March - April 2020 Archives - Positive Feedback

From an Editor's Notebook: Regarding AXPONA 2020 and THE Show Long Beach 2020

David W. Robinson — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 00:40:06 +0000

We are living in strange and terrible times. It is the Golden Age of Audio right now, but that Golden Age has been swallowed up by the COVID-19 pandemic so suddenly that it is hard to remember just a few months ago, when 2020 looked like it would be a very good year for fine... Read More »

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Ethernet Streaming with Fidelizer - The EtherStream Network Switch

Marshall Nack — Fri, 17 Apr 2020 18:30:05 +0000

I had not yet drunk the Kool-Aid—I was more of a doubting Thomas—when the package arrived. My West Coast editor advised me, "Just swap out the one you have, plug this one in, give it the requisite 50 hours, and then take a sip," or something to that effect. In the box was a new... Read More »

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Clark Johnsen: The End of an Audio Diary

David W. Robinson — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 22:41:23 +0000

Clark Johnsen, Private Ear (series drawing no. 1, by Bruce Walker, 1993) I got the news first thing in the morning last week. Clark Johnsen has passed away of cancer, at the ripe age of 78. I wasn't surprised; a mutual friend had warned me four or five months ago that Clark was in a... Read More »

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The LampizatOr Altlantic TRP DAC: No Rolling Necessary!

Gary L Beard — Wed, 15 Apr 2020 20:49:25 +0000

Late last year, LampizatOr North America's Fred Ainsley generously offered me an opportunity to review the new Atlantic TRP DAC. Even though the review time frame was shorter than I'd hoped for, I've wanted to hear a LampizatOr DAC at home for a long time, so I jumped at the chance to do it. Introduced... Read More »

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Nordost QRT QSOURCE and DC Power Supply

Wojciech Pacuła — Wed, 15 Apr 2020 20:28:33 +0000

Nordost is a company that was set up in 1991 by Joe Reynolds. It specializes in manufacturing audio cables. Apart from cables, the company also offers products from the QRT series used to supply power to devices and eliminate RF, as well as electromagnetic interference. "A power supply seems to be one of the most... Read More »

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Audiomod Series Six Tonearm

John Hoffman — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 19:49:11 +0000

Unless you have lived on a desert island for the last five years or so, it is unavoidable to notice that vinyl playback systems have stormed back from the abyss. Vintage turntables have become relevant, there are new cartridge manufacturers, ultrasonic record cleaning is a hot topic of discussion, and you can even go into... Read More »

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From the PF Archives: The Wild, Wacky World of Walker

Bruce Walker — Mon, 13 Apr 2020 21:13:26 +0000

For the uncompromising audiophile on the go: The Ampex Rollman

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Schiit Audio Bifrost 2 DAC And Ragnarok 2 Nexus Integrated Amplifier

Editors at Positive Feedback — Mon, 13 Apr 2020 17:49:36 +0000

A true multi-bit Hi-Res Audio DAC meets Nexus-level amplification. Review By Ron Nagle With this article, Positive Feedback continues its content-sharing relationship with Enjoy the Music. Ron Nagle shares his thoughts on the Schiit Audio Bifrost 2 DAC And Ragnarok 2 Nexus Integrated Amplifier Dr. David W. Robinson, Editor-in-Chief Yes, it's pronounced, SHIT! There is no person with... Read More »

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Kimber Kable Axios CU Headphone and KS USB-AG Cables

Sam Rosen — Fri, 10 Apr 2020 19:47:15 +0000

The Axios CU headphone cable ships in a hard case I have been on the hunt for the best headphone cable to pair with my Hifiman Susvara for the last six months or so. Every time I go to an audio show, I always see the Hifiman Susvara connected to amplifiers with a beautiful cable.... Read More »

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Sonus Faber Electa Amator III Monitor Loudspeakers

Gary Lea — Fri, 10 Apr 2020 19:29:08 +0000

I have always had a penchant for things Italian. Ferrari, Lamborghini, Panerai watches, DaVinci, the Amalfi coast, Portofino, and on and on. Italians just have a flair for things that seems unmatched by any other group, especially when it comes to designing audio gear. Form, function, and beauty always seem to go hand in hand... Read More »

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NAD M10 BluOS Streaming Amplifier

Michael Corsentino — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 20:13:53 +0000

Music lovers come in all stripes and colors. As much as I love the multi box room dominating rack of separates which make up my reference audio system, that kind of space and financial commitment isn't realistic for, or desired by everyone. Often a more modest space saving approach is called for.... Read More »

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Hifiman HE1000SE Headphones

Sam Rosen — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 18:46:48 +0000

The Hifiman HE1000SE Headphones in all its glory Preamble Those who know me know that I am a big fan of Hifiman. One of the first high-end headphones I ever fell in love with was the HE500. I have also owned the HE400 and the HE560. I have also reviewed the Ananda BT, and currently... Read More »

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NAD M17V2 Processor

Sam Rosen — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 19:07:06 +0000

A multi-channel processor review on Positive Feedback? Pictures do not do the NAD M17V2 justice, the case work is extraordinary Some start their audio journey in the two channel world. I, on the other hand, started my journey in the multi-channel world with a Yamaha 5 channel receiver, and a set of really cheap speakers.... Read More »

