May - June 2021 Archives - Positive Feedback

RSX Beyond Phono Cable with DIN Review: Part Two

Robert H. Levi — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 20:14:42 +0000

I rarely revisit my complete reviews, but the RSX top-of-the-line Beyond phono cable with DIN connector has revealed state-of-the-art attributes that are stunning to this reviewer. In its RCA-terminated form, the cable from the legendary Roger Skoff was musically natural and neutral with a bullet. I was never able to truly discover what it did... Read More »

The post RSX Beyond Phono Cable with DIN Review: Part Two appeared first on Positive Feedback.

The Triode Lab 45 EVO Single-Ended-Triode Integrated Amplifier: The Evolution of the First Watt!

Jeff Day — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 20:38:07 +0000

Back in October of 2020 I did a straw poll among readers of Jeff's Place and Positive Feedback to find out what audio products they would be most interested in having me write about. The most popular and intriguing request among readers was the artisanal and custom-made Triode Lab 2A3 EVO single-ended-triode integrated amplifier from... Read More »

The post The Triode Lab 45 EVO Single-Ended-Triode Integrated Amplifier: The Evolution of the First Watt! appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Lindemann Limetree Phono II

Editors at Positive Feedback — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 21:48:50 +0000

North America Premiere Review! Small package – Big impression! Review By Clive Meakins With this article, Positive Feedback continues its content-sharing relationship with Enjoy the Music Rick Becker shares his thoughts on the Charisma Audio Musiko Tonearm, Soundeck, and Audio Machina Accessories. Dr. David W. Robinson, Editor-in-Chief Lindemann is very well versed with digital technology and Class D amplifiers. For... Read More »

The post Lindemann Limetree Phono II appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Intona 7054-x Galvanic Isolator

John Zurek — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 22:52:52 +0000

The last few years I've been pretty pleased with my system, so I've really not been considering any major changes. My current gaggle of components, cables, and room treatments works well in my somewhat difficult room, and delivers most of the passion of the music while usually keeping me happily engaged. I even get to... Read More »

The post Intona 7054-x Galvanic Isolator appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Does That Really Work?

Roger Skoff — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 22:45:11 +0000

Roger Skoff writes about one of High-End audio's truly basic questions. Full disclosure: Roger Skoff is the former founder and CEO of XLO Cables, and is now the same for RSX Cables. His writing in this essay focuses on the notion of high-end power cables having an effect on turntables, his surprise at that possibility,... Read More »

The post Does That Really Work? appeared first on Positive Feedback.

An Interview with Heavenly Soundworks Who Will Premiere FIVE17 Powered Loudspeakers at THE Show

Sander Roscoe Wolff — Fri, 28 May 2021 17:04:07 +0000

Jonathan and Kevin Couch - Founders of Heavenly Soundworks After three years of intensive development, Heavenly Soundworks will, for the first time, be presenting their FIVE17 active speaker system to the public. They will be exhibiting at T.H.E. Show, which is taking place in Long Beach, CA from June 11 through 13, at the Hilton... Read More »

The post An Interview with Heavenly Soundworks Who Will Premiere FIVE17 Powered Loudspeakers at THE Show appeared first on Positive Feedback.

The Secret Life of Audio Systems

Wojciech Pacuła — Wed, 26 May 2021 17:14:12 +0000

There are issues that drive me crazy, truly. I try not to give in to them, I look away and look for more interesting activities, but eventually, sooner or later, they come back to me. I am thinking mainly about how pavements are treated. Once the NOT office building, commonly known as the Szkieletor, today... Read More »

The post The Secret Life of Audio Systems appeared first on Positive Feedback.

The Butterfly Effect, Noelia Rodiles in Pure DSD256

Rushton Paul — Tue, 25 May 2021 17:44:13 +0000

With a light and delicate touch, Noelia Rodiles carries us on a rollicking joy filled ride with Schumann, Rueda, Mendelssohn, and del Puerta, then lands us gently with Schubert and Magrane. If some of these names are unfamiliar, I encourage you to join me and explore this lovely recording. Another transparent recording by Gonzalo Noqué... Read More »

The post The Butterfly Effect, Noelia Rodiles in Pure DSD256 appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Violent Femmes: Add It Up (1981-1993). Craft Recordings LP Reissue

