstown, Ohio, SVS are an audio brand with a vision to build top quality speakers, subwoofers and audio accessories, and bring passion and expertise back into the world of audio. With the late trend for extortionate pricing, the firm promises to challenge over-priced products and deliver equipment on the top of their price-performance... Read More »

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The New Usher TD-10 Loudspeakers - A Diamond in the Buff

Juan C. Ayllon — Wed, 14 Aug 2019 18:25:54 +0000

The Usher TD-10 loudspeaker is a downsized F-86 Sabre Jet wing on steroids. Swept back and shiny, it looks built for speed and, at just under four feet tall, this handsome 180 lb bruiser surfs the sound waves atop a thick wooden plinth on brass spikes. Made by Taiwan-based Usher Audio, it's essentially their BE10... Read More »

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A Transition from iTunes and Hi-Resolution Players to Roon

Justin Weber — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 17:21:16 +0000

Why is that with all the music we have access to, we still play the same 50 albums? I grew up in a time of Hi-Fi that I thought was the golden age. It wasn't centered on the gear… it was all we had, but was centered on the music. I suppose we all have... Read More »

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Wells Audio Commander Level II Tube Line Stage

Editors at Positive Feedback — Sat, 10 Aug 2019 17:52:06 +0000

World Premiere Review! I found myself often thinking of Van Morrison's terrific tune "Cleaning Windows." Review By Dr. Jules L. Coleman With this article, Positive Feedback continues its content-sharing relationship with Enjoy the Music. Dr. Jules L. Coleman shares his thoughts about the Wells Audio Commander Level II Tube Line Stage. Read, and learn.... Dr. David W. Robinson,... Read More »

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The Triangle Art Hathor - a Resplendent Turntable

Juan C. Ayllon — Sat, 10 Aug 2019 16:57:40 +0000

The Triangle Art Hathor (courtesy of Triangle Art) When sharing rack space with other electronics, the Hathor calls to mind actor George Clooney glamming the Golden Globes in his one button tux; understated and angular in black with gold and chrome accents, it's usually the head turner in pairings. But not only is it chic,... Read More »

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Top 500 SuperSonic List - Part 13

Claude Lemaire — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 20:24:05 +0000

This is an ongoing project by Claude Lemaire of Soundevaluations 101. Curtis Mayfield, Superfly (The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack). Curtom – CRS-8014-ST (1972), MoFi, Rhino Records ‎– MFSL 2-481 (2019), (2x45 rpm). Genre: funk, soul, blaxploitation soundtrack style, cinematic soul, ghetto soul. "I'm your mama, I'm your daddy; I'm that...in the alley; I'm your doctor, when in need;... Read More »

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Dita Audio Twins - Fealty & Fidelity IEMs

Smit Patel — Sun, 04 Aug 2019 22:01:24 +0000

With a vibrant commerce scene and international trading links, Singapore is a country where personal audio and high-fidelity sound are significantly valued. Planning to capitalize on these national traits, Dita Audio are a Singaporean brand striving to seek perfection without conforming to market trends. The latest in their rather impressive line-up is the new Twins... Read More »

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A Love Affair: Craft Records/Prestige Records Coltrane '58 Eight LP Collection and the Mag-Lev ML1, Latest Edition

Robert H. Levi — Fri, 02 Aug 2019 21:20:18 +0000

The Software The 60th anniversary of jazz king John Coltrane's banner year with Prestige Records, with all cuts produced by legendary Rudy Van Gelder and released on vinyl 4/26/19, has arrived. The eight LPs are from 24/192 tracks produced from the master tapes. The 37 cuts, presented in chronological order, were pressed at RTI in... Read More »

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Gryphon Audio Event at Goodwin's High End

Michael Zisserson — Fri, 02 Aug 2019 15:51:59 +0000

Saturday 7/27/2019, Boston MA First, a public service announcement: Get off the screens! While I work tirelessly with my children on this, I believe it is important for us, too. Perhaps this is self defeating as a columnist for an online magazine, however I cannot encourage the PF community enough to get off-line, plan a... Read More »

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The Zenith of Headphone Planar Technology and Headamp Design from Audeze: World Premiere Reviews of LCD24 Headphones and King 2 Amplifier

