In which John Marks shares his latest musical reflections from his very fine blog site, The Tannhauser Gate. As usual, his comments are edifying and instructive. Enjoy! Dr. David W. Robinson, Ye Olde Editor Gregorio Allegri’s "Miserere" (Have mercy on me, Lord) is one of the most famous pieces of Late-Renaissance polyphonic a cappella choral... Read More »
Here we are with our Brutus Awards for 2019, but before we go into who and what, let me digress a bit. This past year has been rather interestingly different for both Carol and me. Entering our third year of retirement we find ourselves spending less time with audio related stuff (specifically reviewing, as it... Read More »
Something not so secret about me, I'm more interested in the music than the gear. I've documented elsewhere that I do acknowledge that better gear produces better music, but when it's all boiled down, I get distracted listening to gear because I'm identifying with the music. Granted, there are times when I listen to a... Read More »
Readers of Positive Feedback may already be familiar with Justin Weber's creations. At least two reviews of his products can be found in these pages. Known for elegant and physically small pieces that punch way above their weight class, this amplifier is no different, and this is actually the second review of this particular unit,... Read More »
Beginning at the end of 2003, PF established its first annual awards for fine audio. The Brutus Award was established for the best that David Robinson and Dave Clark (and Carol Clark) had heard in their own listening rooms during that year. You can think of it as our equivalent of an "Editors' Choice" award. The Gizmo... Read More »
The new Magneplanar LRS Loudspeakers are touted by Magnepan in very much the same way as the MMGs were for years: the most inexpensive way you can get a taste of Magnepan's high-end offerings. I can't argue with that; at $650 per pair, they're a remarkable bargain—there's nothing else out there close to the price... Read More »
From John Marks' blog site The Tannhauser Gate comes this recommended recording: the "American Songbook" as performed by solo artists on Steinway pianos. No words...just the music itself. A tough challenge. But John says that the results are excellent, therefore one should pay attention.... Dr. David W. Robinson, Ye Olde Editor Various: Cole Porter on a Steinway,... Read More »
Frequenzgang? Ja! Das steht genau so im Datenblatt des Ether 2, dem neuen Magnetostaten-Flaggschiff des kalifornischen Herstellers MrSpeakers. Mit Superlativen in Sachen Frequenzgängen muss sich der Kopfhörer nicht schmücken, sein hervorragender Ruf eilt ihm voraus. Nicht nur deshalb bin ich sehr gespannt auf einen ausführlichen Test.
Genuin-Audio-Inhaber Thomas Wendt kommt seinem Ziel, eine komplette Kette seiner Marke anbieten zu können, einen weiteren Schritt näher, und was für einen: Die MM- und MC-kompatible Phonostufe pearl beeindruckt allein schon mit ihrem Netzteil mit einem 250-Watt-Ringkerntrafo und einer Gesamtkapazität von 120.000 Mikrofarad.
Now celebrating its 3rd year of operation, Stereo Brewing is an independent craft brewery located in Placentia, California. Master brewer-owner Rick Smets created Stereo Brewing as his crowning achievement for the things he is passionate about, great music and great beer. Given that his values dovetail perfectly with many at Positive Feedback and never lacking... Read More »
It's winter time. Want to know the best tweak for the season? Humidity. Get a humidifier and maintain about 35% RH at the equipment rack. Not only does it make you feel better, it will make the equipment perform better. Sound travels through air: consider it the final wire in your system. Ralph Pays... Read More »
Guest review by Mattias Jung of HiFi Statement. In the past few years I had lost track of the Lindemann company and their audio products. This was despite the fact that I had only the finest memories of the products from Bavaria since the early days, and whenever I passed by a Lindemann demonstration at... Read More »
After so many years reviewing audio equipment there are a few things that stand out. One is that the better the AC any component is seeing, the better the music comes across—and that is in terms of both musicality and overall sonics. Cleaner is better. Stable is better. Less crap is better. Better is better.... Read More »
This is an ongoing project by Claude Lemaire of Soundevaluations 116. The Cure, Three Imaginary Boys. Fiction Records – FIX 1 (UK) (1979), 33 1/3 rpm. Genre: new wave, post-punk. Just as British art director, designer, and photographer Bill Smith crafted the iconic imaginative cover art of their debut album, so did the boys bring a billowing... Read More »
I only got to spend a short time this year at the Capitol Audiofest but I sure got an eyeful and an earful of some of the newest and most interesting things happening in the high end audio industry today. This is just a short set of photos of a few of the things that... Read More »
The thing about the AES show is that it's traditionally been two shows: a trade show run by marketing people upstairs, selling off all the latest new pro audio hardware, while downstairs there are scientists and engineers talking about the latest new technology. What makes the AES different than any other show is that it... Read More »
Plugging a pair of Audio Art SC-5 ePlus Cryo Treated Speaker Cables into your system is like renting a Sebring convertible for a spin down Pacific Coast Highway, top down, taking in the sun splashed vistas and ocean air; they won't break the bank as they open up new sensory pleasures in your listening experience.... Read More »
A legend has been running in the UK audio scene for many years, of an audiophile with a vast collection of the world's most sought after turntables, amplifiers loaded to the brim with platinum transformers and rare vintage capacitors, and an audiophile lair with a sound that eclipses them all. For a long time I... Read More »
I've had a really good relationship with Norman Varney from AV RoomService for a couple of years now; his company manufactures a variety of products that are aimed at reducing airborne and other vibrational noises in your listening room. He also is heavily involved in custom listening and audiovisual room design and construction; his level... Read More »