Tom Gibbs — Sun, 23 May 2021 19:03:05 +0000

Violent Femmes: Add It Up (1981-1993). Two 120 gram, black vinyl LPs: $29.99 MSRP. Also available as two 120 gram, blister-marbled red vinyl LPs: $32.99 MSRP. Available from Craft Recordings. My first experience with the Violent Femmes came not too long after their eponymous debut album had been released in 1983. I'd just gone to... Read More »

The post Violent Femmes: Add It Up (1981-1993). Craft Recordings LP Reissue appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Sarah Jarosz: Build Me Up From Bones. Craft Recordings LP Reissue

Tom Gibbs — Sat, 22 May 2021 18:27:25 +0000

Sarah Jarosz: Build Me Up From Bones. 120 gram, black vinyl LP: $21.99 MSRP. Also available as a 120 gram, opaque red vinyl LP; no website or pricing information was available at the time of the review. Available from Craft Recordings. Sarah Jarosz is a multi-instrumentalist and singer / songwriter who grew up in Wimberley, Texas, a... Read More »

The post Sarah Jarosz: Build Me Up From Bones. Craft Recordings LP Reissue appeared first on Positive Feedback.

More from Fono Acustica: the Armónico Power Cables

Marshall Nack — Fri, 21 May 2021 17:10:44 +0000

Back when I went to public school, everyone took band. If you had no preference, they gave you whatever instrument needed players to fill a section—that's how a dented, silver trumpet wound up in my lap. Most of us consumed the hour by chilling out, with the exception of a small coterie of trumpet players... Read More »

Simaudio MOON 740P Preamplifier

Sam Rosen — Wed, 19 May 2021 02:07:55 +0000

I tend to be a believer in a less is more approach when it comes to my audio system; find a high end DAC like the Chord DAVE, and use it's outputs to drive the amplifier directly. In my experience putting anything between the DAC and the amplifier adds noise, colors the sound, and removes... Read More »

The post Simaudio MOON 740P Preamplifier appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Progressive Rock Italia Series, Universal Music Italia

Andy Goldenberg — Wed, 19 May 2021 00:10:35 +0000

IBIS, Self-Titled. Polydor Records 3581980. 1975 Locanda Delle Fate, Forse Le Lucciole Non Si Amano Piu. Polydor Records 3529073. 1977 Sensations' Fix, Finest Finger. Polydor Records 3559352. 1976 For the uninitiated, Italian Progressive Rock of the 1970s can be differentiated from its German and British peers by its heavier emphasis on the Hammond B-3 organ as opposed... Read More »

The post Progressive Rock Italia Series, Universal Music Italia appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Muarah MT-1 EVO and PSC Precision Speed Controller

Wojciech Pacuła — Mon, 17 May 2021 17:16:02 +0000

Muarah Audio made its debut during the Audio Video Show 2015 with a complete system designed for playing music from vinyl records. Associated primarily with turntables, it also offers electronics. This time, however, we are testing its flagship MT-1 EVO turntable with a PSC precise speed controller. The title of one of the articles on... Read More »

The post Muarah MT-1 EVO and PSC Precision Speed Controller appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Travel with the Devil: A Review of iFi's Diablo

Nan Pincus — Mon, 17 May 2021 16:47:45 +0000

We're all thinking about travel. Where can we go? How are we going to get there? And what will we listen to on our way? The Diablo (Spanish for devil) is a battery-powered DAC/headphone amp that you'll be packing with you whether your next journey is to heaven, hell, or a more lateral journey across... Read More »

The post Travel with the Devil: A Review of iFi's Diablo appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Grant Green Part II: The Holy Barbarians

Wayne Goins — Sat, 15 May 2021 23:10:09 +0000

Wayne Goins, doing his thing... This next chapter starts with Grant making major moves after his successful adventure with Jimmy Forrest. In our last issue, Grant and the Forrest-led band had completed their first album recorded on December 10 and 19 in 1959 at Delmark Records in Chicago, entitled All The Gin Is Gone (with... Read More »

The post Grant Green Part II: The Holy Barbarians appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Zesto Audio Andros Deluxe II Phono Stage: World Premiere Review!