Robert H. Levi — Fri, 02 Aug 2019 01:23:49 +0000

As an audiophile and headphone aficionado for over half a century, I was only aware of two ways headphones could be operated until 2008:dynamic headphones and electrostatic headphones. Grado, Beyer, Sennheiser, and Sony owned most of the market share of dynamic cans, while Stax and Koss produced electrostatic models. Headamps dedicated to either format was... Read More »

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Butcher Block Acoustics Maple Edge Grain Audio Platform

Robert S. Youman — Thu, 01 Aug 2019 17:59:51 +0000

Every once in a while you meet someone special in this industry. Jim Whithorne is that guy. Owner and proprietor of Butcher Block Acoustics (BBA), he has a wonderful back story including 40 plus years selling and distributing products in the Butcher Block industry. But, his real passion in life is music, and this connection... Read More »

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Kanto Audio TUK Loudspeaker System

Gary Lea — Thu, 01 Aug 2019 17:27:06 +0000

Recently I reviewed the Kanto YU6, YU4, and the Sub8. For those that may have missed that just a brief refresher... "Kanto was founded in January of 2007. The founders had a vision to build quality products with style—and offer excellent value to customers throughout their life cycle. Many years designing and manufacturing OEM products... Read More »

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Women in Audio

Carol Clark — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 18:16:01 +0000

This article originally ran in Issue 41 of Positive Feedback, January/February 2009. This was the precursor to my last article, HERE. So …what do you want to be when you grow up? When I was in the first grade my class took a field trip to the fire station. At the time I thought... Read More »

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KECES E40 Integrated Amplifier

Michael Zisserson — Tue, 30 Jul 2019 18:47:13 +0000

It is no secret that the United States HIFI market is so densely packed it is approaching a singularity. If that gravity was not enough to pull a manufacturer into spaghettification, lets add in all the hobbyists and DIY-ers clamoring to fabricate something for pennies on the dollar, so they can revel in their David... Read More »

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Audio Ramblings and the PS Audio P20

Dave Clark — Sun, 28 Jul 2019 20:19:04 +0000

So, when it comes down to getting the best, make that the very best, that one's system can produce sound wise in your room, after all is said and done… let's make sure that the AC that is feeding our components is as good as it can get—like with any AC filtration device or a... Read More »

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PBN Audio M2!5 Loudspeakers - What's Old, Is New Again

Gregory Petan — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 17:30:15 +0000

These days there are a lot of good speakers out there. More than ever, at every price point you can surely find something that fits your needs. As the price rises, the scrutiny and expectations grow, as well they should. At or around the $30K mark there have never been so many choices in all... Read More »

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Synergistic Research High Frequency Transducers - HFT Standard, HFT 2.0, HFT X, and HFT Wide Angle

Robert S. Youman — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 16:14:29 +0000

As I stated in my Axpona 2019 show report, if you have not experienced one of Ted Denney's presentations on acoustics and specifically his demonstration of the Synergistic Research (SR) High Frequency Transducer (HFT) product line, you really need to include it on your bucket list. This year, the demonstration was probably my favorite at... Read More »

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Audio Research 160M Amplifiers - My White Whale

Gregory Petan — Sat, 27 Jul 2019 00:24:58 +0000

Even after two plus decades of reviewing, there are a few major brands that have largely eluded me. Whether it's been a timing issue, system need, personal bias, (I'll get into that more later), or I just haven't been in proximity of the brand. For me, up till a couple years ago, one of those... Read More »

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Surround Music in the 21st Century [Updated]

Lynn Olson — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 16:06:30 +0000

Lynn Olson and Thom Mackris, RMAF 2015 Let's start with a skeptical view from Steve Guttenberg, who's been around the block more than once: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIKkBgpo75I Steve's got a point. Surround music has failed in the marketplace not once, but twice. The first was a ten-year window in the Seventies, with the LP-based QS, SQ, and... Read More »

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The New Apartment Lounge: Smooth Sailing with the Pear Audio Blue Kid Howard Turntable and Cornet 2 Tonearm

Maurice Jeffries — Sun, 21 Jul 2019 17:36:48 +0000

The Unbearable Lightness of Low-Torque Motors and Heavy Platters Of the various turntable manufacturers to embrace the design principles of the late Tom Fletcher, founder of Nottingham Analogue, Pear Audio is perhaps the most visible in the United States. Other players in this expanding universe include Palmer Audio and Analogue Works, both British firms if... Read More »

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