May - June 2025 Archives - Positive Feedback

Sound Liaison Releases a Pure DSD256 One-Mic Stunner, With Free Download Sample Track

Rushton Paul — Sat, 28 Jun 2025 18:03:17 +0000

Peter Bjørnild and Frans de Rond at Sound Liaison have just released a stunning new Pure DSD256 album. This is their first album in Pure DSD256 and the results are simply incredible, with all the transparency, timbral accuracy, and resolution for which we love Pure DSD256. Frans says of DSD, "Its incredible clarity and precision... Read More »

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Jascha Horenstein's Mahler Symphony No. 8, a Stunning Performance and a Recording of Great Historical Importance

Rushton Paul — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 21:31:13 +0000

Every so often, a music release occurs that is of such historical and musical significance that time must be made to mark its arrival. So it is with this amazing restoration of the BBC's 2-microphone live recording of Jascha Horenstein's Mahler Symphony No. 8 "Symphony of a Thousand," recorded live in 1959 in Royal Albert... Read More »

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E231: High End Munich 2025: Six Exceptional Rooms

AudioAnalyst — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 17:58:39 +0000

Today we’ll explore a number of the incredible sounding rooms that were on exhibit at the 2025 Munich High End event. I’ll share my thoughts on rooms using Kronos Audio analog gear, Master Fidelity digital gear, a captivating TIDAL system, Soulution’s new tangent tracking turntable using a unique approach, and two rooms using Acora Acoustics... Read More »

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E230: High End Munich 2025: Mola Mola & Vivid Audio

AudioAnalyst — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 21:59:12 +0000

With this week’s tour of events during the final High End Society show to be held in Munich, we’ll meet and hear from two of my favorite people in our industry, Ewald Verkerk, the International Sales Manager for two superb manufacturers, Mola Mola of the Netherlands, and the UKs Vivid Audio, and Vivid Audio’s Chief... Read More »

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Robin Trower's Classic For Earth Below, 50th Anniversary Edition, on 2-LPs and 4-CDs from Chrysalis Records

Tom Gibbs — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 16:28:35 +0000

Chrysalis Records continues their celebration of the legacy of legendary guitarist Robin Trower with the latest installment in the series, For Earth Below, 50th Anniversary Edition. Originally released in 1975, For Earth Below was his third studio album, and followed on the heels of his commercial and critical breakthrough Bridge of Sighs by only ten... Read More »

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Recent Finds No. 42 Rachel Podger's New Album plus Pure DSD256 from Yarlung

Rushton Paul — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 15:51:17 +0000

A new album from Rachel Podger and Brecon Baroque, recorded by Jared Sacks, is always reason to celebrate! Add to that some delightful discoveries from Alpha Classics, Yarlung Records (in Pure DSD256), two albums from IBS, and an intriguing peak at what may come from the "new" Channel Classics under Outhere Music's direction, and we... Read More »

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XACT S1 EVO Music Server

Marshall Nack — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 16:19:02 +0000

The formula is simple. If you voice the component in a way that resonates with enthusiasts, odds are it's going to take off. What's left is securing media coverage to sustain consumer enthusiasm. I was not surprised to see the S1 Music Server from XACT take that route. Once you've heard its big tone—ample body,... Read More »

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Recent Finds No. 41 Pure DSD256 from Hunnia Records

Rushton Paul — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 21:38:22 +0000

You will likely have noticed a large number of recordings in my articles from Hunnia Records. The owner of the label, Robert Zoltán Hunka, loves all kinds of music and is fanatically committed to making recordings with the highest sound quality he is able to achieve. Their albums keep showing up for three good reasons:... Read More »

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Vera-Fi Audio's Line Noise Black Hole and Snub Station Zero: Serious AC Power Optimization that has Rocked my World!

Tom Gibbs — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 17:05:13 +0000

Mark Schifter and the geniuses at Vera-Fi Audio have done it again, and their new group of AC power optimization products may be the company's most important product launch to date. A little over a week ago, and following a series of somewhat cryptic direct messages, Mark confirmed he was sending a trio of new... Read More »

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E229: High End Munich 2025: With True Life Audio

AudioAnalyst — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 19:39:54 +0000

While True Life Audio wasn’t launching anything new at this High End Munich, the presentation of their Supreme series of products in two different systems in Hall 4 really served to stir growing excitement and generate a buzz during this year’s event, attention and recognition that are very well deserved, and long overdue. Today, we’ll... Read More »

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RAY Tubes Select 12AT7 Dual Triode Tubes: Rolling Next-level Performance into the Advance Paris A12 Classic Amplifier

Tom Gibbs — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 17:29:42 +0000

In my recent review of the Advance Paris A12 Classic integrated amplifier, I was smitten with its great looks and retro-cool vibe, but it also proved to be a superb all-around performer. And its impressive range of features ought to make it a top choice for anyone looking to build a system around a high-end... Read More »

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Cherish the Ladies, Part 2

John Marks — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 00:12:45 +0000

John Marks of The Tannhauser Gate (thetannhausergate.com) and Positive Feedback This is a continuation of a very long essay. But I think the subject matter deserves thorough coverage. In Part 1 (HERE), I examined the hard-wired neurological, and the (apparently, universal) cultural reasons why everyone responds strongly to women's singing voices (and responds equally strongly to toddler... Read More »