Robert H. Levi — Sat, 15 May 2021 22:22:05 +0000

George Counnas of Zesto Audio with his Andros Deluxe II Phono Stage in Bob Levi's listening room Before I start: the most-asked question answered first! Yes. Those of you who own the Zesto Audio Deluxe Phono Stage may receive a factory Deluxe II upgrade through any Zesto Audio dealer for $1200, including a new faceplate... Read More »

The post Zesto Audio Andros Deluxe II Phono Stage: World Premiere Review! appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Dual Duty - Questyle CMA Twelve DAC / Headphone Amplifier

Michael Laurance — Wed, 12 May 2021 23:21:23 +0000

It's funny. As we move up through the echelons of the audio world, the pieces that produce our sonic magic become more and more singular in function. The jobs which devices perform move into larger and more separate boxes as if no component can do two things well at once. Stay in your lane. In... Read More »

The post Dual Duty - Questyle CMA Twelve DAC / Headphone Amplifier appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Charisma Audio Musiko Tonearm, Soundeck, and Audio Machina Accessories

Editors at Positive Feedback — Wed, 12 May 2021 22:28:41 +0000

World Premiere Review! A killer combination forced me to overcome my fear and buy the review sample. Review By Rick Becker With this article, Positive Feedback continues its content-sharing relationship with Enjoy the Music Rick Becker shares his thoughts on the Charisma Audio Musiko Tonearm, Soundeck, and Audio Machina Accessories. Dr. David W. Robinson, Editor-in-Chief "The more one knows about... Read More »

The post Charisma Audio Musiko Tonearm, Soundeck, and Audio Machina Accessories appeared first on Positive Feedback.

The Intellectual of the String Family in Pure DSD256 - Encounters by Joaquín Riquelme

Rushton Paul — Wed, 12 May 2021 22:16:32 +0000

Chamber music of Brahms and Schumann, how does it get any better? Well, you mix it with music of Hindemith and Enescu, add excellent musicians who perform all deliciously on viola and piano, and then capture the magic in a sterling recording. And thus you have a this exceptional release. I love music for the... Read More »

The post The Intellectual of the String Family in Pure DSD256 - Encounters by Joaquín Riquelme appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Pure DSD256 - What We Hear

Rushton Paul — Wed, 12 May 2021 20:01:31 +0000

Some of you may recall that Ann and I have been on a journey of discovery these past three years. After 45 and more years as died-in-the-wool analog listeners, we moved from an all-vinyl listening system to an all-digital listening system. And as we've explored digital recordings, we've kept our "audiophile-off-the-deep-end" hats firmly in place,... Read More »

The post Pure DSD256 - What We Hear appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Is Testing the Real Snake Oil? Roger Skoff Debunks the Debunkers

Roger Skoff — Wed, 12 May 2021 19:55:19 +0000

When I was a Kid Hi-Fi Crazy many years ago, "specs" were really important to me and to all of my Kid Hi-Fi Crazy friends. Being kids, we naturally had no money, and couldn't afford to buy anything—or at least not anything that wasn't either a kit or second-hand. Even so, we were all very... Read More »

The post Is Testing the Real Snake Oil? Roger Skoff Debunks the Debunkers appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Two Masterpieces for Piano Performed by Javier Laso

Rushton Paul — Tue, 11 May 2021 17:12:58 +0000

As lovely a piano recording as we are ever likely to hear. Javier Laso gives us superb performances of two great works of the piano literature. And Gonzalo Noqué, producer and chief recording engineer for Eudora Records, gives us a recording that captures of the sound of a grand piano as well or better than... Read More »

The post Two Masterpieces for Piano Performed by Javier Laso appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Amaya, Constellations - An Opera to Bring Us Back?

Stephen Francis Vasta — Tue, 11 May 2021 15:54:21 +0000

Sarah Shafer (s), Tessa; Raquel Winnica Young (ms), Pi; Dan Kempson (b). Arts Crossing Chamber Orchestra/Efraín Amaya. Albany TROY 1846. TT: 78.30 About a year ago—when it became apparent that the pandemic shutdowns would be dragging on for a while—the noted singer-actor Stephen Pasquale was interviewed by Classic Stage Company's Artistic Director, John Doyle (on Zoom,... Read More »

The post Amaya, Constellations - An Opera to Bring Us Back? appeared first on Positive Feedback.

Siltech Legend 880 Cables - When the Classic Becomes a Legend

Gregory Petan — Mon, 10 May 2021 19:08:54 +0000

For those Audiophiles that have been around a while, the name Siltech conjures images of high-end esoterica and rarified audiophile air. Edwin van der Kley Rynveld, an electrical engineer with very high level experience at Exxon and Phillips, acquired the company in 1992. Since the acquisition, Edwin has propelled Siltech into the ranks of the... Read More »

The post Siltech Legend 880 Cables - When the Classic Becomes a Legend appeared first on Positive Feedback.