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VALVET 2se Power Amplifier

Bruce Kinch — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 18:44:34 +0000

OK. Given a world-wide pandemic, why are we reading (and writing) audio reviews? First, as Congreve pointed out, "musick hath charms to sooth a savage breast." Second, it's what we do, especially with time on our hands. Up until a few years ago, I was active buying / selling vintage and audiophile LPs on eBay.... Read More »

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CEntrance Cerene dB Headphones

John Zurek — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 20:43:58 +0000

When I got an email from CEntrance letting me know that their Cerene dB headphones, which are touted as both recording studio and audiophile grade cans, were available for review, my interest was piqued. CEntrance is known for great performance at a fair price. At $179, the Cerene dBs fall in an interesting price range... Read More »

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In Search of a Perfect Song, Part 8

Carol Clark — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 21:26:42 +0000

This edition of my Perfect Song series is sub-titled: The Coronavirus Edition. Many of us find ourselves self-isolating, or social distancing. We have been told the only way to flatten the curve is to stay at home, because we're "safer at home." For someone like me, a cancer survivor and lung surgery survivor, it makes... Read More »

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The Audio Note (UK) Oto Phono SE Signature Integrated Amplifier – An Affordable Masterpiece!

Jeff Day — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 16:25:37 +0000

At the enthusiast audio shows I have visited in the USA over the years, I've always thought that year-to-year, the Audio Note (UK) rooms had some of most consistently excellent musicality & sonics of all the show rooms I visited. The fact that those Audio Note (UK) show rooms utilized relatively modestly priced equipment and... Read More »

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Final Touch Audio Interconnects

Sam Rosen — Mon, 30 Mar 2020 18:39:07 +0000

FTA cables are extremely luxurious Some of you may have have seen my Final Touch Audio Callisto USB cable review (HERE). If not I suggest going back in time and giving it a read. The short summary is that the Callisto USB cable changed my thinking about if a USB cable could actually have a... Read More »

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Audience Hidden Treasure Outlets

Will Wright — Sun, 29 Mar 2020 18:28:48 +0000

In a high performance / high resolution audio system everything matters. Every link in the chain needs to be optimized to the greatest extent possible, including cabling and connections. Good power and signal connections require quality connectors. n my experience, connector quality is a significant contributor to good cable performance. Connection points can be sources... Read More »

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Two Audiophile Quickies and a Bit More: Dragonfire Acoustics, Pathos, & the London Reference Phono Cartridge

Robert H. Levi — Sat, 28 Mar 2020 01:01:30 +0000

Dragon2 USB Cable by Dragonfire Acoustics After 8 years of development by Dr. C, creator of Dragonfire Acoustics, comes his statement product: the Dragon2 USB Cable. Trying it in comparison to the best of the best of the USB cables that I have access to here brought its attributes into focus. With superb solid connectors... Read More »

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Focal Stellia Headphones

Smit Patel — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 21:44:33 +0000

Focal are a company who need no introduction in the world of Hi-End audio. With a well-established vertically integrated base, the French company have developed a strong foothold in an already saturated marketplace. Originally versed in loudspeaker technology, the brand have made use of their extensive R&D knowledge to create a line-up of game-changing headphones.... Read More »

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Core Power DEEP=CORE 1800 and Core Power Cables

Sam Rosen — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 19:10:01 +0000

Core Power Deep=Core 1800 Sometimes the job of an audio reviewer is hard. This is especially true for things like cables, power conditioners, and other components outside of source devices, preamplifiers, amplifiers, and speakers. Not only is there a fundamental debate in the audio world over whether or not these non-audio producing / processing devices... Read More »

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Rosen, Stevenson, and Delmoni: "Londonderry Air" (arr. Fritz Kreisler)

John Marks — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 20:40:36 +0000

Photo by John Marks The above photo was not taken in Ireland, but it perhaps could pass; and in any event, it will have to do. For St. Patrick's Day, here are Nathaniel Rosen (cellist), Doris Stevenson (pianist), and Arturo Delmoni (guest violinist) playing Fritz Kreisler's trio arrangement of "Londonderry Air," also known as "Danny... Read More »

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Kirill Petrenko, Berlin Philharmonic: Gustav Mahler, Symphony 6

John Marks — Wed, 18 Mar 2020 01:27:10 +0000

The Berlin Philharmonic has just made a really classy move: in view of the coronavirus pandemic, they have removed the paywall on their archived content. To put it another way, you can now binge-watch exceptional classical music performances for free. While hunkering down under the electric blanket and waiting for the wine-store delivery person to... Read More »

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Synergistic Research PowerCell ONE Line Conditioner

Bruce Kinch — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 20:35:28 +0000

Just a mere month ago, Audio Tourism looked like the next new thing. Given the continuing demise of brick-and-mortar retail salons, regional, national, and international audio shows were popping up all over—how brilliant was having a show in Florida in February, not in Miami, not in Orlando, and not during school vacation week? But then,... Read More »

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