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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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

Fiio are a Chinese audio firm who have been well-regarded within audiophile circles. With an enthusiasm to bring affordable offerings to the mass-market, their products have received critical acclaim, and they have many awards under their belts. Hence, their vision to improve the "Made in China" reputation has certainly come a long way, owing to... Read More »

Welcome to Hanze HiFi! I always enjoy telling you about the people behind high-performance audio products and HiFi shops, as quite often they are the most insightful and informed of all enthusiasts about HiFi, telling us about new and exciting audio advancements, and possessing a zeal and vision that drives audio performance to that next... Read More »

Herb Reichert and Lynn Olson at the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest, 2015 (photograph and image processing by David W. Robinson) In my sophomore year in college (in Claremont, California), I applied for several Federal summer jobs in Washington, D.C. since my parents lived there (my father was transitioning from the Foreign Service to Marine Midland... Read More »

New York based audio company Master & Dynamic have always pushed the envelope in product design where styling and aesthetics are concerned. This, coupled with their striving for audiophile sound, has earned them acclaim from many a critic. It is not surprising then that their latest creation—the MW65 active noise-cancelling headphones—have been eagerly anticipated in... Read More »

ade hat in der Chinesischen Kultur und Mythologie einen hohen Stellenwert. So ist es nicht verwunderlich, dass Hifiman bei der Neuauflage des Jade-Elektrostaten dem Namen treu bleibt und lediglich eine II hinzufügt. Im Test stelle ich fest, dass der Kopfhörer nicht nur ein Schmuckstück ist, sondern klanglich an sein elegantes Äußeres anknüpft.

Vor wenigen Wochen hat mich der Transrotor Alto schon in seiner Grundausstattung mit einem Motor begeistert. Eine Aufwertung des Antriebes auf drei Motoren ist beim Alto leicht möglich.

Mit den passenden Tonabnehmern entpuppte sich der Keces Ephono als echtes Schnäppchen: So viel Wohlklang und Materialeinsatz plus guter Verarbeitung findet man zu diesem Preis andernorts nur schwerlich. Der Sphono bietet nun auch höhere Abschlussimpedanzen und noch deutlich mehr Ausstattung.

Original version published Feb 20, 2015. Revised after stumbling onto Positive Feedback's Carol Clark's recent post, My Journey into Audio Pandora, Carol Clark (image by David Clark, Positive Feedback) It looked like Carol recently had a similar experience as I did in 2015 that "left [her] stewing." We have been friends with Dave and Carol... Read More »

Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab reissue MFSL 2-479 (Sept. 2017). Originally released on Atlantic – SD-8227 (Aug. 1969). Category: soul, southern soul, R&B, blues, black gospel and spiritual roots, churchy. Format: Vinyl (2x180 gram LPs at 45 rpm). Rating Global Appreciation: 9.6 Music: A+ (9.5) Recording: 9.3 Remastering + Lacquer Cutting: 9.7 Pressing: 10 Packaging: above... Read More »

SAINT-SAËNS: Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor; LALO: Cello Concerto in D minor; MILHAUD: Cello Concerto No. 1, Op. 136; OFFENBACH: Les larmes de Jacqueline; MASSENET: Thaïs: Méditation. Hee-Young Lim, cello; London Symphony Orchestra/Scott Yoo. Sony Classical S80425C.  TT: 75.40 The Korean cellist Hee-Young Lim has a lot to offer. Her tone is dark and full-bodied,... Read More »

The new Cary Audio VT-500 Phono Preamplifier, based on the venerable 6SL7 tube and the most expensive phono preamp Cary has ever manufactured here in America, takes its place as the most successful phono stage from this 30-year-old company. Cary Audio now sells direct to the consumer. Musical and melodious to the max, moving coil... Read More »

The Muse Studio is an upgraded version of Daedalus Audio's lowest priced loudspeaker, the Muse. Both Muse speakers were designed for listeners with smaller rooms, perhaps just like mine? Utilizing the same cabinet, and drivers as the Muse, the Studio employs a crossover network developed for Daedalus' Athena speakers to give it a higher level... Read More »

Roger Skoff writes about everybody'd favorite controversial product While the debate continues on the internet over whether different cables sound different, those of us with the ears and listening skills to hear it and the systems and listening environments of sufficient resolution to show it know that it's not just different cables that sound different,... Read More »