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Wireworld Silver Eclipse 10 Interconnects

John Hoffman — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 16:32:19 +0000

What manner of arcane sorcery does David Salz of Wireworld Cable Technology practice behind closed doors in the depths of his cryptic labyrinth? Are mystic spells being chanted, obscure rituals observed, and talismans of power wielded in the creation of magical and wonderful wires? Or perhaps I've simply spent too many hours this weekend binge-watching... Read More »

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Recent Finds No. 40 Some Reissues of Significance from HDTT

Rushton Paul — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 16:22:30 +0000

HDTT has been on a tear generating great reissues this past year, and that tear continues unabated. Here are several releases that have gotten my attention over recent weeks largely because of their historical significance. The belong in any well stocked music library. Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 1, Byron Janis, Kiril Kondrashin, Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra.... Read More »

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Grado Labs Signature S950 Headphone: An Amazing Addition to the Signature Line!

Robert H. Levi — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 16:19:58 +0000

Bob Levi (right) with Michael Fremer (photograph and image processing by David W. Robinson) Brand new to the lineup of Grado Labs Signature Headphones is the extraordinary Signature S950 all wood headphones. Frankly, I did not see these coming! The aluminum used in the excellent HP100 SE Headphones is gone and hand-crafted Brazilian walnut shell... Read More »

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RAY Tubes Reserve EL34 and Select 12AU7 Vacuum Tubes: Elevating My PrimaLuna EVO 300 Integrated Amplifier's Performance to Unforeseen Heights!

Tom Gibbs — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 16:10:09 +0000

Growing up in late-sixties north Georgia, music first really grabbed my attention around my tenth birthday. My family had an old tube Philco console stereo, and after school every day, I'd run home to spin a few records or listen to the radio. I had no concept of buying my own albums yet, and the... Read More »

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Recent Finds No. 39 Mining Pure DSD256 Gold

Rushton Paul — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 15:50:49 +0000

For me, a Pure DSD256 recording done well is the height of audio reproduction excellence. Yes, 15ips and 30ips analog tape sound marvelous, but so does Pure DSD256. Play either in its pure state, as in direct from the tape or direct from an excellent D/A converter, without intervening mucking about, and you can hear... Read More »

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Advance Paris A12 Classic Integrated Amplifier: Retro Good Looks, Impressive Power, and Astonishing Flexibility!

Tom Gibbs — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 15:47:58 +0000

I spend a fair amount of time on social media, especially Instagram; it's a great space to post meaningless snippets of existential nonsense, and is less overtly cluttered by the intense political rants that have bogged down Facebook. Not that I'm apolitical—you don't want to get me started about the current state of affairs here... Read More »

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Stunning Release from Pelle D'oca and Jared Sacks in Pure DSD256

Rushton Paul — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 15:40:25 +0000

It is celebration time, folks. Jared Sacks has launched a new label, Pelle D'oca ("Goosebumps" in Italian), with a stunning new recording of Beethoven's Violin Concerto. And the cherry on the top is that this release is in PURE DSD256! Recorded and mixed entirely in the DSD* domain, with no PCM, with no trip out... Read More »

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HiFi-rrari 2025

Roger Skoff — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 01:05:08 +0000

In which Roger Skoff tells why he didn't buy a Ferrari… In 1969, when a brand-new Ferrari sports car cost, depending on which model it was and how it was equipped, less than US$20,000, I almost bought a used one. It was an absolutely gorgeous 1967 bright yellow, aluminum bodied 275 GTB/4, offered by Otto... Read More »

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E228: High End Munich 2025: Kubala-Sosna Ovation & XPander Introductions

AudioAnalyst — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 17:30:47 +0000

There were so many product introductions at this past High End show in Munich that it was simply impossible to keep track of them all. But one of the more interesting premiers, and perhaps less publicized but no less important, took place in Hall 4.1, Room E109, Sponsored by Wod Audio, Today we’ll hear from... Read More »

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Patti Page's In the Land of Hi-Fi

Robert Pincus — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 16:19:30 +0000

What has intrigued me about this record for decades is its cover photo. I can't remember when I first saw it, but it was long ago. I think I saw it on an inner sleeve, or maybe it was in one of those colorful catalogs that record companies used to stuff inside of their LPs.... Read More »

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Cherish the Ladies, Part 1

John Marks — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 15:38:30 +0000

Your hearing works in the dark. It even works when you are asleep! Humans were designed (or evolved) so that certain hard-wired aspects of our ear-brain systems serve as important defense and survival mechanisms. When an Ice-Age Cave Mommy heard a twig snap in the forest, she did not consciously have to focus on, think... Read More »

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2025 Munich High-End Show

Key Kim — Fri, 30 May 2025 17:49:47 +0000

Wow! It's been more than 15 years since I've been attending the Munich High-End Show and this year will be the last year it is to be held in Munich. But for now, that time of the year again! The 2025 Munich High-End Show has finally arrived. Farewell with a record turn-out of visitors from... Read More »

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E227: High End Munich 2025-Updates from Audionet

AudioAnalyst — Wed, 28 May 2025 20:14:25 +0000

Today I begin sharing my experiences during High End Munich 2025, beginning with a discussion with the CEO and Lead Engineer of Berlin’s world-class Audionet electronics.

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